The Bethany Beach Town Council is holding a Special Meeting regarding the foreign owned US Wind offshore windfarms, that is receiving very little attention, this Friday, January 12th, at the Bethany Beach Town Hall Meeting Room, at 2:00 p.m. Please plan to attend this meeting!
US Wind is proposing a measly $100,000 per year to each Delaware beach town that accepts their offer, aka bribe money, to stay silent and not protest the devastating consequences to the environment, to our military security, to our fishing industry and to our pocketbooks, of bringing offshore windfarms to the coast of Delaware.
Governor Carney and DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin are 100% committed to selling off the most precious natural resource that Delaware has, our coastline, to foreign entities, and in my opinion, there is no amount of letter writing, petitions, or fact checking that will make them turn their course away from selling out and sacrificing our coast. But what many may not realize, is that the mayors of our coastal beach towns, still have a powerful voice and ability to impede the juggernaut of US Wind and stop US Wind from coming ashore to Delaware. Citizens who care about our marine life, national security and fishing industry should focus their attention on these beach town mayors, and the deals they are making, without the knowledge or input from their constituents and the public.
The Southern Delaware beach town mayors are now in the process of falling like dominoes, accepting payments from US Wind to their towns, in exchange for their silence. There's the carrot. But there is also a big stick that is being applied to bear against them as well. The State of Delaware is letting the small beach towns know that the State may no longer cover a portion of the cost of beach replenishment projects, and that the small beach towns will have to pick up that cost, never mind that the beaches are public to not only the whole state, but to the nation as well. In this way, the State is "encouraging" the beach town mayors to take the bait money from US Wind, or else cough up much larger expenditures in the form of beach replenishment requirements. Carrot, stick. Stick, carrot.
Who Pays For Beach Nourishment Now?
For beach nourishment projects in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, South Bethany and Fenwick Island, the towns known as the Association of Coastal Towns (A.C.T.), projects are cost shared with the federal government (70%) via the US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE), and (30%) with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). In order to be part of a project in which the USACE is involved, the beach must also meet certain public accessibility requirements, which these beaches do. It is clear that these beaches are not only accessible to the greater public but are also a huge financial benefit to the State as well. In 2021 the tourism industry generated $620 million in tax revenue. Without tourism, each Delaware household would pay an additional $1,608 in taxes - Visit Delaware.com. A report from 2012 showed that Beach communities and surrounding areas support 59,000 jobs and $711 million in tax revenue, ranking the coast-related economy on par with agriculture among the state’s top industries and that Coast-related activity provides more than 10 percent of the state’s total employment, taxes and business production.
DNREC Threatening to Withdraw Beach Replenishment Funding
But now DNREC is threatening to withdraw their portion of beach replenishment and to shift this burden onto the A.C.T. beach towns, despite the huge benefit to the State. DNREC announced a new study that will explore the economic benefits of beach nourishment, as well as search for new ways to fund the projects.
Right now, state and federal taxes cover the project, but DNREC says due to increased demand and rising costs, it may become difficult to pay for it. Jan 2, 2024 DNREC. "Due to rising demands and costs associated with beach nourishment, in the future DNREC will likely struggle to be able to sustain the current level of beach nourishment at current levels of funding."
So Which Delaware Beach Town Mayors Are Caving?
Here are the A.C.T beach mayors decisions so far. Please email these mayors and let them know how you feel about their decisions!
City of Lewes
Email: awilliams@ci.lewes.de.us
Declining US Wind funds so far
The Mayor and City Council meets regularly at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of every month. Special meetings may occur and are posted under Agendas and Minutes.
City of Rehoboth Beach
Mayor Stan Mills
Email: smills@cityofrehoboth.com
Leaning towards Accepting US Wind Bribe and promising to not voice any concerns of offshore windfarms
Beach city officials will discuss US Wind and DNREC funding at the next Mayors and Commissioners meeting on January 8th. DNREC will also be holding a meeting about the DNREC funding study for the public to amend and give input on January 18th.Â
Henlopen Acres
Email: mayor@henlopenacres.com
Leaning toward Accepting US Wind Bribe and promising to not voice any concerns of offshore windfarms
Dewey Beach
Mayor Bill Stevens
Leaning toward Accepting US Wind Bribe and promising to not voice any concerns of offshore windfarms
Bethany Beach
Email: admin@TownofBethanyBeach.com
Leaning toward Accepting US Wind Bribe and promising to not voice any concerns of offshore windfarms
Special Meeting regarding US Wind and DNREC study Friday, January 12, 2:00pm.
South Bethany
Email: sbmayor@southbethany.org
Leaning toward Accepting US Wind Bribe and promising to not voice any concerns of offshore windfarms
Fenwick Island
Refusing US Wind Bribe - Thank you, Mayor Magdeburger!
Definition Bribe, Merriam Webster Dictionary: Money or favor given or promised in order to influence the judgement or conduct of a person in a position of trust.
Hear more about this topic this topic from Caesar Rodney Institute Director, Dave Stevenson, Monday 1/8/2024 on WGMD 92.7 FM and 98.5 FM. Mark your calendars and set your alarm! Delaware’s Governor and these five beach towns are on the verge of making a decision that could irreversibly impact Delaware’s beach communities. Make sure to tune in and catch the insightful conversation.
You can listen live by clicking here: http://wgmd.stream/
Also, PLEASE plan to attend the Bethany Beach Town Hall meeting on this topic Friday, January 12th, 2024 at 2:00pm, Town Hall Meeting Room. Email info@38thdrcp.com if you can attend. Email ALL of these mayors TODAY!
If you like what we do and what we represent, please make an investment in the 38th District Republican Club, PAC. For your convenience you may now make your investment and pay online. We thank you for choosing to keep the 38th District Republican Club a success and a beaming light of conservative values in Delaware! For Delaware! 2024 Dues are $30.
Please email any corrections to info@38thdrcp.com .
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Would you like to become more involved in shaping the leadership and direction of the Republican Party in Sussex County? Become and Election District Captain! Fill out this form and return to info@38thdrcp.com .
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Upcoming 2023 Meetings:
Sussex Region Meeting, Monday January 8th, Millsboro Fire Hall, 6:30pm
38th Election District Captain Meeting, Tuesday, January 29th, 6:00pm
38th Club Meeting, Monday, January 22nd, Millville Community Center, 6:30pm
38th Club Meeting, Monday February 26th, South Coastal Library, Bethany Beach, 6:30pm
38th Club Meeting, Monday March 25th, Location TBD, 6:30pm
Presidential Primary April 2, 2024
38th Club Meeting, Monday April 22, Location TBD, 6:30pm
State Primary Election, September 10, 2024
General Election, November 5, 2024
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This newsletter is intended for informational purposes only. The content provided is for general information and entertainment purposes, and should not be construed as professional advice. The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Club. Readers are encouraged to seek professional guidance or conduct their own research when making decisions based on the information provided in this newsletter. The Club does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information presented in this newsletter and will not be held liable for any errors or omissions.