FRANK WENDELL: Why I’m Running for Mayor
By FRANK WENDELL
May 4, 2014
I am running for mayor because I love Cape Charles. It’s just that simple. My grandfather, Frank Wendell, emigrated to Cape Charles from Lockenhaus, Austria, with my great-grandfather Joseph in 1884 at the age of 12. My family has been living and working in Cape Charles ever since. My father, Francis Wendell, lived his entire life in Cape Charles and taught me at an early age the value of public service and giving back to your community. So we’re all come-heres from somewhere – some just got here sooner than others.
Small-town life in Cape Charles has gained a lot of appeal in the last 20 years, and the town has benefitted greatly from the resurgence and investments that accompanied it. How we go forward without losing our small town charm and quaintness is one of the many challenges we face as a community. According to the Cape Charles Comprehensive Plan Vision Statement, “the people of Cape Charles cherish and nurture the unique qualities of this small historic town.” I encourage all the town’s people to become more familiar with the Comp Plan and participate in its updating currently in progress.
The issues, opportunities, and challenges facing Cape Charles are as diverse as our richly diverse community:
- Emergency medical services and our public school system require us to partner with our county leaders in solving these complex problems that have a tremendous effect on our collective economic development.
- The PSA-proposed Southern Node sewer project and commercial development of Route 13 has benefits, but in my opinion the risks to our downtown outweigh the benefits.
- Our $10.8 million debt and our continuing need to build, acquire, and maintain infrastructure will remain an ongoing challenge.
- Harbor development, beach replenishment, and Phase 2 of the Community Trail Project, along with the cooperative efforts with Southport, Bay Creek, King’s Creek Marina, Bayshore Concrete, and Bay Coast Railroad all offer reason for great optimism.
- Proper management of the town’s 30-employee workforce while insuring proper compensation and keeping town taxes and fees reasonable and fair is paramount. [Read more…]
DAVID GAY: Why I’m Running for Town Council
By DAVID GAY
May 2, 2014
I’m a full-time Cape Charles resident and live in the historic district with my wife Karen. We chose Cape Charles as our retirement home because of the warm and friendly people, proximity to the bay and the charm of the historic district. We appreciate those, who like us, took a chance on Cape Charles.
I retired last year from Holcim, Ltd., an international building materials manufacturer where I served on the executive committee for their US subsidiary (Aggregate Industries). I have held senior management positions at Holcim, General Electric, and Fannie Mae with extensive experience in consensus building, cost reduction, and service improvement. I bring a business oriented approach to town government.
I hold a BA degree from Lynchburg College and attended business development programs at the Harvard Business School and Cornell University.
I am a member of the Cape Charles Historic District Review Board and served as the Chairman of the Historic District Review Board in 2013.
I am running for Town Council to promote Open Government, Efficient Management & Fiscal Responsibility and to acquire Emergency Medical Services.
Open Government
Cape Charles is a great town with many points of view. We all want the best for our town and no one should be left out of the decision making process. I believe it is the job of government to serve all the people. To ensure that when major issues are under consideration all sides have a chance to provide input and that this input is openly discussed and considered by the Town Council before voting on a resolution. I don’t believe the current administration has embraced real dialogue with the citizens of Cape Charles and this has led to the unrest in town. We can change this dynamic by holding quarterly Town Hall Meetings and running citizen friendly Town Council Meetings.
Fiscal Responsibility
Town spending is growing beyond our means. According to the 2000 and 2010 US Census our population is decreasing. Former residents say they left town because of double taxation, high water and sewage fees; and other residents, concerned with rising costs, are considering leaving as well. [Read more…]
DEBORAH BENDER: Why I’m Running for Town Council
By DEBORAH BENDER
May 1, 2014
I am running for Town Council because I think it is time for a different approach to governance in Cape Charles. I became politically active during the past three years when I felt there was complete disregard by Town Council for my concerns about what happens here. After seeing the way citizens are treated at Council meetings, I decided to run for Town Council. My goal is to have a fiscally responsible, open government where all people are treated equally and fairly.
We have seen Cape Charles in the years of decline and are glad to see it coming back up. But much still needs to be done. I want to work to improve our water quality. Paying for water that you cannot drink is unacceptable. I intend to be a problem-solver, a listener, who is interested in the concerns of all the residents of Cape Charles.
I have lived in the Cape Charles area for 20 years, and in the Town of Cape Charles for the past eight years. My husband, Don, has lived here his whole life. I operated a very successful dress shop on Mason Avenue, Scarlett’s Closet, for three years. I sold my shop just after the birth of my first grandson so that I could care for him when my daughter returned to work.
Regrettably, I feel the need to mention that as a result of my candidacy, my husband and I have been the targets of a smear campaign intended to discredit me. Unable to respond to my call for lower taxes, lower water bills, and lower spending, my enemies have circulated lies about my husband, claiming that he is a gay-basher and a violent, dangerous man. It is sad that anyone could stoop so low as to spread these lies, but perhaps even sadder that some people who don’t know my husband seem ready to believe them. First, as I said, my husband Don has lived here all his life, and has never committed a violent act. Second, Don and I have for years had a number of gay friends. They visit us in our home, and we are completely accepting of each other. We recognize that this is a diverse community and a diverse world, and we are comfortable with that. [Read more…]
GEORGE PROTO: Why I’m Running for Mayor
By GEORGE PROTO
April 27, 2014
Cape Charles is a remarkable little town and has come a long way since my wife and I first visited it and purchased property in 2000. At the same time it also has its problems. Some of these problems are faced by towns all over the country. For example, how do we manage our finances wisely so as to keep the town growing without unduly burdening our residents and businesses? How do we maintain and improve our infrastructure for the benefit of all?
Others are more a product of frustration over disagreement with the process for making decisions or with the decisions themselves. Disagreement and healthy debate are a good thing in any government, but at some point people need to find a way to compromise and go forward without contentiousness and bitterness. We need to set aside our emotions and address the problems themselves rather than speaking from anger, however much we may feel that anger is justified.
I am running for Mayor for two reasons, first because I believe that we should give back to society for the good lives we’ve been given, and second because I feel I have developed the skills necessary to help bring this town together over a lifetime of experience and therefore can make a difference.
Over the years I’ve lived and worked in many places and with many different types of people, often leading teams to solve some pretty tough problems. I can use this background to help diminish the discontent we live with now and let Cape Charles reach its fullest potential.
The best way to accomplish this is through open communications, following the processes that are in place and making sure to the best of my ability that all the factors in making a decision are out on the table. This means not only explaining clearly the situation and the facts behind it, but listening with an open mind to what the people of the town have to say. There is no way that any one person can do this alone – it requires us all working together – but I can help make this happen. [Read more…]
BENDER: Wake Up and Trim the Fat, Cape Charles!
EDITOR’S NOTE: One year ago this month, Deborah Bender wrote the following article for the Wave, which went on to become the most-read commentary of the past 12 months. Seven months after this article was published, Cape Charles Town Council voted to borrow an additional $1 million, and now plans to further increase the number of full-time town employees. With town elections on Tuesday, we are reprinting the Bender commentary for voters’ consideration.
By DEBORAH BENDER
May 3, 2014 (Reprinted from May 17, 2013)
It has come to my attention that the Town of Cape Charles is having budget problems. There is not enough money and too many expenses. In order to help, I did a little homework. And after speaking with the Town of Onancock’s administrative assistant, I have some advice: Trim the fat, Cape Charles.
According to the 2010 census, Cape Charles has 1,009 full-time residents. The town of Onancock has 1,263 full-time residents.
The Town of Cape Charles has 10 employees in the administrative offices at a salary cost of $509,875. The town of Onancock has 3 employees in the town office for a total of $195,000 in salaries. That is $314,875 less spent on employees in Onancock than in Cape Charles.
How does Onancock manage with such a small staff? For starters, the two people who work in the office do all the billing, accounting, customer service, and take turns taking minutes at the town meetings. They run the entire town office with just three employees! Onancock does not have a town planner, a treasurer, an accountant, a building code enforcer, a community recreation activities director, or an assistant clerk. Onancock does just fine without all the excess baggage. All the employees in Onancock wear many hats.
I called the town offices for Onancock, Parksley, Exmore, and Chincoteague, and all were answered by a real person, not some machine. All the people who answered the phone were courteous, friendly, and forthcoming with answers.
The town of Cape Charles has 13 employees that I know of doing all the public works jobs. The total cost in salaries and benefits is $595,526. The town of Onancock has 7 public works employees at a total cost in salaries and benefits of $350,000. That is a difference of $295,526. [Read more…]
COMMENTARY: Town Is a Financial Success Story
By PATRICIA A. BUCKLEY
April 28, 2014
Despite frequent alarms from a small but vocal group of town citizens in the last year or so, a systematic review of financial performance over the last decade shows that Cape Charles is financially healthy. Visitors today see an up and coming coastal town blessed with historic charm and abundant natural features that attract nature lovers and sports enthusiasts. While the changes in the physical attributes over the last decade are easy to see, less visible is the remarkable fiscal turn-around .
In 2004 when I first assumed the position of Treasurer, the town was practically on life support financially. Few funds were available for hiring competent staff or performing basic maintenance. Systems were antiquated and equipment was barely functional. Our infrastructure was crumbling from years of neglect.
Recently, I revisited the town’s financial health, doing a comparative analysis of the annual financial audit reports that are conveniently on the town’s web page and 2013 financial statements. As anyone who cares to check the record will see the improvement in the fiscal health of Cape Charles is truly remarkable. From 2004 to 2013, I found the following:
- The town’s total general government average revenues from 2005 to 2013 are up a stunning 150% over 2004;
- Real estate tax rates adjusted for assessments have increased only 15% through 2014 while consumer prices have increased 26%;
- A home assessed in 2004 at $150,000 with a tax bill of $705 is now assessed at $296,000 with a tax bill of $817;
- 50% of the real estate tax revenue now comes from the value of physical improvements to properties not present in 2004 such as new structures or renovations like the Wilson building;
- Tourist-related tax revenues (transient occupancy, meals, admissions) have increased 516%;
- Total town net worth has increased from $6.8 million in 2004 to $25.6 million in 2012. This is net value after subtracting all liabilities, including debt. Debt had increased from $1.8 million in 2004 to $9.1 million in 2012.
What this means is that we borrowed $7.3 million but got $26.1 million in assets, increasing our net worth by $18.8 million! [Read more…]
COMMENTARY
Why Is Downtown Losing 160 Parking Spaces?
By FRANK WENDELL
April 24, 2014
At the conclusion of the March Town Council meeting, the Council held an executive session to discuss possible land acquisitions. It was explained that a developer, Patrick Hand, intended to buy the old Be-Lo grocery store property and the two adjacent parking lots. If he were to buy the property he would be willing to sell the town two 40’ x 105’ lots for public parking at the east end of the property and also property for a pedestrian mall in line with Strawberry Street in between two proposed buildings. But the town and Mr. Hand were unable to agree on a price. And even if the town did buy the two lots for parking, that would only supply 40 parking spaces, with a resulting loss of approximately 120 parking spaces. This would be a tremendous setback to all the merchants who have experienced a downtown resurgence of the past two years.
Mr. Hand is to be commended for his willingness to further invest in Cape Charles and for his shrewd business skills. The Town of Cape Charles, on the other hand, once again has a lot of unexplained missteps as to how we suddenly will be without the use of over 160 off-street parking spaces in the middle of our downtown/commercial district. And what do we do going forward to compensate for the lost use and at what cost?
At the April 7 Board of Zoning Appeals meeting, Mr. Hand explained that he had been working with the mayor, three members of Town Council, and some members of the Art Walk committee for six or seven months on his downtown project. So while the mayor and three Council members had been privy to the developer’s plans for six or seven months, three other members of Council had not.
I asked Mr. Hand who the three Council members were that he had been working with. He replied that he would rather not say.
Mr. Hand was seeking variances from the town on setbacks for construction, balconies, open space requirements, and most notably reduction of off-street parking requirements. The following Monday the Board of Zoning Appeals granted all four requests.
I have a few questions to ask at tonight’s (April 24) Town Council meeting: [Read more…]
COMMENTARY: Should Have Torn Down Old School
By JOE COCCARO
April 21, 2014
As a new resident, I’ve been impressed by the town’s dedication to preserving its past. I love that Cape Charles has a “historic” designation, and I admire residents and leaders steadfast about preserving its quaintness and personality.
In the town’s zeal to protect its legacy, however, I fear some have lost perspective about what’s worth preserving. The lines between “historic’’ and “nostalgic’’ have become fuzzy.
I live near Central Park and enjoy my strolls there and hearing the kids playing, the fountain flowing, seeing residents walking pets, pushing baby strollers, playing soccer. Like its beautiful old buildings, the park defines Cape Charles. It’s where we gather, recreate and bond. The beach and park unifies us, as much as our local pubs and churches and shops.
With that in mind, I have been head-scratching about the old school. Frankly, I was stunned by the rancor swirling in such an otherwise civil and thoughtful community. The accusations, lawsuits and bitterness seem shockingly out of character. There’s nothing quaint about bitterness.
I keep asking myself, “all of this fighting over what?’’ A dilapidated building that, in my view, is ugly. Yes, the old school building is an eyesore to no less an extent than the old supermarket by the harbor that, hopefully, will soon be razed and replaced with at least some open space.
The school obviously has nostalgic appeal to some. But it’s not “historic’’ and seems devoid of architectural splendor. Not everything old deserves to be protected. The school building was a tool; its purpose served.
One solution to the school quandary could have been just tearing the old girl down. The town could have preserved the site and enhanced wonderful Central Park with some basketball courts for the kids, or maybe a few more tennis courts or benches, or swing sets. Wouldn’t that have been a fitting legacy for the school site? Kids enjoying the old playground? Perhaps that was an option discussed and discarded. [Read more…]
