THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2006
VOL. 11 NO. 18
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NEWS HEADLINES ANNIVERSARY - Christ United Methodist Church is looking to the past while moving steadily forward. This year, the vibrant and growing church is celebrating 175 years of ministry. Page 2 FLOOD RELIEF - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding homeowners, renters and businesses that less than one month remains to submit disaster loan applications for damage caused by the severe storms and flooding that occurred on June 22-28. Page 3 PLAY DAY - The Seaford High School Field Hockey Boosters hosted the Third Annual Seaford Hockey Play Day last weekend with 24 teams playing in over 70 games. Page 12 SEAFORD STARS - Two avid fans show their appreciation for the Seaford Senior League Softball All-Stars, which placed second in the World, with a letter to the sports editor. Page 13 DUI CRACKDOWN - Impaired driving has been a factor in more than one-third of Delaware’s 92 traffic deaths since the beginning of this year, claiming 35 lives in our state. Page 17 RIDE FOR KIDSAKE - A campaign for kids takes place this Saturday. Page 40 DEER RELIEF - The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife is offering a new deer management program, the Severe Deer Damage Assistance Program. Page 41 FALL SPORTS - The Seaford Star Falls Sports Special Section, which features varsity sports schedules and practice pictures, begins on page 43. LIBRARY LOCATION - The new Seaford District Library will be located next to the Ross Mansion along what has been known as North Pine Street Extended, but is now designated by a new roadside sign. Page 57
INSIDE THE STAR BUSINESS BULLETIN BOARD CHURCH CLASSIFIEDS EDUCATION ENTERTAINMENT HEALTH LETTERS MOVIES OBITUARIES
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OPINION PAT MURPHY PEOPLE POLICE JOURNAL SNAPSHOTS SPORTS TIDES/WEATHER TODD CROFFORD TONY WINDSOR
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SCHOOL SUPPLY CAMPAIGN - 2006 marks the fifth year of the School Supply Campaign for Less Fortunate Children and Monday was packing day. At left, Brittany Woods, 9, of Seaford and Kayleigh Barnes, 7, of Laurel (Miss Chesapeake) are shown with some of the school supplies destined for area children. "Schools that don't have, will have. We have piles and piles of stuff. It's nice to help out kids," commented Woods. At right is Bob Freeborn, a volunteer. Related photo and story on page 5. Photos by Bryant Richardson
Seaford sets annexation date, salutes Senior League softball By Mike McClure The Seaford Council set a date for its special annexation during its meeting on Tuesday, August 22. The Council also saluted the Nanticoke Senior League Softball team which represented Seaford in the Senior Softball World Series and placed second. The Council voted in favor of a resolution calling for a special annexation election to be held on September 18 from 2 to 6 p.m. at city hall. The proposed annexation of over 600 acres of land has come under fire from residents of the Hearn’s Pond area. However, no public comments were taken during Tuesday’s meeting. At the end of the meeting one citizen asked if there would be absentee ballots available for residents unable to make it to city hall during election hours. City manager Dolores Slatcher said the town’s charter does not provide for absentee ballots during annexation
votes, just municipal elections. She added that the times are also predetermined in the charter. The owners of the six parcels up for annexation are Nanette Corey, Ray S. Mears and Sons Inc.; St. Rockland and Company, L.L.C.; Morris Properties, L.L.C.; Tuong T. Quan; and Stephen and Cynthia Yingling. At the beginning of the meeting Mayor Ed Butler presented a resolution to the Nanticoke Little League Senior Softball team which recently placed second in the world. “Saying that we’re very proud of you is the least we could say to you,” Butler told the team. Manager Mike Riggleman presented the trophy to the city to display. In other business, the Council voted to change its electric rules and regulations to eliminate its budget plan. Under the rules, electric heat homeowners could qualify to be considered budget customers with budgets calculated by the previous 12 months’ usage divided by 10.
Slatcher recommended the elimination of the budget program, which is currently used by six citizens, because some of those residents indicated they may not continue to participate in the program. There was also some concern that other plan participants may not be able to pay on time due to rising costs. The city will send letters to the six residents notifying them of the end of this program. Kurt Riley of Property Tax Associates made his recommendations on a pair of real estate property tax appeals which were made on tax appeal night recently. Riley recommended the reduction of the estimate on Jennings Wooters’ property from $80,000 to $66,800 because an addition put on in 1995 was valued at a higher rate than it should have been. Riley recommended no change in the estimate on Laurie Williams’ property. The Council voted in favor of Continued to page 4