LETTER: Ignorance about Old School Is Not Bliss
August 30, 2012
DEAR EDITOR,
Everyone has heard the saying, “Ignorance is bliss.” But unfortunately, ignorance is not always bliss. Not when ignorance means not knowing the facts.
Last Thursday at the Town Council meeting, many people came to give public comment regarding what has become a truly heated issue. I will admit that I arrived with my verbal guns ready to blaze. Was I rude to some people as they approached the building? Yes, and for that I am sorry.
Most people who know me know I am pretty laid back — until my feathers get ruffled. Then it’s “look out.” I’m sure many people that don’t know me thought, “Who the heck is that crazy woman?” So I’m writing this letter to tell who I am and why my feathers were standing straight up.
I am a person that believes in honesty, fair play, and governmental transparency. I came to the meeting knowing that honesty, fair play, and governmental transparency were five words that would not be in the room.
I knew that many people attending the meeting were ignorant about how we got where we were.
I knew that those same people were going to stand at the microphone and speak out against a community center and in favor of what our mayor and Town Council wanted, with no background on how that decision was made.
Driving to that meeting, I knew our public officials, the very people that we voted into office, the very people that our hard-earned money pays a salary to, had stacked the deck against the community center. I knew before the meeting took place what the outcome would be. [Read more…]
PICNIC IN THE PARK
This Year’s Sunday Celebration Includes Music, Film & Food
Sunday Picnic in the Park on Labor Day weekend has become a tradition since the historic grand re-opening of Central Park September 5, 2010, shown above. (Wave photo)
August 29, 2012
Citizens for Central Park invites everyone to celebrate Labor Day weekend with an old-fashioned Community Picnic in Cape Charles Central Park Sunday, September 2, from 5-10 p.m.
Pack a picnic dinner or buy from vendors at the Park. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy music by Scott Wade, Bob Rankin and Friends.
Local arts and crafts will also be for sale.
At dusk, the first “Film in the Park” will be shown.
This celebration heralds the end of summer, with families and individuals gathering to meet old friends and make new ones amid the beautiful setting of Central Park.
FRIDAY 8/31: Beachfront Cruise Kicks off Eastern Shore 50th Reunion
Celebrate Growing Up on the Eastern Shore of Virginia 50th Reunion:
Friday, August 31, 7 p.m. — Cape Charles Beachfront Cruise followed by a Shore Gathering at the Island House at 9 p.m.
Saturday, September 1, 8 p.m. — “The Sands of Time” at the Moose Lodge in Belle Haven.
Tickets $16, available at Rayfield’s and Jackson’s.
SATURDAY 9/1: Town-Wide Labor Day Weekend Yard Sale
Cape Charles is having another big Labor Day Weekend Yard Sale this Saturday, September 1, from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. Set up your treasures at the corner of Harbor and Mason, or sell from home and advertise on the Yard Sale Map. $10 fee. Contact [email protected] or stop by Sullivan’s Office Supply.
Creative Writing Soars with 10-Week Workshop
Authors Lenore Hart and David Poyer give writers wings at Eastern Shore’s Own.
By DONNA BOZZA
Special to the Wave
August 26, 2012
Creatively grounded? Why not get serious about starting — or finishing — that novel, short story, memoir, nonfiction article, nonfiction book, play, or screenplay?
Two much-published authors — Lenore Hart and David Poyer — are ready to coach both new and experienced writers in a weekly Creative Writing Workshop at the ESO Arts Center in Belle Haven. The class starts September 4, lasts 10 weeks, and is limited to eight writers on a first-come, first-served basis.
The popular workshop is in its 16th year. David Poyer’s 32 books have been reviewed in the New York Times and on USA Today’s bestseller lists. His work has been translated into Japanese, Dutch, and Italian, and rights have been sold for films and audiobooks. He teaches in the MA and MFA in Creative Writing programs at Wilkes University.
Novelist Lenore Hart will be the primary instructor this fall. Her books have been alternate selections of Book of the Month, Doubleday, and The Literary Guild, and have won the Barnes & Noble Discover Award. Her six critically acclaimed adult novels include Waterwoman, Ordinary Springs, Becky and, most recently, The Raven’s Bride. They have been translated into Norwegian, Swedish, and Portuguese, and two have been optioned for film. [Read more…]
LETTER
Old School Epilogue — Can’t We All Just Get Along?
August 25, 2012
DEAR EDITOR,
Rodney King famously asked, “Can’t we all just get along?”
Now that our representative government, the Town Council, has voted in accordance with the opinion of the majority of residents who chose to publicly render their opinions on this matter, isn’t it time we moved on?
Despite the animosity, division, anger, and hyperbole we all saw throughout this debate, I have also born witness to the strength of our community. We are not just a sleepy little beach town.
I have heard, and read, opinions from residents are who smart, funny, and engaging, that I didn’t know existed in this town.
I, for one, relish robust political dissent. However, perhaps it is time to lay down our swords on this issue and move forward toward the goal of a greater good and a more cohesive community.
Personally, I see no need for a publicly funded community center, but I am open to being persuaded if the venue is smaller and more affordable than the old high school. I look forward to all of us having that discussion.
SUSAN BAUER
Letters to the Editor are welcome on any subject relevant to Cape Charles, and a diversity of opinions is encouraged. Letters should be original and never submitted elsewhere. Email submissions to [email protected].
Council Gives Final OK to Turn Old School into Apartments
Developers Edwin Gaskin (left) and J. David McCormack of Echelon Resources, Inc., plan to convert the old school, basketball court, and playground parking area into 17 one-bedroom apartments. (Wave photo)
By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
August 24, 2012
Cape Charles Town Council voted Thursday night to rezone the Town’s old school, basketball court, and playground parking area from Open Space to R-1 Residential, and also to allow a 17-unit apartment building to be built in a single-family residential area.
The vote in each instance was 5-1, with Councilman Frank Wendell dissenting.
Some 100 people turned out for the meeting in the Fire Hall. Mayor Dora Sullivan laid out several ground rules but was unsuccessful in enforcing them. “Be respectful and stay on topic,” she said – no personal attacks or accusations. She informed Wendell that he could speak during the public hearing or during Council discussion, but not both. However, Wendell insisted that when he was elected a member of Council, he did not lose his rights as a public citizen. Ultimately he was allowed to speak at length.
During the Public Hearing, Town Police removed two of the speakers from the podium, and a member of the Planning Commission threatened to assault a member of the press for photographing him.
Wendell urged Council to heed the advice of former town manager Tim Krawczel to put some conditions in the conditional use permit. That should include heeding the recommendation of the town’s attorney for a buyback option and performance bond to protect the Town’s interest in the property in case the developers were unable to carry out their plans. Wendell also moved that the Town retain the basketball court and playground parking lot, suggesting that Echelon build a parking lot across the street for the apartment house. The motion did not pass. [Read more…]
TOWN COUNCIL
Public Hearing on School Rezoning and Use as Apartments
Cape Charles Town Council will hold a Public Hearing and Special Meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, August 23, at the Fire Hall.
Following public comment, Town Council will vote on two resolutions.
The first resolution is to rezone the school property adjoining Central Park from Open Space to R-1 Residential.
Because R-1 Residential does not allow an apartment building, Town Council will then vote on a resolution to permit a Conditional Use of the property for a 17-unit apartment building.
The Town’s information packet for the meeting may be accessed here: 20120823 TC Agenda Packet
Earlier, at 5:30 p.m., Town Council will convene a closed session to interview applicants for the Planning Commission, which has three vacancies.
