Madonia Family in Bankruptcy; Tomato Farms, Land for Sale

Brokerage sign for Madonia property for sale in Oyster. (Wave photo)

CAPE CHARLES WAVE

May 25, 2013

Batista Madonia and his family, owners of extensive local properties, have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Assets of the family-owned East Coast Brokers and Packers are being offered for sale by sealed bid.

The Madonia family owns property in Virginia and Florida including farms, packing houses, labor camps, a luxury hotel, and a former Bible college.

According to the Packer, an industry newsletter, court records show the Madonias owe more than $15 million in liens and judgments to state and federal governments and crop production services. There also is a $5.6 million lien from Chicago wholesaler Anthony Marano Co.

“After two years of freezes on its Florida farms, a hurricane on its Virginia farms in 2011, and years of challenges resulting from years of cheap imports, a Chapter 11 filing was needed to provide the Madonia family an opportunity to sell assets in an organized fashion,” said Ken Nofziger of Murray Wise Associates, the real estate firm conducting the sales.

“This process will provide enough liquidity to satisfy creditors and allow the Madonia family to reorganize and carry on its operations,” Nofziger said.

Properties for sale in Northampton and Accomack counties include 13 farms totaling 3,000 acres, four packing houses, seven labor camps, and several homes.

Northampton County tax rolls list 26 properties owned by the Madonia family, including three homes in Bay Creek. [Read more…]

Why Did Cape Charles Build a New Sewer Plant?

New Town sewage treatment plant cost about $19 million, with $14 million paid by government grants. (Wave photo)

By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave

May 24, 2013

Pop quiz: Cape Charles built a new $19 million sewage treatment plant because:

A. The old plant was too small;
B. The old plant was polluting the Bay;
C. Government sewer grants were too good an offer to refuse;
D. Both A and B;
E. Both B and C;
F. None of the above.

(Answer appears at end of story)

In an effort to bring clarity to an otherwise murky subject, the Wave met recently with Town Manager Heather Arcos and Assistant Town Manager Bob Panek. The latter was the driving force behind the new sewer plant.

Panek informed Town Council last week that the new wastewater treatment plant is substantially complete, with the exception of plans to reuse a portion of the effluent currently flowing into the Bay.

The plant has been treating wastewater since April 2012, and has reduced nitrogen and phosphorous discharge into the Bay by 93 percent compared to the old plant, according to Panek.

Arcos and Panek claim that when all expenses have been paid, the project will have cost about $300,000 less than the budgeted $19.2 million.

But whether the Town came in under budget or over budget depends on the starting point.

The $19.2 million includes cost overruns and change orders amounting to $558,000. So even with the $300,000 savings, the final cost is $258,000 higher than originally budgeted.

But there can be no argument that the Town got a good deal on the project: The Water Quality Improvement Fund provided $8 million, and the Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund (funded by the Federal stimulus program) contributed another $6 million, free and clear.

The Town borrowed the remaining budgeted $5.2 million from the same Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund, but at not quite as good terms: this money has to be repaid, albeit at 0 percent interest. [Read more…]

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SATURDAY/SUNDAY 5/25-26: Accohannock Tribe PowWow at Indiantown Park

The Homecoming PowWow “Coming Full Circle,” featuring the Accohannock Tribe is this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. [Read more…]

THURSDAY 5/23: Town Council Reviews Harbor Budget

Cape Charles Town Council will conduct a budget work session 6 p.m. Thursday, May 23.
[Read more…]

USS Missouri Gun Barrel Ribbon Cutting Saturday

USS Missouri gun barrel arrives at new home at Wildlife Refuge. (USFWS photo)

By SUSAN RICE
Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge

May 23, 2013

The Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge is celebrating military history and honoring veterans this Memorial Day weekend.

On Saturday, May 25, at 2 p.m. the Wildlife Refuge will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for the newest refuge addition –- a 120 ton, 68-foot gun barrel which was on the USS Missouri when the Japanese surrendered on September 2, 1945, ending World War II.

The public is invited to come touch this piece of military history and listen to someone who served on the USS Missouri talk about its storied past.

One can also learn about Fort John Custis, the Army base which was located at the Wildlife Refuge and housed two 16” guns for the protection of the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.

There will be pomp and circumstance with a Navy Color Guard, and a Navy veteran playing the National Anthem on the saxophone. [Read more…]

Town Water Line Flush Begins Tonight at 9 p.m.

May 22, 2013

Town of Cape Charles utility workers will be flushing the water lines beginning 9 p.m. tonight (Wednesday).

The flushing will continue until 2 a.m. Thursday morning.

The Town cautions residents not to use any water during the flushing period, as sediment could be drawn into their water lines. [Read more…]

New Historic Review Board Meets for First Time Today

CAPE CHARLES WAVE

May 21, 2013

The newly reconstituted Cape Charles Historic District Review Board will meet 4:30 p.m. today (May 21) at Town Hall.

All but one member of the previous Board resigned after Town Council overruled the Board’s decision not to grant a permanent occupancy permit to Hotel Cape Charles.

The new board is composed of:

John Caton (replacing Dianne Davis)
Ted Warner (replacing Bob Sellers)
Joe Fehrer (replacing Russ Dunton)
David Gay (replacing Jan Neville)
Terry Strub

Terry Stub is the sole remaining member of the former Board, to which she had only recently been appointed..

All members of the Board reside in the Historic District with the exception of John Caton, who lives in Bay Creek’s golf community. [Read more…]

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