Comments on: Hotel Owner Petitions Town for Relief on Glass Balconies

By: Mike Kuzma, Jr

Mike Kuzma, Jr — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 16:22:23 +0000

Wayne: So, the French revolution — a response to the heavy hand of Imperial Government –my way or the highway — is your analogy? Are you suggesting we storm town hall?
I’m not sure I understand your class warfare comment. I cannot speak for Ms. Lascu (although I would like to buy her a drink the next time I am in town). I know that I and my family always made a point of providing Aqua with our business when we are down. Much like I make sure that I also go to Kelly’s (and spend serious $$) and now the Shanty. What more do you expect us to do? I note from a previous story that you demanded some of us sell our properties and give the proceeds to Mr. Gammino to continue operating! What’s next, you go to the Commisar to demand we kulaks get off YOUR land? Maybe, just maybe if some of the town wasn’t so hostile to the Bay Creekers they would spend more time and money in town, driving the economic engine that keeps us all solvent. And frankly, I resent your comment regarding my finances. FYI, I am a Civil Servant who works extra jobs to pay my bills — which include Cape Charles Taxes, Northampton County taxes and Utility bills in town. What I do with MY money USED to be only my business, but I guess your NWO does not allow for privacy.

Mr. Lindeman: I do not know if I am as resolute that CC will survive as you are. As is ever the case, in bad economic times, people make choices. Spend or not spend, defer income or not defer. Well, a perusal of the trade mags will show you that the Accounting industry is going gangbusters right now. A dimunition of excess income will only translate into less chance of survival for towns that profit from vacationers. Add to that the intended, planned increase in the cost of gasoline — both marine and auto — and I foresee a real dropoff in activity in all areas that require expendable income to survive.

By: Wayne Creed

Wayne Creed — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 22:55:58 +0000

Thanks Dana! Gosh, it reminds of reading Ayn Rand back in Jr. High, “The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” Tell me about it! Too bad Aqua and the Marina shops didn’t have more rich, powerful thinkers like you and Mr Kuzman to offer support…who knows; until then, Viva la Revolucion!

Remember what they said:

“Is it a rebellion?” asked Louis XVI of the count who informed him of the fall of the Bastille.

“No, sire,” came the reply. “It is a revolution.”

By: Bruce Lindeman

Bruce Lindeman — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 12:11:06 +0000

Here’s the upside to all of this…

200+ individuals, many from Cape Charles and many from outside of Cape Charles — including one signee from Iceland! — have signed David’s petition. I think that’s pretty cool and shows where folks’ preferences lie on this matter. Of course, there’s no counter petition for those to sign so we don’t really know how those 200+ balance out with those who are against asking the Town to grant a waiver here.

But, I do hope they and the HRB read through that list and the comments folks have left.

This is democracy at work and a grand example of grass roots community involvement to attempt to enact change. What it shows is that this community, which many consider fractured, broken, and on the down-and-outs, is really a vibrant community held up by people who care. Regardless of which side of the coin your preferences lie, that’s good stuff.

Yesterday’s news of Aqua closing is another bullet in the chamber for the doomsdayers who cry that the town is falling apart. One could make that argument. But, we see closings typically at the end of every season. It’s a natural progression in a down economy of small resort towns like ours. What hits hard with Aqua is that it had weathered that storm, or so we thought. However, it seems as though this was a decision based on economic matters exacerbated by the owner’s legal issues. A tough pill for us to swallow, but this too shall pass.

Just as Mariah’s closed and eventually reopened under a new name and management, I suspect Aqua will do the same.

Towns ebb and flow. But, remember this: Cape Charles has weathered storms more unfavorable than this. She’s been around for 125+ years. Yes, you can quantify all that’s wrong with the place. But, that doesn’t come close to putting a dent in all that’s good about her.

Public discourse and even disagreement over issues is not a bad thing. It’s a healthy thing. It shows folks care. And, as long as people care, this little town will be just fine.

By: Spencer Travis

Spencer Travis — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 20:24:39 +0000

The history of Cape Charles makes our town historic, not the hand rails. Leave them be.

By: Dana Lascu

Dana Lascu — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 19:48:37 +0000

Comrade Wayne and Others: The time is ripe to demolish imperialist capitalism. Defunct Marina Shops, Aqua soon just a memory… the time is ripe to turn to Hotel Cape Charles to deal the definitive blows that will allow for the erection of a new social order. Then, the New Man will be subservient to the strict rules and regulations of society, rather than serve the style, design, and creativity of capitalist owners and the merchant class, whose ultimate goal is the exploitation of the people through consumption and the subjugation of labor. Long live the Revolution!

By: David Gay

David Gay — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 18:41:47 +0000

I don’t know Dave Gammino. I have never met him. But I like the look of his hotel. It is attractive and an asset to the commercial district of Cape Charles. This is an opportunity for the Town Council to listen to the comments of the people who elected them and do the right thing. Give the Hotel a variance and an occupancy permit. This would go a long way to bringing the town together. This is the season of good will to all. Let’s show some to our neighbor!

By: Jens Reinke

Jens Reinke — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:40:40 +0000

Personally, I don’t much care for the hotel’s exterior and the public areas; the hotel seemed nicer before the renovation. However, others like it and I suppose that’s good enough.
The more important issue is that the applicable planning rules were not followed. The HRB is important for preserving the town character, and my family like many others incurred expense to renovate our house in accordance with applicable rules. I don’t like the HRB being ignored or undermined.
Yes, the hotel is an important business and I do hope a compromise can be worked out. But let’s not forget that the hotel’s owner (or contractor) ignored the applicable rules (and approved design) and now does not want to live with the consequences.

By: Mike Kuzma, Jr

Mike Kuzma, Jr — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:17:58 +0000

Geneva Smith, my family has restored a 1743, 1750 and an 1800 home. We are very familiar with the heavy hand of HRB’s.

This is NOT a historic matter, it is an ECONOMIC matter. This continued persecution (Should versus SHALL) does nothing but put Cape Charles in a bad light regarding possible investments.

Mr. Boytos, you got that right! LOL!
Merry Christmas!

By: Gertraud Fendler

Gertraud Fendler — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 15:17:25 +0000

Oh Craig !

♫°*/★*/..♫.♫\°*˛./★* °**♫*★*♫.♫ /*★* **˛°*/.♫.♫\*˛.*★°*/♫˛… (´• ̮•)

By: Gordon Campbell

Gordon Campbell — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 02:43:56 +0000

There are no rules to bend! Please, everyone should take a look at the guidelines!

Notice that the word “should” is used instead of “shall”. Very important distinction and I am not sure the Review Board understands this.

The guidelines are not regulations that must be strictly and uniformly enforced in all situations (“shall”). Rather, they are written as suggestions for the Review Board (“should”), instead of unwavering rules.

Historic District Guidelines: http://www.capecharles.org/pdf/historic/cchistguide.pdf