MY FINAL COMMENT ON THE REFERENDUM

I expect 2000 people to vote in the upcoming  Laurel school referendum; the largest school election since Howard (Reds) Griffith and Mark Levy battled for a school board seat some 3 decades ago.

Interesting enough that’s about the number of people who have visited this site in one month to read the story I wrote and the details I posted on the referendum. That’s a lot of action for a young post like mine.

We have had nearly 70 comments with good questions and comments from both sides of the issues.  I want to thank those who took time to express their opinions.

I think the maintenance staff has been attacked unfairly. Money doesn’t pour into the district because nothing new in the way of commercial buildings or housing developments is coming in to generate new revenue for the school. The schools are clean and well-maintained compared to other schools I have  visited and newer ones at that.

Check the state’s web site for the amount of money the district pays in fuel and electric. How much has our utilities gone up in the past 5 years?

Ed Carmine has been the leader for the opposition; he hasn’t shot from the hip. He attended one of the public hearings, visited one of the schools, and met with the school administration with his concerns.  He is a business owner and has to sign payroll checks on the front instead of being paid by someone and signing it on the back; makes a difference when it comes to paying out money.  So I respect his concerns.

In one of his recent comments he has documented what the referendum if passed will cost you over the life of the referendum. To Ed the referendum is an economic issue; he feels the tax burden hits property owners the hardest and the working class. He and other opponents feel a scaled down effort will suit the needs of the kids and be less of a burden on the taxpayers.

To the other readers passage of the referendum is an educational issue, a financial sacrifice needs to be made to help our children, and a cut and paste solution is not the answer to providing the tools needed for a quality education.

An important point that has not been made, and I am at fault for this, is not all the money is for bricks and mortar; computers, books, desks, cafeteria equipment, etc. is included in the referendum costs.

True, farmland is taxed less than regular land, but farmers get hit with all the out-buildings they have and although they may pay a lesser tax on their land, they pay taxes on that land.

People owning rental property can’t always pass tax increases to their tenants especially now when many tenants have problems paying rent now.  And thus the argument those who don’t own anything don’t pay taxes.

How do you decide how to vote?

Howard Dickerson who has a blog, “Delmar Dustpan” a local favorite says in his blog he and I probably won’t be living when the 20-yr bonds are paid; I hope I am so not to worry.

We hope in 6 years when the taxes double that the economy will be better and people will be making more money and will be able to pay the taxes; if the economy is not any better than now I don’t think any of us will have to work because we’ll all be living on the street.

 I was dead set against the project when it was announced two years ago, and when it was revived last year for the same reasons like Ed.

I have reviewed the pros and cons of both sides, cringed when thinking of the taxes it will cost me and my bride,  wondered if a downsized version would work,  thought about the low test scores and wondered if I was throwing good money after bad.

Dr. John McCoy the districts superintendent has been here one year and the project was already on the board when he came. I truly believe as others have that we finally have a superintendent that will do more for our kids than collect a paycheck.

He has put capable people in key positions, a lot of non performing teachers are gone; he is shaking up the district, and working to improve the education programs.

He deserves a chance to produce results and to do that we do not need to tie his hands, but to give him the tools he says he needs to educate our kids and that includes new buildings with modern technology, modern equipment and a pleasant environment.

This not just about taxes and kids; it’s what type of community do we want, what type of people do we want living here?

This morning I spoke to a contractor who spoke recently to a realtor in a nearby community; the realtor was about to close a deal for a peice of land for a business to build there. Before closing the deal the prospect asked to look at the schools in the area. After he came out and saw the condition of the schools he said, “Sorry no deal.”

People move to area with better schools because they have a choice.

We have honor roll students graduating, going to college only to find they are not as prepared as students from other schools. As a result they struggle; some bust out. They deserve better and we owe then better.

The new schools will be energy-efficient using geothermal to heat and cool the buildings; windows will be energy-efficient resulting in savings that can be used for books and equipment.

I gave the story of my daughter who entered college seeking an engineering degree; her first week in class the professor was reviewing what other kids had learned in high school; my daughter had never heard any of it, so she struggled.

This referendum is more than just taxes and the kids; it’s about what do we want our community to be; as is or progressive? What type of people do we want living in our community; those who  solve problems or those who are the problem?

This morning a contractor friend told me of a realtor in a nearby community who was selling a large parcel of land for a new business. The prospective buyer was about to close the deal and asked to visit the local schools. After visiting the schools and seeing the condition of the schools the prospective buyer backed out of the deal.

I am going to support this referendum and urge you to do the same. If this passes I know I am going to hate to see my new tax bills, but if I know the kids in Laurel are receiving a quality education and I had a small part in their success; I will not feel the pain.

A list of tax information is in my other post on the referendum.

 We hope to be able to post the results of the election by 9 p.m. on this site.

MY POSITION ON THE LAUREL SCHOOL REFERENDUM

 

        It’s a proven fact good schools lead to a better community. People will uproot their families to be near quality schools. These people are usually productive people who are not a burden on society or services like the police department and their children are usually good students. These parents become active in their community running for offices, booster clubs, library, PTA, churches, civic clubs etc.

        These people seek better housing thus the need for new developments which add to the local school, county and town tax base; housing values go up.

        When Delmar built a new high school a few years ago it was built to house more students than were already enrolled; when the school opened its’ doors they were overcrowded and had to make an addition.

        Even after that they were filled to capacity and had to deny students from other districts who wanted to go to the new school admission. Right now we in Laurel have an exodus of students going to other school districts because our schools cannot compete with the technology of the newer schools.

         I had debated whether to support the upcoming Laurel School Referendum; I met privately with the District Superintendent and their architect for almost two hours loaded with doubts and questions, and I have attended both public meetings.

        I found remodeling was not an option; not that the local district didn’t try, but according to the state Dept. of ED (DOE)  formula which evaluates the cost of remodeling or constructing new said renovations is NOT an option from the state’s perspective.

        CLICK ON the link at the end of this post to read the summary of how the state arrived at their findings to build new vs. remodeling; also the cost to taxpayers, and other information on the referendum. 

        Simply put, our current classrooms are not conducive to teaching students in the 21^st century. We owe our kids better. Technology is the key to education today; throw the pencil out the window; SMART Boards, (the new blackboard only electronic) Elmos, Minios, and other technology are the new pencils of today; current buildings cannot handle the electrical demands of technology.

        Don’t you think it’s time to give our kids the same opportunity to effectively access 21^st century technology to enhance their education as students have in Indian River, Cape Henlopen, and Delmar?

        They are consolidating 5 low energy efficient buildings and replacing these with two state of the art buildings for our kids including an 800 seat auditorium and for the sports minded, a new football stadium, soccer, hockey and baseball fields.

        The cost seems like a lot, and it is; $137,000,000; but the state’s share, 74%, almost $102,000,000 cuts the local share to approximately $36,000,000 or 26%. You can’t get your bank to give you 74% on any loan? Most districts get a 60-40 split.

        If we fail to pass this referendum we have until Oct. 31 to pass another referendum or the money reverts back to the state and we go to the bottom of the list of other schools requesting bond money. It could take years before we get another shot like this and it will be more expensive.

        What I like about the project is we clean house one time. I know years down the road I’m not going to be hit with a new school every other year. This tax increase will not occur all at once; it will be phased in over a 6 year period. A small increase the first year, increasing over a 6 yr period, and then decreasing for the remaining life of the bonds. The build-out period is estimated to be 10 years.

Some of these existing schools were built before many of us were born. Not only are they not technically equipped, they are not handicapped assessable, or healthy as many house asbestos.  Circuit breakers constantly pop from overloads creating a fire hazard for our students. Some schools are overcrowded with students in little rooms that are fire traps.

        I urge the citizens in Laurel to step up, show the people of this state that we care about our community, our kids and our education value; support the referendum with a YES vote, Wednesday, February 10^th from 10:00 to 8:00.

        And to our new retired citizens in this area, who have no kids in our schools, please remember when you went to school there were people who didn’t have kids in school who provided you with a quality education.

        We’ve had our share of negative news in Laurel; now is the time to move our community in a positive direction.

Click to download the Laurel School District Question & Answer Referendum  TAKES TIME TO DOWNLOAD

SC EOC POSTING #4 REPORT LOSSES

Sussex County asks public for storm reports

Emergency managers trying to assess damage caused by heavy snowfall as preparations begin for new round of wintry weather

FOR IMMEDIATE                                                                           1730 Hours, Monday

RELEASE                                                                                                        Feb. 8, 2010

Sussex County officials are asking residents and property owners with damage caused by this past weekend’s snowstorm to report that information immediately so emergency planners can assess the extent of destruction wrought on the region.

Emergency Operations Center Director Joseph L. Thomas said some reports of poultry house collapses caused by the heavy, wet snow already have begun to filter in. The Sussex County EOC reminds residents, especially those in manufactured homes with flat roofs, to sweep or shovel snow from atop those structures as long as it is safe to do so.

“As we all begin the tall task of recovering from this historic storm, it is imperative that the public as soon as possible report to us the damage to their homes, businesses, farms and other properties,” Mr. Thomas said. “That will give us a clearer picture of the damage that is out there.”

Anyone who has damage should call the EOC’s storm information hotline at (302) 856-7366. The public also can send photographs of storm damage to emergency officials. Visit www.sussexcountyde.gov/stormphotos<http://www.sussexcountyde.gov/stormphotos> to upload storm images.

DelDOT road crews and utility companies continued their efforts today to clear roads and restore power, this as another potentially significant winter storm approaches the mid-Atlantic region. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for Sussex County for Tuesday through Wednesday.

Road crews continue to battle snow drifts of two to four feet in some locations, while approximately 10,000 homes and businesses enter their third day without electricity. Utility crews from as far away as North Carolina are in the county working to repair damaged utility poles and downed lines.

Because of the remaining power outages and the deep cold affecting the county, in addition to the threat of more winter weather, shelters remain open at two locations to house those who have lost power. Those shelters are:

·        Milford Middle School, 612 Lakeview Ave., Milford;

·        Sussex Central High School, 26026 Patriots Way, Georgetown.

Residents in need of shelter should contact the Sussex County EOC storm information hotline at (302) 856-7366 for instructions. All shelter facilities have back-up generators in place, and staff is available to assist the public. However, those relocating to shelters should bring necessary supplies with them, including clothing, sleeping bags and pillows, medications, drinks, and non-perishable foods.

With additional snowfall and/or icy precipitation expected to fall in the next 48 hours, the Sussex County EOC urges the public to begin preparations now. “Right now, we have a window of opportunity,” Mr. Thomas said. “We need to use it.”

Residents should prepare themselves with basic household supplies, including extra food and water, first-aid supplies, flashlights and batteries, a battery-powered weather radio, extra prescription medicines, baby items, an emergency heat source and sufficient heating fuel.

The Sussex County EOC will continue to monitor forecasts for the impending storm and work closely with other local and state governmental agencies. Further updates will be issued should they become necessary.

For the latest list of road closures, visit the Delaware Department of Transportation Web site at www.deldot.gov<http://www.deldot.gov/>. To view an up-to-date map of power outages in Sussex County, visit Delmarva Power’s Web site at www.delmarva.com<http://www.delmarva.com/> and the Delaware Electric Cooperative’s Web site at www.delaware.coop<http://www.delaware.coop/>.
For updates, stay tuned to local television and radio stations, and the Sussex County EOC Web site, at www.sussexcountyde.gov/services/storm<http://www.sussexcountyde.gov/services/storm>.

###
Media calls should be directed to EOC spokeswoman Debra Jones at (302) 855-7801 or Sussex County Chief of Public Information Chip Guy at pio@sussexcountyde.gov<mailto:pio@sussexcountyde.gov>.
Sussex County asks public for storm reports

Emergency managers trying to assess damage caused by heavy snowfall as preparations begin for new round of wintry weather

FOR IMMEDIATE                                                                           1730 Hours, Monday

RELEASE                                                                                                        Feb. 8, 2010

“As we all begin the tall task of recovering from this historic storm, it is imperative that the public as soon as possible report to us the damage to their homes, businesses, farms and other properties,” Mr. Thomas said. “That will give us a clearer picture of the damage that is out there.”

Anyone who has damage should call the EOC’s storm information hotline at (302) 856-7366. The public also can send photographs of storm damage to emergency officials. Visit www.sussexcountyde.gov/stormphotos<http://www.sussexcountyde.gov/stormphotos> to upload storm images.

DelDOT road crews and utility companies continued their efforts today to clear roads and restore power, this as another potentially significant winter storm approaches the mid-Atlantic region. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for Sussex County for Tuesday through Wednesday.

Road crews continue to battle snow drifts of two to four feet in some locations, while approximately 10,000 homes and businesses enter their third day without electricity. Utility crews from as far away as North Carolina are in the county working to repair damaged utility poles and downed lines.

Because of the remaining power outages and the deep cold affecting the county, in addition to the threat of more winter weather, shelters remain open at two locations to house those who have lost power. Those shelters are:

·        Milford Middle School, 612 Lakeview Ave., Milford;

·        Sussex Central High School, 26026 Patriots Way, Georgetown.

Residents in need of shelter should contact the Sussex County EOC storm information hotline at (302) 856-7366 for instructions. All shelter facilities have back-up generators in place, and staff is available to assist the public. However, those relocating to shelters should bring necessary supplies with them, including clothing, sleeping bags and pillows, medications, drinks, and non-perishable foods.

With additional snowfall and/or icy precipitation expected to fall in the next 48 hours, the Sussex County EOC urges the public to begin preparations now. “Right now, we have a window of opportunity,” Mr. Thomas said. “We need to use it.”

Residents should prepare themselves with basic household supplies, including extra food and water, first-aid supplies, flashlights and batteries, a battery-powered weather radio, extra prescription medicines, baby items, an emergency heat source and sufficient heating fuel.

The Sussex County EOC will continue to monitor forecasts for the impending storm and work closely with other local and state governmental agencies. Further updates will be issued should they become necessary.

For the latest list of road closures, visit the Delaware Department of Transportation Web site at www.deldot.gov<http://www.deldot.gov/>. To view an up-to-date map of power outages in Sussex County, visit Delmarva Power’s Web site at www.delmarva.com<http://www.delmarva.com/> and the Delaware Electric Cooperative’s Web site at www.delaware.coop<http://www.delaware.coop/>.

For updates, stay tuned to local television and radio stations, and the Sussex County EOC Web site, at www.sussexcountyde.gov/services/storm<http://www.sussexcountyde.gov/services/storm>.

###

Media calls should be directed to EOC spokeswoman Debra Jones at (302) 855-7801 or Sussex County Chief of Public Information Chip Guy at pio@sussexcountyde.gov<mailto:pio@sussexcountyde.gov>.
Sussex County asks public for storm reports

Emergency managers trying to assess damage caused by heavy snowfall as preparations begin for new round of wintry weather

FOR IMMEDIATE                                                                           1730 Hours, Monday

RELEASE                                                                                                        Feb. 8, 2010

Sussex County officials are asking residents and property owners with damage caused by this past weekend’s snowstorm to report that information immediately so emergency planners can assess the extent of destruction wrought on the region.

Emergency Operations Center Director Joseph L. Thomas said some reports of poultry house collapses caused by the heavy, wet snow already have begun to filter in. The Sussex County EOC reminds residents, especially those in manufactured homes with flat roofs, to sweep or shovel snow from atop those structures as long as it is safe to do so.

“As we all begin the tall task of recovering from this historic storm, it is imperative that the public as soon as possible report to us the damage to their homes, businesses, farms and other properties,” Mr. Thomas said. “That will give us a clearer picture of the damage that is out there.”

Anyone who has damage should call the EOC’s storm information hotline at (302) 856-7366. The public also can send photographs of storm damage to emergency officials. Visit www.sussexcountyde.gov/stormphotos<http://www.sussexcountyde.gov/stormphotos> to upload storm images.

DelDOT road crews and utility companies continued their efforts today to clear roads and restore power, this as another potentially significant winter storm approaches the mid-Atlantic region. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for Sussex County for Tuesday through Wednesday.

Road crews continue to battle snow drifts of two to four feet in some locations, while approximately 10,000 homes and businesses enter their third day without electricity. Utility crews from as far away as North Carolina are in the county working to repair damaged utility poles and downed lines.

Because of the remaining power outages and the deep cold affecting the county, in addition to the threat of more winter weather, shelters remain open at two locations to house those who have lost power. Those shelters are:

·        Milford Middle School, 612 Lakeview Ave., Milford;

·        Sussex Central High School, 26026 Patriots Way, Georgetown.

Residents in need of shelter should contact the Sussex County EOC storm information hotline at (302) 856-7366 for instructions. All shelter facilities have back-up generators in place, and staff is available to assist the public. However, those relocating to shelters should bring necessary supplies with them, including clothing, sleeping bags and pillows, medications, drinks, and non-perishable foods.

With additional snowfall and/or icy precipitation expected to fall in the next 48 hours, the Sussex County EOC urges the public to begin preparations now. “Right now, we have a window of opportunity,” Mr. Thomas said. “We need to use it.”

Residents should prepare themselves with basic household supplies, including extra food and water, first-aid supplies, flashlights and batteries, a battery-powered weather radio, extra prescription medicines, baby items, an emergency heat source and sufficient heating fuel.

The Sussex County EOC will continue to monitor forecasts for the impending storm and work closely with other local and state governmental agencies. Further updates will be issued should they become necessary.

For the latest list of road closures, visit the Delaware Department of Transportation Web site at www.deldot.gov<http://www.deldot.gov/>. To view an up-to-date map of power outages in Sussex County, visit Delmarva Power’s Web site at www.delmarva.com<http://www.delmarva.com/> and the Delaware Electric Cooperative’s Web site at www.delaware.coop<http://www.delaware.coop/>.

For updates, stay tuned to local television and radio stations, and the Sussex County EOC Web site, at www.sussexcountyde.gov/services/storm<http://www.sussexcountyde.gov/services/storm>.

Media calls should be directed to EOC spokeswoman Debra Jones at (302) 855-7801 or Sussex County Chief of Public Information Chip Guy at pio@sussexcountyde.gov<mailto:pio@sussexcountyde.gov>.

WHAT TO DO WHEN DAYCARE CLOSES???

Daycares are as important or maybe more so than a regular school to parents and believe it or not to businesses who want to locate to an area.

With both parents having to work to survive there is no one home to watch the kids during the day or when they are dismissed from school. Parents depend upon daycare centers being open 5 days a week, but more daycares are scheduling their  hours around public schools which makes it difficult for parents who don’t have relatives to watch their children.

The Little Red Hen Nursery and daycare in Delmar has the right idea; the owners believe they are there to serve the parents and they are open when schools are closed either for weather or vacations.

Others when school is closed early, you get a call and you had better have someone pick up your child; or if school closes for Easter or Christmas you are out days without someone watching your kid. And I believe you still pay for that time the daycares are closed.

First I believe it is the job of daycares to provide a 5-day a week service to their customers. If parents could afford to stay home and care for their children they wouldn’t need a daycare.

Can you imagine the dilemma of a parent trying to find someone to pick up a child when the daycare decides to close in mid-afternoon or when the daycare is closed for two weeks?

With the labor market being so tight parents can’t afford to lose time at work; being unproductive is a good cause for dismissal.

And good gracious child care isn’t cheap; $200 a week per child is not unusual. So if there are any daycare owners reading this blog, please consider the parents needs you serve.

REDEMPTION AT LAST

I think Peyton Manning is the best quarterback of our day, Brett Farve until he left my Packers; Johnny Unitas in my day, but the Indianapolis Colts are my least favorite team.

Don’t  get me wrong but this is the franchise that slipped away in the night in moving  vans and left the Baltimore Colts high and dry; I may forgive but I don’t forget.

Sorry for Manning, but I am so happy over the spanking they received from the New Orléans Saints. Maybe we’ll heard something from Louisiana besides Katrina.

FELLOW BLOGGER LOSES HOME IN FIRE

Longtime Delmar Dustpan blogger Howard Dickerson of Delmar suffered a loss today when his home burned; severe damage we understand with the roof  collapsing. We understand he and his family are safe. electrical is suspected as the cause. When we find more details we will let you know.

In a phone conversation with Howard late Sunday night he explained how the fire occurred. While making coffee early in the morning a spark went off in the kitchen light, and other lights flickered; the local police and fire department came to find the wind had knocked the main power line loose from his home at the back of the house.

The fire company said they couldn’t touch the flickering cable until the power company came; an hour later when the power company came a bush had  caught fire and then the back of the house which quickly spread to the back of their home.

Shortly the home was engulfed with flames; Howard believes his home is a total loss.

I’m not a fireman so I know there is some explaination why the fire company couldn’t have sprayed water on the back of the house like they would be protecting a neighboring home when the house next ssoor was on fire. I’m sure someone will enlighten me.

Our sympathies go out to Howard and his family. Being one who as a 4yr old was in a house fire where my parents lost everything I can understand his loss.

IN THE EVENT OF SNOW TUESDAY

Kenneth McDowell Director of the Board of Elections for Sussex County has informed me that if the school election has to be postponed because of bad weather (snow is predicted  for Wednesday) the election will be cancelled and the school will have to begin the process all over again of setting a new date for the election and advertising the new date and time.

LAUREL SEEKS TO OUST TOWN MANAGER.

UPDATE:   According to my sources Mr. Fasano has returned the town’s vehicle, keys and anything else that is town property; he had done this before the article was written.

 http://www.DelawareOnline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201002030345/NEWS02/2030322

‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ ABONDONED

I know there are thousands of people sorting through their Bibles trying to find passages that tell us being gay and lesbian is against God’s wishes, and Pat Robertson will tell us we’re all going to hell because of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates recent plan toward homosexuals in the military.

Really I don’t see the fuss. Gays have served in the military in previous wars, except then it didn’t seem to matter; they are policemen, athletes, business people and CEO’s, only you don’t know about them because they aren’t open with their personal life. They bleed red on the battlefield the same as whites and blacks.

When President Clinton implemented the ‘don’ ask, don’t tell’ policy in 1993 which bars openly gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals from serving in the U.S. military and prevented the military from asking them about it I thought it was a reasonable solution.

But Alex Nicholson, a former Army intelligence officer, discharged for being gay, and who speaks five languages including Arabic, said he knew he was gay going in but the policy seemed like nobody would inquire as to your sexual orientation, as long as you didn’t throw it in anyone’s face.

But once he was in he realized he was forced into a corner where they had to discharge him because word of his being gay spread.

President Obama had promised to repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are, and he repeated that in his State of the Union address last week.

The joint Chiefs of Staff have agreed to back the president, some think it will hurt the morale and readiness of the force. This tells me gays, like blacks, have a long way to go.

I just  don’t understand the issue; I have gay friends, have done business with them, and if any of my children became gay should I love them less?  It has to be difficult enough to be gay and know people look at you and treat you differently.

I often wonder if this world would be different if Jesus were gay. He had long hair, wore sandals, never had a girl friend, and hung around with 12 guys all the time…..

REGISTER/LEADER NOW SUSSEX COUNTY POST

UPDATE; First edition came out today; what a disappointment. Rolfe and Mitchell did their usual fine job of reporting, but the stories were limited. Front page story was a county-wide story, and Mitchell’s sports pages were reduced to one good sports page; other stories covered the other side of the county. Shame. Independent News keeps shooting themselves in the foot.====================================

While grabbing a quick bite to eat at Arby’s before shopping for groceries at WalMart Monday I grabbed a copy of the Laurel Register/Seaford Leader and turned to editor Glen Rolfe’s column only to find his paper was merging with the County Post another Independent News paper which also owns the Leader/Register and Delaware State News, (DSN) and would be called The Sussex County Post.

Nostalgic set in for me; I started my writing career when the Register was in Laurel. While working for dad I moon lighted  writing bowling news at the age of 19, no writing experience at all; how exciting  can it get; I had a byk-line every week! I was paid 5  cents an inch and boy did I make a bowling game sound like the Super Bowl, stretching word after word to make that inch!

Then I became part-time sports editor, ($25. a week) single, with a lot of time on my hands I expanded coverage to 4 pages and no advertising on either page, just filled with sports and the newspaper was full-sized pages  back then. I was  also writing a sports column for Wright Robinson owner of the Leader.

From that  came an offer from the DSN to go full-time replacing Hal Bodley who went with the News Journal and now writes for USA Today.  After some soul-searching I decided I didn’t want to work nights and week-ends, that’s what sports writers do, I decided to stay in Laurel and be a shoemaker.

Although the DSN editor was furious at me, he later let me be a stringer, one who submits stories, write a weekly sports column, and later write a political column which launched my political writing career, and landed me a part-time job teaching journalism at DelTech in Georgetown.

When Bryant Richardson started the Seaford/Laurel Banner, his partner asked me to write a political column. When Bryant sold to the Leader who had also purchased the Register, I was told I was part of the sale. I  wrote for them until Bryant started The STAR.

So I have a sentimental attachment to both papers. I was unaware the Seaford office had closed, just as surprised to find recently the News Journal office in Georgetown had closed late last year and the editor is working out of her home. Sign of the times?

Rolfe  does an excellent job covering the news for both papers as does Billy Mitchell with sports; the two of them cover more stories in a week than most papers  do with a full staff. And good local stories.

But with the papers combining with the Post less local news will be offered; advertising revenue is not enough on this side of the county to allow the STAR to expand coverage, so the public loses. Both the STAR and the Leader/Register may at times covered the same story, but each presented a different view.

The DSN was a tough old style slug ‘em newspaper when I worked there. The morning editorial staff meeting to decide the day’s news was usually a drinking party and cigar smoking, and I don’t mean coffee. They didn’t care who the politician was, if they were wrong they wrung their neck with tough editorials.

Then when Jack Smyth retired his son, a hell of a nice guy, was much softer and eliminated editorials, local columnists, and went to the “Sound Off” format where people could write in and make false accusations and not sign their name; yellow journalism I called it.

Then they went down hill and so did their weekly papers. A paper is as strong as its editorial policy, local views and their letter to the editor page.  Without a strong stand on issues today’s paper is just tomorrows bird cage lining.

OBAMA FACE OFF WITH HOUSE REPUBLICANS

Say what you want about President Obama, love him or hate him he showed a lot of courage accepting Republican House members invitation to meet with them one on one; he being the only Democrat facing the entire contingent Republican delegation last Friday in Baltimore.

In a no holds barred meeting Obama let the Republicans know of his frustration for not working with his administration, and the Republicans fired back a few shots of their own.

But whatever the Republicans offered as an alternative Obama gave a list of reasons why their  claims were “boilerplate” meant to sound well to score political points but in reality won’t  work.

While the little pigeons did their dirty work, notably silent were Republican Minority leaders John Boehner and Eric Cantor, minority whip. I don’t think they wanted to risk throwing the BS at the president they have tried to give to the American voters. Obama would have torn them apart.

Obama’s theme was ,”Work with me”, but I hope he wasn’t hoping for anything different. The Republicans are out to make him fail at the cost of the American people whether it be health care or jobs. They want the presidency back in 4 years so they can finish taking over the country.

The Supreme Courts ruling on campaign finance was the first step. That decision destroyed what was left of the 2-party system. Middle class America could expect a little help from the Democrats now and then, but the court’s decision simply states, if you don’t play ball with big business we will spend millions to defeat you.

So hold on to what you have; unless you earn $250,000 or above and know you’ll be able to earn that until you retire and make sure you put away enough to live on comfortably because you’ll not be getting any relief from the government if you fall under that dollar figure.

Loans will be harder to get, interest rates on credit cards will be out of sight, health care will be more expensive, so more will be without, less funding for social programs, mental health, disabilities, highways, but more wars.

Doctors won’t have to worry which BMW they can afford, drug companies won’t worry about price competition from Canada and Mexico, and instead of making cars the manufacturers can make a killing at the expense of your kids by making tanks and armored vehicles.

And you can take that to the bank.