Sports
Fun
IR’s dream season comes to a close
Women’s club hosts fashion show
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DECEMBER 1, 2023
THE LOCAL VOICE OF YOUR COMMUNITY.
Volume 20, Issue 48
FREE
Running into the holidays
Special to the Coastal Point • Carla Varisco
The Bethany-Fenwick Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot brought out a big crowd on Thursday, Nov. 23. For more coverage, turn to page 6.
IRSD recognizes Collins for 12 years of service By Mike Smith Staff Reporter Retired Selbyville Police Chief W. Scott Collins, who served on the Indian River School District board of education for more than 12 years, and retired as police chief last year, was honored and recognized at Monday night’s board meeting, Nov. 27, held at the Indian River High School auditorium. Collins served the Selbyville Police Department starting in 1991 and as Chief of Police since June of 2002 for 20 years. “I have worked with Selbyville to build strong community outreach, promoting ties throughout our diverse community. I’m proud to have authored two community office of policing COPS Federal Grants that have al-
lowed Selbyville to add staff, as well as numerous equipment grants,” he said. Collins is now involved in the Selbyville Historical Society and has the time having retired from police chief and the IRSD board to commit to his passion of historical research and provide service to the town’s history and culture. “We are raising money to buy the building for our history museum,” he said after accepting a plaque from the board of education. “Dr. Celeste Bunting is our chairman of the historical society, and she has recruited me to help. So, I needed to retire from the board of education to take on this new project. There is some urgency around funding for the building.” He conceded that he is a fan of Dr. Bunting, working closely with her in
education, and wanted to continue his service to Selbyville with her continued leadership. About his 12 years on the board of education service, he said, “It was a good run for me. It takes a lot of time to do this board of education position properly. “We had great board members over those dozen years, including Dr. Bunting, and when she asked me to continue with our town, I took this opportunity. “I retired last year after 30 years and six months in law enforcement. “I started very young,” he teased. “We have a good board of education now with a lot of diversity and Ivan was a good addition to this board because he knows the ropes,” said Collins. “People are here for the right reasons.”
IRSD Superintendent Dr. Jay Owens provided the initial thanks to Collins for his longtime service. “He was with us from 2011 to 2023 and was our policy committee chairman,” said Owens. “Scott Collins was largely responsible for guiding our school constable program.” “He also personally worked closely with Selbyville Middle School, Phillip C. Showell Elementary and Southern Delaware School for the Arts (SDSA) locally, on school safety as the chief, as well. He was always willing to take a phone call to interpret our school policies, and always available to me personally,” said Owens. “Scott is a kind, spirited person.” See IRSD page 3