Letter to Virginia Congressman Rob Wittman

Hello Congressman Wittman,

I am contacting you because of my concerns about the toll on the George P. Coleman Bridge and how it has and continues to stifle growth in Gloucester County and others areas of the Middle Peninsula.

After considerable research and conversations with numerous people, I understand; when it came time to replace the bridge during the 90’s, there was a concerted effort, by the local governing bodies to our south and parties here in Gloucester, to prevent the federal government from becoming involved in the replacement process, to the extent that reinstating a toll on the bridge was the only option to cover replacement costs.

I further understand; our southern neighbors’ objectives of reinstating a toll were to stifle the unprecedented growth that occurred in localities north of the bridge when the toll was removed from the old bridge. I further understand; our southern neighbors supported reinstating a toll to stop people from moving from those areas to the Middle Peninsula. I further understand; there were certain influential persons in Gloucester who wanted growth stifled because they want Gloucester turned into a retirement community. I further understand; some players wanted growth stifled until such a time as they too would be able to profit from growth in Gloucester. I further understand; if the federal government had been included, in the same manner as it was in the replacement of two bridges in West Point, there would not have been a need to implement the toll.

When the Coleman Bridge replacement plan was presented to the residents of Gloucester, they were left with the impression that the toll would be required for 20 to 25 years. A year or so ago we were informed the toll will remain for another 20 to 25 years. Within the last few months Gloucester Supervisor, Phillip Bazzani has made efforts to have the toll restructured to relieve some of the financial burden the toll primarily places on Gloucester residents. I appreciate Mr. Bazzani’s efforts, but feel traveling the path through the Commonwealth process will result in minimal to no relief.

Whether or not my understandings of how the toll came about are correct or not is basically dependent on whose version of the story one chooses to believe. There is one thing everyone seems to agree on; the swing span portion of the bridge is necessary only because of the Navy ships that navigate the York River.

I am wondering what the possibility would be of moving legislation through Congress, in which the Navy pays off any outstanding debt and assumes permanent financial responsibility of at least, the costs of operations, maintenance and replacement of the span portions of the bridge; or better yet, of the entire bridge.

If such a shift in financial responsibility occurs, there will no longer be any justification for the toll that has stifled growth in a large portion of the Middle Peninsula. It will also relieve the residents of Gloucester County and other affected localities of an unnecessary tax and restriction on travel.

Thank you for the good job you have been doing and for your time.

Respectfully,

Kenny Hogge, Sr.

Gloucester Point, Va.

Governor McAuliffe Announces Creation of Virginia Oyster Trail

Chargrilled oysters (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 ~ Proclaims November as Virginia Oyster Month, Recognizes Virginia as “Oyster Capital of the East Coast” ~

Virginia Is Leading East Coast Seafood Producer, Third Largest in the Nation

RICHMOND– Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced the creation of the Virginia Oyster Trail, a major tourism development project connecting travelers to Virginia oyster purveyors, raw bars and restaurants, and the watermen culture throughout Coastal Virginia, the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula and Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

“Virginia produces the best oysters in the world and as the oyster industry continues to grow, we want to let it be known that Virginia is also the Oyster Capital of the East Coast,” said Governor McAuliffe.  “In addition to growing, harvesting and selling the best oysters, our watermen are providing good jobs in their communities, generating revenue and tax dollars throughout their region, and helping improve the environment of the Chesapeake Bay as their oysters filter millions of gallons of water each day.”

“As my team and I work to build a new Virginia economy, I want to make sure that our tourism and agricultural industries, including our outstanding and diverse marine products sector, can and will play a significant role in that effort.”

This year, a public-private partnership of stakeholders began working together to brand the Virginia oyster travel experience to show the world that Virginia is for Oyster Lovers.  The trail offers visitors a way to enjoy Virginia’s seven different oyster regions, as well as experience the unique culture of watermen in the Chesapeake Bay.   As a result of these exciting developments with the Virginia oyster, Governor McAuliffe officially declared November as Virginia Oyster Month and named Virginia the “Oyster Capital of the East Coast.”

“The Virginia oyster pairs perfectly with another widely recognized Virginia product – wine – and some of Virginia’s oyster regions share watersheds with a number of Virginia’s outstanding wineries,” said First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe. “I believe this goes a long way to proving the old saying of “what grows together, goes together.”  Indeed, we have two world-class products – oysters and wine – right here in Virginia and I know that the Virginia Oyster Trail will provide new economic opportunities for both those sectors and many other businesses as we work to create a new Virginia economy.”

Virginia’s oyster harvest increased by 25 percent from 2012 to 2013, with more than 500,000 bushels – the most in nearly a generation.  Over the past 12 years, the oyster harvest in Virginia has increased from approximately 23,000 bushels in 2001 to last year’s level of just over 500,000.  This is the highest level since 1987.  The dockside value alone of the oyster harvest in 2013 was more than $22 million, up from approximately $16 million in 2012.

“In addition to being the nation’s third largest producer of marine products, Virginia is the leading East Coast seafood production state and the oyster industry plays a significant role in those both of these high rankings,” said Todd Haymore, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, noting that the Commonwealth had more than 400 million pounds in landings last year placing it behind only Alaska and Louisiana.  “We’re proud to promote Virginia oysters here and on international trade missions, where we’ve generated new export sales to China, Hong Kong, and Canada.  As we answer the Governor’s call to build a new Virginia economy, we must take an inclusive approach by working with some of our oldest businesses, such as our seafood industries, as they continue to provide good jobs and outstanding products.  With today’s announcement of the Virginia Oyster Trail, we’re hoping to spur more growth and opportunities for our watermen, the marine product sector, and other businesses along the trail.”

Virginia’s seven different oyster regions produce the largest quantity of fresh wild-caught and farm-raised oysters in the United States and each region produces oysters with distinct flavors, offering an oyster for every palate.  The Virginia oyster industry is one of the longest-standing industries in the state, providing bountiful meals for Virginia’s first inhabitants.

“The continued growth of the oyster industry and our fisheries management programs, combined with private sector investment, positively impacts the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia’s economy, particularly with respect to tourism,” said Maurice Jones, Secretary of Commerce and Trade.“Tourism is an instant revenue generator for Virginia, accounting for over $21.2 billion in revenue and supporting 210,000 jobs in 2012.  The Virginia Oyster Trail is sure to continue this growth in tourism around the Commonwealth.”

“Virginia is in the oyster business in a major way,” said Rita McClenny, President and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation. “With seven different oyster regions, we are unlike any other state in the nation.  The development of the Virginia Oyster Trail will allow travelers to experience the state with taste by pairing the Virginia oyster with other quality products made in Virginia, including wine, craft beer, cider and spirits.”

The Virginia Tourism Corporation partnered with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, Shellfish Growers of Virginia, the Virginia Seafood Council, the Virginia Marine Products Board, and the Artisans Center of Virginia, in addition to local tourism offices and planning district committees, to make this project a reality.  For more information on the Virginia Oyster Trail, visitvirginiaoystertrail.com.  Learn more about the various tourism economic efforts of the Virginia Tourism Corporation by visiting vatc.org/PAM.

Related articles

• Governor McAuliffe Taps Richmond Chef Lee Gregory to Represent Virginia at Great American Seafood Cook-off
• Virginia Posts Largest Oyster Harvest Since 1987
• Governor McAuliffe Announces $500,000 Nature Conservancy Grant
• Governor McAuliffe Announces 160 New Jobs in Smyth County
• Governor McAuliffe Announces The V Foundation for Cancer Research
• Governor McAuliffe Announces Virginia Agricultural and Forestry Exports Reach New Record High

Gloucester, VA County Services Outrageous Costs, $600 Per Cat and Dog In November

Exposing Some of The Outrageous Costs of Gloucester County, Virginia's Government Services:  $600.00 Per Dog and Cat Picked Up In November, 2013. 

According to the figures reported in the Gloucester Mathews Gazette Journal newspaper this past week, Gloucester's Animal Control picked up 41 stray dogs and 6 stray cats during the month of November, 2013.  The latest figures just released to the paper from county officials.  So we decided to see what that translates to as far as the cost per animal incarcerated by these over glorified doggie catchers.  What we came up with was a staggering figure of nearly $600.00 per cat and dog handled by Animal Control for the month of November.

$600.00 Per Cat And Dog To Be Incarcerated As Opposed To $400.00 To Save A Human Life In Gloucester County, Virginia: 

To qualify the above figures, what we did is look at the yearly budget for Animal Control.  We then broke that down by 12 months to come up with a figure of $28,021.00 for one month and then divided that by the number of animals caught and incarcerated.  41 stray dogs and 6 cats.  The final number there came to a staggering $596.20 per animal.  We compared that to what it costs to save a human life by calling an ambulance.  

  Coming up with a figure for an ambulance was a bit tougher and required more work.  In Gloucester, the ambulance ride is supposed to be free as it is county funded through tax dollars and there are no figures to break that down.  So we went through various counties and cities within Hampton Roads and the Middle Peninsula to come up with an upper end figure of about $400.00.  

  Maybe Gloucester County officials should start looking at our emergency response for clues on how to better budget the over glorified doggie catchers.  If they use ambulances, then at least they could transport the animals in accordance with county ordinances.  (You can not transport an animal in a vehicle when the temperature is 80 degrees or above without air conditioning.  An ordinance that is in violation with state codes from what we have reviewed, but the county refuses to follow their own ordinances when transporting animals.  Yet you can leave Grandma in a car when the temperature is 110 degrees without air conditioning and that is just fine.  Just call an ambulance when she passes out.)

(Air Gap Between Truck Front and Truck Bed of Animal Control Vehicles in Gloucester County.  No Air Conditioning Provided for Animals in transport).

  Also, we calculated the time it took to incarcerate an animal.  It was about 16 hours per animal based on the number of animals handled and man hours on the payroll of Animal Control.  It looks like we need a much better plan.  

  Maybe the county should look at a bounty payment plan instead.  Bring in a stray for a bounty of $200.00 would be much cheaper.   Either way, why does it cost more to incarcerate an animal than to save a human life?

 Next time you see a stray dog or cat remember that if you call to have the animal picked up, it's at a cost of about $600.00 to the taxpayers of the county.  But you can save a human life for two thirds that cost.  Does anyone find that outrageous?

Related articles

• Board of Supervisors Rulers of Gloucester County?
• Gloucester, VA Officials Continue To Ignore The Will of The People
• Gloucester, VA County Employees At Hardees December 10th, 2013
• Gloucester, VA County Truck Number 67 At McDonald's Again
• Gloucester, VA Old Page Middle School Site, What Should We Do With It?
• Gloucester, VA Board of Supervisors Meeting Video Nov. 2013