Letters to the editor: Delaware needs more sidewalks
Delaware needs more sidewalks
You cannot call yourself a “Delawarean” if you are oblivious to the construction constantly occurring throughout Delaware. The state seemingly always funnels funds into communities, parks, road repaving and numerous other construction projects; yet, it remains ignorant to an egregious missing component among their projects: sidewalks. To those who may legally operate a motor vehicle, this supposed “gaping hole” in state-funded activities seems inconsequential. However, to those like myself, an immobilized teen, Delaware represents a field of dodgeball in which the balls are actually cars that we attempt to dodge whilst dangerously crossing a road just to go to Friendly’s.
I can't walk for five minutes down the road without a temporary pathway abandoning me on the side of an intersection. The lack of sidewalks serve no purpose but to encourage us to resort to desperate measures for simple tasks, like buying the ice cream I never got from Friendly’s.
The state should refrain from wasteful spending on new projects if young people cannot access them without placing themselves in imminent danger. For the safety of your children and the occasional nomadic teenagers like myself, I strongly suggest the creation of sidewalks for easier access throughout Delaware.
Anika Devotta
Hockessin
Council 'prayer' not a prayer at all
Regarding the recent article concerning the change to a new prayer from a moment of silence for Wilmington City Council meetings: A prayer by definition is a request for divine guidance, miracles or blessings from a higher power or spiritual presence. The new daily "prayer" is not actually a prayer, as it completely eliminates the concept of a creator, an afterlife, or a spiritual realm.
A prayer seeks divine intervention, charity or wisdom from a higher power or spiritual being. Several council members are self-described agnostics and did not participate in the vote to replace the moment of silence with the recently approved ''prayer."
I firmly believe that this is a decision based on the illusion of being politically correct, and not on actually seeking guidance and direction from a higher power. My recommendation is for the council to return to the "moment of silence," as it is non-denominational and allows each council member to seek guidance and wisdom from whatever source inspires them.
Raymond Logue
Newark
Time to take on global warming
"Climate, friendly businesses make Delaware beaches a year-round destination" (March 6) highlights the fact that short-term gains for Delaware from longer tourist seasons will be more than offset by the high costs of sea level rise, beach loss and storm intensification due to climate change – noting that, “Warmer temperatures have a downside, though. For low-lying states like Delaware, the implications are significant. Delaware has already spent millions of dollars to pump sand from the shoals offshore back onto beaches –– sand that's lost with each passing storm.”
Everyone in Delaware knows that the science is in on climate change and sea level rise and that the people of the state need responsible action and smart investments on climate solutions here and in Washington DC to preserve Delaware’s unique way of life.
It’s clear the impacts of our changing climate are already being felt on Delaware’s beaches, cities and farmland and that it’s time for the state to face up to its responsibilities and take on global warming by putting in place the climate change adaptation policies needed to secure a safe and prosperous future for all of Delaware.
Dan Tefft
Newton, Mass.
Rubin is no conservative
I have read nearly everything posted by Jennifer Rubin on your editorial page. She appears to be as liberal a hack as Eugene Robinson. Of course, there is nothing wrong with printing it. But to describe her as "offering reported opinion from a conservative perspective" is a joke.
Tom Dennis
Dover
Kudos to Re-Store organizers
Habitat for Humanity profoundly improves many lives in Delaware. It's Re-Stores continue to be a growing, integral part of its many successes within our communities, bringing families together through God's work.
The tireless efforts of Kevin Smith and Joe Robertson created the first small Re-Store in 2004, which grew into a larger store in 2008 and to a much larger store in 2014.
Joe and Kevin truly nurtured the Re-Store every step along the way, into what it is today.
Berk Martin
Wilmington