As it was revealed this week that media outlets worked overtime to bury the Hunter Biden laptop scandal, linking the Biden family to dubious activities in Ukraine, this story has resurfaced from 2019. It reports that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi may have used her position to benefit financially.
Cape Charles Librarian Ann Rutledge to Retire
Cape Charles Memorial Library’s librarian Ann Rutledge has announced her intention to retire effective April 1, 2022.
Rutledge has directed the library for almost 20 years, beginning her career here back in 2002. In that time, she has steered the library into a more modern and contemporary footing. Her work has built social capital for the town, establishing a firm infrastructure that provided the setting and context for so much community participation.
Over the years, Ann has developed numerous programs for the children and youth in the Town and County and was instrumental in providing IT and computer services to town residents.
Rutledge will be difficult to replace, but she has established a professional foundation that will carry the library forward for the next generation.
Citizen Huchler: Analysis of Utilities Sale
The following statement is from Loraine Huchler, P.E., CMC®, FIMC. Mrs. Huchler succinctly and accurately puts the sale of Cape Charles’ water and wastewater utilities in perspective. This week, the Cape Charles Town Council voted to enter negotiations with VAW to sell off town utilities. The mantra coming out of Plum Street is that this in no way obligates the town and that no decision has been made. During the Special Meeting, Councilmember Follmer went full Nancy Pelosi (we have to pass the bill to see what’s in the bill) in defending his vote to enter negotiations by saying that they need to do this to get all their questions answered. Really? Wouldn’t you rather have all answers before entering the negotiation phase? We’ve heard over and over that no decision has been made. My Sicilian grandmother would say, whenever someone has to say that they haven’t made a decision more than once, they’ve already decided.
Below are Mrs. Huchler’s comments to Town Council:
Two weeks ago, we had the first opportunity to hear from the PPEA consultant and Virginia American Water (VAW). The council listened; the town manager had some answers that were not very helpful – like the details for the 10-year operating and capital cost projections if the Town keeps the plant. The answer was – they don’t have that kind of specific data. Does the Town really want to rely on unvalidated cost projections for the base case to make a huge financial, town-quality-of-life, and political decision?
At the town hall meeting, the town manager urged patience; that it was still early in the process. Here we are, two weeks later, already entering into negotiations. Did the council investigate the impact of concerns raised by stakeholders? Or has the council already made up their minds that they will proceed with the sale?
Here’s the elephant in the room: the annexation agreement that obligates Preserve Communities (formerly Bay Creek) to contribute funds to expand the plants as they build more houses and the demand increases. The wastewater plant is already exceeding permitted volumes on some summer weekends. What is the planning commission’s projection about that date – and, more importantly, the “drop dead” date – e. g. the time that the town would have to start planning the build out?
The language in the annexation agreement is clear: whoever currently owns the development must fund the future build out. Is the town confident that Preserve’s liability would transfer to the new owner, VAW? Would the town’s liability transfer to VAW? The town has been escrowing a portion of revenues in reserve accounts. The town manager said that the escrowed funds would not be transferred to VAW. Would the town use these funds as a bargaining chip to sell the plant? Would VAW discount their offer based on the disposition of these escrowed funds? Does the town have a legal opinion regarding the town’s liability to VAW with respect to the annexation agreement? The Town Manager indicated that the agreement is poorly worded and has no data about Preserves’ fair contribution. How can the Town be confident that VAW won’t proceed to sue the Town for the Town’s escrowed funds and/or for Preserve’s liability when the time for the future expansion arrives?
Finally, I want to caution the council about treating the current rate projections as accurate. They’re not accurate; they are a projection based on the PPEA consultant’s estimates. VAW would not provide any specific information about rates – except to imply that they would be lower once the rate consolidation process was complete.
Rate consolidation spreads the operating and capital costs across all ratepayers. The biggest costs are for infrastructure. Compared to the other VAW service areas, Cape Charles is a stranded utility – it has the smallest ratepayer base and service area and modern plants that require minimal capital improvements but it’s wildly expensive to expand the service area. The other service areas are mostly high-density suburban or rural-suburban that have had rapid population growth and infrastructure expansion.
The bottom line is that, in the long term, rate consolation will not keep the rates low in Cape Charles. Instead, it’s likely that Cape Charles – with lower-than-average capital and infrastructure costs – will be subsidizing the costs for other systems. A review of the commission that grants rate increases shows staggering increases every several years. Ready: 2008 – 9%; 2010 – 14%; 2011 – 6%; 2015 – 10%; 2018 – 3%; 2021 – 28% increase has been requested but not yet approved. Municipal officials from all of the districts have been protesting these increases – with little or no effect. When we talk about loss of control over rates – this is what it looks like.
Despite analysis such as this, in the March 5th PPEA Message #5 from the Town Manager, it stated: “During these presentations, with the help of our consultant, we tried to outline two potential ways forward. The first was the status quo option, with the Town retaining ownership and operation of these systems. The second was the option of selling our water and wastewater utilities to Virginia American Water (VAW). In general terms, this analysis showed that if we keep these systems, our rates will likely increase over the next ten years. But if we sell these utilities, rates are likely to decrease over that same period of time.”
The data supplied by Loraine Huchler seems to dispute the notion that rates will actually decrease over time.
Mayor Dize will not seek re-election
Mayor “Smitty” Dize has announced that he will not seek re-election. Dize made the announcement via a video posted on Facebook on March 4th.
While not unexpected, Dize noted that he needed to take some time off to re-charge and just take some time for himself. For the moment, this ends a successful run of service to the town for Mr. Dize. His tenure dates back to 2007 when he was Harbormaster. Dize is credited with thinking outside the box, and making the beach and harbor true destinations. Dize is credited with the creation of events such as the Cape Charles Clam Slam.
He did not rule out a run for office in the future.
Dize congratulated himself and his fellow council members for “moving the town forward”, a notion that creates a bit of disconcertment for some locals. As many locals will attest, progress cuts both ways–one person’s forward is usually ten other persons backward. It’s all a matter of perspective and point of view. Can we be honest: has any town council done more damage to locals than this one? Is it fair to call this gentrification? For many locals, the “new”, more forward-leaning Cape Charles is a place, at least in the summer that they avoid, not come to.
Despite the unintentional collateral damage to the local culture, Dize’s defining moment as a mayor came during his stalwart defense of the Northampton County working people. As a subterranean opposition mounted against Coastal Precast, an effort by newly minted retirees to severely curtail and even run off the concrete plant, Mayor Dize held his ground, casting the deciding vote which allowed the business to prosper and essentially rest a little easier in this location.
The farewell did have its ominous moments.
As Dize prepared his departure, he appeared to be taking aim at any local ‘born here’ types that may be considering a run for mayor. He warned citizens not to vote for someone that would want to undo the so-called “progress” of the last few years, someone that would take the town backward. He seemed to infer that, if you were born on the Shore, especially in Cape Charles, you are somehow a threat or menace. It was a curious moment, and many were left wondering where all that animosity was coming from, and who it was actually directed toward.
With Dize out, the play and jockeying have already begun. There are some, even some fairly young ones that have already stated their desire for the role.
Mirror Prediction: Tammy Holloway will run for mayor, and will win with 63+ % of the vote. Holloway has paid her dues–she has worked and volunteered for almost every community-focused organization including the wonderful New Roots Garden. She has served on Town Council, so she understands that aspect of the game. She was also instrumental in establishing the town’s Main Street initiative. We feel she also really understands the need to balance the success of businesses with the town’s overall quality of life. No one loves the town more, or is a bigger advocate for all things Cape Charles. She is the best person for the job, hands down. You read it here first, and the Mirror is never wrong. Well, we were wrong once, but that was the time we thought we were wrong.
So it goes.
Central Park Fountain May Finally Get Repairs
The fountain at the west entrance of Central Park is finally set to be repaired.
A contract was awarded in May 2021 to Excel Paving Corporation in the amount of $35,830 to correct longstanding problems with leakage and maintenance of the surrounding landscaping.
Public Works completed the preparatory work in February, however, that work caused “severe” damage to the fountain containment base. As it stands, without design changes, the same problems may return, even after the repair.
Capital Projects Manager Bob Panek told the Mirror, “A contract has been awarded to Excel Paving for the renovation. The work has been delayed for quite a while due to supply chain disruptions associated with the underground storage tank and concrete colorant. Council will be considering a change order next Thursday to add some additional work to the contract. I anticipate work starting shortly after that.”
Excel Paving has developed a contract change order for $16,250 that will create a sloped overlay of custom mix concrete for the entire base, including redesigning the perimeter drainage system. The change order brings the contract value to $52,080.
$30,000 is available for the work (Town Council budgeted funds for the Mason Avenue parking project assuming VDOT approval of the head-in angle parking design waiver. Council has made the decision to terminate this project due to the restrictions proposed by VDOT in considering the design waiver request).
Town Council will vote Thursday on whether to allocate these funds for the fountain repairs.
Town to Discuss Future Priorities
At the next Cape Charles Town Council Regular Meeting (March 17th @ 6:30), Town Council and the Town Manager Projects will discuss the major projects and priorities that are still on the table.
Below is a rough list of those projects, and a tentative priority. Town Council will review this and its priority status:
• Develop the FY23 Budget and CAMP – execute capital project priorities
• Continue to evaluate the merits of a potential sale of our water/wastewater utilities
o Negotiate terms for final agreements
o Continue public process
o If deemed beneficial, file with the SCC
• Work with consultant to finish revision of the Historic District Design Guidelines and associated zoning
• Work with consultant to finish Comprehensive Plan update
o Determine Harbor District vision for inclusion in Comp Plan
• Trail Project – Phase 3 – Peach Street
• Work with consultant to finish Zoning Ordinance updates (outside of historic district updates)
• Work with consultant to finish overall municipal code update (outside of zoning)
• Work with consultant to finish addressing options regarding Town office space deficiencies/safety
• Develop and bring forward short-term rental regulations/ordinances
• Develop recommendations for boat/RV parking issues in the historic district
• Put together options and public discussion on ARPA funding
• Put together comprehensive beach/dune development and maintenance plan
• Work with developers/agencies to develop options for workforce housing
• Pursue development of shared revenue agreement with the County
• Pursue legislative priorities
• Develop/update parking plan for the commercial district
• 2022 Strategic Plan end-of-year annual survey and update
Note, while the Town has many dedicated staff members doing very i
No Biking or Skateboarding on the Sidewalks
Reminder from Grandpa: The Town Council has adopted an ordinance prohibiting bikes, skateboards, and similar wheeled conveyances from certain sidewalks on Mason Avenue to promote pedestrian safety. The prohibition will encompass the north side of Mason Avenue from Peach Street to Harbor Avenue, the south side of Mason Avenue from Peach Street to Pine Street, and Strawberry Street Plaza.
This will become effective when official signs have been posted. As these sidewalks are in the state right of-way, installation of the signs requires VDOT approval.
The Town has started that process, and the signs should be installed by Public Works sometime this spring.
Cape Charles Police Notes for Feb 2022
The CCPD answered 50 calls in town last month, while assisting the County Sheriff’s Department 6 times, and the State Police once.
There were only 4 misdemeanor arrests (DUI, refusal), and no felony arrests.
32 Traffic Tickets were handed out, as well as 14 traffic warnings. 2 parking tickets were written.
The force spent 27 hours on foot patrol in town, conducted 75 building checks, and spent 27 hours patrolling Bay Creek.
In other February activity, the CCPD assisted Hampton police division in search for Codi Bigsby. Codi was reported missing by his father, Cory, who told police he woke up the morning of January 31 and his son was nowhere to be found.
Water and Wastewater Snapshot
The Cape Charles wastewater plant treated an average of 120,617 gallons a day last week. Peake usage was 145,397 gallons on March 1st. In February, the plant treated 3,506,674 million gallons averaging 125,238 gallons a day.
Utility Staff performed normal maintenance on the Plant and collection system, as well as maintenance on the emergency holding tank, and assisted with the repair of the UV system. New alarm systems were installed at the Fig, Washington, and Mason Ave., pump stations.
The water plant produced 755,163 gallons produced with 85,000 gallons used for process. The average daily use was 107,880 gallons. The peak day was also March 1st, 128,350 gallons.
Please Donate to SPCA Murphy’s Fund
This wonderful dog Cocko needs your help! Please donate to the ES SPCA’s ‘Murphy’s Fund’ to help provide needed medical treatment for SPCA shelter pets. The normal budget handles ordinary expenses like routine testing on intake and basic immunizations but when animals staying at our shelter need non-routine medical treatment, such as Heartworm treatments, ‘Murphy’s Fund’ comes to the rescue.
‘Murphy’s Fund’ is kept solvent by the donations placed in our dog banks located at a number of local businesses and by the generous support of individual donors who ask specifically that their donations be placed in ‘Murphy’s Fund’.
Over the years, many of our temporary residents have benefited from the availability of money in ‘Murphy’s Fund’ by providing them with extraordinary medical care and life-saving heartworm treatments.
If you would like to donate to ‘Murphy’s Fund’, we have a secure, yellow donate button on our webpage shorespca.com and the donate box on their FB page also redirects you to our webpage.
You can also call us (757-787-7385) to donate OR mail a check to: Eastern Shore SPCAPO Box 16426528 Lankford Hwy.Onley, VA 23418
When they have money on hand in ‘Murphy’s Fund’, they can provide treatment in a timely manner without having to wait until emergency funds can be raised. Unfortunately, the SPCA needs to raise more funds to help other sweet souls.
Thank you so much for continuing to make it possible to provide this lifesaving care for Choco. Choco will be available for adoption AFTER completing Heartworm treatments.
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