News Briefs 8/31/21

Fisher’s Cove topic of Sept. 1 meeting

Lewes Planning Commission will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 1, at the Rollins Community Center and via Zoom. The sole topic of the meeting is to discuss and possibly provide a recommendation on the latest plan for Fisher’s Cove, a proposed 18-unit, single-family home community off Rodney Avenue near the University of Delaware campus. Materials and a link to the virtual meeting are available at lewes.civicweb.net.

Lewes historic preservation to meet

Lewes Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Commission will meet at 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 2, at city hall and via Zoom. The group will discuss the resurvey of the historic district, review the HPARC ordinance for potential changes or additions, and consider a recommendation regarding revisions to the zoning code. Materials and a link to the virtual meeting are available at lewes.civicweb.net.

Rehoboth environment committee to meet

The Rehoboth Beach Environment Committee will meet virtually at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 3, with public access via the city’s civic web portal.

The agenda calls for a presentation by DNREC Environmental Program Manager Adam Schlachter, an update on table placards and continued discussion on a sustainable climate action plan.

A full agenda and meeting materials are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. For more information, call 302-227-6181.

Retired judge to run for Delaware AG

Retired Kent County Court of Common Pleas Judge Charles Welch, a Republican, has announced he will run for the office of attorney general for the State of Delaware in the November 2022 election.

A longtime champion of law enforcement, Welch vows to protect the rights of law-abiding citizens by detaining violent offenders and getting tough on gun crimes, removing drug dealers from the streets, and prosecuting looters when they steal and harm businesses.

Prior to his appointment to the Court of Common Pleas in 2000, Welch was elected to represent the 29th District in the Delaware House of Representatives, located in northwest Kent County.  While in the House, Welch was elected to leadership as House majority whip.

Welch, 62, of Dover, served on the court for 19 years, and founded and presided over the Kent County Court of Common Pleas Drug Court for more than a decade.

There will be a statewide campaign kickoff Wednesday, Sept. 1, with a gathering at 1 p.m. at the CHEER Center, 20520 Sand Hill Road, Georgetown, as well as events in Kent and New Castle counties.

Rehoboth commission denies removal of loblolly

During a meeting Aug. 23, the Rehoboth Beach Parks & Shade Tree Commission voted to deny an appeal to remove a loblolly pine tree located on the property line between the city right of way and the property at 21 Saint Lawrence St. About this time last year, the city’s planning commission approved the subdivision of this property from a 100-by-100-foot lot to two 100-by-50-foot lots.

Rally supporting menhaden reel set Sept. 5

A rally in support of keeping the menhaden fishing reel in its current location at the Lewes Historical Society is set for 3:30 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 5, at the corner of West Third Street and Shipcarpenter Street. The city’s board of adjustment is expected to consider an appeal from the Lewes Historical Society in September regarding the denial of current placement by the historic preservation architectural review commission in 2020. 

Organizers of the rally say the existing location is important for two reasons: The streets were part of the heart of Lewes’ historically Black neighborhood, and the net reel is a symbol of an integrated industry that did not discriminate against Blacks during the Jim Crow era.