Coastal Point • RUSLANA LAMBERT The contrast between the colorful pieces of art and a blue ocean provided the perfect backdrop for the Boardwalk Arts Festival on Saturday, Sept. 10. This is artist Susan Logan's display.

Coastal Point Viewpoint 2005.09.16

DelDOT offers explanations and apology
Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) representatives described the converging factors that created this year’s $200 million budget shortfall, and subsequent placement of myriad Sussex road projects in “deep freeze,” at the annual Capital Transportation Program meeting on Sept. 8.

Local aid efforts expand
Like most communities throughout the nation, the towns of the Delaware shore are seeking to offer whatever help they can to those affected by Hurricane Katrina. From special fund-raising jars on the counters of local eateries to formal fundraisers, many are going to extra mile to pitch in toward the effort.

Billboard proposal alarms residents
Some residents and property owners in the Fenwick Island area hope their opposition to a county variance request couldn’t be any plainer if they put it on a billboard.

Frankford steps closer to clean-up of town
Frankford Town Council voted unanimously to move forward on a short list of uninhabited, dilapidated houses on Mill Street, at the Sept. 12 council meeting. This is step two, as Council Vice-President T. Maynard Esender pointed out. An ad hoc committee having identified a list of worst eyesores around town over the past few months, the town will now direct Town Solicitor Dennis Schrader to send out certified letters to the owners of record.

Millville approves real estate offices on Route 26
Millville Town Council held another relatively succinct council meeting on Sept. 13, sans Mayor Gary Willey (out for surgery, but recovering nicely, according to Council Member Gerry Hocker).

Selbyville moves forward on water expansion
Selbyville is one step closer to expanding the area of its water and sewer service. By unanimous vote of the five council members at their monthly meeting Sept. 12, the town council approved proceeding with the plan on the basis of a successful referendum last month. The town solicitor will now proceed with the related bond issues.

Local organization reins in feral cats
Bethany Town Cats (BTC) members spent a day selling jewelry and crafts — and trying to find homes for a cat or two — at the annual Bethany Beach Boardwalk Arts Festival, last weekend. The organization never spends more than it has, noted BTC member Lauren Alberti, but the money they raise every year goes a long way toward controlling the feral cat population.

The Agenda

SDSA welcomes new principal to fold
Incoming Principal Loriann White should provide a smooth transition at the Southern Delaware School of the Arts (SDSA). Like her predecessor, Tim Fannin, White was there at the beginning.

Beautification remains focus in Fenwick
Members of Fenwick Island’s Beautification Committee continued their efforts Monday, following up on a number of projects spearheaded by the committee and aimed at making the town even more aesthetically pleasing.

Clothing businesses share a space in Millville
The 66-year-old J. Wilgus Dry Cleaning company has opened a new pick-up and drop-off location at the Shops of Millville (on Route 26), and embroiderers Precision Sportswear will be sharing the Wilgus storefront.

South Bethany outlines evacuation route
South Bethany Police Chief Joe Deloach outlined a hurricane evacuation route for the town and immediate vicinity, at the Sept. 9 council meeting. It follows narrow roads, through several twists and turns, but may be highly effective in one regard — South Bethany’s route steers clear of Route 26, which may become rather congested in an emergency evacuation.

County considers P&Z authority on plans
Can the county Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission members use subjective judgment in denying subdivision plans, if those plans technically meet code requirements?

New season brings other changes
As the heat of Indian summer fades and the first autumn leaves begin to fall from the trees, more changes in Delaware’s beach communities than simply the number of cars on the road and how much skin is covered by the average attire.

Fenwick council wrangles with the details
The Fenwick Island Town Council will continue to hold its informal “workshops-without-agenda” (WWA) on the second Saturday of the month, with a decision made by council members at just such a meeting Sept. 10.

Body and Soul
Sandra Scott should soon see results from her labors over the past year, as preparations for the “It’s Time for Abundant Living” health revival reach their conclusion. She’s arranged for more than a dozen speakers in all, with presentations from nutritionists, trainers and ministers for people in need of renewal, or just curious about what the Bible advises regarding spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Townhouse project coming to Dagsboro
Builder/developer Mike Lynn (RDM) offered some details about the planned Chapel Crossing community, working its way toward final site plan approval in Dagsboro. Lynn anticipated they’d be cleared for site preparation by fall of this year, with some of the homes ready for delivery by as early as spring 2006.

IRHS game scrapped over field conditions
Field hockey at Indian River High School took a brief hiatus on Sept. 13 due to what was considered unsafe field conditions by the Milford coach.

Not just a man's sport anymore
Football, like all other sports, is a great barometer by which to gauge a person’s physical abilities, endurance, toughness, fortitude and desire.

Running game stars at Indian River High School
Rushing offense of 319 yards means a few things: control of the line of scrimmage, tough running, and that one team has the ball and the other doesn’t — all of which makes Indian River Head Football Coach Jim Bunting happy.

IRHS soccer kicks off season with wins
The Indian River boys’ varsity soccer team won its first two games to put the team in prime position to make a strong run at the Henlopen Conference.

Fishing Report
Tom from Cedar Creek Tackle has reported there are lots of throw-back flounder, some bluefish and small trout being caught around the Anchorage and Brown Shoal. A few nice keeper flounder have been caught near the Red Can off the Mohawk. Along the shore, off Slaughter Beach, they are catching some fair-size trout and bluefish.