LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
SPEAK Out |
I am no fan of the Republican Party since its platform and so many of its members are viciously opposed to fairness for gay people. Yet my father used to say, "You've got to give the devil his due," so here goes.
In January 2007 all eight of the Republican state senators in Delaware voted to oppose rules permitting the Delaware Senate's infamous "desk drawer veto." Only one Democrat, Karen Peterson, joined them. The desk drawer veto allows a committee chair to simply ignore a bill no matter how many legislators or citizens want that legislation: no hearing, no discussion, no vote. Our several gay nondiscrimination bills have been killed by this undemocratic maneuver. The desk drawer veto was abolished in the Delaware House when Republicans took that chamber three decades ago. This January all eight Republican Senators plus Democrats Karen Peterson and David Sokola have now sponsored Senate Resolution 13. It calls for many open government reforms in the Senate, including abolishment of the desk drawer veto. I applaud the Republicans on this issueand any Democrats democratic enough to join them. Douglas Marshall-Steele (Following is a copy of a letter addressed to Gov. Ruth Ann Minner) Dear Governor Minner: For the first seven years of the "Minner-Carney Administration" (to use your definition of your administration) you always indicated your support of the non-discrimination legislation (HB 99 and its successors); you attended rallies in support of that; and indicated that you would support administrative remedies which dealt with inequalities in the law which impacted the GLBT community. We were very disappointed that there was nary a mention of our community in the recent State of the State address. Though you have verbalized support for our community, we have very little to show for your efforts, even when your promise to add "transgendered" to your non-discrimination executive order required no one's action but your own. Hopefully, your lack of specific mention of issues of importance to us does not diminish your commitment to our community, and you and the Lieutenant Governor will use your clout and administrative prerogatives this legislative session to provide us with the same rights that every other Delawarean has. Looking forward to working with your administration to achieve equal rights for all. Peter Schott, President Delaware Stonewall Democrats I'm writing to let you know our appreciation for the generous donation and volunteer support CAMP Rehoboth provides every year to help make our Community Unity Dinner a reality. It goes without saying that you cannot have a dinner without dessert and we can always count on CAMP to provide the most delicious and festive desserts. Also, your crew of volunteers assists us in so many ways. This year we served almost 400 dinners on December 2 and it was the best party yet. Your generous donation has become a Rehoboth tradition that is appreciated by the marvelous cross-section of Rehoboth organizations and individuals who participate in and enjoy this event. Thank you from the Main Street Board of Directors and membership for your continued and so very generous community support. Kathy McGuiness Main Street Promotions Committee Chair The children of Burton Village would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the great Christmas party that was made possible through the following community-conscious businesses and organizations that donated so generously: Arena's Deli, Caf-A-Go-Go, CAMP Rehoboth, Casapulla's South, Christmas Spirit, Dolle's Candyland, Grotto Pizza, Ibach's, Lewes Dairy, McDonald's, Neva's Caf, Nicola Pizza, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Salisbury, MD, Robin Hood Restaurant, Silk & Sands Florist, The Admiral Hotel, The Bake Shoppe, The Coffee Mill, Toys for Tots and the Sussex Family YMCA along with Terry Rasberry for his valued assistance in contacting Santa Claus at the North Pole. Theresa Cardone on behalf of the children of Burton Village Retro Cafe and Grille, 10 Wilmington Ave., is proud to announce that we raised $570 over Mardi Gras weekend to be donated to the New Orleans Public Libraries through an in-house raffle.As a former elementary teacher, I wanted to do something to help the children of New Orleans and that is why my partner Thom Morris and I chose the library system as our benefactor. Last year, we sent them over $300, and our goal this year was $500, which we easily reached thanks to the generosity of our customers. The public libraries in New Orleans were devastated by Hurricane Katrina and the money raised will help replenish damaged books and supplies. Retro also participated in the 2nd annual Gumbo Cook-off where over 400 people sampled our gumbo. We were proud to help out for the 2nd year in a rowfor a worthy cause to help hurricane victims in Louisiana. Jim Slusher Retro Cafe and Grille |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 18, No. 01 February 08, 2008 |