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WEEKEND #06, 2016
(Independence Day Weekend)
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
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BOMB THREAT EVACUATES CONCH ISLAND
Rehoboth Beach police say a bomb threat led to the evacuation of the Conch Island Key West Bar and Grill Friday night in the 3rd block of Rehoboth Avenue. According to police, around 8:45 p.m. the Rehoboth Beach Police Department 9-1-1 center received a call from a dispatcher for the Key West police. The dispatcher reported that he had received a bomb threat to the Conch Island Key West Bar and Grill in Rehoboth Beach.
The caller, who police said disguised his voice, threatened that he had placed three pipe bombs inside the popular nightspot in undisclosed locations. The maximum allowed capacity for the establishment is 233 occupants. The caller demanded money and also threatened that he was not afraid to shoot officers.
With the cooperation of management, police immediately began evacuation of the Conch Island Key West Bar and Grill, the adjacent Conch Island Liquors and sections of the Sand Castle Motel. Explosive detection dogs from the state police and capital police as well as members of the state police bomb squad responded to assist with the investigation.
After a thorough search, no explosive devices were located by investigators and the patrons were allowed to return. The incident was cleared around 10 p.m. without further disruption.
Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to please contact Detective Tyler Whitman at (302) 524-1391 or message the Rehoboth Beach Police Department via Facebook. Those with information can also submit a tip through Delaware Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-847-3333.
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YET MORE SWIMMING ADVISORIES, BUT NOT FOR REHOBOTH
Officials were surprised this past Wednesday when Dewey and Bethany received swimming advisories. Debbie Rouse from DNREC said this was the first swimming advisory she can remember for Bethany and the only one for Dewey since a medical waste scare in the 1980's. Rouse says they suspect it is related to storm-water runoff, but are considering various theories.
Rehoboth Beach has five pipes that drain storm water into the ocean. Dewey has none although the one from Silver Lake is near the town's northern limits. Bethany has no outfalls either other than the waste-water outfall which Rouse says is monitored separately.
Both water advisories were lifted by Thursday afternoon. Here is a statement the Dewey Beach Patrol had posted on its lifeguard stands on Thursday morning as well as the town's website.
Rouse says testing is conducted on Mondays and Wednesdays starting with the first Monday in May through the last Monday in September from Slaughter Beach through Fenwick Island. Samples are taken to the University of Delaware for testing. Results are posted on the Delaware Recreational Waters website and sent via e-mail. For more info, see this June 30 article by Molly Murray from the News Journal.
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N.J. BANNER PLANE MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING BEHIND REHOBOTH OUTLETS
Saturday was a busy day for FAA officials and state police investigators in Sussex County. Saturday morning, a crop-duster crash-landed east of Blades. And late Saturday afternoon, this banner plane made an emergency landing on a farm field behind the Rehoboth Seaside Outlets off Holland Glade Road.
Jim Peters, FAA spokesman, says the Piper PA18, registered to Aerial Advertising Agency of Eatontown, N.J., made a precautionary landing because of an engine problem around 4:30 p.m. The FAA will investigate, he said. The plane's tail number is N3975Z.
The pilot and sole occupant was not injured. A state trooper remained with the airplane in the early evening hours.
Attempts to reach the Aerial Advertising Agency offices over the holiday weekend were unsuccessful.
On the Delmarva shore, Ocean Aerial Ads is the only company left providing aerial banner advertising using these seven airplanes. Bob Bunting's family has run the unique service for the past 33 years. He says Aerial Advertising Agency is not affiliated with his Ocean Aerial Ads. Occasionally, Bunting says the competition will make the 20-mile trip across the Delaware Bay and often all the way down to Ocean City. Frequently the companies subcontract their banner ads for other regions, but not in this case for this outfit.
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STINGRAY OPENS ITS PATIO, FINALLY, WITH TEMPORARY PERMIT
After a lengthy legal battle, the Stingray Restaurant on Lake Avenue in Rehoboth Beach started serving on its deck this past Thursday night.
Deputy Commissioner Robert A. Wiest from the Office of Alcoholic Beverage
Control Commissioner said Friday that the establishment had been granted a temporary
90-day patio permit. He said the commission has decided to hold a hearing later
this summer to determine if the patio permit will become permanent.
When the restaurant initially applied for the patio extension, the state received
the minimum (10) number of petitions from property owners requesting a hearing.
At the hearing Darius Mansoory, owner of the restaurant, had his application
rejected because the judge determined it was incomplete. See this
link for details on the history of this patio permit.
Mansoory soon reapplied and the process began once again. Comm. Wiest says the
state only received six letters from residents requesting a hearing the second
round. The minimum needed for a hearing is 10, but the commission has decided
that there will be a hearing, probably in August or September.
This article was written by Alan Henney who also filed comments with the D.A.B.C.C. in regard to the Stingray petition. Attempts to reach Mansoory for comment on this article have been unsuccessful.
EXCHANGE STUDENT DIES AFTER HIT-AND-RUN BIKE CRASH
Bike safety checkpoints continue at the Delaware shore
After this past week's bicycle tragedy in Bethany that has claimed the life of a 20-year-old female exchange student from Moldova, bike safety is of special significance once again. Police say the victim was not wearing a helmet nor did she have a light affixed to her bicycle at the time of the collision. Both of these items were distributed for free at these regular bike stops during the month of June.
Tony Pezone, a member of Sussex Cyclists, says officials have organized more bike stops for July. They will be staffed by DelDOT personnel, Sussex Cyclists volunteers and Delaware State Troopers and cadets. Lights, helmets, reflective tape and brochures explaining Delaware laws are offered at no charge; receipt of these is at the cyclists' discretion, he added. Minor bike adjustments may be made. Cyclists will be reminded of important safety laws such as riding with traffic and only wearing one earbud preferably in the right ear if they must wear any at all. Delaware state law requires that cyclists under the age of 18 to wear a helmet.
See this WGMD.com link for a list of the July safety stops.
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FIRST SINKHOLE OF SEASON FOR REHOBOTH, PROBABLY
This sinkhole, to the rear of the Henlopen Condo, was reported to Rehoboth Beach police around 4:15 p.m. this past Thursday. It was promptly marked and awaits repair.
REHOBOTH BEACH CAMPAIGN SEASON BEGINS!
July 4 is the traditional unofficial start of campaign season in Rehoboth Beach. Incumbent Commissioners Stan Mills and Toni Sharp will face challenger Richard Perry this year. These unedited bios and photos have been submitted by the candidates. Election day this year is Saturday, August 13. For important election dates see the city website.
Comm. Stan Mills
Many of Alan's readers will recognize Marcia and me routinely walking our two rescue dogs but don't know we also have four indoor rescue cats. Yes, a full house, here on Maryland Avenue where we have lived as full time residents for 18 years. We are imports from Montgomery County, Maryland but after vacationing here for years we were hooked, like many of you.
We began our volunteerism and being attentive to the local politics right from the beginning. We love the uniqueness of Rehoboth: the charm of its neighborhoods and its makeup of residents, businesses, organizations and visitors and want it to stay that way.
I am out and about, like Alan, almost every day, doing something to give back to my City: participating in community projects and events and as a supporter and volunteer for local organizations including the Rehoboth Beach Homeowners' Association, Rehoboth Beach Historical Society, CAMP Rehoboth and DNREC in their Coastal Cleanup and beach grass planting programs and the occasional bird rescue when necessary.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, in English and secondary degree in education from Bucknell University. I continue to take courses to help me improve my ability to help do my public service for you, like, advanced courses at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, FEMA and "Delaware's Coastal Economy" workshops.
I attribute my dedication to doing a good job and being prepared from being an Eagle Scout. I do what needs to be done but was very honored to be recognized and receive the prestigious Jefferson Award for Public Service for my work as a National and a local American Red Cross Disaster Responder.
I was so passionate about protecting the environment and increasing the communications network between the City of Rehoboth (including our great Police Department) and our community that prior to being elected I created the storm drain marker program and co-founded Rehoboth Beach Neighborhood Watch.
It has been an honor to serve as an elected commissioner for three terms in the City of Rehoboth Beach — that's nine years — more than any other candidate in this year's race. As a commissioner, I have continued to seek out projects that you might have noticed. The Boardwalk Reconstruction, systematic ADA handicap access improvements, a new and much needed Municipal Complex, easier online access to documents and audio of meetings and wayfinding signage on the boardwalk.
What you don't see behind the scenes is my continued liaison with all of our local representative State, County and Federal officials, the many meetings with DNREC, US Army Corps of Engineers and our U.S. Congressional Delegation on beach nourishment and securing grant funds for varied projects.
I'm proud of our accomplishments but I want to do more:
I'd like to complete the Lake Avenue Streetscape project; ensure "Fiscal Responsibility" – by being a Watchdog over tax dollars… your money; enhance communications between government and the public, including video recording of meetings and participate in moving forward on Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) initiatives.
I live here, play here and work here and want what you want — a clean and safe community with nice places to eat and shop in. I want the reasons why I moved here to be protected for future generations.
And I want to know what my government is doing and to be certain you know the same.
Let me do more for you by voting to re-elect me on August 13th.
Thank you.
Comm. Stan Mills
www.stanmills.us
commissionermills@gmail.com
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Richard J. Perry, Jr.
Richard Perry joined Stuart | Moore in an Of Counsel capacity in September of 2013. Before joining the Firm, Mr. Perry oversaw the operation of Hovde Capital Advisors, Hovde Private Equity Advisors and all legal matters, including compliance, involving Hovde Capital Advisors and Hovde Private Equity Advisors and their affiliates. Skilled and experienced in the structuring and negotiating of transactions, Mr. Perry was also involved in the negotiations of the various acquisitions made by the merchant banking and private equity investment fund affiliates. An expert in the areas of corporate, securities and financial institution matters, including complex corporate and banking mergers, acquisitions and reorganizations, securities offerings (both public and private placements), and proxy contests, Mr. Perry has been lead counsel and strategist on numerous complex supervisory and non-supervisory acquisitions involving both foreign and domestic acquirers.
Prior to joining the Hovde organization in 1997, Mr. Perry served as outside counsel while he was a partner in the law firm of Perry, Simmons & Loots, P.C. in Washington, D.C., where his area of concentration was Banking, Corporate and Securities Law. Mr. Perry was previously in-house counsel of a large New England thrift, Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board (later the Office of Thrift Supervision), and Partner in charge of several East Coast financial institution practice groups for the national law firms of McKenna, Conner & Cuneo, Baker & Hostetler (where he also served on the D.C. Office Management Committee), and Hogan & Hartson. Mr. Perry was also Senior Vice President for the California Savings and Loan trade association, responsible for legislative and regulatory relations in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Perry received his law degree from Suffolk University School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts, and his Bachelor of Arts degree from American International College in Massachusetts, where he majored in Political Science and earned a minor in French. Upon graduating from college, Mr. Perry was the recipient of the McGowan Award for outstanding scholastic achievement and public service. In his charitable endeavors, Mr. Perry has served as the Treasurer of the Special Olympics of Massachusetts, serves on various charitable boards, actively supports and participates in numerous other civic and humanitarian organizations, and funded the construction and operation of a home for homeless children in Guatemala.
Richard J. Perry, Jr.
perry4rehoboth.com
perry4rehoboth@gmail.com
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Toni Sharp
As a full-time resident homeowner of Rehoboth Beach I am running for re-election as City Commissioner. Let me tell you a little about myself:
I am 65 wonderful years of age!
I began my career in Dallas, Texas in 1969 embarking on a 42 year career of service. After working for Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Texas for 22 years, I accepted a national position with them in Washington, DC. There my work focused solely on serving the people who serve the people of the United States, the millions of federal employees. One of my roles was to communicate effectively with millions of households to explain health insurance benefits. Equally important was working cohesively with 39 Blue Cross companies across the nation on behalf of federal employees.
I retired in the spring of 2011 to the Rehoboth Beach property I bought in 1998, choosing to make Rehoboth Beach my home.
During the last five years I have shown my devotion to Rehoboth Beach in many ways. I volunteer my time and expertise to the Farmers' Market, and have served on the Board of Directors of Rehoboth Beach Main Street and Save Our Lakes Alliances3. I am a member of the City's Communications and Streets and Transportation Committees and I attend as many meetings of various boards and committees as possible.
As a City Commissioner I have applied my professional skills to benefit our city. My communication experience and ability to bring diverse opinions together to accomplish a goal have served me particularly well on the Commission. My fellow commissioners would tell you I am hard-working and dedicated to moving beyond talk to achieve real results.
I am an action-oriented commissioner, with the energy, enthusiasm and dedication to continue to effectively serve Rehoboth Beach!
Comm. Toni Sharp
Sharp for Commissioner
(Facebook)
tsharp@cityofrehoboth.com
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NISSAN GETS TICKET FOR BLOCKING DRIVEWAY AS IT IDLES FOR 8+ HOURS
This Nissan Sentra was ticketed the day of the fireworks in Rehoboth Beach, Sunday, July 3, after it was reported partially blocking a driveway on Sussex Street in Rehoboth Beach. It was issued a $50 ticket at 4:27 p.m. Keys were locked inside and the engine remained idling.
About eight hours later police returned and it was still idling! The car's gas gauge was down to two bars. Police were able to contact the owner who lives in Delaware and she said she would return later in the morning to move the car and shut off the engine.
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REHOBOTH BEACH JULY 3rd FIREWORKS
Photos courtesy Hoyte Decker
Also, Sam Markman has posted an incredible set of photos from Rehoboth Beach's July 3rd show on his website. All of his shots were captured from Hickman Street on the beach facing north.
Photo courtesy Sam Markman
Here is an interesting article by Molly Murray of The News Journal discussing the planning involved for the fireworks.
OTHER NEWS:
STUFFED ANIMALS STOLEN FROM REHOBOTH ARCADE--- Rehoboth Beach police handled two complaints of stuffed animals stolen from Beach Arcade-South at Delaware Avenue. In the first case, a large stuffed animal disappeared around 10:40 p.m. last Monday. There was video of the theft that helped identify the teenage suspect who returned to the arcade the following night and was arrested. The other theft was reported around 3:15 p.m. last Tuesday when a woman in her mid-30's with a boy and girl walked off with a pink stuffed pony.
REHOBOTH BEACH STARTS FISCAL YEAR WITH ONLY *1* LICENSED CABBIE?--- Business license renewals became due in Rehoboth Beach on Friday, July 1. Police spent the weekend warning cab companies spotted operating in town that the only cabbie who had paid his license fee was George's Taxi. One of the other companies claimed it had submitted the paperwork the previous week but had not received it yet, and another came to the city offices on Saturday but was unable to get the paperwork processed on the weekend. So that left George's Taxi as the only licensed cabbie. The irony? George said the traffic was too bad the night of the Rehoboth Beach fireworks, so he did not even try to work!
BEACH TOWEL OUTRAGE IN DEWEY BEACH--- Dewey Beach police handled a complaint around 1:20 a.m. Sunday after somebody had "confiscated" a beach towel from a residence on the oceanside of Rodney Avenue. Some passerbys may have mistakenly described it as an Isis flag, but Sgt. Clifford Dempsey said it was actually a beach towel that read: "Caution: Stay 100 meters back or you will be shot" in English and Arabic. As this USA Today article explains, it is a parody of a sign often posted on U.S. military vehicles and warns that "deadly force is authorized" if orders to keep a distance are not followed. A woman called police later in the morning irate that somebody had it removed and demanded it be returned.
MERR INVESTIGATES ANOTHER DEAD LOGGERHEAD--- Suzanne Thurman from the MERR Institute reports that her organization investigated yet another loggerhead sea turtle death Monday off Keybox Road in the Delaware Seashore State Park. She said that is about the eighth loggerhead death for MERR so far this year.
BEACHED SNAKE DRAWS QUITE A CROWD ON O.C. BEACH--- Hundreds of spectators gathered when a three-foot snake washed up on the beach in Ocean City around 11:15 a.m. Saturday. Ben Davis of the O.C.B.P. says the sight drew quite a crowd. "Given the large crowds on the beach, and an unknown snake species, we kept the large gathering crowds away and contacted animal control for assistance," Davis said, noting that police came to assist with crowd control.
The snake was trying to move westward across the beach, back toward the bay, he said. A police officer restrained the snake with his baton while they awaited animal control. Animal control arrived and contained the snake which was later identified by O.C. animal control as a juvenile Hognose snake.
This type of snake is known to inhabit marshy and sandy soils in this area, Davis notes. "Frequently marsh and bay dwelling animals are swept out the inlet and into the ocean. They know to exit the ocean and head back toward the bay. Due to the development on the barrier island these animals frequently encounter humans and manmade structures on this journey. When this occurs, we generally help the wildlife back into the bay area. This frequently occurs with juvenile terrapins during the spring. This is not the first snake we have seen on the beach, but it was an unusual sight," he added.
WOMAN INJURED IN O.C. FALL, FLOWN TO TRAUMA CENTER--- A 64-year-old woman who fell down a flight of steps Saturday evening was flown to a trauma center. The accident happened in the 2800 block of Plover Drive at the Bayshore Estates Condo. She was briefly unconscious, suffered bruises to her head and could not remember what happened when she regained consciousness.
NEWS RELEASES / NEWS REPORTS:
Groups look to save WW II towers on Delaware coast
Piping plover pair re-nests at Gordons Pond - 3 chicks take flight on the Point at Cape Henlopen
Fresh drone footage of Rehoboth Beach (North Shores, June 26)
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware; a very gay-friendly resort (Huffington Post)
By the numbers, Delaware beaches are bustling
Rehoboth Art League cottage tour features 8 homes (July 12-13)
Rehoboth Beach 2016 (recent YouTube video)
Day trip to Rehoboth Beach (recent YouTube)
Rehoboth Beach police arrest Camden woman returning stolen merchandise to White House-Black Market
Cyclists on a collision course with Rehoboth Beach
Rehoboth's long wait to vote in cross hairs
In Rehoboth, voting rights an issue
Dewey hosts alcohol safety symposium for bar employees
State police investigating fatal crash (Thursday, Millsboro)
Bethany Beach passes new ordinances on drone usage
New Delaware record: 20+ pound false albacore taken in Massey's Canyon by Pennsylvania angler
Seacrets owner Leighton Moore talks new distillery, amazing growth of business, importance of people
Gov. Larry Hogan helps open Seacrets' new distillery
Colt born Monday on Assateague Island; 4th foal of 2016 "expected soon"
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