No Build Coalition

 

From: Chris Carulli Sent: Wed., Jan. 16, 2008

To: Carolann.Wicks@state.de.us; 'Geier Roberta (DelDOT)'; 'The Hon. Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf 14 (D)';

Subject: Western Parkway - No Build

The Hon. Carolann Wicks...

     ...My wife and I are a part of the Plantation Road Coalition and represent the homeowners of Bridle Ridge Estates in Lewes.  One of the routes proposed by your organization runs right up to my home.  We completely oppose the planning and building of the Western Parkway.  We have studied all three alternatives - Green, Yellow, and Orange.  We have gone to the DELDOT workshops and we are not even close to being convinced that this area needs a 4-Lane Highway now or in the future.  The cost of this Highway is far too high in terms of the affected lives versus the minor benefit it may provide.  Please do not plan this Highway.

 Mrs. Wicks, we ask you to take a hard look at what is being proposed here.

 We ask that you visit the study area - its neighborhoods, its farmlands, its wetlands - and envision a 4-lane Highway cutting through it.

 We ask that you scrutinize the idea that there are, or even will be, enough travelers going South on Route 1 that are trying to get to Route 24 West when they are already this far South and East.  We live here and know that this is a "Road to Nowhere".  A route that gets people off Route 1 farther North and gets them to their destinations South of Dewey Beach or West of the coastal area would actually have an impact.

 We ask that you look into who truly benefits from this Highway.  We know that it is not the residents of this area.

 We ask that you not allow DELDOT to be an enabler of poor development planning by providing a 4-lane Highway for yet more development to occur.  We know exactly what development is planned for the area and this Highway is not the appropriate answer.

 DELDOT's precious resources can surely be utilized in a better manner.

     Sincerely,  Chris and Patricia Carulli, Lewes, DE

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SIGN our ONLINE PETITION

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/nobuild/

 

19 Candlewicke Drive, Dover, Delaware 19901

 

January 22, 2008

 

Secretary Carolann Wicks

State of Delaware

Department of Transportation

800 Bay Road

P.O. Box 778

Dover, DE 19903

 

Dear Secretary Wicks:

 

We, The Concerned Citizens of Jimtown and the Surrounding Communities, are writing to oppose the building of the Western Parkway to accommodate the traffic generated by overdevelopment. It appears that accommodations have been made for developers at the expense of the quality of life of Jimtown residents.

 

Jimtown is a historical, African and Native American community. It is difficult to express the level of emotion that arises because we know that we are being targeted due to our ethnicity and economic status.

 

State Representative Pete Swartzkopf has been unsuccessful in convincing the citizens of Jimtown that the reason we are being targeted is because of the open space located in Jimtown.

 

Jimtown residents have been good stewards of the land. Therefore, we believe it is ludicrous to target our town for elevated carcinogens and noise levels, toxic runoff, and harsh lighting from the highway impeding our view of the night. We oppose the actions of any county or state agency that minimizes and questions the right of Jimtown residents to exist in a livable environment.

 

We also realize that the strategy to target Jimtown residents, trailer park residents, and individual farmers was contrived not because it was the best route for the parkway; but because it was believed that our political influence would be minimal. This is a classic governmental approach to planning.

 

We believe that the use of federal funds to destroy our historical, African and Native American town and displace its lifelong elderly residents is a human injustice. We also believe that to destroy open space, pristine woodlands, and wetlands is an environmental injustice. For these reasons, we want the no build option regarding the mobility element of the Sussex County Land Use Plan. Also, for any current planning regarding the Western Parkway we want the no build option. In addition, we expect judicious individuals in state government will not certify any other option regarding the Western Parkway.

 

We expect you to reconsider the impact of the current Western Parkway proposal on the lives of the taxpaying citizens of Jimtown. We also expect studies utilizing objective data will support not building as a serious option.

 

Sincerely,

 

Rosalyn J. Allen Echols, Spokesperson

Concerned Citizens of Jimtown and

Surrounding Communities