CAPE CHARLES, Va. — The Town of Cape Charles has requested a meeting with local property owner Frank Wendell regarding the number of signs displayed in the windows of his storefront, raising concerns among some residents about potential First Amendment implications.
In an email dated June 17, Planning and Zoning Compliance Officer Jack Steinmayer informed Wendell that the Town Manager had received “a few complaints about the signs within your storefront.” While the email emphasizes that town officials “do not care what the contents of the signs are,” it states that the meeting request is solely to address the number of signs on the property, identified as Parcel 83A3-1-619A.
However, residents familiar with the matter say the complaints were not about the number of signs, but rather their content — which includes political commentary and criticism of local government, according to individuals who have viewed the displays. Wendell, a known figure in Cape Charles, has used his storefront as a platform for outspoken expression on town affairs for several years.
The situation has ignited debate over free speech and whether the town’s request constitutes an attempt to curtail protected expression under the First Amendment.
“This is a clear case of content-based suppression disguised as a zoning issue,” said one supporter of Wendell, who asked to remain anonymous due to fear of reprisal. “They say it’s about quantity, but we all know it’s about what the signs say.”
The Town of Cape Charles has not yet responded to public inquiries about the specifics of the complaints or whether similar actions have been taken against other storefronts with nonpolitical signage.
Wendell declined to comment on the record but confirmed he intends to meet with the zoning administrator and defend his rights.
This is not the first time Cape Charles and Frank Wendell have found themselves at the intersection of local governance and constitutional law.
While municipalities can regulate signage for safety and aesthetics, any enforcement must be content-neutral to withstand judicial scrutiny.
No date has been set for the meeting between Wendell and town officials.
So it’s okay for all those freaks to walk down the streets “protesting” with even more signs than Frank has in his windows. Hollering and shouting ang getting in people’s way blocking sidewalks and loitering. But when it comes to Frank’s “storefront” where he rarely at, it’s not okay for him to protest? He’s what you should call peacefully protesting. He’s not loud and belligerent. When he’s there he doesn’t bother anyone. You’re jealous of his money and his business. Bunch of no count hypocrites. Hey town manager Dick go back where you came from. Hey fake Mayor Charney stop charging your clients extra because you “had to travel here from your home in Maryland”. Where is that home anyway and how long have you been “living” there?
Freedom of speech is unnecessary if the people to whom it is granted do not think for themselves
Taylor Bank has five signs saying Taylor bank in front of their business.
The difference between the “protests” in town ( as misguided and ridiculous as they are) and the radical leftist tripe in Wendell’s windows is simple. The sheep with the signs are gone within a few hours. The hateful messages and imagery in Wendell’s storefront are there, 24/7. So, ” D. Foster”. your argument is baseless. Though it sounds like you have some personal issues with the administration and various residents of Cape Charles which has affected your perception. The point remains that while that storefront is private property, it faces a public walkway, in a town that promotes itself as a family-friendly place. Let Wendell put his unhinged and hateful messages elsewhere.
WHOA, DUDE!
Who on earth are you to be judging what is an unhinged and hateful message?
As to the word “unhinged,” it generally means that someone is acting in an erratic, unstable, or uncontrolled way, often due to emotional distress or mental instability and it can imply a loss of composure, rationality, or a descent into a more chaotic state, and if we were to conduct a poll, it is my thought that your post above here would be judged to be unhinged.
What, pray tell, is hateful about a sign that says a tariff is a tax on consumers, given that tariffs are indeed a tax that the importing nation must pay, which tax ultimately gets passed along to the consumer, unless the importer is willing to absorb it?
And my goodness, but what is unhinged about supporting free speech in Cape Charles?
Just curious, but do you wear your jackboots to bed, or do you take them off at the end of the day?
Obviously, the photo depicts the current window decor. In the past, Wendell has plastered pro-abortion, anti-God, and various other nihilist messages in that space. His subject matter is hardly positive or ‘family-friendly’, nor does it convince anyone to support his point of view. It certainly doesn’t shine any sort of good light on the town. But wow! Thanks so much for sharing the definition of unhinged; although that is unsurprising, as regular readers of the Mirror know how fond you are of using many, many more words than necessary, and enjoy trying to impress all with your pseudo-intellectualism. I know the meaning and chose it purposefully, as, in my view, it fits. I didn’t say supporting free speech was unhinged, or did you miss that? One doesn’t have to “wear jackboots” ( couldn’t resist that hackneyed Nazi reference, could you?) to discern and object to antagonistic displays on the main street of Cape Charles. And despite the few virtue-signalers here defending Wendell, I suspect that MANY more agree than disagree that the town needs to take a closer look at this ongoing issue.
Your inability to control your feelings while walking past a store front is an issue that only you can confront, and ultimately solve.
E. Dickenson, I have read your above through word for word many times now, searching for meaning among the nuance, and your sincerity in your concern for the image of Cape Charles as a place for people to bring their families is so overwhelming and has so moved me that as a result, it has come to me that what we truly need here in Cape Charles to deal once and for all with the Frank Wendell problem is a Cape Charles Committee on Cultural Correctness, said committee being armed by law with draconian powers that would allow it to suppress whatever Frank Wendell does that the members of the Committee don’t like or don’t want Frank doing, Frank doing, like advertising free speech in Cape Charles as if everybody should have it, and think of the chaos and social unrest that would cause in Cape Charles were that to be true, which is why we so desperately need that committee, and to protect the public from Frank Wendell, the members of the committee should form a picket line in front of Frank Wendell’s offending windows carrying large signs that say “DO NOT LOOK IN FRANK WENDELL’S WINDOWS BECAUSE FOR YOUR OWN GOOD, WE DON’T WANT YOU TO!”
I think that is the cure for the Frank Wendell problem and it sure would send a message to any other unhinged people in Cape Charles thinking of promoting free speech for all, that if they try and push it, they will be next.
And a grateful nation thanks you, E. Dickenson, for bringing that serious matter of the Frank Wendell problem in Cape Charles to all of our attentions.
Right on Paul. I think Frank is a nut and agree with him hardly at all…. but he has a right to say what he wants. Free speech. Period.
If a Republican doesn’t like guns, he doesn’t buy one.
If a Democrat doesn’t like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.
If a Republican is a vegetarian, he doesn’t eat meat.
If a Democrat is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone.
If a Republican is homosexual, he quietly leads his life.
If a Democrat is homosexual, he demands legislated respect.
If a Republican is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation.
A Democrat wonders who is going to take care of him.
If a Republican doesn’t like a talk show host, he switches channels.
Democrats demand that those they don’t like be shut down.
If a Republican is a non-believer, he doesn’t go to church.
A Democrat non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced.
If a Republican decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it.
A Democrat demands that the rest of us pay for his.
If a Republican reads this, he’ll forward it so his friends can have a good laugh.
A Democrat will delete it because he’s “offended”.
Republicans respect the opposition opinion
Democrats will assault anyone who oppose them.
If Republicans have a rally, it’s peaceful and they leave the place cleaner then when they got there.
When Democrats have a rally, they loot and destroy the businesses in the area, and trash the place where they gather.
“If Republicans have a rally, it’s peaceful and they leave the place cleaner then when they got there.” Nope. Capitol. January 6th.
“If a Republican doesn’t like a talk show host, he switches channels.” And then hires the Fox news weekend host to defend us.
“Republicans respect the opposition opinion.” Intelligent ones do. The others call people names, and act like children who didn’t get a pretzel at school lunch.
Is that all you can muster? Bless your heart.
That really the best you can do?
Hogwash!
What would happen if there were pro Trump signs in the windows of a vacant building on Mason Ave? Dare I ask?
We would know where the sheep live.
They did not look like sheep to you on J6.
They looked exactly like sheep.
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when liberal men are afraid of the light.
“While the email emphasizes that town officials “do not care what the contents of the signs are,” it states that the meeting request is solely to address the number of signs on the property…”
If you believe that then I’ve got a deal for you on a bridge in Brooklyn.
Perfect reply!
Hit him in his wallet don’t buy any Anheuser-Busch products on the eastern shore
Should take away his birthday, too.
where’s that bucket of tar when u need it…..
BetterThanYou says:
June 23, 2025 at 1:10 pm
That really the best you can do?
No, not at all, but this is just a moderated platform. The best I can do would not be posted. So, leave a phone number and I will be more than happy to call you with the best of the rest.
Hey Frank, In the spirit of public amity, I have a couple of thoughts on the signage-
1) Just put all your thoughts on two large signs, one for each window. Two signs ought not to blow anyone’s fuses, right?
2) Put price tags on your signs, voila you now have a sign store, and surely no one can object to a sign shop that proudly advertises its products.
3) But even better, put up even more signs, there is no such thing as too much free speech. As George Orwell probably didn’t say, “Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed; everything else is public relations.”. I know it is not precisely journalism you are practicing, but the principle holds; truth matters, and uncomfortable truths matter even more.
4) And then there are these words of wisdom that one might choose to live by: “If some is good, and more is better, then too much is just enough.”
Thank You.
Im SURE Frank has an old truck sitting around he isn’t using much. When the local busybodies force him to remove his storefront signs he can merely double their size and post them on his truck….in a very prominent location.
Its amazing how much dialogue there is on this thread. Meanwhile Mayor Adam Charney thinks “the town is doing pretty good” amidst thefts from within city hall.
We care more about this guys signs than we do about the local government standing aside while their employees steal our tax money.
BFD on the signs don’t get your panties bunched up.
Lets throw the local government out!
As a conservative, I think the signs are great – and honestly, I don’t care how many there are! I don’t know Frank, but from what I can tell, this kind of nitpicking feels a lot more like harassment than any real code violation.
Go figure, one of the only people in town consistently shining a light on inconvenient truths (for many years), asking real questions, and holding folks accountable is the one getting picked on in recent years. That says a lot. Seems to me like he’s got a moral compass, and some people don’t like where it’s pointing.
Constantly harassing the man isnt going to run him and his business out of town. Afterall that’s what you want. You’ve been going after him and Wendells for some years now.
On this Fourth of July, as we all celebrate our independence from the tyranny of King George III of England, as good stout American citizens strong in our beliefs of truth, justice and the American way, we must ask ourselves this important existential question, to wit:
WHEN WILL FRANK WENDELL BE FREE FROM THE TYRANNY OF CAPE CHARLES, VIRGINIA?