Sussex Beat is a mix of news, analysis and commentary by Eric Magill, publisher of Sussex County Online. Council currently holds all of its meetings during the day, with council meetings on Tuesdays at 10 a.m.
Public hearings are typically in the afternoon.
Obviously, morning meetings shut out county residents who must work, both from attending most meetings and from running for office. The second point shouldn't be underestimated considering that two incumbent councilmen, Dale Dukes and Finley B. Jones, don't even have any challengers in the November general election. For a council that prides itself on its openness and accessibility to the people, such a move would go a long way to fulfilling that mission. Baker, in introducing an ordinance to set rates for the project, which will be reviewed at a public hearing Oct. 24 at 11 a.m., said the project could be completed by Nov. 1, 2000. County Administrator Robert L. Stickels, however, said homeowners have approached the county about the possiblity of buying the maintenance system with the county operating it.