Coastal Point • SAM HARVEY Ocean View Mayor Gary Meredith, the first mayor in the town’s history, kicks back with an armload of the family’s Pomeranians.

Ocean View nears final budget plan
Ocean View Town Manager Kathy Roth presented three different five-year budget plans to the long-range financial planning committee on Feb. 15.

Redfin put on the auction block
An auction date has been set for the North Bethany Beach property that is currently home to popular restaurant Redfin Grill. As part of a court decision calling for dissolution of the partnership that owns the property, it will be auctioned Saturday, March 12, by Emmert Auction Associates in Rehoboth Beach.

Beach projects onces again in jeopardy
South Bethany has joined with Bethany Beach in contracting with beach-replenishment consulting firm Marlow & Co., and the support may have proven timelier than either town expected.

Police, firefighters receive Valor awards
Representatives of local towns and public-safety organizations, the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce and its members gathered Friday, Feb. 11, to honor members of area fire companies and police departments for their work in the community.

Bethany 2006 budget nearing finalization
A meeting of the Bethany Beach Budget and Finance Committee (BFC) kicked off Tuesday, Feb. 15, with discussion of the town’s investment policy. The policy is due to be approved by the town council at a future meeting, and the committee gave some final polish to the draft on Tuesday.

Fenwick looks to beef up crowd
Fenwick Island Town Council Member Martha Keller would like more residents and property owners to attend council meetings. And she thinks that effort should start by having the meetings when more people are in town — namely on weekends, instead of on Friday afternoons, as they are currently.

Time to look at your mortgage
"It seemed like a good idea at the time." "Rates were extrememly low." I was carrying two mortgages." "It was the only loan available on my new condo." These are some of the reasons why homeowners and new homebuyers opted for an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) back in 2002 or 2003.

South Bethany moves fees into schedule
South Bethany Town Council took a first step toward expedited fee adjustments at the Feb. 11 town meeting.

Police Corner — Child restraint is vital
How many of you remember the time when the most common vehicle child restraint was mom’s hand put across your chest while hitting the brakes. Scary, isn’t it?

Mancini requests Fenwick's okay on patio
Fenwick Island doesn’t currently allow its restaurants to serve alcohol on outdoor patios, but if restaurateur Gabbie Mancini has anything to say about it, Mancini’s Brick Oven Pizzeria & Restaurant will be the first in the town to do so.

County approves sewer repair
Sussex County Council approved a bid for repairs on Bethany/South Bethany sewer mains at the Feb. 15 council meeting.

Sorority celebrates 25 years of service
The local Beta Sigma Phi recently turned 25, and the social/community outreach club just keeps getting better with age.

Sprint into spring — Biking in Sussex County
As the days get warmer and longer, we become determined to whip ourselves into shape. We hop onto our bicycles, pedal to infinity and wait for results. Before you can shape up on your bike, you got to get ready.

Tragedy turns to dedication of service
A little over five years ago, Kiley and Royce Purcell were enjoying the Winter Festival of Lights in Ocean City.

Ocean View man rewarded for efforts
”Whenever they need anything, I say I’m available. Just give me a call,” said Frank Donahue, of Ocean View, of his willingness to volunteer his time to the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department.

DelDOT defends outreach
While some locals are still uncertain regarding potential impact on their properties, Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) spokesman Darrell Cole insisted the department was doing its best to keep everyone informed.

Watercolor Society opens at Beach Cottage
As a group of 14 artists from the Bethany Beach Watercolor Society (BBWS) continues its effort to open their own self-supporting gallery and framing shop in Ocean View, the entire membership of the Watercolor Society is involved in yet another opportunity for the growing organization to display their artwork.

Bethany moving forward on show
The Bethany Beach Seaside Craft Show committee met Feb. 15 to finalize all late applications for the June 4 craft extravaganza on the Bethany boardwalk.

Ocean View talks land use
Progress, and possible minimum design standards for landscaping, signs and even architecture, dominated the Feb. 15 workshop in Ocean View.

Oral histories focus in Bethany
Members of the Bethany Beach Cultural and Historical Affairs Committee (CHAC) met on Monday, Feb. 14, to discuss a variety of ongoing projects under the group’s oversight.

BBPD organizes security program
While federal beach reconstruction funding for the town may be in jeopardy, the Bethany Beach Police Department (BBPD) has been the happy recipient of a $49,000 grant for homeland security.

Pizza shop features a touch of greek
Margarete “Maggie” Samara is making bold moves at Margherita Pizzeria in Dagsboro.

Family fun at Cactus Cafe 54
“Oh good, Mr. Bob’s here,” exclaimed 8-year-old Carly Bartell to her sister, Devan, as she entered the Cactus Café 54 with her family and friend, Jordan Coy. The girls were prepared to hear some good music and they had even brought money from their allowance for the tip jar!

Time to look at your mortgage
"It seemed like a good idea at the time." "Rates were extrememly low." I was carrying two mortgages." "It was the only loan available on my new condo." These are some of the reasons why homeowners and new homebuyers opted for an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) back in 2002 or 2003.

Home, sweet home
Peter Frederick has lived in many exotic locations around the world, but it’s Fenwick Island that he truly calls home. Today, Frederick puts most of his energy into the management of his home town, as president of the Fenwick Island Town Council and the town’s mayor.

Local artist prepares for first showing
Theresa Richard (pronounced rih-SHARD) has two inseparable loyalties — to her family and to her art.

Grapplers dig in to pull out win
The Indian River wrestling team made school history Feb. 9, defeating Southern Conference rival Seaford in a heart stopping 36-35 come-from-behind victory to gain admission for their first post-season dual-meet tournament.

Boys explode on offense
Junior forward Travis Irving tallied 21 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks as he led the Indian River boys’ basketball team past Dover High, 97-65, Feb. 15.

Lady Indians keep pace
The Lady Indians varsity basketball took one out of two games last week, crushing Woodbridge, 66-27, but getting out-muscled by Dover, 80-44, as they hover at an 11-8 overall record.

Robinson leads, plays with heart
Four years ago, Ravin Robinson came to Indian River High School as a freshman, and was instantly thrust into the big-time competition of varsity basketball. Rather than be intimidated, Robinson felt she was in a position to learn how to compete on a higher level.

President's Day weekend bring Coastal Point to your desktop
It has been a very productive week here at the Coastal Point. Our staff was busier than we’ve been since the beginning. We’ve just celebrated our first anniversary, and do we have a surprise for you!