Letters to the Editor

Cape school board is micromanaging

I send this letter as a concerned citizen in the Cape Henlopen School District. My concern is the recent resignation of Superintendent Dr. Kevin Carson and the impact on our young scholars. I would like to refer to the recent web poll that appeared in the May 29 Cape Gazette in reference to the Cape Henlopen school board micromanaging question.

This poll indicated that 76.8 percent polled said yes, 10.2 percent said no and 13 percent said not sure about this. I agree with the 76.8 percent majority who feel that the Cape Henlopen school board is micromanaging. It is evident that this is happening and I believe that if our young scholars are to gain all that they should with so many current education demands, this micromanaging must cease!

School board member duties are spelled out in a brief orientation presented at the state level once one is sworn into the position. School board members are to make policy and procedures, hire and give support to the administration and allow the administration to make those policies and procedures work to benefit each and every young scholar.

It is disappointing to see that our community is not showing enough interest in this disturbing action to speak out about it. Have we all forgotten that these young scholars will one day, sooner than we know it, be contributors in our community, state, country and global stability or instability? What do we want for our youth? Dr. Kevin Carson is one of Delaware's highly respected senior superintendents who is highly qualified in every respect to run a school district. His record speaks for him. Young scholars' success is important to him. Legislators and educators who know Dr. Carson know that Cape has lost an expert leader in education. To lose this well-qualified, experienced school leader makes us look as if we have no thought or idea about our young people's educational needs.

I'm ashamed and embarrassed to have such action happen in this district. Dr. Carson is not the only superintendent who has looked at leaving this district because of similar micromanagement and poorly thought-out decision making. We cannot have a strong and successful school system if good leaders seek to resign for not being allowed to do their jobs.

Also, it is not the duty of board members to seek revenge or show favoritism to get things for their personal gain or satisfaction. This is dangerous to the entire system. I ask the Cape community to speak out and not let this terrible behavior continue. Please keep the young scholars first!

Noble W. Prettyman

Milton

Sheriff not runningdepartment properly

By the latest reports, Sheriff Christopher is incapable of keeping track of what at least one of his deputies is doing while on the county payroll. Then when confronted with this evidence, his complaint - well, nobody told me he was scamming the county. It must be the GPS's fault. Come on! A talented and capable leader would be appalled about this and be looking to see if this lack of respect for good work habits are not the norm for his department.

Did the deputy call in and report trouble starting his county vehicle? Sheriff Christopher has no idea. I guess when you are more worried on how to expand your department by having interviews and TV appearances and going to Iowa to gather money for lawsuits  you don't have time to actually run your department effectively. Whoops, I forgot, he's not paying the salary, we the taxpayers are.

Delaware senators, let the sheriff know all this just adds to what is unacceptable with your votes on what powers sheriffs have in Delaware!

Bob Cahill

Rehoboth Beach

Sussex Sheriff’s Office generating revenues

The Sheriff’s Office would like to provide the following information as to the funds generated and provided to Sussex County Council in the past two fiscal years:

• 1,108 sales - July 2009 – June 2010 $2,660,667.82 (previous administration)

• 1,534 sales - July 2010 - June 2011 $2,937,020.14

• 846 sales - July 2011 – current date $3,399,219.41

Our office is projected (at the current rate) to generate over $4 million by end of this fiscal year (June 2012) due to the increase in sheriff sales and civil processing. Upon taking office in January 2011, sheriff sales were approximately seven to eight months in arrears and now we are closing the arrears gap with our current staff.

There have been recent efforts by the state to investigate and verify many complaints regarding foreclosures and this may have an effect on the outcome of foreclosure procedures in all counties of the state.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the courts and the attorneys for their cooperation to accomplish the goals set for the office.

We believe newer and more efficient ways can still be applied to save the citizens yet more of their tax dollars.

The Sheriff’s Office believes that if there is one thing the office can do to give back to the community it is to do as much as we can to also help prevent crime and serve the people better than in the past with better trained staff and even more professional efforts.

Sheriff Jeff Christopher

Sussex County

Libertarian defends sheriff's powers

Only one Republican and one Democrat in the Delaware House had the courage to vote against HB 325, which removes all law enforcement powers from the office of county sheriff in Delaware.  There is little doubt that any more courage will be found in the Senate, or any possibility that Gov. Markell will veto the bill.

What has sometimes been portrayed as an action against Sussex County Sheriff Jeff Christopher is really an assault on the Delaware Constitution and the civil liberties of our citizens.  The sheriff is the only elected law enforcement officer in the state, and the final line of protection for the rights of county residents against constant state and federal encroachment.

Contrary to what the Sussex County Council and the General Assembly would have you believe, the sheriff’s authority is spelled out quite clearly in the Delaware Code.  That’s why HB 325 had to strike out 20 references to the sheriff’s law enforcement powers and insert five new statements removing arrest authority and police status from the sheriff and his deputies.

Because neither the Republicans nor the Democrats will stand up for the citizens of rural Sussex County or follow the Delaware Constitution, the Libertarian Party of Delaware will.  The LPD is the only political party in the state to pass a resolution supporting the constitutional authority of county sheriffs.

Likewise, this November, as the Libertarian candidate for state Senate in the 6th District, I will be the only person on the ballot who supports maintaining (or, by then, restoring) the sheriff’s powers.

Please support me, so that I can support you.

Gwendolyn "Wendy" Jones

Milton

Judge needs to revisit Dewey decision

The citizens who filed the lawsuit to overturn the deal - Mutual Agreement and Resolution (MAR) - between Dewey Beach Enterprises (DBE) and the Town of Dewey Beach for a 46-foot building permit at Ruddertowne June 7 filed a motion for reargument for the Chancery Court judge to reconsider his dismissal of their case. The judge ruled only on an initial procedural matter - that the citizens had failed to sue within 60 days of the final decision by the town (as published in the newspaper March 1, 2011). They filed their case Aug. 16, 2011,  within 60 days of the final town action on the MAR June 17, 2011. The citizens filed this motion because the judge failed to consider several key issues.

First, the 60-day time limit does not apply to constitutional challenges to zoning ordinances. The citizens’ suit claimed that the MAR was an unconstitutional abuse of municipal zoning powers.

Second, the March 1, 2011 public notice about adoption of the MAR is defective because it failed to state that the MAR resulted in the “adoption” of an “amendment to the Dewey Beach Zoning Code.” Proper notice is a crucial element of due process and fairness.

The court concluded that the town’s “approval of the MAR and the building permit did constitute an amendment to the town’s zoning code…” This amazing finding is new to just about everyone. But it was crucial to the court’s decision because the 60-day time limit is triggered only by the adoption of an “ordinance, code, regulation, map or amendment.”

Yet the DBE/town public notice March 1 on which the court relied to find the citizens did not meet the 60-day limit never mentions any amendment to the town zoning code. Thus, the public was not properly informed that the 60-day time limit was applicable and started running March 1.

It is not surprising that the DBE/town public notice did not mention anything about an amendment to the town zoning code. The town repeatedly, publicly and steadfastly declared before the Feb. 26, 2011 vote on the first aspect of the MAR that it did not require approval by ordinance because it was not an amendment to the town’s zoning code. The citizens relied on these representations by the town.

As a result of the town passing a resolution and not an ordinance, there was no obvious authority for the citizens to seek a referendum vote on the MAR because a referendum can be sought only to challenge an ordinance. But if, as the court now states, the town’s actions in approving the MAR did constitute an amendment to the zoning code, which requires passage of an ordinance, the question arises whether the citizens can now seek a referendum of this decision.

The court’s convoluted reasoning has broad implications if left unchallenged. If the Dewey Beach Town Council’s actions in adopting the MAR are permissible as a matter of law and public policy in Delaware, why would a developer ever again bother to seek a public variance or change in the zoning code, instead of seeking more favorable and less transparent zoning through a private agreement with a municipal body - especially a municipal body under duress of a litigation onslaught by the developer?

The judge obviously needs to reconsider his decision.

Joan Claybrook

Dewey Beach

RAL implores Henlopen Acres to sit down, talk

This is an open letter to Wanda Davis, mayor of the Town of Henlopen Acres with a copy submitted to the Cape Gazette for publication.

On Saturday, June 2, under beautiful blue skies, the Rehoboth Art League brought Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to Henlopen Acres.  Nearly 100 very respectful people visited your town at the Rehoboth Art League’s campus.  They used the same grounds and parking area as our annual outdoor art show.

Our parking attendant made certain their cars were parked appropriately.  They came a bit before 4 p.m. and were gone by 6:15 p.m.  The play was a very successful artistic performance that gave pleasure to actors and audience alike, and helped fulfill the art league’s mission of supporting artists and the arts and promoting programs that further arts education.

In response to this wonderful arts event, the town issued a $200 fine to the art league.  Mayor Davis, that approach solves nothing and only escalates the situation to no avail.  Therefore, I ask you to please accept my invitation to meet me at the art league office at noon, Wednesday, June 27, or at any other date and time that you specify before the next Shakespeare performance on July 7. If we sit down together, I am confident we can hammer out an agreement that ends the fines and threats of criminal prosecution whenever the art league brings arts and cultural events to the Acres.  Our agreement would serve as the basis for a new Cultural Zone zoning ordinance that lists, once and for all, the range of arts and cultural uses and buildings appropriate for the art league campus.  I am sure we can fashion a document that addresses legitimate concerns of our neighbors, while still allowing the art league to sustain its mission as an arts, cultural and community center.

Our lawyers can certainly engage in expensive litigation over the summer.  In fact, you and the town commissioners voted just last Friday to double the town’s legal budget from $25,000 to $50,000 effective July 1. It would be so much better for us and this community if instead we sit down together, this month, and write the new Cultural Zone regulation, tailor-made for the foreseeable future.

I make this an open invitation because I believe in transparency in government  Please, sit down with me and let us restore the Rehoboth Art League and the government of Henlopen Acres back to the collaborative and supportive relationship that flourished in years past, for the good of the town, the surrounding communities, and the entire state of Delaware.

Diana Beebe

president, Rehoboth Art League Board of Trustees

Acres resident totally supports RAL

Shortly after I bought my home in Henlopen Acres 22 years ago, I realized a wonderful and unusual prize came with residence in the Acres - the Rehoboth Art League.

I enjoy their activities to this day and still spend time in the beautiful gardens with the peaceful ambiance that is always present.

The activities are always interesting and well planned. The Cottage Tour event starts the summer, followed the next month by the two-weekend outdoor art show. All the events are popular and enjoyed by all.

During many years, the Comic Opera came from Boston to entertain. The piano festival for players has also endured for many years. Other activities through the years include one-act plays, cocktails before opening art shows and many others, both interesting and enjoyable,  which are too numerous to list here.

When I come down to my home in the Acres, I will walk to the art league and sit in the azalea garden or the formal garden and enjoy the peaceful serenity. It is a very important place to keep and maintain in the Acres for everyone! The children’s classes and camp also have value to our families as well.

I have always felt the town, the art world and people like me benefit immensely from this wonderful gift from the Corkrans. We all should make every effort to maintain, support and enjoy activities, shows and most of all, the place.

In closing, I must stress how important it is to me that we keep the art league and beautiful grounds for many generations to come. As you remember, the Corkrans stipulated in their will that this should be done in perpetuity.

Gwynne McDevitt

Henlopen Acres

Dewey citizens deserve recognition

The Dewey Beach Civic League Board and members would like to thank the many volunteers who helped with the May 19 beautification. About 30 residents joined together to make Saturday one of our most successful ventures to date.

Although everyone worked hard to complete this project, certain individuals took on added responsibilities to ensure the success of the day. Each person who gave up time on a Saturday morning, prep time prior to the event and worked behind the scenes deserves recognition.

To those folks who forgot to register or joined after registration, we thank you too!

Many, many, thanks to Susan Schmidt for her plant design and horticultural expertise and to Hooked on Plants for providing quality plants. Additionally, the residents who participated in the project include: Barbara Cleveland and Dick Cleveland, registration; Dale Cooke and Mickey Underwood, debris removal; Denise Campbell and Claire Walsh, planters; Dave Davis and Trish Davis, holiday tree area; Diane Hanson, Life Saving Station; Dave Thomas, Eleanor Tyler, James Tyler, Diane Souffie, June Day, Rob Marshall, Betty Laird, Kelly Ranieri, Chris Muscaia, Beth Wade, John Miller; the Sunset Park Crew, Jim Laird, Mark Allen, Zeke Przygocki, Mike Kosta, Pat Wright, Jimmy O Conor; the Town Hall designers and installers; Bill Mears, Joyce Poole, Alvin Huffman, Judy Davis, chief support and helper; and Marie Hutton, coordinator.

Special thanks also go to the Dewey Beach Lions Club for lovely accommodations and Steve Montgomery for his generous contribution of a wonderful Bethany Blues buffet complete with refreshments.

Everyone’s efforts are deeply appreciated, proving that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Please enjoy the beauty of our town knowing that you played a big part!

Marie Hutton

Dewey Beach

Mr. Bagpipes: World is not your stage

The Rehoboth Farmers Market at The Grove park offers a special chance for residents, guests and small business owners to communicate and connect through conversation and sales. It is often a pleasure, but occasionally I am in attendance along with the bagpipes. I understand that there are few opportunities to show off one's unique pursuit of the art of bagpiping; however, there is a time and a place - where, I do not know, but where not, I say, is the Rehoboth Farmers Market.

I love attending and sharing conversation with vendors, but do not wish to scream over the bagpipe renditions to do so. Isn't there a noise ordinance in town limits? That being said, eccentricity is lovely when placed correctly. I suggest to you sir, please find your location to do so outside of the marketplace.

A severely hoarse resident and market patron:

Sara Coleman

Dewey Beach

VIA thanks Designer Show House supporters

On behalf of the Village Improvement Association Designer Show House Committee I want to personally recognize everyone who was involved with our first-ever show house initiative in Rehoboth Beach. The Designer Show House attendance exceeded expectations during the three weekends, April 20-22, April 27-29, and May 4-6, thus we experienced a larger than expected revenue. The Designer Show Home was a major fundraiser for the Village Improvement Association to help in the expansion and revision of its small and historic clubhouse.

The show house committee consists of VIA members who gave tirelessly of themselves for nearly a year to make this project so very successful. Along with the committee, we want to acknowledge Patty Derrick and her late husband Tom Derrick for donating the property for this special event.

Each designer or designer group performed magic with the room that they selected to transform from the 1920s cottage to a masterpiece of class and elegance. Each went above and beyond to assure that their room was unique and fit the theme of the house. I want to salute each of the designers: Dee Dee Phillips, Carolina Street Home and Garden, Fenwick Island; Donna L. Foetsch, DLF Designs, Rehoboth Beach; Ed Albers and Michael Cusumano, DCOR, Rehoboth; John Raines, Boxwood Home, Rehoboth; Josephine Keir and Taylor Wells, Josephine Keir Ltd. At Home, Lewes; Taylor Wells, Taylor Wells Design; Joy and Jobe Tomer, Jobe’s Landscaping, Lewes; Judith L. Hunter, Hunter Design Group, Washington, D.C.; Justin Bartels, Sposato Landscaping, Milton; Karen Fox and Chris Cordrey, East Coast Garden Center, Millsboro; Lucy Findlay and Valla Rogers, Partners in Design, Dover; Mark Showell, Mark Showell Interiors, Rehoboth Beach; Mike Schimmel, Bella Terra Property Maintenance and Landscaping, Milford; Regan Billingsly, New York, N.Y.; and Ron Reichert and Bob DiToto, Kitchen Tune Up, Rehoboth Beach.

In addition to the designers, other talented contributors to the show house were from Anthony Rich, Strobel Painting ETC Inc. from Selbyville, Gallery One in Ocean View, Geary’s Chairs from Rehoboth, Lamps and Shades from Lewes, and Patty McDaniel, Boardwalk Builders, Rehoboth Beach.

A Show House Soiree was held April 18 to kick-off the exciting three week show house period. The evening was provided through the thoughtful donations of the following supporters: Hotel Rehoboth, Lupo Di Mare, Southern Wine and Spirits of Delaware, Jolly Trolley, Silk and Sands Florist and music by member Jan Conant.

Designer Show House patrons included The Meoli Companies, RE/MAX Realty The Debbie Reed Team, Nicola Pizza, Atlantic Cellular, Community Bank Delaware, Delmarva Power, Ellis and Szabo LLP, Big Fish Grill, Coldwell Banker Resort Realty, George H. Bunting Jr., Ocean Travel and Summer House Restaurant.

In closing, the committee and I send gracious thanks to the designers, the donors, and of course to each of you who attended and enjoyed the 2012 Designer Show House sponsored by the Village Improvement Association. Please stay tuned for updates on our next Designer Show House scheduled for May, 2014, that will wow you once again!

Rose Marie Patin

chairwoman, Village Improvement Association

Great job in Lewes: Picnic in the Park

Congratulations on all the efforts to have such an event like Picnic in the Park in Lewes. We had a splendid time!  Thanks to the committee, all the volunteers, and the sponsors who put so much time into launching this inaugural event.  The food was great, activity area for the kids was perfect, barbershop singers were very entertaining, and the live music made us wish we brought chairs to sit and listen for the afternoon!  Picnic in the Park is another example of what can be done in our beautiful Canalfront Park. Great job!   Can't wait for next year!

Kathy Davison and Ruth Dickerson

Lewes

Picnic in the park was awesome

I was one of the lucky people to buy a ticket to Picnic in the Park. I would like to thank the people who organized the event, the sponsors and the great restaurants that were there. If you waited until the last few days, you know that Picnic in the Park was sold out! Stephanie and Mariah spent countless hours getting the event up and running, and making sure there were volunteers to help everything to run smoothly. This was the first event, and I look forward to many more events In Canalfront Park.

John Ballato

Lewes

Dentist Tidwell highly recommended

Going to the dentist is a common fear for most individuals, but to have a tooth extracted is far more fearful. Recently, I had to have a tooth removed and was referred by my dentist to a Dr. Otto Tidwell of Rehoboth Beach in the strip mall near Giant Supermarket. I made the call and to my surprise the receptionist said to come in right away.

I was most cheerfully greeted by the staff and after filling out the necessary paperwork was fully informed by Dr. Tidwell's armchair assistant, Lisa, who fully explained the procedure of the extraction and what to do after the tooth was pulled. Dr. Tidwell's number one priority was for me to feel no pain and no discomfort. Dr. Tidwell's and his staff’s professional approach and their caring made the extraction totally painless. Dr. Tidwell asked if I could stop by his office three days later for a visual inspection of the extraction. I did and three days after that, I received a personal phone call from Dr. Tidwell and he asked how I was doing. How many doctors do that these days?

I highly recommend if you are in need of a tooth removed to give Dr. Otto Tidwell's office a call.

Larry Magerko

Rehoboth Beach

Thanks to Philly Pretzel Factory at Midway

I always enjoy reading about local stories and local businesses, and I would like to take this opportunity to show support for a local business named the Philly Pretzel Factory.

I read in your paper that the Pretzel Factory was celebrating National Pretzel Day April 26 and, if you stopped by, you would receive a free pretzel. I bike to work and on my way I stopped in and not only did I get my free pretzel, but I was also presented a card that entitled me to a free pretzel for each day in May.

Well, I have had many pretzels this month and I am a hit at work! I cannot say enough about the staff there and how friendly they have been. In particular, one of the employees by the name of Eric is there every morning and he has always greeted me with a big hello each morning.

He could have just as well been thinking, “Here we go again, this man is just here for another free pretzel,” but it has been just the opposite. He drops what he is doing each morning and quickly gets my pretzel.

It is because of businesses like this one that makes this region a joy to live in. I would like to invite anyone who loves a great pretzel to stop in and not only get a great treat, but to meet some of the fine young people who live and work in the area.

I have no association with the business, but thought it would be nice to pass some good news along to your readership.

Thanks again Philly Pretzel for making this a great May!

Roland Moore

Rehoboth Beach

Recent Saltwater Portrait right on target

The article on the recent home invasion at the Read residence in Dewey Beach is a cautionary tale.  As the Reads noted, irresponsible bar owners simply dump intoxicated people on the streets at closing time.  The drunks then cause problems for law-abiding folks who happen to live on popular streets.

In our neighborhood, we've had drunks urinate in our yard and garden, steal things, vandalize, set fires, scream and holler, get into fights, collide with parked cars, dump litter and break bottles.  Whenever I hear irresponsible bar owners complain of "police harassment," I think of these late-night, alcohol-fueled incidents.

Bill Cook

Rehoboth Beach