Spring Classes at Arts Enter School of Dance
Time to get your dance and movement on, as the spring semester begins at Arts Enter School of Dance. Looking for a different kind of workout? Try our 60 minute high-energy Advanced Modern or Contemporary Jazz classes featuring a warm up, a toning session, and 45 minutes of original choreography by Amy Watkins. Drawing on all types of musical influences, Miss Amy’s choreography is always low impact, but fun for both new and experienced dancers. [Read more…]
Town Meeting Question: Who Will Pay for Spending?
Northampton District 1 Supervisor Granville Hogg conducts Town Meeting January 8 at Kiptopeke School. (Photo: Donna Bozza)
By WAYNE CREED
Cape Charles Wave
January 12, 2015
A crowd of close to 60 people braved the frigid cold January 8 to attend District 1 Supervisor Granville Hogg’s Town Hall Meeting, held at Kiptopeke Elementary. Following the last few months of intense opposition to the proposed zoning ordinance changes, those in attendance were anxious for any further information regarding this as well as other items being undertaken by the Board of Supervisors.
The first item on Mr. Hogg’s agenda was the Public Service Authority Southern Node Project. Hogg reiterated many concerns that have been voiced after the Northern Node part of the project was rejected and focus was turned on the Southern Node: Is there a legitimate need for it, and is there a decent business plan in place that will justify it? And — just who will pay for it?
Martina Coker questioned whether the project is really going to create commercial growth, or will have the opposite effect. An example she used was the new Veterinary Clinic in the Food Lion Shopping Center, which had already been executed based on an established cost estimation and business plan, and whether it would be fair now to burden them, and future businesses, with an excessive new cost.
Along these lines, Roberta Kellam argued that since wastewater has already been approved in these areas, and existing septic systems are working, there is no indication that this project will create new jobs.
Former Supervisor Spencer Murray noted, ‘This is basically a build it and they will come scenario. Sensitive growth is good — the question is how you get it.”
The next topic addressed by Mr. Hogg was the proposed construction of a new Emergency Medical Services facility. The Board of Supervisors is looking three options:
· Fully restore the Machipango Middle School facility, with an estimated price tag of $3.8 to $5.5 million;
· Or, acquire the existing EMS property now being leased, and build onto that. Estimated cost, depending on the size of the new garage, would be $500,000 to $600,000.
· Or, construct the new EMS facility at the existing school bus garage in Eastville. Again, cost estimates are closer to the $600,000 figure. [Read more…]
LETTER: Proposed Rezoning Betrays Property Owners
January 12, 2015
DEAR EDITOR,
I am writing to add my voice publicly to those who have already spoken and written their objections to the way in which Northampton County’s new proposed rezoning is being handled. I was a participant in several of the citizen workshops held when the present zoning was being reviewed, and am appalled at the way this is being handled now.
I am an elected public servant, having served on the Eastville Town Council for over 20 years, but I write this as a private property owner and business owner. I sent an earlier version of this letter as an email to the Northampton County Board of Supervisors in late March 2014. I received no reply from any of them.
Everything about the way this matter is being handled makes me suspicious that it is being driven by interests that DO NOT have the interests of Northampton County citizens and taxpayers in mind.
I, as a resident, property owner, rental home owner, bed and breakfast owner, and taxpayer, feel betrayed. I understand a desire on local government’s part to do something, anything, to improve the economic situation, but this is not the answer.
Eastville, on a much smaller scale, of course, has gone through the same process of Comprehensive Plan review and updating of its zoning text and map, and it was a steep learning curve for us on the town council at the time. County staff was fantastic, helping us in every way they could, including bringing in planning and zoning experts from as far away as Colorado. Zoning is complicated and doesn’t interest everyone. But whether you care or not, your community’s zoning does affect you and your property values. This proposed county rezoning is opening a Pandora’s Box. [Read more…]
Here’s Who Was Behind the Crab Pot Drop
Dropping of the Crab Pot promises to become a Cape Charles New Year’s Eve tradition, thanks to a lot of hard work by volunteers. (Photo: Cape Charles Gazette)
Reprinted from the Cape Charles Gazette
January 12, 2015
The Cape Charles Town Harbor hosted the first Cape Charles Dropping of the Crab Pot on December 31, 2014, at 10 p.m. on Mason Avenue. What started as an idea for a small gathering for New Year’s Eve evolved into an exciting event with over 500 residents and visitors braving the cold temperatures for this inaugural event! The attendees enjoyed live music by Loaded Goat, a local band on the Eastern Shore, along with hot apple cider and hot chocolate served by the Cape Charles Volunteer Fire Company to bring in 2015 with a bang!
The preparations began a week prior to the event with the construction of a 6’x6’ “crab
pot.” The crab was illustrated by Rachael Taylor, cut out of metal by Sheldon Williams,
and painted by Kristin Lewis to give the crab a lifelike feel in dedication to our local
watermen. The pot was wrapped in fencing and Christmas lights with a “2015” sign made by Andy
Buchholz/Eastern Shore Signs, and built to light up Mason Avenue with full effect. The
crab pot also featured laser lights and a smoke machine to add to the effect,
compliments of Shane Hayward. [Read more…]
PHOTO ESSAY: Cold Beach Day Yields Rewards
By GERTRAUD FENDLER
January 11, 2015
Nice cold day — yes!
Staying home? No way! Just had to go to the beach. . . [Read more…]
New Town Planner Has Extensive Job History
LAWRENCE DIRE
CAPE CHARLES WAVE
January 10, 2014
The Cape Charles Gazette has announced that Lawrence DiRe will be the new town planner effective February 2. DiRe replaces Rob Testerman, who resigned in October to work for the town of Kitty Hawk, N.C.
The Gazette provided no further information, but DiRe has posted his full bio on linkedin.com. According to linkedin and other websites, DiRe is 51 years old and has connections with the Eastern Shore. He has lived in Delmar, Delaware, just north of the Maryland state line on Route 13. From 2013-2014 he was an advisor for Delmarva Education Foundation in Salisbury, Maryland.
DiRe has worked in a number of jobs in several states. From 2009-2014 he was an instructor at Elmhurst College in Chicago. From 2007-2009 he was chief administrative officer and treasurer for the village of Berkeley, Illinois. From 2004-2007 he was town administrator for the town of St. Pauls, North Carolina. From 2002-2004 he was town manager for LaCrosse, Virginia, about 110 miles west of Norfolk. Earlier he interned for the town of Leesburg, Virginia. [Read more…]
SATURDAY 1/17: Annual Epiphany Party and Auction at Fire House
Chris Bannon invites everyone to attend the 23rd Annual Epiphany Party & Auction January 17 at the Fire House. Per tradition, guests are requested to bring their “least favorite” Christmas gift to be auctioned, with proceeds going for playground equipment at Central Park. RSVP to Bannon at 757-331-2206 or [email protected] by January 14.
FRIDAY 1/16: Bird Photography on the Eastern Shore
“Bird Photography on the Eastern Shore,” sponsored by the Science and Philosophy Seminar of the Eastern Shore of Virginia, will be held from 12:30-2 p.m. Friday, January 16, in the Eastern Shore Community College lecture hall in Melfa. George Budd will show how he has used the medium of bird photography in a journey to open himself up to the world around him. Budd, now retired, has lived with his family on the Shore for 10 years. He plans to continue with his photography.
