THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Monday, September 30, 1996            TAG: 9609280013
SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A8   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                            LENGTH:   29 lines

CAPE CHARLES IS A GHOST VILLAGE

Editorial writer Kerry Dougherty really stepped on a hornet's nest when she wrote her expressive account of the man who ran the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Finally there is a connection with the relentless toll of the bridge-tunnel levied by the ``commission,'' which ``serves the residents'' yet negates every timid approach to negotiate even a $10 return (same day) or a reduced-season ticket.

Take a look at Cape Charles! Once it was a prosperous little town with communications to the north and south, situated on the Bay in a delightful scenic setting. Now it is a ghost village with the majority of its shops closed and abandoned; the roads unrepaired and neglected; no public transport, no business, no trade, no people, no flowers. It presents a sad spectacle to those who had hoped to see at least a minimal revival.

The writer from Nassawadox, who describes the scenario as ``the Great Southern Barrier,'' hit the nail right on the head. Businesses fail, enterprises are discouraged; even the greatest optimist loses heart due to the ``Great Southern Barrier.''

Cape Charles could become a jewel for Virginia if the Eastern Shore was really part of Virginia.

SHEILA CARDANO

Cape Charles, Sept. 23, 1996 by CNB