LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Speak Out |
On Sunday, September 1, Rehoboth awakened to the worst northeaster in years. The planned lakeside memorial celebration for Vance Becker obviously could not take place. But then our wonderful and caring Rehoboth community came to the rescue. First Marvin Roffman and Douglas Phillips offered to host the memorial at their spacious Silver Lake penthouse. Next, Keith Petrack and Sandra Skidmore, assisted by a team of volunteers, managed within two hours to move furniture, flowers, food and refreshments so the memorial celebration would take place as scheduled. Contributing to make this event so special were the Blue Moon, Celsius and Cloud 9, restaurants that Vance enjoyed over the years. Steve Elkins and Murray Archibald were extremely helpful in assisting with the memorial program and tribute to Vance in Letters.
I want to thank our community for the many thoughtful cards and notes and the more than 200 friends who joined together in one of the most beautiful tributes ever held in a private home in Rehoboth. Most of all, our community demonstrated to Vance's mother, Kay Becker, why Vance loved Rehoboth Beach so much and why it is a special place for all of us. Tony Burns I am compelled to write to express my concerns with the CAMPtalk column regarding Bush-League politics by Bill Sievert in the September 20, 2002 issue of Letters. I am deeply offended by Mr. Sievert's out of control, incoherent and vitriolic personal attacks on our President, the Bush family and on all Republicans, including me. Mr. Sievert's malicious attack on Governor Bush and Republicans for the Democratic debacle in the recent Democratic Primary in Florida is ludicrous and defies all logic and reason. This was a Democratic Primary, controlled and run by Democratic politicians and election officials, including the same three Democratic counties where the 2000 election was screwed up by the same Democrats. The facts are that Democratic election workers failed to show up for work, never attended training programs and were too incompetent to set up the voting machines and to record and tally the votesnot to mention those Democratic voters who once again, could not or would not follow simple voting instructions. I can speak with some experience on these points having worked the past four years as an election official in national, state and local elections here in Rehoboth Beach. By attending Board of Election training classes, following detailed step by step specific written instructions, working from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and with dedicated, resourceful and conscientious workers of both parties, we have never experienced the problems the Democrats seem to have in Florida. Blaming Governor Bush for Democratic ineptness in Florida as Mr. Sievert does, would be like me accusing Governor Minner of gross negligence because Democratic election workers failed to show up to open the polls at the Rehoboth Beach Fire Hall. Ridiculous! As parents of a gay man, my wife and I have a strong interest and deep understanding of gay-related social, economic and political issues. I believe our community would be better served by serious, thoughtful and reasonable discussions and debate of these important issues in the pages of Letters. Gerald D. Lore I am not the writer in my family but I want to have my say about the Nov. 5 election. I am supporting Pete Schwartzkopf because I believe he is a person who is willing to listen to all sides of a question before he makes up his mind. I've only known him for a few months, but I believe he is honest, hard working and someone who will protect our beaches and put some kind of plan in place to slow development until our roads can handle the traffic. After spending time talking with him, I trust him to do what's best for the quality of life for those of us who live here. As for election day, I'm urging everybody to get out and vote. I know how easy it is to get sidetracked and think that one vote doesn't count. But it will. We have to show District 14 how many gay voters there are and that candidates who support us can win. Bonnie Quesenberry The LGBT community in the 14th state representative district of Delaware has a unique opportunity to be heard in the Nov. 5 election. This is a very important election for us because it is an opportunity to show not only that the LGBT vote is significant but that we vote for the person who fairly considers all sides of the issues, regardless of our political party affiliation. Fortunately for us, one candidate, Pete Schwartzkopf, is a man of integrity and can be trusted to make the best decisions for all citizens on the many important issues in this election including growth and traffic issues. In addition, Pete Schwartzkopf has pledged to work for the rights of all citizens and will support legislation that adds sexual orientation to existing state discrimination laws. In contrast, Mike Meoli has demonstrated by his statements that he will support business interests over the needs and wants of citizensespecially when it comes to the equal rights of all citizens. Mike Meoli has proven he cannot be trusted by playing both sides of the fence on HB 99 before finally stating he would not support it. The choice is clear. Vote for Pete Schwartzkopf on November 5th and make sure your friends do, too. Every single vote really will count in this election. Make sure your voice is heard and make sure our community is recognized for its voting power. Thom Swiger and Steve Sage On behalf of the organizations that bring Bingo-A-Go-Go to Rehoboth, I would like to thank all the volunteers that worked so hard to pull these events together, the generous sponsors who donated the great prizes, and all of youthe players who bought tickets and had so much fun at these events. Special thanks to all those who baked the delicious goodies that sustained us during the games and to the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center staff who were always so cooperative and ready to help. The four organizations that benefit from the proceeds generated by the Rehoboth Bingo-A-Go-Go events are AIDS Delaware, The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware, Delaware Pride and The Metropolitan Community Church of Rehoboth. This year, approximately $32,000 was raised at the four Rehoboth events and each participating organization received an equal share of the net income (RCD did not participate in the February event). These organizations provide a variety of services and benefits for our community throughout Delaware. The Bingo-A-Go-Go dates for 2003 have been set, so mark your calendars now! The dates are: February 15, June 21, July 12 and August 23. Hope to see you at bingo! Tom Negran My heartfelt thanks to Rehoboth and Wilmington for the great turnout at the 14th Annual Miss Gay Delaware Regional Pageant held recently at the Renegade Resort. Leighanne Richards Productions and the Delaware Pageantry System thank the businesses, individuals, contestants, performers, staff and host arena for an evening of art and professional female impersonation. Congratulations to Miss Dana Marie Harris of Wilmington, Delaware, the newly crowned 2003 Miss Gay Delaware. Dana Marie's talent and beauty will add professionalism to the art of female impersonation here in Delaware. Miss Joanna Fantasia was given the first Honorary Miss Gay Delaware title. Thank you to the sponsors, staff and supporters for making this pageant bigger than ever. I hope to see you again next September when I bring you another fun filled evening of gay pageantry. Love you all, thanks again for another year. R. Lee Cook aka Leighanne Richards, Owner, Promoter, Producer Miss Gay Delaware Regional Pageant |
Letters should be addressed to Editor, Letters from CAMP Rehoboth, 39 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth, DE 19971, or e-mail: editor@camprehoboth.com. Include your name and phone number for verification. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 12, No. 14, October 18, 2002. |