Circulation Free November 30, 2012 13,000 Efficiency Central to $86 Million Hospital By Linda Cicoira A severe shortage of healthcare work- ers is forecast based on the age of those in the field and the number of students studying for related jobs, Joe Zager, vice president of Strategic Development for Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital, told Onancock officials Monday. “Maximizing efficiency of providers is the key,” he said, explaining the new hospital coming to Onley “will be a step forward in helping us to do that.” Public Information Officer Peter Glagola of Riverside Health Systems Photo courtesy of easternshorefire.com said Tuesday the projected cost of the ARSONIST SOUGHT Firefighers were dispatched on Nov. 24 to a fire in a trailer on Gladding Road in Mears. The woods nearby new hospital is $86 million; it includes also quickly caught a blaze. This is among the incidents suspected to be arson. (See story on Page 3.) the building and equipment. Zager said the current hospital em- ploys about 300 and since the new lo- cation will be more centrally located to Accomack Officials To ‘Ship Out’ for One Night the population, he expects business to By Linda Cicoira know that some will pay their own way, but have not heard pick up by 10 percent to 20 percent. Accomack officials and high-ranking NASA Wallops from all those who expect to attend as to their intentions … Still, he added, the Eastern Shore Flight Facility (WFF) staff are taking a trip with the Navy I am paying my costs personally.” “is a medically understaffed area … next week. They’ve accepted an invitation to spend the The supervisors unanimously voted in September to ask we’re moving full speed ahead.” night aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman via the Navy to demonstrate the missions proposed at NASA. The Earlier this month, he reported that a C-2A Greyhound — the same plane the Navy wants to use action came after John Custis, a lawyer representing David groundbreaking is set for May; pa- for touch-and-go missions at the Wallops airstrip. and Phil Hickman of Dublin Farms, complained that the plan tients should be admitted about two Board of Supervisors Vice Chairwoman Wanda Thornton, would adversely affect the quality of life for area residents, years later. “We’re really pretty excited Supervisors Ron Wolff, Robert Crockett and Reneta Major increase safety hazards and offer no benefits to the county. about all that,” Zager said. and County Administrator Steve Miner have signed up for Custis said the plan would involve 45,000 operations a The 78-bed hospital will be about the Dec. 5-6 journey. Supervisor Jack Gray also wanted to year, with many of the landings being done at night. He 160,000 square feet, with three op- attend but was turned down because he is 81 years old. wanted the supervisors to oppose the missions because of erating rooms, a 24-hour Emergency “We have today been advised that Navy policy limits this noise levels. Landings would be 70 decibels and comparable Department, a diagnostic center with invitation to persons 75 and under,” Miner said Tuesday. “I to “running a vacuum in a living room,” he said. The law- fixed MRI and a 40,000-square-foot expect that they will provide a separate invitation to those yer said not only would the Hickmans suffer, but residents medical office building including oncol- of that (older) age group to a separate event. We have also of Corbin Hall, Captain’s Cove and Trails End also would ogy services. been told to expect a fee of $60 per person for meals and in- be affected. He referred to a Navy jet that recently crashed According to Zager, friends across cidental expenses. … I have advised the members that I be- into an apartment complex in Virginia Beach. The pilots in (Continued on Page 4) lieve this to be eligible for county funding. … Nonetheless, I (Continued on Page 5) 2 • EastErn shorE Post • novEmbEr 30, 2012 Onancock Uncovers Unexpected Financial Bounty By Linda Cicoira pairing damage to the dock and finger she was concerned for those who paid tax bills were sent out late this year so Onancock Town Council learned Mon- piers from Hurricane Sandy. in cash and couldn’t prove it. The town there was less time to pay. day of tens of thousands of dollars found Mayor Russell Jones said that “is asking residents to pay for mistakes The mayor responded that the bills recently in its coffers. The panel then within 10 days Robinett would pursue made by town management.” were mailed out as soon as they were quickly allocated the funds to pay for a design and engineering plans. Coun- Jones blamed Accomack County for received from the county. harbor project and a new police officer. cilman T. Lee Byrd, chairman of the the errors. “None of us were here,” he Zamora also noted that some yard Town Manager Thomas Robinett at- Waterfront Committee, said a grant said, adding that the town plans to trash had still not been picked up by tributed the newfound funds to various received for $180,000 includes a 25 get its own tax system. “It is a difficult town workers and “looked terrible sources. More than $8,700 of the money percent match by the town. Byrd said situation — not a money grab — an at- for visitors.” She said she hopes the stolen by former clerk Colleen Patricia volunteer hours given for painting and tempt to get our records straight.” situation will be addressed before the Reiber in 2010 and 2011 was recovered other work on the building could be in- Edmonds later said she was furious Christmas home tour. “If you want to through insurance. Reimbursement cluded in the town’s share. that the mayor blamed the county for be a Tree City, you have to pick up the funds of $24,473 were uncovered in the And it also was reported Monday the tax errors. She said the money was debris,” she said. Onancock Landing project. More than that the town’s bookkeeping was so lax collected at the town office and should Jones promised the rest of the tree $27,000 was obtained in a settlement over the last 10 years that it couldn’t have been recorded there. limbs and leaves would be taken away for delays with the contractor, who be determined if about 100 taxpayers “We’re trying to improve our bookkeep- before the tour. built the town’s wastewater treatment owed back levies. ing,” said Councilman Fletcher Fosque. He also reported the town would be- plant. And the town had a reduction in Resident Charlotte Edmonds said it “You can’t overlook them as a town,” he gin work soon on a septic receiving facili- debt service for using less money than was the first time in her 81 years that added of those who were sent the letters. ty paid for with $370,000 that was left in anticipated to construct that project, she has received a delinquent notice. It “We haven’t demanded payment of a grant. The town also will get $104,000 for a savings of $17,758. wasn’t valid. She said she went to the anyone,” said Jones. back that it put up for broadband. Council voted to spend $28,478 for bank and got a copy of the check she Robinett said some people admitted It was also announced that Onan- expenses of an additional police officer. had written for the tax to prove it. they hadn’t paid and came in and did cock’s Christmas Parade would start Onancock plans to take in $5,000 Edmonds called the practice of send- so after receiving the letters. The town on College Avenue this year and end from its Tall Ship Committee and ap- ing bills to taxpayers who already paid also collected money from banks that at the dock. “We’re trying to leave as propriated $45,000 toward erecting an “unethical way to find money.” I am hadn’t paid from escrow accounts. much of the town open” as possible, the a new harbormaster building and re- embarrassed and ashamed.” She said Shirley Zamora complained that mayor said. Please join us at the Book Bin for our £ÝÄænÓ I ÓÝAÝn nônÏö Annual Open House December 8, 2012 Featuring: 0´āò ´~ 0A¢ãQāßđ Tastings of Blue Crab Bay snacks & dips »ėë Ǩ !´­eAđ I :ne­nãeAđ òßā 0AòāßeAđ Free brewed coffee »»ë 20% off select titles for perfect gift-giving Ǩ :ne Door prizes & raffles $-" òßā (drawing held Dec. 24 - don’t have to be present to win) 0Aò » Ǩ 0ā­ Four Corner Plaza Onley, VA (757) 787-7866 Gifts Toys Games Movies Puppets Puzzles Stationery Albums Tervis tumblers Stocking stuffers And more! @ēǨǨǨǨƝŖñƝƝǨ # ­ November 30, 2012 • easterN shore Post • 3 Search for Arsonist Continues By Linda Cicoira are currently pursuing at this time.” State and county police and fire in- “Based on our ongoing investiga- vestigators were continuing at press tion, we feel certain that the person time Thursday to probe about two doz- or persons responsible for these fires en fires in Accomack County that they is a resident of Accomack County and believe were set this month by a serial is known to local residents,” said Capt. arsonist or arsonists. Tim Reibel, commander of the State The last incident was reported at Police Bureau of Criminal Investiga- about 11 p.m. Wednesday in an aban- tion’s Chesapeake Field Office. “This doned structure on Racetrack Road in individual is going to be coming and Melfa.