LETTER: Staff Misled Supervisors on Waste Management
April 13, 2015
DEAR EDITOR,
It has been a little over a year since over 400 people crammed into the auditorium of the Northampton County High School for a public hearing on the then-new proposed complete re-writing of our county’s zoning ordinance. The majority of those attending and testifying at the meeting were quite perplexed at why they had been shut out of the rezoning process during the preceding year, and expressed frustration with the many changes proposed by staff and our new economic development director.
In a thinly veiled attempt to involve residents at the midnight hour, several weeks ago county planning staff conducted “public information sessions” that were held in the north and south sectors of the county. These meetings were expertly covered in the Wave by Wayne Creed.
During those sessions and after being shown maps, charts and other confusing fact sheets, those attending were encouraged to submit their questions and comments in writing to staff and the Board. Within 10 days after the sessions ended, over 116 comments had been entered into the official record, and the planning and zoning staff subsequently prepared a briefing paper for the Board of Supervisors which not only summarized the comments received but also attempted to offer a response to each of the points raised.
Overwhelmingly, those submitting comments were most concerned about the term “waste related” which is proposed as an allowable use in agricultural and industrial zones in the proposed zoning ordinance. Concerned residents and former county officials alike expressed fear that such an open-ended land use term could allow hazardous, municipal, medical, and other waste import and incineration, as well as storage and processing. Note that the plainly ambiguous term is not included in our current zoning ordinance, nor can we find such a dangerous term in any zoning ordinance we researched.
In their March 30 presentation to the Board, planning staff orally briefed the Supervisors on many of the issues placed in the record that objected to the current draft ordinance, including the waste issue. Specifically, Zoning Administrator Melissa Kellam informed the Board that staff had adequately responded to the concerns about “waste related” and removed that wording from the draft zoning language. She informed the Board that, because the county currently manages waste at the landfill and their collection centers, “waste” has to be addressed in the proposed zoning ordinance, hinting that if it was not, the county could no longer continue these operations. [Read more…]
Spencer Murray Hopes to Return as County Supervisor
MURRAY
CAPE CHARLES WAVE
April 13, 2015
H. Spencer Murray of Franktown, an outspoken critic of current county administration, has announced his candidacy for Northampton County District 4 Supervisor in the November 3 election. District 4 includes Wellington Neck, the western portion of Franktown, and a section of Seaside Road.
Murray was District 4 Supervisor from 2008-2011 but did not seek reelection due to a family illness. He was succeeded by Rick Hubbard, who currently is Board Chairman and is expected to run for re-election. When Murray won his Supervisor seat in 2007, he had three opponents, one of whom was Hubbard, who finished third.
Only two Board seats are up for election this year, the other being that held by District 5 Supervisor Larry Trala. Robert Duer has announced his candidacy for District 5.
In the most recent election, November 2013, three Supervisors were chosen, but only one was contested: Granville Hogg defeated District 1 Supervisor and Board Chairman Willie Randall. District 2 Supervisor Larry LeMond and District 3 Supervisor Oliver Bennett were elected without opposition.
Murray has lived on the Eastern Shore for over 28 years. Born in Richmond, he is one of seven children. He attended the College of William and Mary, and after graduation served in Army Intelligence in Vietnam in 1967-68. Afterward, he worked in the financial industry, holding several executive positions and later establishing his own consulting firm specializing in revitalizing troubled companies and managing large-scale information technology projects for international and Fortune 500 clients. [Read more…]
Wednesday Service for Oyster Waterman Billy Brady, 56
April 13, 2015
Billy James Brady, Sr., 56, husband of the late Ona West Brady and a resident of Cape Charles, passed away Wednesday, April 8, at his residence. A celebration of life service will be held 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, at Travis Chapel United Methodist Church in Oyster with Rev. Janet C. Allen officiating.
A native of Oyster, Mr. Brady was born February 18, 1959. He was the son of Samuel Brady, Jr., of Townsend, and India Winslow Birch of Cape Charles, and the step-son of Louise Brady of Townsend and Charles Harrison Crumb, Jr., of Oyster. He was a waterman.
In addition to his parents and step-parents, he is survived by four children, Chris Brittingham and his wife, Regina, of Hacksneck, Alicia Waren and her husband, Shane, of Mesa, AZ, Tara Birch of Cape Charles, and Billy James Brady, Jr., of Beverly, MA; sisters Connie Brady of Cape Charles and Vickie Brady of Norfolk; brother Mark Brady and his wife, Autumn, of Townsend; aunt Bettie Riggin of Cape Charles; and numerous grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com. Flowers will be accepted.
Arrangements are by Wilkins-Doughty Funeral Home, Cape Charles.
Cape Charles Rotary Partners with Boys and Girls Club
Cape Charles Rotary Club members join with Boys and Girls Club participants.
April 13, 2015
Cape Charles Rotary sponsored a Career Day at Occohannock Elementary School March 28 to provide area teens with a jumpstart on successful careers. The event was part of a new partnership between the Rotary Club of Cape Charles and the Eastern Shore Boys and Girls Club.
A team of Cape Charles Rotarians facilitated five Career Day workshops for almost 50 Boys and Girls Clubs teenagers from the Eastern Shore and across the Hampton Roads area. In round-robin fashion, the young adults attended workshops structured to begin preparing them for college and workplace realities: Resume-Writing, College-Bound, Interviewing Skills, Dress for Success and Workplace Etiquette.
The partnership with the Boys and Girls Club is an important new initiative of the Cape Charles Rotary Club, which supports the community through a variety of additional grants and service projects. Monika Bridgforth, Cape Charles Rotary President-Elect and Career Day project coordinator explains, “The Rotarians were eager to share lessons learned from our own careers. From practical tips about how to dress for an interview to more thought-provoking discussions about the value of a college education, the students had a comprehensive introduction to career planning. And we are already refining for next year!” [Read more…]
SATURDAY 4/25: Low Country Shrimp Boil at Museum
The Cape Charles Historical Society will hold its traditional Low Country Shrimp Boil 5-9 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at the Cape Charles Museum. The menu features the famous Alabama shrimp boil recipe — shrimp cooked with red potatoes, special “Old Timer” smoked sausage shipped in from Alabama, corn on the cob, onions, and peppers. A new addition to the menu will be local steamed clams. Tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for children 7 to 12, available at Periwinkles on Strawberry Street or by emailing [email protected]. Tickets will also be on sale at the Museum starting opening day, April 18. [Read more…]
SATURDAY 4/18: New Medical Exhibit at Cape Charles Museum
The Cape Charles Museum opens for the season on Saturday, April 18. Our 2015 season will feature a new exhibit on medical apparatus and medicines drawn from the Museum’s “Country Store” collection. Come by and visit the railroad and ferry history of Cape Charles. Other exhibits include the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and the Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater. Visit our website at www.smallmuseum.org/capechas.html.
FRIDAY 4/17: Jim Mason on ‘Factory Farms — Ethics vs. Economics’
“Factory Farms – Ethics vs. Economics,” a 90-minute seminar sponsored by Science and Philosophy Seminar of the Eastern Shore of Virginia, will be 12:30 p.m. Friday, April 17, in the Lecture Hall of the Eastern Shore Community College, 29300 Lankford Hwy., Melfa. Jim Mason will discuss the industrial systems that produce most of our meat, milk, and eggs, and the concerns these methods raise for animal welfare, consumers, farmers, and the environment. Mason is co-author of books on this topic.
FRIDAY 4/17: ESO Live Presents Jazz Band Swing Project
ESO Arts Center presents ESO Live! with Swing Project on Friday, April 17, at 8 p.m.
Swing Project is a guitar-driven jazz band consisting of two guitars, upright bass, flute, and vocals. Several band members are seasoned professional musicians, with a couple of talented amateurs thrown in for good measure. Swing Project mixes it up and cooks in the intimate, nightclub-like setting at ESO, located at 15293 King Street in Belle Haven. Admission is just $10. Doors will open at 7:30; liquid refreshments are available. To reserve a table, please call 757-442-3226 or go to esoartscenter.org. [Read more…]
