Circulation 13,000 Free June 19, 2015 Library Debate Rages On By Linda Cicoira Accomack supervisors promised to give $2 million to the Eastern Shore Pub- lic Library last month, but backtracked a little Wednesday when confronted with an Atlantic man’s allegations that they acted illegally in doing so. “First you ask for a referendum … to see if the public is willing to spend their tax money to build a new library and the voting majority emphatically said ‘no,’ ” Ronnie Thomas reminded the officials. “The vote did not go the way the board wanted it to go, so you decided to over- rule the mandate.” “You can’t do that,” Thomas said. “It is illegal. The referendum was about the county borrowing money for a library, not about the amount of money to be bor- rowed. A referendum by the people can- not be overruled and has a binding effect.” Accomack Public Safety Director C. Ray Pruitt makes a call in front of the former Coffman Fisher Building Thomas voiced his displeasure at the that collapsed Tuesday morning. start of the supervisors’ session around 5 p.m. Officials did not respond to the remarks until nearly three hours later Onancock Building Collapses; No One Injured when most of the public was long gone Story and photo by Linda Cicoira cock, Onley, Tasley, Melfa and Parks- sold in the warehouse downstairs. and after Supervisor Laura Belle Gordy Four workers escaped unharmed from ley sealed off the surrounding area. Fencing, orange cones and barrels asked County Administrator Steve Min- the roof of the former Coffman Fisher “We evacuated the majority of the were put up Tuesday night to keep pe- er for his opinion on the subject. building on Market Street in Onancock businesses from North Street down to destrians from getting too close. Miner, who is a lawyer, did not agree Tuesday when the backside of the two- about C.D. Marsh just for precautionary “We won’t give up,” Mills declared, with Thomas’ stand. story structure gave way and the roof fell purposes,” James said. “Any time you staring at the structure in dismay. “You didn’t previously appropriate” in, sending debris to the pavement. get a structural collapse, you want to “Just thankful nobody was hurt. It’s the funds, the administrator said. “You “We had a structural collapse here,” make sure the nearby units are all safe.” a setback. … You can see the building only set a figure for planning purposes said Chief Adam James of Onancock John Mills, who bought the building and the potential that it has. … It’s a … there will be conditions on certain Volunteer Fire Department, who was about six months ago, was on the roof fabulous building. It’s just been left things happening. It’s not illegal … what in command of response. “All the occu- when the collapse occurred. He is reno- empty so long.” a referendum does is certainly binding” pants were evacuated and accounted vating it for apartments and retail units. Mills said the back part of the but it “does not prohibit the board in for safely when we arrived.” The town also lists Mike Connelly as an building would probably have to be Fire and rescue workers from Onan- owner. Mills said European furniture is torn down and reconstructed. (Continued on Page 13) 2 • EastErn shorE Post • JunE 19, 2015 Shore May Lose Only Residence Facility for Mentally Ill By Linda Cicoira was conducted on July 29, 2014 as a follow up to an In- the doorways of the buildings.” The inspectors also saw The only assisted-living facility for mentally ill tensive Plan of Correction dated May 30, 2014; an un- residents wrapped in coats and blankets with tempera- residents on the Eastern Shore of Virginia is in jeop- announced complaint inspection was conducted on Jan. tures around 65 degrees in one building. ardy of closing since the state does not intend to is- 26, 2015; a second unannounced complaint inspection “It was also determined that important information sue it a new license. was conducted March 2, 2015 and an unannounced re- pertaining to residents’ assessed needs was not reflect- According to recently filed documents, G.F. Horne newal inspected was conducted over a two-day period ed on their individual service plans … other violations Assisted Living Community (GFH) of 12 Hartman on April 21 (and) 22, 2015,” the notice states. identified related to serious physical plant hazards in- Ave. in Onancock “is currently operating on a one- “There were serious, high risk and pervasive viola- cluding corroded/painted sprinkler heads throughout year license, which expired on April 26, 2015.” tions found in ten of ten areas … and one area of the all three buildings, dust-clogged air-conditioning vents, The decision not to renew was made after four inspec- regulation for background checks,” the notice continues. missing baseboard molding, gaps around exterior doors tions “determined that the license is in violation of stan- VDSS cited among the most serious violations that allowed light from outside and cold air to come in dards for licensed assisted living facilities … thereby found in July 2014 were incomplete criminal record the building, missing electrical outlet switch plates, placing the health, safety and welfare of adults at risk.” check results on some employees. Additionally, VDSS and blistering/peeling/missing exterior siding.” The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) found that “one staff person who routinely works Last March, the inspection found that previously issues licenses for such facilities. Until Tuesday, Tri- alone overnight did not have certification in first-aid cited violations still not corrected included “inoper- nette Emodi was the administrator for GFH. That job and medication administration records for 19 resi- able rusty sprinkler heads (and) fire equipment that has now been taken over by her mother, who with her dents were lacking proper documentation.” had been disabled.” father owns the facility. Andrea Emodi said Tuesday In January 2015, inspectors found “no hot water in The VDSS also “determined that the facility does that problems have been solved and repairs made to one of three buildings, no heat in one of three buildings not schedule a sufficient number of direct care staff bring the facility up to standards. She is appealing the and the propane tank that supplies heat for that build- on duty to care for the mixed population.” decision and will be granted a hearing on the matter ing had run out of propane. … The state fire marshal … The April inspections found “rusty sprinkler heads later this month. But she still fears GFH will close determined that there were serious life and safety de- in all three buildings; cracked, chipped and missing and she doesn’t know where some residents will go. ficiencies including an inoperable sprinkler system in floor tiles; chipped and peeling paint on walls and Emodi, who said the residents consider GFH their one of three buildings, fire detection systems had been ceilings; dirty smudges on walls; high traffic dirt and home, blames VDSS’ lack of concern for the situation. disabled in two of three buildings and the fire suppres- wax build-up on floors; and exit doors that stuck and Emodi said the biggest issue was the sprinkler sion system in one of three buildings was disabled. It would not close properly.” system. VDSS listed other concerns as well. was determined through observation and documenta- According to the documentation, “failure to obtain a “An unannounced focused monitoring inspection tion that residents were smoking inside and around license … may result in a fine, imprisonment or both.” June 19, 2015 • eastern shore Post • 3 Accomack School System Takes To Social Media in a Big Way By Linda Cicoira is a good thing.” Supporters of Accomack schools In addition, the division will be have taken to social media to show “rolling out a new website design” next their approval of the division, accord- week, Baldwin said. The change will ing to statistics disclosed Tuesday offer more options, easier access, a cal- night at a School Board meeting. endar of upcoming events and a scroll- Happy Father’s Day Roberta Baldwin, coordinator of ing marquee. public affairs and strategic partner- Parent Janet Turner of Accomac ships, reported that the school sys- asked the School Board to consider re- 2008 Saturn Vue XR 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 tem had 200 Twitter followers when districting because of overcrowding at she took her post this year. It now Nandua Middle School. has about 1,090 followers and she has “This issue has come up before,” posted 1,800 tweets. she said. “I don’t think its been imple- Facebook followers are up to 1,540; mented. Turner said the school popu- 80 percent are women between the ag- lation has gone up by “easily 150 more es of 18 and 55, Baldwin said. Posts students” in the last six or seven years, have reached as many as 16,300. The while Arcadia Middle School is down majority of Facebook fans are from 39 100 or so students. This allows Arcadia Eastern Shore towns, Norfolk, Virgin- to offer three more electives because $8,995.00! $9,995.00! ia Beach, Salisbury, Ocean City and fewer instructors are focused on teach- Pocomoke, Md., Richmond, and New ing the basics, Turner said. 2006 Chevrolet Impala LS 2008 Chevrolet Malibu LT Jersey. “I don’t know what the answers Baldwin said that in the last 28 are,” she continued. “I don’t know who days, the schools’ Facebook page has is tracking this. I realize there is a lot been contacted by citizens of 20 Shore going on.