To Ms. Bender and Mr. Fox, your comments are interesting. Ms. Bender said “This summer was an all-time high in that there were so many events.” This is what pulls people into Cape Charles, this is what builds businesses in Cape Charles, this is what sustains business in Cape Charles.

Mr. Fox stated, “Commercial development on Route 13 is a primary reason Cape Charles has two former grocery store buildings that are vacant.” That, Mr. Fox, is due to the people of Cape Charles and to the businesses themselves. Do you fault the residents for going to Food Lion, which may have had a better selection, price, and hours? Is it not the fault of the businesses that collapsed for not trying to reinvent themselves to become something Food Lion isn’t — based on service or quality? How is it that Chincoteague can support a supermarket in town when there is a Food Lion only about 4 miles away?

For me, visiting Cape Charles isn’t going to happen because I’m driving down 13 and I need something to eat. I’m going to keep going on 13, heading to my destination until I hit something on 13 where I can eat. It will be visited if it is a destination. I think it’s short-sighted not to think about running the sewer line to 13. I do agree that industry should be looked at prior to retail, but if retail is paying that business tax, why not?

Essentially, the argument is that the people of Cape Charles don’t deserve the selection, choice, and conveniences of box stores. If people can’t see the difference between going to Watson’s and a Home Depot or Lowe’s, that’s sad. Getting chain stores in the middle of Cape Charles doesn’t seem like a very smart idea either.

I hope that our County Supervisors are reading the WAVE and understand that the business owners and citizens of Cape Charles are not impressed with their economic development plan. Elections are coming and we VOTE!

The Town administration abused the taxpayers by overspending on the sewer plant, with full knowledge that Bay Creek would not contribute any money, and now they are trying to abuse the business owners to cover their mismanagement.

As a past member of the Town Planning Commission, I know firsthand that the primary concern was always to protect the in-town businesses. Now we seem to be in a do-anything-that-sounds-OK era, and the Town administration has forgotten the Town’s history, needs, and wants — these guidelines haven’t been seen in Cape Charles for a long time now.

Let’s all work to preserve the Cape Charles we either have lived in, or moved here to enjoy.

All of us need to fight the “pipe”! It could damage our town and hurt all of the businesses involved in the “special tax district.” It was wonderful to see some of the people that were for the PSA admit they were wrong — that takes guts! I hope everyone will keep fighting for our little town!