July 2014 Edition

City of Seaford News
Issue Number 3|July|2014
Nanticoke Riverfest Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Inside
th
The Nanticoke Riverfest will celebrate its 20 anniversary
this year. The annual event will
take place in downtown Seaford
on Friday and Saturday, July 11
and 12. There is no admission fee
to the festivities which will have
something for everyone in the
family.
On Friday, July 11, be sure to
make your way down to the
Riverwalk around 8:30 p.m. for the
first-time boat parade. Our
signature float-in will begin at 7:30
a.m. on July 12.
There is an outstanding
entertainment lineup that you’re sure to enjoy, including nightly
headliners, Mike Hines & Love Seed Mama Jump.
From the car show to the Mayor’s Challenge, children’s
play area to canoe kayak races, the fishing tournament to the
health tent, food and craft vendors, and much, much more, our
event will not disappoint you. For more detailed event
information, visit our Web site at www.nanticokeriverfest.com
Riverfest … the event of the summer; you won’t want to miss
it!
Farmers
Market p. 2
Letter from the
Mayor p. 2
Pat Jones p. 3
AFRAM p. 3
Tree Raffle
p. 7
Special points
of interest
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Mayor’s
Choice
Award
Electric
Department
Award
Street
Service
Charge
New
Council
members
414 High Street, Seaford, Delaware 19973 | 302.629.9173 | www.seafordde.com
A message from the desk of Mayor David Genshaw …..
Welcome to summer and to our 20th anniversary of Riverfest on Friday and Saturday, July 11
and 12. The committee has been working diligently to make this another wonderful event for our
residents and visitors.
With great weather upon us, I encourage you to enjoy the outdoors with a walk or bike ride
around Hooper’s Landing or take advantage of the walking trails at Soroptimist Park and the City’s
Sports Complex. You may want to try to catch the “big one” while fishing along the river walk or by
the boat ramp. Either way, I hope you will get outside and enjoy our beautiful city.
Business interest in Seaford remains extremely exciting. Our goal is to ensure these
opportunities become commitments and continue to move forward.
You may have noticed our increased focus on the level of service we provide. Our hope is
that every interaction we have with our stakeholders is positive and reinforces our appreciation for
them. I am very proud of the way our city employees have taken on this challenge.
I look forward to hearing any comments you may have; contact me at
[email protected]. See you at Riverfest!
The Western Sussex Farmers’
Market is open now. Located at the
Mears Campus on
Rawlins Drive.
The market is
open from 8:30
a.m. to noon every
Saturday through
September 1.
Local growers will have vegetables,
plants, herbs, flowers, baked goods,
dog treats, eggs and
more. Each week the
Market also will offer
various activities,
music, educational,
information, food and
safety programs.
Electric Dept. wins 1st place!
The City’s electric
department recently
received the RP3
designation award: 1st
place for safety again this
year! Kudos to the
employees for their
commitment to a safe
work environment! This is
the fourth year that the department has won
this award.
Thank you, Pat
Pat Jones was elected to City Council in 2002 and served her
hometown until 2014. During those years, she saw many changes in
Seaford and was involved in numerous projects in
some capacity. Some of the noteworthy projects
were: AFRAM Festival, cleaning up the notorious
Third & North streets of drugs, crime and
prostitution, workplace diversity, Hooper’s
Landing, City Hall, Jay’s Nest, MLK Day of
Celebration, Nanticoke Senior Center,
Neighborhood Watch, Nutter Park, Sports Complex,
Seaford Community Pool, economic development,
infrastructure.
According to Pat, she is proud to see those
“beneficial projects accomplished” and feels that
her time “was well spent improving, preserving, and enhancing the City
of Seaford.”
Thank you, Pat, for your service; we wish you well in your
endeavors!
AFRAM Festival is set for August 8 and 9
AFRAM is set for Friday and Saturday, August 8 and 9 at the Seaford Sports
Complex. Organizers say it will enrich your body, mind and soul with a selection of
cultural foods, fascinating exhibits, and free live music … Reggae, Jazz, Gospel, Blues/
Soul, Calypso … what could be better? You’re reminded to bring your lawn lairs for
great seating.
Stroll among AFRAM’s cultural vendors for some of the best foods and exotic
imports African textiles, printed fashions, incense, jewelry and accessories, and natural
beauty products, as well as fine arts/crafts and books from across the Diaspora. There
will be free information and networking opportunities available among AFRAM’s
Community Resource/Non-Profit vendors: wellness, education, family care,
entrepreneurship, employment; government agencies & services.
On Friday night listen to the sounds of DJ Blade's Old School Dance Party,
followed by sultry soul beats from the featured dance band On the Edge.
Saturday gives visitors an opportunity to explore and enjoy exhibits, such as the
Buffalo Soldiers’ presentation and the Exhibition Tent where you can: join an "open"
Djembe drum demonstration, see AFRAM's resident artist, Errol Sobers, display his one
-of-a-kind musical instruments all constructed of recycled materials and watch a
Brazilian Capoeira (martial arts) demonstration.
Source: AFRAM web site
Friendly Reminders
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No more than three
(3) dogs over the
age of six months
are permitted in a
dwelling unit.
Trash bags should
be stored inside
durable metal or
plastic containers
and have
tight-fitting lids.
You need to obtain
a permit from the
City if you have any
type of swimming
pool, including an
inflatable pool, that
holds more than
300 gallons of
water.
The Weeds and
Vegetation
Ordinance requires
that all grass,
weeds and
uncontrolled
vegetation should
be no taller than 10
inches
Basketball nets
should not be
placed at the curb
to avoid playing
basketball in the
street.
Movie Night at the
Ross Mansion: July
18 and August 29.
Stayed tuned to see
which movie will be
featured!
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Bus trips are being
scheduled again by
the City of Seaford.
July 31 travel to the
Medieval Times.
Welcome Councilman
H. William “Bill” Mulvaney
H. William “Bill” Mulvaney moved to
Seaford in 1950 at the age of two when his father
began a career with the du Pont Company. He
grew up in the Nanticoke Annex neighborhood,
was educated in the Seaford School District, and
graduated in 1966 in the last class to attend the
original high school before it became the middle
school.
He married his high school sweetheart
and classmate, Darlene Hastings, in1968, and in
November they will celebrate their 46th wedding
anniversary. They have one son, Ryan, and two
“grand dogs,” Chase and Abbey.
The Mulvaneys became city residents
in1971 after returning from a three-year stint in the U.S. Army. Bill began his
30-year career as a Justice of the Peace in Sussex County, spending the majority of
his years assigned to Court 4 in Seaford. He had the honor and privilege of
receiving appointments from five governors: du Pont, Castle, Carper, Minner and
Markell. Bill retired from judicial service in September 2013.
August 11—
Camden Yards to
watch the Orioles
vs. the Yankees
September 6—
Camden Yards to
watch the Orioles
vs. the Nationals!
*********
Contact the
Recreation Office at
302-629-6809 for
more information.
Welcome Councilman Dan H Henderson
For at least six generations many of my ancestors
have called Seaford home. My wife, Karen and my daughter,
Hannah, and I happily continue that tradition.
Recently, I came to the realization that it was time to
step forward and help to ensure that others can enjoy the
possibility of an even better quality of life that I have
experienced as a resident. Having worked all of my adult life
as a tradesman and business owner, I am eager to put that
knowledge gained to work in a more important way for the
good my neighbors.
A well run and interactive city government helps lay
the foundation for economic and cultural growth in any
community, and it is my hope that I can help in that role
here. It has been a truly humbling experience to have had the
support of the voters in Seaford, and I am interested in
hearing all viewpoints regarding the improvement of our
City.
Welcome, Councilman Orlando Holland
Born and raised in Delmar, Orlando attended
and graduated from Delmar Jr.-Sr. High School. After
attending Electrical Trades School in Georgetown, he
worked for K&L Microwave in Salisbury for 20-plus
years and ClearComm for approximately seven years;
Orlando is currently employed at Trinity Logistics.
A resident of Seaford for seven years, he
previously lived in Clearbrooke Estates before moving
to his current residence on Nylon Boulevard.
Mayor’s Right Choice Award Winner Announced
On Tuesday, June 10 at the City Council meeting, Mayor David Genshaw
awarded the 2014 Mayor’s Right Choice Award to Sarah
Bell, a Sussex Tech High School senior. The primary
purpose of this award is to honor a senior residing within
the Seaford School District, who, by making the right
choices in life, has exhibited a positive influence on the
Seaford community.
The award is not intended to acknowledge academic
achievements but rather to recognize the student as a role
model. It is the hope that this program, which rewards
students who make the right choices in life, will
encourage other youth to aspire to do the same.
Ms. Bell received a plaque and a $500 scholarship.
She plans to further her education in elementary
education and hopes to return to teach in her home town.
Annual Water Quality Report
We're pleased to present this year's Annual Water Quality Report, which is
designed to inform you about the quality water and services you receive daily from the City. Our
constant goal is to provide you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. Committed to
ensuring the quality of your water, we want you to understand our efforts to continually improve
the water treatment process and protect our water resources.
Our water source is groundwater with our five wells drawing from the Columbia
Aquifer. Before the water is delivered to you, we add hypochlorite as a disinfectant to protect
against microbial contaminants and soda ash to adjust the Ph to a neutral level. Also, we have
started adding fluoride to help prevent tooth decay.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control in conjunction
with the Division of Public Health has conducted a source water assessment. If you are interested
in reviewing the assessment, please contact City Hall @ 629-9173 or go online: http://
www.wr.udel.edu/swaphome/swassessments.html.
Overall, the City of Seaford’s drinking water supply system has exceeded
drinking water standard for metals, has a very high susceptibility to nutrients, petroleum
hydrocarbons and other organic compounds, a high susceptibility to pathogens, pesticides, and
other inorganic compounds, and a moderate susceptibility to PCBs.
If you have any questions about this report or concerning your water utility,
please contact Public Works Director Berley Mears at 302-629-8307 or 302-629-9173.
Street Service Charge
City staff is often asked, “What is the Street Service Charge?” on the utilities bill. This
charge is used in the General Fund Streets Department for the leaf and limb service and the
annual clean up week in May. The leaf and limb service does include labor and equipment and
the maintenance of the leaf and limb disposal site. Once a year the City has to hire an outside
contractor to chip the debris and push the material to the back of the site
to create a clear zone for the daily disposal for leaves and limbs.
The annual clean up week cost includes the labor and equipment
plus the cost of the dumpsters and the trash hauler taking the material to
the Delaware Solid Waste Authority at Jones Crossing.
414 High Street, Seaford, Delaware 19973 | 302.629.9173 | www.seafordde.com
Winner of Earth Day
Tree Raffle Announced
Congratulations to Benet McCormick, winner of the City’s
2014 Earth Day Tree raffle!
The City of Seaford raffles shade trees because they
naturally provide a welcoming spot to cool down during hot
summer days. When shade trees are properly located and planted,
they can lower home and business energy costs by reducing the
need for summer air conditioning.
The energy savings associated with trees doesn’t stop with
summer. In the winter, trees lose their leaves, allowing the sun to
warm up homes and business; reducing heating needs and
lowering heating costs.
The Earth Day Tree Raffle is part of Seaford’s Earth Day
Education campaign to teach its citizens more about energy
efficiency and conservation. A display in the lobby of City Hall
enabled the public to learn more about this year’s overall message: Think Locally, Act Locally, and Buy
Locally to benefit health and quality of life while saving money.
Thinking Locally – Means thinking about:
The uniqueness of our community,
How we sometimes waste our limited resources, and
How to use resources more sustainably to retain the natural beauty of the local environment
Acting Locally – Means taking action to help ourselves and our community:
Save money on electricity costs through simple low and no cost energy efficiency measures,
Better understand how energy efficiency and conservation help reduce local carbon emissions,
and
Take direct personal action by entering a raffle to win a tree that not only absorbs carbon but also
reduces summer cooling costs through free shading
Buying Locally – Means we should seek local resources first because:
Imported food typically travels farther and requires more fuel to get from field to plate,
Local trips can sometimes be handled on foot or bike which reduces vehicle miles traveled and
saves energy, and
Reducing the amount of congestion on the roads can improve local air quality
To learn more about how to save energy, visit the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation (DEMEC) Web
site www.demecinc.net
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DEMEC was formed in 1979 as a public corporation constituted as a Joint Action Agency and a wholesale
electric utility. DEMEC represents and serves the nine municipal electric distribution utilities located in the
State of Delaware.
Members of DEMEC are the cities and towns of Clayton, Dover, Lewes, Middletown, Milford, New Castle,
Newark, Seaford and Smyrna. Collectively, they serve over 126,000 residents and businesses in their
respective communities. In total DEMEC’s Members have a peak load over 450 megawatts. DEMEC is a
generation owner and the PJM Load Serving Entity (“LSE”) for eight of these municipal utilities (except
Dover) and provides 100 percent of their wholesale power supply requirements.