Letters to the Editor

We must settle for nothing less than best

Since moving to the Cape Region in 1992 I have had school-age children, and my youngest will not graduate from high school until 2018.  During this time I have seen several Cape Henlopen district superintendents come and go.  Some were good, some not so good, but the district is now moving solidly in the right direction.  Thankfully, Dr. David Robinson came out of retirement at a very critical time to take the reins as interim superintendent, an effort for which the entire community should be grateful.

Having recently read about the controversy regarding the selection process for Dr. Robinson’s permanent replacement by the Cape board of education, I’m wondering if it has included an active search and recruitment of proven, successful leaders.  Has the district proactively sought known “stars” of education management, or are we settling for only those who have responded to passive advertising?

An executive charged with the responsibility of managing a typical school district should be no less capable than a comparable private industry executive, but with one very significant difference - the “products” (students) are the future operators and managers of the community.  Given the size and scope of the responsibility, doesn’t it make sense to go out and get a proven winner rather than pick from those whose primary motivation might be that they are not content (or worse yet, are in the process of failing) at their current position?

It is important to realize that the Cape Henlopen School District is a gem among public school systems nationwide.  Its middle and high school facilities are literally brand new and second to none.  Its property tax base supports exceptional course offerings, extracurricular activities, and most significantly the best staff and administrator compensation packages in the region.  Add to that our low cost of living (relative to nearby states), temperate resort climate, and proximity to major cities and you have a package top school administrators in surrounding or nearby states should all at least consider.

If determining successful district superintendents seems a daunting task, it shouldn’t be.  A few minutes spent on the web not only reveals the nation’s top schools, but also filters the information by region and state.  U.S. News & World Report even includes stats on enrollment, student ethnicity, and percentage of college attendees.  Further information identifies public, private, even charter schools, and addresses and phone numbers are provided.

In conclusion, I suppose it’s possible one of the 19 candidates being considered is currently a proven superstar, but if not, the Cape Henlopen school board should consider identification and active recruitment of the best possible leaders before settling for anything less.  Cape Henlopen District students, parents, staff, and the community at large deserve such an effort.

Bob Benson
Rehoboth Beach

Smoking results in toddlers with tantrums

Are you the parents of a child who will have a temper tantrum for what is seemingly “no reason?” I have what I believe is the reason… especially if your child is breathing your secondhand smoke, or any secondhand smoke.

I have been in the daycare business for quite some time. I’ve had children come and go, but the ones I’ve had to dismiss (because of behavior issues) were children of smokers. Mothers who smoke during their pregnancy are giving their sweet new baby the gift of having to suffer nicotine withdrawal symptoms. They cry and shake just the same way a baby addicted to crack would do. How many times have you heard it said that “quitting smoking is harder that quitting crack, or any other hard drug?”

Sure, you have the window down in the car when you smoke. Guess what? Your child still gets the secondhand smoke. Then you drop them off at daycare, smelling like a cigarette factory. We can smell you as you are coming in. Sure, they are fine for a while, but then, a few hours later, they need that smoke. (Just like you!) That caffeine-filled smoke to help them “take the edge off.” They get grumpy. They fight and hurt their friends, and these poor kids have no understanding of why they feel this way. You pick up your kids from daycare and find out that their behavior was unacceptable. You’re thinking to yourself that they are just fine at home. Well, sure they are. They have their “smoke” at home. It’s all over you, your hair, the house, and your child has access to it. It’s your fault. You, who smoked while you were pregnant. You, who smoke around your kids. You say that you go outside to smoke? Well, that smoke is still on your clothes and in your hair. You pick up your kids and now they have it on them as well. Your children are addicted to nicotine and it’s your fault.

While you are so busy, trying to win parents of the year by giving your children good food, with healthy choices, you need to take a good long look at yourselves next time you light up that next cigarette. Your child is (should be) worth more that that lifestyle.

Perhaps we need a law that is enforced to parents of children. If you choose to be a parent, no smoking.

Pam Hopkins
Rehoboth Beach

Posner explains superintendent search

I would like to clarify and provide an update on the Cape school superintendent search process, which is now in its final weeks.

Three community meetings were held in November, and an online survey was made available, to get input from community members to determine the challenges facing, and the priorities of our district – and thus the most important skill set required in our next school leader. More than 100 Cape community members participated. As a result, each applicant was required to write a response to each of these three essay questions, focused on both our district’s mission-driven priorities and candidates’ leadership style:

1. What is your track record of demonstrated success as an instructional leader in improving student academic achievement?

2. Describe your approach to district-wide management and communications.

3. Why are you interested in serving as superintendent of the Cape Henlopen School District?

We received a total of 20 applications for the job, one of which was incomplete, and one has since been withdrawn (the applicant has accepted another job offer); thus, 18 applicants are in the running. Via contract with the University of Delaware, two subject-matter experts are rank-ordering the candidates’ skills and track records in relation to the major qualifications as determined by the Cape community. One expert is recently retired from UD, after serving 10 years as the director of the Delaware Academy for School Leadership. The other expert, now living here in Sussex County near our district, retired from Wilmington University in 2008 after having added a concentration in Organizational Leadership to the Doctor of Education program. We are extremely fortunate to have these two highly knowledgeable, Delawarean education leaders consulting on our search.

The school board is the governing body of the district; it is made up of community representatives, elected by the community, with the primary responsibilities of hiring, supervising and, if necessary, firing the superintendent. Our most important job now is to interview and appoint a new superintendent.

History has shown, statewide and nationwide, the questionable results of involving multiple groups in the interview process, often turning it into a popularity contest, choosing the candidate with the most interview charisma vs. the objective criteria articulated by the community. The new leader then starts off, from day one, with the handicap of not having been many various persons’ favorite choice. Why replicate a process that, arguably, has proven 50-50 or less in positive results over the past few decades here at Cape and elsewhere? We believe that we have in place a state-of-the-art approach that will result in the selection of a highly skilled, long-term superintendent who will lead us to the achievement of our district goals.

Throughout this selection process, a high level of discretion is critical; at this public leadership level, candidates apply for jobs in confidence. And, we must avoid the risk of any favoritism or even the appearance of it. Thus, the full list of the 18 candidates will not be circulated. The board will consider the candidates in the rank-order presented to us by the experts, beginning with the top group of 3-5-7 candidates. If the best next Cape superintendent is not in that first tier, then we will continue to move down the list. If it should turn out that our next superintendent is not among this total group of 18, then we will re-advertise. However, general indication from our consultants is that we have a quality pool of applicants, and our intent is to announce the new Cape superintendent by the middle or end of April.

I’d like to express much appreciation to Leah Hoenan, who does a consistently great job in reporting our board and all Cape school-related activities in the Cape Gazette.

Roni Posner
Chairwoman
Superintendent Search

Commissioner Mills’ credibility at stake

As a citizen of Rehoboth Beach, I urge every citizen to read the opinion of the Delaware Public Integrity Commission concerning Rehoboth Beach Commissioner Stan Mills issued Jan. 25. I would also ask the Cape Gazette to post the web location at which the opinion may be found. It is a detailed and painstaking analysis of the actions of Mr. Mills in confusing his personal interests with his duties and obligations as a commissioner in the commission’s recent and continuing consideration of the city’s patio and noise ordinances.

The opinion states in stark terms about Mr. Mills, that “He should have recused as suggested by his colleagues” during the commission’s process. Then in the conclusion, the chair of the Public Integrity Commission, speaking for a unanimous board, specifically finds that as a commissioner, “Mr. Mills acted in a manner contrary to the Code in pursuing a personal or private interest” and that “he should recuse from participation in the matters identified in this opinion.” Those matters, specified in the very first paragraph of the opinion were (and remain) “possible amendments to the restaurant patio ordinance which “evolved into the review and possible amendment to the city’s noise ordinance.”

No editorial opinion from me or anyone is necessary. This is exactly what the Public Integrity Commission concluded. Mr. Mills is making a valiant attempt to make this clear and serious public denunciation of his conflict of interest just disappear. He has not apologized or recognized in any way that his behavior was unethical, violated the Delaware Code or was even just wrong; he failed to recuse himself during the process, meaning that he has no internal compass which allows him to see when he has a conflict between his private interests and his public responsibility; and even now, after a bruising opinion from the state Public Integrity Commission,  Mr. Mills has not recused himself for the future.  Instead, he has said he is merely “stepping back from next week’s hearing and vote.” Really?

To be clear about it, Mr. Mills should specifically and publicly acknowledge his errors as the commission documented them and genuinely apologize for them, and he should immediately and specifically recuse himself from further participation in the city commission’s consideration of the patio and noise ordinances, not just for a week or until he wants to weigh in but at least until the voters get a chance to speak again.

If he fails to take these actions, he will be without credibility on these issues as well as others as the public wonders whose interest he is representing. His recent statement, in lieu of any apology or recusal, that he will “continue to do my best to represent the best interests of all,” will ring very hollow when he has refused to acknowledge that he has been found to not recognize the difference between the public interest and his own personal interests. And, if he stays his course of avoidance of responsibility, he will join that legion of celebrities, athletes and Charlie Sheens who simply issue non-apology apologies and get on with their unconscious lives. That may be good enough for Hollywood and New York but not for Rehoboth Beach.

Guy Martin
Rehoboth Beach

Rehoboth mayor just may have conflict too

I had a mixed reaction after reading the news accounts of the Public Integrity Commission’s opinion that Commissioner Stan Mills should recuse himself from further discussions and actions on the city’s noise and restaurant patio ordinances.  In general, I found its reasoning pretty flimsy.  The commission seems to be saying that city commissioners need to remain aloof.  I disagree.

As a resident of Rehoboth Beach, I expect my elected officials to take a personal interest in matters affecting the town.  As a resident, I expect my elected officials to be out and about town and taking note of situations and conditions that need attention.  I was particularly shocked by the PIC’s assertion that “nothing suggests a private citizen could call the mayor and arrange a meeting with him and the city manager, much less get it that same day.”  Well, as I resident (read private citizen), I certainly expect to be able to have a meeting with the mayor, the city manager, and even the police chief about a situation that I believe to be especially important or dangerous.

The most compelling fact in the Mills situation is that he owns property near some of the restaurants on Baltimore Avenue and therefore had a more personal interest than would otherwise be the case, which the commission equated with “securing unwarranted privileges, private advantage, or gain.”   I guess somehow a quieter street is worth more to Mr. Mills than to other property owners.

If owning property in town is going to be the standard for recusal, then how is this to be determined?  Does your property have to be adjacent, or simply near to the property in question in order for your interest to be personal?  If you want to slow down traffic on your street, does that make your interest personal?  If you live in the same neighborhood as a new public works project, does that make your interest personal?  The point is the PIC’s opinion can be used by virtually anyone to make a claim that any commissioner has a conflict of interest about any decision that comes before the city commission.  I find that unhelpful, to say the least.

But, let’s just say the PIC is right on the money in its conclusion.  Why, then, is not Mayor Cooper in the same position of conflict of interest as Commissioner Mills?  Mr. Cooper stated on several occasions that he also walked around town and made his own independent observations about restaurants, open patios and noise.  Mr. Cooper participated in the same meeting as Commissioner Mills when the decisions were made to target certain businesses.  What distinguishes the mayor’s circumstances and actions as not having a personal interest and a conflict?  Just that he doesn’t own property on Maryland Avenue?  (Maybe he does, I don’t know.)  It seems like there’s a double standard here.

If Commissioner Mills has a conflict of interest as determined by the PIC, I think the mayor owes us an explanation as to why he thinks he does not.

Richard Kirchhoff
Rehoboth Beach

Mills should recuse himself, apologize

Stan Mills, Rehoboth Beach city commissioner, has abused his oath of office in order to further his own personal interest, Delaware’s Public Integrity Commission (PIC) reports in an 11-page opinion. As a private citizen, Mills was known for patrolling Baltimore Avenue, noise meter in hand, as well as for his chronic complaints about noise to the police department.

Mills failed to achieve what he wanted as a private citizen. Last year, as an elected city official, Mills, who owns a house and rental business behind the Blue Moon Restaurant, began to abuse his public office and set into motion a series of events resulting in the unfair harassment of those patio restaurants, including his neighbor the Blue Moon, which he personally deemed to be out of order.

As the direct result of Commissioners Mills’ actions, several local restaurant owners and mangers were arrested last September. Since that time they have had criminal charges on their records. The impact of criminal charges has enormous financial and personal consequences to those charged.

Given the unequivocal and condemning language contained in the PIC opinion, one would hope that Mills would be leading the effort to expunge those records. He is not. Kudos to City Commissioner Dennis Barbour for doing so.

Remarkably, since the PIC opinion was published, Mills has refused to recuse himself from participating in the discussion and vote on two separate matters dealing with patio restaurants even though urged to recuse by two of his fellow commissioners.

Timothy C. Spies
Rehoboth Beach

Ethics expected in elected officials

Please accept my letter as coming from a concerned citizen of Rehoboth Beach, not as anyone associated (albeit in an administrative capacity) with a local political action group.

Publication of the Public Integrity Commission opinion on Commissioner Stan Mills’ failure to recuse himself from city matters in which he had a private interest has reassured me there is justice, and that none of us, including elected officials, can act without regard to established rules of ethical behavior.

I take consolation in remembering I worked as hard as I could seven years ago to defeat Stan Mills in his run for commissioner. Others remember his orange campaign shirts emblazoned with one word: INTEGRITY!

Joanne M. Hess
Rehoboth Beach

How to keep tabs on Rehoboth from Utah
News Flash!
There’s been a sighting!

Commissioner Kathy McGuiness was seen March 18 at a Rehoboth commissioners meeting. She left her snowy home in Utah to give her vote and opinions on the running of Rehoboth Beach.

She appeared arrogant and combative. Perhaps this is understandable when you have had to be in meetings all day just to try and catch up for a month of being absent.

Her rudeness to fellow commissioners was uncalled for, her lack of preparedness inexcusable and her continual texting throughout the meeting annoying.

She questioned the mayor rather lamely about the enforcement of the patio ordnance. Apparently she did not get the memo while in Utah that the commissioners are hiring a code enforcer to not only enforce the patio ordinance, but other areas, such as signs, flags, outside speakers and yes, noise. But then again, she did fly in last month to vote on the 2011 budget even though she did not attend a single budget workshop.

As a past commissioner, property and business owner, I am outraged to think any commissioner believes that keeping abreast of town issues through technology is adequate. To be an effective commissioner it takes hours of meetings, networking and availability with your constituency. Until Commissioner McGuiness decides to leave Utah and return to Henlopen Acres, perhaps she should recuse herself from voting on issues affecting our city.

BA Cochran
Rehoboth Beach

Milton preparing for farmers market

For the past several years I heard that Milton was a business-unfriendly town. No doubt that was the case. Times do change. Last summer I contacted Kelli Steele, who was then with the Delaware Department of Agriculture, about the prospect of a farmer’s market here in Milton. I received a positive response. Within a short time frame a volunteer board of directors was formed. Early this year I met Ami Rae, who had just opened a business in town. Within minutes we had a market master!

I have received many calls from potential vendors, all of whom felt that Milton offered an excellent business opportunity and were excited to participate. Our dedicated volunteers have 25 vendors lined up for the April 15 opening!

The key ingredient is this wonderful group of volunteers, driven by the desire to promote the town of Milton, and ensure that their fellow residents have an enjoyable location at which to meet and shop.

So, on April 15, file your tax returns and then come and join your friends and neighbors on the space next to the Milton Historical Society. Make purchases from a wide variety of vendors – fresh produce, cheeses, fish, bonbons and much more! Be sure to say hello to our volunteers. You’ll recognize them by their broad, welcoming smiles.

Norman Lester
Milton

Animal rescue group thanks WBOC-TV

The Delmarva Association of Animal rescuers would like to thank the WBOC-TV morning team and, in particular, reporter Lacee Griffith, for inviting some of our members to a live interview March 2. The invitation was in response to a crisis engulfing one of our members, Town Cats, which allowed us to alert the public about the situation that they were facing. The interview has given new hope for Town Cats and the animals that were soon to be homeless.

The WBOC-TV morning team (Jimmy Hoppa, Kelly Rouse, Eileen Whelan and, of course, Ms. Griffith) were extremely courteous to all of the association members who were in the studio that morning. Their patience when dealing with a group of confused cat rescuers was a tribute to the team’s professionalism. The mood in the studio was very easygoing and it became clear very early in our visit why the team enjoys their work so much.

We ask that all pet owners take a minute and make an appointment to have your little fuzzy friends spayed or neutered in the hopes that we can make some headway in the pet overpopulation issue. As much as the rescuers try, we can’t get to every animal, and we really need your help. If you notice some new furballs in your neighborhood, please call a local rescue or call/email DAAR and we will assist you in capturing and spaying/neutering. Once again, we thank WBOC-TV and the morning team for all of their kindness.

Paul Toulotte
Delmarva Association of Animal Rescuers