• Local Produce
  • Buy Local
  • Local Seafood
  • Local Food
  • Local Music
  • Local Art
  • Local Churches

CAPE CHARLES MIRROR

Reflections on Cape Charles and the Eastern Shore

  • Local Services
  • Local Rentals
  • Local Employment
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Classifieds
  • Pets
  • Contact Us
  • Rant and Rave
  • Asses&Villains

Angry Citizens Attend Townhall

August 15, 2021 by 39 Comments

On Tuesday, Cape Charles held a townhall style meeting to host the continuing saga of the Coastal Precast rezoning request. Southport, LLC would like to sell parcel 90-8-1a1 to Coastal, however, without amending the text of the zoning ordinance, and rezoning the parcel from Harbor to GBI H-1 Light Industrial, Coastal will not be able to use the property for the intended uses.

Opposition comes from various angles, such as saving the tree canopy to wetlands encroachment, to harming the view shed from the nature trail.

All this hullaballoo seems odd, and lacking in historical context.

In August of 2016, the Cape Charles Town Council approved amending the zoning map for parcel 83A3-11-2 from the current Harbor District designation to the proposed Industrial M – 2. This parcel sits right on the harbor itself, and uses include manufacturing, sales, and distribution of concrete and related products, Port facilities; marine, rail, trucking, and/or intermodal terminals, including transfer, storage, handling, inspection, processing, and/or transport of containerized, bulk, and/or other cargo, Marinas, docks, and wharves, if contiguous to the Cape Charles Harbor, Railroad tracks, sidings, yards, or roundhouses.  Language was even inserted to require a special use permit to construct a building over 50 feet.

At the time, there was no opposition to this at all. Not a peep out of anyone.

Fast forward to 2021, and to the real point, the citizens opposed to the text amendments and rezoning are really against the presence of the concrete plant.

That’s what this is all about.

While using the prescribed language, such as ‘we like the plant’, or ‘they have been good neighbors’, the backroom scheming and scorched earth agenda of this group has been known for some time. They hate the plant and the end game is make it go away. And the jobs with it.

This group of concerned citizens hired a lawyer to represent their interests. Unfortunately, the man’s suit looked like he just purchased it off the rack somewhere (fashion tip: Men’s Warehouse), and his argument was weaker than his fashion sensibility. His presentation was completely off-point, and did not begin to address the matter at hand – provide some data as to why the zoning is improper. Instead, the topic wandered off into wells, aquafers, and water usage.

Actually, every single person that spoke against the rezoning was completely off point. They may hate the plant, but no one could make a cogent argument against the proposed zoning.

Embarrassingly, they veered off into the ‘I stand for open and transparent government’ arguments—apparently, they never read all the public notices placed in the ES Post.

Worse, efforts were made to impugn the character and integrity of Town Manager Hozey. One citizen even used FOIA to obtain correspondences amongst the parties involved, and stated that since he supposedly spent over 20 years working for the worst newspaper in Virginia, he was somehow an expert on government transparency, and that the emails implied corruption and malfeasance. That interested parties, including the Town would actually discuss nuances of such an endeavor is, just shocking!

Oh please, just sit down. Nobody cares.

The preening became almost unbearable. Not a single person cares or is impressed with what these ninnies did before they retired and congealed here on the Cape Charles grid. One guy, who was so begging to be taken seriously, made sure everyone knew that he, just like Homer Simpson, had worked in the nuclear energy field. He was also the type of person that tucks his polo shirt into his freshly ironed shorts, and even wears a belt with this ensemble. The perfect outfit to achieve zero credibility.

For real, just sit down.

Then there’s the environmental freaks. At least three people got up and howled, “What about the environmental studies? Did they happen? If not, when?”

Ignorance is never really an excuse. Read my lips–nothing happens until some project is proposed for the property, at which point every agency on the planet will get a taste, from DEQ to the VRMC. This point was only clarified 5 times during the meeting, yet people continued taking up oxygen and belaboring this well into the night.

I can’t emphasize enough how much it distorts public policy that only the most ignorant people show up for public meetings like this.

Unless someone can actually point to the zoning ordinance and say right now in August 2021 why that parcel cannot be zoned light industrial, Town Council has no public policy reason not to approve the proposed changes. It’s blood simple.

If the glove don’t fit, you must acquit.

Town Council will take this up at the next Regular Meeting, August 19th.

Filed Under: Bottom, News

Comments

  1. John Silvestro says

    August 15, 2021 at 12:30 pm

    Mr Creed. Are you reporting news, or has your expertise developed as fashion commentaries

    Note: I can tell everything about a person’s character by how they dress. I am always 100% correct. Gianni Versace knew this. Your comment is stupid.

    Reply
  2. Virginia Gentleman says

    August 15, 2021 at 12:45 pm

    LoL. I thought it an hilarious commentary. Sunday morning Comics, make a comeback?

    Take a deep breathe everyone !

    Reply
  3. Stan Dykstra says

    August 15, 2021 at 12:49 pm

    Without having been in attendance, I will venture a guess that most of the opposition to the plant came from those that are secure in their nest egg or pension plan and have little interest in the wage earners of Northampton County trying to raise a family and in need of good paying jobs.

    Reply
    • Bill says

      August 16, 2021 at 3:39 pm

      Hey Stan – who cares if that’s the case. It’s irrelevant.

      The Cape Charles TC is supposed to prioritize the interests of the town. Not the surrounding county – not some wanna be real estate mogul. If a proposition puts residents of THE TOWN at risk, that should be driving TC’a decision making. That’s is their only scope.

      Reply
      • Suzanne Conrow says

        August 21, 2021 at 4:07 pm

        Stan, I agree with you 100 percent! That plant was here long before these people and is badly needed!

        Reply
  4. CC Mouse says

    August 15, 2021 at 12:55 pm

    Wayne Creed continues to bring the news to an ever increasing WOKE ELITE town that has become so full of itself that most citizens don’t see how ridiculous they appear. And he does it with good humor. Keep up the good work Wayne. You are a living treasure.

    Reply
    • Stuart Bell says

      August 15, 2021 at 1:41 pm

      Let us not emmulate colored folks.

      It is AWAKENED, not WOKE.

      Reply
      • Laura says

        August 16, 2021 at 2:20 pm

        “Colored Folks” REALLY!!! Come on is this 1950?. They are not “colored”. Let’s catch up with equity. They are African Americans. Just like the “white folk” are really European Americans. We all belong here.

        Reply
        • Stuart Bell says

          August 16, 2021 at 7:28 pm

          If it is good enough for the NAACP, it is good enough for the rest of Americans.

          \He is Awakened, not Him’s Woke.

          Political correctness has coddled you to accepting some type of double standard. I am a Native American, as I was born in The United States of America and surely not a European American. Last I checked We The People whipped the Europeans A$$es in The Revolution and again in 1812.

          Reply
        • Paul Plante says

          August 16, 2021 at 9:21 pm

          Today, they call themselves “persons of color.”

          And some of them actually bristle, and rightfully so, the ones who were born here, when you call them “African-Americans,” because they didn’t come here from Africa.

          They actually resent that label, which was imposed on them by liberal white people without them having any say in the matter, and who can blame them.

          Reply
      • Karen Lowe says

        August 16, 2021 at 2:42 pm

        Wow! “Colored folks?!?!?!?!”

        Really?
        How racist of you!

        And I EMULATE any person of quality, kindness, manners and ethics, regardless of skin color.

        Reply
        • Stuart Bell says

          August 16, 2021 at 7:53 pm

          Bless your heart. If it is good enough for the, tax exempt, NAACP it is good enough for you amd me.

          Racism is an attitude that takes place in one’s head.
          Discrimination is an overt act that takes place in the real world.

          Most people who are called a Racist, myself included, have no earthly way of Discriminating against anyone of any race, color or creed….by that I mean I do not rent, sell or do business of any kind where I could use someones race against them. Bless your heart. Baaaaahhhhh, Baaaaahhhhhhh baaaaahhh.

          Reply
        • Stuart Bell says

          August 20, 2021 at 4:22 pm

          Any Questions ?!?!?!?!

          Reply
      • David Muir says

        August 21, 2021 at 9:00 pm

        If you’re going to start lecturing people on word usage, it’s probably a good idea to learn how to spell first.

        Reply
  5. Slide-Easy says

    August 15, 2021 at 1:08 pm

    Trump Won.

    Fauci Lied.

    Ashli Babbitt Died.

    Reply
    • This Channel Has Been Removed says

      August 17, 2021 at 8:01 pm

      I’ve been convinced all day long that the real purpose behind Biden’s “botched” withdrawal from Afghanistan was to create US support for a massive influx of Afghani political refugees. I believe that China, Obama, the Global Elites and the Deep State have wanted this all along. Look at what they did to Europe. Biden does not intend to vet these people. This is just another part of the Globalist/China planned take down of the USA. Biden did exactly what his puppet masters told him to do and then lied about it to the American people.

      Reply
  6. Chip Moore says

    August 15, 2021 at 3:53 pm

    Spot on Wayne!

    I just wonder how many of the Angry Karens actually are full time residents, pay personal property tax and have the ability to vote here???

    Reply
    • Bill says

      August 16, 2021 at 3:36 pm

      Most if not all of the angry citizens. There’s now a coalition that’s representing the vast majority of CC residents And home owners that do not see more CPS as good for the town.

      Reply
  7. Christoper Shepherd says

    August 15, 2021 at 5:07 pm

    Mr. Creed,

    Sent you a long email discussing/criticizing your piece. I dare you to publish it in its entirety.

    Note: Send it, then you can sit down and STFU.

    Reply
    • BillyB says

      August 16, 2021 at 4:37 pm

      I wanna see it too!! 😂

      Note: 🤷‍♂️

      Reply
  8. Tom Finn says

    August 15, 2021 at 6:01 pm

    I viewed the entire public meeting online.
    I think it was very worthwhile having the CEO of Coastal Concrete speak and answer questions.

    If Coastal can obtain some of the offshore windmill contracts it bodes well for future employment in green energy for Cape Charles and Northampton County.
    Whatever happens on the site will still need a conditional use permit from the Town Council.

    Hiring attorneys from the other side of the bay to interject questions having nothing to do with the town meetings purpose that evening was not helpful. Plus it turns out, as was pointed out by the properties owner, the well water system of the town is completely independent of Coastal Concretes water system. Maybe next time the gentleman should do his homework if he is being paid to participate.

    I think the town managers letter to the public dated July 20th regarding the rezoning was well written and informative. So I believe there have been 4 public meetings on the lot rezoning including a town hall meeting. Seems pretty transparent to me.

    Reply
    • Reggie says

      August 15, 2021 at 10:28 pm

      It must be noted that Mr. Finn plans to run for Mayor of Cape Charles
      In the next turn and is well qualified being that he was the town mgr.
      Of Summerville, Va.

      Reply
  9. Brand says

    August 15, 2021 at 8:34 pm

    How many CC residents work at the plant..?

    Note: Zero. After gentrification, none of them can afford to live there. Next question, where do they, teachers, police, and others live after Northerners have bought up all the property and turned it into vacation rentals?

    Reply
    • BillyB says

      August 16, 2021 at 4:40 pm

      Not true. I work there and have a Cape Charles address.

      Note: Yes, but if you live in Cheriton, you also have a Cape Charles address…weird yes, but it’s a Postal thing, we wouldn’t understand.”

      Reply
  10. Bill says

    August 16, 2021 at 1:32 am

    Wow this is garbage journalism.

    Inaccurately criticizes people for not making legitimate points by focusing on what they were wearing instead of making any legitimate points.

    THIS is why most in Cale Charles call this “publication” a joke.

    Note: Where’s ‘Cale’ Charles. Sound’s like a healthy place, I want to go there!

    Reply
  11. Tom Finn says

    August 16, 2021 at 1:16 pm

    No Reggie Tom Finn is not running for Mayor ….nor was Town Manager anywhere in Va. …..but do enjoy the Cape Charles community.

    Reply
    • Paul Plante says

      August 16, 2021 at 9:26 pm

      You sound like you would actually make a good mayor.

      Reply
  12. Brand says

    August 17, 2021 at 1:36 pm

    Without all those Northerners CC would be just a pit stop with a giant noisy, dusty, concrete plant .

    Reply
    • Nioaka Marshall says

      August 17, 2021 at 8:19 pm

      But our families could make a decent living and live in a tight knit community.

      Reply
  13. Erin Grace says

    August 18, 2021 at 12:30 am

    I get that many property owners and real estate companies in Cape Charles would like to get rid of the concrete plant because it’s noisy and dusty and can detract from the local recreation. But, I think the concrete business helps diversify the local economy. I think that is beneficial to Cape Charles and the local economy and would benefit the community in terms of jobs and hopefully taxes.

    Reply
    • Bill says

      August 18, 2021 at 12:07 pm

      Hi Erin,

      Thanks for your comment…some things to consider. I doubt anyone feels so strongly that they want to get rid of the concrete plant.

      The concern is over enabling expansion of the plant through these text and zoning changes. Expansion of the plant has potential to impact home values and quality of life in Cape Charles.

      In terms of the benefits of enabling the plant to expand…there are none to the town.

      -They only paid 25k in taxes to Cape Charles last year (that’s only about 5 homes worth of personal property tax)

      -CPS has admitted they can’t promise jobs, especially not jobs to Cape Charles residents, and not for several years

      -Lastly, more of the same business / company does not diversify a local economy, we’d need a different player or industry to accomplish that

      John Hozey and several members of TC have been trying to pull the wool over the public’s eyes.

      The only people this development is good for is Eyre and the leadership of CPS that lives in the main land.

      Reply
  14. Brand says

    August 18, 2021 at 6:03 pm

    The concrete plant does nothing for CC…no jobs, not enough tax dollars. It has to go.!

    Reply
    • Nioaka Marshall says

      August 19, 2021 at 8:14 pm

      I have a much better idea. Why don’t YOU go. That plant was there long before you and just because you want it to go, it ain’t going to happen Cap’n.

      Reply
    • Puppy Drum says

      August 20, 2021 at 2:38 pm

      The issue is that an unfair amount of the CPS tax dollars bypass Cape Charles and go to Northampton County and the State.

      Cape Charles needs to push back on Northampton County to get their fair share back from the county.

      They said everything they sell is taxed at 6.1%, and they remitted something like $250,000 last month (just one month) to the state for sales taxes at last night’s meeting on August 19th.

      Reply
  15. Whatever says

    August 18, 2021 at 11:57 pm

    Best thing I can see to do is take the world’s largest bulldozer, shove the whole town right in the harbor. Problem solved. I grew up in and around town, went to school there. The whole heart of Cape Charles is long gone now. Some folks just never get it.

    Note: Agreed, right on point. The people that have congealed in Cape Charles have completely destroyed it.

    Reply
    • Tom Haskins says

      August 19, 2021 at 12:22 pm

      This is all it took for me to know it was gone:

      http://www.capecharlesmirror.com/opinion/destination-gay-cape-charles/

      Reply
    • Brand says

      August 19, 2021 at 8:54 pm

      Stuck in the past

      Reply
      • Stuart Bell says

        August 20, 2021 at 12:09 pm

        If they put your brain on the edge of a razorblade it would look like a bowling ball rolling down a 4 lane highway.

        Reply

Leave a Reply to David Muir Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Join the Conversation!

Send letters, opinion, goings on or photos to capecharlesmirror@gmail.com

Mirrors

Recent Comments

  • Doug Luther on Rep. Luria and USDA Announce Nearly $1 Million Investment on Eastern Shore
  • Tom on Surfer Rules: August 2022
  • Madam X on Cape Charles Police Officers Graduate
  • Paul Plante on Asses&Villains: Roe vs. Wade Edition
  • CCBabe on Cape Charles Police Officers Graduate
  • Paul Plante on Asses&Villains: Aug 7, 2020
  • Paul Plante on Op-Ed: Madness and Insanity in a Time of Joe Biden
  • Bob on Rep. Luria and USDA Announce Nearly $1 Million Investment on Eastern Shore
  • Paul Plante on Asses&Villains: Aug 7, 2020
  • Paul Plante on Asses&Villains: Roe vs. Wade Edition
  • Chad on Cape Charles Police Officers Graduate
  • Paul Plante on How deep are the Biden Lies?
  • Paul Plante on Asses&Villains: Monkey Pox Edition
  • boy on Shore Native Skylar Demarino Drops New Single
  • Paul Plante on Asses&Villains: Roe vs. Wade Edition
  • MARY A COX on Shore Native Skylar Demarino Drops New Single
  • Paul Plante on Call it Stagflation or Recession, but we are hurting
  • Paul Plante on Asses&Villains: Roe vs. Wade Edition
  • Tired of NIMBYs on Board Of Zoning Appeals will hold a Public Hearing on August 9th
  • Boy on Shore Native Skylar Demarino Drops New Single

Trending Now

  • Surfer Rules: August 2022
  • Rep. Luria and USDA Announce Nearly $1 Million Investment on Eastern Shore
  • Cape Charles Police Officers Graduate
  • Video: Water Spout hits Smith Island
  • Historic District Review Board will hold its Regular Meeting on 8/16/2022
  • Bringing Animals Into the College Classroom: My Experience
  • Apply for Opening on Planning Commission
  • Op-Ed: Madness and Insanity in a Time of Joe Biden
  • Time to Dance, Stretch and Move with Mara
  • Asses&Villains: Aug 7, 2020

Copyright © 2022 · News Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in