A headline in the Aug. 1 edition of the Cape Gazette, “Garden poles spark call for ethics review in Lewes,” might lead one to believe there is something unethical about the garden poles proposed by Art in Bloom, a committee of Lewes in Bloom.
In fact, there is nothing unethical about the poles. The discussion about the poles was tabled because Interim Chair Kay Carnahan said she wants the Board of Ethics to decide if three commissioners with ties to Lewes in Bloom and Art in Bloom should be allowed to discuss and vote on the issue, or whether they should recuse themselves from deliberations about the proposed poles.
Lewes runs on volunteers. Lewes in Bloom and Art in Bloom have donated tens of thousands of hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to make Lewes an outstanding, award-winning city, both nationally and internationally. With more than 500 members, many of whom are active members of other volunteer organizations in Lewes, there is bound to be overlap among those who serve on the city’s commissions and boards.
For more than two decades, our dedicated volunteers have tended the gardens, parks and other public spaces here in historic Lewes, promoting and maintaining the beauty of the city. Art in Bloom has created meaningful art for all to enjoy. The proposed temporary garden poles are just another way to bring beauty, education – and smiles – to the city.
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