Nearly 8 out of 10 of the more than 600 people responding to a recent survey conducted by State Rep. Dan Short said Delaware should repeal the current ban on incinerators.....

Nearly 8 out of 10 of the more than 600 people responding to a recent survey conducted by State Rep. Dan Short said Delaware should repeal the current ban on incinerators and consider building trash-to-steam plants as part of the state's waste management plan.

Rep. Short said thousands of surveys were mailed to households throughout his 39th Represeantive Dsitrict as a means to gauge support for different policy issues. Rep. Short was quick to note that no state money was used to print or mail the 13-question poll.

Another environmental question that drew an overwhelming response dealt with the topic of illegal dumping. A whopping 94 percent of those surveyed said they think the state should increase penalties and step-up the enforcement of laws prohibiting illegal dumping and littering in Delaware.

Two "land use" questions included in the survey drew mixed results. Nearly 2/3 (62 percent) of those responding indicated they believe the state should dedicate more money to farmland preservation. Additionally, they believe the amount of money officials are authorized to spend to purchase the permanent development rights for agricutural land should be raised as well.

However, respondents opposed giving the state more control over local land use decisions. Currently, most land use choices are made at the city and county level. By a margin of 54 percent to 43 percent, those answering the question said that is they way it should stay.

The survey contained two questions regarding Delaware's elections system. For many years the First State has held its primary election in early September, less than two months prior to the general election. 67% of respondents said they would like to see the primary held earlier in the year, giving successful candidates and their supporters more time to regroup before the November race.

Seaford area residents also apparently believe Delaware should adopt a referendum process. Under such a system, citizens would be able to vote on whether new laws should be adopted or existing laws repealed. Respondents overwhelmingly supported enacting such a law by a margin of 450 to 132.

On another note, 72 percent (438 people) of those answering the survey said anyone riding in a motor vehicle should be barred from posessing an open alcoholic beverage. Delaware is one of only seven states without a so-called "open container" law. Such a bill has repeatedly passed the Delaware House of Representatives only to die in the Senate without consideration. Delaware's latest version of the bill included exemptions for limousines, cabs, buses and other commerical vehicles that sometimes carry customers who consume alcoholic beverages.

An even higher percentage of respondents agreed that the states should "offer a targeted tax credit to help the owners of small "mom and pop" businesses get health insurance for themselves and their families". In all, 78 percent said such a credit should be part of the state's tax code. Rep. Short said he sponsored such a bill, but lawmakers didn't take up the measure because of fiscal challenges facing the state. He said he plans to revisit the bill when the economy rebounds and state revenues rise.

More than 200 people responded to a question targeting the parents of school aged children. Their answers revealed many of them are not happy with the state of public education. Nearly 67 percent--140 of 210 surveyed--said they weren't satisfied with the quality of public education their children were receiving.

On another education related issue, respondents said they would like to see the scope of Delaware's SEED program expanded. Under the program, high school stidents that graduate with good grades can get a state scholarsip for an Assoicates degree at Delaware Technical and Community College or the Univerisity of Delaware. Nearly 80 percent (482 to 115 said the program should be changed to give eligible students the option of using their scolarships to get a start on a four year degree at Delaware State University or University of Delaware.

Residents were also asked what state agency they believed should be overhauled. The top response with 17 percent of the vote was the Delaware Department of Transportation (DELDOT) Other agencies earning the ire of citizens included the Department of Education (DOE), the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS).

While the survey was based on voluntary responses, and may not represent the opinions of the district with scientific accuracy, Rep. Short said the results are still important. "More than 600 people felt strongly enough about the topics covered in this poll to take the time to respond. That's significant. I'll be giving considerable weight to these results when the 145th General Assembly gets underway in Juary."