Mayor
Town Council
Town Manager
Asst. Town Manager
Treasurer
Town Clerk
Code Enforcement
Town Planner
Public Works/Utilities
Harbor
Library
Police
Welcome to the official Town of Cape Charles Newsletter. This publication is available by submitting your email address to gazette@capecharles.org or by contacting the Town Office at 757-331-3259 x10.
The purpose of this electronic newsletter is to pass factual, informative and timely information to the citizens of Cape Charles and to any other individuals who have a business, property, travel or historical interest in our Town.
The information contained in this newsletter is considered to be the "official word" on the Town’s activities as noted by our Town Manager. The Cape Charles Gazette will be a news source that will report weekly events, upcoming Town activities, articles of interest to our citizens, Town projects, safety & security issues, and emergency announcements.
We hope that you will enjoy receiving the Cape Charles Gazette.
For additional information please go to the Town’s website at http://www.capecharles.org/or contact us at gazette@capecharles.org.
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Doug Smith, Code Enforcement Officer, reported that the newly created Fire Inspection Program in Cape Charles is underway and Jeb Brady, Assistant Code Enforcement Officer, is actively working the program. Citizens seeking information or advice regarding fire safety are encouraged to contact Doug at 331-3259 x16 or Jeb at 331-3259 x22. The purpose of this program is safety and security for our citizens. The Town will assist you in any way we can to make your residence or work place fire safe.
Doug said that Code had to cut the lawns at five (5) Town residences due to the fact that they were all overgrown and not responding to the Town’s requests to maintain their yards. This issue was addressed in last week’s Gazette.
Doug has returned from the National Fire Academy where he received training in Structures and Systems regarding fire sprinklers and fire alarms. The Town will put his knowledge to use in the newly created Fire Inspection Program. Welcome back Doug!
HARBOR
Smitty Dize, Harbor Master, reported that fuel sales were brisk over the last week at the Harbor and he and his crew, consisting of Kent Pruitt and Katie Stevens, have started work on the Oil Pollution Response Kit & Plan.
Smitty said that personnel from the Virginia Clean Harbor Group performed a "walk around" our Harbor last week and noted that Cape Charles was making great progress on attaining a Virginia Clean Harbor status.
The Harbor Crew is now in the process of scraping and painting the safety marker poles located throughout the Harbor.
PLANNING
Tom Bonadeo, Town Planner, reported that he is working with an "interested party" regarding the Rosenwald School. Tom said he worked with this "interested party" on zoning, tax credits and the enterprise zone aspects of restoring this historical building.
Never heard of the Rosenwald Schools?
Rosenwald School
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)A Rosenwald School was the name informally applied to over five thousand schools, shops, and teachers' homes in the United States which were built primarily for the education of African-Americans in the early twentieth century. The need arose from the chronic underfunding of public education for African-American children in the South, who were required to attend segregated schools.
Julius Rosenwald, an American clothier who became part-owner and president of Sears, Roebuck and Company, was the founder of The Rosenwald Fund, through which he contributed seed money for many of the schools and other philanthropic causes.
To promote collaboration between white and black citizens, Rosenwald required communities to commit public funds to the schools, as well as to contribute additional cash donations. Millions of dollars were raised by African-American rural communities across the South to fund better education for their children.
Tom said that he reviewed the Erosion & Sedimentation (E & S) Plan and technical drawings for South Port’s proposed 75 ton lift slip. Tom noted that South Port did a good job on covering the details regarding the Wetlands drain and the E & S protection of the Harbor. Code Enforcement will review the Erosion & Sedimentation Plan this week for this project.
The Town is in possession of the new Official Zoning Map that depicts the Town in a color coded legend that makes for easy reading and understanding of the various Zones (residential, industrial, residential multi-family etc.) and Planned Urban Development (PUD) Zoning (low density residential, commercial, general business/industrial etc.). These are great reference maps for potential home owners, home owners, developers, builders, insurance companies or the just plain curious. Please contact Tom at 331-3259 x15 if you would like to purchase a map.
Tom also provided assistance to Bay Creek regarding the subdivision of additional lots at Bayside Village and assisted the Town Clerk’s Office in arranging upcoming Public Meetings and advertisements for those meetings.
LIBRARY & TOWN CLERK
Ann Rutledge, Town Librarian, reported that the Summer Toddler Preschool Storytime was held last week and nineteen (19) children and their caregivers attended the event. Last week’s theme was Backyard Safari with special guest Kristen Rule from the Kiptopeke State Park who brought some bugs and shells to share with our children. The very special treat, after the presentation, was "Worms in the Dirt" which consists of chocolate pudding, crushed cookies and a Gummy Worm. It was reported that children and their care givers loved this treat and it was all made possible by Kim Dunton. Thanks Kim!
The Summer Teen Movie Nights have been a great success and last week’s movie night brought thirteen (13) children to our Library for the movie and free popcorn and soda. Next week’s movie will be the Pirates of the Caribbean, At World’s End. The Town reminds everyone that the movie starts at 7:30 PM but moviegoers should arrive at 7:00 PM due to the limited seating.
The Library has heard the citizens need for a Kids Movie Night where our younger citizens can come out at an earlier time and enjoy milder movies. This past Wednesday, July 16, 2008 was the inaugural run for this "new program" in Town. The movie, Monsters, Inc., started at 5:00 PM and seventeen (17) younger children and five (5) adults attended the event. A very special thanks to Joan Natali, Friends of the Library, who has volunteered to help the Town at every movie night and Recreation Coordinator Tad Taborn who has been in attendance since his employment with the Town on July 1, 2008. The next movie, Chicken Run, scheduled for Kids Movie Night is on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 5:00 PM.
Ann stated that a book order was sent to the Eastern Shore Public Library for seventy-two (72) titles that included four (4) LARGE PRINT BOOKS and one book on CD. Please visit this great Town asset!
The last filing date for applications for the Town Clerk position was this past Friday, July18, 2008. The Town has seventeen (17) candidates for the position of Town Clerk. Once again, the actual hiring of the "new" Town Clerk will be determined by the Mayor and six (6) Council members due to the fact that Town Clerk’s position is an Appointed Position.
RECREATION & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Tad Taborn, Recreation Coordinator, reported that he and the Cape Charles Committee on Children & Youth are preparing for the Summer Slam Basketball Tournament that will be held this Saturday, July, 26, 2008 at the Park. The event starts at 8:00 AM and is expected to end at 3:30 PM. There are eight (8) teams participating in this tournament and these teams will all receive tournament shirts and be competing for trophies.
The Town would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous contributions in ensuring the success of this Summer Slam Basketball Tournament: Birdie’s Bayside Mini Golf, Coldwell Banker Harbour Realty, New Ravenna, Rayfield’s Pharmacy, Southeast Expeditions, Cape Charles Coffee House, Sun Trust Bank and American Legion Post 56-Sons of the American Legion Squadron 56. Thank you for helping to make this Town a better place for children to live in.
In response to several inquiries; On Wednesday, July 16, 2008 two (2) Town employees from the Public Works Department were involved in an accident with another privately owned vehicle. The two (2) employees have not reported to work since the accident occurred and the accident is currently under investigation.
POLICE
Chief David Eder reported that the Cape Charles Police Department (CCPD) assisted the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office this past Friday, July 18, 2008 on a "shots fired" call south of Cape Charles at an establishment that was hosting an event. No reports of injuries were received.
Chief Eder said that the CCPD made one (1) arrest at the Cape Charles Harbor Party on Saturday, July 19, 2008 where an individual from VA Beach was arrested on charges of Drunk in Public. This individual was taken to the Eastern Shore Regional Jail where he was incarcerated overnight.
Chief Eder further stated that the CCPD was called to the 200 Block of Tazewell Avenue on Sunday, July 20, 2008 regarding a dog that attempted to attack a female citizen and later bit a male citizen who came to her aid. When the CCPD arrived on the scene, the dog attempted to attack an officer and was destroyed. The CCPD transported the injured man to Shore Memorial Hospital and Northampton County Animal Control responded. Investigative efforts continue to ascertain the prior medical status and ownership of this dog.
MUSEUM
Marion Naar, Cape Charles Museum, reported that that several people inquired about the status of the Museum’s Country Store. Marion stated that in response to that question the Museum created a new exhibit within their building that’s actually a "mock up" of the Jefferson Store. Marion said that this store was the longest operating place of business in Cape Charles and a Town landmark until it was torn down in the 1990s. The "store" includes hundreds of actual or likely period items of soaps, patent medicine, boxed food along with prices and paper documents. Jefferson’s Store opened its doors in 1886, and was owned and operated by Taylor Jefferson and later his son Walter (Walton). Both father and son were pioneer businessmen and champions for the advancement of African-Americans. Evangeline Perry, Walter’s daughter, generously provided a number of family photographs and information. The Jefferson items represent about 5% of the Country Store collection. Please stop by the Museum and view a piece of this Town’s proud history.
Marion also reported that someone "appropriated" the Museum’s new blue and white banner (CAPE CHARLES WELCOME CENTER) during the hours of 9:30 AM Saturday, July 12, 2008 and 9:00 AM Monday, July 14, 2008. The Town is offering a $500.00 reward for the return of this banner. This banner was affixed to two (2) poles on Route 184 and was credited with attracting visitors into the Museum who made inquries about places to eat, the train, the Beach, the Harbor and other Cape Charles attractions. If you have any information regarding this banner please contact Chief Eder at 331-3096 or 331-1817.
ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER & TOWN MANAGER
The Town continues its movement "forward" working on projects with recreation, children & youth, the Harbor (who are steadily working towards its goal of being listed as a Virginia Clean Marina), the CCPD (who are working on some plans for hosting a major training event in the Town), the Town continues its tree & shrub planting (Thank you again Bobtown Nursery) and we continue to work on Water & Waste Water Projects with Bob Panek as the Town’s "lead".
The Town expects to receive our first delivery on a new four wheel, UTV 500 cc, 4X4, 32.6 hp, fully automatic work vehicle that will start the "cycle" of downsizing some of our work vehicles in order to save gas monies and maintenance costs. This first vehicle will be assigned to the CCPD for "wear testing". This item was in this year’s budget and we believe it will be cost & environmentally effective.
For a listing of social events in the Cape Charles area we recommend that you contact CapeCharlesHappenings@att.net
Thank you again for the privilege and opportunity to serve this great Town and all the citizens here
We are now in the Hurricane Season and adverse weather is likely to occur on the Eastern Shore and everyone needs to be "individually ready".
The Town of Cape Charles has recently installed a Flood/Severe Weather Warning Siren in the Historic District of Town. It is located on Mason Avenue across the street from the service station. In the event that the siren goes off, please tune to one of the following broadcast stations for severe flood or weather information and directions.
| RADIO STATIONS | TV STATIONS |
WGH 1310 AM & 97.3 FM |
WTKR CHANNEL 3 |
In the event of an electrical outage, please pay attention for information and directions from the Police & Fire Department who will broadcast information & directions in a mobile manner from their emergency vehicles.
"When Wealth is lost; nothing is lost
When Health is lost; something is lost
When Honor is lost; all is lost"
Inscription on the wall of a stadium at a former military college in Pennsylvania
Joe Vaccaro
Town Manager
Town of Cape Charles, VA
757-331-3259 x20
All information contained in this publication is believed to be true and correct at the time of publication.
Not responsible for typographical errors.
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Municipal Corporation of Cape Charles
2 Plum Street
Cape Charles, VA 23310
757-331-3259
Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved.