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 is a news source which reports upon 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 visit the Town’s website at http://www.capecharles.org/or contact us at gazette@capecharles.org.
References to external websites are for information purposes only. The Town makes no representation as to the accuracy of information on such sites, and reference to such sites is not intended as an endorsement by the Town of any materials or opinions expressed on such sites.
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Doug Smith, Code Enforcement Officer, reported that Code Enforcement issued the permit for and inspected the range hood suppression system at Saint Charles Catholic Church Parish Hall this week. The Town greatly appreciated the cooperation from Saint Charles Church.
The Town received a set of American National Standard Institute/APSP swimming pool and spa safety codes free of charge as a benefit of our membership in the International Code Council.
Doug investigated a public inquiry regarding the possible drilling of wells on the South Port properties this week. The complaint was found to be unjustified since no wells were being drilled. He reported that the alleged drilling equipment was in fact used for soil testing only.
Construction resumed on a structure located in the 200 Block of Randolph Avenue this week to abate the violations evident over the past several years. The Town appreciates the owner moving forward on these issues to correct the violations.
Doug met with the owner of a structure on the 500 Block of Jefferson Avenue this past week and they agreed on a plan to move forward with abatement of that blighted structure. Thank you again for assisting the Town in correcting this situation.
TOWN HARBOR-Virginia Clean Marina 2008
Smitty Dize, Harbor Master, reported that he has been in contact with our friends at Bayshore Concrete Products (BCP) regarding the Town’s plans for breakwater barriers in the Town Harbor. The Town was working with the previous leadership regarding breakwater material and we need to re-engage BCP due to the recent shift of leadership in that organizaton.
Smitty said that the Harbor will close at 12:00 PM on Christmas Eve Wednesday, December 24, 2008 and remain closed for Christmas Day, Thursday December 25, 2008. It will re-open at 9:00 AM on Friday, December 26, 2008. After Thursday, January 1, 2009 the Harbor will no longer be open on weekends. For additional information please contact Smitty at 757-331-2357 or Fax him at 757-331-4820.
LIBRARY
The Toddler Preschool Storytime was held this past week and a total of seventeen (17) children and caregivers attended. The theme was "It’s Snowing" and in celebration of the season one of their activities was to sing Jingle Bells accompanied by the children on bells and other percussion instruments.
On Wednesday, December 10, 2008 the Friends of the Library and the Library Board held their monthly meeting at the Library.
It was pointed out by Carolyn Wiegner, President of the Friends of the Library, that the Cape Charles Memorial Library is the ONLY Memorial Library on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and it’s also the oldest Memorial Library in the State of Virginia. Thank you for the clarification!
TOWN CLERK
The next Town Council Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 8, 2009. The agenda for this meeting is still underway. There will be Public Hearings prior to this meeting starting at 7:00 PM in the Saint Charles Parish Hall on Open Space & Public Utility Facilities.
Interviews were held on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 regarding vacant positions which the Town had on various boards and committees. There were nine (9) outstanding candidates who applied for four (4) positions. The following persons were selected by Council to fill exsisting vacancies: Planning Commission; Malcolm Hayward, Wetlands & Coastal Dune Board; Wayne Creed, Board of Zoning Appeals; Jay Wiegner, and Library Board; Ms. Jacqueline Chatmon.
The Town has requested biographical information from nineteen (19) elected & appointed officials as well as Department Heads. This information will be posted on the Town’s Web site. It’s important that the public has the opportunity to view our Town officials work qualifications, life experiences and past positions. A transparent government is one that works for all.
The Town has received some requests for the minutes from last week’s Town Council Meeting (Thursday, December 11, 2008). Please be advised that we will honor all of those requests once the minutes have been approved by the appropriate authorities.
PUBLIC WORKS
Dave Fauber, Director of Public Works, reported that his Crews are mulching all of the planter beds on Mason Avenue and members of his work crew have been working with Master Gardner Eileen Cobb on transplanting issues.
The PWD continues their herculean efforts to construct & move the Cape Charles Police Department into the Town Hall. The public is invited to come to the Town Hall & view the work to date. The purpose of this construction, as previously noted, is to save Town monies and create a better "work flow" amongst the staff.
A special thanks to Kathleen Stevens from the PWD for all long hours of painting that have saved the Town a great deal of funds.
POLICE
Chief David Eder reported that the Cape Charles Police Department (CCPD) went to Northampton County Court regarding two (2) DUI cases and were successful in their presentation of the evidence in both cases.
Please do not drink & drive in the Town of Cape Charles over the Holiday Season.
Select a Designated Driver BEFORE the parties please.
Chief Eder said that the CCPD responded to a large fight that took place at an establishment on Route 13 this past Saturday, December 13, 2008. There were over 150 patrons involved in this fracas and one (1) young man was reported to be severely injured and required transport to Shore Memorial Hospital.
The CCPD responded to two (2) Domestic Violence calls in Cape Charles over the past week and both calls were resolved at the location of origin.
ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER & TOWN MANAGER
The Town met with Dr. Fred Berg last week regarding the Shakespeare in the Park project. The Town will meet with Dr. Berg again this week to start formalizing plans for this "new" Town adventure.
Joe Vaccaro, Town Manager, received an e-mail from a Bay Creek official regarding last week’s Gazette and the Town’s issue with the Annexation Agreement. The Annexation Agreement has nothing to do with a possible increase in Water & Waste Water Rates for the Town. They are, in fact, two (2) separate issues.
The following is a statement from the WESR Radio Station:
"Cape Charles Town Manager Joe Vaccaro was quizzed by some council members regarding a letter to the editor of a local paper. In the letter, Vaccaro urged the citizens of the town to become more involved in the day-to-day government as well as to question town leaders regarding their fiscal issues, business growth, planning and environmental issues. While Vaccaro did not write the letter as a representative of the town, it was suggested that the council should have received a courtesy copy prior to its publication. Vaccaro indicated that his motive for the letter was to draw more involvement in local government by the citizens of the town, not to point a finger at any member of the local government. Councilman Gerald Elliott remarked that spending time discussing the letter was a waste of the council's time, "He (Vaccaro) has the right as a private citizen, to say whatever he wishes."
CAPE CHARLES FACTOID
The following movie was shot in Cape Charles:
The Story of Mr. Hobbs
(1947)
Crad Hobbs, a Virginia waterman, is depressed over the decline in the shellfish trade and the gradual erosion of his former home, a barrier island off Virginia's Eastern Shore. Worse, his beautiful daughter and only child is engaged to a returning World War II veteran who forsakes the oystering trade to take a job with the local newspaper. The cub reporter's first job is interview a New York banker, and former resident, who has secretly come to the Eastern Shore to provide a loan for a beleaguered Latin-American president whose country is battling communist insurgents. Hobbs blames the banker for his home island's destruction; he believes if the banker had approved a loan for a system of breakwaters, the erosion, and resulting loss of fishing habitat, could have been prevented. When Hobbs gets the job of taking the banker to his secret rendezvous, he sails for his ocean-battered island, planning to lock him in the ruins of an abandoned cottage, where he'll be drowned by the incoming tide. The waterman's daughter and her fiancée learn of the kidnapping and borrow another boat to try to prevent the murder.
Thank you again for the opportunity to serve this Town and the great people in it.
"There's nothing you can know that isn't known
Nothing you can see that isn't shown
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be
It's easy
All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need"
The Beatles
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.