Chincoteague Bridge - the bigger problem

Chincoteague Bridge – the bigger problem


Today I would like to comment on the front page story in the Chincoteague Beacon that appeared in that paper this week. It was title, “Bridge delays upset drivers.” The full article can also be found on www.delmarvanow.com. The article was written by Carol Vaughn a staff writer for the paper. The reporter goes into great detail about the tremendous traffic back ups on the causeway leading to and from Chincoteague Island and the frustrations that ensue.

First of all, let me confess that I believe almost no one hates traffic jams more than I. I am nearly phobic about being trapped in a line of cars with no option but to sit and wait. I will go to great lengths to avoid situations such as this and the general absence of problems like these on the Eastern Shore of Virginia are a big reason why I choose to live here.

Apparently, this nightmare is going to continue well in to January and I guess we will have to “tough it out,” but I have greater concerns than mere inconvenience.
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I have witnessed first-hand how a major construction project can have a devastating effect on local businesses. When I was in my twenties, I worked at the Lexington Market in Downtown Baltimore, MD when a buffet of major Urban Renewal Projects including the building of the subway were happening simultaneously. It literally killed business in many of the downtown areas including Lexington Market. No one wanted to go anywhere near the area for a long time and it took years to recover. Many businesses never did recover.

It is clear that the bridge construction is having a seriously detrimental effect on the Chincoteague Island businesses and is even affecting some of the upcoming events and festivals

So here is my appeal to all of the residents and visitors to Chincoteague, in the coming months please go out of your way to buy locally. I mean really, really locally. Buy on Chincoteague. Buy your Holiday and Christmas gifts from local gift shops and stores. Forget Amazon and buy your books at Sundial Books, the Book Hounds or the Kite Koop. If your taste runs to the gourmet, you’ve got incredible selections at Wine, Cheese and More or Threadgoods

Buy a piece of art from one of Chincoteague’s Fine Artists.

Make an extra effort to keep your “eating out” dollars on Chincoteague. If you are looking for a Romantic Getaway, then rent a luxury room at the Hilton, the Waterside,
The Comfort Suites, the Island Motor Lodge or the Refuge Inn .

Be sure to attend the Oyster Festival, the Chili Chowder Cook off, shop at the Farmers Market, and do some gift shopping at the Holiday Craft Extravaganza at the Chincoteague Center or the Thanksgiving Craft Show at the Chincoteague High School.

Attend one of the many wonderful Chincoteague Cultural Alliance Events.

Keep your hard earned dollars here!

Chincoteague Island simply cannot afford to lose any of our fine local merchants. Now is the time to help your neighbors. We all have to spend, so please spend your money here on Chincoteague and we will all make it through this difficult time.

Also, how about a prayer or two for good weather and a speedy completion of the Chincoteague Bridge Project. Hopefully, the new bridge will herald a new era of prosperity on Chincoteague and these inconveniences will be viewed as merely “growing pains.”

Until the next time…Spend locally!