Comments on: COMMENTARY: Field of Dreams, Hoops, and Hopes

By: Craig Zuidema

Craig Zuidema — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 19:37:02 +0000

There isn’t the population base in Cape Charles to support that kind of Rec Center. I’d love to the see the town council stop spending money like they have been, and I agree with the comments that Mrs. Bender has made on the Library. That was not a necessary purchase. I even agreed with her excellent article relating to cutting back town expenditures a few weeks or months ago. But a town Rec Center would be a boondoggle worse than the library.

By: Deborah Bender

Deborah Bender — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 15:38:54 +0000

We could have had a nice rec center but our town managers and council GAVE IT AWAY!

By: Craig Zuidema

Craig Zuidema — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 13:58:12 +0000

Why doesn’t Kiptopeke Elementary School have a baseball field or basketball courts, or do they? I could not see on the satellite imagery. When I grew up, we had to go to the school to play baseball or basketball. Or, of course, we played in front of the house with a hoop setup in the driveway, played football in the streets, or just went to a large lot that had grass and space. It seems to me there is plenty of that in Cape Charles (i.e. the park?). Growing up, my neighborhood was about the size of Cape Charles (the historic district at least, heck it was probably bigger). The neighborhood did not have a baseball field or a basketball court, and the walk or bike ride to the school was about the same distance as it is to Kiptopeke Elementary. My Little League games and practices were never within my actual neighborhood. My current neighborhood in Virginia Beach doesn’t have its own baseball field or basketball court and the neighborhood is far larger than Cape Charles within a city that has the means. Again, these activities have to be done at the schools or churches that have these facilities. Of course, Va Beach has excellent Rec Centers and other facilities within the city, but a population base of over 400,000, along with the economic base, is far different than 900.

By: Roger L. Munz

Roger L. Munz — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 23:17:01 +0000

When a town is torn apart over an issue such as Cape Charles has faced over the past year, all the citizens should at least recognize the oponents’ right to express their opinions. And if a town acts in a questionable manner, but remains unresponsive to a portion of the populace, it becomes their right to seek whatever redress may be at hand. When those same people believe the town acted illegally, then they have every right to petition the courts for redress. The fact that the judge chose to completely sidestep the relevant issues at hand only further complicates the case and adds to the costs. The main point here is: WE THE PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO BE HEARD.

By: Deborah Bender

Deborah Bender — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 18:59:02 +0000

Pete — it’s painfully obvious that you want to blame your little vandalism problem on the Old School Cape Charles group. That is ridiculous. Maybe you gave out crappy candy at Halloween, but it is the citizens of Cape Charles and their children that really got tricked right around Halloween by our scary Town Council and both town managers. That is right around the time that they were busy giving away our historic school and surrounding property.

By: Stephen Fox

Stephen Fox — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 13:58:28 +0000

I think kids will always find a place to play basketball and baseball and other outdoor sports. The Cape Charles High School location was just one such opportunity. I am reminded that as a kid, we were offered the opportunity to play baseball on Ray Taylor’s grandfather’s lot. He only asked that we mow the lawn! That was enough incentive to get us going. So, let’s not anguish too long over the loss of the Cape Charles High School facility on account of the loss of athletic opportunity. Consider this: Northampton County has a perfectly equipped gymnasium at the old middle school (formerly Northampton County High School). Anybody wishing to book time there can make arrangements with County officials. I can think of other possible venues. But please remember also the days when we played basketball on dirt courts hardened by hardy activity! Enough tears shed over CCH facility on account of loss of athletic opportunity.

By: Mike Kuzma, Jr

Mike Kuzma, Jr — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 13:31:34 +0000

Mr. Baumann,

Where? Where do they put up this wonderful, inexpensive pre-fab structure? Land acquisition costs $$ too you know. And interior courts need a wooden floor.

The Town had enough to buy the Bank on Mason. Even though we already have a library.

While Wayne and I disagree on much, he is spot-on regarding the prevarication over the spot zoning.

Explain the situation to a visitor from Mars: “See, we have this great park in the center of town, and in it exists a basketball court adjacent to the HS building. We, the People want to use that building–and the associated historic tax credits–as a library/community center/Municipal Office Complex. We’ll even benefit by selling off the buildings on the MAIN COMMERCIAL DISTRICT, which will also increase the tax revenues to the town without adding as many service possibilities as a 17-unit condo complex would.

“But instead, our elected officials chose to squander hundreds of thousands of actual dollars and miss out on the future tax dollars in order to grant TAX AND SEWER ABATEMENT to the developer whom they GAVE the building, and the insurance check (!) to.”

Uh huh. We, the People have every right to the Constitutional remedy of the Court to redress our grievances.

By: Pete Baumann

Pete Baumann — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 12:30:47 +0000

If the lawyer for the old school group hadn’t taken their money to file not one, but two, totally frivolous lawsuits, and the elected representatives of the taxpayers hadn’t been forced to respond, there would have been enough combined money to build several regulation sized courts, possibly even indoor courts in a prefab structure. Now, I’ve read that the court decsions have been appealed. That swooshing sound is our tax dollars going into the lawyers baskets without touching the rim.
PS – I’ve made only a few comments since The Wave has been publishing, and I know that my comments will displease a few. Twice already my vehicle has been slightly vandalized (egged and keyed) during the night right after my posts. I’m sure that I’ve accurately recognized the connection. Nonetheless, I will continue to “demonstrate the courage” of my convictions. I hope those who disagree with me will do the same.