There is a safety vs. history debate about the fate of a historic bridge in the town of Delhi.
While safety has to be the priority concerning the stone-arch bridge on West Platner Brook, we hope everything possible is being done to preserve the 120-year-old structure.
At this point, however, bids for demolition are scheduled to be opened in a month, so time is running out.
John Burgin, 73, of Fraser, who researched the history of the bridge, said there should be a way to save the bridge, but town and county highway officials say it's been declared unsafe, and engineers have been unable to figure out a way to save it and guarantee its structural integrity.
Delhi Town Supervisor Peter Bracci said he went out of his way to try to save the arch bridge. "If we could build a consensus of enough people who want to save the bridge, maybe something could be done," he said.
Preserving the culvert and building another bridge nearby to handle vehicle traffic is not possible, officials say, because of its location.
However, a comment left on thedailystar.com by someone with an apparent knowledge of stone masonry, suggested what could be done to preserve the structure. So, perhaps something could be done.
People driving on Platner Brook must be safe, but it is also important to preserve our historic structures. We urge Delhi officials to continue looking at ways to save the stone-arch bridge.
{"headline18"/}Student camp-out needed a chaperone
{"Body Text Edit"/}The reaction to the recent Delaware Academy student camp-out that turned into a drinking party on school grounds was appropriate by both police and school officials, but we wonder if permitting the event without a chaperone was a wise decision.
The senior students had requested permission for the camp- out so they could enjoy some time together to reminisce before graduation. Having the camp-out on school grounds seemed innocent enough, and certainly a better site than off some remote country road.
When the principal stopped late at night to check on the seniors, however, he noticed there was drinking going on. He did the right thing by calling police, who exercised restraint in breaking up the party without any underage-drinking charges.
We hope the outcome doesn't ruin the camp-out idea for future classes, but does show school officials that without a chaperone, teenagers tend to be teenagers.
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