For second time, Atkins, Collins square off in District 41

Democratic incumbent John Atkins and Republican challenger Richard Collins are the two candidates running for the Representative District 41 seat. These men squared off two years ago, with Atkins winning by just 69 votes, 4,421 to 4,352.

This district represents the residents of Millsboro, Dagsboro, Frankford and Selbyville.

John Atkins

Age: 44

Residence: Millsboro

Occupation: Small business owner, Atkins Farm Wagons

Education: Graduate of the Indian River School District

Family: Sons Chase, Jared and Jake

Reason for running: As a born-and-raised Sussex countian and a small businessman, it’s been my mission to do right by my neighbors and help make our community better for my three sons and all the families we share it with.

Richard Collins

Age: 65

Residence: Millsboro

Occupation: Insurance Agent, own agency

Education: Graduated U of D, education

Family: wife Susie, 3 children, 5 grandchildren

Reason for running: To restore the economy and trust in the truthfulness of government leaders.

A shellfish aquaculture development area in Indian River Bay is just off the peninsula of land at the end of Bunting Road. Will aquaculture risk the over commercialization of Delaware's bays?

John Atkins: Shellfish aquaculture is a $119 million industry up and down the East Coast, and Delaware is the only state that doesn't have a stake in it. I grew up around the Inland Bays, so I know how much of a treasured resource they are to our community and how big of a tourist attraction they are. Shellfish aquaculture will create local jobs, produce a local product for our restaurants and clean our Inland Bays. Each of the millions of oysters to be grown will filter about 50 gallons of water per day. It will create a new multimillion dollar industry in Sussex County. I am confident that shellfish farming, which will take place in a small part of the bays, will not commercialize our Inland Bays.

Richard Collins: Aquaculture was authorized by HB 160, which was passed unanimously in 2013 by the Delaware General Assembly. As experience with shellfish leases develop, there must be careful monitoring to be sure that conflicts between users don't develop. I am looking forward with great anticipation to the environmental benefits of growing oysters in the bay, but recreational users must be protected. If elected, I will pay close attention to this issue and will be prepared to make legislative adjustments.

Few issues in Sussex County have garnered as much attention as the proposed Allen Harim poultry plant. Are you in favor of the plant? Does processing 2 million chickens a week pose a threat to the environment?

J.A.: I am in favor of the proposed poultry plant, the $100 million investment it would mean for our community and the hundreds of jobs it would bring to our area. On top of that, reopening that facility would bring more work to many of our locally-owned and operated businesses, such as Bunting’s Garage in Dagsboro, Mumford’s Sheet Metal in Selbyville, Marvel’s Portable Welding in Frankford, and of course Intervet/Merck in Millsboro. The operators of the poultry plant have been required to formulate a thorough plan for remediating the environmental mess left by the plant’s previous occupant and to control and manage their environmental impact going forward.

R.C.: I support the plant. Modern technology will bring environmental improvements. I will make sure DNREC protects local residents who have legitimate concerns.

Farmers, service companies, and those who work at the plant will benefit. Millions of dollars will be injected into the local economy.

Unfortunately, because existing chicken plants are chronically short hundreds of employees, more immigrants will almost surely fill most of the 700 jobs. Their children in schools plus entitlements could cost millions per year.

Thus, economic benefits aren’t clear. The 41st District needs quality jobs. Tax and regulatory reforms are mandatory to bring this about. Those reforms will be my top priority.

During a public meeting in May, Rep. Atkins estimated the state is leaving $25 million on the table by having a $2 toll on Route 404. Should a toll be placed on Route 404 to increase revenue for the state? How would you raise funds to improve Sussex County roads?

J.A.: This idea would require a full vetting by our state transportation experts to see if it is feasible and would benefit our infrastructure fund without burdening local residents and businesses. The people who travel to our county in droves each summer put a lot of wear on our roads and cause a lot of traffic issues; it would only be fair for them to share the costs. If this proposal were to move forward in the future, I would support a requirement that all funds raised be dedicated only to Sussex County road and transportation projects.

R.C.: Atkins’ statements were to trick constituents into believing he was taking action. He never took any steps to actually create a toll.

Converting 404 to a toll road would create a vast expense for taxpayers. This is why tolls are collected not to create a profit, but to offset the huge expense of building highways. It would be many years, if ever, before a 404 toll road would actually produce additional funding for other roads.

This toll would likely reduce tourist traffic to Delaware. Tourist dollars are one of the few bright spots in our economy. This isn’t the time for insatiable big government to suck even more dollars up while further weakening the economy.

It’s time for honesty about Delaware's Transportation Trust Fund. The trust fund has been raided for years. Much spending from it has nothing to do with building roads.

I am opposed to additional gas taxes or tolls. Tax increases of the past have led to overall declines in revenue in 2014. Instead, we must reform taxation and regulation so that small businesses and entrepreneurs can once again flourish and create the next economic boom.