CAPE CHARLES ELECTION EDITION

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• Sample Ballot

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• EDITORIAL
  Time for a New Team

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• EDITORIAL
  Frank Wendell for Mayor

 

• WHY I’M RUNING

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  – Frank Wendell

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  – David Gay

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  – Deborah Bender

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  – George Proto

• Vote Tuesday, May 6, at Trinity United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 410 Tazewell Ave.
• Polls open 6 a.m. and close 7 p.m.
• Bring any one of the following ID: Local Voter Registration card, Social Security card, valid Virginia driver’s license, government ID, or ID card with photo issued by employer.

EDITORIAL: Time for a New Team

A CAPE CHARLES WAVE EDITORIAL

May 5, 2014

Although the ballot for Tuesday’s municipal elections in Cape Charles contains eight names, deciding whom to vote for is not as complicated as it might appear. There are really only two teams – the old team and the new team. All a voter has to decide is whether to keep the old team or elect the new team.

True, of the eight candidates, only two of them are running for re-election: Town Council members Chris Bannon and Joan Natali. They form half of the old team. The other half is composed of George Proto for mayor and Charles “Sambo” Brown for Council. But the only reason those two are running is because the Sullivans, Dora and Mike, decided not to run.

While it can be argued that Mr. Proto and Mr. Brown have very different styles from Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan, it is a certainty that neither of them would have run against the Sullivans. They are, in fact, Mayor Sullivan’s hand-picked successors.

The new team is a very different story: each of the four candidates is running because they are alarmed by the direction the old team is taking the town. Understanding that in a democracy the only sure way to effect change is at the ballot box, they are opposing the incumbents and their designated successors.

The new team is Frank Wendell for mayor and Deborah Bender, David Gay, and Lynn Mitchell-Fields for Council. Each has his or her own ideas, but on the over-arching issues they agree: town spending is out of control, as are town utility bills. The town is borrowing like there is no tomorrow, and a number of full-time residents who work here for a living are moving out of town to avoid the extortive water bills and high taxes. [Read more…]

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EDITORIAL: Frank Wendell for Mayor

A CAPE CHARLES WAVE EDITORIAL

May 4, 2014

Cape Charles residents owe a metaphorical vote of thanks to every candidate running for election on Tuesday, because in most of the rest of Northampton County — Cheriton, Eastville, Nassawadox, and Belle Haven — candidates for mayor are unopposed. Only in Cape Charles and Exmore do voters have a choice.

Dora Sullivan also ran unopposed eight years ago when she was first elected mayor. So we see the contrast of this year’s political contest as a healthy sign of democracy in action. We’re also encouraged by the fact that both mayoral candidates are fine exemplars of Cape Charles – both are upstanding citizens willing to expend a great deal of time and effort in the name of public service.

We believe that either candidate for mayor would serve to the best of his ability, and would uphold the principles of honesty and fairness. That said, we cannot vote for both of them; we must make a choice. And we believe there are overwhelming reasons to vote Frank Wendell for mayor of Cape Charles.

1. Frank Wendell has a long, outstanding record of public service to this, his hometown. As a young man he served on Town Council for 12 years before “retiring” to devote more time to his business and family. Then, two years ago, outraged by the secret plans to divest the town’s school and auditorium, basketball court, and parkland, he returned to public service, winning a seat on Town Council.

2. Mr. Wendell has never shrunk from fighting the good fight. Almost 20 years ago he led the opposition to County plans to permit a maximum-security federal prison to be built nearby. Dickie Foster subsequently stated that if the prison had been constructed, he never would have built Bay Creek.

3. As a current Town Council member, Mr. Wendell was the only one to recognize the foolhardiness of encouraging commercial development on Route 13 by extending a sewer pipe from the town’s wastewater plant. Other Council members have admitted that Rayfield’s Pharmacy could go out of business if the town facilitates competition on the highway, but they want to go ahead anyway. They seem not to understand that while the town has no legal control over what happens on the highway, it has the power of the pipe.

4. Likewise, Mr. Wendell is the only Council member who understands the importance of negotiating with developers to ensure the town’s best interests. When a developer requested exemption from timely payment of utility fees and other town code requirements, only Mr. Wendell urged a quid pro quo in the form of negotiating for adequate downtown parking. [Read more…]

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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…]

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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…]

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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…]

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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…]

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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…]

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Zoning, Health Care Big Issues at Town Hall Meeting

By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave

April 28, 2014

County residents filled the seating at the Cape Charles Museum April 23 for a Town Hall meeting hosted by Northampton County Supervisor Granville Hogg – the second since his election in November. The hot-button issues were county rezoning and diminishing health care.

David Boyd asked why the Board of Supervisors seemed to have thrown out the Comprehensive Plan and come up with totally different zoning that has no input from all of the meetings and effort that had been put into the Comprehensive Plan six years ago. Hogg responded, “I can’t answer that.”

Hogg said he had read many negative comments about the proposed zoning changes, and was disappointed that Board of Supervisors chairman Larry LeMond insisted that “we are moving forward and this is what we’re going to do.”  Peg Volk asked, “Mr. Hogg, what is our recourse here? We’re talking recall.” Another attendee echoed, “recall.”

George Southern asked Hogg if he were willing to make a motion to withdraw the zoning amendment proposals to give the Planning Commission more time to review the changes. Hogg said that he would make the motion, and the room erupted in applause.

David Kabler said that he met with Supervisor Rick Hubbard the previous evening and asked him to back Hogg in withdrawing the zoning proposals, but received no assurance from Hubbard. Kabler said he had also asked Chairman LeMond to stop the zoning changes, but to no avail.

Kabler emphasized that a town meeting should be where citizens do the talking and their elected representatives listen. Hogg proceeded to listen as Kabler said he told LeMond that the Supervisors have two options: “One, they pass the zoning as adjusted by the Planning Commission, or two, they withdraw it. Option A is going to be a war. Option B is going to be placating things. Peace will come here. And they can act on the school and the hospital and all that.”

Hogg responded, “I guarantee you that there will be discussions going on after this evening’s meeting. I’m taking the velvet off of the hammer.” [Read more…]

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Old Library Now Cape Charles Civic Center

By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave

April 28, 2014

Cape Charles Town Council voted April 24 to rename the former library at 500 Tazewell Avenue the Cape Charles Civic Center. Mayor Dora Sullivan and Councilman Frank Wendell favored the name Cape Charles Meeting Hall, but Councilman Steve Bennett proposed Cape Charles Civic Center, which won by majority vote.

The former library building was built in 1901 by the First Presbyterian Church. In 1926 the church built the large stone building on the corner of Strawberry and Tazewell now housing the Cape Charles Christian School, and the old church building was sold to the Northampton County Memorial Library for $5,000. The library opened in October 1926 in honor of World War Veterans. It was eventually turned over to the Friends of the Cape Charles library and the property was given to the town. In December 2012, the Cape Charles Memorial Library moved to the former Bank of America building on Mason Avenue.

The former library building will be used for Council meetings and work sessions; board and commission meetings; recreational programs, community events, civic engagement activities, and outreach programs.

In other business, Town Council voted to raise the lodging tax on short-term rentals by 23 percent and to remove the 1 percent funding for the ESVA Tourism Commission. Council will decide later how much to contribute to the Tourism Commission.

During a public hearing preceding the regular meeting, speakers pointed out that the vacation rental season has already begun and that changing the tax rate now would create a hardship for owners. As a result, Council made the new rate effective January 1, 2015, instead of July 1, 2014. The ordinance removes all references to the Annexation Agreement between the Town and Northampton County that was the authority for collection of transient occupancy tax by the county within Cape Charles, as well as references to state code authorizing the imposition of the tax.

Town Planner Robert Testerman reported that the Planning Commission sent its proposals for the Town Edge Overlay District to Northampton County but has not yet received a reply.  The new zoning ordinance proposed by the County does away with the Town Edge Districts. That proposal elicited a strongly worded resolution from Exmore Town Council (CLICK). During discussion whether Cape Charles should pass a similar resolution, Councilman Bennett said he thought that the Exmore resolution was too strongly worded. Mayor Sullivan agreed. Councilman Wendell again raised concerns about encouraging commercial development on Route 13 and failing to see the need for the Town Edge District to protect the town and its businesses. [Read more…]

EXTRA! Mayor Denies Council Knowledge of ‘Hand-Gate’

By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave

April 26, 2014

In an emotional statement April 24 to Town Council, Mayor Dora Sullivan refuted claims that three Council members had known for more than six months that developer Patrick Hand intended to buy property on Mason Avenue resulting in the loss of 160 parking places that for years have been used by the public with the permission of the owner.

The mayor’s statement came in response to an April 24 Wave commentary by Councilman Frank Wendell, who is running for mayor in the May 6 town elections. “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,” Wendell wrote.

Mayor Sullivan said that after reading Wendell’s commentary she called Hand, who told her, “I did not have a plan six months ago. Therefore I could not have spoken to Council.” She emphasized that Hand had said, “I never met with you or a single Council person, singularly or in a group, six months ago.”

The mayor also said that she had the minutes of the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting, but not the recording. “There’s nothing on there,” she said. When Wendell told her she should listen to the tape, she replied, “I don’t need to — I talked to him.”

Sullivan also said that “what bothers me the most is that the citizens of this town are not capable or care enough to come and say, ‘Is that true, did you really say that?’  We are full-grown adults. Instead, we read what we read, and we believe it.”

Regarding the Wave, Sullivan said, “What if I never read the Wave? I’m dead in the water, because I’m being eaten alive, and I have no idea I’m being eaten alive.”

A transcript of Mayor Sullivan’s April 24 statement appears below, along with an audio file. Following that is a transcript of relevant remarks at the April 7 Board of Zoning Appeals meeting and an audio file, enabling readers to both see and hear the words of Patrick Hand, who states: “This project started with me going to a couple, three different members of Town Council.” When asked how long ago he started his project, he states “seven months, eight months.” [Read more…]

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