Republican candidates like to ask, “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” because they’re hoping people will only be thinking about the price of eggs.
In the past four years, development in our area has exploded, thanks to an all-Republican Sussex County Council that put developer desires above resident needs. Mega-developments the size of cities have been approved or are on the table. There was even an attempt to allow commercial development within Cape Henlopen State Park (thankfully, Sen. Russ Huxtable sponsored legislation that will now prevent that from happening). This has affected everything from getting a doctor’s appointment to getting to the store to buy those eggs.
So, before you vote, a better question to ask is: “Will you be better off four years from now?”
Through the efforts of Sen. Huxtable and Rep. Stell Parker Selby, legislation is finally beginning to address the critical lack of housing for our teachers, healthcare workers and service providers. Sussex County Council has been empowered to enact assessments for new developments for the purpose of new school construction (although the current Sussex County Council voted to pass those costs on to the taxpayers rather than hold developers accountable).
Jane Gruenebaum (candidate for Sussex County Council) will push to balance growth with infrastructure – the roads, evacuation routes, schools, healthcare facilities, fire services and police capacity that are necessary to maintain the quality of life in our community. She will work for better protection of the natural areas we enjoy and need for stormwater absorption.
Over the next four years, do we want continued rampant development? Or do we want ordinances that restrict the size of these new communities? Do we want housing for our workers? Do we want elected officials who take climate change (and the risks of living near the coast) seriously?
Let’s continue the path of getting better. Vote for Democratic candidates up and down the ballot. They are looking toward the future, not the past, and have your interests at heart.
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