64 - CAPE GAZETTE, Friday, August 27 - September 2, 1999
Biden "
Continued from page 80
versal for Democrats and Repub-
licans. However, he said that par-
tisanship must be put aside and a
compromise found for the guaran-
teed Presidential veto that the Re-
publican tax cut plan faces. In his
opinion, the relatively insignifi-
cant savings in taxes realized by
most people does not justify jeop-
ardizing the future of social secu-
rity, medicare and other far-reach-
ing national programs.
The beach replenishment proj-
ects that Biden referred to were
sealed with a Presidential signa-
ture Aug. 17, the day before the
chamber meeting. Clinton signed
a $4 billion water projects bill that
includes $170 million for four re-
plenishment projects in Delaware.
With a nod to Dewey Beach May-
or Bob Frederick, Biden reminded
those at the chamber meeting that
Clinton and many legislators only
grudgingly approved beach re-
plenishment; he said those things
would be the first to go if the
economy is not guided properly
and takes a downturn.
Frederick said projects included
in the $170 million are authorized
to be carried out over the next 50
years, but the funding will have to
be allocated annually in spending
legislation. The projects include a
variety of beach replenishment
programs at Broadkill Beach, Port
Mahon, Roosevelt Inlet-Lewes
Beach and from Cape Henlopen
to Fenwick Island.
"The senator was talking to the
right audience," Frederick said.
"We are small business people
who benefit from keeping interest
rates low and our businesses are
here because the beach is here. 1t'
it is not kept healthy, we don't
have people coming, we don't
have outlets locating here.
"I understand that we will have
to, in effect, reapply for the re-
plenishment money every year,
but the first step was to get it allo-
cated. Since that is done, we are
prepared to keep organize and
make our case as many times as
we need to."
Frederick found it interesting
when Biden pointed out that many
states have come to the Delaware
contingent for support when they
needed disaster money or other
funding support from Congress.
The Senator said that most of
those legislators don't want to
hear about the need for beach re-
plenishment when it's Delaware's
turn, even though tourism is the
state's second largest industry and
many livelihoods depend on it.
The Dewey Beach mayor also
appreciated the way Biden ex-
plained the network effect of cut-
ting taxes or leaving them where
they are.
"What he said makes sense to
me. The small amount realized in
the tax cuts are insignificant com-
pared to what we can gain by pay-
ing down debt and keeping impor-
tant federal programs strong."
Frederick said that the chain re-
action that Biden outlined - lower
debt leading to lower interest rates
leading to lower mortgage pay-
ments, more cash to buy furniture
for the home, spend on clothing
and other consumer goods - is
logical and, in his opinion, work-
able.
, Area businessman Chip Hearn
said that he sees the logic in the
Biden approach as well. He said
the Senator brought to light some
factors that he had not seen in-
eluded in any information regard-
ing the much-touted tax cut.
"I think that I and most of those
attending went in feeling that the
Republicans had done well with
getting a tax cut passed," Hearn
said. "But there are some facts
that are obviously not part of
much of the reporting we've
seen."
The founder, of Peppers said
Biden made two key points that
came home to him and should to
all who heard his message.
"For one thing, when you look
at the concept of choosing a tax
cut or beach replenishment, I and
everyone else in Sussex County
had better choose beach replen-
ishment. That' reality here,"
Hearn said. "And, the second
point he made is 'Talk all you
want to, but you can't do anything
until you have the money.
Delaware is an example of that,
look at all that has been done with
our surpluses, infrastructure, cul-
tural improvement, things that
touch almost every community,
but the programs were not done
until the state had the money. He
is saying that you can't reduce the
money that you are collecting and
continue to spend counting on
surpluses that won't be there.
"I think the man made two very
substantial points for those of us
in Sussex County."
Heam also thought that Biden is
Chamber of Commerce for Greater
Milford continues membership drive
The Chamber of Commerce for
Greater Milford is continuing its
quarterly membership campaign,
which began on Aug. 16 and will
continue through Aug. 31.
Already onboard are Beaver
Branch Florist, the Bridal Bou-
tique Ltd., Chesapeake Utilities,
Delmarva Paging and Delmarva
Speed and Sport.
During the campaign, any busi-
ness that signs.up as a member
will receive a special discount on
their membership fee.
New members will be recog-
nized in the September newsletter
which is distributed to over 300
businesses in the Greater Milford
area.
In addition, new businesses will
be included in the new "Quality
Living" business directory due
out at the end of the year.
Some of the benefits of Cham-
ber membership include the busi-
ness-to-business discount pro-
gram, monthly mixers, business-
to-business referrals, advocacy for
issues pertaining to small business
within the Greater Milford area,
Internet Web site listing, customer
referrals, breakfast forums on is-
sues affecting local businesses,
networking capabilities, competi-
tive telecommunication rates
through Conectiv Communica-
tions and opportunities for busi-
ness promotion through four an-
nual community events.
The Chamber of Commerce for
the Greater Milford area by pro-
moting civic, industrial, commer-
cial, educational, agribusiness, so-
cial and quality of life interests of
the community.
For more information, contact
Greater Milford supports a bal- Charles Gray, executive director
anced economic development of at the Chamber, 422-3344.
sincere in wanting to work toward
a compromise on some sort of tax
package that does not carry the
consequences of the one passed
earlier this year by the Republican
dominated Congress.
Outlining key steps to maintain-
ing the nation's present economic
health and general well being,
Biden listed paying down the debt
to keep interest rates low, using
some of the surplus to ensure the
solvency of Social Security and
Medicare, preventing further ero-
sion of the national security and
law enforcement and funding edu-
cation.
To support hisease for fiSCal
sponsibility, Biden cited similar
opinions and approaches es-
poused by Treasury See: Sum-
mers and Alan Greenspan, chair-
man of the Federal Reserve
Board. He also said that polls
show that 70 percent of Ameri-
cans do not favor the tax cut.
According to Carol Everhart,
executive director of the chamber,
the Aug. 18 meeting with Biden as
guest speaker drew the largest
crowd ever for an August meet-
ing.
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