Stone: Finish the job and fire Mark Schaeffer
Jeff Stone is a resident of Milton.
During his tenure, current Sussex County District 3 Councilman Mark Schaeffer — in lockstep with his developer-friendly colleagues Cindy Green and Mike Vincent, and supported by political action committees and special interests — presided over an environmental and quality-of-life decline of unprecedented magnitude. Unfettered development increased traffic congestion to gridlock levels imperiling public safety; thousands of acres of mature trees have been unnecessarily cut down; vital infrastructure improvements are years and, in some cases, decades overdue; water quality has deteriorated to the point that no river or stream in Sussex County is safe for swimming or to eat fish from; schools are overcrowded; and workers cannot afford to live near their jobs. But developers have done very well.
On Sept. 10, 58% of the voters in council districts 1 and 2 said “enough is enough” and voted to fire incumbents Green and Vincent! The voters of the 3rd District must now finish the job and fire Mark Schaeffer on Nov. 5.
Schaeffer’s website says, “Our quality of life depends upon curbing unchecked growth,” yet we have unchecked growth at unparalleled levels. What initiatives or legislation has Schaeffer championed to curb this growth? None! He says, “We must take action to alleviate the horrendous traffic bottlenecks and poor road conditions that we’ve been saddled with as a result of years of neglect from previous county leadership.” Schaeffer is part of county leadership; what action has he advocated in the last four years to fix the problems he helped cause?
Nothing! His solution to these mounting problems is to accept developer/special interest campaign support and consistently vote to support and approve new development applications that come before him as a voting member of County Council, regardless of the negative impacts on the county and its citizens. It is time that County Council begins to care more about current Sussex residents’ quality of life than making it easy for developers to attract new buyers.
Change isn’t easy, but start by electing Jane Gruenbaum to County Council on Nov. 5. She is a fresh voice for balanced growth, fiscal responsibility and preservation of the county’s unique natural environment.
Jane knows that preserving the natural environment is not incompatible with high-quality development but firmly believes that achieving and maintaining a balance is critical. She will work to require that growth and infrastructure be synchronized, not years apart. Jane will level the playing field, be honest with citizens and continue to have no ties to developers. She is clear-eyed and realistic about what it will take to keep development in balance with the elements required to protect our quality of life, now and for the future.
Join the voters in districts 1 and 2 in saying “enough is enough.” It is time for change! Vote Jane Gruenbaum for Sussex County District 3 council representative Nov. 5.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
