CAPE CHARLES, Va. — A seemingly offhand remark by a Cape Charles Town Council member Thursday night has drawn sharp criticism from residents who feel their concerns about town priorities are being dismissed.
During a Regular Town Council meeting, council members discussed approving an additional $39,000 payment to VHB, the consulting firm managing design, development, and outreach for a beachfront project. As questions about costs and priorities surfaced, Councilwoman Holloway interrupted deliberations by stating, “We know we have a needy crowd [in Cape Charles].”
The comment did not appear overly malicious, yet it immediately struck a nerve with ordinary citizens in the community. Residents, already wary of what they view as runaway spending on projects that may not reflect the town’s most urgent needs, said the Councilwoman’s words reinforced a growing sense that town leadership is out of touch.
“Calling us ‘needy’ for asking for transparency and fiscal responsibility is insulting,” a local homeowner told the Mirror. “We’re not needy — we’re concerned. We live here. We pay taxes. We want the town to thrive without wasting money on projects that benefit a few, mainly the STR crowd.”
Citizens have increasingly voiced frustration over what they see as unnecessary expenses, from consultant fees to design plans, at a time when infrastructure, housing affordability, and basic services remain pressing issues. Critics say projects like the beachfront redevelopment seem tailored more toward tourism and outside interests than the year-round residents who keep Cape Charles running.
Thursday’s debate — and Town Council’s comment — amplified fears that the Council is prioritizing aesthetic and high-cost initiatives while dismissing the practical concerns of its constituents. Many feel the current Town Council is out of touch and does not align with the citizens’ broader needs.
The Town Council ultimately approved the additional VHB funding, but the tensions unleashed by the remark may linger longer.
Maybe this isn’t about being ‘needy,’ but about wanting a government that listens — and respects — its people.
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She probably doesn’t care too much about what she says because she’s not planning on running for re-election anyway.
What do we get for $39,000?
You’re also leaving out the fact that Councilwomen Holloway and Ashworth belittled residents for the great turnout to the Beachfront Master Plan Input Sessions — sessions that actually provided taxpayers with tables, information, and the opportunity for real back-and-forth dialogue with council members and town staff. This was in stark contrast to the typical work sessions, which are not broadcast on Facebook and draw very little public attendance.
The Councilwoman’s comment implied that unless information is boiled down to “pictures and trifolds,” people aren’t willing or able to engage — suggesting, whether intentionally or not, that residents are too stupid or lazy to seek information otherwise.
The reality is, Councilwoman, that people have largely stopped attending your meetings because they’ve given up hope that Town Council cares about public input. Worse, the few residents who remain civically engaged — showing up to meetings, speaking at public comment — have been written off as “aggrieved” by various council members.
Meanwhile, the one format without pictures, tri-folds, or limits on how often or how long people can speak — the Town Hall meetings — consistently draw large crowds and generate real, meaningful dialogue between residents, council members, and staff. These meetings have clearly demonstrated that when people feel heard and respected, they show up.
Community outreach and engagement continue to be low priorities for this Town Council. It doesn’t matter how smart your ideas are — if you fail to make them accessible to everyone in town, you will continue to face criticism, and deservedly so.
SARA! Bullseye!