Change.org Petition: They want to evict a Korean war veteran from his home - Halt the Eviction of Salvatore del Deo

Halt the Eviction of Salvatore del Deo 13,582 have signed Michela Murphy’s petition. Let’s get to 15,000!

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THERE ARE NO DUNES WITHOUT THE DEL DEOS. I am writing this petition on behalf of concerned citizens and supporters of the arts, culture, and the preservation of historical significance. We are deeply troubled by the recent decision of the National Park Service (NPS) to evict Salvatore Del Deo, a celebrated artist and resident of the historic dune shack known as "Frenchie’s." We urgently request that the National Seashore, the NPS and the Secretary of the Interior intervene and halt the eviction of Mr. Del Deo. Furthermore, we implore you to offer him a lifetime lease for his cherished dune shack, recognizing his lifelong contributions to the artistic community and the preservation of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Salvatore Del Deo, now 94 years old, has been an integral part of the cultural landscape of Cape Cod for decades. He has spent his summers in the dune shack since 1946, long before the establishment of the Cape Cod National Seashore. In 1953, he and his late wife, Josephine Del Deo, spent their first nights together in the shack, which was a gift from their dear friend, Jeanne "Frenchie" Chanel. Josephine Del Deo played a pivotal role in the creation of the National Seashore, persuading Provincetown to entrust the Province Lands to this cherished conservation effort. Remarkably, Sal has spent 77 summers at the dune shacks, his only absence being during his service in the Korean War. This long standing connection and his unwavering commitment to the dune shack community exemplify his deep-rooted relationship with this unique and cherished environment. It is disheartening to learn that Sal Del Deo received a notice to quit, demanding the removal of his personal items and surrendering the keys to his beloved shack. This eviction notice is not only a betrayal of Sal and his late wife’s dedication to the National Seashore but also a disregard for the historical significance of the shack itself. Sal’s artistic contributions, combined with Josephine’s tireless efforts to protect the dune shacks, should be recognized and honored by granting him a lifetime lease for "Frenchie’s" dune shack. The existing shack was built by Salvatore himself, in 1975, on top of Frenchie’s previous shack when the structure could no longer stand against the sand. We acknowledge that there may be legal complexities surrounding the quit notice received by Sal Del Deo, as the lease was originally granted to Frenchie Chanel and her daughter, Shatzi. However, we firmly believe that the NPS has the authority and responsibility to ensure the preservation of cultural diversity as well as natural diversity within the Cape Cod National Seashore. By offering a lifetime lease to Sal Del Deo, the NPS can demonstrate its commitment to upholding the historical integrity of the dune dwellers and their invaluable contributions to the local community. We understand that the National Seashore intends to initiate a competitive leasing process for the dune shack in question, and has denied requests from both the Provincetown and Truro select boards to halt any evictions of dune dwellers. However, we urge you to reconsider this decision and instead provide Sal Del Deo with a lifetime lease, which would be a fair and just resolution to this matter. Sal’s lifelong connection to the dune shack, his artistic achievements, and his unwavering commitment to preserving the natural and cultural heritage of Cape Cod make him the ideal candidate for this gesture of goodwill. We, the undersigned, hereby petition the National Seashore, National Park Service and the Secretary of the Interior to: 1. Halt the eviction of Salvatore Del Deo from “Frenchie’s” Dune Shack. 2. Offer Salvatore del Deo a lifetime lease for for his dune shack in recognition of his artistic contributions and his dedication to the Cape Cod National Seashore.

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