It was a great honor to help Irish Eyes and members of the Lewes Police Department promote a fundraiser for a new working police dog for the department.  Community spirit ran high and the event raise far more than needed.  (Over $15,000 and perhaps close to $20,000.)  The dog, a replacement for the police dog that died last fall, was said to cost $8,800.

I’m now shocked at the petty, small minded and ungrateful attitude expressed by a select few Lewes Councilpersons.  Henry Evans of the Cape Gazette reports:

City Councilwoman Stephanie Tsantes said she was appalled to learn, after the fact, that an event to raise money to buy a dog for the Lewes Police Department was held at Irish Eyes in Lewes Feb. 21.
“I’m reading more about your department in the newspaper, and I’m blaming the lack of communication on you,” Tsantes told Gooch before he and Layfield explained their thinking and actions related to the successful fundraiser.
…..
Councilwoman Barbara Vaughan said she thought the police department’s lack of communication about the fundraiser “co-opted” the mayor and council’s discussion about a dog, which was particularly troubling because this fiscal year’s budget is tight.
…..
Tsantes said she was uncomfortable with the lack of information about the dog’s cost, pedigree, training facility credentials, amount of officer training time required and other ongoing costs, such as the need for an appropriate K-9 vehicle.
Tsantes questioned the city’s need for a police dog and asked Gooch and Layfield why the department isn’t obtaining a dog from the same kennel and trainer as that used by the Delaware State Police.
…

Councilmen Ted Becker and Victor Letonoff said they, too, would have preferred better communications with the police department, but they support purchase of a dog.

(Emphasis mine)
WGMD listener and outspoken Lewes guy Greg Ositko fired off this letter in response to certain members of the Lewes Council:

There’s nothing more gratifying than an assertive community effort overshadowing the ego of local liberal councilwomen with big egos.
The mission of a community effort accomplishing a remedial goal for law enforcement has taken a front running position in the Town of Lewes, and kudos’ to the Fundraisers and Police Chief ‘Beau’ Gooch – and don’t be shy Chief, they’re just two Councilwomen; they can be replaced.
As progressive Stalwarts to business and progress, I blame Tsantes and Commandant Vaughn for such a ridiculous call to order on this measure of good will; they again have shown their disenchantment of free business enterprise and community entrepreneurial spirit regarding the towns’ efforts to raise $16,000.00 for the purchase of a new police dog. Evidently Tsantes and Vaughn have more qualifications in choosing dogs and kennels where they come from than the Lewes police department.
Micromanaging is something that always has a way of getting under my skin; counterproductive and senseless egos undermining good ideals by overpowering confidence and self worth of individual and community.
These are the same ideals that liberal and democratic societies want to strip from this nation. It begins with small town government like Lewes, DE; an example of what liberalism wants locally and a vision of national democratic intent.
We should be inclined to see this as a lesson to what value and integrity you as an individual have, and our communities at large have as a right to raise money for whatever ‘common good’ reason desired.
It is with all my heart that this community, this state and states abound this great nation of ours begin to acknowledge the extreme language and rhetoric that faces us today, and become the mindset of truth about what is right and wrong in the public sector of responsible representation as small America and the USA.
I like the name “Gooch”, what do you think?

Greg Ositko

Go Greg Go!

!!UPDATE:  MORE COMMUNITY OUTRAGE

Cape Gazette Editor;
 
I was compelled to write after reading your March 7, 2008 article on the Lewes fundraiser for the new police dog.  I am honestly greatly dismayed to read, several weeks after the fact that members of city council were “appalled” to first learn of the event.  This strikes me as plain ignorance and standard political poppycock. 
 
The event was advertised in the Cape Gazette as well as extensively on WGMD radio up to and including the morning of the event.  I attended the event along with 5 other members of my family who all knew of the event prior to its happening.  Obviously, other members of the community knew of the event as well considering the time and effort put into the event, the donations generously given and the funds that were raised.
 
My family and I moved here recently from Washington DC where there was little if any sense of community no matter where you lived.  Part of the reason we settled in this area was because of the true sense of community!  It is my belief that these members were only miffed because they couldn’t attach their names to the event and therefore reap the benefits of good press.  Instead of applauding the community for reaching deep into their own pockets to come up with money so that the city wouldn’t have to, they have chosen to slap everyone down.  Instead of rallying behind one of its dedicated officers, they have decided to put him and the department on the spot.  Instead of supporting the need to replace a valiant and hard working member of the force, Iwan, they have decided to “question the need”.  This is insulting and offensive to those in the community who had only the pure desire to lend a hand for a good cause.
 
I understand the process of government and the need to go through proper channels.  However, with this event being advertised and broadcast to the community as it was, I find it extremely hard to believe that NO ONE on the council knew of the event.  Lastly, I find it seriously disheartening to learn that the council would ‘lash’ out at a community with so much integrity.
 
The council should not be appalled at the police department and the community supporting it, but at itself for its own lack of heart.
 
 
 
Sincerely,
 
Cynthia Cinnamon
Lewes, DE
 

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