Public commenters urge federal action on Delaware Water Gap and raise food pantry concerns; a resident presses commissioner on 'stolen valor'

At the Nov. 26 Sussex County commissioners meeting, several members of the public used the general comment period to raise federal and local issues.

Andy Volk of New Jersey said he had met with federal lawmakers to push legislation related to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and urged local officials to thank congressional members assisting the effort. "He's very, interested in sponsoring legislation... he was... incredibly positive about this and very eager to work with this," Volk said, describing outreach to members of Congress.

A Hampton Township resident (name not provided on the record) wished the board a happy Thanksgiving and urged Commissioner Hayden to continue community-support activities. The speaker also urged the commissioner to "finally address the stolen valor issue, apologize to everyone in the county, all veterans," and said the matter had caused embarrassment to the county and state (claim made by commenter; not disputed or confirmed on the record).

Alan Allen Henderson of Lafayette Township thanked volunteers for the food drive but urged county officials to investigate broader food pantry issues, saying "you had a hand grenade dropped in the middle of the county food pantry" and requesting an inquiry into an unresolved $500,000 matter he referenced.

These comments were part of the non-agenda public-comment period. No immediate formal board response, investigation plan, or staff report was recorded on the transcript at the time of these remarks.