Speak Out

In the willingness of CAMP Rehoboth to work with others, not against them, the gay-lesbian community is gaining acceptance. CAMP Rehoboth has provided a structure for this to happen and its leadership serves as a positive role model.

We are very lucky to have you!

Mary Anne Fleetwood

Just wanted to say thank you for your assistance with the Food & Friends golf tournament. I really appreciate your willingness to note the tournament and provide us with ad space in your publication. It is through the kindness of people like you that we are able to continue our mission of serving those in the community free of charge. So from everyone here at Food & Friends, and all of our clients, I extend our warmest thanks!

Melissa Silvestri
Special Events Associate

Being a very passive but supportive Rehoboth Beach fan, I find it hard to imagine myself actually sitting down to write this letter. Two things moved me to take the time to write: the great time I had during the past 4th of July celebration of LOVE and two separate incidents that made me wonder "what were they thinking."

First let me congratulate all of those responsible for making this year’s LOVE summer dance party—truly the ULTIMATE weekend. Every weekend in Rehoboth is special, but this one was over the top. A special thanks goes to those responsible for the creation of the Love Groove Retro Ball—just plain good fun! Hopefully this will be continued next year and every year as a regular event.

Under the category of "what were they thinking," we have a tie between two of RB’s newly opened establishments—AM and Zeus. I was looking forward to seeing the new AM and on Saturday night ventured out to take in the new sights and sounds. I agree with everyone who has been there—the renovation to the old Ames is amazing and the sound is great. What blew me away (not in a good way) was not only the timing of Hedda Lettuce’s act, but her very strong endorsement of drugs. In the first few minutes on stage, she started to take a roll call of who was on what drugs. I think she was trying to be funny (key words, I think), but it certainly sent the wrong message.

On Sunday, I was looking forward to checking out the new Yum Yum (or Zeus) and getting back to our regular schedule of Sunday Teas in their great outdoor garden space. The new paint and the energy made the way for a great kick off (in spite of the broiling temperatures).

Now if we can all chip in and get new shirts for the bar staff to wear, we will be set. I couldn’t believe it when I saw several of the garden bar staff wearing T-shirts that said "I hate this Town." Really, what were they thinking? When I asked one of the bartenders what gives, he said they were given the shirts and told to wear them.

I know this may sound petty, but if these incidents hit me the way it did, (and I’m normally pretty laid back about stuff like this) what impact did it have on the first time visitor to Rehoboth? Fortunately, there are many venues in town that we can choose to support. That’s what diversity is all about. But, as a sponsored LOVE event, I would hope that this would not affect other sponsor’s decisions as to whether or not to continue supporting a great weekend and such worthy charities.

Again, thanks for making LOVE 2003 the ULTIMATE summer weekend!

Guy Abernathey

To Those of You who are registered to vote in Rehoboth (and those of you who should be registered and are not): On Saturday, August 9, you will have the chance to cast your vote for Commissioner of Rehoboth Beach. I am writing to urge those of you who are eligible to vote to cast a vote for Kathy McGuiness for re-election to a three year term as Commissioner.

As a Commissioner myself for the last 7 years, I want you to know I have appreciated Kathy’s perspective as head of the Board of Rehoboth Main Street—revitalizing our downtown—and her commitment to the community. Kathy is open, interested in preserving a balance between commercial and residential interests, and personally invested in preserving and promoting what attracts and keeps us all here.

Please vote—in person or absentee—and help re-elect a true friend.

Betty Ann Kane
Commissioner, Rehoboth Beach

I am writing to introduce myself to you as a candidate for Rehoboth Beach Commissioner for one of the two seats up for election on August 9. By the election, I hope to meet most voters personally and to ensure that, as a new name to some of you, my ideas and capabilities are well known to all.

I am running because I have come to appreciate what a truly unique and special place Rehoboth Beach is. We also understand both the impressive future potential of the community as well as the pressures which can take us in undesirable directions without good leadership and broad citizen participation in City decisions. I find that I am both willing and eager to give my time, ideas, and service to Rehoboth and work with others to exercise every bit of the potential we all share.

I fully support the action of the current commissioners when they voted that Rehoboth Beach will "prohibit discrimination against persons on the basis of sexual orientation in housing, employment, public works contracting and public accommodations." This is a groundbreaking action, and one which must never be weakened or diluted.

The Rehoboth we love is now presented with external pressures. For Rehoboth to maintain the qualities which keep us here, we must take all reasonable actions within the City to control and, where appropriate, take advantage of the effects of these pressures on our small community. I believe the City must take an increasingly active role in seeking to influence and work with the county, state, and federal government officials to effect those changes we all know are necessary.

One step in this direction is to pass and implement the Rehoboth Beach Comprehensive Development Plan, the crucial document developed by the Planning Commission over the past two years outlining the City’s goals and policies regarding the use of the land. Passing and implementing the Comprehensive Plan will go a long way toward preserving the charm of the residential areas. We also must make it easier to preserve some of the older properties by providing flexibility to homeowners to allow them to make reasonable renovations and additions to their homes while at the same time preserving the best, often known as the old cottage appearance, which makes Rehoboth so unique.

It must also be a priority to build a healthy business community, making it easier and more desirable for everyone to shop, dine, and enjoy services in Rehoboth. This includes avoiding costly and burdensome regulations with little public benefit. I too am a small businessman, owner and operator of a software development business whose clients include John Hopkins University, Northrup Grumman, NASA, the U.S. Navy, Walt Disney, Scientific Atlanta. My belief is that maintaining and raising the quality of life in Rehoboth, for residents and visitors, will do much for our businesses. I am committed to this goal.

Rehoboth Beach means "room for all", and that means all of us—gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and straight residents and visitors to our town. If I am elected to the Commission, I will be an outspoken advocate for fair, consistent enforcement of all ordinances, without any regard to who is gay or straight, who is young or old, and who is a year-round resident or a weekend visitor.

It is important to Rehoboth’s future that each voter becomes knowledgeable about the issues now facing the City and then votes in the August 9 election. I will be active this summer, walking the streets to meet as many voters as possible and attending several meet-the-candidate forums. Of course, I will often be on Deauville or Whiskey Beach in the early morning piping in the day (I am a serious bagpiper) except for the worst weather days. By August 9 my hope is to have exchanged my ideas, concerns, and priorities with yours and hopefully convinced you I am worthy of your vote.