Why does Seaford reject growth? (school, bill, mayor)
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I believe it would be nice to be able to shop right here in Seaford or go to a theater event, or to have a good selection of food stores. Wal-Mart's and Food Lion is ok, but I prefer Giants or a store of it’ s equal. How about a store such as Best Buy or some other store which would be good for our community and give jobs to our residents. Industry that is clean to our community and offers good jobs and benefits will keep our young people in the area and this strengthens the economical foundation of our town and community.
To be fair, Target and Best Buy do not generally target rural communities. If you look at the two closest Best Buys to Seaford (Dover and Salisbury), even those are in markets smaller than Best Buy usually targets. Same deal if you look at the three closest Targets (Dover, Salisbury, and Easton). Even Rehoboth, which is, at this point, a shopping destination, doesn't have these two retailers. To lure retailers like Target and Best Buy would not just require growth, it would require exponential growth.
As to the Giant vs. Food Lion, I live in a Giant-dominated area, and I don't think you're missing too much. The Food Lions I have been in seem about equivalent to Giants. The main differences aren't between the chains themselves but within the chains- the newer Food Lions (or Blooms) are much nicer than the older ones and the newer Giants are much nicer than the older ones.
Since the big chains mostly ignore rural areas like Seaford, I think the town would do better to invest in unique local shopping experiences.
Since the big chains mostly ignore rural areas like Seaford, I think the town would do better to invest in unique local shopping experiences.
I’m afraid boutiques and novelty stores are not the answer to Seaford’s problems. Take a walk down High Street and see how well that worked out for a number of folks.
For Seaford to turn the corner, it’s going to take a vision, which I think has always been in short supply. The only reason Seaford flourished for a time was because it had the good fortune of being selected by DuPont as the location to build its first nylon plant. From what I understand, there were even those in the community in the 30s who were none too excited to welcome DuPont either. After all, it will change what we like so much. Without DuPont, I contend Seaford would be another Greenwood or Felton.
During the 1970’s Seaford was probably at it’s heyday, but this had nothing to do with the city leader's vision and everything to do with the community leaders who worked at DuPont. Because of the caliber of people the plant brought to Seaford, they demanded and worked for good schools, clean neighborhoods, community concerts, a country club, community pools, 4th of July fireworks, family gatherings at the picnic grounds and so forth. As DuPont began its steady retreat from Seaford, one by one everything that DuPont and its employees built and maintained began to disappear. And the city leaders watched for 20 years and did nothing.
So, what’s to be done? Let’s start with three actions:
1. Fine the slum lords who own most of the property in the core of the city. If and when they don't bring it up to standrads, condemn it, tear it down and offer tax incentives to developers to build quality homes where people might actually be proud to live.
2. Elect a school board that will is not content with mediocracy and one that will hold the administration and teachers accountable for delivering a quality education. If the administration doesn't improve test scores in three years, fire them and get a crew that can.
3. Capitalize on the aesthetics and recreational value of the Nanticoke. I’m not talking about a once a year hoedown with antique cars and aging local bands. The rest of Delmarva is showcasing their waterfronts but the river walk in Seaford is hapless.
This is tough talk Seaford, but you need to wake up. Just like in the 30s, I know there are those who say I don't want growth – I like it just the way it is. The problem with that thinking is without investing in it, you're going to lose it.
SEAFORD — When 15-year-old Memoree Adkins saw the envelope, she knew what was inside. “I started jumping up and down,” Memoree said. The eighth-grade student at Seaford Middle School was accepted into a new high school program called Delaware New Tech Academy at Seaford Senior High School. She hopes it will help her learn more about a career in graphic arts. http://www.talkdelaware.com/family-schools/16810-new-map-get-schools-course.html (broken link)
Last edited by toobusytoday; 03-08-2011 at 11:19 AM..
Reason: copyright. Link and snippet please
Because of the caliber of people the plant brought to Seaford, they demanded and worked for good schools, clean neighborhoods, community concerts, a country club, community pools, 4th of July fireworks, family gatherings at the picnic grounds and so forth. As DuPont began its steady retreat from Seaford, one by one everything that DuPont and its employees built and maintained began to disappear. And the city leaders watched for 20 years and did nothing.
IMHO this is whats wrong with the majority of the shore. Most ppl that have lived here their entire life have NO perspective on what REAL small towns do to keep the local pride high and to make the quality of life better. Anyone that somehow thinks that the quality of life is somehow better in a community like this is down right ignorant. Having lived near small towns that had festivals, welcomed new residents and had genuine pride I can assure you that few towns on the shore possess this quality. Run down homes, disgruntled attitudes and poverty litters the shore towns along with this arrogant attitude that life here is somehow better when in fact the only real advantages to living here are less traffic. The low property tax is great but the goods and services here arent that great. Street lights and curbs are rare and well water and public infrastructure is almost nonexistent. Cancer rates are through the roof and crime is swept under the rug. Ignorance is bliss if you just genuinely dont know. Anywhere else and there would be news specials about the crime and major investigations about the cancer clusters. BUT, since everyone is too busy denying everything, 90% of the negative goings-on never get published in any local news media. The caliber of ppl that live here dont KNOW how most other real prospering communities operate and most are totally against getting outside help from a come here.
IMHO this is whats wrong with the majority of the shore. Most ppl that have lived here their entire life have NO perspective on what REAL small towns do to keep the local pride high and to make the quality of life better. Anyone that somehow thinks that the quality of life is somehow better in a community like this is down right ignorant. Having lived near small towns that had festivals, welcomed new residents and had genuine pride I can assure you that few towns on the shore possess this quality. Run down homes, disgruntled attitudes and poverty litters the shore towns along with this arrogant attitude that life here is somehow better when in fact the only real advantages to living here are less traffic. The low property tax is great but the goods and services here arent that great. Street lights and curbs are rare and well water and public infrastructure is almost nonexistent. Cancer rates are through the roof and crime is swept under the rug. Ignorance is bliss if you just genuinely dont know. Anywhere else and there would be news specials about the crime and major investigations about the cancer clusters. BUT, since everyone is too busy denying everything, 90% of the negative goings-on never get published in any local news media. The caliber of ppl that live here dont KNOW how most other real prospering communities operate and most are totally against getting outside help from a come here.
You Sir are certainly welcome to your opinion. I lived and worked in Philadelphia and surrounding areas most of my life. We had a vacation home down here and I jumped at the chance to move down when it came. Would I be happy in every area down here? Certainly not but the same answers applies to city living. It cerainly is a great place to raise a kid.Have a Happy Day!!
Longnecker, not all shore towns are rejecting growth. My observation has always been that the closer you get to the beaches in both MD and DE the more progress and normal happenings you see. I prefer progress and a "community" feel. There are too many local attitudes and dislike for anyone not from this area to ever have a sense of REAL community.
Longnecker, not all shore towns are rejecting growth. My observation has always been that the closer you get to the beaches in both MD and DE the more progress and normal happenings you see. I prefer progress and a "community" feel. There are too many local attitudes and dislike for anyone not from this area to ever have a sense of REAL community.
Exactly - my point earlier in this thread. It's a false belief among folks in towns like Seaford that if we grow, we'll lose what we have. Anyplace that doesn't grow is doomed to die a slow death. The complicated dynamics of cities are the same, regardless of their size: what's at play in Detroit can take hold in Seaford, just on a smaller scale. Best to not get behind the curve, but to take actions now to avoid a slow decay and decline while the towns around it grow and attract the amenities and jobs needed to ensure a future.
Longnecker, not all shore towns are rejecting growth. My observation has always been that the closer you get to the beaches in both MD and DE the more progress and normal happenings you see. I prefer progress and a "community" feel. There are too many local attitudes and dislike for anyone not from this area to ever have a sense of REAL community.
The biggest problem in the Seaford/Laurel corridor is jobs. The Seaford town fathers long ago setup an industrial park. There is a lot of community spirit with the folks in the fire department. They have a great Parks and Rec department offering many youth programs. Although many people bemoan the closing of the old out door pool right in the same strip is Seaford Boys and Girls Club with a great pool and many other facilities. Yes some of the housing is old. There are no jobs to provide decent income. Trust me trying to maintain property dealing with Section 8 tenants is very difficult at best.
I am sure you must realize that Seaford is almost an hour from the beach. (Shore Town?)
Some times in the beach area we get too much progress because the County Council which has enough votes to approve things over our local reps votes. There is such a thing as too much growth.
Seaford is a fine place to live. I have made friends with some very good people. Yes, I did move here from the Western shore Maryland. I moved here to get away from high taxes and a simpler way of living. That said, there is no reason to not desire a community with stores and entertainment for the family. Would it be wrong to go after a Target, Regale Theater, Panera Bread, Chick-fil-A,Gino’s Burgers and Chicken,Rite Aid Warehouse, Extension of Delaware State or University of Delaware to locate here in Seaford. How about going after a police academy to locate here in Seaford? How about a training site for the Delaware National Guards and other state Guard members to train? There is nothing wrong to better you community for the future of the young who need work and establish a base of youth and growth. People who are afraid of growth are people who wish to remain a Grisly Adams community. Just a few idea’s that would be beneficial to our community and in no way would hamper the farmers or anyone who lives in the Seaford area.
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The biggest problem in the Seaford/Laurel corridor is jobs. The Seaford town fathers long ago setup an industrial park. There is a lot of community spirit with the folks in the fire department. They have a great Parks and Rec department offering many youth programs. Although many people bemoan the closing of the old out door pool right in the same strip is Seaford Boys and Girls Club with a great pool and many other facilities. Yes some of the housing is old. There are no jobs to provide decent income. Trust me trying to maintain property dealing with Section 8 tenants is very difficult at best.
