SATURDAY 2/22: Eastern Shore Heritage Celebration at ESCC
Looking for something to do without having to drive too far? The Eastern Shore Community College Foundation will host the 13th Annual Eastern Shore Heritage Celebration Saturday, February 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is free. [Read more…]
Vote February 25 for State House Special Election
Voters in the 100th District, which includes Northampton and Accomack counties, are reminded of the Tuesday, February 25, Special Election for House of Delegates. [Read more…]
Watermen Wanted for Virginia Working Waterfronts Workshop February 26
Watermen, water-dependent business owners, and representatives from water-related organizations from the Eastern Shore are encouraged to participate in the Virginia Working Waterfronts Workshop on Wednesday, February 26, from a satellite location at the Eastern Shore Community College Workforce Development Building in Melfa (29300 Lankford Hwy). The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. [Read more…]
WEEKEND: Another Day, Another Sunset
WEEKEND: ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER SUNSET
Perhaps the best thing about winter on the Shore is the sunsets — they are definitely more dramatic than in warmer months. Craig Richardson shot this one from his back porch in Seaview. Keep ‘em coming — if they look this good we’ll print them through July!
Town Council May Spend $10,000 on Wage Study
By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
February 10, 2014
Cape Charles Town Council wants to spend $10,000 for a wage compensation study for town employees. At a Council “retreat” on Saturday (February 8), Council members Steve Bennett and Joan Natali emphasized that the “essential” study should be done as soon as possible.
Only Councilman Frank Wendell opposed the idea, arguing that town managers and directors are already paid to determine those requirements. Town Manager Heather Arcos said that most localities have an outside person determine wage and position descriptions, but she conceded that Cape Charles has never had such a study done. A knowledgeable source has observed that wage and compensation information is available for free on the Department of Labor website.
Arcos said the town could pay for the wage study with money budgeted to update the Comprehensive Plan. Town Council budgeted $30,000 for the update, but subsequently contracted for it to be done for $8,600.
Council members also discussed raising the transient occupancy tax from the current 3 percent to 3.7 percent. Combined with state and county taxes, Cape Charles tourists now pay 10.3 percent of their hotel bill in tax. Raising the town tax would make it 11 percent.
Arcos noted that the town spends money to attract tourists, and needs to “sustain momentum.” The transient occupancy tax could help the town provide funds for organizations such as Citizens for Central Park, Arts Enter, and Friends of Cape Charles Memorial Library.
Councilman Chris Bannon, who operates a bed and breakfast, said he hoped the tax increase could be approved before the tourist season begins.
Arcos also said that Cape Charles provides an “outsize” contribution to the Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission, which maintains the Welcome Center at the Bridge-Tunnel. Council members agreed that the town should make a set contribution to the Tourism Commission instead of a percentage of the transient occupancy tax collected. Last year the town contributed $14,232 to the Tourism Commission. [Read more…]
VIDEO: 2014 February Freeze at Cape Charles Beach
CAPE CHARLES WAVE
February 10, 2014
A bumper crop of cold-water crazies turned out for Saturday’s 2014 Habitat for Humanity February Freeze at the Cape Charles Beach. Watch the video to see who gets the wettest, and keep a sharp eye out for Kiptopeke Elementary Principal Subrina Parker. As always, swim instructor/polar bear Victor Abrahamian spent the longest time in the water (and actually “swam” a few strokes at the finish). Click bottom right of box for full-screen view (but don’t get wet!).
Planning Commission Limits Squawk About Chickens
By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
February 10, 2014
Part-time residents Sheryl and Paul Eulitt drove down from Baltimore February 4 for one purpose: to tell members of the Cape Charles Planning Commission that they oppose allowing chickens to be kept in town. Sheryl Eulitt said they intend to retire here, and don’t want any chickens in their neighborhood.
After Eulitt spoke for 3 minutes, Planning Commission Chair Dennis McCoy gave her a 20-second warning:
McCOY: 20 seconds.
EULITT: I’m sorry?
McCOY: 20 seconds.
EULITT: Oh – oh really? Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t know.
McCOY: You have a 3-minute time limit. You’ve now gone to 3:13.
And 20 seconds later the gong sounded. The Eulitts returned to Baltimore the same night. No other member of the public spoke.
CLICK HERE to listen to Eulitt’s presentation to the Planning Commission.
Eulitt asked why the current ordinance that excludes the keeping of farm animals in town has not been enforced. Town Planner Rob Testerman said that the chickens have been allowed to stay while an ordinance is being drafted with the thought that it would be wrong to send them away only to later allow them.
Eulitt maintained that chickens are not pets. She said the chickens wake them in the morning and create an unpleasant odor.
Noting her surprise at being stopped mid-sentence, Commissioner Mike Strub explained to the Eulitts that the Planning Commissioners would take what she said under advisement even though they would not respond directly to her.
The Commission is considering the pros and cons of allowing residents to keep a few chickens, and may propose a revised ordinance. A public hearing would then be held to further assess residents’ feelings.
Four of the six Planning Commissioners present at the meeting reside in Bay Creek, and they noted that any ordinance the town might pass allowing chickens would not apply In Bay Creek. Indeed, no action the Planning Commission takes on any subject applies inside Bay Creek. The four Bay Creek residents are Chairman Dennis McCoy, Joan Natali, Sandra Salopek, and Bill Stramm.
The commissioners asked Town Planner Testerman to continue his review of other municipalities’ chicken ordinances for further discussion at the next meeting. [Read more…]
WEDNESDAY: It’s All About Our Water
February 10, 2014
Water is everywhere on the Shore, but the only drops to drink come from underground. As the only source of drinking water, groundwater’s sustainability and quality are essential for residents and communities.
The Eastern Shore of Virginia Ground Water Committee is sponsoring a Cape Charles-Cheriton Ground Water Summit 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, February 12, at Kiptopeke Elementary School. The summit will be an educational forum that answers critical questions and concerns related to ground water conditions for Cape Charles, Cheriton, and surrounding areas.
Participants will gain a better understanding of where their water comes from, how and when it got there, what is being done to ensure its quality, and what are its largest threats. Presentations include the area’s geologic evolution, what is and what is not known about the resource, and an answer to the question: “Is there enough water to support our community for generations to come?”
Britt McMillan, consulting hydrogeologist to the Eastern Shore Ground Water Committee, and Curt Smith, Director of Planning for the Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission, will answer questions from the audience.
Refreshments will be served. [Read more…]
