WGMD HOST NOT READY FOR PRIME (OR ANY OTHER) TIME
When I’m cruising through Delaware (or northern Worcester or Wicomico counties) I often bump my dial over one tick from WICO-FM to hear what’s going on at WGMD-FM. While I like talk radio, I prefer some local content and WICO is now 99.9% syndicated. (two public radio stations are now the only source of real local content on the Lower Shore)
Two Sundays ago I happened to tune in and heard some guy named Bill Rogers spouting the most ridiculous nonsense this side of MSNBC. The problem? Rogers claims to be a conservative. Personally, I think we should trade this guy to the left for a future third round draft pick.
What was Rogers’ crime? The guy’s entire show (I only listened for about 90 minutes while I was driving to Seaford and back) was an attack on Libertarians. Sure, everyone has a right to their opinion. I don’t disagree with Rogers’ premise that voting Libertarian is often equivalent to voting Democrat, but Rogers’ reasoning was based on a false premise that I found quite offensive.
Rogers claimed that Libertarians were foolish because of their stance on gay marriage. He specifically claimed that same-sex marriage laws would require churches to marry same-sex couples. He didn’t say this once either. Rogers must of repeated this at least a dozen times in the period I was listening.
It’s bad enough that my party (the GOP) is systematically driving libertarian-minded voters away, now we have a supposedly conservative, local talk host trying to do the same with what are basically lies.
I will concede that the day may come that some court, even the US Supreme Court, may make such an outrageous ruling. However, that day has not arrived … YET. It’s bad enough that nominally Christian denominations such as the Episcopal Church perform what are de facto gay weddings. We have enough battles to fight in the present. People like Rogers don’t need to make up problems. If he is a conservative, as he claims, he also doesn’t need to deliberately offend a portion of the electorate we need to win.
PARKER, CLAYBAUGH SHOW TRUE COLORS … AGAIN
GEORGETOWN, DE – Sussex County Sheriff Jeff Christopher’s ongoing battle with the state of Delaware over the extent (limit) of his powers has 
MILLSBORO, DE – Owners of manufactured homes showed up in force at the August 2nd candidate forum hosted by American Legion Post 28. At the top of their minds were the candidates’ stances on a bill put before the Delaware legislature this year which would have limited increases in the lot rent paid by many manufactured homeowners. SB 205 passed the Delaware Senate but failed in Delaware House.
GEORGETOWN, DE – Matthew Burton, the accused murderer of Nicole Bennett, continues to challenge his extradition to Worcester County. Judge Howard Mulvaney III of Delaware’s Justice of the Peace Court number 3 signed Burton’s extradition order Monday. However, Burton will continue to be held in Delaware pending a habeas corpus hearing in Delaware Superior Court on Thursday.
DEWEY BEACH, DE – In the wake of an Attorney General’s opinion that the mayor and council of Dewey Beach was guilty of multiple violations of the state’s open meetings law, the former mayor of this resort town has called on the current mayor to resign. Former mayor Dell Tush, in a July 27th letter to Dewey Beach mayor Diane Hanson, asked Hanson to resign. “It is time for you to resign before our town is damaged beyond repair,” Tush said.
You often hear (or read) in the media that the First Amendment is inviolate. Yet, media coverage of our most basic freedoms begs a question or two:
GUMBORO, DE – 
WHALEYVILLE, MD – A Dagsboro man has been arrested in the murder of Delaware woman Nicole Bennett. Bennett’s body was found in Worcester County last month. Maryland State Police arrested 28-year-old Matthew Burton Friday night during a traffic stop in Rehoboth Beach. Burton is reported to be a custodian at Bennett’s Church, Bay Shore Community Church. Officials are still searching for a motive in the case, but say Burton is being charged with first and second degree murder.
Family members told WMDT earlier this week that the family is staying strong. They still attend the church, where Nicole was last reported to be the night before she was found dead. Before the arrest, Bennett’s Father-In-Law Bob Bennett said, "It’s our faith and we’re not questioning God. It’s an evil world, evil things happen to good people and we have to be protective. I think we’re more protective than ever."
DOVER, DE – By a 12-3 vote, the Delaware Senate passed a bill to clarify the limits of a county sheriff’s powers in Delaware. HB 325 now goes to Gov. Jack Markell for his signature.
GEORGETOWN, DE – After a federal judge ruled that the Sussex County Council was in violation of the establishment clause by opening each meeting with the Lord’s Prayer, the council is seeking a compromise. Under a compromised, which passed by a 3-2 vote, the council president would open each meeting with a non-sectarian prayer. On occasion, the Lord’s Prayer would be used.
GEORGETOWN, DE – 
DOVER, DE – The Delaware House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday designed to codify the duties of a county sheriff and his or her deputies, including that they do not have the legal authority to make arrests or investigate crimes. The bill, 
MILTON, DE – Dogfish Head Brewery has received approval from the Milton Planning and Zoning Commission to move forward with a 208,000 square feet expansion of its current facility in Milton. Dogfish Chief Operating Officer Nick Benz said the addition is part of the company’s larger plan to increase production to 500,000 barrels per year over at least the next 10 years from an estimated 150,000 barrels this year. This expansion is in addition to build a 102,500 square foot warehouse on an adjacent property.
LEWES, DE – Sussex County councilwoman Joan Deaver (D-3) will announce her intent to seek re-election today at 5:30 PM. Deaver, who is in her first term on council, will kick-off her re-election campaign at The Kitchen in the Paynters Mill development off Paynters Mill Road on Route 1 at Cave Neck Road.
LAUREL, DE – Tim Dukes, son of former Sussex County Council president Dale Dukes, has announced that he will be seeking the GOP nomination for the 40th District House seat currently held by Rep. Clifford "Biff" Lee (R-40). Lee is not running for re-election.
DEWEY BEACH, DE – Former Dewey Beach mayor Bob Frederick will seek the Democrat nomination for the 6th senatorial district. The district encompasses Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, and Milton.
DOVER, DE – Delaware senator George Bunting (D-20) announced from the Senate floor on Tuesday that he will not seek re-election. Bunting, chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Sunset, and Veterans Affairs committees has served in the senate since 1996. From 1982 – 1984 and 1986 – 1996 he served in the Delaware House of Representatives.
LEWES, DE – Jordan Thomas, the JV Girl’s basketball coach at Cape Henlopen High School, was arrested March 1st after it was reported that he kissed a 15 year old student while giving her a ride home. Thomas has been suspended from all coaching duties.
GEORGETOWN, DE – Let’s try this one more time – the Sheriff’s Office of Sussex County is not empowered to make arrests. This ruling recently came down from the office of Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden.
LEWES, DE – GOP candidate Ernesto Lopez has announced his campaign committee for the upcoming race for the GOP nomination to take the 6th Senate district. Karen Pickard, a nursing instructor at Beebe School of Nursing, will serve as Lopez’s campaign manager. Carol Kitchen, a Lewes accountant, will serve as campaign treasurer.
MILTON, DE – The Milton Town Council is looking into paving heavily potholed streets in the Shipbuilder’s Village neighborhood. Funding would come from leftover state funds as well as the municipal street aid account.
GEORGETOWN, DE – Sussex County Councilman Sam Wilson has been cleared by the Delaware Public Integrity Commission of two complaints regarding land-use applications that came before the council. In one complaint an anonymous source complained that Wilson had purchased hay at a below market price from the applicant, Russell Banks. In the second complaint a county resident alleged that Wilson had a financial interest in a manufactured housing park and should not vote on any legislation regarding manufactured housing parks.
LEWES, DE – A Cape Henlopen School District bus driver has been removed from his job, possibly due to a video he posted on YouTube. Tighmir Sayles, 19, was preparing to leave Mariner Middle School on January 12th with a busload of students when his bus was boarded by board member 
