REHOBOTH BEACH -- The 197,145 residents of Sussex County should not expect a tax increase, as the first draft of the county's fiscal year 2013 budget was introduced to council Tuesday, May 22.
This was just one of many tidbits that Sussex County administrator Todd Lawson shared with members of the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce, as he spoke about the financial shape of the county.
And despite the revenue from the Realty Transfer Tax going down about 6.65 percent from fiscal year 2012 and about two-thirds of the 2005 figure, Lawson said the county is in good shape.
"We will have a balanced budget and there will be no tax increases this year," he said. "I made sure I didn't do that on my first watch. We haven't raised taxes in Sussex for over 20 years, so I didn't want to do it in my first five months."
The FY2013 budget, which is at approximately $139 million, will be introduced this week to the Sussex County Council. Lawson said it's broken down to $51 million for operating costs, $34 million for water and sewer costs and $55 for long term capital improvements.
"It's a pretty robust operation," he said, adding that there are 500 employees spread across the county.
Lawson said it is important to pay attention to what he called the three p's: be prepared, be ready to promote what is in the county and protect what the county already has, namely the agriculture and tourism industries.
"It seems pretty simple, but when you put it into an active mode, it's very important," he said. "We have a robust local economy and hopefully we'll see that bounce back even further, but we need to be prepared when other businesses are looking to move in or when businesses that are currently here are looking to expand."
One project taking place is extending the runway at the Georgetown Airport by 1,000 feet, a project that Lawson said is the single biggest infrastructure project in the history of the county.
Not only will the extension allow for bigger planes, which could attract additional businesses -- the county is in talks with FedEx and Lawson said the company is interested in establishing a Georgetown hub if the infrastructure is there -- but it will also re-route Truck Route 9 to create a true bypass around Georgetown, an area that Lawson said can be "a pretty bad bottleneck." for those traveling to and from the beach via Route 404.
Lawson said the project will stimulate $48 million of total output over the range of the project and create 304 jobs. The tentative schedule has the first 500 feet of the extension done this summer.
Chamber President and CEO Carol Everhart said he thought Lawson was clear and concise, informing members about the status of the county and what needs to be done in the future.
"Everything depends on our economic development," she said. "Whether it's tourism, agro-tourism or some other kind of business, that has to be foremost in the mind of anyone who is running a county budget."
On Twitter @JonBleiweis
Source: www.delmarvanow.com
Helping Children Cope with Divorce - Yahoo Finance
MIAMI, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Divorce can be a stressful time, not only for the separating spouses, but also for the children who depend on them. This transition may include moving homes, splitting time between parents and even meeting a parent's new mate. These events can promote feelings of anger, confusion and guilt.
"Divorce can have a huge impact on a child," said Dr. Sara Rivero-Conil, psychologist and Clinical Manager of the Department of Psychology at Miami Children's Hospital. While every family is different, with varying methods and timeframes for coping, there are several things parents can do to make the adjustment easier on the children.
Encourage Communication
Communication is the key in a situation like divorce. Children should be encouraged to share their feelings—both negative and positive. "Make talking an ongoing process, be prepared for them to have questions and, though it may be difficult, keep your children's feelings and opinions separate from your own," she said. It's imperative for the child to know that you are still accounting for their feelings. Remind them that they are not at fault for the divorce.
Take the High Road
"How severely a child is impacted by a divorce is usually connected to the amount of conflict they are exposed to during the process," said Dr. Rivero-Conil. "It's important to keep adult feuding away from the children. Avoid using children as messengers or having them 'spy' to find out what is happening with the other parent." How you support your child and relate to the other parent will be detrimental on your child's adjustment to the changes.
"Too often, parents who are feuding unintentionally make the kids feel like they have to pick a side, and this can be traumatic for a child at any age. Regardless of the situation, try to remain as factual and neutral as possible around them," she said.
Take Care of Yourself Too
While it's important to encourage children to have a positive outlook during a divorce, parents must also remember that taking care of themselves is important too.
"When you're in pain, your children are in pain too," said Dr. Rivero-Conil. "Seeking the support of family members, friends or a therapist can help you stay strong. Divorce is certainly not easy but patience and communication can make the process better for the whole family."
For more information, visit www.mch.com.
Source: finance.yahoo.com
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