Candidates have been coming out of the woodwork this week on the Bill Colley Show.  If you missed their appearances - fear not - you can still hear the interviews.

On Wednesday, 41st District candidate for the state House of Representatives, John Atkins joined Bill Colley in the studio.  Atkins, who recently switched political parties, faces a Democratic primary with Barbara Lifflander - the winner will face incumbent Representative Greg Hastings.

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On Thursday, Republican Judson Bennett stopped by the WGMD studios to talk about his candidacy for District 3 on the Sussex County Council.  Just before the filing deadline last week Mark Baker of Lewes filed to run - setting up a GOP primary for District 3 on the County Council.  The winner will face Democrat Joan Deaver.

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Candidate for Governor, Mike Protack, joined Bill Colley in the studio Thursday afternoon to discuss the issues. Protack is a Republican and will be in a three-way primary with Bill Lee and David Graham. (The Democrats also have a primary between Jack Markell and John Carney).

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(Sorry - yes one of the Protack cuts disappeared during editing - and cuts 3 & 4 ended up as the exact same thing)

Christine O’Donnell is running for Joe Biden’s seat on the US Senate. She appeared on the Bill Colley Show on July 24th and if you missed her comments - you’ll find them HERE

(Some of these cuts are long so depending on your connection it could take some time for them to download or play - please be patient)

With the help of a generous Court of Common Pleas judge and a good attorney, 38 year old former Sussex Central High School principal, Dana Goodman, is free on bail.  Judge Rosemary Beauregard reduced Goodman’s bond from $331,000 to $125,000 dollars, which he was able to post Thursday. 

 He has been ordered to have no contact with the 17 year old victim,  the Indian River School District or its employees and no contact - direct or indirect - with any children under the age of 18.  Goodman is charged with 30 counts of 4th degree rape and continual sexual abuse of a child and endangering the welfare of a child.  All are felony offenses.

On Goodman’s release the school district has this comment:

Statement concerning the posting of bond by Sussex Central High School Principal Dana Goodman: 

“Mr. Goodman continues to be prohibited from having any contact with Indian River School District students or staff while his case is being adjudicated. The Indian River Board of Education has directed administrative staff to advertise the position of principal of Sussex Central High School, identify qualified applicants to be interviewed by the board and conduct background checks on all such applicants consistent with IRSD procedures.”                                               

                                Susan Bunting, SuperintendentMay 9, 2008

Earlier this week the Indian River School District appointed former IR and Woodbridge School District teacher and administrator, Robert Powell, as the interim principal at Sussex Central High School for the remainder of the school year.  Also Assistant IR Superintendent Gary Brittingham has been assigned to the school for the rest of the school year. 

The school district has now announced a special meeting for parents and members of the community regarding Sussex Central High School: 

At a special meeting on Tuesday, May 6, the Indian River Board of Education hired Robert Powell to serve as interim principal of Sussex Central High School for the remainder of the 2007-2008 school year. In addition, the board assigned Assistant Superintendent Gary Brittingham to the school for the remainder of the year.
“The Board of Education has put Sussex Central High School in good hands. Mr. Powell and Mr. Brittingham are competent and experienced administrators who will assure that the final six weeks of the school year run smoothly,” Superintendent Susan Bunting said. “We are especially pleased to have Mr. Powell back in our ranks. He is a talented educator who will work extremely hard to keep students and staff focused on instruction as the school year comes to a close.”

Powell spent 26 years as a teacher and administrator in the Indian River School District before retiring from the Woodbridge School District in 2005. He began as a health teacher at Selbyville Middle School in 1975 and received the district’s Teacher of the Year Award in 1980. That same year, he became assistant principal at Sussex Central Middle School and served in that capacity until 1989, when he was named the school’s principal. He was principal of Sussex Middle until 2001 and was named Delaware’s Principal of the Year in 1999. He accepted a principal’s position in the Woodbridge School District in 2001.  

Powell has recently served as a hearing officer for the Indian River School District. He will begin his duties at Sussex Central High School on Thursday, May 8.

In a flurry of last minute filings there will be a race for the Cape Henlopen Area “A” school board seat, which is a 5-year term – and it includes incumbent Noble Prettyman of Milton, who filed on the last day along with Larry Schrock of Milton.  Greg Fuller of Lincoln had already filed for the seat a week ago. 

In other school districts:

There are two contested races in the Indian River School District – in District 4 – incumbent Don Hattier faces two challengers – Harold Walters of Frankford and Christopher White of Ocean View.  And in District 5 – there are two seats up for re-election – both incumbents are running – Reggie Helms of Selbyville and Donna Mitchell of Frankford are challenged by Sharon Brittingham of Selbyville.  In District 3 incumbent Nina Lou Bunting will retain her seat on the school board as the only one who filed.  All the Indian River seats are three year terms.

There is one contested at large seat in Delmar – between incumbent Shawn Brittingham and Greg Cathell for the 5-year term.

In the Woodbridge School District – there is one seat up for re-election and it will mean a new face for the school board as president Shawn Bowman is not running for re-election.  That at-large seat has Coulter Passwaters and Walter Budy vying for the 5-year term.

School board elections for all districts will be held on Tuesday, May 13.

Ever since John Atkins resigned his 41st District seat in the state House, it’s been rumored that Atkins would run again in the future – possibly switching to the other side of the aisle and becoming a Democrat. 

That’s either been the worst kept secret or the best possible speculation – though he did run for to regain his former seat in the special election as an independent candidate.  He had plenty support from people, but when it came time to actually step into the voting booth – that support was flagging. 

With November drawing nearer, and a Republican still seated in the 41st District seat, Democrats in the district are looking for a candidate to run against Greg Hastings.  However, if Atkins is still looking to switch allegiances to the Democrats – he may find the reception rather icy. 

This was the email WGMD News received today, regarding John Atkins, the possible Democrat. 

41st District Democratic Committee

February 15, 2008

To Whom It May Concern:
Please be advised that the 41st District Democratic Committee held a special meeting on Wednesday evening, Feb. 13, at the Gumboro home of former State Representative and Mrs. Charles P. West. The meeting was held for the purpose of considering a resolution, submitted by Rep. and Mrs. West, both of whom are committee members, concerning the proposed Democratic candidacy for the office of 41st District Representative of former State Representative John C. Atkins, a long-term Republican who resigned his office last March rather than face an expulsion vote in the House of Representatives.

A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order by 41st District Committee Secretary Vanessa S. Deloach, who served as acting chair in the absence of the committee chair and vice-chair. Following a discussion of the matter, the resolution was duly approved. The resolution text follows:
_________________________
41st District Democratic Committee
RESOLUTION REGARDING THE POSSIBLE CANDIDACY OF FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN C. ATKINS FOR THE OFFICE OF 41ST DISTRICT STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

WHEREAS, former 41st District State Representative John Atkins was the subject of a news article in a recent issue of a local weekly newspaper, The Sussex Countian, entitled “Atkins to run again…as a Democrat?”; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Atkins, as noted in the article, resigned his seat in the House of Representatives in March, 2007, after a House Ethics Committee report found that he had brought that body “into disrepute” because of his behavior during and after an Ocean City, Maryland, traffic stop and a subsequent domestic disturbance in late October, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Atkins’s decision to resign from the House of Representatives was due, at least in part, to the clear knowledge that, had he not done so, many of his fellow Republicans and a substantial number of House Democrats, having been fully apprised of the details of his case, were prepared to vote to expel him from that body; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Atkins has now let it be known that he is seriously considering leaving the Republican Party and running in the 2008 general election as a Democratic candidate for the seat he formerly occupied; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Atkins was quoted in the newspaper article as saying “I’ve been asked by a lot of Republicans and Democrats to consider running”; and

WHEREAS, he was further quoted as saying that “Obviously Republican party officials have discouraged me from running…[but] I’ve been courted by some Democratic officials”;

NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED by the members of the 41st District Democratic Committee that they do hereby state and aver, clearly and unequivocally, that the Committee does not encourage or support the candidacy of former Representative John Atkins, running as a Democrat, for the office of 41st District State Representative.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the members of the 41st District Democratic Committee that, while the United States of America remains a free country and as a citizen thereof, Mr. Atkins has every right to register as a member of any political party he so chooses, and to run for any office for which he meets the legal requirements, if he decides to run as a Democrat for the 41st District Representative seat, he will do so without the official endorsement of the 41st District Democratic Committee.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 41st District Democratic Committee does not feel that it would be helpful to the cause of good government, to which we have always been committed, for any other outside “Democratic officials” to inject themselves into the internal affairs of the 41st District by urging Mr. Atkins to pursue a Democratic candidacy that the 41st District Democratic Committee declines to support.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, upon its adoption, suitable copies of this Resolution be made available to Mr. John Atkins, to the local and state news media and to other interested parties. 

APPROVED ON THIS 13TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2008
 

A member of The Milton Historical Society approached me shortly before Christmas and asked me to video-tape long-time local residents for showing at the upcoming “Opening of the 1957 Time Capsule.” Being a lover of all things nostalgia and amateur film making, I agreed without bothering to check my schedule and wife.

Knowing my involvement with the event, Maria Evans (Editor, TalkOfDelmarva.com, the Blog) asked me to “cover” the event for you, the BLOG readers. Again, I agreed without checking my available time.

In this time, much has happened in Milton… so here it is:

The Time Capsule Opening

When I arrived at the Milton Theatre it was already standing room only! Every seat in the place was taken and folks were milling about in the common area. There was a certain energy and excitement about the crowd. There were folks who had lived their entire lives in the area and people who had recently moved in.

Mayor Don Post did a surprisingly great job as Master of Ceremonies for the event. I saw him to be entertaining and well-spoken on the stage working without a script and dealing with some technical issues.

The announcement was made that they were about to remove the concrete top to the capsule and the standing crowd proceeded out the door to watch. Those with seats tended to stay where they were, eying the size of the crowd who had already gone out to surround the small box.

Not long after, the wooden crate which was inside the outer capsule was carried into the Milton Theater. As it passed people craned their necks to get a glimpse of the contents.

I raised my camera as high as I could getting two shots off as it passed, this one shows what would come to disappoint many in the audience..

Water Damage! Sadly, water had found its way into the capsule during its 50 year slumber, damaging much of the contents.

The good and bad news was that most of the documentation placed in the capsule was redundant! Items such as the High School Yearbook and Sesquicentennial Brochures, posters and even the banner had already been preserved by members of the community and were in better shape than the contents of the capsule!

Local business woman and member of the Milton Historical Society Ellen Passman took the stage and began a lengthy dissertation in “50’s speak” which garnered many laughs.

During the event they showed my 15 minute film of interviews about life in Milton in the 50’s by many local residents which was also a crowd pleaser.

After the show we celebrated with a reception. In all it was a great time to reflect on Milton’s past with an eye to the future as young and old shook hands and got to know each other better to the sounds of 50’s music.

At the start of the school year, a caller to WGMD’s Dan Gaffney Show related that a school bus driver was told his bus would fail inspection if he did not remove a US Flag decal that was on his bus.  That was an issue that outraged many WGMD listeners – that the primary symbol of patriotism would not be allowed on a public school bus.  It seems that after 9-11 the decals were allowed as there was a more patriotic feeling across the country in reaction to terrorism striking in our own country.   

The Delaware Code does not specifically say that the decals are not allowed, but that they – or similar forms of decoration – are not mentioned at all.  So apparently not being included in what is allowed makes them a no no.     

Now 6 years after the fact, patriotism seems to have gone out of favor with the Dept. of Education and now the once allowed flag decals are now no longer ok.  That’s a slap in the face to all the troops – many from Delaware – who are currently in Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations around the world fighting to keep us free from terror.  

It seems the public outrage has penetrated the walls of the Department of Education, which now seems to be reconsidering its stance and will accept public comment - in writing - for an amendment to the Delaware Code’s Administrative standards for school bus chassis and bodies – to allow a flag decal or plate on a school bus.  Comment will be taken until the close of business on Tuesday, February 5.  Several different bus chassis and bodies are targeted.     

Here are the three public notices that were published in the News Journal this morning:

1 - Public Notice Department of Education
1101 Standards for School Bus Chassis and Bodies Placed in Production after March 1, 1998

The Secretary of Education seeks the consent of the State Board of Education to amend 14 DE Admin. Code 1101 Standards for School Bus Chassis and Bodies For Buses placed in Production After March 1, 1998 (Terminology and School Bus Types are Those Described in the National Standards for School Transportation 1995). The amendment allows for the placement of a U.S. Flag decal or plate on a school bus.
Persons wishing to present their views regarding this matter may do so in writing by the close of business on February 5, 2008 to Susan K. Haberstroh, Education Associate, Regulation Review, Department of Education, at 401 Federal Street, Suite 2, Dover, DE 19901. A copy of this regulation is available item the above address or may be viewed at the Department of Education business office. 1/7-NJ
Published 01/07/2008

2 - Public Notice Department of Education
1102 Standards for School Bus Chassis and Bodies For Buses placed in production on or after March 1, 2002 and on or after March 1, 2003 with Specific Changes for Buses Placed in Production after January 1, 2004

The Secretary of Education seeks the consent of the State Board of Education to amend 14 DE Admin. Code 1102 Standards for School Bus Chassis and Bodies For Buses placed in production on or after March 1, 2002 and on or after March 1, 2003 with Specific Changes for Buses Placed in Production after January 1, 2004 (Terminology and School Bus Types are those described in the National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures (NSTSP), May 2000). The amendment allows for the placement of a U.S. Flag decal or plate on a school bus.
Persons wishing to present their views regarding this matter may do so in writing by the close of business on February 5, 2008 to Susan K. Haberstroh, Education Associate, Regulation Review, Department of Education, at 401 Federal Street, Suite 2, Dover, DE 19901. A copy of this regulation is available from the above address or may be viewed at the Department of Education business office. 1/7-NJ
Published 01/07/2008

3 - Public Notice Department of Education
1103 Standards for School Bus Chassis and Bodies For Buses placed in production on or after January 1, 2007

The Secretary of Education seeks the consent of the State Board of Education to amend 14 DE Admin. Code 1103 Standards for School Bus Chassis and Bodies For Buses placed in production on or after January 1, 2007 (Terminology and School Bus Types are Those Described in the National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures (NSTSP) May 2005). The amendment allows for the placement of a U.S. Flag decal or plate on a school bus.
Persons wishing to present their views regarding this matter may do so in writing by the close of business on February 5, 2008 to Susan K. Haberstroh, Education Associate, Regulation Review, Department of Education, at 401 Federal Street, Suite 2, Dover, DE 19901. A copy of this regulation is available from the above address or may be viewed at the Department of Education business office. 1/7-NJ
Published 01/07/2008

And this is the section of the Delaware Administrative Code that deals with identification on school buses

Delaware Administrative Code
Title 14 Education
1100 Transportation

2.21 Identification - 1101 Standards for School Bus Chassis and Bodies Placed in Production after March 1, 1998
2.21.1 Body shall bear words “SCHOOL BUS” in black letters at least 8 inches high on both front and rear of body or on signs attached thereto. Lettering shall be placed as high as possible without impairment of its visibility. Letters shall conform to “Series B” of Standard Alphabets for highway signs. “SCHOOL BUS” lettering shall have a reflective background, or as an option, may be illuminated by backlighting. All lettering on NSBY surfaces shall be black, and lettering on black surfaces shall be NSBY or white.
2.21.2 Bus identification number shall be displayed on the sides, on the rear, and on the front.
2.21.3 Other lettering, numbering, or symbols which may be displayed on the exterior of the bus, shall be limited to:
2.21.3.1 District or company name or owner of the bus may be displayed.
2.21.3.2 Bus identification number on the top of the bus, in addition to required numbering on sides, rear, and front.
2.21.3.3 The location of the battery(ies) identified by the word “BATTERY” or “BATTERIES” on the battery compartment door in 2″ lettering.
2.21.3.4 Lettering to identify the fuel type at the fuel filler location (2” letters maximum).
2.21.3.5 Symbols or letters near the service door displaying information for identification by the students of the bus or route served. Such symbols or lettering, if used, shall not exceed 36 square inches in size.
2.21.3.6 Symbols identifying the bus as equipped for or transporting students with special needs (see Specially Equipped School Bus section).

The same basic regulations from the above standards apply to the other buses included in the public notices.

2.22 Identification  - 1102 Standards for School Bus Chassis and Bodies For Buses placed in production on or after March 1, 2002 and on or after March 1, 2003 with Specific Changes for Buses Placed in Production after January 1, 2004  

2.22 Identification -  1103 Standards for School Bus Chassis and Bodies For Buses placed in production on or after January 1, 2007

Sussex Central Vs. Middletown (or is that Little-town) tonight!

GO CENTRAL!

A Dan Gaffney Show audio pep ralley.  Listen here (3.5 minutes).

Thanks Mari Lou

 

Man-made or space aliens?  While some of the very elaborate crop circles that have been found in England and other places have been attributed to humans – not all have. 

Sussex County, Delaware has its own version of crop circles as I discovered one day while playing with the hybrid version of Google maps.  But what is making these?  While some are indeed circles – others are more reminiscent of Pac Man running rampant across our corn or soybean fields. 

As I scrolled around through Eastern Sussex County – I decided to see if these circles were found all over the county – and yes – they are – around Coverdale Crossroads and Seaford just to name a couple. 

I had an idea that the cause of the Sussex County’s crop circles is spray irrigation or wastewater irrigation.  Just to be sure, I asked Mike McGrath – with the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation what might be the cause.  He agreed that it was spray irrigation… ” I’m not sure whether or not they are wastewater spray…”

Next I went to a source closer to home – County Engineer, Mike Izzo who told me…

“You are correct, the circles are the result of irrigated fields, however they may not necessarily be wastewater irrigated. Standard “groundwater only” irrigation systems will likewise produce the circle effect. The specific locations you reference in your e-mail, i.e. Wolfe Neck, near Mountaire in Millsboro are wastewater -related. I’m not sure why the wastewater standout as much, but it may be related to the time of year that the photo was taken. Often, such photo’s are taken in the winter as you can see more with the leaves off the trees. Standard water only systems don’t pump in the winter because there is generally not a crop or it doesn’t need irrigation. But with wastewater, if it’s not freezing, we’re spraying.”

And looking at the area near Lewes, where the Wolfneck Rd Wastewater Treatment facility is – I saw more circles that along with the ones I saw near Mountaire tell me they really are spray irrigation – of one sort or another. 

These ‘circles’ are nothing that you will see from ground level, but I’m sure planes flying overhead as well as the satellite that snapped the Google images, have no trouble seeing the less-adorned Sussex County crop circles.  Mystery solved.

We have speculation, wishful thinking, and supposition in the air when talking about Sussex County politics.  Here I am conjuring up all the secret and not so secret information using my magic “old time” microphone.

State Representative George Carey retires and Sussex County Councilman Lynn Rogers runs for his seat against the “heir to the throne” Dale Carey. Advantage: Rogers.

The seat vacated by Rogers makes Judson Bennett salivate for another shot at the County Council seat, but will he face a republican primary from Recorder of Deeds John Brady?  Maybe; it depends of what happens with Pete Schwartzkopf’s bid to be chosen by Jack Markell to run as Lieutenant Governor.  See, if Schwartzkopf runs for LG Brady will want the 14the district seat.  Advantage: Judson.  Disadvantage: Brady. Even: Pete Schwartzkopf.  (It looks like he’ll stay put as State Rep., the field is too thick for Lt. Gov) 

Brady wants Insurance Commissioner when Matt Denn runs for Lieutenant Governor and Clerk of the Peace George Parrish runs for State Treasure when Markell jumps to Governor.

State Senator George Bunting will step down after a great career and State Representative Gerald Hocker will jump to take his seat.  A lot of “wanna-be’s” will want to be State Rep replacing Gerald.  The rumor list includes mortgage broker Walt Lydic, the queen of the inland bays Shirley Price, and even an ex radio host.  (All Democrats we presume)

 

Whew, so much more to tell, but I’m getting a headache.  More later…..