The Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission was set to take the next step toward a possible moratorium on off-premise signage on Thursday, Aug. 13, with a public hearing at 6 p.m. for an ordinance that would establish the moratorium on the special-use exception applications needed to get such signs approved.

The draft ordinance was introduced before the Sussex County Council on July 28 and states that the council “views the placement of off-premises signs as an important public-safety issue” and believes that “the recent proliferation of off-premises signs has a detrimental effect on the safety and welfare of the citizens of Sussex County.”

Councilman George Cole had requested the council discuss the County’s sign regulations at the July 24 council meeting, stating that he had spoken to Dale A. Callaway, chairman of the County’s Board of Adjustment, regarding signage.

“He’s relayed to me that they have problems with these electronic signs… Basically, our ordinance needs to rewritten.”

As defined in the County Code, Chapter 115, off-premise signs are signs “directing attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered elsewhere than upon the premises where the sign is maintained.”

If approved, the moratorium would direct the Sussex County Planning & Zoning office to decline applications for special-use exceptions for off-premise signs for a period of six months.

The moratorium is designed to allow the County “a reasonable time period for the review and study of off- premises signs, the preparation of proposed legislation to address resultant issues and the consideration of said legislation.”

The hearing was held after Coastal Point’s Wednesday news deadline. Those who wish to listen to the hearing may do so by visiting www.sussexcountyde.gov.

Once again, all 10 chairs on the Board of Education dais for the Indian River School District will be filled. At a special meeting on Aug. 10, the board voted to appoint Heather L. Statler, Ed.D., to the lone empty seat on the board. Statler will be sworn in at the regular school board meeting on Aug. 24, representing IRSD’s District 3 (south Millsboro and northern Dagsboro).

“I’ve lived here my entire life,” said the Indian River High School grad. “I’ve devoted my whole career to education and really care about the things that are happening in the district on many levels.”

Raised on a farm in Roxana, Statler now lives in Millsboro with her husband of nearly 20 years, Keith. Their children are slated to follow his footsteps, attending Sussex Central High School.

“We spend a lot of our time involved in the community,” including Little League and travel ball for their sons, ages 10 and 14, she noted. “We’re very devoted parents. Family brings us a lot of joy.”

But her life’s work is education.

“I think if you really want to dig into the concerns and have an impact, the school board is a great way to do that,” Statler said. “That’s where we can really facilitate changes, really understand the district.”

Statler has had a 19-year career as a counselor at Delaware Technical & Community College, working with people with disabilities.

“My real passion and expertise is in working with students with disabilities,” she explained. “So I’m very familiar with the special-education programs” in college, across the state and in grades K to 12, she noted.

Through her DTCC job, Statler has worked with state agencies and built relationships with other community groups, even on the subject of disability law.

“You have to do that to be a proactive educator,” and study trends and the future of education. “I think I’ve done a really good job doing that over the years.”

Wearing many hats for that position, she brings a “unique understanding” and background, having also done admissions, advisement and staff training at the college level.

Statler was also appointed to the state’s Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) in 2011.

She wasn’t ready to comment on specific goals for the district yet.

“I have to get in there and understand the history and understand where we are in a lot of the current issues we have facing the district,” Statler said, as the view from inside the organization is much different from the outside.

But she said she wants to ensure the district is providing adequate services and provisions for students in special education or with disabilities. Growth is also a major factor.

“We have a lot of students. We have a lot of people who have moved to the district. We have to respond to that, [while creating an] environment fostering student success and conducive to learning.”

Another big issue, she said, is “testing and assessment, and looking at the impact that has on both students and teachers. I love data, I love assessment. At the same time, I have concerns about the over-testing that is happening — not just in our district, but that’s also a statewide issue, as well.”

She also wants “to be part of that responsible decision-making and careful planning that not only looks the short-term needs of the district but also the long-range planning.”

She’s particularly interested, she said, in serving the IRSD committees for curriculum and for buildings/grounds.

At age 40, “I feel I’m at the perfect time in my life to be doing this, because I’m right in the middle of my career. [I’m] someone who’s invested for the long term,” she said.

She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology, master’s degree in educational leadership and doctorate in educational administration.

The school board position was vacated in June by Nina Lou Bunting, who made a bittersweet departure from the IRSD to serve the Delaware State Board of Education. Statler’s appointed term ends in June of 2016, when the seat is up for official election and a five-year term.

“I will definitely be seeking election at that time,” Statler said.

Constituents will be able to contact their new board member at Heather.Statler@irsd.k12.de.us.

At Tuesday’s Sussex County Council meeting, Nancy Feichtl, who formed the Senior Transportation Cooperative in Sussex County, gave a presentation on ITNSouthernDelaware — a nonprofit organization offering affordable rides to senior citizens, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The membership-based organization has an annual membership fee of $35 for individuals and $60 for a family membership in which two of the members are 55 or older, with additional costs per mile traveled. Memberships are also available for adults with visual impairment who are 21 or older.

Subscription forms may be found online, as well as in libraries throughout Sussex County.

Feichtl said the group was able to raise $220,000, exceeding the $150,000 required to become affiliated with ITNAmerica.

“We became an affiliate with the only nationwide senior transportation cooperative that there is,” she explained.

This month, ITNSouthernDelaware is launching its Phase I, which is focused on coastal Sussex County, and is seeking membership and volunteer drivers. Feichtl said they hope to start providing transportation in September.

The Phase II area, which covers the western side of Sussex County, will launch in the spring.

“The way the system works is, volunteer drivers cannot accept any money. They are connected to the ‘cloud’ that has all the accounts, all the GPS, all the routes — everything. The volunteer driver banks credits in their account for the miles they voluntarily take people,” explained Feichtl. “We will take them anywhere. It’s not just in the membership area…”

Feichtl said that, while it is not an emergency service, those who make an appointment for a ride will be provided a ride wherever they need to go.

“We will take you with your dog to the vet… Most of the rides are medical appointments, dentist appointments.”

Along with the yearly membership fee, riders pay $1.25 per mile.

“We have done a cost analysis against taxis and Uber. We are one-third of the cost,” said Feichtl. “A five-mile ride in a taxi is about $34.30; a five-mile ride in Uber is about $31.20; and a five mile-ride with ITNSouthernDelaware is under $9. It’s because we’re a nonprofit.”

Feichtl said she started the Senior Transportation Cooperative in Sussex County for “selfish reasons.”

“There are many of us around here with no transportation,” she said, noting that her son lives in San Francisco, Calif., and her daughter lives in Annapolis, Md. “They’re not going to take me to get my hair cut. Most people are like that.”

According to Feichtl, the national average of people 60 or older is 16 percent. That population within the state of Delaware is at 30 percent.

“This is current — this is not projected,” she said of the numbers, emphasizing that the need for senior transportation in the state is great.

Feichtl said the organization was given many donations, including $10,000 from the Beebe Medical Foundation and $7,000 from the Sussex County Council.

“That wasn’t big money, but that was an endorsement from you,” she said, noting that the group’s grant request had been for $35,000. “The sum wasn’t big, but you endorsed me. That kicked in the State money, which kicked in the Longwood money, which got us rolling.”

The organization had been offered $50,000 from the Longwood Foundation, if the money was matched in six weeks with new monies.

“Then — hold on to your seats — the Department of Transportation, that is $780,000 in debt said, ‘What do you need?’ We got $50,000 from the Department of Transportation,” she said.

Feichtl said they are also partnering with the Cheer Center, and will offer rides for Alzheimer’s day-care participants to get back home.

“We’re in this game together,” she said, adding that Cheer has been extremely supportive of the endeavor. “Kudos to Cheer.”

Feichtl said she hopes to get the word out into the community about the new transportation options for seniors in Sussex County and hopes people will take advantage of the program.

“There will be 4,000 members, with an average of 40,000 trips a year that the State doesn’t have to pay for, nor do you,” she told the council.

For more information about INTSouthernDelaware, or to become a member or volunteer driver, visit www.ITNSouthernDelaware.org.

Mountaire Farms may be facing a lawsuit in the coming months, following the receipt of a “Notice of Intent to Sue” from Food & Water Watch.

A nonprofit organization, Food & Water Watch stated in the Aug. 6 letter that they are prepared to file suit if the company continues to violate the Clean Water Act at its Selbyville poultry processing facility.

According to the notice, Food & Water Watch “champions healthy food and clean water for all…” and “stands up to corporations that put profits before people, and advocates for a democracy that improves people’s lives and protects our environment.”

In May, the Mid-Atlantic Environmental Law Center conducted a compliance check of 50 pollutant discharge permits in Delaware issued under the Clean Water Act, which allow for facilities to discharge pollutants into waterways.

According to the letter, written by attorneys Kenneth Kristl and Hannah Leone, during the check, eight of the 50 pollutants were found to exceed the allowable levels of discharge under the permits.

Mountaire Farms is permitted to discharge pollutants into the Sandy Branch of the St. Martin River under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program, which are issued by the Delaware Department Natural Resources & Environmental Control (DNREC). NPDES permits set limits on how much pollution can be discharged from a particular facility.

According to the notice, Mountaire has been in violation of its permits, dating back to 2011, in its discharge levels of biochemical oxygen demand, oil and grease, ammonia, nitrogen, total suspended solids and enterococci.

“Facilities in Delaware need to be held accountable for their permit violations, and we are ready to take action when the State will not,” said Hannah Leone, a fellow with the MAELC, in a statement last week.

If the violations are not corrected within 60 days, the letter states, Food & Water Watch “intends to file suit seeking civil penalties, injunction relief, attorneys’ fees and litigation costs.”

The letter noted that Food & Water Watch would “be willing to discuss effective remedies for the violations” and welcome discussion.

“Companies like Mountaire contribute significantly to ongoing water-pollution problems throughout their integrated and unsustainable system of meat production, from the contract farms where the chickens are raised to these facilities where they are slaughtered and processed,” said Scott Edwards, co-director of Food & Water Justice, the legal arm of Food & Water Watch, in a statement released last week.

“As is the case here, our state and federal officials rarely hold these companies accountable for their polluting practices, so it’s up to citizens to enforce the law and protect their waterways and communities.”

“Our goal is not only to ensure that Mountaire Farms takes the necessary steps to get back into compliance with its NPDES permit, but also that the facility is penalized for its damage to the environment over the course of the past five years.”

On Tuesday morning, Frankford Town Councilwoman Velicia Melson resigned from the council, after serving the Town for just five months.

“After much consideration, I have decided to remove myself from Town Council, effective immediately,” she wrote in an email to council on Aug. 11.

“I find the daily personal character assassination, the harassment by some citizens extremely unproductive and unnecessary. The inability to make decisions and move the Town forward are creating a huge detriment to the Town in general. I no longer have the luxury of volunteering excess hours to an organization that is frozen at a standstill.”

Melson was elected in February and sworn-in in March. As a Frankford resident, she had attended meetings and had hoped to work on the Town’s financial health, as well as healthcare and pensions for its employees.

Melson had previously told the Coastal Point she wanted the Town to return to how it was when she grew up there.

“I remember the small-town community feel, where you knew your neighbors and there was community involvement with special events, and people looked out for one another. I’d like to get back to that level of commitment from our residents in town.”

Mayor Joanne Bacon declined to comment on Melson’s resignation, stating she had not yet had the opportunity to speak with Melson.

Melson’s resignation came on the heels of 26-year council veteran Jesse Truitt’s resignation at the Town’s monthly council meeting last Monday.

The town council will hold a special meeting Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 7 p.m. in town hall to discuss the vacant seats and possibly vote on appointing two citizens to finish out Melson’s and Truitt’s terms.

Councilman Charles Shelton said that, while he is unsure of what the council will do on Tuesday, he knows that some on council are getting tired of being harassed at town meetings.

“Everybody’s getting tired of it… tired of hearing it,” he said.

Melson and Councilwoman Pam Davis could not be reached for comment by the Coastal Point’s Wednesday news deadline.

The denizens of Route 26 will have bear the brunt of another full summer of road construction, as the Route 26 improvement project’s construction end date has been pushed back to Sept. 7, 2016, for completion of the 4-plus-mile project to widen Atlantic Avenue from St. George’s U.M. Church in Clarksville to Ocean View’s Assawoman Canal bridge.

It’s not a complete surprise to many, but it’s unpleasant news all the same.

“We’ve encountered more lost days to weather since the beginning of this project,” said Ken Cimino (resident engineer, AECOM) at the construction advisory group’s public meeting on Aug. 11. “All in total, there have been 75 days lost,” which adds another full summer season.

When project began on Jan. 6 2014, the original completion date was June 24, 2016. But that always came with a caveat: contractor George & Lynch has 901 days to build the road, but the Delaware Department of Transpiration won’t penalize them for unavoidable weather delays.

DelDOT has now granted two contract time extensions for days lost to weather. Last September, it was 32 calendar days, which extended the project end date to late July of 2016. In June, it was another 43 calendar days, which extends the project to the current end date of Sept. 7, 2016.

George & Lynch is well aware it would pay penalties for exceeding the official contract completion date, barring any future excused weather days. In all, G&L was granted 48 days in the 2014 calendar year, plus 27 days in the first half of 2015.

Aware of the economic importance of a summer tourist season, DelDOT has already limited the contractors to certain work hours in the summer. From May 15 to Sept. 30, traffic cannot be affected from Friday morning to Monday evening. Lane closures are only allowed on weeknights, from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m., although lane shifts continue on weekdays.

“We’ve been providing flaggers at every business entrance, and that is to make sure customers and employees can get in and out as quickly as possible,” Cimino said.

The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce said they appreciated that gesture but were understandably unhappy about the extension.

“Are there any alternatives to possibly move that date up?” asked a “disappointed” Kristie Maravalli, executive director of the Chamber. (In recent emails to the project group, other business owners had also written about the tough beach economy of late.)

“At this time, we’re not exploring any alternatives,” said Sarah Criswell, area engineer for DelDOT.

During the planning process, the project team considered many options, said Tom Banez, a DelDOT project manager. “Not working in summer was going to result in this project taking way too long to build. I think it’s five, six years. We kind of had to make a compromise [and find the] best solution by allowing the contractor to work during summer.”

“That doesn’t mean George & Lynch are going to work all the way up to that time. Hopefully, they’ll finish … a few weeks early,” Cimino said.

“We’re working every day as much as we can,” said Mike Delp of G&L. “We’re working both ends,” but can’t do certain work at night, and must work around weather and wet materials.

State Sen. Gerald Hocker, who attended the meeting, said he mostly hears concerns from the business community. “I feel if they knew it was going to be over three summers, they would [not have wanted summer work],” he said.

“We appreciate that, but these are not decisions we make. We’re bound by the plans and specs,” said Delp.

Lately, George & Lynch has focused on the east end of the project area, trying to finish areas closer to the beach.

“Our intent is to try to get out of the east end of the project,” from Old Mill Road in Millville to the east, said Delp.

Rain hasn’t eased the challenge of installing of the force main and gravity sewer pipe, he said.

The area around Lord Baltimore Elementary School, specifically, is getting a lot of attention, as crews try to get out of there before school starts on Sept. 8.

Since June, contractors have had ongoing storm sewer pipe installation in the east and west ends of the project. Much curbing has been installed in the east, giving people an idea of the improved road’s final footprint. By October, widening should be done in the west, said Delp. An estimated 55 percent of the base paving is already complete, in anticipation of the top layer of hot mix.

Next, they’ll continue curb work and additional paving westward from Old Mill Road.

Powell Farm Road and surrounding areas will be the focus in autumn.

Tidewater Utilities is expanding its service simultaneously with the DelDOT project. Also hiring contractors George & Lynch, Tidewater is laying a 16-inch water main from Railway Avenue toward Whites Neck Road, also with the same summer scheduling restrictions.

The project team answered other questions about drainage on Aug. 11. They noted that the new traffic signals will have connected timing, to ensure traffic flows smoothly through. Delp agreed to request that his subcontractor find ways to reduce white dust that clouds the roadway during electric sawing.

When asked about potholes and rough road surfaces, Cimino said he drives the entire project almost daily, including after rainstorms, to ensure adequate driving conditions.

“A lot of the road that we haven’t touched is coming undone,” Delp said of some areas George & Lynch hasn’t done much with. “We’re pretty steady fixing trenches and potholes.”

Much of the road patching on the west end is from Sussex County sewer work, Cimino clarified.

The next public meeting of the advisory group will be Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. at Bethany Beach Town Hall.

The Delaware State Police recently partnered with the Criminal Justice Council and the First State Community Action Agency of Sussex County to organize a fun day for children of local communities in Sussex County. The event took place at Jungle Jim’s River Safari Water Park in Rehoboth Beach.

On Thursday, Aug. 13, 50 children from Coverdale Crossroads, Cool Springs, Pinetown, Delmarva Campground, Laverty Lane and Walker’s Mill spent the day with troopers and community chaperones, making lasting memories at the waterpark.

Troopers worked with the Lingo family, owners of the water park, as well as the Criminal Justice Council, which provided admission, lunch, ice cream and a pavilion for everyone to use for the day. Including the children, troopers and chaperones, approximately 80 people participated.

First State Community Action Agency arranged transportation to and from the water park through two school buses provided by Perry Transportation. At the conclusion of the event, troopers conducted a bullying-prevention and school safety presentation.

“Throughout the entire day, the children were very well-behaved and represented their families and communities well,” DSP representatives said. “One of the children, very happy and having fun going down a water slide, was heard saying in disbelief, ‘That trooper just went down a water slide with me.’ At the day’s end, they said they had a ‘ton of fun’ and did not realize or see this side of police officers.”

“The support and generosity of the Lingo family at Jungle Jim’s made the event one to remember,” said organizer Cpl. Matthew Blakeman, who is assigned to the DSP Community Outreach Unit for Eastern Sussex County.

Coastal Point • Laura Walter : Called to serve, deacons Dave Pittinger, left, and Jim Gelato, right, took a unique leadership role at Community Lutheran Church.

When two men in their 60s got a urge to serve, they showed up with a gusto to learn.

At Community Lutheran Church near Frankford, retirement offered the perfect chance for Dave Pittinger, 69, and Jim Gelato, 65, to follow their dreams of becoming Lutheran deacons, possibly the only ones on Delmarva.

And they finished the three-year training in half that time.

Deacons are deemed to have a call of “word and service,” meaning they can preach and serve, (in contrast with pastors, who have a call of “word and sacrament”). They finished the required coursework in 20 months.

“I wanted to get it done before I got too old,” Pittinger said.

Three years can really drag out, Gelato added. “It was good for us. You’re totally focused on that.”

Pittinger, 69, focuses on visitation, so he leads the team of volunteers who visit members who can’t attend regular service, whether they’re stuck at the hospital, at home or in physical therapy. He also leads other service projects.

Focusing on everything in the psychical church, Gelato, 65, covers worship and music. He helps with the liturgy (service), music and lay-preaching when the pastor is absent.

Both respond to the pastor.

They were accepted into the program after a period of discernment, as well as interviews, applications and prayer.

Gelato said he learned a lot about himself — “where I stand spiritually. … It was a humbling experience.”

“It forces self-examination, contemplation and a lot of prayer,” Pittinger said.

They highly recommend it “for anyone who has their heart and soul in their religion.”

Gelato said he had considered becoming ordained but found the deacon program to be a better fit for him, especially since he gets to stay with his church.

Pittinger’s pastor from 25 years ago had poo-pooed the notion for him, but Pittinger held onto the idea.

According to Pittinger, Community Lutheran Church boasts the only Lutheran deacons on the Eastern Shore, because the others — male and female — are all on the other side of the Chesapeake Bay. (However, nearby Catholic churches use a similar deacon program.)

About 10 courses were taught, one at a time, with some overlap, and topics included ethics, history, hospital ministry, the liturgy (service) and even a book-by-book study of the Bible. Each class met weekly for several hours.

Their previous pastor, the Rev. Bettye Wolinski, taught them nearly every course right there at Community Lutheran. The deacons credited her for making their education happen.

“Boy, she put us through the wringer. We learned a lot, didn’t we, Dave?” Gelato mused.

Assignments ranged from writing essays and presentations to teaching a four-week workshop on Lutheran beliefs.

Gelato said he didn’t believe the accelerated schedule would be doable with a regular job.

“It’s like going to college. They’re all seminary-level courses” that aren’t accredited only because the teachers aren’t, Pittinger said. “When I wasn’t in class, I was home in front of the computer, reading what I had to know for the next class.”

Was the program worth the stress and loss of hobbies?

“Absolutely,” they both said.

They recalled a moment during the “setting-apart ceremony” when the other religious leaders all laid their hands upon the new deacons, praying and welcoming them.

CLC never has had deacons before, so everyone is learning and shaping their role within the church.

“People ask, ‘What should we call you?’ I say, ‘Dave!’” Pittinger noted.

“I am so blessed to be at a church that has two deacons,” said interim pastor the Rev. Harry “Skip” McComas. “They’re both just spiritually grounded people. … They love the [congregation].

Typically, the pastor spends a lot of time with the homebound, but Pittinger’s work means McComas can make his part-time hours count elsewhere, in church administration. “He has it so organized,” McComas said of Pittinger’s ministry team.

Meanwhile, Gelato is “a walking encyclopedia for Lutheran worship and practices,” always open to new ideas, but knowledgeable in current traditions, McComas said. “They’re caring, giving, loving men, just both of them.”

Officially, they’re deacons in the Order of Saint Stephen (OSSD) within the Delaware-Maryland Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Their OSSD handbook defines deacons “as the bridge between the church and the community. We are set apart in word and service, and serve our churches and pastors in a wide variety of ministries using our spiritual gifts to meet the needs of those we serve.”

Anyone interested in becoming a Lutheran deacon can email davepittinger@hotmail.com.

Coastal Point photos • R. Chris Clark

Elsa Clarke brags on Shelby Dolby as if he were her own grandson. He writes her letters, and she shows off his picture around Brandywine Senior Living at Fenwick Island. But Clarke, 98, and Dolby, 24, had never met — until Brandywine staff set up a surprise meeting in July.

Clarke didn’t understand why she was missing her favorite word game that day, just because some mystery man needed to see her. Clarke never dreamed that her visitor was Dolby, complete with U.S. Coast Guard uniform and a flower bouquet.

“Isn’t he handsome?” Clarke said. “He’s precious.”

As a wintertime activity, a handful of Brandywine seniors had written letters to three service members. Dolby was the only person who replied to each letter.

In July, the Roxana native was on a brief shore leave from the USCGC Sangamon, a 165-foot cutter based on the Illinois River — his first official duty after boot camp.

So why did they continue writing to each other?

“He answered,” Clarke said simply.
hat he would respond to every letter.

“It’s a lot more important — the value of a letter. I was taken away from society for eight weeks during boot camp,” said Dolby, who received letters there from his own mother and grandmother.

Another Brandywine resident had continued emailing Dolby, but he and Clarke found a special connection. When he sent her a video message for her birthday, Brandywine’s Kathy Jacobs videotaped Clarke’s reaction to send Dolby.

Clarke said she enjoys having a nice young friend, especially when she doesn’t get to see all of her own grandchildren as often as she’d like.

“He’s a good man. I can see that,” Clarke said. “He has a good expression on his face. Young people have such a sad expression on their faces.”

“She’s wonderful, a very high spirit,” Dolby said. “I couldn’t believe she’s 98. That blows my mind.”

A native of Baltimore County, Md., Clarke recalled when her own peers volunteered for service during World War II. She asked Dolby about his buddies in the guard, chatted about officer candidate school (OCS) and offered marriage advice — for whenever that might be needed.

“Honey — I was raised to go to college, but I couldn’t because the Depression [came],” Clarke told him.

Raising a family, she worked in school offices, so she’d have a similar schedule as her kids.

Dolby’s mother and grandmother attended the July “reunion,” too, feeling as though they had gained a new great-grandmother in Clarke. Peggy Dolby was near tears with pride for her son.

“She’s proud of you, and I don’t blame her,” Clarke told him.

“I am so proud that Shelby took the initiative to write back to Elsa. He is a one-of-kind in today’s society, and his father, Les, and I are so very proud of him,” Peggy Dolby wrote afterward. ”We have always had our boys very active in community service, and I think it’s paid off.

Coastal Point • R. Chris Clark : Gov. Jack Markell and DNREC Secretary David Small at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.Gov. Jack Markell on Wednesday joined DNREC Secretary David Small, federal highway officials and community leaders and groups, to cut the ribbon officially opening the new Assawoman Canal Trail. The one-mile trail is part of a regional network of trails, sidewalks and pathways for pedestrians and bicyclists, physically linking communities that share a boundary with the trail.

“This trail is only possible because of the hard work and commitment of engaged community members who recognize that this is an opportunity to enhance the quality of life in Sussex County,” said Markell.

“It was residents in Ocean View, Bethany and South Bethany neighborhoods who saw the value of creating a trail along the Assawoman Canal and worked together with the State to turn their vision into a reality. They share our belief that investments in our trails and pathways support our overall health and wellbeing, while helping to grow our economy.”

In the works for seven years, the trail will directly connect the municipalities of Ocean View, Bethany Beach and South Bethany, and the communities of Sea Colony and Bahamas Beach Cottages.

A concept plan, developed with a team of local residents, was released in 2011, after public outreach. Project partners included Ocean View, Bethany Beach and South Bethany, residents in Bahamas Beach Cottages, Sea Colony, Salt Pond and Waterside, and DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation.

“From concept through construction, this project is an excellent model of collaboration among the community, local, state and federal governments,” said Small. “We have worked toward a common vision and implemented it.”

The Town of Ocean View was one of the key partners throughout the creation of the trail, officials noted.

“This trail is a great example of neighbors working together for the betterment of the community,” said Ocean View Mayor Walter Curran. “Gov. Markell has been a strong supporter of the State parks and trails, and with DNREC’s support and guidance, this trail is the perfect fit for Ocean View and our surrounding beach communities.”

“It is very exciting to see this first phase of the Assawoman Trail completed,” said Carol Olmstead, Assawoman Canal Trail Team member and former Bethany Beach mayor. “It is truly a collaborative effort that, in time, will connect our local neighborhoods in a unique way, providing a natural setting and a close-up glimpse of the canal and its environment for walkers and bikers.”
Coastal Point • R. Chris Clark : A ribbon-cutting opens the new trail. The trail accommodates pedestrians and bicyclists and is open from 8 a.m. to sunset, seven days a week.
DelDOT, as a partner with DNREC in Markell’s State Trails & Pathways Initiative, provided trail access to Route 26 and constructed the crosswalk at Central Avenue. They will continue to partner on future phases of the canal trail.

“We are pleased to have been a partner in this project,” said DelDOT Secretary Jennifer Cohan. “Working with DNREC, we are building miles of new trails and pathways each year. These routes enable Delawareans to travel by bike and by foot. They provide exercise, recreation, and a connection to the natural world while reducing traffic and the consumption of fossil fuels.”

Trail construction costs were provided by the federal Recreational Trail Program ($786,328) and State Trail & Pathway Bond Bill funds ($169,102).

“The Assawoman Canal Trail is a great example of how communities can use federal funds to foster the growth of alternative methods of transportation for all users,” said Mary Ridgeway, Delaware division administrator of the Federal Highway Administration. “This trail, like others across the country, is providing a safe and convenient way for everyone to get around.”

Members of Delaware’s congressional delegation were unable to attend the event, but officials noted that they were instrumental in their support of the trail and were pleased to know that the trail is officially open.

“Delaware has a wonderful network of trails that provide scenic views and safe and convenient access to communities for residents and visitors alike,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Carper. “Trails not only encourage folks to get out and get moving, but to see another part of the state that they may have overlooked before.

“The Assawoman Canal Trail is a jointly funded project between the federal and state government, with input from the communities it connects, making it truly a partnership between all levels of government, and one I am proud to support.”

“The completion of Assawoman Canal Trail is great news for the continued efforts to connect our communities,” said Sen. Chris Coons. “This trail will connect neighbors and visitors of Ocean View, Bethany and South Bethany, and promotes the walkability and the bikeability of Delaware, and I commend Gov. Markell and Secretary Small for their leadership in this area, and thank the many community leaders who provided their input to make this project a win-win.”

“Just as the Assawoman Canal links the Indian River Bay to Little Assawoman Bay, the Assawoman Canal Trail provides a vital connection for the communities of Ocean View, Bethany Beach and South Bethany,” said U.S. Rep. John Carney.

“I commend the efforts of local residents, town officials, and federal and state partners who came together to make this project a reality. Their hard work, along with the support and management of DNREC, will allow Delawareans and visitors to further enjoy another beautiful part of our state.”

The Assawoman Canal is a four-mile, 210-foot-wide linear waterway stretching from Whites Creek to Little Assawoman Bay, linking the Indian River Bay and Little Assawoman Bay. The canal property — 98.37 acres — was conveyed to DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation in 1990. The division owns and manages the property, which is part of Delaware Seashore State Park.

The sustainable, 8-foot-wide trail meanders through the property, with a uniform natural crushed-stone surface. A 20-foot vegetative buffer on either side was designed to offer residents privacy and to help prevent potential future erosion.

The trail is accessible via Town Road, Osprey Lane and Central Avenue. A small parking lot and restroom are available at the Town Road trailhead, next to Bethany Beach Surf Shop’s location in Ocean View.

The trail accommodates pedestrians and bicyclists only, and is open from 8 a.m. to sunset, seven days a week.

When Quaker merchants migrated from Philadelphia to Delaware in the early 18th century, they attracted shipwrights and ship carpenters to the fledgling community that evolved into the city of Wilmington. In 1740, William Shipley, Joshua Way and David Ferris contracted to have the first vessel built in Delaware for the foreign trade at the foot of Market Street on the Christina River.

As Richard Urban points out in “The City That Launched a Thousand Ships,” over the period ending in 1775, shipyards in Delaware built more than 300 vessels for coastal and foreign trade. One story holds that the ship named the Nancy, built in Wilmington and at the time anchored in St. Croix, Virgin Islands, was the first to raise a quickly-sewn-together American flag when it learned the colonies declared their independence from the British in 1776.

In the 1850s, two firms — Harlan & Hollingsworth and Pusey & Jones — located along the Wilmington waterfront began to perform ship repair and engine installation work. Pusey & Jones also contracted to build its first iron steamship, the Flora McDonald. Harlan & Hollingsworth soon followed with construction of the steamers the Ashland and the Ocean. The shipyards fostered numerous supporting industries in the Wilmington area.

In the decade prior to the Civil War, Delaware had led the nation in iron shipbuilding. Over the course of a decade, the 35 iron-hulled vessels outperformed the combined production of shipyards in Philadelphia, New Jersey, Boston and Baltimore.

By the time the Civil War erupted in 1861, the American naval forces were still using wooden sailing ships and had commissioned only a few steamships. The engagement featuring the Union Monitor and the Confederate Merrimac (renamed C.S.S. Virginia) in 1862, however, awakened the U.S. Navy to the need for iron-clad ships.

To meet the need, federal authorities issued grants for establishment of shipyards in Chester, Pa., and Camden, N.J. At the same time, the U.S. Navy transformed Wilmington-built ships into blockade gunboats, troop transports and supply vessels.

The Confederacy, meanwhile, converted ships that Harlan & Hollingsworth had built for Southern merchants prior to the war into blockade runners. A ship named the Cecile brought more than 2,000 rifles into the South before wrecking on a reef in 1862. The Wilmington-built the Austin was transformed into the blockade runner the Donegal. That ship made a number of successful runs into Mobile, Ala., before being captured by the Union blockading squadron and converted into a Northern supply vessel.

During the Civil War, however, Wilmington shipyards only participated to a limited extent in construction of ships for the U.S. Navy. Harlan & Hollingsworth reluctantly constructed three Monitor-class warships. They were less than enthused about these projects, due to the government’s poor record for completing projects quickly. Urban surmises that a pacifist Quaker influence may have had something to do with this disinclination, as well.

Pusey & Jones contracted with the government to build seven sidewheel and propeller steamers as Union supply ships. A number of companies established to fulfill wartime contracts assisted Pusey & Jones with these projects — including Kirkman & Co., W&A Thatcher, and Jackson & Sharp. Robert Barr & Co. also contracted to build a number of ships for the federal government.

The boom in shipbuilding continued following the Civil War, with construction of larger and faster steamships, and a new generation of warships for the U.S. Navy. The center for this enterprise remained along the Delaware River.

Wilmington continued as a hub for this activity through the remainder of the 19th century, on through a good portion of the 20th century. Following World War II, however, most of the shipyards had shut down, and the waterfront area went into decline.

As for those two most prominent Wilmington firms, the new Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation Ltd. absorbed Harlan & Hollingsworth in 1917, and Pusey & Jones ceased operations altogether in 1960. Both of the companies have earned recollection for their contributions during the Civil War.

Thomas J. Ryan is the author of “Spies, Scouts & Secrets in the Gettysburg Campaign,” a History Book Club selection available at Bethany Beach Books. Contact him at pennmardel@mchsi.com or visit his website www.tomryan-civilwar.com.

The Sussex County Council this week deferred voting on a proposed moratorium on off-premisess signs, following a public hearing.

“Typically, what you’d consider off-premisess is more of a billboard-type application, but there are small ones also,” said Lawrence Lank, director of Planning & Zoning.

County Administrator Todd Lawson said the County is currently in the process of trying to schedule a signage workshop to address the council’s concerns.

“There is an intent to bring together the County Council, Planning & Zoning Commission, the Board of Adjustment — all 15 members — along with our legal staff, our Planning & Zoning staff, and walk through the ordinance as a whole,” he said. “From that point we will come back and get to work on introducing a new ordinance from the feedback we would receive.”

During the public hearing, Georgetown attorney David Hutt, who has represented numerous applicants’ billboard applications over the last several years, spoke in opposition to the moratorium and offered his assistance to the council moving forward.

Hutt stated that he has paid attention to the council’s sign discussions over the last two months and noticed they had changed focus.

“At the first meeting where signs were discussed, the issue that arose was bandit signs. Everyone focused on the issue between DelDOT and county council about who should be policing these bandit signs.

“The next meeting focused on a couple of individual signs. LED signs were mentioned, in particular, and flashing lights and animated things on these signs. Those comments were all obviously about on-premisess signs, because at the time of that discussion there wasn’t one LED billboard in Sussex County.”

Hutt said the only off-premises LED sign was just recently erected in front of Hocker’s Supercenter on Route 26 in Clarksville and that other LED signs discussed by the Council were granted special-use exceptions as on-premisess signs.

“The mystery to me is how a discussion on bandit signs and LED on-premises signs results in a moratorium of off-premisess signs.”

Hutt said that, to his knowledge, the County only has one application pending for a special-use exception for an off-premisess sign.

“But you’re likely to have more in the next six months. Frankly, in the last eight years you’ve had 82 applications for billboards,” he said. “This year, to my knowledge, the board has handled 14 requests and has denied, in part or in whole, five. For the Board of Adjustment, that is a high percentage of denials for those types of applications, which tells me the Board is carefully considering those applications on a case-by-case basis, as they arise.”

Billboards are highly regulated on a national, state and local level, Hutt said, adding that he believes a moratorium is not the correct way to address signage concerns the council may have.

“As council is aware, a moratorium is probably the most extraordinary tool in your legislative toolbox. That’s because it takes away all the property owners’ rights with respect to whatever that moratorium issue is. In this case, it affects all property owners with land zoned C-1 or CR-1.

“You typically think of a moratorium arising in a crisis or emergency situation, to address a particular need… That’s simply not the case in this matter. There’s no crisis. There’s no emergency. The sign ordinance has existed for many years in its current condition.”

The draft moratorium states, “Sussex County Council believes that the current County Code provisions do not sufficiently address the safety issues and its other concerns with off-premisess signs and that the continued approval of off-premisess signs under the current County Code provisions will exacerbate the issues associated with these signs.”

Hutt stated that he had yet to hear what the specific related safety issues are.

“I think it’s important to distinguish between them, because the complaints that council has been talking about has related to on-premisess signs, and yet the answer is a moratorium on off-premisess signs.”

“So your objection is to a moratorium, period?” asked Councilwoman Joan Deaver.

“Correct,” answered Hutt.

Hutt said he had reviewed the Sussex County Board of Adjustment’s April letter to the council, which Councilman George Cole had previously stated was the impetuous to start discussions.

“The April 6, 2015, letter doesn’t ask the council enact a moratorium because it can’t handle the volume of applications or something to do with the applications,” said Hutt. “Instead, the letter states, ‘We request that council review this section,’ meaning the signs section of the Code, ‘to determine if any changes are required.’

“It’s also important, I think, to note that that letter wasn’t just about off-premises signs. It mentioned the other types of signs council has indicated it has concerns with, including bandit signs and on-premises signs, and the LED signs in particular.”

He asked that council consider “what is the specific, actual detrimental effect on public safety that appears to be the basis mentioned in your moratorium” and the Board’s letter, “which contains in it what I think is the more appropriate tool in your toolbox, which is actually a legislative review process of that ordinance. It doesn’t require a moratorium to undergo that legislative review process. You can just undertake that process.”

Hutt said that he has spoken with the council’s legal staff and offered his assistance to them, but also extend it to the council, as well.

“I’m ready and willing and able to offer whatever assistance I can in whatever legislative review process the council undertakes.”

“The intent is not to outlaw signs. We’ve got some problems, and we need to fix them. Safety is an issue,” said Cole, adding that other jurisdictions have made note of safety concerns regarding signs.

Cole said the bandit signs were easy to deal with, because they are temporary in nature.

“On-premises signs could affect a person’s livelihood. We don’t want to do that,” he said. “The off-premises signs, because of their location on the side of the road, and again the size and setback from the road, et cetera, et cetera, is a distraction. So I thought it was the best avenue… Sometimes the government moves slow.”

He added that Hutt’s comments and recommendations were on file from the County’s previous signage discussions, and would be noted and possibly incorporated into future discussions, “or have you sit at the table, or somebody of equal value.”

“I will personally invite you to sit at our table,” said Councilman Sam Wilson.

Nancy Chernoff of Clear Channel Outdoor Inc. also spoke at the meeting, stating she believed there was confusion amongst the council members as to what a digital billboard is.

“Digital billboards do not flash. They do not have animation. They are seamless,” she said. “I believe the one Mr. Hocker put up is the same technology. It’s very advanced technology — it eliminates any of the flashing and blinking, as opposed to what you’re seeing as on-premises signs.”

Chernoff also stated that billboards are highly regulated, not just on the county level.

A public hearing for the proposed moratorium was held last week before the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission; however, no one from the public spoke in favor of or against the draft.

Planning Commissioner Bob Wheatley stated that he was somewhat confused as to the reasoning behind the proposed moratorium.

“When you read the letter from the Board of Adjustment, it says nothing about a moratorium. It just points out that they’re getting a lot of applications and they noted several areas” of concern, he said.

“That’s what led to the initial discussion by council,” explained solicitor Vince Robertson. “It was a combination of their own concerns, the Board of Adjustment’s concerns, and it all came together, and as a result of that they felt a moratorium was appropriate.”

Planning & Zoning deferred voting on a recommendation to the council until the entire commission could be present. At the time of the public hearing, commissioners Rodney Smith and Michael Johnson were absent.

If approved, the moratorium would direct the Sussex County Planning & Zoning office to decline applications for special-use exceptions for off-premises signs for a period of six months.

The moratorium is designed to allow the County “a reasonable time period for the review and study of off- premisess signs, the preparation of proposed legislation to address resultant issues and the consideration of said legislation.”

Through a donation, the Ocean View Police Department now has a more efficient way of dispensing the life-saving opiate-overdose medication naloxone, more commonly known by the trade name Narcan.

The new kits, called Evzio, include an auto-injector of naloxone to counteract the effects of a suspected opioid overdose. The kits, which cost approximately $500 each, were donated by David Himes of atTAcK Addiction, a nonprofit whose mission is to spread the word about addiction by educating students, and the community, assisting families in their quest for information and supporting those in recovery.

The group was instrumental in having Delaware legislation pass allowing anyone — be it emergency personnel or good Samaritans — to carry the lifesaving drug, if certified.

OVPD Cpl. Rhys Bradshaw said each kit comes with a trainer device, as well as two live shots.

“What’s nice is it actually comes with a trainer to show you how to use it,” he explained.

The kits, which are smaller than a pack of cigarettes, are designed to be easy to use, with voice instructions that guide the user through the process. The three-part administration ends with the kit being firmly pressed against the patient’s outer thigh for five seconds, while the injection is dispensed.

Bradshaw said Evzio is more user-friendly compared to the department’s nasal spray Narcan, which requires some assembly.

“It’s so much easier… For police, that’s good,” said Bradshaw. “The other Narcan — it’s temperature-sensitive. This isn’t as temperature-sensitive. It’s more durable for us. And you can just take it and throw it in your pocket, and it’s just there. It’s cop-proof.”

OVPD was the first law-enforcement agency in the state to start carrying the lifesaving drug. Today, the only other agencies that carry it are New Castle County Police Department and the Middletown Police Department.

“It’s hard for big departments to implement. We’re lucky. We have eight people, so when something new comes out and you want to equip everyone with it, it’s not hard,” explained Bradshaw.

He noted that, while other state law-enforcement agencies don’t carry Narcan, emergency services — including the Millville Volunteer Fire Company, Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company and Sussex County EMS — do.

“A year ago, nobody had it,” said OVPD Chief Ken McLaughlin of Narcan. “The nice thing is, we’ve got this area covered pretty darn well right now, with us having it and the paramedics having it.”

McLaughlin said opioid use is still a big problem in the state, noting there are still overdoses in the area on a regular basis.

“Just the other week, we had a 17-year-old girl overdose in Bear Trap,” he said.

Another recent overdose involved a 32-year-old woman who overdosed at 10 p.m., was administered Narcan on the scene by paramedics and then transported to Beebe Healthcare in Lewes.

“She’s released from Beebe around 2, 3 in the morning — 8:06 the next morning, we’re getting dispatched out there. We’ve got her in the bathroom, passed out on the floor… Less than 12 hours — second overdose, second shot of Narcan. It was something out of Hollywood… Little 4-year-old baby crawling over her… It was just crazy.

“It’s still here. People just don’t understand that the stuff is in our community still.”

McLaughlin also recently attended the ribbon-cutting for Connections Community Support Programs Inc.’s withdrawal management clinic, which is hoped to help people conquer their addiction.

In 2014, there were 185 suspected overdose deaths in Delaware, or about one every other day. Across the country, Delaware ranked 10th for overdose deaths. Almost 10,000 Delaware adults sought public treatment in 2014, with about a third of those adults indicating heroin as their primary drug at the time of admission.

“We lost more people in Delaware last year to heroin overdoses than car crashes,” he said.

Bradshaw stated that law-enforcement agencies, including Ocean View police, are more interested in helping save those who are battling addiction, rather than penalizing them. He urged those who may witness or experience an overdose to not be afraid to contact police.

“Our main goal here is saving lives. If you’ve OD’ed on heroin or whatever, I don’t care. I’m here to save you and to help you. Arresting you for something like that is the last thing on my mind.”

Coastal Point • R. Chris Clark : Cpl. Rhys Bradshaw of the Ocean View Police Department stands with the department’s new off-road vehicle.

Last week, the Ocean View added a Honda Pioneer — an off-road vehicle — to its police department. The vehicle was entirely paid for through a grant from the Special Law Enforcement Agency Fund (SLEAF).

“All the drug-seizure money is combined into a pot. By law, it’s set aside for law-enforcement purposes,” explained OVPD Chief Ken McLaughlin. “Then the different law enforcement agencies that participate and contribute to SLEAF — and not all do — have the opportunity to apply to the SLEAF committee to fund certain law-enforcement projects.”

The department received approximately $12,000 to purchase the new off-road vehicle. It will be used to patrol the newly opened Assawoman Canal Trail, as well as other areas of the town not accessibly by car.

“We’ve been talking about getting one of these for a while. Ever since we knew the canal [trail] was being built, we knew we needed a way to control the canal,” said Cpl. Rhys Bradshaw, noting that the Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control uses the same vehicle. “It’s also good if we need to get back on the Bear Trap golf course, because our cars don’t always fit.”

“If we had a bad storm and we can’t get the cars out, or we don’t want to get them out, we can take this out instead,” added McLaughlin.

Bradshaw said the department will be patrolling the trail at least a couple times a week, either by foot or on the Pioneer.

“We just want to keep everyone happy and safe on the trail.”

The vehicle is equipped with four-wheel drive, off-road tires and a tilting bed. It is also marked as a police vehicle and will have lights installed, but no siren.

“People will see it and know it’s a police vehicle, the way we have it marked,” said Bradshaw. “It’ll serve many purposes.”

Aside from patrolling areas that are difficult to access with a regular police vehicle, McLaughlin said it would be beneficial if there was a call for medical assistance.

“We’re going to get a collapsible backboard that goes with it, so if, in one of those areas, someone were to get hurt, we can drive it out there, put them on the backboard and get them out to the road.”

He added that it will also be a good community policing tool at town events, such as Homecoming and the Bear Trap Fourth of July parade.

McLaughlin said the new vehicle is an asset to the Town that wouldn’t be possible without the SLEAF grant.

“It’s one of those luxury things. We would not otherwise get something like that if it wasn’t for the SLEAF grant.”

Police reported this week that alcohol was a factor in an incident that began as a missing-person case and ended with a severely injured police officer.

On Aug. 8, the South Bethany Police Department responded to a report of a missing person. When officers arrived on scene, it turned out to concern a 25-year-old white man who had left his friends to swim in the bay, said Cpl. Patrick Wiley, public information officer for the SBPD.

He was afloat at the southern tip of town, between the Plymouth canal and the Bayview Park community, Wiley said.

“He was over the legal limit. Alcohol was involved,” the officer reported.

A civilian agreed to transport one SBPD officer to the man by boat, while the other remained on shore to intercept the subject, who reportedly yelled expletives at the boat.

“He eventually did make it to the edge of the shoreline, right there on Plymouth Canal, into the marsh area, and he was taken into custody,” Wiley said.

“This guy was very disorderly. He was cursing at both officers, using racial language, and he actually spit on both officers,” Wiley said. “He physically assaulted both officers, and one officer, as a result of his injuries, is on medical leave right now.

“After the suspect was taken into custody, the officers were trying to get him into their patrol vehicle, and that’s when Cpl. Marlon Miller was injured,” Wiley said.

Miller may need surgery, said Police Chief Troy Crowson, and the SBPD will be short an officer for several months, as a result.

Once the subject was wrangled into the police car, police said, he then head-butted another officer who accompanied him in the back.

According to the SBPD’s initial report, the man was transported to JP Court 3, arraigned and committed to Sussex Correctional Institute on charges of offensive touching of a law enforcement officer, plus assault on a police officer. Wiley said this week that he did not have information on any bail set on the suspect, as a second police report was being drafted with additional information.

The subject was a visitor to the area, with a California address.

Wiley said the officers who bore the brunt of the subject’s violence are “both outstanding officers. [Those risks] are just part of the job.”

It was a pioneering effort, but South Bethany’s canal diffuser experiment was a wash.

After a two-year study, air diffusers placed in the Petherton Drive canal have not significantly increased the dissolved oxygen in the nearly stagnant dead-ends of the canal.

“We did this as an experiment, because we thought it would increase dissolved oxygen,” said George Junkin, town council member and a champion of water quality in the town’s canals. “There was no significantly measureable increase in the canals.”

Using the neighboring Anchorage Drive and Brandywine Drive canals as a control, the Town tested regularly at three different depths in the shallow canals fed by the Little Assawoman Bay.

“We still got about the same results,” Junkin said. “The diffusers were not making the water measurably better.”

With those results, the diffusers were actually turned off by the end of 2014, since the monthly costs exceeded any benefit.

Approved in a last-minute budget amendment in 2012 ($20,000 installation, plus $3,000 for annual maintenance and electricity), the diffusers were installed in April of 2013.

Going in, council knew that diffusers are more efficient in deep water and had only been successfully tested in standing ponds and lakes. There was a chance, they knew, that the diffusers wouldn’t work in long, tidal canals, no matter how stagnant the water.

However, the council was willing to take a chance at that time, based on data that their canal ends behave like stormwater management ponds, due to low circulation.

The science experiment would test that theory.

Diffusers mix things up

Since then, the diffusers appeared only to prevent stratification (the layering of different types of water), which likely caused a fish kill that year in nearby Russell Road canal.

But while the Petherton canal initially showed higher dissolved oxygen (DO) than Anchorage, it still didn’t meet the levels in Brandywine.

Junkin had suggested the diffusers were also mixing the murky bottom water with surface water.

“The bottom water essentially has no DO, and the aerobic bacteria that are on the bottom are being enriched by the oxygen,” read his report from September of 2013. “The aerobic bacteria may be consuming the ‘muck’ on the bottom and possibly eliminating the sources for the spring algal blooms.”

“There’s no use leaving them in the canal if we’re not going to use them,” Junkin said.

The town council voted unanimously on Aug. 14 (with Councilwoman Sue Callaway absent) to sell the diffusers and recoup some dollars.

According to Junkin, Envirotech Environmental Consulting believes it can sell them for $6,500. Envirotech requested a 20 percent seller’s fee and about $1,000 to physically remove the diffusers from the canals. Town council members said they thought it was easier to have professionals do the dirty work, although Junkin had volunteered to work with the Town’s Public Works Department and do the hauling.

The six diffuser plates were situated less than one foot off the canal bed, with a total 4,000 feet of weighted hose, “which might be the most valuable thing in there,” Junkin mused.

Council allots $10,000 for next opportunity

Now that the diffuser project is water under the bridge, Junkin proposed that South Bethany take its next major step to improve water quality.

The Canal Water Quality Committee has requested $10,000 be reserved for future grant opportunities to improve canal water circulation. That would be the Town’s investment if it won additional or matching grants.

According to the data, a decade’s worth of rain gardens and other projects are slowly keeping some harmful nutrients from the canals. But bacteria still flourishes in the unswimmable canals.

“Anchorage is 1,600 feet long. Research shows if you can increase circulation you can improve water quality,” Junkin said.

One such invention was the tidal pump system proposed by resident Lloyd Hughes, which would aim to improve circulation by creating an artificial inlet between the Atlantic Ocean and South Bethany’s canals. Pipes would lead under Coastal Highway, but the Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control (DNREC) has withheld permits for an expensive project that would bring a major influx of salt water into the marshland.

“We want to look at maybe opening up the York Canal and the Carlisle Canal to Jefferson Creek,” Junkin said.

But before starting such a project, South Bethany needs “analytical data that shows it would make a difference.”

But a scientific study costs money.

Junkin said that, when a major grant was recently available, he got the vibe that council would not approve the $10,000 match. Thus, he never applied, unwilling to devote the hours to the paperwork.

“I want a commitment today from council [that we’re] willing to put up $10,000 for the next grant opportunity that comes along … so we can get analysis done on the options,” Junkin said.

The study would help determine which specific ideas could help the canals, and the approximate price tag. “The canals are so bad, I don’t see how we can’t try to improve circulation.”

Junkin said he believes future grant money is available for water quality improvement, but South Bethany must invest its own “good-faith money.”

South Bethany already spent about $5,000 to house a Center for Inland Bays oyster experiment in York Canal, noted Councilwoman Carol Stevenson, which she said she felt will not directly help the town. But that investment helped them wrangle a huge grant for the project, Junkin said.

“I’ve been trying to keep costs to the Town on the order of $5,000 to $10,000 per grant,” Junkin said.

The town council can decide which projects to pursue in future.

Treasurer Tim Saxton said that he was unconcerned with the study’s cost, as long as the eventual plans improve “canals and water quality around town and not just … a couple,” he said.

“This is an important discussion, because we have competing priorities around town,” including a $400,000 municipal building expansion, said Saxton.

“We just passed the budget a few months ago,” said Mayor Pat Voveris, adding that she wanted to wait until the next budget cycle. “I think we, as a council … should have a plan of what you want to have. Give us stages, phases.”

Stevenson asked how often grants arise.

Grant opportunities could arise at any time, Junkin said, most typically in August, September or January.

“I want something on the books that this council is committed to doing something toward water quality, and when we get to that opportunity, we come” and ask to spend the money for a matching grant, Junkin said.

Stevenson asked whether those are common requests. Junkin said he has done that before — come to council with a new grant opportunity that required a financial match. “I’ve had no problem getting it.”

Studies can be essential to long-term planning, and, along the proposed studies on ways to improve water quality in its canals, South Bethany officials also recently ordered a study (funded by a Sussex County grant) for the design and cost estimate of a new municipal building expansion. The town council recently voted to further research where to get the money for the project.

“The only way to get a cost is to do the study,” Saxton said. “To me, that’s OK. I want the answer so the council can create a fully-formed decision on what they want to do. I’m not really big on breaking budgets, but it looks to me we have very big plans we’re thinking of” and need to be informed.

Multiple residents spoke up to support the additional $10,000 to at least learn how to improve water quality, including Elizabeth “Betsi” Baker, Joel “Joe” Danshes, Jack Whitney and Ron Wuslich.

Resident Mike Matera suggested the town council forgo the proposed estimated $400,000 town hall additions, instead renting local venues as needed. After living 25 years on a canal, he said, the unswimmable “brown and green” water should be a higher priority.

After the meeting, Voveris said she doesn’t oppose water-quality projects. But she said the committee hasn’t explained the full plan.

“We are not educated and informed, and I believe that we should be. Decisions are made by council, not by committees,” Voveris said.

In March, Junkin had offered to cut $5,000 from the Canal Water Quality budget. Because there were no grant opportunities on the horizon, the money was sacrificed to help balance the budget.

“We had an unexpected expense come in for employee health benefits, and George chose to give it up,” Voveris said after the meeting. “That was part of my problem with this. If he felt this was so important, why would you give this up when something could be on the horizon?”

The motion passed, 4-2, with Voveris and Stevenson against the motion and Callaway absent.

In other South Bethany news:

• The Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company is considering hiring firefighters to supplement their volunteer staff, Voveris reported. The proposal was raised at a recent BBVFC ambulance service advisory group meeting in July that included Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island, Middlesex and South Bethany. The idea is a result of dwindling volunteerism locally and on a national scale. The suggestion was expected to be brought to the public soon, with proposed implementation in July of 2016.

• South Bethany received $5,000 in refunds from DeLea Founders Insurance Trust, a workman’s compensation group, which formed in 2008 to try to buffer local governments against premium increases. Such a refund would typically have been kept by a for-profit insurance company.

• Around 58 percent of the Town’s total revenue for the fiscal year has already been collected, with high likelihood of a “consistent and healthy” revenue stream, reported Council Treasurer Saxton.

• After talking to Artesian Water representatives, Voveris said she had learned that the company handles about 1,216 accounts from South Bethany’s 1,404 parcels. Some residents were concerned that others don’t pay their fair share of the company’s fire hydrant fee, despite benefitting from it in an emergency.

“Nearly 90 percent of homes here are serviced by Artesian,” said Voveris.

“‘This is a concern we hear periodically. However, we do not have the ability to charge property owners who are not our customers,’” Voveris was told by Artesian. There are no plans to change that.

• One resident said a wetlands assessment by a DNREC environmental scientist was “well-meaning, but inadequate.”

Resident Joan Marini said she was pleasantly surprised that Voveris asked DNREC to examine the town’s wetlands. But she said his walking tour didn’t truly show the angles where marsh grasses are receding, leaving larger ponds of open water and weakened buffer zones.

Voveris reported that he had found the marsh “healthy and functioning as a low-marsh wetland,” but she would follow up on additional wetlands assessment.

• After learning about the police department’s participation in a government overstock program, the Budget & Finance Committee has suggested that the Town establish parameters on how to use the program; create a Town-wide list of desired items; determine the rationale, cost insurance and maintenance of the acquisitions; and establish a budget line item for overstock acquisitions.

• Officials reminded property owners that tree branches overhanging the canal must be above a certain height, or risk being a code violation.

• Maintenance Supervisor Don Chrobot got a shout-out for his 10 years of service to the Town.

• A hearing board composed of council members Wayne Schrader, Frank?Weisgerber and George Junkin was appointed to hear the appeal of a floating dock violation.

• A new chairperson and members were appointed to the Communications & Public Relations Committee: Chairperson Carol Stevenson and members Ann Boteler, Margaret Oliver, Lisa Saxton and Linda Whitney. Stevenson said the committee will consider asking for an additional $500 contingency, in case opportunities arise.

The next Town Council workshop is Thursday, Aug. 27, at 2 p.m.

Several schools getting new leadership

Indian River School District is getting a little shake-up in the administrations of several schools. Here are the most recent changes:

• Char Hopkins is moving from principal of John M. Clayton Elementary to become the district’s director of Leadership Development.

• Heather Cramer is moving from assistant principal at Georgetown Elementary to become principal at John M. Clayton. (The Georgetown assistant principal position is open for applications.)

• Judi Brittingham is moving from assistant principal at Sussex Central High to principal at the G.W. Carver Academy.

• Karen Oliphant is moving from assistant principal at Sussex Central High to assistant principal at the G.W. Carver Academy.

• Jessica Jackson has been hired as an assistant principal at Sussex Central High.

• In lieu of one assistant principal, Sussex Central created a new position: dean of discipline, who will be Nikolaus Fair.

• Justin Miller is a new assistant principal at Indian River High. Mark Sewell moved back to be classroom teacher.

• David Hudson is moving from principal at Long Neck Elementary to assistant principal at Georgetown Middle.

• Neil Beahan is moving from Southern Delaware School of the Arts to Long Neck Elementary, as principal.

• Heather Bethurum is moving from Phillip C. Showell Elementary to SDSA, as principal.

• Karen Clausen is moving from assistant principal at North Georgetown Elementary to principal at Phillip C. Showell Elementary.

• Samantha Gordy is a new assistant principal at North Georgetown Elementary.

• Michelle Allman is moving from assistant principal at Georgetown Middle to assistant principal at North Georgetown.

• Sarah Green is moving from assistant principal at Long Neck to assistant principal at East Millsboro Elementary. (There will now be two assistant principals at East Millsboro, including Jennifer Lougheed.)

• Clara Conn is the new assistant principal at Long Neck.

Students will return to school on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Students attending Indian River High School for the first time are being invited to New Student Orientation on Thursday, Aug. 27. Parents and students meet in the auditorium at 6 p.m.

“For the next two hours, I have all the parents, and all the kids are with the assistant principals, staff members, and students,” said Principal Bennett Murray of plans for that night. “They do a scavenger hunt, learning all the different places of the school and some secrets to being successful in high school.”

The students will not only become familiar with the layout of the high school — they’ll get a chance to meet other incoming freshmen. Through team-building activities, they’ll get ready to see a few familiar faces on the first day of school.

“The idea is to give every student, every parent, every guardian, the knowledge they need to ensure the success of their child,” Murray said.

Parents will be able to learn about the resources available to them, including the Home Access Center, communications, grading and assessments, getting involved and social life. They’ll also discuss what things to begin now to prepare for their lives post-graduation, whether that’s work, school or the military.

The evening will end with refreshments, around 8:30 p.m.

Last year’s orientation was so successful that IRHS simply had to do it again, Murray said.

“It’s neat to hear parents with older children say, ‘I wish I had known this when my son or daughter was a freshman,’” he said.

IR staff followed up on the request that current IR students be there to answer questions, too. It’s a good chance for them to network, especially since students come to IRHS from a number of schools, including Selbyville Middle School, Southern Delaware School of the Arts, Lighthouse Christian Academy and more.

The orientation is also designed to prepare students for the regular IRHS open house on Sept. 1, as well as the first day of school on Sept. 8. That way, students have some familiar faces and some tips for their first day at a new high school.

“Don’t believe seniors when they say all the freshmen go to one lunch line,” Murray said.

District schools to host open houses next month

Schools in the Indian River District will host a series of open houses during the month of September. The open houses will allow students and parents to meet teachers and staff, view class lists and tour school buildings. A number of schools will host multiple sessions during a three-day period, with each session catering to a different grade level.

The 2015-2016 school year begins on Tuesday, Sept. 8, for K-12 students. Preschool programs, including Project Village and TOTS, will begin on Monday, Sept. 14.

Open houses on Sept. 1 include:

• East Millsboro Elementary School, Grades 2-3, 5:30 p.m.

• East Millsboro Elementary School, Grades 4-5, 7 p.m.

• Georgetown Kindergarten Center, 5-7 p.m.

• Indian River High School, Grade 9, 6 p.m.

• Indian River High School, Grades 10-12, 7 p.m.

• Sussex Central High School, Grades 9-12, 6 p.m.

Sept. 2 open houses include:

• East Millsboro Elementary School, PreK and K, 5:30 p.m.

• East Millsboro Elementary School, Grade 1, 7 p.m.

• Georgetown Elementary School, All Grades, 5-7 p.m.

• John M. Clayton Elementary School, PreK and K, 5 p.m.

• John M. Clayton Elementary School, Grades 1-2, 6 p.m.

• John M. Clayton Elementary School, Grades 3-5, 7 p.m.

• Long Neck Elementary School, PreK and K, 5 p.m.

• Long Neck Elementary School, Grades 1-2, 6 p.m.

• Long Neck Elementary School, Grades 3-5, 7 p.m.

• Lord Baltimore Elementary School, Grades 1-2, 5 p.m.

• Lord Baltimore Elementary School, Kindergarten, 6 p.m.

• Lord Baltimore Elementary School, Grades 3-5, 7:15 p.m.

• North Georgetown Elementary School, Grades 1-2, 5-6 p.m.

• North Georgetown Elementary School, Grades 3-5, 6-7 p.m.

• Phillip C. Showell Elementary School, All Grades, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Sept. 3 open houses include:

• Georgetown Middle School, Grade 6, 5 p.m.

• Georgetown Middle School, Grades 7-8, 7 p.m.

• G.W. Carver Academy, 5-6:30 p.m.

• Millsboro Middle School, Grade 6, 5 p.m.

• Millsboro Middle School, Grades 7-8, 7 p.m.

• Selbyville Middle School, 5-7:30 p.m.

• Southern Delaware School of the Arts, All Grades, 5-7:30 p.m.

Sept. 17’s open house is for:

• Howard T. Ennis School, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

For more information about open houses, contact the child’s school.

Coastal Point • R. Chris Clark : Firefighters work on some hot spots still taking place the next day at the North Bethany home gutted by fire on Wednesday, Aug. 12.The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office this week was investigating a fire that occurred in a three-story, wood-framed residence in North Bethany on Aug. 12 and caused heavy damage to that structure and exposure damage to two other residences.

Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Harry R. Miller said the fire was noticed about 11:15 p.m. in the 29000 block of Cove Way in Cotton Patch Hills, by neighbors who made contact with the occupants, and both occupants escaped without any injuries.

Firefighters from the Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company arrived on scene to find heavy fire in the garage, extending into the main residence. The BBVFC, assisted by the Millville, Roxanna, Frankford, and Rehoboth Beach fire companies responded on the initial dispatch.

Deputy fire marshals spent most of the day processing the scene, looking for the fire’s origin and cause. The fire’s origin, Miller said, was determined to be located in the area of the garage, while the cause was still under early this week investigation, with no indication of a suspicious fire at this time.

Fire damages were estimated at $750,000. Victims of the fire were being housed by neighbors early this week.

Following the resignation of two council members this month, the Town of Frankford was unable to come to a unanimous decision as to who should fill the seats earlier this week.

A special meeting was called by the council following the resignation of Jesse Truitt on Aug. 3 and Velicia Melson on Aug. 11, to potentially appoint two citizens to finish out their terms.

According to the town charter, the positions must be filled within 45 days from the date of resignation. Truitt’s seat must be filled by Sept. 17, while Melson’s must be filled by Sept. 25.

At the Aug. 18 meeting, Mayor Joanne Bacon said four residents had sent letters of interest. Council Members Charles Shelton and Pam Davis said they had not seen all four names.

Bacon shared that Marty Presley, Skip Ash, Elizabeth Carpenter and Dayna Aliberti had all offered to fill the vacancies.

“I think we have some good ones,” said Davis.

Bacon confirmed that all four were older than 18 and legal residents of the town.

Resident Gerry Smith made a suggestion to the council during their deliberations.

“One of the things I would hope you would all bear in mind is the people who have shown an interest in this town,” he said, “who have invested their time here, who have come to the meetings and have been seriously involved in what happens in these meetings.”

“That is part of my criteria,” said Bacon.

Shelton said he was not ready to vote that evening.

“I’m not ready to make a decision right now.”

“Pam, are you ready to vote tonight?” asked Bacon of Davis.

“Yeah, out of the four I could,” responded Davis. “I think we got four really good ones, considering.”

There was some confusion as to what constituted a quorum or majority vote, with the council only having three active members remaining.

Bacon read the town charter’s section related to quorums aloud to the council and those present.

“In the general performance of their duties, the acts, doings and determinations of a majority of the entire Council shall be as good as the acts, doings and determinations of all of the members of Council, but if a less number be present at any regular or properly called special meeting, they may adjourn from time to time and may compel the attendance of absent members in such manner and under such penalties as may be prescribed by ordinance adopted by a majority of the entire Council.

“No ordinance, resolution, motion, order or other act of Council, except as immediately hereinabove provided for, shall be valid unless it received the affirmative vote of a majority of all members elected to Council.’

“Our council is down to three members at the moment,” she said, pausing. “In my opinion, I think we have a majority.”

“If he’s not ready to make a decision, we can’t rush him,” said Davis of Shelton, adding that she was ready to vote.

Bacon told Davis she would have to make a motion to appoint residents to the vacancies. Davis then moved to appoint Presley and Carpenter to the council. Bacon then said in order to second, she would have to turn the meeting over to Davis.

Town Administrator Terry Truitt recommended that Bacon review a portion of an email sent by former town solicitor Dennis Schrader, who resigned from his position with the Town in March.

Bacon abruptly moved to adjourn, with no decision being made that evening.

Following the meeting, an email from resident Greg Welch was sent to Davis and Bacon, along with other residents and property owners, regarding the special meeting.

“Please contact Dennis Schrader and confirm his opinion that the decision on a council seat replacement must be three votes. To make this decision unanimous could gridlock the Town indefinitely,” he wrote.

“It makes no sense that this decision has to be unanimous. If two of the three remaining council members agree on the two replacements, you have a quorum of the entire existing council. Tonight’s meeting was a waste of everyone’s time.”

Carpenter responded to the email, stating Schrader no longer serves as solicitor to the council. She questioned why he was involved in the issue and who authorized he be contacted, and asked if he was “paid taxpayer dollars to give an opinion when he is not the current legal representation of record for the Town.”

“If he is not the approved/hired legal representation for the Town, does this void his opinion and interpretation of the law?” wrote Carpenter.

As for the issue of what constitutes a quorum in the council’s present state, Carpenter said it was unclear to her why a vote of 2-1 was insufficient.

“While it is widely acknowledged that the council has five members, if there are not five members, then one must take a majority of the members who are on the council — in this case, two of three.”

Carpenter also stated that she was upset about Shelton not voting that evening and asked how much time the council members were given to review the letters sent by those interested in serving the Town.

“As a citizen of this town, I am tired of the stalemate, pushing things off, tabling for another time. This is a waste of everyone’s time and taxpayer dollars and prevents the Town from moving forward in a positive way.”

The following morning, Schrader responded to the emails, stating he had been contacted by Truitt to review the special meeting’s agenda.

“Because of the unique circumstances of two simultaneous resignations from the Town Council and my agreement with you (Joanne) that I would assist in a smooth transition, Terry asked me on Aug. 11 to review and comment on the proposed agenda, and I agreed to do so. After reviewing it, I revised it to satisfy FOIA requirements,” he wrote on Aug. 19. “I also called Terry and reminded her of Council Rules 5.5 and 6.1, and sent her a copy of the rules for her reference and to give to each of the council members prior to the meeting.

“Rule 5.5 requires that three (3) affirmative votes to approve any matter. Where three (3) members remain, as is the case here, to approve a matter requires a unanimous vote.”

Schrader also noted that the council should be aware that when they fill the vacancies, candidates chosen must be selected to complete a former council person’s specific term.

He also addressed Carpenter’s question related to his being paid for his services.

“To address one of Ms. Carpenter’s concerns, since my resignation in March, no bills have been sent for my services,” he concluded. “I trust this is helpful information.”

As of Coastal Point’s Wednesday news deadline, a second special meeting had yet to be scheduled by the Town. The next meeting is to be posted on the Town’s website, at frankfordde.us.