In Delaware, no need to worry, because everything's perfect, right? Not so fast

Last month, a small item in a local bi-weekly noted that a group of community volunteers had canceled the scheduled cleanup of Lewes Beach. Apparently, a scouting party determined that the beach was so spotless that no cleanup was necessary. Say what?

While this is good (and somewhat unbelievable) news, it does raise the question of whether there are other aspects of coastal life that are just fine and should be left alone.

So, Route 9 has no problems at all, right?

For instance, there’s Route 9, which for decades has functioned as the primary connector between the much-loved Coastal Highway and Cape Henlopen State Park. It is not known to have an especially high number of accidents, and no one has confused it with the Dover Motor Speedway.

Yet, DelDOT, in its infinite wisdom, has proposed construction of some five, count ‘em, five roundabouts on the Kings Highway portion of that route. Apparently, it believes that there is a need for greater traffic control, and that the roundabouts would provide a “calming effect” (their phrase, not mine) on the traffic.

How to account for DelDOT’s fascination with the roundabout and the accompanying abhorrence of the all-American, tri-color, traffic light? The word on the street (a particularly apt idiom in this context) is that the DelDOTians are dues paying members of the Roundabout Calming Alliance, better known as RCA – although they don’t broadcast it – and that that explains their circular logic.

In any case, they’ve taken up too much space in this essay, and threaten to do the same with their roundabouts, so let’s move on to another example of leaving well enough alone.

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Second Street in Lewes won't exactly be 'sensory-friendly'

Last November, Walmart, founded by everyone’s favorite Uncle Sam (née Walton), instituted a new policy of “sensory-friendly” hours. From 8-10 a.m., the TV walls project a static image, there is no radio programming, and the lights are turned down as low as is possible commensurate with safety and sales. All of which is designed to make the stores “easier on the eyes and ears,” according to a Walmart press release.

While response to such sensory-friendly hours has been “overwhelmingly positive,” apparently this word has not reached the street, in this case Second Street in Lewes. Here, a new city ordinance would allow restaurants with patios to play pre-recorded music on those outdoor venues from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

In a community often described as quiet and quaint, each restaurant could air music, both literally and figuratively, as loud as 65 decibels in volume.

The downtown area has multiple restaurants near each other and a half dozen or so of them have patios. Imagine each simultaneously broadcasting a different tune. It is likely that diners (and/or drinkers), for whom this music has ostensibly been introduced, will be treated to a cacophony, rather than a symphony, of music.

Rumor has it that in addition to separate food and drink menus, participating restaurants will also provide playlists, from which outdoor customers can select the music they wish to hear while they dine. And, as a premium perk, they can pay to substitute their own lists for the options provided by the restaurant.

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Cool Spring Crossing is 'dead,' but it could rise again

Finally, no essay reflecting the Beatles famous admonition to “Let It Be” would be complete without mention of our unquenchable land developers.

In news akin to the cleanliness of Lewes Beach, the proposed 1,922-home (yes, you read that correctly) Cool Spring Crossing community, to be built on 637 acres near Milton, has been formally declared to be in violation of the Sussex County Comprehensive Plan. Hooray! The spring may live to run another day.

However, knowing the Planning & Zoning Commission, something tells me this proposal will rise like a Phoenix. So, coastal bird watchers, be on alert.

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What in the world is 'kinetic art'? Find out soon in Lewes

Lest I be accused of resisting all change, let me conclude by offering my support to the efforts of the Public Art Committee of Lewes. Each year, the members select one or more works to be displayed in an outdoor setting. This year they have chosen to feature art by the Baltimorean (that’s a geographic reference, not an artistic style) Paul Daniel.

Six of his kinetic works, sculptures that turn in the wind, will be placed around George H.P. Smith Park, with one of them destined to float in Blockhouse Pond. True to the theme of this column, I should bemoan this development and describe how it will despoil the natural beauty of the park.

However, in line with PAC policy, this K-Netic art, not to be confused with K-Pop music, is to be installed on a temporary basis and removed within the year. Thus, it should cause no permanent damage.

Nonetheless, given its relative proximity to downtown Lewes, the question remains as to whether Paul Daniel’s kinetic art will “perform” as intended, or whether it will be negatively affected by sound waves from the Second Street restaurant patios.

Mike Berger is a freelance writer and retired university administrator with a home in Lewes. Contact him at edadvice@comcast.net.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: In Delaware, no need to worry, because everything's perfect, right?