“Extreme Makeover” Team Seeks RV’s to Use During Build

LEWES — The "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" build in Sussex County is rapidly approaching!

Schell Brothers representative Wendy O. Baker said Aug. 19, "We thank the community for the outpouring of support – it truly is a testament of coming together to help others."

Baker said one urgent donation is needed: RVs for the show's crew to use during the build.

"If you have an RV you are willing to let us borrow for the week, we would greatly appreciate it," Baker said. "This will help tremendously," she said.

To make the donation, go to the Schell Brothers website and click on donation.

from the Cape Gazette …

DE State Police Sergeant Pleads Guilty to Harrassment

A 36-year-old Delaware State Police trooper has pleaded guilty to harassment and other charges.

Ryan J. Mitchell of Frankford also pleaded guilty Aug. 17 to misuse of a computer in connection with unwanted and unsolicited contact with a Sussex County woman. He was sentenced to two years in jail, suspended for supervised probation by Superior Court Judge Richard F. Stokes.
State police initiated a criminal investigation after receiving a stalking complaint April 5. Mitchell was arrested April 8 and was suspended without pay.

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Grant Will Fund Lewes Byway Plan

LEWES, DE — Lewes will receive more than $99,000 for development of a corridor management plan for the city’s scenic and historic byway.

The money is part of a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to the Delaware Department of Transportation.

The funds will be used to assist with construction, safety improvements and planning assistance along Delaware highways.

U.S. Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons and Rep. John Carney announced the $1.3 grant award Aug. 19.

“These grants will promote innovative new practices that will help improve the experience of those traveling on Delaware’s roads and scenic byways,” Sen. Carper said.

In April 2009 the Lewes Scenic and Historic Byway Committee submitted a $120,000 grant request to fund its corridor management plan.

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Sussex Council Split Over Variance Fees

GEORGETOWN — Sussex County Council is split over how much citizens should pay in board of adjustment fees.
Councilman Vance Phillips, R-Laurel, is pushing to have the fee reduced by $250. George Cole, R-Ocean View, and Joan Deaver, D-Rehoboth Beach, say the reduction is too drastic; they would prefer a smaller reduction or a tiered system based on what Kent County officials charge.
Under the proposed ordinance, the application fee for all variances would change from $400 to $150. The fee for special-use exceptions would remain at $400 except for a fee of $150 for certain cases: manufactured-home applications under emergency or hardship conditions when nonconforming homes are replaced or placement of more than one home on a farm of 10 acres or more.
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Milton Expects $348,000 Deficit

MILTON, DE — With very few revenue streams, Milton is expected to enter the fiscal year 2012 budget year with a deficit of $348,000.

Mayor Cliff Newlands said the town has only enough cash reserves to last another year.

“In our money market account we have just enough to cover [the deficit],” he said. “We have a few dollars on our CDs. Other than that, after this year we’re broke. We have no money.”

The town council worked with the first draft of the budget at a workshop July 26, and council is expected to discuss revenue-producing opportunities at its regular meeting at 6 p.m., Monday, Aug. 1, at the Milton Library. Among items that will be pondered is Newlands’ proposed gross rental receipt tax, which is estimated to generate about $200,000, or a little more than half the budget shortfall.

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Cape Henlopen BOE Passes $86 Million Budget

The Cape Henlopen Board of Education passed the $86 million budget July 28 by a 6-0 vote. Board member Sandi Minard was absent.

The budget is approximately $10.8 million less than the fiscal year 2011 budget with cost reductions at each of the schools and consolidation of custodial costs into the facilities management budget.

The district used approximately $4.25 million from carry over and reserve accounts to balance this year's budget that included a 10 percent state cut in state transportation payments and other expiring federal money.

"Tough decisions need to be made over the next year as we move on to the 2013 budget," said Oliver Gumbs, district business manager.

The preliminary budget was made based on September 30 enrollment from last school year and will be finalized in December after this year's enrollment numbers are completed.

from Melissa Steele @ the Cape Gazette

Pot Nets Vehicle Fires Intentionally Set

The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating two vehicle fires it says were intentionally set July 28 in Pot Nets Lakeside, Long Neck.

The first fire occurred at 2 a.m. in the 32000 block of Tern Cove, said Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Randall Lee, and the second fire was discovered at 8:30 a.m. on the 26000 block of Cottontail Cove.

The Indian River Fire Department responded to the first scene and upon arrival, Lee said, they encountered the vehicle fully involved in fire. A fire department response was not requested for the second fire, he said.

No injuries were reported and damages for both vehicles have been estimated at $45,000, Lee said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or the State Fire Marshal’s Office at 302-856-5600.

from the Cape Gazette

Sussex Officials Look at Reduction in Variance Cost

GEORGETOWN, DE — Sussex County Council is taking a serious look at reducing the fee applicants would pay to get a variance hearing before the board of adjustment. Councilman Vance Phillips, R-Laurel, will meet with county staff to draw up a proposed ordinance changing the fee from $400 to $150.

Phillips has long advocated for a reduction of the fee. “It’s a great burden on people who want to do the right thing and a detriment to the economy,” he said. A lower cost would mean more residents would comply with county regulations, Phillips said.

At the July 19 council meeting, Councilwoman Joan Deaver, D-Rehoboth Beach, supported Phillips’ proposal because it would reduce the cost of an application for those living in manufactured homes who are also forced to provide a survey costing as much as $600 when seeking a variance.

Since Jan. 1, 77 percent of the board’s cases have been variances with 8 percent related to manufactured homes, according to a report compiled by County Administrator David Baker.

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Rehoboth Mayoral Candidate Plans Thank You Event

Tom McGlone, candidate for mayor of Rehoboth Beach, will hold a Thank You to Our Visitors Event from 6 to 8p.m., Friday, Aug 5, at Rehoboth Avenue and the Boardwalk. Agreeing that this is a bit unusual, McGlone said that he was doing this to show those visitors and tourists, day trippers and weekenders that Rehoboth Beach is a town that appreciates their patronage.

“I don’t think that anyone has taken the time or energy to show our visitors that we are glad that they are here -- eating in our restaurants, shopping in our stores, hanging out at our Boardwalk, and enjoying the wonderful Atlantic Ocean," said McGlone. “They enrich our town and I’d just like to take a moment and recognize that fact!”

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Mountaire Farms Manager Faces Rape, Sexual Harassment Charges

Delaware State Police arrested a 53-year-old security and facility manager for Mountaire Farms July 26 in connection with rape and sexual harassment charges.

Several women working at the Mountaire Farms facility near Millsboro said they were sexually harassed or had unwanted sexual encounters with the man, said Cpl. Bruce Harris of the Delaware State Police.

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Harim USA Bids $48 Million for Allen Family Foods

Harim USA hopes to buy Allen Family Foods for $48 million, officials announced last night.

The South Korea-based company bid on Allen's assets during a bankruptcy auction July 25, and details are just being released now. The cost of Allen inventory will be added to the bid price, according to a release from Reed Smith, a Wilmington-based law firm representing Harim USA.

According to the law firm, the Honorable Kevin J. Carey, a New Castle County bankruptcy judge for the United States Bankruptcy Court, indicated at a hearing July 27 that he will approve the sale, possibly by mid-August.

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Sussex County Paramedics Earn Award As Top Paid EMS Unit in Nation

GEORGETOWN, DE – Sussex County paramedics offer the best emergency medical care money can buy, and a national group is awarding the County’s EMS division with top honors. The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians recently announced that Sussex County Emergency Medical Services is the 2011 winner of the Dick Ferneau Paid EMS Service of the Year award, to be presented at the end of August in Las Vegas.

The award is the most significant national recognition for Sussex County EMS in its 20-year history, and adds to a long list of other achievements and accolades earned by the organization. Earlier this year, a competition team from Sussex County EMS won a gold medal during the 2011 Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS) Games in Baltimore.

Other previous honors for the organization include JEMS gold medal performances in 2005, as well as silver medals in 2006, 2009 and 2010. Sussex County EMS also placed third during the Magen David Adom (MDA) 2008 Olympics, an international EMS competition held in the Dead Sea region of Israel.

EMS Director Robert Stuart said the latest honor is a reflection of the professionalism and high-standards practiced every day by the agency and its 92 medics.

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Work Commences on Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse

An offshore work platform was moved into place beside the National Harbor of Refuge Breakwater July 25 in preparation for nearly $3 million in emergency repairs to the 110-year-old stone wall.

Strictly by chance, participants in a tour sponsored by the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation were on hand to see the barge being anchored down. The foundation, which has been the major force in advocating for the repairs owns the historic Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse that is built into the south end of the breakwater. The Corps of Engineers originally built and still owns the breakwater.

Work will include replacing numerous 8 to 10-ton capstones that have been eroded away from the top of the breakwater wall in several spots and filling large voids where the breakwater has been completely washed away around and under the lighthouse.

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Police Issue Homeless Sex Offender Notification

FRANKFORD, DE - A registered sex offender says he is living as a transient in Frankford.

Members of the Delaware State Police Sex Offenders Apprehension and Registration Unit say Gino L. Terrace, 52, is classified as a moderate-risk Tier-2 sex offender who recently registered as being homeless.

Police say Terrace is not suspected of any crime but is required to register his current address. DSP issues public notifications when a registered sex offender says he is living as a transient.

Anyone with information about Terrace living at a specific residence is asked to call the DSP Sex Offenders Apprehension and Registration Unit at 302-741-8086.

from Andrea Dearden @ the Sussex Countian

Rehoboth Candidates Forum Set for August 1st

The Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce will host a Mayoral Debate and Commissioner’s Candidate’s Forum at 9:30 a.m., Monday, Aug. 1, in the Rehoboth Beach Conventional Hall Conference Suite. The forum will end of approximately one hour and 15 minutes from the start time.

The chamber has invited all declared candidates, resident incumbent Mayor Sam Cooper, mayoral candidate resident Tom McGlone, commissioner candidates nonresident Mark Hunker, resident Richard Kirchhoff and nonresident Lorraine Zellers. Matt Turlinski, chairman of the chamber board of directors, will provide introductions, and Dennis Forney, Publisher of the Cape Gazette, will serve as moderator. Chip Hearn, member of the board, will act as timekeeper, enforcing all rules and procedures.

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Four File for Election in Henlopen Acres

HENLOPEN ACRES — While much of the attention has gone to neighboring Rehoboth Beach, Henlopen Acres residents will go to the polls for the town's municipal elections Saturday, Aug. 27.

Four candidates have filed for three seats. Incumbents David Hill, John Staffier and Winnie Kee all seek reelection, while newcomer Betsy Wilgis has also filed. Hill and Kee both filed as residents, Staffier and Wilgis as nonresidents.

The election will primarily be a duel between nonresidents Staffier and Wilgis. The town charter specifies that four of the seven commissioners must be residents. Hill and Kee are the only residents running, and Mayor Wanda Davis and Commissioner David Lyons are also residents. Commissioners Paddy Richards and Frank Jamison are the other nonresident commissioners

Staffier is seeking his first full term in office, after being appointed in March to finish the term of Commissioner Woody Miller.

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Lewes-area Contractor Seeks County Approval After 12 Yrs.

GEORGETOWN — Joseph Mocci of Lewes has been operating an excavating / contracting business on a 4-acre parcel along Wil King Road for the past 12 years in violation of county zoning that prohibits commercial businesses in a general residential zoning district.

Now he is attempting to secure a conditional use to continue operation of Joseph R. Mocci Co. Inc. During a July 14 public hearing in front of the planning and zoning commission, Mocci got an earful from his neighbors as they complained about excessive noise, large trucks and even a barking dog. Some nearby residents said they have been awakened by truck noise before 6 a.m., which Mocci said was impossible because he is not there at that time.

Planning and zoning commissioners deferred on a decision at the July 14 hearing. Sussex County Council has scheduled a hearing for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2.

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Mountaire Will Not Purchase Allen Family Foods

In a statement released Tuesday, July 26, Mountaire Farms officials announced the company is no longer seeking to purchase Allen Family Foods, which filed for bankruptcy protection last month.

Mountaire submitted a proposal to purchase several of Allen Family Foods' operations including a hatchery in Seaford and the Harbeson processing plant.

Chris Shigas, spokesman for Mountaire, said the company has decided discontinued purchase plans for any of Allen properties.

“Mountaire Farms has discontinued efforts to buy assets of Allen’s Family Foods at a bankruptcy auction process held on July 25, 2011. Mountaire wishes the best for the Allen family and everyone at their companies," said Shigas in the release. "Mountaire Farms will continue with its plan to expand facilities. As soon as practical, the company will be adding jobs in the community under an expansion plan looking to add employees, growers and other service needs. Driven by its deep-rooted commitment to quality service and value, Mountaire Farms looks forward to future business growth and strengthened ties with the communities in which it operates.”

from Rachel Swick @ the Cape Gazette

Todd Lawson Named New Sussex County Administrator

GEORGETOWN, DE — Sussex County Council has named Todd F. Lawson, 36, as its new county administrator, replacing the retiring David Baker. Lawson, a Sussex County native, is a former Washington, D.C., lobbyist who also worked in the President George W. Bush administration. He is scheduled to start work Wednesday, Aug. 10.

Sussex County Council made the appointment July 26 on the recommendation of the county administrator search committee, which selected Lawson from a field of eight interviewed applicants. In all, 24 applicants with varied backgrounds from across the country submitted resumes for the position following Baker’s retirement announcement in January. He is the county’s sixth administrator.

Lawson, who was born in Milford, raised in the Harbeson area and graduated from Sussex Central High School in 1993, will learn the ropes of the job under Baker for about four months. During the interim period, he will be paid $92,000 a year. When his one-year contract begins, no later than Jan. 1, 2012, he will be paid $102,500.

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Two Invasive Snakeheads Caught in Delaware Waters

Northern snakeheads have been caught in two Delaware waterways in recent months, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Fisheries Section has announced.

The snakehead is an invasive species that can impact fish, amphibians and invertebrate populations due to their predatory nature, competition for food resources and alteration of established food webs. According to research by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, northern snakeheads and largemouth bass have similar food and habitat patterns, and bass numbers increased as snakeheads were removed from shared waterways.

Last week, an angler caught a 24-inch fish in the Marshyhope Creek near the Route 404 bridge. Last fall, fisheries staff collected a 26-inch long snakehead during electrofishing efforts in Broad Creek just downstream of Laurel. Both fish were adults, weighing between four and six pounds. Both waterways are tributaries of the Nanticoke River, a very popular largemouth bass fishery in Delaware.

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