Sports
Fun
Wow
Indians shut down Woodbridge
Local author writes about what about what she knows
Northern Lights pay a visit
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OCTOBER 18, 2024
THE LOCAL VOICE OF YOUR COMMUNITY.
South Bethany auditors praise Town for financial stability
Volume 21, Issue 42
FREE
’Tis the season
By Mike Smith Staff Reporter At the South Bethany Town Council meeting on Friday, Oct. 11, council members received a good report card for financial stability and fiscal reporting from the Town’s auditors. The Finance Committee and Town Treasurer Randy Bartholomew then moved to make the Town’s reserves of more than $5.7 million earmarked for their intended purposes — about half of which is for ongoing operations, and the other half for pending infrastructure needs and stormwater management. The Town had more than $55,000 in gains from its various investment portfolios with Vanguard investments and Fidelity investments. The $2.3 million set-aside now available for infrastructure and protection from sea-level rise, or Assawoman Bay and canal flooding, is just a small downpayment. Town engineering consultants have estimated a budget of some $14 million to $15 milSee AUDIT page 3
Frankford library facing financial fight By Kerin Magill Staff Reporter The Frankford Public Library is facing serious money shortages, and if the situation does not improve, officials recently told the Town, the library will be insolvent within two to three years. In a Sept. 17 letter to the Frankford Town Council, Library Director Bonnie Elliott and Board of Trustees President Cynthia Strouse said, “Our funding from the State and the County barely covers our employee costs,” which Strouse said is about 75 percent of the library’s budget. “We are in a dire position, and are cutting costs and planning many ways See LIBRARY page 6
Coastal Point • Kerin Magill
Envision Frankford held its first Trunk or Treat event in the Town Park on Saturday, Oct. 12. Envision officials estimated that between 130 and 140 children attended, decked out as super heroes, princesses, mermaids, dinosaurs and ghouls. Above, Darin Barncord helps Delaney Barncord retrieve some candy from a rather spooky receptacle. Below left, Zulma Garcia leads her little trick-or-treaters, Mateo Nuńez and Emma Nuńez, around the Frankford Town Park, and her littlest, Luz Mia, catches a ride. Below right, Teresa Shockley of Frankford is surrounded by whimsical pumpkins she hand-painted.