Association wants beach as a top priority
Editor:
We appreciate Coastal Point’s coverage of issues of importance to those of us living in the area and to those who visit our beaches and towns. Your last two issues reported on the beach replenishment project for Bethany and South Bethany. This issue is important for all who live, work, and play here. We must have beaches that are accessible and usable. Unfortunately, at high tides, that is not always the case. We need our beaches replenished as soon as possible. It’s good for our communities.
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Bethany Beach Landowners Association (BBLA). We commend the efforts of all those folks who are working on getting the monies needed to ensure the beaches are fully replenished, from the Congressional delegation, the governor and her staff and those at the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the respective town councils and staff, Realtors and other businesses, and many individuals. But, we do not have the money yet and there are no guarantees that we will get the necessary funding. We need folks to get involved.
For those readers who want to help and have a computer, please go to the Town of Bethany Beach’s Web site at www.townofbethanybeach.com and go to the “Beach Replenishment Update.” Follow the prompts to send a letter to your senators and representatives. It is important to do it now because a joint committee will meet next month and they will decide whether to appropriate some of the funds needed for this project. Please don’t put this off. If you need assistance, wish to help or have any questions, we are happy to respond. Just contact me at bbla@Bethany-Beach.net.
Please keep up the good work in keeping all of us informed about the beach replenishment project and other issues that affect every one of us.
Paul Denault, president
Bethany Beach Landowners Association
County council members should resign
Editor:
Last week your reporter Sam Harvey wrote an article on the latest meeting of the Sussex County Council. In his news report, Mr. Harvey indicated that the council gave $100,000 to fund a basketball tournament. And whom did the council bestow these precious taxpayer funds to? None other than Rich Collins — yes, the same Rich Collins that runs a secret organization known as the Positive Growth Alliance (PGA). Mr. Collins refers to anyone who opposed rampant development as “socialists.” The PGA opposes government intervention as “unconstitutional” when government attempts to prevent pollution. The PGA claims to be the last bastion of free market capitalism. Yet, Mr. Collins runs hat in hand to the County Council, and cashes in his chips for $100,000.
We all know that the PGA has a vice grip on the members of the council, but this brazen gift from “Boss” Dukes and company represents repayment of years of financial support from PGA members to elected officials in Sussex County. The five members of the council should be forced by the citizens of Sussex to resign in disgrace. The $100,000 gift to Mr. Collins would better have been used to support the infrastructure needs of the citizens of Sussex. Council members thumb their noses at the voters with gerrymandered districts and poke them in the eye with sweetheart gifts to their most loyal supporters.
Mr. Collins should have passed the hat to his wealthy developers and land barons. Each of the 400-plus members of his private pro-pollution club could easily have written a check for a modest $250 to Mr. Collins’ basketball tournament. The PGA is sponsoring a lavish fundraising golf tournament at Baywood Golf and Country Club in September. Mr. Collins boasts that contributors to his golf junket will have time to meet with “movers and shakers” in the political structure of Sussex County. Those funds will go into the PGA’s war chest to buy votes and suppress the truth.
The cycle of corruption begins with PGA members making campaign contributions to elected officials. Those officials then sit in judgment of large new developments with no infrastructure to support the expansive growth in Sussex. The cycle continues with developers and contractors buying goods and services from interest owned by those same elected officials. Is this a third world dictatorship?
The next time you are in desperate need of government services, don’t call the town, county or state agency. Call Rich Collins (302-644-3579) at the PGA. If he is not available, ask for Tony Soprano.
Dennis P. Cleary
Bethany Beach
Local boy scouts thank those who helped
Editor:
Members of Boy Scout Troop 281 from Ocean View have successfully completed a 50 mile canoe/hike trek on the Upper Delaware River in New York state. We would like to thank Camp Barnes for the use of the camp last fall for a warm-up trip. We would also like to thank Edwin Lieb of Downingtown, Penn. for help with transportation in the spring and Mary and Willie Cannon, Bill and Donna Lord, Dale and Kelly Lozier and Steve and Jan Seitz for lending us canoes for several weeks. All had a fun and wet time.
Kenneth A. Lieb
Outdoors Chairman
Troop 281, Ocean View
Sussex Democrats thanked for donation
Editor:
I am writing to express appreciation to the Sussex County Democratic Party for donating a computer to the West Rehoboth Community Land Trust, to help me with managing the trust’s projects, which are intended to help preserve affordable housing in West Rehoboth, and to improve the quality of life of the community’s residents. West Rehoboth is a low-income community surrounded by high-priced developments that threaten to disrupt the community and force out long-time residents.
The computer was provided by Ms. Lynne Betts of Seaford, who is vice chair of the Sussex County Democratic Committee. Mr. Robert Horner, of the computer services company ABM Computing, donated his time to inspect and recondition the computer.
I would like to encourage other people who may have used computer equipment that is in good condition — or that can be reconditioned at reasonable cost — to consider donating that equipment to people and organizations that can use it.
Shirley Paynter
Rehoboth