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Former sports writer to sign novel in Bethany on Aug. 6

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Author Adam Gordon Sachs will be signing his book “Three Yards & a Plate of Mullet” at Bethany Beach Books on Sunday, Aug. 6, and will also discuss his experiences working as a sports writer and discuss themes of journalism, personal discovery, friendship, high school sports and the 1980s.

Between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., residents and visitors of all ages are being invited to stop by the bookstore at 99 Garfield Parkway to meet Sachs. After chatting about the book, event attendees will have the opportunity to purchase a copy of “Three Yards & a Plate of Mullet,” which Sachs will sign.

As a self-published author, Sachs will give Bethany Beach Books multiple copies of the novel to sell during and after his visit. The book store will pay Sachs based on how many books are sold.

“We run this program primarily to accommodate self-published authors who aren’t with major publishing houses, so they are self-promoting their books,” explained Bethany Beach Books Event Coordinator Nancy Fanning.

The book signing event is free, and no registration is required. Fanning said the decision to not require event registration makes it compatible with vacationers’ relaxed summer schedules.

“The summer customers really aren’t interested in committing to a particular time,” Fanning said. “They like the idea of being able to drop by, meet the author and chat with him.”

While at the signing, attendees will learn about Sachs’ inspiration for the book and its plot, set in a coastal Florida town in the 1980s. In the book, protagonist Jake Yankelovich decides to follow his passion as a sports writer, covering high school football — a defining aspect of the town’s identity.

“The sports writer becomes surprised and shocked at how intense high school football is there,” Sachs said. “He then gets immersed in covering high school football.”

As the story unfolds, Yankelovich discovers a recruiting scandal that involves the coach’s conspiracy to channel the best athletes to his high school, in order to restore the football team’s reputation and dominance.

Described as cross between “Friday Night Lights” and “The Hangover,” Sachs’ novel is based on his past job as a sports writer in Florida after college. Although the story is fictionalized, Yankelovich’s process of getting out of the press box, visiting locker rooms, tracking down players for interviews, working a story from an investigative angle and writing on deadline is a true experience.

“A lot of the book is about journalism and the media and what really goes on covering stories on a deadline,” Sachs said.

As a part of the author visit, Sachs said he hopes to inform the public about the newspaper business — especially during a time in which newspapers were exclusively printed on paper.

Even though Sachs created the main character as an extension of himself, he said he believes everyone will identify with the protagonist. Because Yankelovich embarks on a journey of discovering his purpose in life, Sachs said, he expects his readers to look back on their own years after college with nostalgia.

“I think everyone remembers that time in their life — just starting out on their own, being independent and trying to figure out what they’re going to do with their life,” Sachs said.

During Sachs’ own years of self-discovery after college, he decided to continue writing and worked as a journalist for 12 years. But since he preferred writing longer and more detailed pieces, he said, he wanted to exchange his daily deadline writing for novel writing at his own leisure and on his chosen subject matter.

After pondering the question of whether he possessed the commitment level and time needed to finish a novel, Sachs chose to accept the challenge in December of 2011.

“Throughout my time of being a journalist, I always thought about writing a book as an ultimate test to being a writer,” Sachs said.

During the project, Sachs tried to incorporate writing into his daily schedule, since finding free time to write was a challenge for him. During the writing process, Sachs wrote chapters out of order and later connected the pieces to create a coherent story.

“A lot of times, I wasn’t sure what was going to come next,” Sachs said. “I made it up a lot as I went. I didn’t plan it out.”

After three years of developing the story’s plot and characters, Sachs self-published his book in 2015 with CreateSpace, an Amazon.com company that helps people independently publish and distribute books.

“I just decided right up front that I wanted to publish my book,” Sachs said. “I didn’t want it to take another few years. I didn’t want to struggle trying to find hundreds of agents.”

Because self-publishing authors do not work with larger corporations, Sachs said he understood the difficulty of promoting his book. To help “Three Yards & a Plate of Mullet” gain publicity, literary publicist and general manager of authors large and small Cristina Deptula reached out to Sachs in 2015.

To solicit book reviews and interviews on Sachs’ behalf, Deptula contacted bloggers who posted about the novel’s topics, podcasters and local radio hosts who were accepting guests, his Colgate University alumni group, social media groups and anyone who would be willing to review the novel. Based on these groups’ preferred style of communication, Deputla contacted them on Twitter, Facebook, email or phone.

“It was just a lot of figuring out who were the influencers and what were the connections he should make and how to reach those people,” Deptula said.

Deptula continued working with Sachs until he gained five book reviews and participated in several interviews. Although she said helping self-published authors’ books gain recognition is challenging, she acknowledged Sachs’ contribution to making the process run more smoothly.

“He knows what goes into the process of publicizing a book, which is really great when you get a client like that,” Deptula said.

In addition to “Three Yards & a Plate of Mullet,” Sachs has also written “Don’t Knock, He’s Dead: A Longshot Candidate Gets Schooled in the Unseemly Underbelly of American Campaign Politics” in 2016. He also did an author signing for that book at Bethany Beach Books that year.

Sachs grew up in Bethesda, Md., and attended Churchill High School and Colgate University. After working as a sportswriter for two years in Florida after college, he went to graduate school at Boston University for journalism and then worked at the Baltimore Sun as a news reporter for seven years.

Sachs recently decided to transition from journalism to counseling, so he got his master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Loyola University in Maryland.

While spending his summers in Ocean View, Sachs has also worked as a tennis instructor at Bethany Beach’s Sea Colony Tennis for the summers of 2016 and 2017. In the off-season, Sachs lives in Columbia, Md., with his two children, ages 19 and 21.

Looking forward, Sachs said he hopes to publish a third book based on a blog he writes, about issues with careers, families, marriage, parenting, addiction and finding purpose in life. That novel will align with his career path for counseling and will help him further his passion for writing, he said.

As for “Three Yards & a Plate of Mullet,” Sachs said he hopes the author signing event will help the novel gain recognition while also entertaining and educating the public.

“I hope that the people there are engaged and interested — that they’re getting into the story and that they’re asking questions and resonating with parts of their own experience,” Deptula said.


Boardwalk buddies create upbeat daily tradition

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Special to the Coastal Point • Lilly Blomquist Some of the boardwalk buddies gather on the boardwalk, under the clock.Special to the Coastal Point • Lilly Blomquist Some of the boardwalk buddies gather on the boardwalk, under the clock.Waves crashing against the shore and seagulls cawing in the air are not the only sounds and sights that fill the town of Bethany Beach each morning. Augmenting these daily components of the beach, a group of about 13 men spend every morning chatting with one another about a variety of topics, exchanging jokes and greeting residents and visitors.

All year ’round, except in snow or heavy rain, from around 6 or 7 a.m. until about 9:45 a.m., the men sit on the benches underneath the iconic clock on the boardwalk, beginning their days with sea breeze, sunshine and social interaction.

Setting the tone for the rest of their day, the meetings leave the group members in high spirits, which is why the men said they find themselves continuing to congregate on the boardwalk every day.

“It cheers me up, coming down here,” said Vinnie Esposito. “I try to leave all my troubles at home.”

Since around 1997, the gathering has been a daily occurrence. The affiliate with the longest membership, Esposito, started walking with a friend every morning, until another group member, Bill Gullickson, joined. As more and more people expressed interest in the group, the morning walk extended into a daily gathering in town.

Due so many years of spending time on the boardwalk, meeting new people and maintaining old friendships, the men said they have gained insights on life, knowledge about the town of Bethany and positive attitudes, which they want to share with others.

“We are trying to solve the problems of the world,” Esposito said.

To begin that process of improving the world around them, the men said they enjoy sparking conversations with people.

“It always starts with ‘Good morning,’” Esposito said.

From there, the gesture often turns into a longer and deeper conversation. Sometimes, people will ask the group members questions about Bethany, due to their daily experiences in the town.

After seeing the group make friendly remarks to Bethany townspeople every day on her 7 a.m. walk, Bethany Proper resident Kathy Thornett said she decided to ask the men for advice when her garage door broke.

“What better place to go than to people who appear to be living in the Bethany area, rather than a phonebook or the internet?” Thornett said. “You’re just up there with them and engaging with them.”

During the exchange, Thornett said, one of the group members gave her the name of a company to contact and also wrote down his own phone number, in case she needed additional help. After she contacted the company, workers repaired her garage door that same day.

“They were really helpful, and they were not hesitant,” Thornett said. “I just thought, they are really pleasant guys, and they’re really upbeat.”

To those passing by, including Thornett, the group of men helps contribute to and enhance Bethany with their optimistic approach to life.

The newest member of the group, Bob Utter, said his positivity stems from appreciating many aspects of his life. For him and the other members, being upbeat is never a challenge, he said, because their mindset has become an ingrained part of their existence and lifestyle.

“Every morning, when my feet hit the ground, I want to have a good outlook,” Utter said.

During the offseason, the men share their perspectives with people who pass regularly, but in the summer months, they see a variety of new faces. Group member Al Staingo said he and the rest of the group always remember those with whom they interact.

“We notice the same people year in and year out,” Staingo said.

Not only have the men become well-known for their attitude toward others and their lives, but they have also gained recognition from the beach webcam on the Town of Bethany Beach’s website. The camera displays a live broadcast of the north view of the boardwalk, which is the location in which the group sits every morning.

Those who have watched the men on the webcam often want to meet the group members in person and take their picture.

“We tell people, ‘No autographs,’ as they walk by,” Utter said.

Since Gullicksen spends winters in Florida, he often watches the live broadcast of his friends during his time away from the group, to stay connected.

“It’s a nice group of people who know each other and get together,” Gullickson said.

In addition to their conversations with other people, the weekly get-togethers include catching up with one another and joking around, which establishes camaraderie among the men.

From politics to personal anecdotes, their conversations always keep the mood light and humorous.

“We complain about our aches and pains,” Utter joked.

Before each of the daily conversations begins, the men all grab coffee, for energy to jumpstart their days. Some of them bring hot drinks from home, while others purchase their coffee at the Turtle Beach Cafe, Wawa or McDonald’s, among others.

“We are just a bunch of old men who want coffee and like to have fun,” Esposito said.

The daily meet-ups also feature physical activity, since a portion of the group members often walk down the boardwalk for a change of scenery and some heart-healthy cardio.

The men said Bethany Beach, with its natural beauty and amiable people, has helped shape their enthusiastic viewpoints, so they look forward to spending all morning on the boardwalk. They said they anticipate continuing their meetings for a long time and encourage anyone to join their mornings of conversation and laughter.

“Come and join us,” Esposito said. “We have openings.”

Maryland woman suffers broken leg as car rolls into canal

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A 76-year-old Stevensville, Md., woman suffered a broken leg on Sunday, July 30, when the car she had been driving rolled over her leg as it crashed into a canal at Treasure Beach Campground.

The incident occurred around 7:15 p.m. on Sunday, as the woman was parking her 2008 Toyota Camry near Cove 23, east of Pirates Trail in Treasure Beach Campground, west of Fenwick Island, according to Delaware State Police spokesperson MCpl. Gary Fournier.

As the driver and her 60-year-old male passenger from Glen Burnie, Md., got out of the vehicle — which police said she thought was in parking gear — the vehicle begin to forward. The driver tried to get back into the vehicle to press the brake, Fournier said, but she fell to the ground and the car ran over her leg.

The car continued to travel through a yard, toward a canal, where it struck an unoccupied pontoon boat docked in the canal. After colliding with the boat, Fournier said, the Camry completely left the dock and entered the water, where it then floated to the center of the canal, filled with water and sank to the bottom.

The driver was transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, Md., where she was treated for her non-life-threatening injury. She was cited by Delaware State Police for careless driving, Fournier said. State police are not releasing the names of the driver or the passenger, Fournier said.

He noted that her passenger also tried halting the vehicle by holding a door, but was unable to bring it to a stop. He was uninjured in the incident.

In addition to Delaware State Police, responders to the incident included the Roxana Volunteer Fire Company, along with its marine unit, Sussex County EMS and the state Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control. Fire department crews remained on the scene for about three hours, assisting state police, DNREC, a Tow Boat US diver and Grays Towing.

The vehicle was removed from the canal.

Assateague pony dies after eating dog food, officials say

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A few days before Chama Wingapo — a 7-year-old mare that was part of the wild pony herds of Assateague — was found dead without visible injuries in one of the Assateague Island National Seashore’s campgrounds, rangers noticed her odd behavior and attributed it to the usual cause: human involvement.

At first, the suspected culprit was a plastic grocery bag, which, when eaten by a horse can tangle with the other matter in the horse’s intestinal tract and cause a condition called colic. Colic in horses is similar to a bad case of cramps, except it can be fatal.

Speaking to the issue of plastic bags found in horses a couple years ago, Kelly Taylor, interpretation and education supervisor for the park, explained that horses can’t vomit and don’t even really burp, so anything that enters a horse is on a one-way street.

But it wasn’t a plastic bag that caused the pony’s illness, though those do continue to cause animals and park staff trouble. Chama Wingapo had eaten a lot of dog food, and it impacted her bowels, ruptured her intestine and killed her.

Liz Davis, education and interpretation chief at the National Seashore, said most dog food contains corn, soybean and animal products with a very high carbohydrate, protein and fat content. That recipe is too rich, she said, and in large amounts is deadly for an Assateague wild pony, whose natural diet consists of low-nutrient, high-fiber saltmarsh and beach grasses.

Davis said the horse ate a lot of dog food — more than a single cup or bowl would hold. She said the amount found was probably a bag’s worth. She said campers with large dogs were present around the time Chama Wingapo started displaying symptoms.

“While the dog food may not have been given directly to the horse, the dog food was not properly stored away from the horses and other wildlife. All food, including your pet’s food, must be properly stored. This tragic incident could have been prevented by simply storing pet food in a vehicle,” Davis said.

“Everyone kind of knows what a horse is. They have the image of the kid holding a sugar cube or an apple, and expect a similar encounter — but these are wild animals. You wouldn’t behave this way with a bear. You wouldn’t behave this way with a moose,” Taylor said.

The ponies know how to defend themselves and can identify potential food sources, Taylor said, which a number of visitors discover each year when they are bitten, kicked or chased.

The ponies, having already identified people as sources of food that seems perhaps more palatable than the salt-laden grasses they subsist on, learn. What they learn is people are often extraneous to the transaction.

Like bears, they will raid camps. They will raid coolers. They will raid picnics, cars or basically any source of food they think they can get into — even food secured in coolers under picnic tables isn’t safe.

And it can kill them.

The park has been working for years on a solution, from developing “horse boxes,” which are much like containers offered at campsites in bear country, to stationing interns as a pony patrol — ensuring visitors don’t misbehave and mistreat the animals at the same time.

No one solution seems to be enough, and as soon as an answer is found, either the humans or the horses change the rules.

The ponies either figure out something new, such as how to open coolers or the people do, such as disabling protections on water spigots for human use to provide water for horses.

“It’s not getting better,” Davis said. “We invest time and effort in the horse/person interactions, but we still need people to help us out.”

Davis suggests the following precautions:

• Horses can open snap-on lids and latches. Coolers and containers stored under picnic tables are not secure from horses and wildlife. Secure all coolers with a nylon strap to prevent wildlife from opening them.

• Secure all tote or beach bags with a zippered closure. Horses can easily access open totes and bags.

• Store all unattended food in a vehicle.

• Store all pet food in a vehicle. Do not leave a pet’s food and water bowls unattended. Horses, like pets, are opportunists and will take advantage of a free meal.

• Keep food stored if horses are in the immediate vicinity. Wait until they have moved on before beginning a meal.

• Dispose of trash immediately in trash receptacles. The smell from food wrappers will attract horses and other wildlife, and, if ingested, could cause death.

St. Ann’s Bazaar ready to sell ‘millions’ of items

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Hundreds of community members and visitors alike look forward each year to the Parish of St. Ann’s Bazaar, which is celebrating its 37th year in 2017.

The bazaar will be held this weekend, with its traditional premier night on Thursday, Aug. 3, from 4 to 8 p.m. With a $5 donation, attendees that night can get first dibs on the thousands of items for sale — from toys to housewares, small appliances to furniture.

The bazaar has no admission charge during its hours on Friday, Aug. 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 5, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Those who attend can also purchase barbecue donated by Bethany Blues and baked goods made by the church’s own parishioners.
Coastal Point • Shaun M. Lambert: The 37th Parish of St. Ann’s Bazaar promises to offer a little bit of everything, once again, and proceeds from the popular sale will benefit the parish and its sister church, Our Lady of Guadalupe.Coastal Point • Shaun M. Lambert: The 37th Parish of St. Ann’s Bazaar promises to offer a little bit of everything, once again, and proceeds from the popular sale will benefit the parish and its sister church, Our Lady of Guadalupe.
This year, the bazaar is being chaired by parishioner Alexis Sclama, who moved to the area from Baltimore after retirement. Sclama has previously organized fundraisers for various organizations, including schools and hospitals.

“Being a Catholic, I joined the parish, read the bulletin and saw the Bazaar,” said Sclama of getting involved in the event. “I did go three years ago, and my daughter said, ‘Oh, mom — I could see you getting involved in this.’ She wasn’t too far off.”

The parish begins planning for the annual bazaar even before the prior year’s sale is concluded.

“The committee is just over 100 people, so it’s a huge, committed endeavor.”

The sale is used as a fundraising endeavor for the parish and its sister church, Our Lady of Guadalupe.

“The funds vary from year-to-year, based on the needs of the church. This year’s funds will go to roofing needs and parking lot repairs and improvements,” Sclama said. “And also the parish is generous with the needs of the community.”

Along with the sale of items, the bazaar will also be selling raffle tickets for three $500 cash prizes, which will be drawn on Saturday, Aug. 5, at noon. The drawing in the bazaar’s annual quilt raffle will be held on Saturday, Aug. 5 at 11:30 a.m.

This year’s queen-sized quilt, themed “Flowers of U.S.A.,” was designed and sewn by St. Ann quilters. Tickets for the raffle can be purchased for $2 each or $5 for three tickets.

“It’s absolutely beautiful. They’re extraordinary, they really are,” Sclama said of the quilt. “The quilt brings in a lot of money, too.”

There will also be a silent auction and a “you-pick-it raffle” of new or gently-used items.

“It’s similar to a ‘Chinese auction.’ You’ll buy a string of raffle tickets, and you put your raffle ticket in whatever item you want.”

Sclama thanked the bazaar’s sponsors for their support, including Melson’s Funeral Home, Holly Kia, Vickie York at the Beach Realty, Bethany Diner, Bethany Blues and Coastal Services.

“It’s a three-day event. You open the doors, in comes the crowds, and we sell just about everything.”

In the past, some unique items donated for the sale have included a sailboat, kayak, cars and a week at vacation homes.

“Oh, my gosh — millions!” said Sclama of the number of donations the church receives. “I don’t think that’s an exaggeration! There are so many we would go broke with price tags, so we use masking tape.”

Even with the massive number of items, she said, the items are reasonably priced and of good quality.

“Prices are really, really reasonable. We want to fulfill the need and move everything,” she said. “We only want to sell quality goods. If it’s broken, damaged or questionable, in any way, we will pass the item on to another donation center.”

For instance, in the book room, attendees can snag their favorite hardbacks for $1, or paperbacks for 50 cents or three for $1.

“Prices are really, really reasonable. The goal is to fill the need and move the merchandise.”

Extra care is taken of all items donated. If there are linens that need to be stitched or laundered, the parishioners will stich and launder them. Every donated puzzle is completed, to ensure the church does not sell one that is incomplete. All electronics are tested as to not sell something that doesn’t work.

The church also receives a substantial number of jewelry donations — which is one reason many shoppers have for attending the bazaar.

“During the sale, this room gets packed. They keep somebody at the door and only let about 20 people in at a time,” she said. “If something looks like it’s gold or sterling silver, or a gem, we’ll set it aside and take it to a local jeweler to get appraised.”

Sclama said she already has “grandiose plans” for the 38th annual bazaar next year and hopes people will continue to support the church by attending.

“I’m really excited about this bazaar,” she said. “I hope for beautiful weather, and I hope for wonderful results!”

St. Ann’s Catholic Church is located at 691 Garfield Parkway in Bethany Beach.

Bethany committee evaluating beach regulations this summer

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Bethany Beach officials are documenting and monitoring beach-related issues this summer, after briefly considering a ban on tents, canopies and large umbrellas on the beach. The Town considered the changes this spring in the wake of similar regulations being instituted in nearby Rehoboth Beach. But, for now, it’s a wait-and-see approach in Bethany.

Councilwoman Rosemary Hardiman told the council at their July 27 meeting that the Charter & Ordinance Review Committee had met in June and developed a process to monitor and consider such beach-related issues, including whether to allow people to setup umbrellas and chairs early in the morning as a way to reserve beach space.

The committee’s process includes documenting the beach this summer — in photographs and reports, and seeing what issues are “particular to our beach,” Hardiman said.

Photos were taken starting in June, with additional photos and documentation to be collected in July and August. Hardiman said a number of photos and emails had also been sent in by beachgoers, “showing situations they consider problematic.”

Hardiman said the committee welcomes input from all beachgoers and will also be monitoring the implementation of the new rules in Rehoboth. They plan to meet again in September to evaluate the documentation and any feedback, and to tailor an approach to the issue in Bethany, in anticipation of a council review of the issue this fall, she said.

The town’s Fourth of July holiday was a busy one, according to Town Manager Cliff Graviet, but he said Town staff had everything in hand.

“I can’t say enough about our staff,” Graviet said, noting the work by Public Works employees, police and more. “By anyone’s standards, it had to be the most crowded I think anyone has seen the town. Still, with all that … everything went the way it should, and it’s a credit to those employees and their staffs.”

Mayor Jack Gordon likewise offered his thanks to Councilman Bruce Frye and the Fourth of July Parade Committee, as well as to Graviet for organizing the fireworks show and the other town staff who assisted with the holiday crowds.

For his part, Frye said the parade itself came in on budget, and he offered his thanks to the group of volunteers who helped make it happen. In all, the 2017 parade featured 53 floats and vehicles, and 212 bicycle decoration kits given out.

Frye said parade monitors had kept the amount of forbidden candy-throwing to a minimum, though he noted with a laugh that some had been thrown at the council members while they were riding on the town trolley in the parade.

Organizers sold 450 shirts to support the parade, bringing in $3,270 for the parade budget, while the Firecracker 5K raised another $2,000. Frye said planning for the 2018 parade is set to begin in a few months.

Graviet on July 27 also provided updates on a number of Town projects.

The design package for the planned Central Park at Routes 1 and 26 is being worked out, he said, with the package being designed so that the Town can build the park in stages. A preliminary package is expected this fall. He said applications are also being made to the Sussex Conservation District so that any disturbance to the soils in the park property can be done in an environmentally-friendly way and with water being directed where they want it to go.

Graviet said the Town’s new aeration system for its water system is working well. He said staff continues to explore other options to help with water quality going forward, though the water is “still well within acceptable bounds.” Graviet said the Town may end up with two aeration systems so that there is some redundancy, and will probably repair the large standing aerator in the off-season.

Construction of the Town’s Blackwater storage facility in Clarksville is still in progress, Graviet said, with the sewer system going in and siding almost completed. He said the water well would be installed once the major construction work is done, and the front of the property will be cleaned up with grading, plantings and permanent signage.

Graviet did report a recent complaint about odor from the Sussex County sewer plant building on Route 26. He emphasized that the complaint was the first he’d heard of in his tenure as town manager. He noted that the County has been very involved in maintenance of the facility.

“They have been over and looked at building, looked at settings on equipment, and they’re going to come back to reduce any problem, if a problem does exist,” he said, noting that County staff constantly monitor the sewer facilities — especially ones in residential areas.

In fact, he said, this spring, the County installed an expensive state-of-the-art scrubbing system at the site to eliminate even more odor there, but despite that, the one complaint had come in in the last week or so prior to the July 27 meeting.

Town signs five-year contract with outside auditing firm

The council on July 27 voted unanimously to enter into a five-year contract with outside auditing firm TGM Group, which turned in its report on the most recent audit of the Town’s finances in early July. The Town yet again received an “unmodified” designation, the highest level of assurance that its financial statements do not contain material misstatements.

Once again, they reported no problems in conducting the audit and stated that the Town continues to be in excellent financial shape. They again commended the Town for having an active audit committee and internal auditor, which they noted are often missing in other towns.

The Audit Committee on July 7 had also discussed its recommendations for external auditing going forward, considering whether to retain TGM on a longer-term basis or change to a different auditing firm to get a fresh look at things.

Having weighed the benefits of retaining TGM — including a reduced rate for the next two years — the committee recommended the Town enter into a five-year agreement with the firm. To address concerns, the contract includes mandatory partner rotation after five years and rotation of the in-charge accountant after three years.

Councilman Jerry Morris said that, as part of their negotiations, the committee had asked what the advantage was to Bethany in entering into the longer contract. He said the first advantage TGM noted was the ability to fix the costs for the next five years and reduce the fees for the first two years of the contract.

Based on past annual increases, Morris said, over the next five years, the longer-term contract saved the Town about $8,000. He and Hardiman also pointed out that the work of Town staff is a major reason why the audit fees have remained low.

Vice-Mayor Lew Killmer noted higher costs from prior auditing firm and praised TGM for its specialization in smaller municipalities and its “excellent track record.”

The council on July 27 voted 7-0 to approve the five-year contract with TGM.

Contracts for the purchase of two new vehicles from IG Burton Fleet Sales were also unanimously approved that day.

A 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe 2WD vehicle with police package was approved to be purchased for about $33,000. That vehicle will replace a 2011 Dodge Charger used by the police department.

Graviet said the Town is changing its engine preferences because of ongoing issues with Hemi engines, with the Charger becoming a problem on the street. Part of the cost will come from the $25,000 grant from Sussex County to the BBPD, leaving about $8,000 for the Town to cover, in addition to the cost to transfer electronics between the vehicles and install additional equipment.

A 2018 Dodge Ram SSV 4WD is being purchased for about $32,000 after discounts. It will replace a 2009 Dodge Durango with 111,000 miles on it. That vehicle has been used as an unmarked administrative vehicle driven by a police department captain. The vehicle had previously been a marked police car but was pulled from the fleet in 2012 or 2013, Graviet noted. He said the vehicle had had problems with its Hemi engine since then, with mechanics unable to determine what exactly the problem is.

The Ram police-package pickup is a “special service vehicle,” he pointed out, as pickup trucks are not yet rated for police pursuit. He said the Durango will become part of the Town’s usual rotation of retired police vehicles through other staff.

Finally, the council also unanimously approved a budget supplement to the 2018 capital budget to pay for the two vehicles — a total of $41,000. Graviet said the funding would come from existing capital reserves designated for capital replacements.

Fenwick officials ready to tackle sidewalks again

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The Town of Fenwick Island had dreams of new sidewalks to safely connect the town. Over the past decade, they added a few sidewalks, but in many places, pedestrians must still tiptoe around traffic or through parking lots.

On July 7, most of the town council and a few others gathered to broach the topic again, under the new Pedestrian Safety & Sidewalk Committee.

Council Member Vicki Carmean estimated that half the town has sidewalks, but they aren’t all ADA-compliant. Town officials definitely see a need for it.

“In my mind, the biggest thing is safety,” said Town Manager Terry Tieman. “When I pull out of here sometimes, I’m boggled by the amount of traffic and the pedestrians all over the place.”

“We don’t want an accident to happen, but it’s waiting to happen,” Carmean said.

With preliminary studies dating back to the early 2000s, council members recall that the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) had prioritized Fenwick sidewalks on a list of potential projects. But it never happened.

For years, Fenwick’s had their eye on better sidewalks.

“[The] commercial core is not a safe, welcoming environment for pedestrians and bicyclists,” reads the Town’s 2007 Comprehensive Plan. “There are gaps in the sidewalk system, relatively narrow widths that do not accommodate pedestrians walking side-by-side or in passing directions, utilities and signs located within the sidewalks, and numerous parking lot curb cuts which create dangerous conflicts.”

“It would really pull our town together aesthetically,” Carmean said. “Our businesses would benefit. Our town would benefit.”

It could also relieve foot traffic on the beach-side Bunting Avenue, where walkers, runners and strollers are all jockeying for room.

“It seems to me every town in Delaware has a sidewalk on their main street,” said Carmean.

Fenwick is tricky because its “main street” is Coastal Highway (Route 1). There isn’t even enough sidewalk to connect the town hall to Route 54, which is just outside the town’s southern border.

Now, Fenwick’s first step is to contact DelDOT again. The Town will want support, financing and permission to dig up the right-of-way.

Whatever happens will be a very expensive project, officials acknowledge, so the Town would likely build in phases. It’s been so long that Fenwick might need to update their $64,000 surveys of topography and rights-of-way.

Six years ago, construction alone was estimated at about $500,000, not including engineering and other expenses. Inflation will only drive that price upward. There are several payment options to explore: request DelDOT funding; find other private or government grants; borrow the money and repay it slowly; or assess properties with a tax.

“We need to be prepared to pay for it ourselves,” said Councilman Richard Mais, adding that he is open to the idea of an assessment on property owners.

The town charter also states that property owners can be asked to build or repair sidewalks immediately adjacent to their lots. And all commercial sites with new buildings (or substantial improvements) must now install sidewalks in front of their property. That has helped close some sidewalk gaps in town, although Fenwick’s still looking at a long path forward.

The Pedestrian Safety & Sidewalk Committee will meet again Friday, Aug. 18, at 10 a.m.

Selbyville water report shows no violations, but high numbers

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All central water systems are required to produce an annual report under the Safe Drinking Water Act. It’s meant to tell people where water comes from, what it contains and how it stacks up against regulatory standards. The Town of Selbyville’s water system report was recently released for the 2016 year.

“This report is a snapshot of last year’s water quality,” the report states. “During 2016, we conducted tests for over 80 contaminants. We detected 10 of those contaminants and found all but one were below the levels of EPA standards.”

Selbyville’s groundwater comes from the Columbia Aquifer. It has a moderate susceptibility to pathogens; a very high susceptibility to petroleum hydrocarbons; and a high susceptibility to nutrients, pesticides, PCBs, other organic compounds, metals and other inorganic compounds.

Gasoline additive MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether) averaged about 1.78 ppb. The goal is zero, although the State allows up to 10 ppb.

Water quality has improved since the Town’s new water plant has come online this summer. In fact, the aeration towers are working so well that MTBE is barely being detected, said Town Administrator Stacey Long.

“These aerators are doing exactly what they’re designed to do,” Long said. “We’re really pleased with the outcome. We’re pleased with how it’s rectified the MTBE contaminant. It also helps with the TTHM. It’s a win-win.”

Meanwhile, the Town regularly empties its water pipes to reduce total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), which form when chlorine disinfectants sit for too long and react with organics in the pipes.

The Office of Drinking Water put Selbyville on notice in the spring of 2016 for high TTHM averages. However, the 2016 water quality report doesn’t consider the 113 ppb a violation because the State has no required goal, although 80 ppb is the preferred maximum.

To keep those numbers down, Selbyville installed an automatic flusher “on a yard hydrant out at the very end, where we were having high readings,” Long said. “We’re flushing the water out there more frequently. Those TTHMs are well within standard, or well below limit.”

Another chlorine byproduct, haloacetic acids, also has no State requirement, but Selbyville averaged 33 ppb out of a preferred 60 ppb.

Chloride and sulfate were only a tenth of their preferred maximum. Iron was nonexistent, and nickel was nearly zero. Manganese and naphthalene were only a fifth of their allowed maximum, while total dissolved solids were at 50 percent of the maximum.

The water’s Ph was slightly alkaline, measuring 8.4 out of a maximum 8.5. Hardness was ranked at 12 parts per million. Sodium measured at 64.2 ppm, and alkalinity was 85.2 ppm. Fluoride averaged 1.2 ppm out of 2.0 ppm.

The Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for 2016 is available online at www.selbyville.delaware.gov/water-department and www.DelawareSourceWater.org.

For more information, the public may contact Selbyville Town Hall at (302) 436-8314 or Water Department at (302) 436-8349. They may also attend town council meetings, typically held on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at town hall.


Hudson resigns as Frankford police chief

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The Town of Frankford is asking residents who may need police assistance to call 911, as its police chief, Mark Hudson, resigned from his position on July 27.

“We had a meeting with Mark last Friday, when he confirmed he was resigning,” said Councilman Marty Presley. “Obviously, we haven’t had a lot of time to prepare. We’re in discussions with the Town of Dagsboro about the possibility of not necessarily merging the two police forces but having [Dagsboro Police Department] Chief [Floyd] Toomey as the chief of both towns.”

Presley said Toomey will be attending Frankford’s monthly council meeting on Monday, Aug. 7, at 7 p.m. to make a presentation.

“If that doesn’t work out, we’ll obviously be advertising for a new police chief.”

Hudson said he submitted his letter of resignation to the Town prior to his departure.

“There were some things I wasn’t happy with. … We couldn’t come to an agreement.”

Hudson, a retired Delaware State Police trooper, took over the Frankford Police Department on Aug. 15, 2016, assuming the role from previous chief Michael Warchol, who had also held the position for about a year.

Hudson said he loved working with the citizens of Frankford and that he had even received phone calls from residents after they learned of the news of his resignation.

“I loved going to the library and interacting with the kids on the street… I loved that, because that’s where the difference is going to be made. You’ve got to let kids know we care about them and watch out for them,” he said. “There are some really good people in town.”

Hudson, who also worked for the Selbyville Police Department during his time as Frankford’s police chief, said he will continue that work.

Presley said he couldn’t comment on Hudson’s reason for leaving his job with the Town of Frankford.

Fenwick Island to talk waterway dredging

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Delaware’s waterways are important to those who use them, whether it’s the wide bays or the narrow-dug canals that snake through small towns.

But those small towns are trying to find the resources to keep the shallow waters well-dredged, to improve navigation and water flow.

The Town of Fenwick Island will host a dredging workshop on Friday, Aug. 18, at 3 p.m. They have invited Tony Pratt of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources (DNREC) to discuss the State’s plans and the Town’s options.

After the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that it would no longer give federal money to maintain the smaller waterways, Delaware doubled its boating registration fees in 2017 to make up for that loss of funding for dredging, channel marking and other maintenance.

Fenwick officials are hoping to learn more about the State’s priority list and timeline, especially in regard to local canals and Little Assawoman Bay.

“The dredging meeting is really important,” said Councilwoman Vicki Carmean, who encouraged citizens to come prepared to ask tough questions. “DNREC really put the Little Assawoman Bay at the bottom of the [priority] list. … They’re talking about dredging their tributaries and streams, but I don’t know how much good that does if you’re getting out to the bay and getting stuck in mud.”

“Anybody that’s been out in the bay know how bad it’s gotten,” said Mayor Gene Langan. “I have some satellite photos of the bay. You can see the sand. It’s unbelievable. So those are the types of things we need to talk to Tony about.”

In contrast, nearby Seal Island is nearly completely underwater, though it was once a landing spot for boaters.

“If we can use [dredging] spoils on Seal Island, it might go quicker for us,” Langan said.

County found in violation of FOIA in P&Z hire

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The Sussex County Council took time at its Tuesday meeting this week to discuss a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) complaint filed by resident and council meeting regular Dan Kramer.

Kramer’s complaint, filed in November of 2016, alleged that the County violated FOA by failing to provide adequate notice that they would vote on who would take over as director of the Planning & Zoning office. At the meeting in question, the council voted to have Janelle Cornwell succeed Lawrence Lank.

Last month, the Delaware Attorney General’s Office found that the County did violate FOIA’s open-meeting requirements.

In the opinion, Deputy Attorney General Jason W. Staib wrote, “The Agenda did not include a ‘general statement’ of all ‘major issues’ that County Council expected to discuss at the October 4, 2016 meeting, as required by 29 Del. C. § 10002(a). The Agenda included no reference to an anticipated vacancy in the top position at the Planning and Zoning Office. Nor did it disclose any plan to fill that vacancy at the October 4, 2016 meeting…

“County Council’s disclosure of the possibility that it might take action on unspecified matters discussed in executive session was not sufficient to put the public on notice of expected discussions and action on an important topic in open session. Accordingly, the agenda did not satisfy the requirements of 29 Del. C. § 10002(a).”

“As in our general practice, we listed personnel under the executive items,” explained County Administrator Todd Lawson. “To rectify this issue, the Attorney General’s Office is recommending the County revisit the vote and explain in a public forum its reasons for selecting Ms. Cornwell as Mr. Lank’s successor.

“I want to reiterate this has nothing to do with the qualifications of Ms. Corwell or the position, nor her ability to fulfill that position. This is simply just an agenda correction.”

The council voted 5-0 to reaffirm their hiring of Cornwell, stating she has a strong background for the position and exceptional credentials.

Councilman Rob Arlett asked why listing the discussion and vote under “personnel” was not sufficient.

“I think where the Attorney General was going with their opinion was the County, in just listing ‘personnel,’ did not go into enough detail on our agenda, because the Attorney General deemed this decision a ‘major issue’ for the council to take… We could’ve listed consideration of Planning & Zoning director position or something of more detail…

“I’m not certain we agree with this opinion, but instead of going to argue with this decision, we decided to go ahead and reaffirm as they indicated, and in the future try to do a better job.”

Hesse joins Bethany Beach Christian Church as pastor

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Coastal Point • Shaun Lambert: Rev. Dr. Rayner ‘Rusty’ Hesse Jr. is the new pastor at Bethany Beach Christian Church.Coastal Point • Shaun Lambert: Rev. Dr. Rayner ‘Rusty’ Hesse Jr. is the new pastor at Bethany Beach Christian Church.“Everyone will be welcome when they walk in the door,” said the Rev. Dr. Rayner “Rusty” Hesse Jr., the new pastor at the Bethany Beach Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). “We don’t stand on ceremony.”

Hesse became the church’s pastor less than two weeks ago and has already had the opportunity to gush about his new post.

“We do believe everyone is welcome at communion. We don’t distinguish as to whether you’re a child or an adult. As long as the parent says it’s alright, the child can receive communion. You don’t have to be a member of the parish here, either, to receive communion.

“I think that’s so important, because a lot of churches tend to be narrow in their vision as to who can be a member,” he said. “It’s very easy to become involved here and become a member — you just have to state your intentions. There’s no requirement about giving… Many people who are here are not Disciples originally.”

In fact, Hesse himself is not a Disciple; rather he grew up in and has served in the Episcopal Church.

“I want to emphasize how much faith the congregation is putting in me by thinking outside the box. I’m not a traditional Disciples minister. That just tells you the type of congregation they are — they want to bring people in.”

He graduated from the seminary in 1982, after working as an actor and singer in New York City.

“After starving for a time, I decided that maybe I better go back to school, so I went to seminary. I had tried to go to seminary before that, but I was too young — I couldn’t be ordained. You had to be at least 2, and I was 20 when I first applied.”

He and his husband, Anthony, who have a 23-year-old daughter, retired to Bethany Beach four years ago, after leaving his last parish in New Rochelle, N.Y.

Hesse, whose family used to vacation in Ocean City, Md., when he was a kid, conducted “Sunday supply work” in Maryland and Delaware in retirement.

“I filled in when people are on vacation, ill or on sabbatical,” he said, noting he filled in at eight different area parishes, including Bethany Beach Christian Church.

“One Sunday, a year or so ago, they asked if I would fill in, because their minister was not able to be here that week. I filled in and really liked it very much. The people were very, very kind, very open,” he said.

“So, when I heard they were looking for a minister” to fill in, “I said, ‘Would you consider me?’ which was interesting, because I’m not a member of the Disciples of Christ Church — I’m an Episcopal minister. I’ve been ordained for 35 years in the Episcopal Church. They had to think outside the box for a bit and see if that would be a good fit for them.”

Then, when he heard there was an opening at Bethany Beach Christian Church, though he’d only filled in once, he decided to apply for the position.

“That impressed them enough and me enough,” he said of his prior visit there, “that when they were looking for somebody, it seemed like a good, possible fit,” he said. “I’m really a newbie. It’s a nice place, they’re very laidback, extremely open to people of all walks of life.

“They’re an open congregation, where they’re welcoming to people from different sexual orientations; generally-speaking, support same-sex marriage... People here feel that everyone is welcome, no matter who they are.”

His new gig at the church will have him preaching at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday services, giving communion, holding office hours during the week, visiting the sick, helping with the dying and being engaged in committee work.

“I’m new, so I have to learn all they are doing. It’s a pretty active parish for a small group of people.”

The welcoming nature of the parishioners is what drew Hesse to the church, and a quality he believes can use to grow the congregation.

“Any type of background you have, you’re welcome to come here. It’s hard to find a church that is open and affirming to everyone. They live what they believe.”

He also called attention to their casual dress code, which he said he believes is another reason to attend the church.

“They’re very casual, how they come to church. If you want to come in a T-shirt and shorts? That’s fine. If you want to come in your bathing suit, within reason, that’s OK, too. If you want to be dressed up a little more, that’s fine.

“Ministers in the past have worn a collar or dressed down in a Hawaiian shirt, which a lot of people in the congregation like, because it makes them feel good, because they’re dressed in a Hawaiian shirt, too.

“I can remember, as a kid, we always had a fight growing up, ‘Do I have to get dressed up for church?’ When I was a teenager, the minister I had said, ‘No, you don’t.’ It was a major coup for all the kids in the youth group. He said, ‘God doesn’t care what you wear, just that you want to be here.’ So, we built a big youth group — about 80 people in that small town — because we were that cool youth group where you didn’t have to get dressed up to go to church.”

He also has a few other ideas on how to grow the congregation, including adding some shows or starting a choir, and having a ‘bring-someone-Sunday” where parishioners are encouraged to invite non-members.

“Invite someone you know who wasn’t going to church,” he said. “It’s very hard to walk in a church cold and say, ‘I want to be here and become a member,’ but if someone invites you, there’s a better chance of being connected.”

Along with his pastoral duties, Hesse serves on the board of the Bethany Area Reparatory Theatre, is the treasurer and second-vice-president for Delaware’s Sons of the American Revolution and also volunteers at CAMP Rehoboth.

“That keeps me pretty busy,” he said with a laugh.

As a self-proclaimed people-person, Hesse said it was his love of working with people that helped draw him to serving God.

“I love to work with people. I like to preach; I try to offer things that could be helpful to them during the week. I try to ask the difficult questions that I want to know, and then I try to answer them in my sermons.

“I can remember one of my former colleagues saying, ‘The major job of the minister is to love the people.’ That’s one of the reasons I really felt drawn here, because I felt people were open to being loved.

“If you’re open to that, it also means you’re going to be very loving to other people. It’s nice to be a part of a congregation where that’s a focus. ‘How can we help other people? How can we be open to other people? How can we invite other people in? How can we make them feel at home?’”

His relationship with God is of the utmost importance, he said, and is one that he hopes to help grow in others.

“We had a question-and-answer period after I preached, and people got to ask me really personal and professional questions about how I felt about this or that. One man asked me to describe my personal relationship with Christ…

“I’m very interested in my work and in my preaching about what brings us closer to God, because I believe with God all things are possible. So, what I like about my job is I get to test that. Is it true all things are possible? Well, if it’s true, therefore anything you say can be done.

“Well, you don’t know that. But if you’re open to the possibilities that come along with it, you’re open to the wonderful gifts that God has in store for all of us.”

Hesse said that, without knowing it, his road led him to Bethany Beach Christian Church, and for that he is grateful.

“There were so many connections that all added up to this. If you had asked me a year ago where I would be, I would never have said I’d be here. It was never a possibility. But here I am.”

Bethany Beach Christian Church is located at 7 N. Pennsylvania Avenue in Bethany Beach. For more information about the church, call (302) 539-4118, visit bethanybeachchristianchurch.org or attend a 9:30 a.m. Sunday service.

Rotary club offers to lead Selbyville Christmas Parade

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Those Christmas bells won’t go silent this December. The Southern Sussex Rotary Club has offered to take over organizing the Selbyville Christmas Parade.

“We’re requesting to do that for you guys,” Scott Smith, Rotary vice president, told council members at their August meeting.

“We don’t get too many requests like that,” Mayor Clifton Murray said.

The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce had previously announced that it will no longer host the holiday parade and some other community events, in order to refocus on its mission of promoting business, especially in the off-season.

“This is one of the best parades around, and we’d like to keep that tradition,” Smith said.

Smith said the Chamber has already given the Rotary its blessing — and planning ideas — for the parade to take place on Friday, Dec. 1.

Police presence means picking up the phone

As some problems persist, the Selbyville Police Department is encouraging residents to simply keep reporting suspicious people or activities. Although one woman has complained numerous times about trespassers in her neighbor’s yard, the property owner would have to actually make the complaint for SPD to pursue more serious charges.

Also, it’s challenging for SPD to make people move from public places if they’re guests of another resident.

“You call us, and we’ll keep coming,” Police Chief W. Scott Collins said at the meeting. “I’d contact your legislators that need to crack down on drug offenses.”

Collins said civil violations for marijuana possession are “through the roof. I think it was a big mistake” to make small amounts the equivalent of a traffic citation, he said, adding that he believes it’s not fair for someone younger than 21 to be punished more severely for alcohol possession than for illegal marijuana.

Meanwhile, people with small bundles of heroin are being arrested and allowed to walk out after videoconferencing with a judge, while police have another two hours of paperwork for each civil citation, Collins said. “It’s certainly clogging our system, that’s for sure.”

He reminded the public that under the “Good Samaritan Law,” drug arrests cannot be made in a household where someone calls 911 to report an overdose.

In other Selbyville Town Council news from Aug. 7:

• The new water filtration plant is working as hopped. There has been no detection of gasoline additive MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether), which has plagued the Town’s water supply for years.

• The EPA commended the wastewater treatment facility for meeting yearly requirements and for having a knowledgeable staff.

• The town council assessed a $200 penalty on Mountaire’s poultry plant for exceeding the maximum allowed wastewater flow on one day, which then caused an overage in overall weekly usage. Councilman G. Frank Smith III advocated for stronger enforcement of violations at Mountaire, including for live-haul chicken trailers that are parked incorrectly under the terms of a signed agreement between the Town and the company.

• There will be new limits on future car dealerships in town. The council unanimously agreed to make “new and used car dealerships” a conditional use in the zoning code (Section 200-86). That means the council could permit that type of business, but they’d also have the right to refuse it or insist on certain conditions.

All towns with dealerships know that some are nice, while others need some sprucing, said Mayor Murray.

“We’ve got quite a few of them already. … We welcome new ones. We just want to do them right,” said Councilman Jay Murray.

• Residents had already approved a $500,000 loan for the water plant (which has zero-percent interests and 100 percent principal forgiveness on project completion). The council sealed the deal with a final resolution approving the bond. It should be free money once the water plant filters are installed.

• The council approved grants of $50 for the Indian River High School Football Boosters and $200 for the Miss Hispanic Delaware Pageant (in which a Selbyville teenager is the only contestant from south of the C&D Canal).

Due to the Labor Day holiday, the next council meeting will be held Monday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m.

Millville now requiring HOA OK for permits

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Parked in front of Millville Town Hall on Tuesday night, a shiny red SUV was taking a break from its day-job. Millville Volunteer Fire Company’s new command vehicle is a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe, funded by a Town grant.

The vehicle will be on-scene for emergency calls, generally staffed by one of the company’s ranking officers.

“We think it came out well. We spent a lot of time on it to make sure it came out right,” said Paul Sterling Jr., deputy fire chief.

They dedicated a six-person committee to choosing the best vehicle to serve the local area.

Although the project called for much customization, they reused some equipment to save money where possible. The total cost was $77,571.44 — “well under” the original grant amount, Sterling said.

The Town created the grant in 2015 using the proceeds from, and because of, the town’s construction boom. They now require a $500 impact fee on new construction projects, from which the fire company can obtain funds by requesting grants for capital purchases, such as new equipment.

Founded in 1936, the volunteer fire company serves Millville, Ocean View and surrounding areas with fire and emergency medical services.

The MVFC volunteers and staff thanked the town council on Tuesday.

“What you do for us goes a long way. … It makes the job easier when we have the backing of our towns and communities,” said MVFC EMS Chief John Watson.

“Thank you for what you do for the community,” said Councilwoman Susan Brewer.

In other news from Tuesday’s council meeting, Millville building permits will require a little extra paperwork now, after the town council unanimously approved Ordinance 18-01, which amends the zoning code (Chapter 155, Article XII, Section 155-68).

Under the amended code, in addition to the plans and regular paperwork, all applications for building permits in Millville must now include a letter of approval from the applicant’s homeowners’ association, if any association exists, as well as a copy of the applicant’s Sussex County building permit.

Town Hall cannot enforce HOA covenants or contracts between homeowners, officials explained, but if the town council is to approve a building permit, they want to know that the HOA is onboard.

Also on Aug. 8, council members discussed installing a new town hall sign, which Councilwoman Valerie Faden will research.

Also, the town park has faced some permit delays, so council members plan to start contacting state and county agencies in an attempt to move things forward.

Dagsboro and Frankford discuss possible joint police force

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With the Town of Frankford temporarily without police coverage after former police chief Mark Hudson resigned from his post July 27 after serving less than a full year, Frankford officials are looking into other avenues to provide police protection to its residents.

Dagsboro Police Chief Floyd Toomey, along with Dagsboro Mayor Brian Baull, attended the monthly Frankford Town Council meeting earlier this week to discuss possibly sharing a police department.

“This is not new. The towns of Dagsboro and Frankford had a joint police department many, many years ago,” said Toomey, adding that the idea had first been discussed between the towns about a decade ago and again in more recent years.

Toomey said the Town of Dagsboro currently has four officer positions in its budget. If the two towns were to come together for police protection, Dagsboro would request Frankford provide the funds for two officers, to bring the total force up to six officers.

“With six officers, we believe we can cover 20 hours a day, three days out of the week and 22 hours a day the other four days. That would leave us with just a couple of hours of no coverage for both towns during the seven-day period.”

Toomey said the purpose of combining the two forces would be to increase the police presence in both towns.

“The goal would be — there would be a singular chain of command,” he said. But, “It would be two separate departments, not one department.”

Toomey would serve as the chief for both towns. Each officer serving the towns would serve the other similarly across the board — a sergeant in Frankford would be a sergeant in Dagsboro, and so forth.

Toomey said if the idea were to move forward, Dagsboro would request the towns enter into a minimum three-year contract, allowing both parties the option to, after the three years, take back their department if they so choose.

He noted that cost would probably be the biggest deterrent for the town. Frankford would have to pay for the salaries of two officers, estimated to be $87,360, and their related insurance and pension, totaling around $121,406. Those figures do not include general operating expenses for funnel, uniforms, et cetera.

“That’s a lot of numbers to digest,” he said.

He noted that Dagsboro does have the State health insurance plan only for the officers. He noted that going on the State’s pension plan was a contentious argument within Frankford and the reason one officer left a few years ago; however, he said if the two towns were to join forces, that would be a non-negotiable.

“I can’t in good conscience have two officers working for me that don’t have the State pension and four that do,” he said. “That would be a requirement.”

He said he believes Frankford has had some misconceptions regarding the State’s pension plan. He noted that, while once a town joins they are “locked into it,” if the town is without officers, they aren’t paying into the pension.

“You can’t pay a pension on no income,” he said, adding that the pension is based on the salary.

“The whole purpose of this is to make things mutually beneficial for both towns and both departments.”

Councilman Marty Presley asked if joining forces would affect grants available to the towns. Toomey said they would not, as technically the two departments would be kept as two separate entities.

Resident Kathy Murray asked why Dagsboro is requesting a three-year contract, as opposed to a shorter test period.

“One year doesn’t give enough time to get feet wet,” responded Toomey.

He said reporting would go through a commission made up of each town’s leadership (Dagsboro’s mayor and Frankford’s council president) and Toomey.

“I don’t want to report to five different individuals,” he said. “The mayor is what we have. I’d like to keep that integrity.”

Resident Jerry Smith asked why the five council members could not delegate to their officers.

“These council members know the people of this town. They know more of what’s going on that what you would know… Is it possible to have two people in command — one on Frankford and one from Dagsboro?”

“That’s known as ‘chaos,’” said Toomey, adding that, if there’s an issue in town, he would be the person to notify — not a singular officer — so he could address all the officers as to how the issue should be handled.

The two towns have agreed they will hold two public meetings — one in Frankford and one in Dagsboro — to discuss the idea and get input from residents.


What’s the story?

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Coastal Point • Laura Walter: Turning Pages Book Lounge gives new life to used books and invites customers to come in and relax and enjoy the books.Coastal Point • Laura Walter: Turning Pages Book Lounge gives new life to used books and invites customers to come in and relax and enjoy the books.Grab a book, a coffee or a ukulele. (Maybe one of each.)

Kate and Brendan Heneghan are inviting people to start a new chapter at the new Turning Pages Book Lounge in Ocean View. The couple are selling used books, as well as comic books, music records, ukuleles and art.

In the old wooden shopping center across from Lord Baltimore Elementary School, they wanted to create a warm, open and inviting space that encourages browsing, without the clutter. This summer, they added vibrant turquoise paint, some couches and book shelves to a former T-shirt printing shop.

Customers are already spreading the word about the tiny Route 26 book shop that opened during Memorial Day weekend, where they curled up on the sofa with a $4 novel and bought a tea, coffee or soda.

Reading inside the shop is welcome, but this is no library. People can talk about books, buy snacks, suggest music for the store’s record player or take ukulele lessons.

Turning Pages Book Lounge also sells children’s books, jigsaw puzzles, first-edition novels, literary greeting cards, travel postcards and book-related artwork. In future, the Book Lounge may also host group events, such as book clubs.

It’s hard to find an inexpensive place to hang out, Brendan said. That’s probably why the Book Lounge sees late-night walk-in traffic from the ice cream shop next door.

“If you come here for an hour or two, even if you buy a bunch of books, you’re spending 10 or 20 bucks,” Brendan said. “It’s a place where people can come and hang out. It’s not a bar. There’re aren’t TVs blasting in your face. It’s quiet, but it’s not a library, either. You can say what you feel, and say what you want.”

Shoppers can find their favorite fiction, from the fantastical stories of Rowling and Gaiman, to the romances of Devereux and Steele. They’ll also discover potentially new topics, such as the women spies of the American Civil War. The Heneghans also enjoy recommending titles.

“If you go to a used book store, you’re letting happenstance play its part,” Brendan said.

Even NPR has said traditional bookstores are making a comeback, they said.

“I’m hearing from people that Kindles aren’t cutting it … especially at the beach,” Kate said, recalling a mother who couldn’t read her e-books in peace because her kids kept grabbing at the device to play games. Paperbacks don’t cause as much mayhem in the sand.

“It creates a kind of multigenerational atmosphere as well,” Kate said. “The parents are looking at books for themselves, the teenagers have a place where they can read comics, manga and teen fiction, and [there’s] the kids’ corner. Everybody’s got something to interest them.”

On a rainy day, with Buddy Guy blues playing the background, a large family discovered the Book Lounge, and each person wandered toward their favorite section. The dad exclaimed over jazz record; the daughter purchased “The Simpsons” comics with her allowance; and another daughter asked if she was allowed to read Stephen King yet (“Not that one.”).

Visitors might catch the mellow sounds of a ukulele. The Book Lounge both sells ukuleles and teaches music lessons.

Kate also gives new life to old books. She creates small sculptures on beautiful old novels that aren’t being read anymore. She creates papier-mâché figures that climb the books, or carves windows into the novels.

Besides the book shop, Kate also teaches art, and Brendan runs Yesterday’s Fun toy shop in Bethany Beach.

Reading is a special part of the Heneghans’ own relationship. When Kate was studying abroad in Rome, Brendan visited and brought just the perfect book for her. She knew then that he was something special.

Now, they’re always reading books, both quietly on their own and aloud together, like a two-person book club. Together, they like reading Christopher Moore’s tongue-in-cheek stories, like “You Suck.” Meanwhile, she loves epistolary novels, in which the story is told through a series of letters and correspondence. He tries “not to play favorites with books. I love them all!”

The shop is open daily, from noon to 10 p.m. Hours may change in winter.

Turning Pages Book Lounge is located at 119 Atlantic Avenue, Ocean View. For more information, contact (302) 402-3113 or turningpagesbooklounge.com.

Infamous Stringdusters bringing bluegrass to Dewey Beach

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Coastal Point • Submitted/Scott McCormick: The Infamous Stringdusters are set to appear on stage at the Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach on Sunday, Aug. 20.Coastal Point • Submitted/Scott McCormick: The Infamous Stringdusters are set to appear on stage at the Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach on Sunday, Aug. 20.When The Infamous Stringdusters take the stage at the Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach on Sunday, Aug. 20, they will bring bluegrass that soars beyond the typical boundaries of the genre.

While the five-man band has its roots in the bluegrass that emerged in the 1960s folk-music movement, guitarist Andy Falco said told the Coastal Point this week that, as a band, the Stringdusters strive to explore the depth and breadth of bluegrass.

The Infamous Stringdusters is, in addition to Falco, Andy Hall on dobro, Chris Pandolfi on banjo, Jeremy Garrett on fiddle and Travis Book on upright bass. The band is currently touring in support of its latest recording, “Laws of Gravity,” which was released in January.

As their seventh studio set, “Laws of Gravity” represents the Stringdusters’ efforts to balance their appeal to fans of traditional bluegrass with a push to attract new listeners.

“A lot of people are trying to figure out what bluegrass is,” Falco said, adding that some of today’s bands that are difficult to pigeonhole and some, such as Mumford & Sons, are considered by some to represent new bluegrass.

Falco said bluegrass began to evolve in a way that was similar to the shifts in other genres, such as jazz or blues, as far back as the 1960s. The Infamous Stringdusters came together in 2007. In 2011, their song “Magic No. 9,” from their “Things” recording, was nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Instrumental — further proof of the fluidity of genres in today’s music business.

While Falco said his Long Island roots might not seem to lend themselves to bluegrass, but he noted that bluegrass music today transcends geography.

“Maybe 40 years ago, music was more regional, but now musicians from Long Island are accepted as bluegrass musicians,” he said. He added also that public perception of bluegrass music has come a long way. “People used to see a banjo and think ‘Deliverance,’” he said.

Like many successful musicians, Falco credited his parents with exposing him and his siblings to music throughout their childhood.

“I grew up in a household where music was part of the daily routine,” he said. “My parents weren’t musicians, but they had a very eclectic record collection,” he said.

Falco’s sister played piano and flute when they were growing up, but it was with his two brothers that his musical career took flight. The three brothers played in rock bands in Long Island as youths, he said.

His initiation into bluegrass a few years away, Falco said, “I got really interested in the Grateful Dead,” and then the Allman Brothers Band. He played electric guitar at first, and played what he calls “rootsy Americana,” until “I found my way to Nashville,” Falco said. There, “I fell in love with bluegrass,” he said.

As a native of Long Island, Falco said he is looking forward to checking out Dewey Beach this weekend.

“I’d imagine the culture is probably not too different” from his New York coastal home, he said. Although the Infamous Stringbusters’ current tour has taken them all over the United States, he said, “I always feel at home” on the East Coast.

Since the band is “on tour all the time” Falco said, its relationship with fans is what keeps the music fresh and the band motivated to keep growing.

“Our fan base is generally really people who are looking to go to a show or put a record on and just feel free, feel like themselves. Our fans are people that are interested in taking a journey with us, in riding a wave with us,” he said. “Our set lists are never the same.”

Falco said the Stringdusters are “pretty much touring all the time,” as evidenced by a packed summer schedule that flows right into the next seasons without a break. Not surprisingly, “Laws of Gravity,” produced under the Compass Records label, was completed while the band was on tour.

“Laws of Gravity” debuted at No. 26 on the Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, selling 1,200 copies in its first week.

Since the band’s formation in 2007, the Stringdusters have collaborated with a mix of well-known artists, including Ryan Adams, Joss Stone, Bruce Hornsby, Joan Osborne and Lee Ann Womack.

Touring, Falco said, is its own reward, as it allows him and his bandmates to “put a collection of your best stuff out there in the world.” But he said he also takes great pleasure in the fact that bluegrass music is at home anywhere.

“It’s interesting,” he said, “how you can get together on the side of a mountain” and play bluegrass, since its more organic sound is not electronics-dependent.

Tickets for The Infamous Stringdusters show at the Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach are available for $25 at www.deweybeachlife.com. Doors open for the Sunday, Aug. 20, show at 7 p.m.

Georgetown 5K to raise funds for Ballard Memorial Fund

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This Sunday, the friends and family of late Delaware State Trooper Cpl. Stephen Ballard are sponsoring a 5K and “Kiddie K” in order to raise funds for the fallen trooper’s family.

“Being wives of state troopers and friends with Stephen Ballard and his family, Lauren Dukes and I wanted to come up with a way to help support Stephen’s family in their time of need,” said Morgan Albert, who is co-chairing the event with Dukes, and is a close friend of the Ballard family.

Ballard was shot and killed in the line of duty during a stop on a suspicious vehicle in Bear on April 26. He was 32 years old. The eight-year DSP veteran is survived by his wife, Louise Cummings, and a 5-year-old daughter.

“It was a tragic event for all of us who knew and loved Stephen. We wanted to keep his memory alive. I knew Stephen and what he felt in his heart. I know and remember what he did for everyone. He only wanted to give to others” said Albert.

Albert and Dukes have been working with Races2Run, a business that assists non-profit organizations raise money through running, walking and multisport events.

“What we were able to do is reach out to other partners we work with to come up with a location, a course,” said Barb Kursh, president of Races2Run. “We reached out to the Georgetown police. They were very, very interested in helping. I reached out to the owner of Arena’s at the Airport, and Ramsey [Schrader] was very willing to help donate his facility. He’s going to donate breakfast for everyone.”

The 5K will be held on Sunday, Aug. 20, with registration opening at 7:15 a.m. at Arena’s at the Airport in Georgetown.

Those who wish to participate may pre-register for the event online for $25 until Aug. 17. Day-of registration costs $30. The Kiddie K, for children 9 or younger, is free of charge. Those who wish to support the fundraiser but do not want to participate in the 5K may purchase post-race party tickets for $5.

For the fundraiser, Kursh said, Races2Run created a new flat course around the Georgetown area.

“We would love to make this an annual 5K in Stephen’s memory,” said Albert.

“We are hopeful many of the folks and police officers that he worked with will come support this event at Arena’s in Georgetown,” added Kursh.

The Kiddie K will start at 8 a.m., with the 5K race beginning at 8:15 a.m. All kids who finish the Kiddie K race will receive a medal. Awards will be given to the male and female overall and master’s winners, top three winners in 10-year age groups from 9 or younger, to 75 or older. The top three male and female walkers will also receive awards.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Cpl./1 Stephen J. Ballard Memorial Fund. The fund has been established at the Delaware State Police Federal Credit Union in the name of Ballard, and all proceeds will be given to his family. It is the only official memorial fund dedicated in his name.

“We would love to raise $5,000 for the inaugural event, after race expenses are paid,” said Kursh.

Sponsors for the inaugural memorial event include Arena’s Deli, NKS Distributors, the Georgetown Police Department and Delaware Coastal Airport.

Albert said she hopes the community will show their support of Ballard’s family by attending the 5K or donating directly to the memorial fund.

“It is important because of who Stephen was, and I don’t mean just a state trooper. Stephen had a great heart, and he only wanted to help others. So, I feel like it’s important to give back to his family.”

Arena’s at the Airport is located at 21553 Rudder Lane in Georgetown. For more information about the event or to pre-register, go to www.races2run.com. Those who wish to donate to the memorial fund may write checks out to the DSTA—Stephen Ballard Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 168, Cheswold, DE 19936.

Seining the bays with the CIB: Finding meaning on the shore

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I stand thigh-deep in warm bay water, seining net clutched in my hands. I can feel the drag of the current against the fabric as I march, slowly and steadily, toward the shore. A man named Dennis Bartow holds the other end of the 30-foot net, slogging his way toward the beach with me. It’s perfect weather: sunny enough to warm my baseball cap, with a gentle breeze that smells of salt.

“Someone grab the middle of the net!” Bartow shouts as we trudge into the sand. One of the other three volunteers darts forward and grips the center of the net. Together, we heave it onto the shore.

“OK, and... let go,” Bartow instructs. The volunteer, a man wearing a Delaware Center for the Inland Bays T-shirt and muddy Crocs, complies.

Suddenly, the shore is another world, sparkling and glittering in the vivid sunshine. As the volunteer releases the net, hundreds of fish slide onto the sand, wriggling and silver as moonlight. For a moment, I just stare, watching the flash of scales and the undulation of delicate fins and tails. It’s dream-like.

“Alright, start putting them in the buckets!” Bartow prompts. I dive in. Crouching in the sand, I reach into the piles of fish and begin to snatch them up. They squirm and thrash in my hands, but I’m determined to get them to the safety of our water-filled buckets.

Working fast, the other volunteers and I pull flailing fish from algae clumps and netting. A few small children who were playing on the beach stand beside me, watching curiously. Bartow, eager to educate the newcomers, talks about the species of fish as they eagerly begin to help putting them in buckets. Blue crabs shake their claws at the sky as they scuttle off into the surf, and we count and size them.

“One medium! Two mediums!”

I’ve never participated in a fish survey before, but most of the other volunteers working with me are regulars. The Delaware Center for the Inland Bays (CIB) conducts these surveys twice a month, carefully measuring the health of 17 different sites around the three inland bays (the Rehoboth, the Assawoman and the Little Assawoman).

Since 2011, eight different groups have been sent out by the CIB to conduct the surveys. Dennis Bartow, who is a member of all eight of the groups, leads the charge as we heft the buckets toward a tiny boardwalk nearby.

It’s now that the measuring and identifying begins. Bartow lined up two large wooden measuring tools on the boardwalk. Another volunteer and I grabbed each of the fish, measured them on the wood, called out their species and length, and tossed them back into the water.

When I arrived at the beach that morning, I had no idea which fish was which, or what types of fish lived in the Delaware bays. By the time I was finished, I could tell with a glance which fish were white mullets, striped killifish, hogchokers, bluefish, flounder, silversides and more.

I went to three different sites that day, and at each one, different types of fish would surface. Each beach was drastically different from the next, and the surprise of what came out of our nets was thrilling. Outwardly, the beaches looked relatively identical. But once we dipped our nets in the water, all bets were off. After that experience, I felt closer to the wildlife, and I knew more about my home and the creatures that live here.

And educating volunteers like me is a valuable part of the job. The CIB’s surveys tell us how much of a certain type of fish is surviving certain conditions, when good fishing/crabbing seasons will occur and how healthy our bays are. But they also arm us with knowledge about our own ecosystem — information that we can use to better protect the environment. The fish surveys are entirely volunteer-operated, and they teach those volunteers what is happening to their aquatic neighbors.

This experience is open to anyone who wants to take part and learn. It’s an incredibly important and educational scientific encounter, and it’s completely open to the public. Not only is this enriching and fun, it’s one of the most available ways to be a part of the natural community and to care for our bays in Delaware.

When I left the beaches that day, wet, sandy and smelling slightly of fish, I couldn’t have been happier. I’d learned, integrated myself into the environment and helped take part in something big. What began as an eventful morning had transformed into something much more meaningful.

For more information on the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, check out www.inlandbays.org. For information on how take part in a fish survey, click on the tab at the top of the page that says “Projects & Issues,” and scroll down until you see the section labeled “Fish Surveys.”

There’s much more to do, however, and the CIB website is loaded with valuable information about our bays, the problems they face and how you can help, as well as programs and events you can take part in. Although Annual Fish Survey Kickoff/Orientation meetings are held each April, you can still sign up to help out anytime.

Floundering for a way to help out without getting wet? Click the “Donate” button at the top and become a friend of the bays!

Dinker-Irvin Cottage listed on National Register of Historic Places

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Coastal Point • Submitted: The Dinker-Irvin cottage was moved earlier this year to its new location a few lots west. The cottage was recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places.Coastal Point • Submitted: The Dinker-Irvin cottage was moved earlier this year to its new location a few lots west. The cottage was recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places.Bethany Beach officials and former owners Christina and Clem Edgar were notified recently that the Dinker-Irvin Cottage has officially been listed in the National Register of Historic Places as of July 3.

The cottage, which was recently moved onto a Town-owned lot a few doors down the street from its nearly century-long location on Garfield Parkway Extended, was built by the Dinker family during the early days of the town’s founding and had previously served as the local post office for several years after its relocation to the Garfield Parkway Extended lot in the 1920s.

The Dinker-Irvin Cottage is in the process of being transformed into a town history museum and is now officially recognized by the U.S. Department of the Interior as being part of that history itself.

“By this action, the Dinker-Irvin Cottage was recognized as being significant to the history of the Town of Bethany Beach, Sussex County, and the State of Delaware,” the announcement from Timothy A. Slavin, director of the State of Delaware’s Historical & Cultural Affairs department and state preservation officer.

“Beyond the recognition itself,” he wrote, “inclusion in the National Register assures that this office will review all federal projects to determine any effect that they may have on the property. Further, property owners of National Register listed sites are eligible for applying for historic preservation tax credits.”

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