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

My sister has a theory.

That sentence alone causes dread amongst those of us who know her best, as her theories typically revolve around presidential conspiracies and why the pop group Culture Club is so misunderstood. That being said, I had to chuckle when she complained about my annual tradition of writing columns for my parents on Mother’s and Father’s Day. Her theory, you see, concludes that my columns generate great suck-up points from my parents, and cost me no money whatsoever.

Well, life’s tough, kid. Wear a helmet.

The fact of the matter is that I write those columns to make a public declaration on how I feel about them, and let them know just how appreciated they are by me. I’m happy with where my life is right now, and I owe much of that satisfaction to them. So there really wasn’t any doubt in my mind what I was going to write about this week with Father’s Day coming on Sunday.

That is until I saw an article in the Washington Post last week. Sorry, Dad. I’ll send you a tie.

Post reporter Ian Shapira did an interesting piece explaining how some teachers are trying to prevent classroom disruptions. In one example, a student at Forest Park Senior High School in Woodbridge, Va. “horded his two restroom passes, which, unused, were worth six points of extra credit.”

That’s right. If one could control one’s movements, one moves ahead.

In an attempt to curb students from the shenanigans that sometimes go on in school restrooms, as well as keeping students seated at their desks during the assigned learning time, teachers are providing incentives to their pupils to dot their “i”s and cross their ... well, legs.

I could see my father eating up this philosophy. He’s a results-oriented guy, who believes that sacrifice must be made to achieve goals. He still gets a kick out of thinking back to me vomiting more than a Hilton sister in a VIP room while trying to get through a fifth-grade speech, and loves to offer, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch,” to anyone who will listen.

Oops, I’m beginning to make this a Father’s Day thing again. Now, back to our story.

Not surprisingly, the bodily function-blocking tactics utilized by teachers and schools are not embraced warmly by everyone. The pursuit of academic intellectualism should not be connected to one’s bladder control, according to the naysayers of Operation Potty Block (my term, not the teachers’).

Kevin Barr, the principal at Georgetown Day School (Washington, D.C.), offered this thought in the Post article: “What’s the correlation between holding your urine and succeeding on a history test?”

To play devil’s advocate, I would suggest that he doesn’t have the same behavioral issue with the students at Georgetown Day School, a prestigious private school, that some of the other schools in the greater D.C. area might have. While kids at Montgomery Blair High School might be doing drugs or fighting in the bathrooms, kids at Georgetown Day are more likely to be discussing the downward trends of their stock portfolios or which weekend they’re all going to get together for their tour of Harvard.

However, if I were to make an argument against Operation Potty Block, I would suggest that it’s wrong to punish all for the sins of a few. Now, I’m all for the time-honored practice in the armed forces to make an entire unit pay if one person screws up in training — but that’s a situation where the unit is supposed to act as one, and a screw-up in combat directly affects the lives of the team. A kid cutting class to smoke in the bathroom doesn’t necessarily prevent another student from succeeding in the classroom. It hardly seems fair to block the honors student from relieving him or herself at the risk of losing grade points.

But, come to think of it, my father always asks, “Did anybody ever tell you life was fair?”

See how I keep coming back to my father’s pearls of wisdom? I’ve tried to get past this holiday without thanking him for being my best friend and role model, but I just can’t do it. So, at this point, close your eyes, little sister. For your own sake.

Dad, I love you. You’ve shown me what hard work looks like, and what respecting other people is supposed to be all about. I thank you for your obnoxious little stories and quotes, and hope in my heart that I one day become half the man you are.

Happy Father’s Day, and may happiness find you every day, big guy.

Roth deserves this county job

Say what you wil about Sussex County Council — and we’ve said a lot in this space —, there is no disputing that the administrative side of the county has run as smooth as it does anywhere. Credit Sussex County Administrator Bob Stickels and his staff for that efficiency.

However, Stickles is soon retiring his spot after 18 years, and names of a possible successor are now popping up on the horizon. One of those names, Ocean View Town Manager Kathy Roth, is most intriguing.

Before taking over the administrative duties in Ocean View, Roth worked as the finance director of Bethany Beach and as a certified public accountant before that. She knows how to handle budgets and finances — two hugely important talents when considering the job responsibilities of the county.

Roth has also earned invaluable experience in Ocean View. No, it is not a huge town, but it is a town that exemplifies much of what is seen throughout the county — rapid growth, an influx of residents from out-of-area and infrastructure concerns and improvements.

Roth has had to deal with budgetary questions, administrative puzzles and some very strong personalities. She has handled all with efficiency, grace and professionalism.

In a nutshell, she’s a person we could see filling the shoes of Stickels quite admirably.

The selfish side of us does not want to see Roth leave Ocean View. But the practical side in us tells us that it is an opportunity — both for Roth personally, and for the eastern side of Sussex County to have another influential voice in Georgetown.

There are four candidates vying for the position, and all seem to have their own strengths. But Roth is the one we can really rally around.

On the topic of Sussex County government, there will be a public hearing at the county offices on Tuesday, June 20 at 10:15 a.m.

This is the opportunity for residents to come hear about the $140 million 2007 fiscal-year budget and make their thoughts known. After this hearing, it will go on to vote. This is the last opportunity to hear and see the plans before they’re adopted.

DelDOT offers bike safety information
Editor:

As the summer season approaches, many people are taking advantage of the beautiful weather by riding their bicycles. As the pedestrian/bicycle coordinator for the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), I would like to resolve some misperceptions about bicycle safety and laws.

First, bicycle-related accidents in Delaware are on a substantial decrease. The number of bicyclist-involved crashes statewide decreased 43 percent (150 to 86) between 2000 and 2005, according to the Delaware State Police.

Despite these encouraging statistics, we (DelDOT, businesses, law enforcement, cycling groups) need to continue to push education.

Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities on the roadways as motorists. As such, cyclists are required to ride with the flow of traffic in Delaware and in every state in the nation, with no exceptions. This is an integral part of ensuring safety for both cyclists and motorists and is endorsed by the League of American Bicyclists, the Delaware Bicycle Council and all other bicycling organizations.

Here are some reasons to ride with the flow of traffic:

• Drivers don’t expect to see traffic coming at them in their lane — especially on one-way streets.

• Drivers exiting on road parking spots or turning right onto the street won’t see you, because they’re looking the other way. (Remember merging and right turning vehicles are looking left toward oncoming traffic and you will be coming from the right.)

• Pedestrians don’t expect bicycles to be coming in the opposite direction of traffic and may step out in front of you - bicycles are vehicles under the law.

• Against traffic, motorists have far less time to react if the cyclist is coming toward them.

• All road signs, including stop signs, will be facing the opposite direction.

In addition, bicyclists are recommended to wear bright, reflective clothing so oncoming vehicles have a chance to adjust their speed as soon as possible. I also urge bicyclists to have lights. According to Delaware law, all bicycles must have a white front light and a red rear reflector during the night. However, a rear red flashing light is recommended. Furthermore, wear a helmet. In Delaware, it is the law for bicyclists under 16.

Motorists have responsibility to ensure bicycle safety as well. Motorists are advised to slow down when they pass a bicycle. By decreasing speed, both motorists and bicyclists have more reaction time to prevent an accident.

Summer is a great time to bike. Accordingly, we all must remember to share the road.

For more, go to the DelDOT Web site at www.deldot.gov to listen to audio versions of Bike Safety Tips and Motorist Safety Tips. Also, check out the link for the Delaware Bicycle Council under the Community Programs and Services section.

Anthony Aglio
DelDOT Pedestrian/Bicycle Coordinator

Reader not happy with town’s decision
Editor:

I am deeply saddened by the treatment and results of the Town of Ocean View toward the Elling family and their building application. As a veteran health care practitioner I have always regarded it a privilege and honor to treat developmentally disabled persons and feel no less about living in a neighborhood with same. In fact, the very first time I entered the Special Patients clinic at the University of Maryland Dental School for a rotation, my first patient was a Down’s syndrome neighbor of mine.

The “not in my back yard” attitude that appears to be prevailing in Ocean View is quite unfortunate, especially in a time when developmental disabilities are increasing at an alarming rate in the U.S. birth rate. In the 1970s, autism occurred in 1:6,000 births and is now 1:166. If Elling’s neighbors had a child or grandchild in that category, they might feel differently about the matter. As Father Masterson used to say, “Think about it.”

Anne Green
Millville

Fenwick resident takes exception with officials
Editor:

As usual, the Fenwick Island Town Council continues to provide amusement for the residents. Just a few months ago, some council members advocated spending more than $2 million dollars for a plan to build a new town hall. Now Council is struggling to find the money to fund the town’s next budget.

The big homes some council members are against in a proposed FAR ordinance are suddenly not being built as the economy is slowing down. Thus, new construction is not providing the realty tax income that some council members enjoy spending so freely. So much for fiscal responsibility.

Speaking of irony, the same folks on this council who want to pass FAR (which is just an excuse to take away property rights without paying) don’t seem to realize that FAR will devalue their own properties.

E. Wayne Lednum
Fenwick Island