CAPE CHARLES, Va. — A major electrical issue at the Cape Charles Civic Center left the building without internet service and damaged multiple pieces of equipment, town officials said this week.
Town Clerk Libby Hume spent several hours on the phone with Spectrum in mid-July trying to resolve the internet outage remotely, but the problem could not be fixed, prompting a technician visit. IT contractor Trevon, who was already at Town Hall, accompanied Hume to the Civic Center to meet with the Spectrum representative.
The technician determined that the problem was electrical rather than internet-related. An electrician was called, who then contacted the Accomack-Northampton Electric Cooperative (ANEC). According to ANEC, the issue could have sparked a fire in the building if left unaddressed. ANEC repaired a fault in its line, but all surge protectors in the Civic Center were destroyed, and most electronic equipment in the building was damaged except for the televisions, officials said.
A second Spectrum service ticket was opened on July 18 to reinstall internet service, and the town’s audio/visual contractor was contacted to assess the building’s sound system and cameras ahead of the Aug. 5 Planning Commission meeting.
When the Spectrum technician attempted to plug in the modem during the follow-up visit, sparks were observed, indicating ongoing electrical issues. Another electrician was called on Monday, July 21, to continue repairs.
I highly doubt this is in any way accidental of from old or faulty wiring. It was more than likely tampered with to help the town find a way to tear the building down or renovate it. They don’t really care about the old building anymore. Just so happens to happen while the technician was already in town at another town building sounds suspicious. Not only does/did the town have someone embezzling, now you have someone committing some type of insurance fraud. (I assume).