State Money Woes Spell Trouble for Local Counties
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Circulation 13,000 January 8, 2010 Free Gordy, Hart, Take Helm in Accomack By Linda Cicoira District 7 Representative Laura Belle Gordy will serve as chairwoman of the Accomack County Board of Supervisors in 2010. Her peers unanimously select- ed her at the panel’s organizational meeting Wednes- day night. “Thank you, all my colleagues,” Gordy said. “I prom- ise to do my very best. I feel with your cooperation, we will have a very successful year.” She said “communica- tion” is the key.“I don’t want us to have any secrets and everyone to be equally informed … we are all equal.” Gordy also announced that Rev. Donald Broad of Melfa will return as parliamentarian in 2010. In a 6-3 vote, the supervisors chose District 8’s Donald Hart to serve as vice chairman. Last year’s chairman, Steve Mallette, and Supervisors Ron Wolff and Phil Mc- Caleb were opposed. Supporting his nomination were Su- pervisors Gordy, Grayson Chesser, Jack Gray, Sandy Hart Mears and Wanda Thornton. Hart also voted in favor. Photo by Linda Cicoira After the meeting, Mallette said he thought Hart Skydriver This pelican, who appeared a bit under the weather, wouldn’t have time to get the job done because of his found the appropriate handicap spot to rest after window-shopping at Four regular job obligations. Wolff complained that Hart has Corner Plaza in Onley this week. The young bird, who apparently was shopping for warmer temperatures and a sale on fish, was last seen flying south. (Continued on Page 2) State Money Woes Spell Trouble for Local Counties By Linda Cicoira “There are about $110,000 in cuts to the an- “It’s a train wreck ready to happen,” said Su- Officials in Accomack and Northampton ticipated revenues … to retirement and group pervisor Steve Mallette. counties are bracing to balance the county’s fis- life expense reimbursements … and a one-day Northampton county faces similar revenue cal 2010-11 budget, anticipating millions less furlough for all constitutional officers,” Miner issues. in state money than is usually available. continued. A preliminary study of Gov. Kaine’s budget While outgoing Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s Cuts to the Sheriff’s Office in the Kaine plan for Northampton shows “a total reduction of budget proposal significantly tightens the total $636,288 and include loss of funding for state aid … of $1,245,506,” according to County state’s money belt, Accomack Administrator seven officers, Miner added. The per diem rate Administrator Katie H. Nunez. Steve Miner warned the Board of Supervisors on prisoners would go from $8 to $4 a day. The loss of retirement and group life insur- (in a memo he sent them in late December) that Under Kaine’s budget, the Treasurer’s Office ance premiums (in the General Fund) for con- Gov.-Elect Bob McDonnell’s plan would be even would lose $78,335, including “elimination of re- stitutional officers and their employees totals more devastating. tirement and group life” and “all salary reim- $106,502, plus a “state imposed one day fur- “If the state has to find another two billion to bursement,” except for Treasurer Dana Bundick. lough for all constitutional officers and their cut from its budget without a tax increase,” Similar straits are expected for Commissioner of employees: $5,852 (savings to the state).” Miner wrote, “prepare for much worse.” the Revenue Leslie Savage’s office. Total loss In the Regional Jail Fund, the threatened re- Noting that County Finance Director Mike there is estimated at more than $57,800. tirement and group life insurance premiums Mason went over Kaine’s proposal and found The offices of Commonwealth’s Attorney Gary for constitutional officers and their employees that the Accomack school system is “scheduled R. Agar and Clerk of Court Samuel Cooper also totals nearly $155,000. The furlough shows a to receive some $3 million less from the state,” would lose retirement and group life. Agar’s of- $6,727 in savings to the state. A reduction in Miner explained, “That is roughly 10 percent of fice would see a 5 percent across-the-board re- per diem funding of 5 percent saves $5,358. their overall budget. It appears that all the duction, for a total loss of $44,604. Kaine’s plan With respect to Northampton’s School Oper- stimulus money was spent this year, with none for the Clerk’s Office includes a 17 percent ating Fund, “even with the use of additional left over for next.” across-the-board cut, for a total of $71,688. (Continued on Page 7) 2 • EASTERN SHORE POST • JANUARY 8, 2010 ~Supervisors~ (Continued From Front Page) never voted in favor of a budget. Building in Accomac. They will re- Gordy gave Hart a wrapped gift cess from 7 to 7:30 p.m. to eat sup- and read aloud a poem that Sheila per and will continue to hold pub- Goodman, a county employee, lic hearings at 7:30 p.m. Work ses- wrote about him. It said Hart has sions will be conducted quarterly, been on the board since 1979, had also in chambers. served as chairman three times Public participation will be of- and vice chairman four times and fered at the regular meetings. In just finished a stint as president of the past, each speaker was given the Virginia Association of Coun- three minutes to have his or her ties. He had previously served as say. Gray said that is not enough that panel’s secretary-treasurer time and moved that the limit be and vice president. increased to four minutes, with no The poem ended, one able to come back later. That “Well Donald, you’ve done motion passed 7-2, with Wolff and this job quite well. McCaleb opposed. Wolff was Remain humble, remain against the extra time during pub- faithful, and don’t let the head lic hearings when large numbers Photo by Linda Cicoira swell. of people want to speak. Laura Belle Gordy will serve as chairwoman and Donald Hart Job well done, the honor is The supervisors also agreed to will serve as vice chairman during this year’s term of the well deserved give $40,000 to the Treasurer’s Of- Accomack County Board of Supervisors. For you have been true to the fice to help defray the costs of col- Eastern Shore and the people lecting delinquent personal prop- you serve.” erty taxes. Those who do not pay Organizing for a new year, the will not have their car registra- supervisors set their meetings to tions renewed in the future. Fi- begin at 5 p.m. on the third nance Director Mike Mason said Wednesday of each month in about $300,000 would be lost chambers in the Administration without the move. PERDUE FARMS ACCOMAC, VA JOB FAIR $4.99/30-day H&H Pharmacy $12.99/90-day Saturday, January 9th • 8:00am to 12:00pm •Chincoteague Virginia Employment Commission Island Come to the Perdue Farms job fair at the Virginia Employment Commission for an interview on Saturday, January 9th, 2010 from 8:00am to 12:00pm. •Oak Hall If you’re looking for a challenging career opportunity with potential, consider us. Perdue Farms has positions available at our Processing Plants for Day Shifts and Nights Shifts. We look forward to meeting you and discussing potential employment opportunities. Perdue offers: competitive pay, medical, dental and vision; life and disability insurance; 401(k) with company-paid match; convenient access to primary health care through our on-site Wellness Centers; and paid vacation and holiday time. www.perdue.comwww.perdue.com Perdue is an Equal Opportunity Employer www.ShoreBank.com JANUARY 8, 2010 • EASTERN SHORE POST • 3 Northampton Planners Consider Variety of Requests By Ron West on the south edge of the hamlet, is son noted that his company had (Kabler voting against), to recom- Proposed zoning changes to the seeking to have his property re- been working for over a year to ob- mend that the Board of Supervi- small hamlet of Bridgetown zoned as agricultural so he can tain approval to begin construc- sors rezone the property to Town brought about a prolonged discus- house farm animals. But a group of tion. Johnson said the zoning Edge- Commercial General, which sion by the Northampton County citizens who live in or near the changes made by the county pre- would give a green light for the ho- Planning Commission and mem- hamlet and attend Shorter’s vented construction of the hotel, tel to move forward. bers of the public during their first Chapel, which is located in which otherwise could have been The Planning Commission meeting of the new year. Bridgetown, oppose the rezoning, up and running in 2010. agreed to support a request by the In late 2009, the Planning Com- charging that it could result in un- Commissioner Dave Kabler Board of Supervisors to make a mission and Board of Supervisors wanted farming practices near the stated that placement of the hotel zoning map amendment regarding hammered out a new Comprehen- church and restrictions should the along Lankford Highway would be property owned by Charles and Jean sive Plan and what amounted to a church need to expand or rebuild. contrary to the county Comprehen- Ames. The Ames property, located new zoning ordinance. Bridge- Following nearly an hour of dis- sive Plan, which discourages com- near the south end of Exmore at town, which has two churches and cussion, the Planning Commission mercial growth except in or around 11420 Oakland Dr., had been zoned fewer than a dozen homes, and is moved to table the issue until addi- towns.