THE SUSSEX COUNTY (OVER)BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

The Republican Party has long been on a crusade to stifle free speech. But now, the GOP-controlled Sussex County Board of Commissioners may have crossed the line.

As has been reported previously, a new policy has been implemented--over the objections of many County residents--requiring any group wishing to hold an event at Newton Green to obtain a liability insurance policy of up to two million dollars. Such a policy would indemnify the county in the event of injury. The Commissioners clearly created this new standard not for any altruistic reasons, but seemingly as a way to stop groups like Indivisible and 50501 from staging anti-Trump protests such as the recent "No Kings" and "Hands Off" rallies.

But now, a new wrinkle has been added.

For the last 10 years, county resident Brenda Aldi has organized a reading of the Declaration of independence at Newton Green on the Fourth of July. Prior to that, Steven Kossup, a Branchville resident who is also a local attorney, conducted the reading, which was staged at the gazebo--a structure that, with no public input or advance notice, was suddenly torn down in 2024 by order of the Commissioners, who claimed the gazebo was being used by homeless people and drug addicts. Of course, god forbid the Board taking steps to clean up the problem. Just tear the gazebo down.

Anyway, Aldi was prepared to obtain the liability insurance and go ahead with the annual reading, until the Board of Burning Hypocrisy added a new requirement--that an automobile insurance policy, costing several hundred dollars more, be obtained as well.

Auto insurance? Really?

Newton Green has no driveway or automobile access, and there's no reason such access would be required. The only equipment used would be a portable speaker and a microphone--neither of which require a car or truck to be brought onto the grounds. And that, plus a few folding tables, were the only things needed at the recent political rallies. Simply put, there's no need for auto insurance when cars are not involved.

Therefore, it can only be extrapolated that this suddenly new requirement is a blatant attempt to stop public gatherings an Newton Green and stifle free speech. And, of all days, on our nation's birthday!

Fortunately, the Newton VFW has stepped in and will host the reading. But that's not the point. The five commissioners--Chris Carney, Jill Space, Jack DeGroot, Alan Henderson and Bill (Stolen Valor) Hayden--are attempting to quash the First Amendment rights to free speech and free assembly by instituting onerous, expensive and unnecessary requirements as a condition for exercising those Constitutional rights.

Another sign that the Republican Party is incompetent and unable to properly govern.