LETTER: Don’t Call Me a Come-Here, Mr. Supervisor!
November 24, 2014
DEAR EDITOR,
In regard to the Northampton County Board of Supervisors’ unilateral plan to change the current zoning ordinance to resemble an Ocean City or Virginia Beach model of development, it raises my ire when Supervisors such as Larry Trala dismiss those of us seeking more of a voice in this process as “come-heres.” This conjurs up the “pot and the kettle” scenario considering we have been told Larry may have roots in Detroit.
I take this dismissal personally, and must respond to several issues regarding various statements made by the Supervisors who are promoting the rezoning campaign. In response to the “come-here” remark, I have two comments. First, those who have discovered Northampton County and have decided to move here and invest much of their life’s savings in this great county do so because they have fallen in love with what we have to offer. Their tax dollars support our schools, our roads, our businesses, our support services, and our cultural resources. Rather than branding them something less than what they are as “come-heres,” we should open our arms and realize that they are here because they are “wanna-be-heres” as Art Schwarzschild recently stated at a public forum on the rezoning debate, and have fallen in love with the county for what it isn’t (Ocean City or Virginia Beach) — a scenario that is being threatened by this closed-door scheme.
As for this “come here,” I don’t think so. In fact, my father’s family, the Schoolfields, came to the Eastern Shore with the contingents that accompanied Lord Baltimore in the 1600s. My maternal great-grandfather, G. Russel Smith, was a horse-and-buggy doctor in Cheriton in the 19th century. His daughter, my grandmother, and her husband, Gansevoort Hurlbut, bought the majestic Wellington estate on the Nassawadox in the 1930s and later purchased the smaller Refuge estate, now the home of the county attorney (one of the prime movers of the “let anyone do anything they want on their property” zoning revision). My grandmother also worked at the Northampton-Accomack Memorial Hospital and helped raise the funds necessary to build that facility. I was born in that hospital 60 years ago (wow, where does the time go?) and spent many years and indeed every summer of my life on the Nassawadox Creek with my children. And as for my “come-here” husband, Ken, he is a “brought-here” — by me — and his involvement in the zoning debate is partly because I asked him to do so because I owe it to my heritage to protect this county from impending assault, and partly because we both want to protect our many investments in Northampton County and the Town of Exmore. [Read more…]
LETTER: Citizens Should Oppose Rezoning NOW
November 24, 2014
DEAR EDITOR,
Several of our key Northampton elected and salaried officials apparently have taken zoning matters into their own hands thus necessitating the Shore citizens groups’ volunteer forum November 6 to bring us up to speed — in a cordial, impressively professional manner — on the complexities of the disturbing scenario. We owe CBES [Citizens for a Better Eastern Shore] and Shorekeeper our gratitude and respect.
Four centuries ago the original Shore inhabitants were blindsided with the arrival of Europeans who in short order — a generation or so — transformed forever their heritage and way of life by relocating them (displacement) to a reservation, the 52 acre fragment of which remains today as Indiantown Park, Eastville seaside. No matter that the natives were friendly and peaceful, used coastal waterways as their highways, and were not prone to fouling their own nests as they moved back and forth seasonally from their small scattered settlements.
Equally soon by early spring of 1651-1652 the invasive settlers found cause to protest excessive taxation in the first such demonstration in American history. So, you see, dramatic earth shaking and shaping events can happen very quickly. We may be on a similar precipice.
Thus far our elected officials — save one — propose opening Pandora’s box for unbridled development on our rural lower peninsula, not only with the potential for a bar in Franktown as our hospital closes down, but also more seriously with unannounced nasty wastes and dangerous biomass uses. Their unleashed rezoning ignores state code requiring a (formerly carefully crafted) Comprehensive Plan as its foundation, the format of which was defined by Northampton citizen input over an extended period. Thankfully our Comp Plan, aka the backbone approved by state code, remains a flexible document in that it can be adjusted or amended when necessary. Critics of rezoning often have cited this key advantage. So if it ain’t broke, why fix it? [Read more…]
Pin-Up Pets Featured in SPCA Calendar
People love their pets. That’s why the SPCA Eastern Shore had an abundance of responses when they asked if any of their previous adopters would like to purchase a month to feature their SPCA alum pet in the shelter’s 2015 fund-raising calendar. From the cover shot of Maxie Mouse, a terrier, on the sandbar at Cherrystone through the December photo of Kermit the Cat daring anyone to touch her Christmas presents, the calendar showcases an array of former shelter residents who have found happy and loving forever homes. [Read more…]
FRIDAY 12/5: Progressive Tasting Tour Showcases Sea Cottage Addition
Northampton County Chamber of Commerce proudly presents the 19th Annual Holiday Progressive Tasting Tour Friday, December 5. Take a step back in time in the Victorian town of Cape Charles, that has been decked out for the holidays. Tour lovely restored homes in the Sea Cottage Addition area of town. Visit quaint and unique shops — a great way to kick off the holiday season.
The tour begins at the Historic Palace Theatre, located in the heart of downtown Cape Charles. At each of the six sites, guests are treated to creatively prepared regional foods by some of the finest restaurants on the Shore. The walking path is aglow from the light of 1200 luminaires that lead the guests to the tour sites. [Read more…]
THURSDAY 12/4: Nature Conservancy Holiday Open House
The Nature Conservancy’s Virginia Coast Reserve invites you to a Holiday Open House at the Historic Brownsville House Thursday, December 4, from 4 – 8 p.m. Adults and children are welcome to join the festivities and enjoy a tour of the Brownsville House, farm rides until sunset, a campfire with s’mores and plenty of refreshments. [Read more…]
SUNDAY 11/30: Special Music Program at Emmanuel Episcopal
On Sunday, November 30, Emmanuel Episcopal, 601 Tazewell Avenue, will have a special music program on the First Sunday in Advent. Dennis Saidat, a part-time resident, and Sallie Bartholemew from Richmond will play flute and harp for the prelude, offertory, and postlude. The worship service begins at 9 a.m. All are welcome to worship and fellowship.
FRIDAY 11/28: Welcome Back to Legendary
Giddens’ Do Drop Inn
Welcome back to the legendary “Giddens’ Do Drop Inn,” creating memories Friday, November 28. Doors open 7 p.m., showtime 7:30 p.m. Live bands, dancing, and much more! [Read more…]
‘Festive Fridays’ Deliver Old Fashioned Holiday Feel
By SARAH GOLIBART
Cape Charles Wave
November 21, 2014
Cue the song by Little River Band “Reminiscing.” The song is playing on a Friday night, just as a guy is walking his girl home, a frequent happening in small towns like our own Cape Charles.
If only there were more events to walk your girl or guy home from in Cape Charles!
“Well, I want to tell you, Cape Charles, I want to plan my schedule around you. Tell you that it’s true. I want to make you understand. I’m talking about a holiday plan!”
Calling all Cape Charles residents! You too can walk through the park reminiscing — after “Festive Fridays” that is.
“Festive Fridays” will take place on six consecutive Friday evenings beginning November 21 through December 26. This is your chance to enjoy an old-fashioned, small-town holiday experience, including shopping, delicious food and drink, entertainment, seasonal decorations, and plenty of good cheer.
Each Friday from 5-8 p.m. enjoy events like horse-drawn carriage rides, special deals at restaurants, refreshments, and special promotions at local merchants. Get into the holiday spirit by following the luminaries lighting the sidewalks of Cape Charles while enjoying holiday caroling and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus. Even the “Love” sign will be front and center in town and decorated for the season. Don’t miss your chance to make new memories in Cape Charles that you’ll reminisce about for years to come.
