Is voting a right for US citizens? No – it’s not. The idea of “one man, one vote” is a common fallacy. In the US Constitution that refers to the votes by members of Congress, but it has nothing to do with the public vote.

In Delaware it’s no different. Felons who are in jail can’t vote and those who have been released have to first meet a series of requirements.

• The sentence and fines must be satisfied at least 5 years prior to the application date.
• A Felony conviction of the following disqualifies one of the bill’s requirements: murder, sexual crimes, or crimes against the public.

But now Delaware has taken your vote to a new level – or lack of one – if you write-in your vote for a candidate. Senate Bill 164 was signed into law by Governor Ruth Ann Minner on July 9. The bill’s synopsis –

This bill would require that only votes cast for a declared write-in candidate would be counted. A person could declare himself/herself a write-in candidate to the Commissioner of Elections or the appropriate Department of Elections and that write-in votes cast for any other person, etc. would be lumped together and reported as other write-in votes. Persons who declare themselves write-in candidates would be subject to the provisions of Chapter 80 (Campaign Finance). The bill also provides additional guidance on what constitutes a vote for a write-in candidate.

The bill passed in the state Senate by an 11-9-1 vote – only 1 Sussex County senator voted against it – Senator Robert Venables of Laurel. In the state House – it was passed unanimously.

This bill would have never allowed Dr. John Adams to be elected as Mayor of Lewes.

While many people consider a vote for any candidate other than the Democrat or Republican who is running a wasted vote – that’s not to point! You have exercised your ability to vote by voting for the candidate you feel most strongly about – whether it be Barack Obama, John McCain or your next door neighbor, and you want that vote to count. Likely your neighbor won’t win the election – but your vote also says that you had no faith in the other candidates running.

Sure you can still write-in yourself, Pat Paulson, Snoopy or Dan Gaffney as your candidate of choice – but unless they are a declared write-in candidate – your vote WILL NOT COUNT! At least before this bill was enacted – your vote counted towards a “candidate” – now the vote will count – but lumped in with the other undeclared write-in candidates.

So what happens in the event that there’s an overwhelming response for undeclared write-in candidates that comes close to or bests the vote for the Dem or GOP declared candidate?

Delaware lawmakers have deemed local residents too stupid to properly handle sparklers, bottle rockets and firecrackers.  Are those arrested for trying to bring a little bang to holiday,  patriots or pinheads?

Five people have been busted for possession illegal fireworks after State Police and fire officials watched them buy fireworks at Pennsylvania distributors. Then, when the fireworks were brought into Delaware, the five were arrested. All fireworks – even sparklers – are illegal in Delaware. Police say this was just the first of several similar operations planned for the weekend.

Patriots or Pinheads?

On June 18, I predicted Aaron Chaffinch (D)  would step in to fill the seat vacated by Representative Ben Ewing.  Today,  June 25th, WGMD news reports he has just filed to run:

Another hat has been thrown into the 35th District ring. Former State Police Superintendent Aaron Chaffinch is hoping to succeed Representative Ben Ewing for that seat now that Ewing has announced his retirement at the end of his term. Chaffinch is running as a Democrat against Sussex County Register of Wills David Wilson, who is running as a Republican.

I love that old time magic microphone!  Here is another vibe I’m getting:

Chaffinch will win.  So will former Representative and new Democrat John Atkins.  Looking at a few other statewide races and it seems like the Democrats will take over the Delaware House of Representatives in November.  Can you say Majority Leader Pete Schwartzkopf? 

The athletes.

Last night at Baywood Greens was The 27th Annual WGMD Sports Boosters Scholarship Awards where outstanding local high school athletes are honored and given $250 in scholarship money, with two, a boy and a girl, receiving the big award of $1,000 each.

WGMD’s Jared Morris and Dan Gaffney. Jared was broadcasting live from the event and Dan was the Master of Ceremonies.

WGMD’s David Schoumacher and $1,000 scholarship winner Max Coveleski from Cape Henlopen High School

Max Coveleski from Cape Henlopen High School took the big prize for the boys. Max will be heading off to Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he’ll be studying Physics and Engineering. AUDIO

Ellen Rowe, $1,000 Scholarship winner from Sussex Tech and WGMD’s David Schoumacher.

Ellen Rowe from Sussex Tech won the $1,000 award for the girls. Ellen will be off to St. Joe’s in Philadelphia. AUDIO

The Hockers from Hocker’s G&E and Hocker’s Supercenter, and the Coveleskis, Max’s parents.

Pastor Gary Knapp from the East Gate Presbyterian Church and his wife Alisa. Pastor Gary opened and closed the event.

The Lawson’s from DryZone are our newest Sports Boosters.

Our sales team. Athletic? Maybe….

Larry Bauer, the keynote speaker, and Jack Renault, WGMD’s General Manager.

Lesley Rogan from Peninsula Rehab and Sports Medicine and Linda Wilson from WGMD.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR OUTSTANDING LOCAL ATHLETES!

The Athletes:

Cape Henlopen High School:
Christine MacDonald
*Max Coveleski

Delmarva Christian:
Rachel Lins

Lake Forest:
Abigail Hill
Leland Hobbs

Milford:
Rhonda Thomas
Joel Sullivan

Stephen Decatur:
Allison Justice
Logan West

Sussex Tech:
*Ellen Rowe
Zachary Rickards

Delmar:
Alison Bloodsworth

Indian River:
Brittany Steele
Luke Wingate

Laurel:
Kelsy Ann Gordy
David Bartee

Seaford:
Kelsey Riggleman
Andrew Halter

Sussex Central:
Christin Headley
Ronald Lee Tyndall

Woodbridge:
Sarah Judy
Reuss Idler

I don’t think there’s really anyone today whose life hasn’t been affected by cancer – whether it’s a family member, friend, acquaintance or you. For some the battle is long – others very short. Some battle it with a vengeance, others not at all.

My introduction to cancer was in junior high. Jeff lived in the neighborhood we had just moved to and he had Leukemia and had been told he wouldn’t live to see 10 – he was a fighter. When I met Jeff – he was 12.

While cancer has also a part of my family, it’s a friend and former co-worker who’s now doing the fighting. Many in the WGMD’s extended family know her either as a friend, co-worker or their former account executive. She’s moved from the area now – but she needs your help.

In the nearly 10 years since I first met Anita I’ve known her to be a kind and caring friend and a determined co-worker. That determination saw her through her first battle with cancer where she beat it into remission. She’s back on the track again – literally running for her life – and others.

California, Here I Come!

The bad news last year was that my lymphoma relapsed, and it took nine rounds of chemo over seven months to get it under control again. There were side effects, and it wasn’t much fun.

But the good news now is that I’m getting stronger every day. To celebrate my recovery, I’ve started training with Team in Training to run the Nike Women’s Half Marathon in San Francisco. And, as before, I’m raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help find cures- and better treatments- for these diseases.

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS’s mission- I know firsthand how important it is. My goal is to reach $5,000 by July 15; I’m counting on your generosity to help me get there!

I’ll keep you updated on my progress. Thanks for your support!

Anita Lawson

Yeah – I know the economy not in great shape and everyone’s cutting back – but I’m asking for your help to get Anita to her goal.

Remember – eight cancer clusters have been found in Delaware, a state with an unusually high rate of cancer. Helping Anita could just help you, a family member or a friend to find a cure. Click on the banner below – that will take you to Anita’s Team in Training site where you can find out more.

SUBTITLE: Sorry, Mike, No TV For You

Dissed by public television.

WHYY’s Delaware Tonight gave alleged gubernatorial candidate Mike Protack the boot from their Friday night line up because he hasn’t filed the papers or paid the fee to run for the office yet:

“Mr. Protack had assured WHYY he would file the papers before tonight’s interview. However, according to the department of elections, and confirmed by the candidate Mr. Protack has not filed papers making his candidacy bonafide.” ~ WHYY’s Nancy Karibjanian

You can watch the smackdown HERE.

The replacement Delaware Recreational Boat Fishing License.

Today we finally got the replacement 2008 Recreational Boat Fishing License from DNREC, you know, it’s that new sticker that goes on your boat so you can do a little salt water fishing…

Why a replacement? Because the original had a little “defect,” it wasn’t waterproof.

I called DNREC and thankfully the cost of replacing all of those licenses won’t rest on our shoulders, the company that printed them is footing the bill. Whew!

Yeah, that’s a picture of the multi-million dollar debacle at the Indian River Inlet slowly being taken down.

If only all of the mistakes the state has made could be fixed that easily….

The Research Vessel Russell W. Peterson ran aground yesterday in Bethany Beach after two crew members were pulled from the ship. One of the crew members died. (Photo courtesy of a listener.)

The Love Creek Marina at high tide.

Earlier today we found out that the research vessel Russel W. Peterson, which has been studying the potential impact of a wind farm on birds for Bluewater Wind, was in distress and needed Coast Guard intervention. The vessel ran aground in Bethany. We’ve since learned that one of the two crew members on the R/V Russel W. Peterson is dead. Ken Hayes, President of Aqua Survey, the company who owned the vessel released this statement:

This morning the liftboat Russell W. Peterson sent out a distress signal to the US Coast Guard.

The Peterson had been offshore Rehoboth Beach, DE, studying bird migration. The Coast Guard
is to be commended for dispatching rescuers by both sea and air. The Peterson was staffed by
two captains. Both were removed by the Coast Guard. We have been informed that one of the
captains did not survive the ordeal. Aqua Survey is not releasing names at this point. Our hearts
and prayers are with the family and friends of the lost mariner.

Aqua Survey will work closely with the Coast Guard and other agencies to safely and quickly
salvage the vessel.

And this is from Peter Mandelstam, President, Bluewater Wind:

“Everyone here at Bluewater Wind is deeply saddened by this tragic occurrence. Our thoughts and prayers are with the captain’s family, friends, and loved ones.”

The public parking lot at the end of Savannah Road in Lewes. It’s all sand.

A tree blocking the eastbound lane of King’s Highway, that’s the road to Cape Henlopen High School and the District office if you’re coming from Route 1 north. School was on time, but then around 8:30 a.m., an hour after the start of the day for many schools, the automated call came from the District Office that you shouldn’t send your child to school if there was flooding in your area…little late, fellas.

Downtown Milton.

The end of Old Landing Road.

Route 1 by Five Points.

The ocean at the Indian River Inlet.

A snowplow keeping Route 1 directly north of the Indian River Inlet Bridge free of sand.

The ocean in Rehoboth Beach, Rehoboth did a good job weathering the storm so far.

A small windmill on a home in Rehoboth cranking out power like a champ.

And, the R/V Russell W. Peterson, the research vessel that Bluewater Wind launched to study the possible impact of their wind farm on avian life, has run into trouble:

From WGMD News:

The Coast Guard responded to a distress call from a research vessel off the coast of Rehoboth Beach. Authorities say two people aboard the Russell W. Peterson activated an electronic positioning radio beacon and reported that the boat was breaking up and taking on water about 14 miles off the coast. A helicopter crew from the Coast Guard air station in Atlantic City, N.J., was on the scene, and two small boats from Cape May and Ocean City were also en route. The vessel, named after a former Delaware governor active in environmental issues, was christened in Wilmington just six weeks ago and was being used by Bluewater Wind to study migratory bird routes in connection with the proposed offshore wind farm.

More to come as the tide rolls in…