THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2010
vol. 15 No. 7
News SAFETY - Texting, left lane laws are among those under study. Page 2 TRAFFIC ISSUE - Stein Highway traffic issue deferred to Del DOT. Page 3 BUSINESS - Allen’s Family Foods, Inc. and Amick Farms, LLC sign purchase agreement. Page 6 HEROES - Bill Sammons finds fulfillment in helping others. Page 8 HOMEOWNER - Woman from Haiti is now a new homeowner. Page 9 HOSTS - Additional host families needed for exchange students from Spain. Page 19 ENTERTAINMENT - Chesapeake Brass Band will perform at Ross Mansion. Page 30 MANSION - Garden Day June 12 at Ross Mansion featuring deWilde. Page 31 POLICE - Police looking for car involved in fatal hit and run. Page 41 SCHOOL NEWS - Student accomplishments are highlighted. Pages 50-57
Sports LITTLE LEAGUE - See page 43 for photos and results from Nanticoke Little League action. Send results and photos to sports@mspublications.com. SECOND PLACE - A local teen places second in the second NASCAR Whelen All-American Series race of his career. Page 45 AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL - The American Legion baseball season opens. Page 44.
Contact us
Subscriptions
kcherrix@mspublications.com
Seaford Star News
editor@mspublications.com
Seaford Star Sports
mmcclure@mspublications.com
Advertising
sales@mspublications.com
Business Report
businessreport@mspublications.com
Business Journal
brichardson@mspublications.com
Inside Bulletin Board Business ChurCh Classifieds final Word Gas lines Gourmet health letters lynn Parks movies oBituaries PoliCe Puzzles sPorts tides tony Windsor
20 6 24 32-41 59 16 29 26-28 58 18 7 25 41 31 43-49 46 42
50 cents
Plan to buy former library building withdrawn after emotional protest
By Tony E. Windsor
In a surprising outcome to a public hearing in Seaford last week, a local charity backed out of a decision to occupy the vacant building which formerly housed the Seaford District Library on Porter Street. Emotions ran high at times during the more than two-and-a-half-hour public meeting, held at Seaford City Hall on Wednesday, June 2. The meeting was scheduled by the city as standard protocol for entities seeking variances in existing zoning regulations. The Seaford Board of Adjustments and Appeals held the public hearing to allow public comment regarding a request by the Seaford branch of the Salvation Army to gain special exception to operate in the residential neighborhood as a church and obtain a variance for off-street parking. The Seaford Library left its former home at 414 Porter Street late last year and now occupies a new building on Pine Street Ext., near the Seaford Industrial Park. Recently the Salvation Army expressed an interest in purchasing the former library building, saying it has outgrown its current location in the Food Lion shopping center. Meeting city ordinances relating especially to off-street parking presented a challenge to the Salvation Army. The Porter Street area is zoned “Residential – Low Density.” City codes permit special exceptions to the zoning by entities including “a church or other place of worship, seminary or convent, parish house or Sunday school building.” However, it was also estimated that the Salvation Army would need 40 parking spaces to meet city regulations. The Salvation Army proposed to get a variance for a lesser number of parking spaces, with 11 onsite parking spaces being considered for a portion of the lot.
Snug Harbor
Major Philip DeMichael (right) confers with Salvation Army attorney Mike Smith as he prepares to sign papers at Seaford City Hall rescinding the Salvation Army’s application for relief from the city zoning ordinances. Photo by Tony Windsor
Pursuant to city ordinances, the Salvation Army proposed to get an exception for use of the building as a church. Major Philip De Michael, regional coordinator for the Delaware Salvation Army, said the objectives of the Salvation Army are outlined in its mission statement, which states in part: “The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.’ The Salvation Army proposed to utilize the former Seaford library building to expand its existing services, including children’s activities, Bible study, after-school studies, a food
Spacious Nanticoke
River Front Ranch REDUCED!
MLS#564472
$399,000
500 W. Stein Hwy. Seaford, DE
302-629-4514 Fax 302-536-6259
closet and music classes. As the noon meeting at City Hall progressed Councilman Rhea Shannon, who sat in for Mayor Ed Butler, who chairs the Board of Adjustment, explained that those in support of the Salvation Army request would speak first, followed by those who were in opposition. One by one, children and parents who take part in Salvation Army programming, including after-school activities and special music programs, expressed their support for the project, saying it would give more room as an option to an already overcrowded meeting place. Major DeMichael expressed assurance that the Salvation Army site Continued to page four
Steve ston Hu SRA, REALTOR
CELL 302
745-2603