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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 his office performed nine (9) fire inspections last week and they have six (6) more scheduled in the Town.

Code was forced to cut four (4) lawns that the owners of the property have failed to maintain the minimum standards set forth by Town Code. Doug said sent out another seven (7) notices to property owners for the same situation regarding their lawn or property appearance. He noted that two (2) of these property owners are habitual offenders and apparently have not made any arrangements to maintain their property to the minimum neighborhood standards.

Code resolved one (1) more required annual inspection of a fire alarm situation and the Town is grateful for the overwhelming positive public response to this Fire Inspection Program recently initiated by Code Enforcement.

Doug attended the Eastern Shore Disaster Preparedness Coalition Drill Evaluators Course sponsored by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.

Code Enforcement has made plans to have MICOR Enterprises demolish a building on Madison Avenue this week after the building and the owners of said building have been out of Code Compliance for the last three (3) years. The location has now been deemed a threat to public safety.

HARBOR

Smitty Dize, Harbor Master, reported that the Harbor purchased and installed a budgeted item (generator) for power "back up" regarding fueling vessels and vehicles during storms.

Smitty also reported that the Harbor has ordered a UTV similar to the Cape Charles Police Department’s "cart". This UTV is priced at $5900.00 and far below the budget of $17,000.00 set aside for a Harbor work vehicle. As previously noted by the Town Manager, Joe Vaccaro, the Town is looking at "down sizing" some work vehicles to save on gas monies, insurance, repair costs and to help the environment.

Smitty reported no significant damage to the Harbor or vessels during Hanna this past weekend.

PLANNING

Tom Bonadeo, Town Planner, reported that he worked with the Town Council last week in a workshop regarding the Town’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinances related to Conditional Use Permits and the Cape Harbor Project. If the public has questions regarding this project we ask that the public views the intentions of this project at their Web site www.capeharbor.net. Facts are the best weapons against rumors.

Tom participated with the entire Town staff preparing for Hanna and provided detailed flood plain maps to the Town staff.

The interviews for the engineering services on the Broadband Project were conducted last Wednesday, September 3, 2008 with four (4) firms. The firms came from Charlotte, Danville, Baltimore and Oklahoma. Tom reported that all of the firms were excellent prospects and a decision is forth coming.

Planning continued their work with local homeowners on Historic Review of garages, awnings and new homes. Both Planning and Code Enforcement are working hard to keep the standards of this Town in check with the laws that will ensure preservation of the Historical District.

LIBRARY & TOWN CLERK

Ann Rutledge, Librarian, reported that the Toddler Preschool Storytime was held last week and four (4) children and their caregivers attended the event. The theme was "I’m Getting Bigger". While the attendance numbers from the summer have obviously decreased, the "spirit & can do attitude" of the Town Library remains in place and everyone is welcome at this great Town asset.

A workshop series based on the Spiritual Teaching of Eckhart Tolle is being offered at the Town Library on the first & third Wednesday of each week from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The first meeting was held on September 3, 2008 and seven (7) people attended the workshop and a lively discussion resulted as a result of their presence at this meeting. Contact the Town Library at 757-331-1300 for further information.

A book order was sent to the Eastern Shore Public Library for fifty-two (52) titles and eleven (11) of them in LARGE PRINT.

Fifteen (15) children from the Cheriton Migrant Headstart Program graced our Library by attending Storytime last Friday, September 5, 2008. These children and their instructors are most welcome to our Town Library.

Ann noted that September 2008 is Library Sign-Up Month and the Northampton Memorial Library (AKA Cape Charles Library) wants to make sure that our children have the smartest card they can possibly own; a library card. Ann said that studies have shown that children who read or have someone read to them at home and use the library tend to perform better in school. Reading is a "positive influence" in children’s lives and the Town Library would like to encourage those positive actions.

The Town Clerk’s Office has been busy updating Town employee training files and answering telephone calls regarding the upcoming Birding Festival scheduled for September 18 through 21, 2008.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Dave Fauber, Director of Public Works, reported that the work on the Town Hall office space has been completed. We expect the Town Clerk’s Office and Planner’s Office to start moving into their new work spaces this week. The next scheduled move is with the CCPD moving back into the Town Hall Building. Additional information is forthcoming.

Efforts continue on inventorying the Town’s Excess Property and the PWD was busy preparing for Hanna last week.

Public Works employee Jay Bell announced last week that he will seek employment with Northampton County and will depart his position this week. Jay will be missed and the Town wishes him well in his next endeavor. The "opening" in the Maintenance Department for the PWD will close on Monday, September 15, 2008 at 4:00 PM. The Town has received fourteen (14) applications to date regarding this position.

No weather problems were reported at the Water Treatment Plant or Wastewater Treatment Plant.

POLICE

Chief David Eder reported that there were no significant incidents to report regarding Hanna but the CCPD did have to close the Fig Street at the intersection of Route 184 due to some precarious electrical lines. Chief Eder said the situation was reported out to the ANEC.

Chief Eder said that during the weather alert he was forced to remove two (2) persons from the Town Pier due to potentially dangerous conditions.

ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER & TOWN MANAGER

The Town would like to thank VDOT’s Tim Holloway and Northampton County’s EMS Director/Chief Hollye Carpenter for their assistance and professional guidance during the Hanna Storm Watch.

The Town would also like to recognize Dave Fauber, Doug Smith, Chief David Eder, Billy Powell, Chief Steve "Red" Wilson (Cape Charles Volunteer Fire Company), Peter Leontieff, Smitty Dize and Paul Skolnick for their efforts to ensure that the Town of Cape Charles was "ready" for Hanna. The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) was activated by Doug Smith (EOP Lead) and the Town awaited the opportunity to execute the plan. While the Town was very happy that we did not have to respond to an emergency situation; it was comforting to note that every Town Department was "prepared" and ready to move on order from Doug.

It has come to the Town’s attention that some businesses did not take their tables, signs or tables in over the weekend storm. This is dangerous not only to your storefront but creates a "flying debris" problem for your neighbors as well. We ask that all business owners please comply with the Town’s directives when we have weather alerts. The Police and the Public Works Department do not have the time to move your outdoor furniture or signs around when the Town is in the middle of a hurricane/severe storm warning.

Doug Smith conducted an "After Action" Brief on the Town’s preparations for Hanna and will present that to the Town Manager. Anyone interested in that Hanna After Action Report can contact the Town Manager at 757-331-3259 x20 for a copy of same.

Thank you again for the privilege and opportunity to serve this great Town and all the citizens here.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

TOMATO FESTIVAL

Cape Charles Renewal Program
P.O. Box 461
Cape Charles, VA 23310
CapeCharlesRenewalProgram@att.net

Dear Cape Charles Restaurant Owner:

The First Annual Fall Tomato Festival celebrates the prominent role the tomato plays in our economy here on the Eastern Shore. As you know, we are planning an impressive program for Saturday, September 27, 2008 centered along Mason Avenue in Cape Charles. Activities planned include a parade down Mason Avenue, starting at 10 a.m., the Mason Avenue ArtWalk, a Classic and Antique Car Show, book signing by local authors, a few food vendors, music along Mason Avenue and more, with fireworks capping off the festivities after dark.

The parade will showcase our Eastern Shore people and its theme is, can you guess, the tomato. We are inviting and encouraging all parade participants, their families and friends to stay, enjoy the day's festivities and view the fireworks after dark.

For the festival weekend (Friday – Sunday, September 26-28), we are asking our Cape Charles restaurants to help us by doing the following:

• Feature at least one tomato-based entrees on Friday & Saturday
• Feature at least one tomato-based vegetable on Friday & Saturday
• For restaurants with a liquor license, offer tomato-based drinks this weekend.
• Check out Three Olives Tomato Vodka (two bottles are now available at Cape Charles VA ABC store) and feature drinks made with it.
• Consider selling food and/or soft drinks outside your restaurant if you are on Mason Avenue on Saturday, September 27.
• Offer a Brunch or Buffet on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Our retail shops are staying open until 8 p.m. Saturday evening and we hope all of this activity will bring more business into your establishments both during the day and into the evening.

Anything you can do to help make this festival a success for all of us would be truly appreciated.

Please let me know what you do plan – we will try to include your participation in our advertising.

Thank you,

Joan Natali
331-4884
Cape Charles Renewal Program – First Annual Tomato Festival in Cape Charles

16TH ANNUAL EASTERN SHORE BIRDING & WILDLIFE FESTIVAL

September 18 through 21, 2008 at Onancock & Cape Charles. Opening ceremonies will be held on Friday, September 19, 2008 at 3:30 PM at the Willis Wharf Wildlife Viewing Platform Dedication.

There’s also a scheduled 6:00 PM Reception at the Arts Enter Palace Theatre, featuring raffle items and winning selections of wildlife art from local high school students. The featured speaker is Pete Dunne (Vice President of the NJ Audubon Society & Director of the Society’s Cape May Bird Observatory) at 7:00 PM with "25 Things That Changed Birding".

The program ranges from Kiptopeke Songbird Banding, Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge Walk, Chatham Vineyards Tour, Turner Sculpture Tour, Hawk Observatory Tour, Kiptopeke Butterfly Walk, Bat/Owl Tour, Glebe Farm Hike, Bay Bridge Tunnel Tour, Cobb Bay Bird Excursion, Sea Grasses and Oyster Reefs Boat Trip, Advanced Hawk Identification and numerous workshops and presentations.

Please visit the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce Web site at www.esvachamber.org for additional information.

Northampton County Chamber of Commerce - Community Briefing

You are invited to a community briefing and presentation by Andrew Barbour on the new Town signs to be placed on U.S. Route 13. This will be held on Wednesday, September 10 at 4:30 PM in the Cabana Room of the Aqua Restaurant in Cape Charles. This informative session should last 60 to 90 minutes.

For more information, please contact Linda Spence at 757-331-2304.

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.

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.

• Do not corner something you know is meaner than you.
• You cannot unsay a cruel word.
• Every path has a few puddles.
• When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
• The best sermons are lived, not preached.
• Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.
• Don't judge folks by their relatives.
• Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
• Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.
• Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you none.
• Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
• If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.
• Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
• The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'.
• Always drink upstream from the herd.
• Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.
• Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.
• If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.
  Cowboy Logic

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.