News Briefs 03/13/20

Cancellations posted on Cape Gazette website
The ever-increasing number of event cancellations is being updated regularly at www.capegazette.com as the COVID-19 outbreak continues to grow. Cape girls basketball semi-final rescheduled for March 13 at Cape High has been cancelled until further notice. The updated information is not reflected in the article on page 101 due to deadline constraints. In addition, several print advertisements wwith time-sensitive events may have been postponed or canceled.

Convention center closed through April 30
Due to the growing concerns around coronavirus (COVID-19), the City of Rehoboth Beach has decided to close the convention center through April 30. The health and well-being of citizens, partners, and employees is the top priority. The City of Rehoboth Beach is proactively monitoring public health information for any potential implications for the community. City staff will communicate with event organizers and other key contacts to relay updates. City Hall is open during regular business hours Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Staff is receiving updated information and directives about health concerns as they learn more from public health agencies.

All City Hall meetings, including commissions and committees, are currently on schedule. However, they encourage the public to livestream these meetings at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net/Portal/ in order to limit potential exposure. City of Rehoboth Beach essential services, including police and fire, remain fully staffed and operational. All emergency crews are prepared to respond as necessary. For more information, contact the Communications Department at 302-227-6181 Ext. 522 or communications@cityofrehoboth.com.

Rehoboth Boardwalk Committee to meet March 16
The Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk and Beach Committee has scheduled a meeting for 9 a.m., Monday, March 16, in the commissioners room of city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda calls for discussion on next year’s proposed budget and how it affects committee priorities, and discussions on the use of drones, wireless antennas and safety of the Boardwalk. For more information call 302-227-6181. A full copy of the agenda can be found at city hall or online at www.cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net.

Rehoboth law oversight committee to meet March 18
The Rehoboth Beach Law Oversight Committee has scheduled a meeting for 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 18, in the commissioners room of city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda calls for further discussion on the tree code. For more information call 302-227-6181. A full copy of the agenda can be found at city hall or online at www.cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. 

Rehoboth Beach set to begin paving on Philadelphia Street
As part of its annual paving program, Rehoboth Beach is set to perform paving work on Philadelphia Street, from Scarborough Avenue to King Charles Avenue, and Third Street, from Lake Avenue to Columbia Avenue.

Milling of the existing surface was scheduled to begin March 12. Paving is scheduled to begin Monday, March 16, on Philadelphia Street and then proceed to Third Street. The project is scheduled for completion in mid-March. Note that any inclement weather or unforeseen conditions may cause delays to this schedule. The scheduled work hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. During this work, sections of the road will be closed to thru traffic but will be open to local traffic. For more information contact the communications department at 302-227-6181 Ext. 522 or communications@cityofrehoboth.com.

Statewide SoberLift Program runs March 13-18
The Delaware Office of Highway Safety is reactivating the SoberLift program in partnership with Lyft over St. Patrick’s Day weekend. The program will run from 8 p.m., Friday, March 13, through 2 a.m., Wednesday, March 18, and will provide free Lyft vouchers with a maximum value of $15 for individuals who want a sober ride. To participate in the program, individuals need to text “SOBERLIFT” to 99000 to redeem the discount code.

State officials say 73 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes over the 2018 St. Patrick’s holiday period. The number of daily codes will be limited. Go to www.ohs.delaware.gov for details.

Lewes council to meet March 16
Lewes Mayor and City Council will meet at 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 16, at the Rollins Community Center. Officials will consider the controversial Fisher’s Cove major subdivision and a related minor subdivision request. There will be a presentation of the 2020 Jefferson Awards. Council will consider changes to the bylaws of the planning commission, temporary placement of the railroad swing bridge on property owned by Robert Kennedy, an ordinance regarding removal of planning commission members, and a lease agreement between the city and M&T Bank for the possible use of the bank’s parking lot at the corner of West Third Street and Market Street. To view the full agenda, go to www.lewes.civicweb.net.

Lewes to vote on budget March 16
Lewes Mayor and City Council will meet at 6 p.m., Monday, March 16, at the Rollins Community Center to vote on the fiscal year 2021 budget. Council has been working on the budget during workshops the last several weeks. For more information, call city hall at 302-645-7777.

SDARJ announces Dialogue to Action Program
The spring session of Dialogue to Action, a six-week program of conversations about racism geared toward meaningful action, is set to begin in early April in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach and Georgetown. Sponsored by the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice in conjunction with the YWCA-DE Racial and Social Justice Program, multi-racial study circles of 8 to 12 people will meet with trained facilitators once a week to talk about race, racism, and possible solutions to end it. The program will culminate in an Action Forum, when all participants will gather to finalize plans for specific actions to address identified issues.

SDARJ is taking registrations for discussion groups meeting in Lewes at the Unitarian Universalist Church Wednesdays, April 1 to May 6, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; in Rehoboth Beach at the Community Resource Center Saturdays, April 4 to May 9, 10 a.m. to noon; and in Georgetown at First State Community Action Agency Tuesdays, April 7 to May 12, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. 
Encouraging more African Americans to get involved, former participant Marlene Saunders describes Dialogue to Action as an opportunity “to form purposeful and enlightening relations with white people…relationships that are grounded on empathy, trust and respect.”

To register to participate in the conversation go to www.ywcade.org/dialogue-sussex or go to www.SDARJ.org for details.

RD20 Democratic Committee to meet March 19
The RD20  Democratic Committee will hold its monthly meeting Thursday, March 19, at Fish On Restaurant, 17300 Village Main Blvd. in Lewes. The public portion of the event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a social gathering, during which refreshments and dinner will be available for purchase. 

Starting at 6 p.m. the featured speaker Chris Bason, executive director, Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, will discuss the county’s effort to realize an ordinance improving buffers between new developments and wetlands and waters.

At 7 p.m., the RD20 Democratic Committee will conduct its monthly business meeting. During the meeting, Kerri Evelyn Harris will discuss her role as the state Democratic Party’s national committeewoman as well as key state and national legislation that impact Delawareans’ lives. RD20 is the local Democratic Party organization for residents in the Lewes, Milton, Belltown, Cool Spring, Jimtown, Pinetown and Harbeson areas of Sussex County. For more information and news about upcoming events email rd20.deldems@gmail.com.

Dewey budget committee to meet March 13
The Dewey Beach Budget and Finance Committee will meet at 4 p.m., Friday, March 13, at the Lifesaving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave. Members will review and possibly vote to recommend to commissioners the adoption of the 2021 fiscal year budget estimate with committee recommendations. Members will also review fiscal year financial results to date and continue review of a proposal to commissioners on set-aside accounts.

Dewey commissioners to meet March 14
Dewey Beach commissioners will hold a public hearing and town meeting at 9 a.m., Saturday, March 14, at the Lifesaving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave. The public hearing will be held to determine whether installation of an in-line check valve on McKinley Avenue at Hayden Road will come out of the infrastructure fund or maintenance account. Council may vote to approve budget and finance committee recommendations to approve the 2021 fiscal year budget and to amend the number of set-aside accounts and associated revenue allocations. Members may also vote to approve an ordinance requiring hotels and motels to pay a 1.5 percent accommodations tax on all rental bookings and to approve a resolution improving the monitoring and enforcement of conditional-use compliance. Go to www.townofdeweybeach.com.

ITN presentation at advisory group meeting March 16
The Sussex County Advisory Committee on Aging & Adults with Physical Disabilities will host a presentation on transportation services ITN Southern Delaware is providing to seniors 55 and older, and to adults 18 and older who have visual impairments.
The meeting will be at 10 a.m., Monday, March 16, at the Sussex County west complex, 22215 N. DuPont Blvd., Georgetown. Janis Hanwell, executive director of the nonprofit agency, will talk about the services her organization provides and the various membership and volunteer opportunities available.