Each week, the Mirror attempts to highlight dogs and cats that need to be found, or need to be fostered or adopted.

This week, we hope to find the owner of this dog.

If this is your dog or you know whose dog it is, PLEASE contact Robin VonHollen robinv@dogsdeservebetter.org. She needs your help in catching them and getting them to vet ASAP. The dog is hurt, and has a bad broken leg.

It looks like dog has been on the run for a while. The dog is running around the Northampton/ Accomack county line.

Update: The dog was last seen Friday morning crossing RT 13, heading towards the little community between J & M and Occ. Neck Road light.

Walking down Mason Avenue, a pedestrian is force to dodge all the tacky and vulgar signs that business own have littered about. While the bullies in the business community may think they run this town, Caple Charles has a different idea.

Staff has prepared a letter to be mailed to all business owners in the Town regarding the enforcement of Section 62-12 of the Town Code, which deals placing tacky signage in the walkway.

This move comes after many comments and concerns from citizens regarding the obstruction of sidewalks, specifically on Mason Avenue. After the public outcry, staff reviewed the Town Code and found that Section 62-12 regarding the obstruction of sidewalks was not being enforced (you can’t see it, but this is my surprised face).

Sec. 62-12. – Obstructing sidewalks generally. It shall be unlawful for any person to display, obstruct or leave any vehicle, merchandise or any other commodity on the sidewalks or curbs in the town so as to block, impede or endanger the safety of pedestrians in any manner. The mayor or town manager, at his discretion, may issue special permits in writing for certain exceptions to this section. (Ord. No. 305, §§ 1, 2, 4-14-70; Ord. of 3-17-81, § 4.28; Ord. of 6-8-93)  

The letter will be mailed to all business owners in the town, allowing them 10 business days from the date of the letter to come into compliance, or face the consequences–a formal notice of violation (unfortunately, there is no jail time associated with this egregioius behavior).

Below, is the letter:

Dear Property Owner:It
has come to the attention of the town that many sidewalks along commercial storefronts are being obstructed in a way that restricts pedestrian access. Section 62-12 of the town code states “it shall be unlawful for any person to display, obstruct or leave any vehicle, merchandise or any other commodity on the sidewalks or curbs in the town so as to block, impede, or endanger the safety of pedestrians in any manner.”The town will begin enforcing this section of the Town Code to ensure unobstructed access along sidewalks. Property owners will be required to provide at least a four-foot unobstructed paved pedestrian pathway within the designated sidewalk area, which shall remain unobstructed at all times. A four-foot path provides the minimum amount of width for ADA accessibility. With questions regarding the location of the sidewalk area, please contact the Planning and Zoning Department. The town is allowing 10 business days from the date of this letter for property owners to clear any obstructions located within the sidewalk area. The town will then began issuing notices of violation to property owners for noncompliance, which could result in a class 1misdemeanor and associated fees as described in Section 1-10 of the Town Code. If you have any questions, please contact the Planning and Zoning Department by phone at757-331-2036, or by email at planner@capecharles.org. 

The Board of Cape Charles Main Street would like you to join us in welcoming a new member to the Cape Charles Main Street team. Karen Zamorski has accepted the position of Program Director of Cape Charles Main Street and will be working with the Board to help drive the projects and programs needed to continue the preservation-based revitalization of the town of Cape Charles.

She was born and raised in a small town about 30 miles outside of Buffalo, NY but has lived in several states through her 30+ year career. Karen has hit many milestones in her corporate life which included Kodak, DuPont and various marketing roles including 32 marketing awards working with Fortune 500 companies and serving as both President and Chairman of the Board for the Philadelphia Direct Marketing Association, a non-profit organization. 

An entrepreneur at heart, she has started, grown and sold a small business which enables her to readily relate to other business owners who are an
integral part of our revitalization mission. Karen and her husband Dave are not new to Cape Charles.

They stopped into Cape Charles on their way back from a family vacation to the outer banks in 2005 and ended up purchasing a vacation home for their family including 4 children and 2 dogs. In 2017 Karen and Dave found themselves empty nesters and decided to leave their home in the Kennett
Square, PA area and make Cape Charles their permanent home. They just finished renovating a historic home – 7 Mason Ave, which is now a gathering spot for family and friends.

“I grew up in a very small, tight-knit community where you knew everyone and looked out for each other” Karen told the board at her initial interview. “It just felt like home here from early on and I’m so excited that I get to be a part of its future” she said.

If you see Karen walking around town with her two puggles (which she often does), or working on her new flower beds, show her a little Cape Charles small town love and say hello. She looks forward to getting to know everyone.

Intrested in learning more about Cape Charles Main Streets projects or getting involved? Follow us on our FB page at https://www.facebook.com/MainStreetCapeCharles/ Or email us at capecharlesmainstreet@gmail.com

The Washington Post reports that in 2018, the General Social Survey for the first time included questions on pet ownership. The findings show that dog owners are happier than cat owners.

Dog owners are about twice as likely as cat owners to say they’re very happy, with people owning both falling somewhere in between.

Dog people are slightly happier than those without any pets. Those with cats are significantly less happy than the pet-less.

The happiness divide between dog and cat owners is bigger than the one between people who identify as middle and upper class, and nearly as large as the gap between those who say they’re in “fair” versus “good or excellent” health.

Research also has shown that dog owners are more likely than other folks to form friendships with people in their neighborhoods on the basis of the random encounters that happen when they’re out walking their pets. Those social connections likely contribute to greater well-being among dog owners.

In March, the CCPD answered 48 calls for service in Cape Charles, 8 outside of town. There were no felony arrests, but one misdemeanor DWI. The CCPD assisted Northampton Sheriffs 7 times, and once with the Virginia State Police.

On the roads, the force issued 9 summons and 22 written and verbal warnings. 1 parking ticket was issued.

Officers spent 26 foot patrol hours in town, and 23 in Bay Creek. 45 building checks took place.

Chief Pruitt spoke with trinity Methodist church on the mission of the police department, and with  Catholic church on topic of “active shooter”.

All officers completed Narcan recertification training. Police officers increasingly end up serving as first responders in drug overdose situations.

Law enforcement agencies need to equip officers with the proper policy and training to respond to these incidents.

In response to the rise in heroin and opioid use, police departments across the country have implemented Narcan programs. Use of a prescription medicine called naloxone(also known as Narcan) to prevent overdose deaths.

The Northampton County Board of Supervisors voted to regulate short-term rentals (rentals less than 30 days and usually found by online listings).

Chairman Murray noted that our county, like most in the country, is struggling to come to terms with this process. While these type of rentals bring in revenue to restaraunts and businesses, they can also cause problems for full-time residents and neighborhoods.

Murray read a letter from a Silver Beach resident that highlighted some of the problems, such as vacationers partying on her private deck, using her private property to fish and swim, and parking kayaks on private beaches.

According to Charlene Gray, Northampton County’s commissioner of the revenue, 275 providers in the county offer “AirB&B” types of short-term rentals, yet there is not an ordinance to regulate them.

In the 4-1 vote, only Supervisor Robert Duer voted against the measure, saying, “I think we are chasing money.”

The new ordinance ensures rental owners will pay a business license tax, be within noise limits and follow parking and occupancy rules.

Two new signs have been placed in the Cape Kids Playground. All old signs have been removed and the rules have been combined in one sign versus three separate signs. One sign was placed at the entrance and one sign inside the playground area.

Replacement signs for the tennis courts have been sent to the printers after final approval from the Town Manager. The rules were outdated and redone to meet the needs of both citizens and tourists. There will be smaller signs placed at all three entrances and one inside the playing area. There is currently one large sign that will be removed.

Recreation Director Jen Lewis has been researching portable “elite” restrooms as a temporary fix to a bathroom on Mason Avenue until a permanent solution can be determined. 6 companies have been contacted and 5 companies will not travel to our area with their restrooms. Moore’s portable solutions is located on the Shore but cannot offer their services as their two units are already committed to other events throughout the next year. The next closest company located on the beach front in Virginia Beach stated we could not afford to pay the fee that would be attached with servicing on the Shore and would not even entertain a quote. LD Davis from BeachEvents referred 4 of the 6 companies. Staff is able to again provide Council with prices for purchasing a portable restroom if needed as renting does not appear to be an option.