The March 9th public hearing on the proposed 2016 zoning ordinance, which is meant to overturn the existing 2015 zoning, drew a large crowd to Northampton High School. The lines of opposition were visible, with proponents of keeping the 2015 code wearing signature yellow tee shirts, or clothing of a yellowish hue;those in favor of the 2106 ordinance were wearing, well, regular clothing. One editor’s note, it was abundantly clear that, from a fashion and design standpoint, Northampton County really needs a makeover. After just finishing up at NY fashion week, where Kendall Jenner breathlessly and seamlessly worked over four houses, it was hard to take in the mismatched plaid, ill-fitting jeans, as well as dubious color choices on exhibition here tonight. With that said, the dichotomy in viewpoints was indeed clear and concise.
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Archives for March 2016
The Future of Healthcare Services in Northampton County
Special to the Cape Charles Mirror By Ervin E.Jones, MD. Published with permission from Citizens for a Better Eastern Shore
Shore Memorial Hospital, formerly Northampton-Accomack Memorial Hospital, and currently Riverside Shore Memorial, has been a part of Northampton County since the late 1920s and has been in its current location for 40 years. In September 2009, the Shore Memorial Board voted to affiliate with Riverside Health Services, Inc., Newport News, VA. A Certificate of Public Need (COPN) was issued in 2011 and the Hospital announced that it would be moving to Onley in Accomack County by 2015. As a part of the COPN application, Riverside Health Services provided assurance that it would continue to provide services such as an Urgent Care Center at or near the present site in Nassawadox. Expansion to 24-hour diagnostics, basic laboratory services, and other primary care services were cited by Riverside as longer-term goals. Riverside administration recently announced that the hospital as well as the cancer center will be relocated to Onley by the end of 2016. Although the building currently housing the cancer center will remain, no other facilities will remain in Nassawadox.
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Ben Lewis withdraws from Cape Charles Town Council Race
The Northampton County Registrar reports that Ben Lewis has withdrawn from the Cape Charles Town Council Race. That leaves the candidate list as follows:
- Dan Burke – currently serves on Planning Commission
- David Gay – currently serves on Historic District Review Board
- Nioaka Marshall – wildcard
- Steven Bennett – currently serves on Town Council
- Andy Buchholz – currently serves on Planning Commission
- Dora Sullivan – former Mayor Cape Charles
BoS Approves Special Use Permit for Elizabeth Dodd’s Event Venue
The Northampton Board of Supervisors approved a Special Use Permit for an “event venue” on Homeplace farm at the end of Elkington Road near Savage Neck in Eastville. According to the applicant, the most common event will be weddings, receptions and private parties for groups of 20 to 500. Some outdoor music will be permitted up until 10:00 pm. Outdoor lighting will be temporary, under tents or possibly hung from trees. The parking area will provide 180 spaces. The request was approved unanimously.
Special Use Permits Approved for Rural Health Facility and Hecate Solar Farm
After initially tabling special use permits for the new Eastern Shore Rural Health facility off of Route thirteen, and the Hecate Solar farm on seaside, the Board of Supervisors once again took up both of these items. The County Board of Supervisors, after still having some misgivings about safety along that stretch of the corridor, approved the Special Use Permit for Eastern Shore Rural Health’s new facility. The vote passed three to one, with Chairman Murray abstaining (Murray voiced traffic concerns as the reason for abstaining). Supervisor Granville Hogg, noting a possible conflict of interest, recused.
Do Drop Inn’s St. Patty’s Pajama Party Sock Hop March 19th
Want to go out dancing but can’t seem to get out of your pajamas? This is the event for you! The Legendary Giddens’ Do Drop Inn will host a St. Patty’s Pajama Party Sock Hop on Saturday, March 19th. Wear your footies, lingerie, or most sophisticated loungewear and come twist the night away! Live 50s and 60s do-wop and rock n’ roll music by Peggy Sue & the Misfits and Glory Daze. There will contests for most outrageous, most creative, and most juvenile PJs. Doors open at 7:30 PM and music starts at 8:00. Admission is $10 and includes a pancake and kiwi dinner. The Do Drop Inn is located at 8204 Bayford Road, Weirwood. For more information call 757-442-2139.
EASTERN SHORE HOUSE AND GARDEN TOUR April 30th
DATE: Saturday, April 30, 2016
HOSTED BY: The Garden Club of the Eastern Shore and The Garden Club of Virginia
TICKETS: $45 pp; Children 5-12, $20. Single site tickets $15. Tickets available on day of tour at all tour
ADVANCE TICKETS: $40 pp. www.vagardenweek.org. Tickets available locally beginning March 31
through Thursday, April 28 at all Virginia Shore Bank locations: Cape Charles, Exmore, Onley and
Chincoteague; the Book Bin, Onley; Ker Place, Onancock and Rayfield’s Pharmacy, Nassawadox and Cape
DESCRIPTION: A roguish charm saturates the vibe of this small peninsula where life happens once you get off the beaten path. The Eastern Shore of Virginia may be considered remote, but if you are a gardener, a beachcomber, a gourmand, or history enthusiast, the Eastern Shore is only a short drive away. Untouched natural beaches flank historic downtowns with quaint hotels and restaurants. Family operated farms and vineyards envelop the landscape where private homes and gardens have coexisted in a wholesome peace since the early 17th century.
HOUSES ON TOUR: Brownsville, Chatham, Eyre Hall, Salt Grove and Edgewater
SPECIAL EVENT: Hungars Church, 10105 Bayside Road, Machipongo, VA 23405 – Floral décor recreating
WEBSITES: www.esgardentours.com and www.vagardenweek.org [Read more…]
Cape Charles: Community Alerts with Nixle
The Town of Cape Charles has partnered with Nixle to implement its Community Notification System to alert residents in real time for localized emergency situations and relevant community advisories.
Notifications will be sent by email or text. You can register for notifications by completing the information on the website. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation text to your mobile device or email.
You can sign up for alerts on the town website: Here
Janet Sturgis: Supports 2016 Zoning Ordinance
I would like to voice my support, for the adoption of the Amended 2009 Zoning Ordinance,(otherwise known as the 2016 Zoning Ordinance).
The adoption of the 2015 ordinance, with its up zoning of properties large and small, high density residential zoning, and dissolution of previously protected vested rights of property owners, sets a dangerous precedent, paving the way for future unbridled, arbitrary, incongruous,and inconsistent up zoning, without input from property owners,adjacent property owners, and other citizens who would be adversely impacted.
2015 zoning is inconsistent with our comprehensive plan. Its enactment threatens open space,overtaxes our aquifer, encourages degradation of surface waters, threatens native species, does not provide adequate setbacks and other zoning protections as they relate to CAFOs, and supports waterfront densities that are not compatible with our burgeoning aquaculture and ecotourism industries, responsible environmental stewardship, and a rural family friendly quality
of life.
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Science and Philosophy Seminar, Ecological Reflections: Linking Observation with Science and Art
Science and Philosophy Seminar of the Eastern Shore of Virginia has scheduled a seminar, “Ecological Reflections: Linking Observation with Science and Art.” The free 90-minute seminar will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, March 18 in the Lecture Hall of the Eastern Shore Community College, 29300 Lankford Hwy, Melfa, VA 23410.
Art Schwarzschild will lead the Seminar and will discuss how even though every college and university has a school or division called Arts and Sciences, in modern times we have lost the link between these two disciplines. This presentation will examine the nexus of art, science, and technology to show how we can better understand the world around us by using tools from both art and science.
Schwarzschild works for the University of Virginia as the site director of the Anheuser-Busch Coastal Research Center in Oyster, VA, and is the Science Education Coordinator for the Virginia Coast Reserve Long Term Ecological Research Program
These seminars are occasionally rescheduled on short notice. Prospective attendees are urged to check the Seminar’s website (www.SciPhi.org) shortly before a scheduled date.
Science and Philosophy Seminar is an informally organized group that meets more or less regularly to explore and discuss a wide array of topics, ranging from philosophical speculation to scientific research. All Seminars are open to the public. Admission is free.
Contact: Terry Malarkey
757-710-3001
Event date: Mar 18, 2016