The Coastal Point encourages the exchange of ideas. Letters to the editor must be signed by the author with phone number included for purposes of verification. Please send your letters to P.O. Box 1324, Ocean View, DE 19970.

Darin J. McCann

One thought a week.

That’s all I really need to do this part of my job. Heck, it doesn’t even really need to be a good idea. All a columnist needs is one compelling or odd thought to stake claim in the brain, and we can usually take the ball and run smack dab into the abyss.

With that in mind, it’s kind of hard to believe I’m writing about personal choices again this week, seeing as how we covered my puzzling anxiety over making even the most basic of decisions last week. However, this is my space, and I get to do what I want.

So there.

Actually, what got me going on choices this week was a few different things I had heard and seen over the past several days. I was puzzled over how a person making an individual decision, based on what was best for him or her personally, could cause such an uproar from others.

Consider ...

I heard one of the national sports talking heads discussing New England Patriots star linebacker Teddy Bruschi, and what a popular figure he is throughout New England. Bruschi, for those of you who don’t know, has been one of the leaders of a Patriots team that has won three out of the last four Super Bowls, and was fondly remembered by many for the way he played with his young children on the field before last year’s championship game.

However, Bruschi suffered a stroke after last year’s title game, and recently announced he was going to take off this season to get his health completely in check before returning to the physical game.

Another one of the television doofuses then chimed in that many players were mad at Bruschi because he negotiated his own contract with the Patriots the last time he was a free agent, and that he took less money than others were willing to pay to stay with his team.

Huh?

That’s right. Apparently the players union felt that Bruschi was spitting on all their efforts over the years to ensure players have the freedom to go where they want and grab as much of the pie as possible.

I’m sorry, didn’t Bruschi exercise that very right of personal choice when he decided the place he enjoyed playing and raising his family took precedence over another extra million dollars? Didn’t Cal Ripken Jr. take the same heat when he accepted less money to stay with the team that drafted him and gave him his chance?

Of course. And that’s because what was originally painted by the players union as a necessary device to allow players freedom of movement was, in reality, yet another ploy to secure more money.

Haven’t we also seen this before?

Why, exactly, is it often looked down upon for a woman to be a homemaker? Didn’t the women’s movement fight the good fight and struggle against seemingly unsurmountable odds for women to simply have the opportunity to choose how they lead their own lives? Isn’t the decision to stay home and take care of the home and children as noble as any other option available to anybody?

Why do I keep asking questions instead of making statements?

Fine, let’s take another route to this. Let’s go with pure statements. Fire up your letters to the editor now:

I’m upset that the pro-choice voice seems to have taken a pro-abortion stance. If a woman actually has the right to choose, then let’s let her get all the information available and make an informed, well-thought decision. If a young woman decides to keep a child, well, that’s her choice. Celebrate that she has the choice to make.

Elections in general are our greatest examples of collective choice. Do not whine about those in office, or complain about “crooked politicians,” if your choice was to not vote at all. That also goes for all of you who work double time to get out of jury duty, and then complain about our legal system. All of you made your choices to not participate. Now shut up.

If you live here and choose to do your grocery shopping at the beach on a Saturday evening ... wow, not a wise decision. But don’t go complaining about the long lines at the register when you know turnover day is Saturday and all those new weekly people need groceries for their time here.

Look, some things in life are not by choice, so let’s get off people’s backs about those, too. For instance, people did not choose to be tall, did not choose to be of a certain nationality and I did not choose to be so gosh darn good looking. In my case, it’s kind of a curse, really.

But that is what we are, people. Oh, yeah, and I digress.

Let's be the world's hosts

In an often defeatist and cynical world, it’s been said that no one person can change the world. The rationale behind the sentiment is that no matter how altruistic one’s intentions might be, it is impossible to change the perception or beliefs of a planet based on the work of one person.

Well, let’s see how much a community can do in a pinch.

The Senior League Softball World Series kicks off this Sunday in Roxana, and teams representing nearly every corner of the planet will converge on our community — many bringing along their loved ones.

Let’s face facts, the United States is not riding its most impressive wave of international popularity right now. Decisions by policy makers, whether or not you agree with them, have not been received warmly by the planet as a whole, and our population in general is feeling the stings of anti-Americanism.

Well, this is our chance to show what we’re made of, and possibly change a few people’s perceptions, as well.

There is no secret concerning this community’s willingness to pitch in when a time of need arises. We raise money for those who need money, donate time and energy when time and energy are needed and genuinely care about the plight of others. When the skies are most dark, we shine most bright.

Make no mistake about it. This is our chance to do some of our best work yet.

By letting these young women from around the world — and the family members they bring with them — see the giving and selfless attitudes we possess, we will be doing our part to change some of those anti-American attitudes.

Let’s play the proper host to this event, and show off to the world the good that is right here.

We should all be thankful for local good
Editor:

A long time ago when I was in the service, there was a saying: “When the troops are complaining, they’re happy!”

I hear and read about many complaints in reference to the county council. The council didn’t spend millions to attract all of us who have moved to this beautiful area. We came on our own. The locals have mostly welcomed us while struggling with the same infrastructure frustrations as the rest of us. In reality, we only have a severe problem with traffic for six weeks, when our population mushrooms because of summer visitors.

The county council has not squandered the added revenue, as some suggest, but wisely spent it on central water and sewer.

Some of the local environmentalists should be thrilled, but they are quiet on the good decision making, preferring to fight the canal dredging when most see the need for increased circulation of the bay waters to help eliminate stagnant pools of water. The council is probably their worst enemy. They are local people who are quiet and consistent in their accomplishments.

The people who have moved here for the great lifestyle, ocean, bays, fishing, golf, and no sales tax and low property tax should be the council’s strongest supporters. Development means continued low taxes, continued raises for workers, continued expanded medical facilities, libraries and activities such as the Pyle Center and Lower Sussex Little League. It also means young families may stay and college graduates may come back to enjoy their heritage here.

Are things perfect? No. Are some types of development detrimental? Yes. Should the state spend more money on local roads instead of a fanciful Indian River Bridge? Yes. Nevertheless, we need to give credit for the low taxes we enjoy to the county council and its quiet, consistent investment in the county’s infrastructure and future.

E. Wayne Lednum
Selbyville

Cheer yoga class grateful to church
Editor’s Note: The following letter was sent to Rev. Kerry Shull, of Ocean View Presbyterian Church, with a copy forwarded to the Coastal Point.

Dear Reverend Shull:

This letter is to thank you for offering a home to the Ocean View CHEER Center Senior Yoga class from March-August 2005.

The class has been together since September 2001 — both people who knew each other and strangers came together to bond as friends in a weekly yoga class.  When the class needed a new home in the winter of 2005, one of your parishioners, Sue Dick, mentioned to you that the class needed a meeting place until the new CHEER center opened.  You stepped right in and offered the class a place to meet in the Ocean View Presbyterian Church Community Hall. 

We have been holding the weekly class in your roomy, handicapped-accessible, Community Hall since March, and we have felt very welcome and at home there. What a wonderful gift you gave the class, by letting us use your beautiful space. Now, however, the new Ocean View CHEER Center has opened, and as of Aug. 8, we will be moving our yoga class to the new center, where we will offer additional classes to the senior community.

Thank you so much for offering us a temporary home. We will always fondly remember your church and its staff and the comfort they offered us.

Cyndee Trower, RYT
CHEER Center Yoga instructor

Bethany Beach is indeed in good hands
Editor:

Thank you for your editorial about Bethany Beach elections (July 29, “It seems that all is well”). Yes, I too, think all is well.

For over 20 years my neighbor was Harry Kaley, an early president of the Bethany Beach Land Owners Association. Harry’s mantra was, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Harry and I disagreed over the years about what was broke. However, I did agree with him occasionally — when it’s working, let it be.

The Bethany Beach Town Council is listening to the land owners. It is fiscally responsible. It is responding appropriately. It apologizes when necessary. What more can one ask? If change is needed, there will be candidates. Harry, it ain’t broke. Rest in peace.

Lois F. Lipsett
Bethany Beach

Hate laws need to be put into action
Editor:

In 2003, the latest year for which the FBI released statistics, there were 9,100 reported hate crime victims in the United States, of which 52 percent were victimized due to race. Victims of religious and sexual orientation bias tied for second place at 16 percent. Of course, hate crimes are notoriously underreported, especially by gay people, many of whom are closeted and do not trust law enforcement.

The FBI defines hate crimes as those motivated by bias against race, religion, ethnicity, disability and sexual orientation — and investigates all of those categories except sexual orientation. There is no federal hate crime law covering sexual orientation, which would give the feds jurisdiction to investigate. Keep statistics? Yes. Investigate? No.

The Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, a federal hate crime bill covering sexual orientation, languishes in our far-right Congress. Is this the compassionate conservatism we were promised? And the state hate crime laws that do exist are simply inadequate.

As one whose life has twice been threatened, and who has been verbally gay-bashed more times than I could remember, I say there can be no reason why my life and welfare are not as worthy of safeguarding as is that of other minorities.

Douglas Marshall-Steele
Milton

Progress on the way on alternate roads
Editor:

Regarding the letter by Charles Crovo in the July 29th edition, I have good news!

I have received “conditional use” status to open a professional office building on the West Avenue/Kent Avenue loop. I’m a pediatrician.

I was worried that traffic on Route 26 was too hectic for cars transporting sick children. There will be plenty of room for other physicians and professionals. Coffee is bound to follow.

Paula Nadig, MD, FAAP
Rehoboth Beach

Support the ‘sprawl prevention act’
Editor:

Allen Ide’s letter to the editor in the July 15 issue of the Coastal Point was excellent and informative. We would like to add a few observations from a little different perspective.

The raping of the land in Delaware continues. In the July 9 issue of the Washington Post, an article tells why southern Delaware is losing its land, its comfortable atmosphere, its character and its quality of life.

The answer is money. The article cites how developers have discovered that Delaware government is a pushover without adequate regulations, which other states have to protect the environment and the surroundings in which their citizens live.

Then, where other states demand impact fees for road building and resurfacing, larger schools brought on by increased population, open space, etc. Delaware officials tell developers to go ahead and do what they wish. “That’s not the way things are done in Delaware,” referring to impact fees. Meanwhile, the Indian River bridge and Route 26 improvements are on hold because of the lack of state money.

Right now, just look at the land along Club House Road behind Food Lion. Beautiful 100-year-old trees are being clear cut because it is easier and cheaper to clear cut than take time to save trees, which would make any living area more attractive.

I urge everyone to drive out and watch the monster machines at work. Tears will come to your eyes as you watch thousands of trees destroyed, along with thousands of bird nests, fox dens, rabbits, squirrels and sanctuary for deer and their offspring wipe out. For what? More money and another cardboard jungle to pollute the land.

It was truly sad to watch a deer stand in the middle of the road the other day looking both ways trying to decide whether to run in toward a farmer’s field or try to find shelter among the trees which are still standing … the trees which have served as “home” for its lifetime.

The deer that live there now have no place to go as their last sanctuary is being destroyed.

Compare the difference in developments. Bethany Forest is the most beautiful development in the entire area. Trees are left standing, lawns are groomed, houses are beautiful.

Other new developments are barren, with no plant life in their sterile surroundings.

What can be done? Not much at this point … at least not as long as the people in government leadership continue to prosper along with the developers with this crime of greed.

Citizens can do two things: One, put pressure on zoning officials to stop sucking up to corporate greed and put limitations on this destruction which is destroying the very atmosphere that people have come to Delaware to enjoy. Two, ask our representatives to support Rep. Robert J. Valihura’s and Sen. David P. Sokola’s House Bill 280, which will support Gov. Minner’s Liveable Delaware initiative to stop present sprawl and the continued raping of the land.

Gary and Ann Scott
Millville