EXTRA
Supervisors Hear Intense Opposition to Rezoning
Some of the 150 zoning opponents who rallied at the old courthouse prior to a Northampton County Board of Supervisors meeting December 9. (Wave photo)
By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
December 11, 2014
Some 150 Northampton County residents rallied December 9 against plans for a sweeping rezoning that opponents say could change the Eastern Shore way of life. The crowd than attended a Board of Supervisors meeting where it was standing room only in the usually nearly vacant meeting room.
In the face of intense opposition to the zoning proposals developed by county staff, the Supervisors voted to take up to six more months to decide what to do. During public comment time, almost all of the 19 speakers asked the Supervisors to just withdraw the proposal instead of extending the deadline. But only Supervisor Granville Hogg voted against the deadline extension.
Public speakers called for the Supervisors to request input from county residents as well as research studies on what proposed changes might mean to the economy.
Virginia Shorekeeper Jay Ford, one of the rally organizers, said that more than 500 people had signed a memo calling on Supervisors to completely withdraw the rezoning applications. The zoning applications were filed in the name of all county residents, but in fact were drawn up by county staff without consultation with the public.
Cape Charles Mayor George Proto was among speakers calling for the Supervisors to withdraw the zoning proposals. Proto said he was speaking for himself and not for the Town of Cape Charles. The proposed changes are inconsistent with the county’s Comprehensive Plan and the desires of a large portion of the county’s citizens, Proto charged, calling for public input and verifiable data to address issues of concern.
Cape Charles Business Association President Andrew Follmer said that his Board of Directors, representing 60 members comprised mainly of small businesses, had voted unanimously to request the Supervisors to completely withdraw the zoning code applications. “We further request a new process be launched to update the county zoning code in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan and based on relevant data,” Follmer said.
Exmore Mayor Douglas Greer also voiced his opposition. “You don’t have a good reputation when it comes to getting the Shore where it needs to be,” he told the Supervisors. “You have a good chance to turn this county around. . . . You need to listen to the people of the Eastern Shore. . . . Open your minds and don’t ignore the people here. Think before you act. That’s all I ask,” he said. [Read more…]
‘Occupy Courthouse’ Rally Tuesday Against Rezoning
CAPE CHARLES WAVE
December 8, 2014
Three Eastern Shore civic organizations are calling on Northampton County residents to attend an “Occupy the Old Courthouse” rally 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 9. The rally comes just before the Northampton County Board of Supervisors meeting at 7 p.m. and is intended to raise awareness of the proposed major revisions to the county’s zoning. Billed as a “peaceful demonstration,” the rally will include speakers and musicians and is aimed at encouraging the Board of Supervisors to solicit more public involvement in any changes to the Comprehensive Plan and associated zoning ordinances.
“We are encouraging everyone who is concerned about this issue, one way or the other, to join us December 9 at the Administration Building at the old courthouse greens for this rally,” said Dave Kabler, one of the organizers. “What we do, or do not do, in the next several months could and will have a profound effect on this county and the lower Eastern Shore for generations,” he emphasized.
Kabler represents the group “Citizens for Open Government,” formed with Exmore activist Ken Dufty. Also sponsoring the rally are Virginia Eastern Shorekeeper Jay Ford and his organization. “We will be gathering in a show of support for a repeal of the proposed zoning ordinance that threatens our water quality, our property rights, and our agriculture, and aquaculture industries,” Ford said. “The Board of Supervisors has circumvented the citizen-created Comprehensive Plan that is to serve as our road map for the future,” he charged. The citizens of Northampton deserve better, and they deserve to have their hard work and consideration honored when it comes to the zoning code. Come out and let the Board know that they need to repeal this zoning overhaul and engage the public in a meaningful process in line with the spirit of our law,” Ford urged.
Also sponsoring the rally is the environmental preservation group Citizens for a Better Eastern Shore. [Read more…]
Supervisors Overrule PSA, Spend $10,000 for New Study
By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
December 1, 2014
Northampton County Supervisors have approved spending up to $10,000 for a study on whether commercial sewage should be piped to the Cape Charles treatment plant or, instead, to a much closer, smaller facility owned by the county at Bayview. The action came November 24, less than a week after the county’s Public Service Authority had voted to go with the Cape Charles treatment plant. Only Supervisor Granville Hogg voted against spending the money.
The new engineering study would be performed by the firm of Hurt and Proffitt, already the beneficiary of a $70,000 contract to study constructing a pipeline from Route 13 to the Cape Charles wastewater plant. That contract was executed by the PSA in 2013 with county tax money (although then-Board of Supervisors chairman Willie Randall said he thought they were spending grant money).
At last Monday’s meeting, Supervisor Granville Hogg raised concerns that Hurt and Proffitt might have a conflict of interest. He noted that the PSA had just authorized execution of a contract with Hurt and Proffitt for a wastewater collection and conveyance system from the Route 13 commercial properties to the Cape Charles wastewater plant, pending approval and funding by the Board of Supervisors. [Read more…]
Museum Oyster Roast Sells Out on a Perfect Night
Oysters, clam chowder, fried chicken, potato salad, 3-bean salad, rolls, and all kinds of dessert too. (Photo: Nancy Dalinsky)
By MARION NAAR
Cape Charles Historical Society
December 1, 2014
Over 200 people attended last Saturday’s 17th Annual Oyster Roast at the Cape Charles Museum — a sellout. After a rough week of weather, the evening was perfect (and so were the Plantation Creek oysters — roasted or raw, your choice).
With years of experience, the volunteer cooks know how to roast oysters right — position the rack just the right height over the smoky fire, and keep the burlap wet but not soggy. After about 10 minutes, samples are taken to check if the oysters are ready (a tough job, but there’s no shortage of volunteers).
Bill and Jan Neville prepared two kinds of clam chowder this year — the traditional Eastern Shore variety, and a thicker version with lots more vegetables, which won praise. [Read more…]
Out-of-Towners Win Both Prizes in ESSO Golf Cart Raffle
MAYER & MAYOR: Hank Mayer assists Mayor Proto in Thanksgiving Day golf cart raffle drawing.
By SHARYL CLINE
Eastern Shore Spay Organization
December 1, 2014
The winner of the Eastern Shore Spay Organization golf cart raffle is Steve McCready of Willis Wharf. The 2nd place prize of a night at a participating Cape Charles B&B and a $50 gift certificate at Aqua Restaurant is Des Moore of George. The drawing was held on the steps of the Cape Charles Civic Center on Thanksgiving morning, with Cape Charles Mayor George Proto drawing the winning tickets. Mayor Proto explained to those present at the drawing how ESSO provides funds and subsidies to pet owners for spay and neuter services for cats and dogs on the Eastern Shore to prevent over-population.
ESSO is a non-profit organization incorporated one year ago in November by four local residents, and is dedicated to the prevention of cruelty to animals. ESSO also provides: trap, neuter, release service for feral/community cats; safe, healthy maintenance of small adult feral colonies that have been left behind by others, and trapping of abandoned kittens and puppies. ESSO provides medical check-ups and transportation to the SPCA in Virginia Beach or Norfolk to be placed in permanent homes. [Read more…]
PSA Defies Board of Supervisors on Route 13 Sewerage
By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
November 24, 2014
Northampton’s Public Service Authority voted November 18 to construct a wastewater collection system to run from the Cheriton area of Route 13 to the Cape Charles sewer plant, contingent on funding. The vote would appear to fly in the face of a September 23, 2013, decision by the county Board of Supervisors to table any further action on a sewer pipe to Cape Charles. Facing overwhelming public opposition at the time, then-Chairman Willie Randall said, “We heard you, we listened, there will be no action on this plan until we get a better understanding of what to do.”
Supervisors’ meetings over the past year reveal no “better understanding” today than before. In fact, a Supervisors meeting tonight (November 24) will discuss using the Bayview treatment plant instead of Cape Charles — an option not under active consideration by the PSA.
On paper, the PSA is an independent body, with four members appointed by participating municipalities and five members appointed at large by the Board of Supervisors. But while the PSA can vote to do whatever it wants, it has no taxing authority. The Board of Supervisors allocated $130,000 for the PSA in last year’s budget, $58,000 of which has been spent for sewer pipe engineering studies by the firm of Hurt and Profitt. But no money was allocated to the PSA for the current budget year.
PSA Chairman John Reiter (At Large) said that although the PSA is not yet ready to construct the sewer pipe, he requested authorization “to execute the contract at such time as the BOS approves the special tax district and mandatory connections and wants us to go forward.” J.T. Holland (At Large), Bob Panek (Cape Charles), and Felton Sessoms (Nassawadox) joined Reiter in approving the motion. Taylor Dukes (Exmore) and Greg Hardesty (Cheriton) voted against it.
Following the vote, Dukes said, “What I feel from the public is, they’re not for it.” He said he could not see supporting something the public is vocally against. Hardesty reported that business owners in Cheriton are not only opposed to the project, “they are vehemently opposed to it.” [Read more…]
More Rezoning Opposition at Supervisors Meeting
NO REZONING signs are popping up like mushrooms around Northampton County. (Wave photo)
By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
November 17, 2014
Northampton County residents again turned out for a Board of Supervisors meeting Wednesday, November 12, to raise concerns about proposed zoning ordinance changes that have been the center of controversy since they were presented to the public last spring. All but one of the dozen speakers requested the withdrawal of the rezoning proposals. Only local Realtor Bill Parr, who as chairman of the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee helped to influence the proposed changes, spoke in favor of going forward with the zoning code rewrite. [Read more…]
Christian School Dedicates Multi-Use Heyward Hall
Heyward Hall, with magnificently restored windows, is dedicated November 15. (Photos: Tammy Holloway)
By TAMMY HOLLOWAY
Cape Charles Christian School
November 17, 2014
Since 2010, the Cape Charles Christian School has operated in a beautiful stone building, the former First Presbyterian Church of Cape Charles, built in 1925. Recently the former sanctuary was renovated and made available for the first time in the school’s daily activities. Now known as Heyward Hall, the renovation created a multi-use event space which will bring new life to the former sanctuary while maintaining and respecting its historical bones. Heyward Hall’s beautiful and very functional space will also be available for wedding ceremonies, meetings and conferences. [Read more…]
