| We Sussex Countians are fortunate in many ways as | | | | boating, fishing, sailing and that most usual of all |
| we have a wonderful quality of life here.Climate: | | | | eco-tourism pursuits; beach walking, are all growing by |
| Our climate for one thing is the best in the region. The | | | | several percent each year.Historic Appreciation and |
| United States Department of Agriculture has a map | | | | Preservation: |
| that shows the temperature zones for plants (and | | | | Lewes, Milton and Georgetown all have (in that order) |
| people). This map shows Delaware in the same | | | | substantial historic preservation districts. Purchasing and |
| climate band as mid-Texas, northern Georgia, and the | | | | restoring as well as maintaining these historic homes |
| Carolinas. Delaware is by far the northern most place | | | | and shops is a major and growing contributing factor |
| for this climate. Southern Delaware, although not | | | | to our economy and local aesthetic beauty. There are |
| delineated on this map is shown as one zone more | | | | hundreds of homes in Lewes and Milton with |
| southerly in the more detailed maps you get for | | | | extensive restoration work done. Some of these are |
| planting flowers and vegetables as shown in gardening | | | | now Bed and Breakfast Inns. Many of these Historic |
| texts.Sussex County Delaware has a winter climate | | | | sites are listed in the national or state register of |
| and temperature that equals the Carolinas, Georgia | | | | historic places because of their importance to |
| and northern Florida. It has a summer climate and | | | | community, their place in state history or prehistory, or |
| temperature that is more like New York and | | | | due to significance in architecture, archeology, or |
| Massachusetts. The reason for this is the tempering | | | | culture. Many of these places are not suitably listed by |
| effects of the large bodies of water that surround | | | | beautiful never the less and important to all of us. |
| Sussex County have more local effect on keeping us | | | | Sussex County has listed several buildings in the |
| cool in Summer and Warm in winter than the land | | | | National/State Register in recent years. Retaining our |
| does. The closer you get to the water the more this is | | | | existing stock and extending the longevity of historic |
| true. The Eastern Sussex area is almost identical to | | | | resources keeps the past vivid in our daily lives. |
| Boston temperatures in the summer and Tampa | | | | Travelers tend to plan longer trips around historic |
| temperatures in the winter.Driving and Commuting | | | | sites.Education: |
| Distance: | | | | Education is a critical element in our community's |
| In Sussex County we feel we are far enough from | | | | quality of life. Our vision for the future creates a |
| everything and close enough to all that's important. | | | | world-class education system that is challenging and |
| While we enjoy and idyllic rural and resort lifestyle here, | | | | diverse enough to encourage the highest levels of |
| we are a couple of hours to the cities. When I lived in | | | | student and faulty achievement, works in partnership |
| L.A. most of us drove two or more hours each way | | | | with families and the community, and provides life-long |
| to work. Southern Californians spend 4 to 8 hours a | | | | learning opportunities. Sussex Technical & Community |
| day in their cars - no wonder the car culture is so | | | | College, Wilmington College, Goldey Beacon Business |
| strong there. In two hours we can be past Wilmington | | | | Schools, University of Delaware and more are active |
| to Philadelphia and beyond; past Baltimore and into | | | | campuses here in Salt Water Sussex County. A |
| Washington D.C. and beyond and to the south we can | | | | thriving economy is essential to the education system. |
| reach Norfolk in just over two hours. The slowest part | | | | Healthy families ensure that students are ready to |
| of each of these trips is the first 45 minutes which are | | | | learn. A vibrant arts community and our unique natural |
| on our picturesque Colonial roads, but then we hit the | | | | environment provide opportunities for hands-on learning. |
| open roads and the miles click on by. We are about 90 | | | | We have numerous work study programs particularly |
| minutes to any of four International Airports - take your | | | | in education, the arts, health care, law enforcement, |
| pick: Dulles, Reagan, Baltimore Washington or | | | | oceanography, environmentalism and commercial |
| Philadelphia. We have air commuter service 45 | | | | boating. Our region will continue to enhance the |
| minutes away in Salisbury or Newcastle. Charter | | | | strength, depth and diversity of our region's education |
| service is available in Georgetown right here in the | | | | system. Educational excellence is fundamental to our |
| middle of Sussex County.Telecommuting and | | | | competitive economy, a healthy environment, |
| Teleworking: | | | | self-sufficient families, and an outstanding community. |
| Sussex County, especially just west of the beach | | | | Our elementary schools, middle schools and high |
| areas is a rapidly growing area for telecommuting. The | | | | schools in the Cape Henlopen School District and |
| ultra-high-speed cable access to the Internet is | | | | nearby areas are usually at or near the top of the |
| available anywhere that Comcast Cable television | | | | Delaware education system success gradients.Health |
| service is. This cable modem service is about 10-30 | | | | Care: |
| times faster than dial-up service and makes all the | | | | Health and wellness are fundamental to community |
| difference if you are on line all day like Kate and I are. | | | | prosperity. A healthy community embraces all aspects |
| Although the cable modem costs about $50 a month, | | | | of health. Our vision of a healthy future focuses on |
| you can split it and without a drop in speed have two | | | | healthy behavior and prevention which allows people |
| or three people in your home on the same hookup - | | | | to celebrate and live life to its fullest and ensures |
| that makes it very cost effective. I specialize in helping | | | | accessible care to encourage the best health |
| those who do, or want, to telecommute or as they | | | | outcomes. State of the art technology will allow people |
| say in Europe and the Federal Government, to | | | | with critical needs to get care in their own community. |
| telework. We have helped numerous people move in | | | | Dedicated and caring doctors, nurses and caregivers |
| and work from home. The various government | | | | are at the heart of our health care system. A thriving |
| agencies are now pressing more and more people to | | | | economy and good jobs ensure that families have |
| telework at least a few days a week. If you go to the | | | | access to health care. A clean environment offering |
| various federal web sites most if not all of them have | | | | rich recreational choices supports healthy families. |
| criteria and jobs for teleworkers - check it out. And | | | | Affordable, accessible health care is essential to our |
| don't forget your favorite jobs anywhere - you may | | | | vision of families that can support our economy and |
| be able to work here and have a job in any other | | | | schools as well. Beebe Hospital headquartered in |
| place on earth or at least any other place in | | | | Lewes has developed (to a great degree under the |
| America.Crime: | | | | auspices of my father, Joe Hudson) a large number of |
| Our crime, what there is of it, is mostly out of state | | | | clinics and satellite health care facilities spread |
| speeders on the highways. Some of our visitors are of | | | | frequently around the area.Healthy communities focus |
| the opinion (right or wrong) that our major source of | | | | on wellness, prevention and access to quality medical |
| state income in Delaware is fines from speeding | | | | care. When health care is hard to find or expensive, |
| tickets. That is the primary function of our police on a | | | | people may delay treatment, often making their health |
| daily basis. We are certainly not crime free but we are | | | | problems worse. Timely access to appropriate health |
| safer than most places. In fact of our serious crimes, | | | | care benefits everyone.Beebe Hospital is certainly the |
| most are DUI, Driving Under the Influence and still our | | | | fastest growing and largest employer in the beach |
| statistics are that of a very peaceful and laid back | | | | resort area and growing fast to support our retirement |
| rural area.Size and Density: | | | | communities as more and more people retire here at |
| Sussex County is the largest county east of the | | | | earlier and earlier ages and remain more and more |
| Mississippi River with 938 square miles! Sussex has | | | | active in life, business and recreation. We have a |
| almost the exact same size as the other two counties | | | | wonderful school of nursing attached to the hospital as |
| of Delaware combined; yet we have only about 15% | | | | well: The Beebe Hospital School of Nursing.Beach and |
| of the state population with our 120,000 people. That | | | | Natural Environment Areas: |
| relates to only 128 people per square mile, compared | | | | And this, our beach area, is of course what we are |
| to almost 1100 people per square mile in our northern | | | | nationally famous for. The natural environment is the |
| county, New Castle.Financial and Economic Vitality: | | | | very foundation of community well-being. We are in |
| Southern Delaware is uniquely a haven for the self | | | | late transition from a farming community to a resort |
| employed. The economic vitality of Sussex County, | | | | and arts community. Our best and most optimum |
| especially eastern Sussex County, is primarily that of | | | | future relies on a clean environment that attracts |
| self employment in addition to jobs in education, law | | | | tourists as well as high quality residents and |
| enforcement, lodging, health care, Real Estate of | | | | entrepreneurs. A world-class educational presence |
| course, Real Estate law, residential and commercial | | | | here supports environmental protection. Our highly |
| building and construction, which is related, and retail | | | | educated tourists and residents are another factor |
| management. Part of the reason for our overall | | | | ensuring our increasingly strong accent on an ever |
| economic health is that our owner operated | | | | improving environment. A strong economy is essential |
| businesses are so diverse. There are no huge | | | | to restoration projects. Well-planned land uses and |
| corporations employing thousands of people in high | | | | infrastructure investments can protect and enhance |
| paying jobs that can crash or affect our economy in | | | | the environment. Environmental vitality is essential to |
| any way. We also have a growing and vibrant arts | | | | our vision of a sustainable economy. An unmatched |
| community of fine artists, writers, and musicians who | | | | environment also supports year-round recreation to |
| live here and gain income from a wide national and | | | | attract a more diverse mix of tourists and our favorite |
| international area. As the teleworking era grows here | | | | and more diverse mix of teleworkers and retirees.The |
| this self-employed base will grow and diversify even | | | | National Parks & Recreation Association recommends |
| more.Cultural Values: | | | | 7 acres of community parks and 20 acres of regional |
| We have so many cultural events in the so called | | | | parks per 1,000 population. We are far, far, beyond that |
| off-season that we are developing another season | | | | ratio. Our beach area is one of our largest park assets |
| which some are calling the aesthetics season to | | | | and boasts a variety of recreational facilities including |
| complement the beach tourism season. The arts are a | | | | ball fields, golf courses, and a variety of water sports |
| measure of the richness of our lives, our community | | | | and enjoyment opportunities. Keeping up with parks |
| and our economy. The arts are a multi-million dollar | | | | maintenance is a constant area concern which we do |
| industry here when our aesthetics season visitors rent | | | | quite well.Parks offer a place to relax, recreate, and |
| rooms, rent homes for the several day events, eat at | | | | visit with friends. A combination of developed parks |
| our restaurants, shop at our hundreds of outlet stores | | | | and natural areas provides a mixture of activities like |
| and otherwise spend time and money in our various | | | | playing sports and walking a quiet trail. Trees, grass |
| establishments. We have a couple of local | | | | and other vegetation clean our air. Relocating |
| pre-university schools which feature art and music | | | | individuals often cite parks and schools as deciding |
| education which studies show enhance problem | | | | factors for moving to our region. Trails can connect |
| solving and abstract thinking abilities of students in | | | | neighborhoods and contribute to healthy active lives. |
| whatever field they may end up in; arts or not.Many of | | | | Trails enhance mobility and access to public lands. The |
| us are working to further enhance the emphasis on | | | | hundreds of miles of trails and bike paths have |
| the arts here. There are many ways we can | | | | increased constantly in our beach region. Funding |
| individually work to increase our cultural assets. One | | | | issues make development of trails challenging.The |
| business could support art in public places. An individual | | | | natural environment, our beach and wetland areas as |
| can contribute time, money, or expertise to cultural | | | | well as our farm land, is what most people list first |
| organizations. All these efforts will help stimulate an | | | | when talking about our region's quality of life. This is an |
| on-going cycle of learning, investment, and growth in | | | | area that clearly shows what a positive impact people |
| our region. And, of course the most important thing we | | | | can have with relatively small individual contributions. |
| can do is attend and invite friends in from out of town | | | | Our region's water quality and air quality are wonderful |
| to attend as many of these events and functions as | | | | and have improved tremendously over the last 50 |
| possible.Tourism: | | | | years. Regional investment in the natural environment |
| For many decades, tourism has been the backbone | | | | can ensure that we continue to enjoy the natural |
| of our local, eastern Sussex County economy. We are | | | | benefits we can not easily replace: reducing pollution, |
| well known, in Rehoboth Beach, as The Nation's | | | | processing waste, improving water and air quality, and |
| Summer Capital. Our other beaches are regionally | | | | moderating the damage of flooding. Investments in our |
| favored above all others: Dewey Beach for the skim | | | | community's "green infrastructure" are critical to the |
| board surfing and parties; Bethany Beach for the | | | | health of our families as well as to our tourist-based |
| bedroom community family oriented beachy place and | | | | economy and those investments are being made by |
| Fenwick Island for the fine homes and fine beaches | | | | our various governmental divisions and by our |
| that are revered by those who relish home life without | | | | individuals. Our largest park style land owner in fact, is |
| adjacent commercial activities. Of course Fenwick | | | | Delaware Wild Lands a private organization devoted |
| Island is very close to thousands of commercial | | | | to securing the quality of life for all Delawareans and |
| enterprises in Ocean City Maryland.Visitors bring | | | | doing it well.Land Use and Zoning: |
| money into our local economy, support local | | | | The land use choices we make are the blueprint for |
| businesses, which provide jobs, and they pay for gas, | | | | our community's design. Our vision of the future |
| rooms, home rentals and room sales taxes. We | | | | provides effective infrastructure that enables us to |
| increasingly enjoy higher returns from our visitors thus | | | | work, raise our families, and educate our children. Our |
| maximizing on our investments. Bringing millions and | | | | land use supports our quality of life while protecting the |
| millions of visitors to our Delaware Beach area affects | | | | environment. Community infrastructures attract tourists |
| not only our economy but also our transportation | | | | as well as high quality visitors, retirees and |
| system, our water system and our natural | | | | entrepreneurs. Our region will foster sustainable |
| environment. Studies show that different types of | | | | development that meets the needs of present |
| visitors have different impacts. For example, visitors | | | | generations without impairing future generations' ability |
| who attend an arts event typically stay longer and | | | | to meet their own needs. A strong economy is |
| spend more money.Tourism is evolving. Our Bed and | | | | essential to good land use planning and infrastructure |
| Breakfast establishments for instance are a major | | | | provision. A respect for the environment helps |
| factor in bicycle tourism, bird watching and corporate | | | | maximize the use of land and infrastructure.Involved |
| and executive think-tank retreats. We are developing | | | | neighborhoods are essential for a thriving community. |
| different types of visitors to our area while maintaining | | | | Smart land use and high quality infrastructure are |
| our lifestyle, economic vitality, and environmental quality. | | | | essential if we are to achieve our vision of a robust |
| Emphasizing outdoor recreation, clean air, wide-open | | | | economy, world-class education, and a safe |
| spaces and beautiful scenery, we can attract | | | | community. We are expanding rapidly as more and |
| "eco-friendly" visitors. Camping, for instance, is a large | | | | more people arrive here for short, medium or |
| and growing eco-tourism feature where thousands of | | | | permanent residential and business life. As our Quality |
| our campsites host those who enjoy the area and | | | | of Life is what most people come here to enjoy; part |
| often stay right at the camp most of the time. | | | | time or full time. ENJOY!Copyright 2000-2005 by |
| Canoeing and kayaking, sea kayaking, the kite festival, | | | | Hudson is a Realtor of 35 years professional |
| jet skis and other personal watercraft as well as | | | | experience and a lifetime in America and Delaware. |