Comments on: #18 Story EXTRA: Town Paying Dickie Foster’s Real Estate Tax

By: Gene Kelly

Gene Kelly — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 21:19:37 +0000

Mr. Sacco in a time when we have faced the worst economy over the last 4+ years, I find it farcical to add Police Officers at present. The economy of The Eastern Shore has certainly not grown in any shape or form recently! This is the time to cut expenses…not add to them for no logical reason.

By: Antonio Sacco

Antonio Sacco — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 03:51:12 +0000

Mr. Kelly, Cape Charles will grow, tourists will come, and population will increase in a few years. The national economy is improving, GDP growth in 2014 will be 2.7% — last year it was 1.9%. Manufacturing will increase to 3.5%, so the outlook looks good. So to answer your question, yes a few more trained police should be ready to face and enforce the law, and you and your family can sleep knowing you’re protected.

By: Steve Downs

Steve Downs — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 23:16:25 +0000

There IS A SIGN at the entrance to Cape Chuck. How could you miss it?

By: Gene Kelly

Gene Kelly — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 20:42:47 +0000

With all due respect to Mr. Sacco, why do we need more Police? Can’t for the life of me figure that one out!

By: Mike Kuzma, Jr.

Mike Kuzma, Jr. — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 18:29:41 +0000

Mr. Foster’s travails — and I do not for a moment disagree that he is as caught up in the diminished America that we “hoped” for the “change” to — but this issue has nothing to do with him. It is a simple matter of fiscally prudent government.

By: Antonio Sacco

Antonio Sacco — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 18:27:25 +0000

Dr. Dickinson, your kind sentiment about Mr. Foster was welcomed. I was the only one that made a passionate speech on his behalf before the annexation, and I was told, “Hey Yankee, go back where you came from.” They waited for me outside the Eastville courthouse to beat me up, but to their surprise I stood my ground to defend myself. There are still folks that remember that incident.

Mr. Foster got caught up in a economic meltdown throughout the U.S. He is no different then the ordinary householder trying to keep their heads above water. He is just one person — there are many more who really are in need. There are a lot of areas that need attention: Pay raises for the Cape Charles work force, more police, the Christian School needs help, the Palace Theatre needs a boost, folks need a recreation hall to play bingo, play pool, or meet with their neighbors to catch up on news.

By: Gordon Campbell

Gordon Campbell — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 16:50:31 +0000

In your unbridled quest to discredit the town you could not see that the purchase is a smart financial move. Just a simple off the cuff lease vs. own analysis proves that. If the lease opportunity cost to the town is $3290 (county & town tax) and the cost of money is 2% the town should purchase the property and the town will save $1290 per year. This simple calculation does not take into account the value of the asset on the town's books, the strategic value of the property to the town, nor the potential appreciation of the property. If the property appreciates at only 3% per year the value increases 80% over 20 years to $180,000. I think it is worth a lot more than that right now and evidently the Town Council agrees and will purchase an undervalued property that will yield a great return to the town over the years. Today's story update (CLICK) reports that a comparable commercial lot on Randolph Avenue recently sold for $4,000. --EDITOR

By: Robert Rittenhouse

Robert Rittenhouse — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 13:59:40 +0000

Thank you, Andy — that needed to be expressed. Many of us remember what was here before. “Dickie’s vision!” Sure miss Nancy and Amos . . . .

By: Catherine Nottingham

Catherine Nottingham — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 02:17:23 +0000

Thank you Dr. Dickinson for reminding us of the faith and sacrifice it took for Dick Foster to invest in our struggling little town.

And if it was not for Dick Foster we would not have attracted as many nice new tax paying citizens or as much entertainment.

By: W. Andrew Dickinson, Jr.

W. Andrew Dickinson, Jr. — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 00:40:53 +0000

My childhood began in Cape Charles in the ’30s and continued through high school in the ’40s when Cape Charles was a bustling community, a wonderful place to grow up. The bridge-tunnel and the decline of the railroad put the town on a downward spiral. Only the passion and commitment of Dickie Foster saved the town from desolation, and all of the citizens of lower Northampton County owe Dickie a huge debt of gratitude. Thanks to his determination and vision, we have a first class resort in a town that is having a renaissance. None of that could have happened without Dickie — and it cost him dearly in the end. I think the citizens of Cape Charles should show Dickie their appreciation by erecting an appropriate monument to him on the main street. It is the right thing to do and I will gladly contribute to such a project.

W. Andrew Dickinson, Jr. MD
Cape Charles High School Class of ’48