Join Jim Baugh outdoors with bottom fishing onboard Miss Jennifer out of Kings Creek (Cherrystone Campground) and Oyster Harvest on the Chesapeake Bay with guest Wayne Bradby.
Concerned Citizens of Cape Charles ratcheting up attacks on Coastal Precast Concrete
Thursday’s Town Council Meeting began with letters from the group The Concerned Citizens of Cape Charles, ratcheting up their attacks on the Coastal Precast Concrete plant.
Town Clerk Libby Hume read letters for nearly 40 minutes, the majority voicing disgust and anger against the work taking place on the industrial zoned property.
Coastal Concrete reopened the old Bayshore plant after it closed in 2018, supplying jobs to Northampton County residents.
The pressure from the concerned group of citizens is beginning to take on a serious tone. The group is hoping to bring in Delegate Rob Bloxom and Senator Lynwood Lewis to help put a stop to the work, thereby alleviating what they consider the nuisance of dust and noise caused by the folks working at the plant.
The complaints ranged from accusations that the plant was polluting the environment and destroying Cape Charles’ natural habitat, that particulate matter in the form of dust could cause respiratory disease and cancer, as well as claims that the noise was making all the old people irritable.
It should be noted that when taxpayer monies were used to construct the new connector road leading right into Bayshore, not a peep was made because Bay Creek residents were happy to get a shiny new highway for their neighborhood. Now that the road is being leveraged by the working class, all of a sudden it has become an issue.
It should also be noted, that the Mirror has confirmed that several of the complaints are coming from people with incomes in the high six figures, as well as retirees with massive nest eggs.
While the party line of the so-called concerned citizens is “we don’t want the plant to close”, private conversations expose this sentiment as a lie. The ultimate goal is to shut down the plant and remove the last vestige of blue-collar working-class blokes, most of which have been run off and squeezed out by the gentrification of Cape Charles.
Opinion
It seems the apartheid gates of Bay Creek weren’t strong enough to contain the intellectual sludge from leeching into the historic district. The “elites” that have moved here and turned the town into a pathetic joke, will not be content until the will of the northeast liberal Bourgeois has fully eradicated all signs of local shore people.
Unless these people shut up, or hopefully move away, this schism will never be closed. The divide runs very deep, as the last presidential election proved. Cape Charles is nothing but a microcosm of the class hatred and bigotry that defines the new America.
The election of 2020 exposed the deep rift that exists between liberal elites in high density, wealthy urban centers (and who have now moved down here), and the rural working class. The angst generated by Coastal Precast Concrete comes from the fact that these elites that “come here” have no real understanding or appreciation of what it means to be working class. They have nothing but contempt for the kind of jobs available for them, the kind of jobs needed to provide for their families.
The war on Coastal Precast Concrete is a war on the working class. The divide between the “working class” and the “elite” is the defining issue in American politics, especially at the local level.
The folks that make up the working class on the lower Eastern Shore have experienced economic stagnation–social mobility has declined, while inequality has widened as wealthy retirees have moved into their homes, taken over neighborhoods, as well as the town council.
The plant reopening was a wish come true for many that have lived and grown up here.
While the dust and noise generated by ordinary men at work may seem to be the issue, the distrust and disdain expose something more insidious and deep-seated.
Drawing for Buck Doughty Sculpture
Northampton Historic Preservation Society (NHPS) has commissioned local artist Albert K. “Buck” Doughty to sculpt a metal rendition of “Pear Valley,” a colonial-era yeoman’s cottage near Machipongo. “This sculpture exceeds my expectations,” Mike Ash, NHPS’s president, said. “Buck is known for his metal artistry, but I’ve never seen one quite like this. We are very pleased to offer this opportunity for someone to own it.”
Buck was nicknamed “Man of Steel” in a 2019 Chesapeake Bay Magazine article written by Bill Sterling. Well known for his exquisite metal sculptures of wildlife, sea life, and marshland vegetation, Buck embraces a challenge. He visited Pear Valley before beginning this project and, with a craftsman’s eye for detail, decided that the final form had to include the exposed attic joists that are a unique feature of this 1740 cottage. “It is an incredible house,” Buck said. His appreciation of Pear Valley, a National Registered Landmark, shows in this unique sculpture.
Tickets ($10.00 each) for a spring drawing are on sale at Book Bin, Rayfield’s Pharmacies, Lemon Tree Gallery, and through NHPS’s website: www.northamptonhistoricpreservationsociety.com.
Check the website for news of when and where the drawing will be held. (You don’t have to be present to win.) Proceeds go toward the preservation of the Court Green’s 1907 Jail in Eastville.
The sculpture’s dimensions are 10x13x13 inches and 33 pounds. It can be seen at Lemon Tree Gallery in Cape Charles. Don’t miss this opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind, Buck Doughty sculpture of a national, yet local, historic treasure.
Town Approves new rate structure for the Harbor
The Town of Cape Charles voted to approve a new rate structure for the harbor. According to the town, the goal of the new rates is to improve the financial position of the harbor which currently does not bring in sufficient revenue to cover both operations and needed major maintenance of the infrastructure.
The notes that based on research conducted by CCYC, they believe the new rates will increase revenue without reducing occupancy.
The dockage rates are as follows:
Dockage Seasonal/Long-Term Monthly (3-month min) $10/ft
Dockage Transient Monthly $15/ft
Dockage Transient Daily (up to 70′) $3/ft
Dockage Transient Daily (over 70′) $4/ft
The following dockage discounts would apply:
• Town Residents – thirty percent (30%)
• Commercial/Waterman (long-term) – fifty percent (50%)
• Commercial/Waterman (transient) – twenty percent (20%)
• Current annual slip holders (in good standing):
– Twenty percent (20%) in 2021
– Ten percent (10%) in 2022
• Yacht Clubs may be considered for discounts depending on availability
Proposed electric rates:
Water Monthly $5/mo
30A Electric Daily $5/day
30A Electric Monthly $35/mo
50A Electric Daily $15/day
50A Electric Monthly $105/mo
100A Electric Daily $25/day
100A Electric Monthly $175/mo
Other Rates:
Commercial Gear, Pots, and Non-motorized Equipment Storage rate:
• $30/week, per 20-foot by 20-foot area (after 15 days, and not for washing crab pots) • $50/day, Improper gear storage (left on the walkway) No fee for Pressure Washing: • $10/Event
Rentals:
• Gazebo: $150/Event
• West Parking Lot: $75/Event
Cape Charles approves ordinance changes for sidewalk traffic
The Cape Charles Town Council approved changes to the town zoning ordinance regulating sidewalk traffic. Section 42-7 omits the requirement to install official signage where the town may choose to limit or stop the operation of non-motor vehicles on sidewalks. The current town code currently prohibits the operation of non-motor vehicles, such as bicycles and skateboards, on all sidewalks and pedestrian paths.
According to state code, without signage, the town cannot enforce the sidewalk prohibitions.
The revision approved by the council brings sections 42-7 into compliance with state law. Council now needs to designate by separate action those sidewalks subject to the prohibition, and also, which may not.
Official signage will then need to be implemented through the VDOT process.
Town Council moves forward to investigate sale of utilities
Town Council moved Thursday to continue looking into the sale of the town’s utilities to AQUA Virginia. AQUA Virginia submitted an unsolicited proposal in 2020. The town has also received an additional unsolicited proposal from Virginia American Water (VAW).
Cape Charles is not committed to the current proposals.
With the council’s approval, the town will advance the AQUA Virginia and Virginia American Water unsolicited proposals to the detailed stage of the Town’s PPEA guidelines.
Katie Nunez returns as part-time Cape Charles Zoning Administrator
The Town of Cape Charles has reached an agreement with Katherine Nunez to perform as zoning administrator on a part-time, temporary basis. The town will continue recruitment efforts for the permanent position.
Katie Nunez has served as the Northampton County Administrator for 11 years before the Board of Supervisors decided to cut the position.
PODCAST: Bread and Circus Feb 20, 2021
In this week’s show we look at old Soviet News, more Covid-19, and the war against the Coastal Precast here in Cape Charle:
Pet of the Week: Meet Morris
Meet Morris
Hi, I’m Morris and I’m a handsome tabby & white male kitten. I’m 1 year old and have been neutered. I am friendly and outgoing and also love to play. I’m living with siblings and friends now, and should do ok with other cats. I’ve not meet dogs yet.
I am litter box trained and up to date on vaccines and negative for FeLV/FIV.
We are open by appointment only; email shorespca@gmail.com to request an application as we are arranging visits after applications are submitted.
Lost Dog: Found in Parksley Area, please help
Found on Leemont Rd./Big Rd. Leemont/Parksley area. If you know this dog please call the ESRACF facility to find out how to reclaim your dog 757-787-7091.
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