Crowd Pegged at Over 100

SONs Executive Committee kept busy setting out chairs around the walls as an overflow crowd arrived for the general meeting Sunday, the 24th at the Craddockville United Methodist Church. In addition to the three featured speakers, Steve Mallette, Vice Chair of the Board of Supervisors, Phil Hickman, Chair of the Planning Commission, and Phil McCaleb, District 9 Supervisor, were Laura Belle Gordy, District 7 Supervisor, Dave Burden, Northampton Supervisor and Shorekeeper, Herb Thom, Planning Commission member and Tammy James, Recent appointee to the Planning Commission.

Refreshments, ranging from Potato biscuits with ham to ethereal brownies were provided by Eda Grothouse and Sandra and Ashby Taylor. Entertainment consisted of a slide show of aerial photographs from the SONs Web site interspersed with portraits of the local insect, reptilian and avian fauna.

SONs President Opens Session

SONs President, George Parker opened the day by acknowledging the prime mover for the organization, Shep Davis. Shep called the group together for the first time three years ago under the aegis of the “Scarboroughs Committee”. George also acknowledged the indefatigable efforts of Lois Cooper, also in attendance, for her ever-tactful public meeting participation and letter writing campaign. Your President went on to review SONs accomplishments over the past year and to outline our agenda for 2008, which you can see here, preferred format, or here, as an alternative format.

Central to Parker’s message was that the organization needs the continued financial support of its members, even as it garners more enthusiasm from an expanded executive committee. Please continue to support SONs and its important work to preserve this special place we call home by mailing in a contribution.

SONs Outlines Answer to Septage Situation

Members from Wachapreague were especially interested in any visibility of a solution to the septage problem we have been highlighting for several months. SONs Exec Committee member, David Lumgair, has analyzed the predicament of Accomack County and has outlined both a short and long term solution. His very accessible slide show is available here, preferred format, or here, as an alternative format. During the question-and-answer session, Phil McCaleb indicated that the Board of Supervisors is in the process of defining at least a short term solution. We believe SONs has had an impact in this area.

A Modest Proposal to Protect Groundwater Recharge

SONs endorsed the draft Comprehensive Plan submitted to the Board of Supervisors by the Planning Commission last month. We strongly urge the passage of the Plan so that the Planning Commission can get on with the important work of writing ordinances to enforce smart development decisions. SONs believes, however, that if the language in one area for rezoning criteria were strengthened, it would significantly improve the ability of the Planning Commission to protect critical recharge areas along the County’s aquifer recharge spine. SONs Exec Committee member, Ed Hopkins, has honed the necessary language and rationale for consideration during the public hearing phase of the Plan approval process, which is yet to be scheduled.

George Parker Appointed to Industrial Development Authority

In several nearly unanimous votes, George Parker was appointed to a seat on the County Industrial Development Authority, IDA. The IDA promotes business development and has the authority to provide grants and financing for businesses in the County. The multiple votes made for late night theatre as the Supervisor from Chincoteague refused to admit that she was consistently outvoted eight to one.

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