Circulation Free February 8, 2013 13,000 Public Offers Suggestions on Arsons By Linda Cicoira iff’s office, the fire departments and the Shore residents agreed this week potential cost of life. The county should they could help catch a local arsonist by find the funds to allow the reward.” being more alert. Some also suggested Calling for security lighting and cam- increasing the $5,000 reward so people eras around abandoned buildings, Hill- would come forward with information man said, “If the property is owned by about the nearly 45 blazes that have an uncaring person … then there is no been intentionally set since November. opportunity to follow these suggestions. State Police reported Thursday the in- I believe the motivation of the arsonist vestigation in pursuit of the arsonist(s) is (to) eliminate all of the unsightly and is continuing. Uniformed patrols and dangerous abandoned buildings. … He/ surveillance have been increased and she could suspect the county does not arson and crime-scene investigators want to do anything about these struc- from other agencies are helping. tures. … It costs money to take them “We have developed several strong down and do away with the debris.” leads as to who may very possibly be be- “I think it may be someone who hind these fires,” said Capt. T.A. Reibel, drives around for a living,” said Joyce commander of the BCI Chesapeake MacCready of Accomack. To Love Field Office. “We are confident that a “If people spent more time looking few of the arsons are the work of some out their doors and windows than they individuals seeking to take advantage did logging into Windows and Face- & Be Loved Gail and Keith Underhill (above) met when they were in the fourth of what has become a serial crime spree. book, he may have been seen by now,” grade and finally married recently. (Read their love story on Page 16.) “But, the evidence collected from the commented Connie C. Burford. She other fires indicates that the majority of suggested, “Buy your ammo, load your the arsons are the work of several indi- guns, turn off your lights and watch viduals possibly working in connection your house and your neighbor’s house Bridge-Tunnel Commission Considers with one another,” Reibel stated. “Solving and the barn down the street and ev- crimes like these does require public par- erything you can see around you.” Adding One Tunnel to Span ticipation. It’s that one tidbit of informa- Another unidentified person said By Linda Cicoira native would be to begin construction tion that a … resident knows about that’s the arsonist(s) are likely parking a ve- Two plans are being reviewed by the in 2018. Neither is expected to cause going to affect the arrest and successful hicle where it wouldn’t be noticed. “I Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel delays as “construction should be sepa- prosecution of the person(s) responsible.” think if they draw a circle around each Commission regarding construction rate from traffic.” Three incidents were reported in fire they will find some physical char- of a $1 billion tunnel at the Virginia “It would cost less if you build it the last week. Police said there was an acteristic in common.” Beach end of the facility, Finance Di- sooner,” Anderson said. “Right now abandoned structure fire on Jan. 31 on Betty Mariner of Pungoteague rector Tom Anderson said Wednesday. would be an ideal time with low inter- Boston Road near Craddockville, a blaze wants a local agency “to set up neigh- About $200 million has been put in est rates and depressed construction in an empty airplane hangar on Feb. 1 borhood watch groups … it might take a fund for that use and other long-term costs.” on Locustville Road near Onley and a time educating individuals about what projects. In the last fiscal year, Ander- Regarding lower tolls that are being fire in an abandoned barn on Foxgrove to watch for and helping the groups or- son said, about $46 million was taken sought by Accomack and Northampton Road near Parksley. A storage-shed fire ganize, but it would increase eyes on in, with nearly $18.5 million left after county leaders and some citizens, An- on Pine Ridge Road in Melfa was deter- potential fire sights (and) it would be a bills were paid. Of that, 16.3 million derson said, “The full commission has mined not related to the arsons. positive step helping people feel safer.” was added to the kitty for those proj- not considered anything.” He said a “Increase the reward to $50,000!” Theresa Adams of Belle Haven sug- ects and other unspecified non-routine motion was made at the last meeting, Dan Hillman of Locustville suggested gested residents “be aware of suspi- items. He said that in 2011, $16.4 mil- but members then decided to wait un- in an email survey conducted by the cious activity and report it to someone lion was added to the reserve. til April when a traffic study would be Eastern Shore Post. “Consider what it that will listen.” One tunnel plan calls for the project available and they could “potentially is costing the county, including the sher- (Continued on Page 3) to be started in July 2020. The alter- construct a capacity plan.” 2 • EastErn shorE Post • FEbruary 8, 2013 Officers Honored After Saving Chincoteague Couple Story & photo by Linda Cicoira He had turned on the gas and was Chincoteague Island town lead- attempting suicide, Chief Lewis ers thanked two police officers said. The officers were able to get Monday for heroic actions that inside and save the driver and his saved the lives of an island couple girlfriend, who was upstairs sleep- last month. ing, the chief said. State Trooper Bryan Lewis and “Both officers rushed into the Chincoteague Police Pfc. Cody But- gas-filled home, risking their lives ler were given “special recognition to remove them to safety,” a friend for exemplary service beyond the of the woman wrote to the police call of duty in the rescue of life and departments. “I am incredibly property during the early hours of thankful that these officers were Jan. 13, 2013, with the town limits brave enough to enter the home of Chincoteague,” according to the and take my friend and her boy- certificates that were presented. friend away.” “We extend our sincere apprecia- “The officers put themselves at tion for your unselfish dedication risk to save the lives of two strang- to duty and commend you for your ers … I feel … their heroic deed heroic actions,” the documents not- should be acknowledged and these ed. two officers should be rewarded,” Chincoteague Police Chief Eddie Mayor Jack Tarr (left) presents certificates to (from left)Pfc. Cody Butler of the woman wrote. “I almost lost one Lewis, who is the trooper’s father, Chincoteague Police Department and Trooper Bryan Lewis of Virginia State of my closest friends to a horrible said the two officers followed up Police for saving the lives of a Chincoteague couple last month. event. … It was a truly honorable on a hit-and-run accident that oc- gesture.” curred around 12:30 a.m. on Bunting Road. They unidentified man lying on top of a stove inside his Chief Lewis said the driver of the vehicle was figured out where the driver lived and found the home. drunk when the incident occurred. Founder’s Day - Celebrating The Life and Legacy of Mrs. Mary Nottingham Smith On February 23, 2013, at 2:00pm, the Mary N. Smith Alumni Association, Inc. will sponsor Founder’s Day at the Mary N. Smith Cultural Enrichment Center in Accomac, VA. The keynote speaker, Dr. Rhonda A. Hall, will be speaking on the theme, “Keeping the Dream Alive.” Dr. Hall, shown at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., is the Assistant Superintendent for Administration and Human Resources for Accomack County Schools, Accomac, VA. She has also served in the role of Speech and Language Pathologist, 2nd grade teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Dr. Hall is a graduate of Atlantic High School, Atlantic, VA. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Hampton Institute (University), her Master of Science degree in Educational Administration from Salisbury State University, and her Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Organizational Leadership. She received the Outstanding Service Award from the United States Army, Europe and a Sustained Superior T E R W A A C D A Performance Award from the Department of Defense Dependent Schools, Germany, for her Child Find com- A D Supporting every student, E O M R B Y munity program. Dr. Hall is a member of the Virginia Association of School Personnel Administrators, Virginia 19 66 School Board Association, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. EVERY DAY! E A A I S N T I E R G N I R She is married to her childhood sweetheart, Chester L. Hall, Sr. and has two V S H O F Academics. Arts. Athletics. O R E sons, Chester Hall, Jr. and Brandon Hall. She considers Nyoka, Chester’s wife, the daughter she never had. She is the proud grandmother of two boys, Mason Our goal is to prepare students for success in college and in life. In Hall and Brendan Hall, who are the sunshine of her life. fact, 100% of our graduates are accepted to colleges or universities Dr. Hall states that her biggest supporter along with her husband and kids and have SAT scores 150 points above the average student in is her mother, Delores Crippen, whom she says is her hero.