I previously co-authored a book titled “Fishes of the Delaware Estuaries, A Guide to the Early Life Histories” in which more than 100 of the species we documented use tidal waters in the areas to be affected by the dredging as spawning and/or nursery grounds. In addition, I recently found evidence that 11 additional species, including two on the endangered species lists, use the area during their early lives. Where is the evidence from the Corps that fish, blue crab, horseshoe crab, dolphin, sea turtle and other organisms that inhabit the Delaware Estuary would not suffer any adverse effects? I believe if they had it, they would be touting it far and wide.

The commercial, recreational and environmental value of these species far exceeds the purported $8 million net annual gain ($31 million increased revenue minus the $23 million increased maintenance cost) for the project. Would Pennsylvania, which stands to reap the vast majority of the benefits and will front the money to start the project (since the money is not available in the federal budget), and the Army Corps agree to be financially responsible for the costs of any adverse environmental or human impacts from the project? I doubt it!

It is alarming that the current federal administration, which claims to be more of a friend of the environment than the previous administration, would allow this usurping of states’ rights over their waters without proper environmental analyses. The claim by the Corps that it has the right to “maintain a navigable waterway” is a ridiculous one. For the life of me, I cannot find “enlarge” anywhere in the definition of maintain.
The federal courts should send the Army Corps a clear message that their high-handed tactics won’t work here or anywhere else in this country.
Ron Kernehan
Lewes

Stop complaining and count your blessings
The following was the cover message on the November newsletter of The Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Rehoboth Beach, written by Pastor Donald Schaefer and submitted to the Cape Gazette for publication.
According to a thesaurus, there are seven options for the word “thank,” while there are 19 options for the word “complain.” We seem to be living in a culture of complaint, eager to point out what is lacking in another, or to credit blame on someone else. The complaining makes the world seem a fractured place, unsettled internationally, domestically and ecclesiastically. We want all of it to be fair and murmur when it is not.
Hence the necessity of Thanksgiving - a deliberate attempt to gain perspective, recognizing what is yet ours and reclaiming our blessings. Thanksgiving does not demand that we forget burdens but asks us to also count blessings, making us mindful of simple things we take for granted.
Each breath we take and move that we make, each day we awake and night we sleep, each laugh and tear, each story we tell or listen to, brings us more into the culture of community where our journey is shared with others, our hands and hearts able to serve in love.
Put down the opinion page, turn off the talk show; there is often more blame than blessing there.
Breathe deeply, sit quietly, look thoughtfully. Life isn’t done with you yet; neither is God. There is, thankfully, much to learn and much to do.
Karen McDonald
Lewes

DOC commissioner refutes Gazette article
Today, I read with disappointment an allegation that the Department of Correction was planning on closing a building at the Sussex Correctional Institution (SCI) and implying that up to 40 officers will be losing their jobs or involuntarily transferred to other facilities. Unfortunately, the article contains a number of inaccuracies. Before I explain, let me state clearly: no SCI officers will lose jobs or be transferred. and public safety will not be diminished. 

The long range “master plan” of the department includes demolishing at least three structures at SCI and replacing them with modern, cost-effective housing for the prison population.  These buildings are among the oldest and most inefficient buildings we operate. The building that is currently under review, the old Multi-Security Building or MSB, is one of these structures. Approximately 55 officers are required to run MSB, a building that only houses 112 inmates; a much higher staff-to-offender ratio than more modern buildings. Eventually, this building should be completely torn down, along with the other two antiquated structures previously mentioned, and new, cost-effective buildings should be constructed. However, the state cannot afford to address the aging infrastructure at the Department of Correction right now. Until the state can, I have asked the warden of SCI to come up with a plan to close or restructure the MSB building at SCI.

I personally met with the Sussex County legislators earlier this month and informed them of my intentions and answered questions for approximately two hours. I have great respect for our legislators and am always happy to communicate with them and answer their questions; however, I also have a responsibility to run the department as efficiently as possible. To the extent the legislators continue to have questions about our plans, their opportunity to weigh in on those proposals formally comes between January and June, after the governor presents his proposed budget for the General Assembly’s approval.

The plan for whether or how to close MSB should be completed before the end of the year. Once it is complete, I have promised to share it with the affected staff, their union leadership and the interested legislators. Unfortunately, the state’s budget process required me to submit a budget before the plan could be completed. I have included a placeholder in my budget request to the governor reflecting an anticipated saving of $1 million among a list of steps to consider should the department need to cut its budget by five or 10 percent. This placeholder amount reflects my opinion that part of MSB can be safely closed, but a portion of the building must remain operational.

While the plan is not complete, through my preliminary evaluation of this proposal I have determined that there would likely be no need to move officers involuntarily to other facilities. Most of the officers can even be accommodated without any disruption to their schedules. They simply will report to a different building within SCI. I spent several hours personally explaining this to many of the officers that could be affected. Additional savings would be realized through energy and maintenance savings.

In short, consideration is being given to closing part of one building at SCI, a move that potentially saves a million dollars without compromising public safety, or  causing any jobs to be cut or employees to be transferred to other facilities. These are exactly the opportunities the public expects a responsible state government to explore.
Carl C. Danberg
commissioner
Department of Correction

Personnel cuts would impact public safety
I would like to comment on the proposal by Correction Commissioner Danberg to eliminate 40 positions at the Sussex Correctional Institution. I recently moved to Sussex County after retiring from a 28-year career in corrections working for a sheriff’s office in New York City.
It seems that Delaware is no different than New York City when it comes to trying to dealing with budget deficits - cut from the one agency in the state that taxpayers seem to care the least about. Politicians know that they will meet less resistance from voters when they cut services or jobs that are related to inmates. The fact of the matter is that personnel cuts will surely impact the safety of both uniformed and civilian staff as well as the safety of the inmates in their custody.
The politicians and voters should consider the potential of monies spent to settle lawsuits filed by inmates if personnel cuts or housing unit closures result in preventable inmate assaults or the inability to house inmates by their proper classification.
The simple truth is this - if the politicians had a true understanding of a correction officer’s responsibilities and obligations, I believe that they would look elsewhere to find cost-saving measures.
Robert Cohen
Millsboro

Forward thinking please on wastewater disposal
I also would like to weigh in on the proposed ocean outfall for the city of Rehoboth Beach. Cost seems to be the biggest factor in support of it. Sometimes the right thing has to take precedence over the most cost efficient. And I’ll bet that historically it will be proven not to have been the cheapest or best option. Common sense shows that already. I too would hope that concerned citizens let their adverse opinions to this possibility be known. As a local and Rehoboth Beach born and raised, I strongly oppose this option. And hope that the majority would rather pay more for sewer now than further ruin our environment and swimming waters. Not to mention the long-term effects both environmentally, aesthetically and of least importance to me, economically.
Florida, for example, is already abandoning this practice because of its adverse environmental and economical impacts.
Neither option spoken about is the best option - but the land application is the best given the two at hand. There is technology available now to virtually turn all that wastewater back into safe non-polluting water. That option should have been on the table too. Why doesn’t Rehoboth Beach set an example with some forward thinking instead of letting money rule its decision?
Amy J.R. Parker
Slaughter Beach

Oean outfall could endanger health
I read different articles in the Cape Gazette about the wastewater. One article was from Libby Stiff stating that the commissioners are paid to protect the residents of Rehoboth Beach.
My family has vacationed in Rehoboth for 30 years. We moved here because of the clean beach. Who is protecting the tourists?
Is this project based on the money that residents of Rehoboth would have to pay? I know that this is not a city where poor people live.
This wastewater can be filtered, but there will be small amounts of bacteria being put in the ocean. What about the lifeguards’ health and people with children? Many times our children and grandchildren have swallowed a mouthful of water. If this wastewater project passes to be emptied into the ocean, there are other beaches my family and friends will visit.
Elma Brockmeyer
Millsboro

Milton has no internal controls on expenses
We now have the expense totals for fiscal year ended Sept. 30 of the Milton town manager’s meal allowances. There were 84 visits to various restaurants totaling $5,203. This gives a new meaning to feeding at the government trough.
The town manager’s contract clearly states that the expenses he incurs are to be reimbursed, not paid for by the town. These expenses are to be reviewed by the personnel committee.
These are internal control violations. The expenses have never been reviewed by the personnel committee, and who approves the credit card bills for payment? It is the very same office staff of the town who partake in the town’s largess.
The only assurance that any town or business has that its assets are properly used and accounted for is the internal controls which are put into place.
I have asked for a copy of the document setting forth the Town of Milton’s internal control procedures. They do not exist. Furthermore, from the documents I have received via FOIA, some invoices are paid without any approval. In at least one instance, the extended amount due was in error. The town clerk approved it for payment.
To top it all off, the mayor believes these practices to be fine and dandy. Ever wonder what else is occurring in town?
I will not discuss the tax implications of this issue now. That will be my next project.
Norman R. Lester
Milton

Don’t repeat replenishment mistakes
I was very sorry to see the extent of the beach erosion from the recent storm. 
I’m sure local decision-makers are already talking about some sort of replenishment project. If so, I urge them to make sure that any replenishment project does not repeat the mistakes of the last one. The last project pumped a lot of rocks onto Rehoboth’s beaches, which had previously been known for their powdery sand. Let’s not do that again.
The last project also created a beach with a very steep face where it met the surf, so that the surf generally broke almost directly onto the sand. This was dangerous, made it hard for small children to enjoy the water, and also made body-surfing and boogie-boarding difficult. Let’s not do that again, either.
I’ve enjoyed the beach at Rehoboth for 50 years, and in my experience most people have the most fun in the surf when the beach is gradual, the water remains shallow for a considerable distance and the larger waves break fairly far out. It would certainly be nice if any replenishment project left the beach with those characteristics.
Steve Cook
Rehoboth Beach

Markell praised for prompt action
On behalf of those I serve, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Gov. Jack Markell for his prompt action in declaring a state of emergency that placed our National Guard on readiness. In times past their service was deemed invaluable as they provided the equipment for evacuation, traffic control and security, enabling our emergency personnel and law enforcement the ability to proceed in fulfilling their essential work.
I realize that the beach replenishment dunes saved many millions of dollars in property destruction that includes breaks in sewer and water lines that would have caused a risk to public health.
The American spirit prevailed as we thanked God and rolled up our sleeves to clean up and help our neighbors do the same.
George H. Bunting Jr.
State Senator, 20th District

No-kill shelters protect safety and save animals
No-kill shelters have been successfully and safely handling dog control in many regions of the United States for years. In northern New England, for example, most shelters not only have a save rate of 90-98 percent of all the animals they take in, many also hold dog control contracts for their counties. Shelters, not only around the nation, but also around the world, have taken the ethical stance of refusing to unnecessarily kill animals at pounds; Italy has been a no-kill nation for cats and dogs for almost two decades.

To further answer the questions brought up in the letter to the editor recently, if Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary of Sussex County were to receive the dog control contract in the future, we would of course adhere to all the stipulations that our county council put in place, including providing round-the-clock service. Safe Haven would focus our recruiting efforts for dog control agents on retired police officers. We are confident that this caliber of officer would be more than competent at understanding and implementing Delaware’s straightforward dog control codes. In the hands of a no-kill shelter, not only would public safety be protected, but there is the added bonus of a true safety net for our county’s abandoned and abused animals.

Sussex County not only needs more shelter space, the animals of our county desperately need the 400-plus new spaces Safe Haven will provide. According to the Kent County pound’s last published statistics in 2007, it put down almost 85 percent of the cats and 50 percent of all the animals, it took in, for a total of 8,000 animals killed, a large percentage of these coming from Sussex County. Thirty-four spaces at a grooming salon, as suggested by the previous author, obviously have not and will not suffice to change these numbers around.

Safe Haven bases its philosophy and policies on those of the sheltering model of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah, bestfriends.org, the largest and most successful no-kill organization in the United States. We believe that cats and dogs deserve a second chance at life, even if it requires major medical and/or behavioral rehabilitation.  Once our building is fully operational next year, we will neither turn down animals because of these issues, nor will we conveniently and dismissively label them as untreatable/unsalvageable. This said, only around 1 percent of dogs coming into shelters need major behavioral modification, with merely a handful needing long-term or lifetime sanctuary housing, and only another 2 to 3 percent of all animals require extensive medical treatment. Just 2 to 3 percent of all animals coming into shelters/pounds have truly untreatable/unmanageable conditions.

The bittersweet fact is that going no-kill is actually an easy process; unfortunately there are still many animal pounds that choose not to go this route. With committed and ethical leadership, proactive and creative programming, and a small-moderate financial investment, becoming a no-kill shelter can be done rapidly, as has been accomplished in many areas. The sad fact is that there are still so many entities that purport as their mission the protection of animals, while in fact they are being run more akin to pest control companies - viewing cats and dogs mainly as a nuisance. In thinking about the current state of many animal facilities, imagine not only a single business, but a whole industry, that every year for decades has had a profit loss of 50-85 percent, though in the case of animal pounds the loss is not monetary, but in animals’ lives. For more information about the history and present state of animal sheltering in America, please read Nathan Winograd’s groundbreaking book, “Redemption.”

While going no-kill does require an initial financial investment, this outlay pays off very quickly, not only in lives saved, but in future cost savings to taxpayers, due to a lessened need for animal control through proactive programming, like free neutering services. Most, if not all, of this investment comes from the private sector, not governmental sources, such as is the case with Safe Haven. Our Sussex County community has already been very supportive, for example; the dog wing of our facility is being generously funded by one of our board members and we have another donor who graciously and anonymously helped found and donates thousands of dollars to support our free/very low-cost spay/neuter program for feral/farm cats.

The question is not can a no-kill organization run a dog control program. The real question is that since no-kill sheltering is being done successfully in many locations, does not cost taxpayers more and actually saves money in the long-run, is easy to do, and is the only truly ethical option; is it not what the citizens and animals of Sussex County deserve.
Anne Gryczon
executive director
Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary of Sussex County

Our country was founded on Christian beliefs
I read with interest the Nov. 12 letter to the editor by Anne Pikolas. She states, “This country was not founded on Christian beliefs and freedom from religion means any religion.” It is fascinating that many people make assertions about our country’s history based on their own prejudices, popular opinion, political correctness or material from liberal textbooks written with a political bias.

As a home-schooling parent for 24 years, I have learned the most accurate way to obtain an unbiased understanding of history is to study the founders in their own words. Our founders were men and women highly skilled in communicating through the written word and commanding oratory. It is easy to research these primary source documents thanks to the internet. If Ms. Pikolas should make the effort to do so she may see the error of her statement concerning our national Christian heritage. America was not established as Christian like Pakistan was established as an expressly Muslim one. There never has been, nor should there be, a national religious mandate for the citizenry from the political arena. Even though our founding fathers never decreed adherence to a specific religious doctrine, from their own words we see there was an expection there would be a voluntary superimposition of Christian principles in everyday life and national governance.

John Adams stated Oct. 11, 1798, “We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other.” In his farewell address George Washington declared, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”

Ben Franklin, long considered to be one of our most secular founding fathers, wrote in a letter to Ezra Stiles in 1790, “As to Jesus of Nazareth, I think the system of morals and his religion as he left them to us, the best the world has ever seen or is likely to see.”
In the early 1800s a young French atheist, Alexis de Tocqueville, came to America as a political observer for the French government. He wrote in his book of observations, “Democracy in America,” “The Americans combine the notions of Christianity and liberty so intimately in their minds that it is impossible to make them conceive of one without the other.”

Ms. Pikolas’s lack of understanding of even basic American and European history that shaped our forefathers’ thoughts and beliefs is regrettable. The Judeo-Christian worldview is our predominate culture and has given even misguided people like Ms. Pikolas the freedom to share their opinions no matter how uninformed.
Lou Ann Rieley
Millsboro

We don’t need Mulberry Knoll development
With all the overbuilding in Sussex County, why does planning and zoning pass applications so freely? More shops are planned in a residential area between Route 24 and Road 284, even though there are nearby vacancies. The plan is to put a fence around the homes, even though the homeowners don’t want to be caged in, nor do they want shops in their neighborhood. This is zoned as Agricultural-Residential but it seems you can always get around that by submitting an application to consider conditional use of land. Isn’t one of zoning’s purposes is to keep an area’s characteristics similar?   DelDOT indicated to planning and zoning that it had no objection as long as access was not directly off of Route 24. Cars would still have to turn off of Route 24 to access Road 284. We have been asking for a light at this intersection because of the danger and number of accidents. Is there no consideration to Road 284 and the impact this 18-foot dead-end street with no shoulders would have when you start putting more traffic on it?
There was plenty of opposition to this application, C/U 1800,  at the Nov. 10 Sussex County Council meeting.  A petition of 44 signatures was handed to council and nine neighbors spoke in opposition. The only ones in favor are the applicant and the builder. This matter has been deferred so council can look into it further. The residents can only hope.
Eleanor Mazzio
Mulberry Knoll
Lewes

Rehoboth film fest a great success
Bravo to everyone at the Rehoboth Beach Film Society and all the volunteers who helped make the 12th Annual Film Festival such a success for our town. The weather might have been rainy and gloomy, but not the spirit and attitude of the people working this festival. Thanks for all your hard work!
Kathy Davison and Ruth Dickerson
Lewes