We’re a forward-thinking group over here at the Coastal Point.
With that thought in mind, we’re presenting our second straight year of predictions for the coming year. We thank Sen. George H. Bunting, Rep. Gerald Hocker, Sussex County Engineer Mike Izzo, Sussex County Council Member Vance Phillips, DNREC Assistant Sec. David Small, DelDOT Spokesman Darrel Cole, Frankford Council President Robert Daisey, Ocean View Mayor Gary Meredith and Bethany Beach Mayor Jack Walsh for providing us some of their thoughts for the coming year.
Our staff weeded through their input, bounced around a few ideas of our own and compiled the following lists. By the way, blame our editor for any mistakes you read in here, not those kind enough to help us out with this project.
Also, it wouldn’t be fair to just let last year’s predictions pass without comment, so that’s where we’ll begin.
Ten predictions for 2005
1. The economy and housing project will stay strong. Verdict: Well, the increase in growth may not be as high as last year, but we’re still the envy of most communities. We’ll give ourselves a passing grade on this one. B-
2. There will be a revamped business formula for school bus contractors. Verdict: Indeed, there is. But we fear this subject might soon come up again. Like the first prediction, we’ll call this one a passing grade. B
3. There will be an eight county paramedic unit that would spend the summer in Roxana and Ocean View, then move west in the winter. Verdict: They got the vehicles. Does that count? D
4. The dredging project will begin on the Assawoman Canal. Verdict: The canal is completely dredged and luxury boats are running fine up and down ... oh, fine. F-
5. County council will again give an across-the-board tax credit. Verdict: Nope. Never happened. F
6. The Fenwick Island State Park parking area will expand slightly to the south. Verdict: Our roll continues. F
7. Maryland will approve gambling. That will hurt. VERDICT: Well, it would have hurt had it happened. F
8. A new span will be thrown across the Indian River Inlet. Verdict: What are we, a joke? F
9. Somebody will complain about the traffic. Verdict: Lady Momentum is turning our way. A+++
10. Towns will continue to see massive growth, while unincorporated county areas will see a decline in growth rate. Verdict: Some towns are growing fast, while others are locking the metaphorical doors. County continues to see growth. B-
Ten predictions for 2006
1. Read our lips: Dredging on the Assawoman Canal will begin this year.
2. The Bethany Beach Nature Park and Conservation area will open this year, and be greeted by rave reviews.
3. The new police station and central water system in Ocean View will each be near completion by the end of the year.
4. Work will begin on a Wal-Mart or electronics megastore in the community. Look at the Dagsboro area or along Route 17 for one of these to pop up this year.
5. Frankford will get the new water plant up and running.
6. The real estate market will start out as a buyer’s market on re-sales before turning to a strong seller’s market in the early spring.
7. County council will install a mechanism guaranteeing a dedicated funding stream toward open space preservation.
8. Work will begin on wastewater treatment improvements in the Millville area.
9. Some money will be freed by the General Assembly for the Route 26 project, but not enough to fund all the work. Construction will begin shortly after Labor Day.
10. Replenishment projects will hit a snag.
Ten things we’d like to see in 2006
1. A plan to be agreed upon and finalized for the Indian River Inlet bridge, and the money to be available to get it done.
2. DNREC to approve both Pollution Control Strategy (PCS) regulations and new rules to improve the emissions at the Delmarva Power plant on Indian River (near Dagsboro).
3. Sussex County Council to work with a major developer or two to make moderately-priced housing a reality.
4. Bethany Beach to continue the momentum of the aesthetic beauty of the flower plantings downtown and add more ornamental plantings.
5. Year-round emergency health services in Millville, or somewhere in the immediate area.
6. Indian River High School to get that state football championship for Coach Jim Bunting.
7. The state to come up with a different source of additional revenue than taking real estate transfer fees from the counties or towns. You have a budget, state, let’s try to stick to it this time around.
8. The other local road projects to get back on track.
9. Even more people picking up their favorite local paper.
10. The bandstand in Bethany Beach bringing even more entertainment to the community, while maintaining the quaint atmosphere of recent years.
Ten things we hope we don’t see in 2006
1. Snags in the local beach replenishment projects.
2. Things go backwards in Fenwick Island. The town is just going so well right now it would be a shame to see some of the personality clashes rear their heads again.
3. A storm with any degree of the magnitude seen this year in other parts of the world, and nation, hit this community — or any community, for that matter.
4. The Yankees win the World Series (that one’s for our editor’s sanity).
5. The political divide that infiltrated this community during the 2004 elections striking again in the 2006 races. We always have good candidates down here. Relax and support your candidate without trashing the opponent.
6. Community involvement slipping away on many fronts. Several of the local organizations have memberships that are not getting any younger. It’s time for some young blood to move in and keep these great organizations rolling.
7. Infrastructure needs of existing homes continue to be pushed back in favor of the new developments. Let’s get everybody sewer and water.
8. More taxes, less return.
9. The Cedar Drive/Route 26 intersection to become an absolute mess.
10. Gas at $6 a gallon this summer.