CAPE CHARLES MIRROR

Reflections on Cape Charles and the Eastern Shore

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President in Norfolk to Commission USS Gerald R. Ford

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The USS Gerald R. Ford, a CNV 78 aircraft carrier was completed five months ago. The carrier boasts nearly two dozen new technologies not present on older carriers – including a more spacious flight deck, an electromagnetic aircraft launch system and advanced arresting gear to better recover incoming aircraft.

Saturday, President Trump was in Norfolk for U.S. Navy’s commissioning of the Ford.

“For the rest of your lives,” President Trump said to the crew, “you’ll be able to tell your friends and family that you served on greatest ship in the U.S. Navy and, in my opinion, the greatest ship in the world. American steel and American hands have constructed a 100,000-ton message to the world that American might is second to none.”

“For those in the world who wish to terrorize us here in the U.S. and abroad, those who wish to challenge our shores, those who challenge our values…,” Admiral John Richardson said, “this is not a day of celebration for them. This is their worst nightmare.”

Capt. Richard McCormack will serve as the Ford’s first commanding officer.

Ford class carrier CVN78 diagram (Huntington-Ingalls)

The Local starts GoFundMe Campaign

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In 2016 top chef Jason Van Marter took up residence in the former Cheriton establishment Paul’s, renting the cafe counter space and creating the one of the most innovative, artistic, fresh and sustainable menus on the Eastern Shore, The Local.

Success is always a good thing, but the growth and popularity of The Local means it’s time to expand. Chef Jason is in need of several updates, and would like to expand The Local by serving beer and wine as well as opening up for dinner service.

To help the process, The Local has started a GoFundMe campaign which hopes to raise $50k for the renovations.

Chef Jason working at The Local in Cheriton

The Local is asking for assistance so that they can renovate the old kitchen space in the back of the building:
-Refinish existing walls
-Update Plumbing and Electric
-Repair hood exhaust and fire supression
-Add equipment to increase onsite services as well as catering
-Place a small aquaponics system to provide fresh produce all year long

They would also like to remodel the inside dining area to provide more efficient services:
-Add gas line and equipment to counter
-Build a separate bar area for beverage services
-Update lighting to provide a better ambiance experience

Then to provide more means for people to find The Local and assist the county in the drive to build upon tourism on the Shore:
-Add website with online store
-Create and print marketing materials such as rack cards to be placed at locations throughout the Shore
-Add signage on the highway to help drive people into Cheriton

They would also like to:
-Add to their catering profile and useful equipment to accommodate events
-Participate more in community events and help to grow them
-Assist the Town of Cheriton with their community events to help bring awareness to the town and revive a once flourishing community. #cheritonrevival

With renovation and expansion The Local will be able to offer more catering operations as well as work with the town and county to provide services and help expand charity events.

Link here to donate to the campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/building-the-local-for-the-locals

3rd Annual Serving Up the Shore set for August 18th

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Chincoteague Bay Field Station is hosting its third annual farm to tale dinner, Serving up the Shore, in mid- August and tickets are on sale now. The owner of the cafe The Local in Cheriton, Jason Van Marter, is one of the featured chefs preparing the sustainably grown and locally produced multi course dinner.

WALLOPS ISLAND, VA – Chincoteague Bay Field Station will host its annual Serving up the Shore farm to table dinner on Friday, August 18. Distinguished chefs Jason Van Marter, owner of the café The Local, Amy Brandt, of Amy B Catering, and Rosie Moot, co-owner of Pico Taqueria will prepare a multi course dinner consisting entirely of meat and produce from local farms.

“This year’s menu is more creative and cutting edge than years before,” event founder and Chincoteague Bay Field Station Interim Executive Director Elise Trelegan said.
The chefs visited the 10 featured farms across the Delmarva Peninsula to craft a unique, gourmet menu featuring nationally known and loved Chincoteague oysters and clams, locally raised pork and lamb, and sustainably grown fruits and vegetables.

“Chefs tour the farms and get to know what they have to offer, it really makes the menu more authentic,” Trelegan said. [Read more…]

Planning Commission Recommends Keck property for Athletic Park location

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Last month, the Cape Charles Town Council voted to close the skateboard park located at Plum and Madison. It also asked the Planning Commission to look into an appropriate location where the park could be relocated. During discussion, council also wanted the commission to explore the possibility of building a larger facility to include basketball, baseball and soccer, even a dog park. Council listed the following possible locations to consider:

1. Tennis Court
2. Keck well lot
3. Behind the Library
4. Randolph 700 block

Staff reviewed the locations, and found that the Keck Well lot seemed to hold the most promise, however it can only be accessed by vehicle, and would require a special use permit.
The Planning Commission met this Monday to review available locations.

Not to be confused with the Algonquin Round Table, this discussion was circular in nature and was absent any form of pun, quip or witty repartee. Commissioner Kieth Kostek complained that he was still fuzzy and recovering from his son’s bachelor party weekend, and that hazy aesthetic seemed to spread to the rest of the commission.

At one point, Kostek asked whether any one even skateboarded in Cape Charles. Planner Larry DiRe confirmed that the skateboard park was indeed used, “I live right across from it, and I see kids there all the time.”

After about twenty minutes of higgledy-piggledy banter, the commission still seemed confused as to why they had been brought together like this. Finally, chairman McCoy asked, “I think we are supposed to make a recommendation?”

Someone else echoed, “Yes, I believe we are (I can’t confirm the identity of that speaker, as I admit that by this point I may have been dozing off or daydreaming or contemplating stabbing myself with a pencil).”

Commissioner Stramm made a motion to recommend the Keck well property as a location for the recreational area. Councilman Buchholz seconded the motion, and added that the Community Enhancement Board might be able to help with this project, and that grants might be available to fund it.

The motion passed. Town council is scheduled to take up the matter in a special work session in August.

Cape Charles Historic District Review Board approves Guideline Revisions

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The Cape Charles Historic District Review Board voted this week to approve the revised version of the Historic District Guidelines. This is the first update to the guidelines which were first produced in the 1990’s. The guidelines act as the definitive reference for renovation and construction in the historic district. The major purpose is to manage and protect the historic integrity of structures in Cape Charles.

The revision focused on updating and tightening some language, attempting to remove as much ambiguity as possible. Major themes covered by the revision focused on the use of vinyl and fake products in new and old construction, woodwork, masonry and windows.

A section on signs has been removed from the document. Planner Larry DiRe explained that the new sign ordinance more thoroughly handles the use of signage in the historic district, and more close follows language changes the came about after the Supreme Court Ruling Reed v. Town of Gilbert, which found that content-based regulation of speech, such as signs, violates the First Amendment.

Chesapeake Bay Program slotted for $60 million

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The House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee included $60 million in federal funds next year for the Environmental Protection Agency’s federal-state Bay Program in a bill it reported Wednesday, according to Rep. C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger, D-MD, a member of the full committee. Of that total, $10 million would be allocated to grant programs to be spent for on-the-ground restoration projects in the six-state watershed.

Rep. Scott Taylor, who also sits on the House Appropriations Committee, released a statement Wednesday afternoon voicing his support of the program. Taylor said he would also like to see the program receive funding equivalent to the 2017 budget, which is $73 million.

“I am grateful for the support among members of the Appropriations Committee who fought to get the $60 million included for the Chesapeake Bay program, far from the $0 in the President’s budget,” Taylor said in the statement. “The Chesapeake Bay is America’s largest and most significant estuary, a significant economic driver for our region and a national treasure. While I would like to see it returned to the FY17 level of $73 million immediately, this is a strong negotiating position we will use to push for increased funding in the weeks ahead.”

Northampton Continues to Struggle with Teacher Retention

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At the beginning of every school year, a new batch of fresh-faced teachers are handed the keys to a new classroom in Northampton County. They are provided with a two-week, comprehensive orientation that includes professional development, information on the mentoring program and an intensive teacher induction program to help them transition to the school system, and the Eastern Shore.

Over the next few years, however, a substantial number of those teachers will leave Northampton or the profession altogether — only to be replaced with another batch of more young teachers. This is not just a Northampton phenomenon. Currently in the US, over 400,000 teachers leave the profession each year. Rural areas, and areas of higher poverty levels are disproportionately affected; teachers leave poorer districts at a higher rate than from affluent districts.

This revolving door of teacher turnover costs school districts upwards of $2.2 billion a year—these expenses are incurred for recruiting teachers, extensive resources and time spent orienting and mentoring teachers, significant amounts of administrator and staff time used in supporting teachers.

This turnover destabilizes learning communities, decreases staff morale, and directly impacts student learning. This high rate of turnover results in low-income, minority students sometimes being taught by the least experienced teachers. In poor, rural communities, the needs that teachers have to be responsive to on behalf of the children can add to stress and burden of the job.
Retention has been a major concern for the county. Last fall, Northampton’s School Board Teacher Retention Committee (TRC), which was comprised of School Board members, School Administration staff and teachers presented a report which attempted to shine a light on why teachers decide to leave Northampton County Schools.

The core of the effort revolved around overall student achievement—If teacher retention can be improved in Northampton, then student achievement should also improve.

Why do teachers leave?

A review of nationwide research which was discussed in the report found that some of the major reasons teachers are leaving include:
-Teacher induction programs are insufficient.
-Mentoring, Induction, Professional Development
Greater overall support is needed, including:
-Increased support and respect from Administrators
-Additional support from Parents and Community
-Collaborative environment from Colleagues
-Goals, Future Plans, and Personal Fulfillment
-Self Image and Goals are different in five years

Why do teachers stay on?

The report noted that research found that in most cases, an effective principal can completely offset teacher turnover in disadvantaged schools. Teachers who viewed their school’s leader positively were less likely to leave. Teachers were more likely to remain where they consider their principal trusting and supportive, a knowledgeable instructional leader, and an efficient manager. School administration is overall the strongest predictor of decisions to transfer or leave teaching between novice and experienced teachers. The report noted data that shows that working conditions matter most, including leadership, collegial relationships and a culture characterized by mutual trust, respect and openness.

Note: These findings are supported by a 2012 report by The Gates Foundation which surveyed more than 10,000 public school teachers to find out what factors were important in retaining good teachers. 68 percent said that supportive leadership was “absolutely essential.” Only 34 percent said the same about higher salaries.

Other factors found in the research included:
African American teachers are more likely to stay in schools serving African American students.
Teachers stay when they have the ability to build and sustain strong work environments.
Salary and work hours matter to teachers, however working conditions that are considered more important than marginal improvements to pay.

[Read more…]

Exmore Designates “Internet Purchase Exchange Location” For Safe Online Transactions

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Exmore, VA – You’ve found a buyer or a terrific deal on Craigslist, Facebook or other online marketplace, now what? Meeting strangers to execute a transaction can be intimidating, especially when cash is involved. Relax! The Exmore Police Department and the Town of Exmore just made it safer and more comfortable for ESVA residents to buy or sell online by providing a designated “Meetup Spot” in the parking lot of the Exmore Town Hall, 3305 Main Street in downtown Exmore.

Exmore “Meet Up Spot” (Photo Town of Exmore)

The location is open to everyone, not just Exmore residents. It is well-lit, under 24-hour video surveillance and within steps of the Police Department. “The internet is an excellent, legitimate commercial platform, but it also provides a level of anonymity that attracts bad apples,” says Police Chief Angelo DiMartino. “Too many transactions are a ruse, and deals can take a bad turn.”

Establishing a safe Meetup Spot, or Internet Purchase Exchange Location (IPEL) as they are officially known, is a concept that is gaining national support. As a deterrent to criminal intent and activity, the IPEL locations seem to be working, helping lower the rate of negative incidents. The Exmore Police Department has proactively undertaken the project using their own resources. Signage for the site, a 12’’ x 18’’ green aluminum plaque, was donated by OfferUp, a large mobile online marketplace. OfferUp also showcases the Exmore Meetup Spot on their mobile app.

“This is another step toward the Exmore Police Department’s goal of maximum protection for our citizens,” says Chief DiMartino. “We plan to ensure that exchanges take place without a hitch, and that both parties leave happy.”

For more information, follow the Exmore Police Department on Facebook, or visit www.exmore.org.

ANPDC Transportation Committee submits proposed plans for Food Lion Shopping Center

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A 2016 traffic safety report by the Virginia Department of Transportation found that the Cape Charles/Stone Road intersection was one of 25 hotspots that were addressed in the analysis.

Key concerns at the intersection include buses stopping unexpectedly at the railroad crossing adjacent to the traffic signal, which has been associated with some rear end crashes, along with nighttime crashes, according to the highway department presentation.

The Transportation Technical Advisory Committee, a committee of the ANPDC met last month to discuss the proposed traffic improvements around the Food Lion shopping center. Below are the proposed plans that were submitted at the meeting:

Transportation Technical Advisory Committee proposed plans for Food Lion shopping center.