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 Code met with a citizen regarding a trailer park screening issue and explained that the issue in question was not "enforceable" via Town Code since the screening of this trailer park was "grandfathered" and not legally enforceable at this time.
Code has begun enforcement procedures on a structure located on Mason Avenue as this project has been on "hold" for over one (1) year and the existing walls are in need of repair.
Code has begun enforcement procedures on a residence on Tazewell Avenue after it was brought to their attention that this residence was occupied as a "rental" home without having the proper Certificate of Occupancy.
Code was forced to cut another five (5) lawns that failed to comply with the Town Code and Doug and Jeb Brady, Assistant Code Enforcement Officer, have received several annual reports from residents regarding sprinkler, fire alarm, hood suppression and elevator systems. The Town thanks these citizens for getting this information into the Town in a timely manner.
Doug reported that Code Enforcement has completed eight (8) fire inspections this past week and the Town’s Fire Marshal Program appears to be working very well. If this "new" program saves lives and property the Town will consider it a success. Our goal is safety & security for all citizens.
TOWN HARBOR
Smitty Dize, Harbor Master, reports that for the first time since he has been the Harbor Master there are no commercial crabbing activities in our Harbor. Smitty reported that the last crabber removed his pots from the Bay this past weekend. Smitty noted that this was due to the fact that there are so many crabs that they can only sell the males. Smitty further stated that one (1) crabber told him that he had to return sixty (60) to seventy (70) bushels a day to the Bay over the past two (2) weeks. Smitty said that there are several reasons why they can not sell these crabs but the main reason here is the lack of "picking houses". Smitty said that over the last several years we have experienced an increase in foreign and imitation crab meat that has been dominating the markets due to the cheaper prices. He said the crabber hopes to return his traps to the Bay next week if the markets rebound.
Smitty said the Harbor has Winter Season Slips available from December 1st to March 31 due to the fact that there will NOT be a Crab Dredging Season this winter as previously noted in The Gazette. The slips sizes are 25’, 30’, 36’, 45’, 50’ and 60’. Some of these slips are available beginning November 1st. Smitty noted that the Harbor does not freeze and all questions regarding these slips should be directed to the Harbor Staff at 757-331-2357.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) conducted an "unannounced inspection" of the Harbor’s rest rooms and pump out facilities this past week and the Harbor passed with "flying colors". Smitty said the VDH remarked on how well maintained and clean the Harbor facilities were kept. Smitty gave the credit to Assistant Harbor Master Kent Pruitt & Crew Member Kathleen Stevens. Good job to all!
Smitty stated that the Beach is starting to experience a large number of dog walkers who are not cleaning up after their pets. The vast majority of these people are full time residents who walk their pets on a daily basis. We gently remind our citizens that the Beach is one of the Town’s "assets" that fellow citizens and our tourists both enjoy; please don’t ruin the experience for others. Pick up your pet waste please.!
LIBRARY & TOWN CLERK
Ann Rutledge, Librarian, reported that a total of fifty-seven (57) children have signed up for the 2008 Summer Reading Program.
Ann said the Summer Toddler Preschool Storytime was held last week and seventeen (17) children and their caregivers attended the event. No specific "theme" was provide at the time of this writing but the treat was "snickerdoodles" (cookies) provided once again by the very talented chef and Friends of the Library member Kim Dunton.
Ann said the Summer Teen Movie Nights and Summer Kids Movie Nights, sponsored by the Friends of the Library & the CCCCY, will continue this Wednesday, July 30, 2008. Ann said last week’s attendance was low due to the rain storm. The next Summer Teen Movie will be Pirates of the Caribbean and the Summer Kids Movie will be Finding Nemo. Ann sent a very special thank you to the Friends of the Library for their generous donation of a new microwave for the Library so the children & youth can enjoy popcorn with their soda.
On Friday, July 25, 2008 children’s performer Betsy Q performed for the Town as part of the Summer Reading Program. The Cape Charles Methodist Church graciously allowed the Library to use their Church Hall and the performance was an outstanding success. Ann reported that over fifty-four (54) people attended this event. Ann further reported that Betsy Q was so popular that the Library purchased a copy of her CD so that it is now available for check out at the Library. Another special thanks to Friends of the Library members Sandra Bailey, Nan Bennett and Jeannette Lucier for helping the Library Staff with this event. The Town programs at the Library are the success of the Summer of 2008 and the Town thanks all of the people who are making the lives of children & youth better here in Cape Charles.
The Town of Cape Charles expects to start conducting interviews for the position of Town Clerk within the next week. As previously noted; the Mayor and Town Council will conduct the interviews to determine who will be appointed to this position. All seventeen (17) candidates have great skills and experience and the final selection for the position should be within the next few weeks.
The Town Clerk continues to receive requests for information on use of the Town Beach for weddings and family reunions. The Town welcomes the continued use of this Town "asset" but gently reminds our citizens and guests that open fires, grills and bonfires are not allowed on the Beach for safety and security reasons.
RECREATION & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Area Youth Display Talents at First Summer Slam 2008-Press Release
Youth ages 6 to 18 came out on Saturday, July 26, to show their basketball skills at the first Summer Slam 2008 Basketball Tournament at Town Park in Cape Charles. The tournament featured Double Elimination Team Playoffs for ages 13 to 18, Shoot around Contests for ages 8 to 12 and Free Throw Shooting Contests for all youth.
Winning teams for the first Summer Slam Tournament represented Birdie’s Bayside Mini-Golf and Southeast Expeditions. Trophies for Shoot Around Contests were awarded to Kurt Karcher and Kyle Karcher. Shamar Waters earned top honors for the Free Throw Shooting Contest.
The next Tournament dates are: Saturday, August 9 and Saturday, August 23 and will run from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Advanced registration is required to participate in Team Playoffs. Participants in Shoot Around and Free Throw Contests may register on site. All tournaments are held at the basketball courts at Cape Charles Town Park.
The Summer Slam Basketball Tournaments are part of a series of new youth activities and events sponsored by the Town and the Cape Charles Committee on Children and Youth. Each player who participates on a tournament team receives an event T-shirt. Trophies are awarded to winning teams and individuals for all events.
Eight local businesses and organizations are joining the Town to sponsor the Summer Slam 2008: Birdie’s Bayside Mini Golf, Rayfield’s Pharmacy, Coldwell Banker Harbour Realty, New Ravenna, Southeast Expeditions, Sun Trust Bank, American Legion Post 56 (SAL), and Cape Charles Coffee House.
Community spectators are invited and encouraged to attend the Summer Slam tournaments. Food and drinks will be available from local vendors. Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
For additional information about Summer Slam 2008, contact Tad Taborn, Town of Cape Charles Recreation Coordinator at 331-3259 or Roberta Newman, Chair, CCCCY, at 331-3151 or visit www.capecharles.org.
Dave Fauber, Director of Public Works, reported that the planting, watering and staking of the trees that were donated by the Bobtown Nursery continues in the Town. Please note that the all the plantings that the Town is performing is 1) for the betterment & beautification of the Town 2) they are planted on the VDOT right of way and 3) the Town of Cape Charles takes "all free" donations seriously and the Town will maintain good stewardship of same.
The PWD continues their work on creating new office space within the Town Hall in order to save Town monies and establish a working environment where the Departments can function more efficiently. The public is cordially invited to view the "work in progress" during normal working hours at the Town Hall (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM).
Dave said the PWD was busy last week reading water meters and working at the Pump Stations installing filters.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief David Eder reminds everyone again that the Town has a new traffic pattern on Route 184 (Randolph Avenue), Fig Street and Mason Avenue. Please obey the traffic signs and watch for pedestrians and other vehicles in this area.
MUSEUM
Marion Naar reports:
The discovery of the Cape Charles Crater, the largest crater in the U.S. created a lot of excitement here a few years ago. In 2005 an oil drilling type rig was set up near Eastville and yielded core samples from as far down as 1 mile. David Powars, the geologist who was chiefly responsible for discovering the crater, gave several well attended talks here a few years ago and recently donated 6 rocks from the dig to the Cape Charles Museum. They are now on display at the Museum with accompanying materials about the crater and its effects. Roger Byrnes, on whose land the dig took place, has promised the Museum the flag that sat atop the rig.
The missing Museum sign "CAPE CHARLES WELCOME CENTER" has been recovered from a location within the Town.
ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER & TOWN MANAGER
This was another great week for the Town of Cape Charles and the CCCCY, Library Program and Recreation Program continues to grow and the Town’s children & youth are the recipients of all this good work. Mayor Dora Sullivan declared this to be the Year of the Children & Youth and your fellow citizens have responded to this challenge. If you would like to volunteer to help the Town to continue to "move forward" please contact Tad Taborn at 757-331-3259 x18 and he’ll direct your call to the appropriate people.
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.
"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent."
Thomas Jefferson
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.