Local American Legion Post Gets National Exposure
Members of American Legion Post 56 in Cheriton (from left) Bill Stramm, Jim Chapman, Bill Burton, Bob Roche, Ed DeAngelis, Don Mclvee, Steve Downs, Jack Woolley, Marvin Milton, Joe Vaccaro.
By JOE VACCARO
Special to the Cape Charles Wave
June 2, 2013
The oldest American Legion Post on the Eastern Shore was chartered on February 13, 1922, and originally located in Cape Charles. Older veterans recall it as a lively location where WW I veterans and their families frequently met to dance, attend diners and march in parades.
Over the years it became one of the most desirable meeting spots for WW II and Korean Veterans on the lower Shore until a fire completely destroyed the Post some five decades ago.
In 2007, Post 56 found a new home in Cheriton, and another chapter for this 91-year-old organization began.
Since 2007, the Post has boasted bragging rights as having the highest state membership, Commander of the Year, Legionnaire of the Year, Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, an ongoing Boys and Girls State program, a Law Enforcement Junior Cadet Program and an Oratorical Contest.
All of this is in addition to a thriving and highly successful Sons of the American Legion and an American Legion Auxiliary program.
This award-winning American Legion Post is featured in the June issue of the national American Legion magazine. The article notes how Post 56’s membership fell to 22 members and the charter was in peril of being revoked. [Read more…]
Public Hearing on Tax Increase: ‘Read My Lips’
By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
May 31, 2013
Six residents spoke or submitted comments at last night’s public hearing on a proposed tax increase for the Town of Cape Charles. And while each resident spoke in his or her own way, each message was essentially the same: Don’t raise my taxes!
Town Council is proposing a two-step rate increase. The first rate hike would bring the amount of tax collected up to last year’s level, even though real property assessments dropped 35 percent on average.
Last year’s Town tax rate was 18 cents per $100 of property value. The first step would increase that rate to 27 cents – a 50 percent rate increase.
The second step would increase the rate an additional 8 percent, from 27 cents to 29 cents per $100.
The Town is required to advertise the proposed tax rates and hold a public hearing before voting. Under law, the rate voted by Town Council cannot be higher than the rate advertised, but it can be lower.
At last night’s meeting, Town Treasurer Kim Coates provided an updated proposed budget some $211,000 less than earlier projections.
The latest budget projection requires a rate of 27.6 cents instead of almost 29 cents.
That would be a 3 percent increase over last year instead of the advertised 8 percent increase.
Town property owners also must pay Northampton County taxes. The County also plans to increase its tax rate to compensate for lower property assessments, but unlike the Town, no additional tax increase is planned. [Read more…]
Historic Review Board Denies Chimney Removal
New Historic District Review Board denied a request to remove the non-working chimney at 621 Jefferson Avenue. (Wave photo)
By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
May 30, 2013
The new Cape Charles Historic District Review Board met May 21, and quickly got to work on a request by the new owners to modify a house at 621 Jefferson Avenue.
Town Planner Tom Bonadeo (who retired May 28) described 621 Jefferson as “located in an area of town where the homes are in the most need of repair. At least two nearby homes have been abandoned for 6-10 years,” he said. He further noted that 621 Jefferson had been empty and for sale for two years.
The new owners, Matthew Hardison and Trafton Jordan, requested permission to extend a dormer; return the porch to its original open style; remove a non-functioning chimney; replace existing vinyl siding; and replace a rear window with a sliding door.
Bonadeo recommended approval of all requests, but the new Board was hesitant. They preferred French doors over a sliding door, but acknowledged that there was not sufficient space. Since the sliding door would include muttons resembling a French door, they approved that design.
The Board also was troubled over removal of the chimney. Even though Bonadeo judged it “badly deteriorated if not unusable,” the Board worried that a house without a chimney was not in keeping with the historic nature of the neighborhood.
The Board voted to deny permission to remove the chimney. The owners may need to repair it to prevent it from falling down, but they were not required to make it usable. [Read more…]
Public Hearing Thursday on Tax Hikes: Will Anyone Come?
CAPE CHARLES WAVE
May 29, 2013
Cape Charles taxpayers will have a chance to speak their minds on a proposed property tax increase at a public hearing 6 p.m. Thursday (May 30) at St. Charles Parish Hall, 550 Tazewell Avenue.
Town Council is considering two rate increases: The first would “equalize” the amount of tax collected to be the same as last year, even though real property assessments dropped 35 percent on average.
A second rate hike would result in an actual 8 percent increase in revenues over last year.
Last year’s Town tax rate was 18 cents per hundred dollars of value. This year’s equalization rate would be 26 cents, and the additional 8 percent hike would bring the total tax to 28 cents per hundred dollars.
A second public hearing will be held June 20 on the complete Town budget, including a proposed 50 percent sewer rate hike.
At last year’s public hearing on the tax rate and budget, only two members of the public attended. No written comments were received, and the only speaker was councilman-elect Frank Wendell.
At both the 2011 and 2010 public hearings, no member of the public attended and no written comments were received. [Read more…]
Town Ordered to Repay $18,000 for Library Computers
Computers in the new Cape Charles Memorial Library are the most-used feature. (Wave photo)
By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
May 28, 2013
The Town of Cape Charles has been ordered to pay back $18,000 for computers purchased through grant funds.
The computers are now located in the Town’s new library in the former Bank of America building. Previously they were housed in the Cape Charles Christian School.
Town Manager Heather Arcos informed Town Council May 16 that “a citizen complaint” that the computers were not available to the public was made to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) last fall when the computers were in the Christian School.
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) investigated, and instructed the Town to make the computers available to the public by December 19, 2012.
According to Arcos, the computers were moved from the Christian School to the new library building on December 11. The library had not yet opened, but “a computer class schedule was posted with pre-registration requirements until the relocation of the library.”
However, no one registered, and no classes were held. The DHCD made an unannounced visit and found the building locked.
As a result, Arcos said, DHCD ordered the Town to repay $18,000 of grant money. [Read more…]
Now & Then: Bay Haven Inn Remake Reflects Town Pride
CAPE CHARLES WAVE
May 27, 2013
The pictures are worth a thousand words.
On the right is how Bay Haven Inn looks today, after Jim and Tammy Holloway got hold of it.
Below is what it looked like when they bought it.
The transformation at 403 Tazewell Avenue is one of the most dramatic examples of what is being
played out all over the Cape Charles Historic District.
Houses are getting coats of paint, new roofs, new plumbing, electrical work, shored-up foundations, and years of overgrowth are being trimmed from yards.
And something else is blooming like spring crocuses: For Sale signs.
The real estate market is the most active this year since the bubble burst, with numerous owners deciding it’s time to list their house. Houses like Bay Haven Inn are surely promoting confidence in the Historic District.
Bay Haven Inn and the Northampton Chamber of Commerce hosted an “It’s Five O’clock Now” ribbon cutting last Thursday to officially kick off the tourist season in Cape Charles.
Chamber board chairman Linda Buskey, who also is sales manager at Bay Creek Reality, along with Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Director Dave Schulte, joined the Holloways for the ribbon cutting. [Read more…]
Madonia Family in Bankruptcy; Tomato Farms, Land for Sale
Brokerage sign for Madonia property for sale in Oyster. (Wave photo)
CAPE CHARLES WAVE
May 25, 2013
Batista Madonia and his family, owners of extensive local properties, have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Assets of the family-owned East Coast Brokers and Packers are being offered for sale by sealed bid.
The Madonia family owns property in Virginia and Florida including farms, packing houses, labor camps, a luxury hotel, and a former Bible college.
According to the Packer, an industry newsletter, court records show the Madonias owe more than $15 million in liens and judgments to state and federal governments and crop production services. There also is a $5.6 million lien from Chicago wholesaler Anthony Marano Co.
“After two years of freezes on its Florida farms, a hurricane on its Virginia farms in 2011, and years of challenges resulting from years of cheap imports, a Chapter 11 filing was needed to provide the Madonia family an opportunity to sell assets in an organized fashion,” said Ken Nofziger of Murray Wise Associates, the real estate firm conducting the sales.
“This process will provide enough liquidity to satisfy creditors and allow the Madonia family to reorganize and carry on its operations,” Nofziger said.
Properties for sale in Northampton and Accomack counties include 13 farms totaling 3,000 acres, four packing houses, seven labor camps, and several homes.
Northampton County tax rolls list 26 properties owned by the Madonia family, including three homes in Bay Creek. [Read more…]
Why Did Cape Charles Build a New Sewer Plant?
New Town sewage treatment plant cost about $19 million, with $14 million paid by government grants. (Wave photo)
By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
May 24, 2013
Pop quiz: Cape Charles built a new $19 million sewage treatment plant because:
A. The old plant was too small;
B. The old plant was polluting the Bay;
C. Government sewer grants were too good an offer to refuse;
D. Both A and B;
E. Both B and C;
F. None of the above.
(Answer appears at end of story)
In an effort to bring clarity to an otherwise murky subject, the Wave met recently with Town Manager Heather Arcos and Assistant Town Manager Bob Panek. The latter was the driving force behind the new sewer plant.
Panek informed Town Council last week that the new wastewater treatment plant is substantially complete, with the exception of plans to reuse a portion of the effluent currently flowing into the Bay.
The plant has been treating wastewater since April 2012, and has reduced nitrogen and phosphorous discharge into the Bay by 93 percent compared to the old plant, according to Panek.
Arcos and Panek claim that when all expenses have been paid, the project will have cost about $300,000 less than the budgeted $19.2 million.
But whether the Town came in under budget or over budget depends on the starting point.
The $19.2 million includes cost overruns and change orders amounting to $558,000. So even with the $300,000 savings, the final cost is $258,000 higher than originally budgeted.
But there can be no argument that the Town got a good deal on the project: The Water Quality Improvement Fund provided $8 million, and the Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund (funded by the Federal stimulus program) contributed another $6 million, free and clear.
The Town borrowed the remaining budgeted $5.2 million from the same Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund, but at not quite as good terms: this money has to be repaid, albeit at 0 percent interest. [Read more…]
