Circulation 13,000 March 27, 2009 Free Residents Say No New Taxes By Linda Cicoira Deputies and social workers pleaded to re- tain their health insurance benefits at current levels. Property owners objected to proposed tax-rate hikes. Teachers complained about their salaries. There was criticism of county leaders and their spending practices. There was support for tourism. The Accomack Board of Supervisors conducted its public hearings Wednesday on the proposed $60 million fiscal 2009-10 budget and related tax-rate adjustments. The subject brought out about 350 people, filling most of the cafetorium at Metompkin Elementary School in Parksley. The proposal includes raising the real-estate rate from 35 to 44 cents per $100 valuation and the personal property tax rate from $3.27 to $3.72 per $100 valuation. On Chincoteague, where emergency medical services are paid by the town, the rate is proposed to go up 7 cents for the real estate and 42 cents for personal property. “You all spend and spend and spend,” said Richard Cook, president of Accomack County Taxpayers’ Association. “It’s not fair.” Cook noted, “The money was gone when you built the schools. But, you continued with proj- ects … we don’t have money to do the things” that cities do. “This is not the answer and cer- tainly not the answer at this time.” “Options do exist,” said Wynola Wyatt of the Photo by Linda Cicoira Accomack Education Association. She suggest- It’s a Good Hare Day ed that the supervisors establish guidelines This bunny is one of 30 Craddockville residents ‘hopping’ to get a new home. (Continued on Page 7) (See story on Page 2.) Being Frugal Pays Off in Hard Times By Linda Cicoira She believes people should cut back and save “However, to most of us, it is a wake-up call to Most Accomack and Northampton residents for the things they need. “Delayed gratification” get back to more prudent economic practices. lead a thrifty lifestyle, which is helping them to has “a long-term value,” she said. And as a country, it should be a wake-up call to cope with the lagging economy, according to a If McQuaid were in charge, she would “stop return to a business economy based on produc- survey conducted by the Eastern Shore Post. credit-card companies from giving people more tion and invention. America has always been a Sharyn McQuaid of Melfa said the recession credit than they can reasonably manage” and leader in innovation.” has “not seriously,” affected her. “I’m always “publicize how much money in this country is Unlike McQuaid, Amy Riggin Lang of Ex- frugal,” she noted. “I’m enjoying bundling my spent on interest and fees. I’m not in a position more said she hasn’t been able to save any errands to conserve gasoline, a habit that I got to implement these ideas in the community or money and has given up the extras. She and into when the gas was at $4 a gallon.” country, but I do stress the … approaches with her family are “getting movies from the red box “Luxuries are not everyday things,” Mc- my family.” rather than going to the movies or getting Quaid continued. “We haven’t been at this long “To the person without a job, this economy is enough to impact my luxuries.” in a major depression,” McQuaid continued. (Continued on Page 13) 2 • EASTERN SHORE POST • MARCH 27, 2009 Craddockville Rabbits Live Up to Their Reputation By Linda Cicoira Lauren and Shane Smith want to give away their ba- bies. The Craddockville couple has about 30 young ’uns with long ears and twitching noses. The bunnies need to get hopping. It all started when Lauren’s friend Melanie Ring, for- merly of Pocomoke, joined the Air Force. “She had dogs, cats, a bird, ducks and rabbits” that needed care, said Lauren. “I took the rabbits. She spread them (all the pets) between her friends and her parents,” she added. That was in early November. The first bunny litter was born later that month. “We had no idea (any rabbits were pregnant) and neither did Melanie,” said Lauren. “When the first litter was about 4 weeks old, Summer (another of the original rabbits) had 13 (babies)!!!!” Lau- ren said. Still, Lauren found time to continue her stud- ies at Eastern Shore Community College and work as a waitress/cook/bartender. Cracking Up Over Eggs Then Spaz had seven bunnies. “A week later, Sadie Grace United Methodist Women giggle as they make chocolate-covered Easter had four and another week later Leo had six,” Lauren eggs again this year, with proceeds going toward local missions. Half-pound eggs said. Just in time for Easter. are $5. Flavors are peanut butter (Jif), coconut, and cherry/nut. The order dead- A fee of $10 is being charged for the young rabbits to line is Friday April 3. To place an order, call Elizabeth Mears at 665-5273 or the help defray the cost of room and board. A few adult bun- church office between 9 and 11:30 a.m. at 665-4783. The pick-up date is Wednes- nies are FREE. day, April 8, between 3 and 6 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church in Parksley. To adopt, call 710-2829. You were right! Should have called Marshall’s Tree Service 442-7540 or 678-6152 MARCH 27, 2009 • EASTERN SHORE POST • 3 Northampton Considers PSA Court & Police By Ron West and Cape Charles operate their The Northampton County own wastewater systems. Cape Postings Board of Supervisors continued to Charles is moving forward with a review the need for a public serv- replacement wastewater plant to Accomack County Northampton County ice authority (PSA) Tuesday. serve the town. Sheriff’s Office Report Circuit Court Criminal Cases Supervisor Spencer Murray In other business Tuesday, the The Accomack County Sheriff’s Two guilty pleas were entered stated that he needed more infor- board began a discussion of the Office received several reports Monday in Northampton County mation regarding what areas of new makeup of the Northampton Monday regarding breaking and Circuit Court. the county would need a regional County Joint Local Planning Com- enterings in Pungoteague. Accord- According to Commonwealth’s wastewater system. mission, which has varied from 9 ing to Sheriff Larry Giddens, The Attorney Bruce Jones, Cheriton According to information pro- to 15 members in recent years, Pungoteague Community Church, residents Rodney Scott Spady, 42, vided at the meeting, most of the with the current number set at 12. Pungoteague Post Office, and the and Herbert Dewayne Young, 38, towns in Northampton County Two recent resignations from the Bear & Cub Coffee Shop were bro- each pleaded guilty to possession have not indicated an interest in Planning Commission have left it ken into. A safe was taken from of cocaine. Sentencing was de- participating in a PSA with the with only 10 members, thus mak- the church and miscellaneous ferred in each case until a presen- county. Murray said that while ing it harder to maintain a quo- items were taken from the post of- tence report is prepared. there might be some areas that rum at meetings. Various sugges- fice. Computer equipment and an Sentencing was handed down need a large wastewater system, tions were made for a new makeup undisclosed amount of money were Monday for Sampson Jones Jr., 26, he does not see the need for a that would include from 7 to 15 taken from the coffee shop. of Cape Charles, who was sen- countywide system from Exmore members. The board agreed to Giddens said Accomack deputies tenced to 20 years for a previous south to Kiptopeke. withhold a vote on the issue until and investigators spent hours pro- conviction of grand larceny, 20 Currently, the Towns of Exmore its April 14 meeting. cessing the scene, collecting evi- years for breaking and entering, dence, and conducting interviews. and five years for destruction of The investigation is continuing. property, with the terms to run Chincoteague Fire Leaves Anyone with information con- concurrently and all but four years cerning these crimes is asked to suspended. Restitution and an in- Family Homeless contact the Accomack Sheriff’s Of- determinate amount of supervised By Linda Cicoira Lewis said no one was home at fice at 787-1131 or 824-5666. probation also were ordered. A fire ripped through a Chin- the time of the blaze. The resi- coteague house Wednesday night, dents had been gone for about 30 causing about $30,000 worth of minutes. They are now staying at damage and leaving the family the Sunrise Motor Inn, courtesy of that lived there homeless. Mike and Valerie Tolbert who own According to Chincoteague Vol- the motel, the chief said. unteer Fire Company Chief David Special Investigator Robert Lewis, at about 6 p.m. a passerby Wessells of the state police is prob- reported seeing smoke coming ing the cause of the fire. He said from Chicken City Road. Leon and Tameka Phillips rented 1 A 1 ⁄2-story wood-frame house the house. The kitchen and dining there was fully involved when room were destroyed and there Lewis’ unit arrived at the scene, he was smoke damage through the Spring Open House said, nothing that firefighters from other rooms, Wessells said. Wallops and Atlantic also respond- The owner’s name and the value 9 am - 3 pm Saturday April 4 ed. It took about 25 minutes to of the house were not available at control the blaze. press time. Join Us For Food, Fun & Prizes ONE DAY ONLY ! FREE GIFT to First 50 Customers DEEP DISCOUNTS on ALL PURCHASES Sign up in Person for your 2009 Pool Opening Get 2008 Price DOOR PRIZES GIVEN EVERY HOUR Experienced Professionals available to answer all your questions! SALES • INSTALLATION • SERVICE • SUPPLIES www.ShoreBank.com 116 Market St.