Accomack Airport Hangar Survives Budget Battle by Connie Morrison Its Future Was in Question After Gov
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CIRCULATION 10,000 Free November 20, 2020 Accomack Airport Hangar Survives Budget Battle By Connie Morrison Its future was in question after Gov. Ralph Northam asked for funding to be struck from the budget amend- ments for a new $2 million hangar at the Accomack County Airport, but to- day the governor signed the biennial budget amendments with the airport funding intact. Del. Rob Bloxom introduced the funding request during the General Assembly special session. “This long-fought battle was won with the help of Sen. (Lynwood) Lew- is who helped me persuade the Senate conferees that this was a worthwhile project,” Bloxom said of the proposed funding for the hangar in the Oct. 30 Thanksgiving Gathering In Eastern Shore Post. “This should help Piper Killmon, in red dress and floral mask at bottom, gathers with fellow second-graders before a Thanksgiving attract customers from Salisbury to mini-play at Broadwater Academy Thursday. Clockwise from Killmon, the students and their masks are Massey Melfa to be close to Wallops Island Reedy, camo mask; Carter Ames, blue and white stripe; Wyatt Johnson, light and dark blue; Henry Lattimore, navy when testing or housing aircrafts or blue and black; Ryder Hurley, panda bear; Logan Sturgis, gray; and Molly Stiles, peach. Photo by Jim Ritch. drones.” Gov. Ralph Northam saw things differently, sending portions of the Another COVID-19 Casualty: proposed budget amendment pack- age back to the General Assembly, Annual Chincoteague Christmas Parade Canceled with some amendments of his own. By Carol Vaughn town that need to be looked at,” said Emergency Management Coordi- Among them were striking the han- The Chincoteague Town Council Mayor J. Arthur Leonard. nator Bryan Rush said Virginia’s sev- gar and a Nimmo Parkway project held an emergency meeting Monday af- “The governor sent down new things en-day average for the coronavirus test in Virginia Beach, adding $1 million ternoon to discuss the town’s response and everybody’s got to react to those positivity rate is increasing and now for an independent investigation into to Gov. Ralph Northam’s recent exec- new things,” Leonard said. stands at 7.3% — a 1.2% jump in one the culture at the Virginia Military utive orders increasing restrictions on Northam’s orders restrict public, week. Institute, and seven language-only gatherings due to increasing cases of outdoor gatherings to 25, versus the Accomack County has had 17 new amendments. COVID-19 in Virginia. 250 previously allowed. cases, one hospitalization, and two Writing in a Nov. 5 press release that All council members except Mat- “In my view, that’s going to shut deaths from COVID-19 and Chincote- the airport hangar and the parkway thew Reed attended. down tree lightings, parades,” Leonard ague has had two more cases in the project “do not warrant special treat- “We’ve got things coming up in the said. (Continued on Page 2) (Continued on Page 2) 2 • EASTERN SHORE POST • NOVEMBER 20, 2020 cision to cancel this year’s Chincote- ty because of the spike in COVID-19 I think do it. People need stuff, too. I ~Parade~ ague Old-Fashioned Christmas Pa- cases. think people go half stir-crazy when… (Continued From Front Page) rade, scheduled for Saturday, Decem- Councilwoman Denise Bowden said everything is taken away,” said Coun- ber 5th. With the new state guidelines the council should support whatev- cilman Gene Wayne Taylor. past week, he said. limiting all public and private in-per- er decision the chamber of commerce “… It’s been so long now, you know “In my opinion, this is still a steady son gatherings to 25 individuals and makes about the parade. what I mean? People have just about state, but it’s a warning state,” Rush with the safety of our participants, es- “We’re not being more restrictive… had it, so what I’m saying is, give them said. sential workers, volunteers, and staff than what the governor has put out, something,” he said. Rush said religious ceremonies as our highest priority, this is the best but to me it just seems like it’s pretty Still, Councilman Bill McComb said, are not affected by the order, but the public safety decision. cut and dry what we have to do,” she “It is also a time to consider public safe- 25-person limit does apply to things “Even a drive-thru parade would said. ty, too. You can’t say without a doubt like wedding receptions and funeral have its risks. “As much as we all want these you can do this successfully without wakes. “We know this is another disappoint- things that we’re normally accus- congregation.” The only change for restaurants is ment, but we are already working on tomed to, I think right now we’ve got He said having the parade also en- a ban on serving alcohol after 10 p.m., some other special happenings because to make these sacrifices, and Lord courages participants to congregate as he said. this is still a Season of Thankfulness willing, if nothing else takes us out they put floats together. Rush said a decision was to be made and we still have so much to be thankful and we survive this COVID stuff, we Police Chief Robbie Fisher said the by the chamber of commerce about for. Stay tuned for more details at www. can get back to normal operations, police department tag football tour- whether to proceed with the Christ- chincoteaguechamber.com hopefully by the spring or mid-sum- nament on Saturday, Nov. 28, will go mas parade; have a reverse drive-by Additionally, the downtown mer- mer anyway,” Bowden said, calling on, with players and officials screened, parade where entries with 25 or fewer chants association has canceled the for “small sacrifices right now” to social distancing enforced, and other people are stationary and spaced out tree lighting ceremony, Rush said. ensure the safety of the community safety measures in place. The tourna- and the public drives by them; or can- The downtown Christmas tree will and visitors. ment is a fundraiser for a new town cel the event. be lit for the holidays, but without a “If they want to have the parade, park. The Chincoteague Island Chamber ceremony. of Commerce Tuesday announced the Additionally, a Chincoteague Cul- House accepted the governor’s amend- parade is canceled. tural Alliance representative said ~Hangar~ ment to remove the airport hangar “After much consideration, the Wednesday the Holly Day Market on (Continued From Front Page) from the General Assembly’s budget Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce Saturday, Nov. 28, has been canceled amendment package. Board of Directors has made the de- due to concerns about health and safe- ment,” he said the two projects should But the Senate held the line. “The go through the established transporta- Senate didn’t accept (the governor’s) tion project review processes to “allow amendment so the funding is still in Ocean East REALTY for full transparency by weighing dif- the budget,” Bloxom said. 6373 Maddox Blvd., ferent transportation projects against “We’re in a good place” Lewis told a Chincoteague Island, VA each other” instead of permitting the Post reporter Nov. 12. “It’s not over yet.” www.ChincoteagueOceanEast.com 1-866-406-3354 • 757-336-2222 projects “to ‘jump the line.’” Acknowledging the governor held Linda Budd Vicky Thornton Donna Jones Lewis appeared to find Northam’s line-item veto power, he added, “I argument specious. While acknowl- would like to think that given the edging there is merit to public review close vote in the House and the sig- processes, Lewis said, “We do stuff like nificant vote defeating his action in that all the time. We pick meritorious the Senate that he would rethink his projects, and we fund them.” position on that,” Lewis said. MLS #51892 MLS #52466 “The House accepted his taking out The funding was still in the bud- Sunset Bay (REDUCED!) Thornton St. of the budget my amendment over my get amendment bill he signed into law Beyond is part of a luxury waterfront community If you’re looking for that perfect vacation home or intend to make this beautiful island your objections,” said Bloxom, meaning the Nov. 18. with 3 bedrooms, Master bath with Jacuzzi, living permanent home then look no further, Cozy room, kitchen w/open area for dining, swimming Islander Cottage on a quiet side street brings pool, fitness room, large boat slip and dock. 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