THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 28, 1996 TAG: 9601280198
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KAREN JOLLY DAVIS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CAPE CHARLES LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
Armed with markers and flip charts, the people of Cape Charles gathered Saturday to fight the apathy and divisiveness that have paralyzed their town.
They looked for a common vision they could agree to support.
``We need a lot of healing between the hostile groups in the town,'' said one woman. ``We can't do anything divided.''
Healing can be a radical concept in a small rural community where battle lines between the town and county, rich and poor, natives and ``come-heres'' have been drawn for generations. But at Saturday's forum, no one scoffed at Cape Charles' need for unity of purpose.
``We need some more direction in this town,'' said Tom Savage. ``We're drifting like a boat without a motor.''
In recent months, controversies have slowed local government to a virtual standstill. The town manager retired under pressure. The police chief was fired after refusing to quit. State police investigated the town's payroll records, and town council members have wondered in public where Cape Charles' money has gone.
To get the town back on track, Mayor Alice Brown and a steering committee of concerned citizens organized Saturday's forum, ``Opportunity Cape Charles.'' There, Brown and council member Libby Thomas urged citizens to set a direction for the elected officials.
``We know our problems. We're trying to face our problems,'' Brown said. ``Please give us some guidance.''
About 100 people from this town of 1,300 at the tip of the Eastern Shore attended the forum. They divided into focus groups to discuss public safety, local governance, economic development and the town's image. Each group had a facilitator and a panel of experts.
First, the people of Cape Charles talked about what they wanted their town to be. They envisioned a community with bustling businesses in all the main street storefronts; full employment; rehabilitated homes; attractive parks; busy marinas; a transportation system; and recreation for the children.
Next, the townspeople were asked to come up with a plan for reaching those goals. Many recommended that the town institute tax incentives for new and expanding businesses. Dan Girouard, the state Enterprise Zone Coordinator and one of the forum's expert panelists, suggested that the town create a ``one-stop permitting shop'' to slash through red tape for prospective businesses.
They talked about rehabilitation tax credits to encourage people to buy and renovate some of the town's could-be-beautiful Victorian homes. County officials suggested that the people in Cape Charles might write letters of support for economic development grants.
Tom Harris, county administrator and a homeowner in Cape Charles, said the resolutions that come out of Saturday's forum will go back to the steering committee, where they will be distilled and written into document form. After the proposals are formally presented to the town council, the process of implementation will begin.
So, Cape Charles has a vision and a plan. But who is responsible for making that dream come true?
``The citizens need to get cranked up and light a fire here,'' said resident Larry Veber. ``We need to take this town over and make it what we want it to be.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
BETH BERGMAN/The Virginian-Pilot
Roy Furches, seated, director of public utilities in Cape Charles,
and town resident Elliott Wilkins participate in a focus group
Saturday on local governance.
Photo
BETH BERGMAN/The Virginian-Pilot
Virginia State Trooper J.H. Barr and Cape Charles resident George
Savage participate in a focus group on public safety at the Trinity
United Methodist Church on Saturday morning. About 100 citizens
attended the forum, seeking a common vision.
by CNB