Sussex County News

A week after Sussex County Planning & Zoning commissioners recommended approval for a conditional use for Delaware Electric Co-Op to build a solar farm near Georgetown, the county council, which has the final say on such hearings, deferred action so they can view the site themselves.

The Sussex County Council this week deferred action on two conditional-use requests, both of which had been made to address violations of county code.

The Sussex County Council announced on Aug. 21, that the County would resume terms of their contract with the Delaware State Police and would add four additional troopers in the coming year.

Sussex County Planning & Zoning commissioners on Aug. 9 recommended approval for Delaware Electric Co-Operative for a two-phase 28,000-panel solar farm, to be located about on about 40 acres just west of Georgetown, southeast of Trap Pond Road and northeast of Road 518, Substation Road.

Sussex County has earned a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 10th consecutive year for its auditing and budgeting practices.

In just a few weeks, another summer season here in Sussex County will fade away into the history books. Our resort businesses will put the wraps on what has, hopefully, been another successful season. Local farmers will take to the fields to harvest their corn and soybeans. And children will head back to the classroom for another year of learning in our local schools.

The Sussex County Council this week adopted a “minimum standards” policy for commercial activities occurring at the Sussex County Airport.

Sussex County Administrator Todd Lawson announced this week that county council meeting packets will be now be available to the public online. Interested constituents will now be able to view the council packets in full — including minutes from past meetings and how each councilperson voted on issues.

Last week, three major healthcare providers in Sussex County — Beebe Medical Center, Nanticoke Health Services and Bayhealth Medical Center — came together to announce they would be teaming up to create an initiative called Healthier Sussex County.

Delaware’s beaches ranked first in the U.S. in water quality for the year 2011 in a report issued last week by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Out of 30 states ranked, the state had the fewest water quality samples that exceeded national standards, with just 1 percent of samples for designated beach areas exceeding those standards.

Sussex County Planning & Zoning commissioners last week approved a conditional-use application for a three-unit multi-family dwelling to be located at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Bennett Road in the development of Sussex Shores near Bethany Beach.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me...”

A lot has changed since Sussex County Councilman Vance Phillips returned home in time for Christmas in December 2012, following his injury in a plane crash. While still not technically walking on his own, Phillips is getting around with the aid of a “rollator” — a walker with a seat upon which he can rest.

Homeowners in Sussex County are being invited to a free public workshop on June 27 on financial assistance available to replace failing septic systems. The workshop will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, at the First State Community Action Agency, 308 North Railroad Avenue, Georgetown.

The Sussex County Council, following a public hearing Tuesday, June 19, unanimously approved the proposed $121.1 million budget for their 2013 fiscal year, which begins July 1.

The Delaware Supreme Court stood in recess on June 13 after hearing arguments in the appeal of Earl Bradley.

The Sussex County Council this week approved a conditional use for a borrow pit east of Irons Lane Road and north of Old Mill Road in the Clarksville/Millville area, on a vote of 3-2, with council members George Cole and Joan Deaver dissenting.

Sussex County Council members this week approved a conditional use for a farm tractor and auto-repair business to be located in Selbyville on Hudson Road. Sussex County Planning & Zoning commissioners had recommended the approval, and the council voted unanimously to approve it based on that recommendation and the need for a business like it in the area.

The Delaware Supreme Court stood in recess on June 13 after hearing arguments in the appeal of Earl Bradley.

Last August, the former Lewes pediatrician was sentenced to 14 life sentences, plus an additional 164 years in prison, on five counts of assault in the second degree and five counts of sexual exploitation of a child.

Sussex County Council, Sussex County Board of Adjustment and Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission members all attended a training session on fair housing this week, sponsored by the Delaware State Housing Authority and the State Division of Human Relations.

After months of limited traffic, the Indian River Inlet Bridge appears on track to fully open all four lanes by Memorial Day weekend.

Local law-enforcement grants for Sussex County municipalities with their own police forces will be back up to $25,000 in the County’s 2013-fiscal-year budget. That takes the grants back up to their 2009 levels. In addition, because of a surplus in a prior fiscal year, there will be a one-time tax credit for county taxpayers. With the included tax credit in next year’s budget, the average county tax bill for a single-family home will drop to just below $100 annually.

“No turning back from my destiny or greatness. I’ve gone this far so I’ m sure that I’ll make it.”

“The time has come for the county to accept responsibility and take action,” Harry Haon, of the newly formed Inland Bays Foundation, said this week in a presentation to Sussex County Council.

It’s no secret that emergency rescue operations are exciting. Throw in 450 elementary-school students, K-9 units, obstacle courses and a bunch of emergency vehicles, and that’s an incredible field trip.