Number of animals on a small farm at issue in Sussex

By Ron MacArthur

ronm@capegazette.com

How many animals should be permitted on lots of less than 5 acres in Sussex County's AR-1 zoning districts?

Sussex County Council President Mike Vincent of Seaford is spearheading a discussion to answer that question. During an Oct. 20 meeting, Vincent said he's hearing complaints from residents about excessive numbers of farm animals on small lots, usually those adjacent to building lots.

According to county code, on lots of less than 5 acres, four cattle, eight sheep, eight goats, eight hogs and 99 chickens are permitted for noncommercial use.

Vincent said the same number of animals is permitted on much smaller lots, including one acre or less.

“The concern is the quantity of the animals. There could be a lot of animals on small acreage. A whole backyard could be filled with animals,” Vincent said.

On less than 5 acres, farm and truck gardens, orchards and nurseries are allowed, as are private stables and feed lots to keep and feed horses, ponies, small numbers of chickens, sheep, goats, and cattle for personal enjoyment and not for business use.

Private stables housing no more than four horses or mules are also permitted. The animals must be owned by the residents living on the property and not be for hire or sale. Boarding is not permitted.

On lots larger than five acres, nearly all agricultural activities are permitted by right in AR-1 zoning.

Councilman John Rieley of Millsboro said the list of animals in code is limited; llamas and donkeys are not included. “A fair compromise would be prorated numbers,” he said.

“I support property rights, but the impact on neighbors should be discussed.”

“I like the stair-step approach,” said Councilman Irwin “I.G.” Burton of Lewes. “It's about the size of a lot versus the number of animals. This gives us something to think about.”

Vincent said at this point, the matter is for discussion purposes only.

https://www.capegazette.com/article/council%E2%80%99s-rieley-endorses-schaeffer-vincent/210008

Council’s Rieley endorses Schaeffer, Vincent

John Rieley, 5th District

October 15, 2020

I am writing to weigh in on the Sussex County Council races in Sussex and endorse a couple of fellow Republicans who are running. Before I do that, however, I’d like to congratulate Cindy Green on her recent victory in the Second District. We look forward to Cindy joining us as only the second woman to be elected to council!

In the First District, current council President Mike Vincent is running for re-election. Mike is the senior member of council in terms of experience, and during his time on council the county has gone from a very hard fiscal situation to a very solid position which has resulted in a recent upgrade in our credit rating to AAA. There are many accomplishments I could talk about with regard to Mike Vincent’s tenure on council, but perhaps the most valuable contribution Mike makes to the county is his experience and his deep institutional knowledge. I have enjoyed working with Mike and I hope the voters in the First District see fit to elect him to another four years.

Finally, in the Third District, Mark Schaeffer is the Republican candidate. As a Republican, Mark shares the philosophy of limited government. Republicans also believe in government as close to the people as possible, low taxes, private property rights as one of the fundamental tenets of a free market system, and no more regulation than necessary. Mark also seems to be on the same page with council as we work to help ensure that Sussex County remains a great place to live and work. A couple of examples of this would be that Mark has stated that he opposes any tax increases and has endorsed the adoption of the first ever Transportation Improvement District in Sussex (TID).

I also hope that he will support the recently proposed “FAST” initiative (Financial Acceleration of Safety in Transportation). I am happy to endorse Mark Scheaffer for the Third District and I hope the voters agree. Thank you for the opportunity to weigh in on the Sussex County Council races. We look forward to serving the citizens of Sussex County.

John Rieley, 5th District

Sussex County Council

Sussex councilman: Governor is ruling by fiat

Rieley says citizens are paying high price during state of emergency

• Ron MacArthur - May 13, 2020

https://www.capegazette.com/article/sussex-councilman-governor-ruling-fiat/202103

Sussex County Councilman John Rieley has made it clear where he stands on Gov. John Carney's mandates related to the COVID-19 state of emergency. He cautions the cost of the restrictions, especially to business owners, could be worse than the virus. During council's May 12 meeting, Rieley, who serves District 5 and lives near Millsboro, said he felt obligated as an elected official to read the statement.

“While the vast majority of our fellow citizens have endeavored to comply with mandates coming from the governor in an effort to flatten the curve to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, it has come at a cost,” he said.

The Republican councilman, who has served since 2018, said cost can be measured in many ways: financial hardship, delayed medical care, lost school time and depression from isolation. “Nevertheless, our fellow citizens have stepped up and cooperated, and many have paid a price,” he said.

The councilman said the governor should rely on scientific evidence, but it's past time to also seek input from the General Assembly and the courts, which have been closed during the state of emergency.

It is paramount, he said, that the governor not outsource decision-making to those trained only to look at issues associated with their own discipline.

“The governor must also be mindful of the precedents that may be established here with the lack of checks and balances in the decision-making process. For nearly two months now, our General Assembly has been out of session. Our courts have also been closed. This scenario is very troubling as the governor seems to be ruling by fiat with an indefinite timeline. I do not believe the citizens will tolerate this for long – nor should they,” Rieley said.

Rieley said the people of Delaware are intelligent enough to do what is right in limiting the spread of the virus, and those most at risk know they must limit their exposure and act accordingly.

“Our citizens gave two weeks willingly in order to flatten the curve. They gave another month because they were asked. But as the shutdown grinds on – approaching two months now – it becomes less clear what the purpose is,” Rieley said. “Since we have achieved the stated goal of flattening the curve, we, as elected officials charged with ensuring the good of our country and its citizens, should demand that businesses which can reopen safely should be allowed to do so without fear of retribution.

“There must be accountability to ensure that this crisis does not become worse than the disease, by allowing drastic collateral damage to more people than are actually touched by the virus or by undermining the rule of law. Abdicating decision-making to the scientists or specialists is not a substitute for the good judgement of the statesman,” he said.

Councilman Sam Wilson of Georgetown asked whether the letter could be sent to the governor. After he was told a vote could not be taken because the statement was not an agenda item, Wilson requested it be placed on the May 19 agenda.

District 5 includes southern Sussex County, extending from the Maryland line to the Atlantic Ocean, including the communities and areas around Dagsboro, Delmar, Fenwick Island, Frankford, Laurel, Millsboro, Millville, Selbyville and South Bethany.