News Briefs 05/01/18

Republicans for Sussex to host Beef and Dumpling Dinner May 6
Join local legislators for a Beef and Dumpling Dinner Sunday, May 6, from 12:30 to 4 p.m., hosted by Republicans for Sussex. The dinner will be held at the Delmar VFW, 200 W. State St. "This will be a great opportunity to meet with our western Sussex legislators, and have a delicious Sunday afternoon dinner," said Ron Sams, RFS chairman. "We are also planning a cake auction, and other fun activities," he added. The cost of the dinner is $15 for adults, and $10 for children under 12. Slices of homemade cakes will be available for dessert. Attendees can eat in or carry out. For ticket information, contact Sams at 302-945-2586.

Republicans for Sussex is a PAC which is composed of the presidents and other leaders of the Republican clubs in Sussex County. Its mission is to coordinate efforts to connect with friends and neighbors in broadening awareness of those Republican elected officials and candidates who will sincerely and honestly work for the future wellbeing of their communities.

Lewes BPW candidates' forum set May 7
A candidates' forum for the Lewes Board of Public Works will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, May 7, in the city meeting room at the Rollins Community Center (the old library building). Sponsored by the Greater Lewes Civic Coalition, this forum continues a 40-year tradition. The event will give voters in the Saturday, May 12 election an opportunity to hear from the candidates and to talk with them about issues of concern.

Five candidates are running to fill three seats on the Board of Public Works: C. Wendell Alfred, Robert Kennedy III, Jack Lesher, John Mavromatis and Tom Panetta. The term of office for each BPW seat is three years. Voters must be registered with the BPW. If someone has voted in either of the past two contested elections for the BPW (2003 and 2011), that person should still be registered. Call the BPW's offices at 302-645-6228 for registration status. For more information on the Greater Lewes Civic Coalition or the candidates' forum, contact GreaterLewes@gmail.com or Marc-Antoine Lopez at 302-644-4992.

Lewes HPC set to meet May 1
The Lewes Historic Preservation Commission will meet at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 1, at city hall. The group will consider an application to build a new home on a vacant lot at 237 Second St. Architect Brenda Jones will present the application for a single-family home. The committee will also discuss the ongoing effort to combine the historic preservation commission with the commercial architectural review commission. For more information, call 302-645-7777.

Lewes commercial review group to meet
The Lewes Commercial Architectural Review Commission will meet at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 3, at city hall to discuss an application for 115 Savannah Road. The applicant is seeking to build an addition of the rear of the building for parking/storage on the ground floor. They are also seeking to build a pool and deck on the third floor. For more information, call city hall at 302-645-7777.

Headwater Cove subdivision approved
At its April 26 meeting, Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission gave preliminary approval to a subdivision application filed by Headwater Cove – Carlton Simpler and Bryton Simpler Farm LLC for a parcel on the south side of Dorman Road, east of Route 24 near Lewes. The subdivision will contain 163 single-family lots on 82 acres, including 25 acres of undisturbed forested area. The final site plan is subject to the review and approval of the commission.

Source water protection group meets May 2
The Source Water Protection Citizens and Technical Advisory Committee of the Source Water Assessment and Protection Program will meet from 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, May 2, in conference Room 220 A&B of the Kent County Administrative Offices on Bay Road, Dover. The committee will discuss policy for perfluoralkyl/polyfluoralkyl substances and also discuss the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control's response to the Blades incident involving the substances.

Allan endorsed for 36th Representative District
The Democratic committee of the 36th Representative District officialy endorsed Democratic candidate Don Allan during its meeting April 16. "I'm proud to accept the endorsement of the local chapter of the Democratic Party. I decided to enter this race to refocus our state's government on the working and middle class," Allan said in a prepared statement. "Knowing that I have the support of the proud Democrats on the committee encourages me to work even harder toward the goal of making our government by the people and for the people, and not by the rich and for the corporations."

Allan, who announced his candidacy in early January, is a full-time carpenter. Rep. Harvey Kenton is the district's current office holder, but he's announced he will not seek another term. Republican and Milford Mayor Bryan Shupe has announced his candidacy for the seat. The 36th Representative District encompasses all or parts of Milford, Ellendale, Milton, Slaughter Beach and Broadkill Beach. The Democratic committee of the 36th Representative District meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Arena's in Milford.

Bill provides relief to first-time home buyers
A bill giving first-time homebuyers financial relief was introduced April 17 by Speaker of the House Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach.
In 2017, lawmakers increased the state's portion of the transfer tax by 1 percent, which is split equally between buyer and seller. House Bill 380 would exempt first-time homebuyers from paying the buyer's share of the 1 percent increase and create a credit. Under the legislation, first-time homebuyers would be exempt from paying 0.5 percent of the first $400,000 of a home's selling price, or a maximum of $2,000. A first-time homebuyer is defined as a person who has never owned a home in any jurisdiction. Individuals who owned a home in another state, but are looking to buy in Delaware for the first time, are not eligible. The legislation is retroactive, so any first-time homebuyer who purchased a home in Delaware on or after Aug. 1, 2017 would be able to apply for a refund through the Division of Revenue.

Most Sussex libraries closed May 3
Most public libraries in Sussex County will be closed Thursday, May 3, for the annual Delaware/Maryland Library Association Conference. The professional associations of both states share resources and expenses for this multi-state continuing education event. Concurrent sessions throughout the day will be provided by nationally recognized library and community leaders. Of the county-owned libraries, all will be closed May 3 with the exception of the Milton library, which will operate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day. Libraries that are closed will reopen at their regularly scheduled times Friday, May 4.