SHORE THING: Rules for Fools

A Cape Charles resident exercises his First Amendment rights. (Wave photo)

By GEORGE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave

September 14, 2012

I’ve lived around the world, including what I thought was the bureaucracy capital of the universe — Washington inside the Beltway. Then I moved to Cape Charles.

This Town has more rules than anywhere I’ve lived before.

Example: Here, less than two months before a presidential election, it is illegal to display a political sign in your yard.

“For Sale” signs are OK. Prayer signs are OK. The jury is still out on Community Center signs. But “political” signs? Oh, no.

And it’s not as though the sign rule is some forgotten silliness buried in a dusty book of Town rules. Here it is, front and center in the September 11 official Town Gazette:

It’s the Political Season again and this means everyone will be advertising for their candidates running for the November 6, 2012 election. Please remember that political signs may be displayed 45 days prior to the election, that’s September 22, 2012 and need to be removed 7 days after the election, that’s November 13, 2012.

So – the Town recognizes that it’s the “Political Season” again.

The Town believes that “everyone will be advertising for their candidates.”

And, presumably, the Town wishes to spare us, the longsuffering residents, from being subjected to political advertising.

While you’re at it, could you please ban all TV political ads until 45 days before the election? [Read more…]

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Larry Veber Pulls out of Town Council Race

Larry Veber

By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave

September 14, 2012

Larry Veber has withdrawn his candidacy for Cape Charles Town Council in the November 6 special election.

Speaking at the conclusion of last night’s Town Council meeting, Veber said he wanted to devote more time to his business.

Veber served on Council for eight years before being defeated in last May’s election. But following the death of councilman-elect Don Clarke, Veber was appointed to serve until a special election could be held.

“Some good things have taken place in Cape Charles in the past eight years that I have been on Council,” Veber said. He praised the Town staff and thanked his colleagues on Council.

With Veber’s withdrawal, the Town Council election becomes a two-way race between Steve Bennett and Dan Burke. [Read more…]

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THURSDAY 9/13: Town Council Considering Rules to Control Public at Meetings

Cape Charles Town Council will hold its regular monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, September 13, at St. Charles Parish Hall, 550 Tazewell Avenue. Agenda items include:

— Considering rules for persons desiring to make public comments or to photograph Town meetings;

— Appointing Andrew Buchholz, Sandra Salopek, and William Stramm to the Planning Commission;  Eugene Kelly to the Board of Zoning Appeals; Theresa Strub to the Historic District Review Board; and reappointing Steve Michel to the Building Code Board of Appeals;

— Consideration of ways to resolve a shortfall in planned funding for a $175,000 project to plan for enhancements to public spaces as a means of identifying Cape Charles as an arts and cultural destination;

— Requesting VDOT to conduct a traffic study at the intersection of Randolph Avenue and Fig Street;

— Consideration of a Watermen’s Memorial in the Town Harbor parking lot; and

— Requesting a USDA grant for Library equipment.

 

 

SATURDAY 9/15: Community Day with Delegate Lynwood Lewis

Virginia Delegate Lynwood Lewis invites the public to attend his annual Community Day September 15 at Eastern Shore Community College. The outdoor event will feature live music by the HM Johnson Band, games, face painting, free BBQ from Exmore Diner, and soft drinks. The event offers Eastern Shore residents a chance to interact with their elected officials in a relaxed and informal family setting.

SUNDAY 9/16: Eyre Baldwin Gives Lecture on the Lawn at Salt Grove

This year’s last Lecture on the Lawn is 2 p.m. Sunday, September 16, at Salt Grove, 19489 Robin Road, in Cheriton.

Eyre Baldwin will relate the importance of Salt Grove to his family’s Eyre Hall home, how the facility got its name, what part it played in the Eyre Hall property, and the creative reuse of the property.

The public is invited to bring a lawn chair and a beverage and join the Northampton Branch of Preservation Virginia for a glimpse into the past at another historic site on the Shore.

Admission is $15, or $10 for PVA members. For more information or for tickets, call Catie Hubbard at 757-678- 6017.

The Northampton Branch of Preservation Virginia (formerly the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities) has been engaged in preservation activities since 1913. This year’s program features three Lectures on the Lawn by members sharing their experiences in the restoration and preservation of their homes.