Letter to the Eastern Shore News, October 17, 2007

Supervisor Thornton responds to recent letter in News

To the editor:
In responding to Tony Picardi’s letter in the Eastern Shore News, let me say that Picardi called or e-mailed me no fewer than eight times in an attempt to persuade me to give him credibility by answering a questionnaire that he had developed for the candidates.

I believe some of the other candidates he attacked also did not answer his questionnaire.

He forgot to mention that he is a member of the Save Our Necks group that is suing the county and is trying to get Chincoteague’s appointee removed from the planning commission. Picardi in my opinion is not credible, and I have told him so.

I found it interesting that his and Terry Elliott’s letters seemed to run along the same theme; it actually sounded as though the same person wrote both letters.

One thing Picardi did not count on — I had the forum digitally recorded. I anticipated this sort of thing would happen. I have recorded everything I said.

The only accurate statement he made was I estimated the comp plan to be around 400 or 500 pages; the pages were not numbered and I had not counted them. I also had the Agricultural and Forestal Districts attached to my plan because I was comparing the amount of parcels that had been removed. Does that make me untrustworthy?

If I thought we were going to be asked that question, or it was going to be an issue, I would have counted the pages. I said I had only read about one third of the plan. I did not say that the plan called for 10 acres; I said I would not support 10 acres. This is what was proposed by the planning commission last year. I also stated I would not support five acres. It is all recorded.

For him to take the remainder of his facts from the Chincoteague Reports Web site is really laughable. He could have listened to every word I said on the Town of Chincoteague Web site; that way he could have gotten accurate information, but that would have defeated his purpose, which was to slander me.

I never said the county attorney made the statement about the Shellfish Enhancement Zones or central sewage. I referred you to the Town of Chincoteague’s Web site to hear what I said. I suggest you listen to what I said; then maybe you will be man enough to apologize for your false accusations.

Evidently, Picardi has not read the Public Safety Strategic Plan. I recommend he read page 25, where it says the EMS Tax District will include Chincoteague, which means a huge tax increase for the town. (Also page 30) Consolidate EMS staffing along the Route 13 corridor; this will mean more effective coverage for the maximum amount of population would be achieved.

This will also mean higher unit travel time to those outlying station areas that lose their career staff coverage.

If this is not intended for Chincoteague, Saxis and the other outlying areas, then identify what EMS career staff they intend to move to U.S. Route 13, and from what stations. The plan also recommends those stations in a flood plain should be relocated. Let’s identify the stations that meet this criteria. I was in attendance at the fire services meeting when the consultant discussed the recommendation to consolidate the EMS personnel on Route 13.

Chincoteague cannot meet the requirements of the Bay Act; neither can the other seaside towns. Chincoteague went through this before when it was proposed.

Although existing structures in an existing town will be grandfathered, lots that have not been built on can’t meet the requirements, or if we have a flood or fire that destroys our houses, and they can’t be built back, or we try to install central sewer — I could go on and on.

The point is, Picardi only cares about what he wants, not about others. He only needs to look in the mirror to see the person who spreads falsehoods. I think he will recognize himself.

Wanda Thornton

Chincoteague