SHORE THING:
An Open Letter from George to Mike about AQUA
By GEORGE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
December 7, 2012
Dear Mike Killebrew,
This morning soon after awaking I checked the latest comments in the Cape Charles Wave. Amid the usual sniping was the eloquent comment you submitted shortly after midnight –- a paean of praise to a magnificent restaurant and to the wonderful people who work there.
You, sir, are both a gentleman and a scholar. Now let me tell you some more about yourself:
In the spring of 2010, when my wife and I first came to Cape Charles, our new neighbors (destined to become our dearest friends) invited us to AQUA Restaurant. Two and a half years later I clearly remember what I ate and who served it.
I ordered the delicious fried flounder, and you, of course, served it.
After years of living inside the Washington Beltway, I had a lot to learn. On the Eastern Shore, dining out does not mean dealing with faceless employees one never sees again. Not here –- the shopkeepers, waiters, town municipal workers, and on and on might be my neighbors, or my acquaintances, or even my friends. Rarely do they remain strangers.
My neighbor is a Realtor, and so I learned that your profession is also real estate. Waiting tables at AQUA is a sideline. But I also quickly realized that while it may be a sideline, you are doing it because you love it. That is evident in the comment you wrote, and it’s also evident to any of your customers. Our meals at AQUA have always been enhanced when you have been our server.
Was it fate that when my wife and I last visited AQUA on November 27, you were our server? At the time, nobody knew what lay ahead, and we enjoyed a wonderful evening.
That was, sadly, our last supper at AQUA. Although the restaurant will not close until December 22, we would not dare show our faces there now. It has been made clear by some staff members that my reporting was resented. The harshest criticism from an AQUA employee came in a private message on our Facebook page: “You are a mean, disgusting soul that should not be part of the town.”
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So yes, Mike, I very much appreciate your calming, eloquent words.
It has been suggested that I make a public apology for reporting that AQUA was closing permanently. I wish I could justify doing that, and I wish that the clock could be turned back. If people don’t hear bad news, is what happens not as bad?
Maybe, in printing bad news about Bay Creek, the Marina Shops, and now AQUA, the Wave bit off more than people want to chew.
The trouble is that I am, and always have been, a newspaper man. I want people to be aware of what’s going on –- and when government officials and private businesses try to keep secrets that are going to affect the public and the community, I want to shine a light.
But can I do that in a small community?
Here’s the dilemma: Public relations firms only publicize the good news. That includes, for example, the Town-funded and published Gazette. Mayor Sullivan wrote recently: “For accurate, precise information, please refer to the Gazette.” She meant, of course, instead of the Wave.
When a firm announced earlier this year, before the Wave began publishing, that a prototype windmill would be built in the Bay, would partially power Cape Charles, and would create jobs, we read it in the Gazette and in the local papers. When the firm cancelled its plans, nobody reported it. Why? Because public relations firms don’t report bad news.
When the Marina Village Shops closed, nobody put out a press release. But the story circulated was that the closure was only for the season. The Wave reported that the closure was permanent, which was of course the case.
On December 5, Bay Creek’s website posted that “AQUA will close for the winter season after the close of business on December 22.” Should the Wave have dutifully passed on that information and said no more?
Mike, in your comment you write that AQUA employees on December 4 were given a best-case and a worst-case scenario. You don’t say what those scenarios are. I called AQUA before writing my story on December 5, and in the short conversation I had (because the AQUA representative wasn’t comfortable talking about it) I was given the “best-case” scenario, not as a scenario but as fact. Namely, that AQUA is closing for the season and will reopen next year. End of story.
Today’s Cape Charles Happenings states: AQUA (Last day will be December 22; will reopen in the Spring)
If that’s all the Wave should report, maybe Cape Charles doesn’t need a newspaper. Word of mouth has served heretofore.
I reported that AQUA is closing permanently, because the complex is in foreclosure. AQUA is the creation of Dickie Foster’s Bay Creek development. AQUA employees work for Bay Creek. After AQUA is either sold or taken over by the bank, it will no longer be part of Dickie Foster’s Bay Creek. In that sense, the Bay Creek restaurant known as AQUA is closing permanently.
We know there are people interested in buying AQUA. But there are also lawsuits. How much debt would a buyer be willing to assume? Will litigation delay a reopening? And the toughest question: can the restaurant, marina, and shops operate without being subsidized by Dickie Foster?
I don’t know the answers to these questions, and I didn’t get into them in the short story about AQUA’s closing.
The bottom line is this: AQUA is in foreclosure and by the end of this year either will have a new owner or be taken over by the bank. If, in the best-case scenario, a buyer steps up, and litigation is resolved, the building could reopen under new ownership. What the restaurant might be named is anybody’s guess. I like the name AQUA — but I don’t know if the name will be sold with the property.
So – should the Wave report these things, or not? If community sentiment is on the side of NOT, I’m not averse to spending more time on the water, and hearing the news through word of mouth, supplemented by the Gazette and Cape Charles Happenings.
The Wave is an experiment – noble to some, ignoble to others. Two of us founded it and one dropped out not too long thereafter.
We’ll see what the New Year brings. In the meantime, Mike, thanks again for your diplomacy, your professionalism, and for contributing such an eloquent comment to the Wave – which may be read by clicking on this link.
Sincerely,
George Southern
PS: Below is today’s notice of the Trustees’ Sale of multiple parcels owned by Bay Creek Marina and Resort, LLC. The auction is 11:30 a.m. Friday, December 28, in front of the County Courthouse.
Mr. Southern,
How sad that you feel forced to defend the original, actual act of journalism. In this age of massaged, censored and Governmentally approved news, you tell it like it is. I thank you very much for providing this forum and ask that you change not a thing. Sadly, too often nowadays the younger generation would prefer to stay ignorant of news, and not hear the bad stuff — well kids, sometimes the truth hurts.
And besides, if you change I’ll have the ghosts of Mike Royko and Art Buchwald haunt you! ;0
Thank you for reporting with clarification of your initial article. I think that unanswered questions are important to add when reporting or communicating an unresolved situation. I do understand that things get twisted through word of mouth, especially in a small town. I also understand and appreciate responsible news reporting. Again, thank you for the additional details and clarification.
I enjoy reading the Wave. I may disagree with some of the editorials from time to time. In some cases, I may feel a certain slant or perspective has been given that I may not agree with. However, the comments section is open and allows all of us to provide further insight or opinions. Keep it going.
Mr. Killebrew is indeed a gentleman, yet the entire staff of Aqua, and also the Marina Shops always exceeded expectations, whether by the quality of the meal, or the delightful service. So much of this praise begins with the management, and the level of professionalism and quality never ceased to amaze me.
Adam Travis ran an excellent ship, from bar to booth to table top. One of most pleasant memories I have of Cape Charles was from several years ago; after a long, tedious drive from Washington DC, hungry, exhausted and thirsty, I slammed my little Mini Cooper into a parking space, and ran up to the Cabana Bar. At the time, Adam didn’t know my name and on the tab, always used the name Paul Simon. That night, he mixed what I still consider one of the best martinis I’ve ever had—the ration, temp, and bruising were almost perfect, and all followed by that awesome Thai appetizer and the great Cabana burger . Thank you Adam, and all you guys for some many great drinks, meals and sunsets.
Nicolle Isaacs Smith, manager of the Shops, either by her taste in merchandise (the attention to detail, as well as the aesthetic, was always exquisite), or the beauty and eloquence of her displays, was a bit of Manhattan brought to the southern Eastern Shore. I can’t tell you how much it hurts not having those shops. They were my go to, no matter what the occasion — birthday, anniversary, Christmas, I always found something perfect for the person I was shopping for. Nicolle, you can really go Girl!
Nicolle and Adam, you are very talented at what you do, and I know you both will be extremely successful no matter where life takes you.
I’ve always felt that as Bay Creek goes, so goes Cape Charles. I hope I’m wrong, but I can’t help but shiver a bit realizing this place is losing such beauty, elegance and class.
Just a quick note of encouragement for you George: listen to Mike Kuzma. What you’re doing is a full contact sport, and sometimes you’re going to get your bell rung. But you’re a tough old gumshoe at heart, so just keep on doing what you do. As a bit of perspective, I would add that, in light of all this, your fantastic story “Bay Creek Can Blame Cape Charles” (http://capecharleswave.com/2012/11/shore-thing-bay-creek-can-blame-cape-charles/), which also brought you a ton of heat, has even more depth now than when originally published. Good on Ya’ George
-Comrade Wayne
Paul — I mean Wayne — thanks so much for paying tribute to Adam and Nicolle. Adam was the first person I met associated with AQUA — even before I ate there. Adam had hired a group of students from Eastern Europe to work for the summer, and they needed a place to stay. We had just bought a duplex. Perfect fit! Adam is one of the most personable and charming businessmen I’ve ever met. Much later, when we were looking for a used headboard, we bought Nicolle’s. So again, on the Shore, sooner or later you run into everybody — yet another reason why we all need to keep reading Bruce Lindeman and reminding ourselves that relationships are really the most important thing in our lives. –GEORGE
Ladies and gentlemen, buy the Eastern Shore News edition dated 12/8/12, on the stands now, that everything at the marina, INCLUDING Aqua and the marina boat slips are foreclosed and will be auctioned on 12/28. Does that sound like Aqua will reopen in the Spring? If it does, it will be operated by someone other than Foster. Karma — things always have a way of coming full circle. Keep reporting George! The facts are the facts even if some don’t like them.
Thank you for pointing that out, John. We were waiting for the legal notice to be printed. As readers can see, we’ve now included it above. –EDITOR
Mr. Southern, I don’t know of anyone who is upset with you because of your report that Aqua is closing. It is because your headline said that employees were last to know. We are all a tight knit family who take pride in the company in which we work. Bay Creek has always been loyal, honest, and professional with each employee. The company has been a foundation for several, a stepping stone for some, and a lifestyle for many. I’ve never known any employee who was unhappy with their Bay Creek position. Saying that, your headline implies that Bay Creek Resort, LLC, would treat the employees poorly. Perhaps suggesting they would not be honest with their employees. They never have been dishonest and certainly were not in the case of the foreclosure. Regardless of the loss of our jobs right now, we are all still pleased and satisfied by Bay Creek, Dickie Foster, Oral Lambert, & Adam Travis. AQUA employees were NOT last to know. We were first. We take pride in the fact that this company has always been positive and faithful to us — and we would rather you not create headlines to make the public think otherwise. Thanks.
Ana — I appreciate your message, and I hope you already know how much I regret what has happened. As a young man with a family, I once lost my job through no fault of my own. The headline in no way intended to insult the AQUA employees. But I am not sure that the employees are not “the last ones to know.” Just hours ago the Wave received an email from a reader who said that he had just called AQUA and had been told they WILL be reopening. On Wednesday a prospective bride wrote that she had finalized her plans for a fall wedding at AQUA on Tuesday. Wedding deposits are non-refundable. If AQUA employees had known for a long time that foreclosure was imminent, why was the woman who paid her deposit not warned? Why did another AQUA employee tell us on Wednesday that all he had heard was that AQUA was shutting down for the season? It’s fine to be optimistic and hope that a resolution will be found. I fervently hope that too. Everyone does. Everyone loves AQUA — nobody wants it to fail. But in the words of Paul Simon, “I would not give you false hope.” –GEORGE
“News is something someone wants to suppress. Everything else is just advertising.” Alfred Harmsworth (1865-1922 British newspaper and publishing magnate)…True journalism is always a noble profession, but not always a popular one. Keep up the good work George.
AQUA Employees do not have but so much authority and responsibility when speaking of BayCreek’s current situation… which most legal matters are very difficult to understand and relay. The employees should simply be relaying what we have been told by the company. There is no other news. The public statements trusted should not be those made up or rumored by the online town paper. Leave it up to BayCreek to talk about BayCreek. If you think that the company is giving incorrect information to the employees, then that is your opinion- not news. You did not ever speak with an AQUA employee on this matter before publishing your article. Validate your statements with quotations from your sources. Perhaps you would be more reputable.
Thanks for posting the trustee sale info, George.
Best case scenario is that someone does complete a sale within 30 days, as stipulated, and we get our Marina, Aqua, and shops back soon. What’s unknown, to me anyway, is the total amount of liens owed on all of the properties and how that factors in to the overall valuation. Even so, if a buyer can justify the debt plus the price of the property, what’s their stomach for dealing with the lawsuit, clearing the titles, etc. That could take years. If so, that would factor greatly into a buyer’s decision here.
Interesting stuff. Can’t wait to see how this plays out.