Variety of ESO Classes Starting Week of September 15
The onset of a new season is a fitting time to stretch your creative muscles with Eastern Shore’s Own Arts Center’s complete schedule of art classes for all ages and artistic bents. Discover the power of the arts even if you’ve never picked up a sketch pad or only dreamed of trying your hand at acting. The following classes, unless otherwise noted, begin the week of September 15. Pre-registration is required. [Read more…]
Update on Bottlenose Dolphin Strandings
This summer’s unusual mortality event (UME) involving bottlenose dolphins continues into the fall. In the Mid-Atlantic region, the current strandings are still over nine times the historical average. [Read more…]
Merchant Association Gives Development Chief the Business
Northampton County Economic Development Director Charles McSwain addresses Cape Charles Business Association September 11. Association president George Proto is at left. (Wave photo)
By GEORGE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
September 12, 2013
Recently hired economic development director for Northampton County Charles McSwain knew he was walking into a hornets nest when he addressed the Cape Charles Business Association meeting last night, and he came prepared with disclaimers and a philosophy of positive thinking.
But Business Association members weren’t buying it when McSwain tried to defend the County’s development plans – especially as they relate to commercial development on Route 13. Association President George Proto told McSwain, who only recently moved into the area, to “drive up Route 13 and see towns like Exmore with development on the highway. I haven’t been able to see any town not negatively impacted,” Proto said.
Deborah Bender said that highway development outside Onancock, where she once lived, “killed the town.” In the same way, on the highway outside Cape Charles, “a Rite-Aid would hurt,” she said. “And a hotel would hurt the B&Bs.”
“I like to think about this in a completely different way,” McSwain said. “Cape Charles is a very attractive place that has its own identity – not something we have to worry about dying.” He argued that commercial development on Route 13 around the Cape Charles traffic light would slow down through-traffic and “make people make that right turn.” A gas station or a motel at the intersection “would stop the high-speed traffic coming through. Once they’ve stopped, train the retailers to say something good about Cape Charles,” McSwain suggested. [Read more…]
