by Tom Chillemi
Meetings are usually run under rules of order that allow audience members to speak only during public comment periods.
A reproduction of an 18th-century sailing ship could be docking at Urbanna as one of its ports of call.
On July 25, the Urbanna Town Council voted to give moral support to the Luna Project. The Colonial Seaport Foundation (CSF) of Deltaville is restoring a 47-foot sailing sloop that replicates the cargo-carrying vessels of Colonial America, explained John Collamore of the CSF. “Luna” is based on the design of a Virginia sloop. The foundation is dedicated to “Preserving America’s Maritime History.”
In their day, ships like Luna would haul goods from one port to another and spread the news of the day. They were the tractor-trailers of their day, said Collamore.
Collamore told council that Luna will visit historic ports of call, waterfront museums and relevant maritime festivals to share the stories of Colonial America’s maritime heritage. Urbanna is desirable as a port of call due to its deep history as one of seven colonial port towns. Plans are to have Luna dock at the Urbanna Town Marina for town events, such as the Urbanna Oyster Festival and Founders Day.
The revived Luna also will be a floating classroom fostering STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). It will be available to schools, homeschooled students and youth programs that may not be able to travel to historic sites.
The foundation has several hands-on education programs that meet or exceed Standards of Learning (SOL) in Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina.
Luna is being redesigned by master shipwright John H. (Chip) Collamore III of Deltaville. The Luna Project has been ongoing for more than 11 years. A launch is tentatively set for this fall. Luna will be the only tall ship in the region.
Learn more at colonialseaport.org.
On July 25 more than 40 citizens filled the Urbanna Town Hall and several of them had comments for town council.
Dennis Durrette, speaking in reference to recent questions about an internet security agreement, suggested that council and mayor stay within the boundaries of roles and duties as defined in the town code, develop procurement policies, seek a new town attorney, and provide the town administrator with training and support and allow her to do the job.
Following a closed session, council approved a vote of support and confidence for town administrator Holly Gailey.
“Our town needs solid leadership and each of you has been elected to provide it,” said Durrette. “We look forward to you coming together as a dedicated body to serve and move Urbanna into a successful future that we all deserve.”
Ginny Sawkins told council she agreed with Durrette. She asked council to consider putting a public comment period toward the middle of the meeting. This would give those who are uninformed on town business “a better opportunity to speak up,” she said.
Later in the meeting council voted to add another public comment period at the end of meetings and to allow council members to reply to citizen comments.
Sawkins, a former town council member, commended those who stood up for principles. “I hope these matters are taken seriously by all of you. I hope you listen and understand the validity of what is going on and the questions that have arisen and that you will work your best and diligently as elected public servants to change what has been considered wrong, to put it bluntly ,and fix it so the town can get back to working as a solid unit,” she said.
Sawkins added that council should work with volunteers.
Former mayor Steve Hollberg, who lost the 2018 election to current mayor Diane Gravatt, also addressed council about recent issues. “The thing that concerns me is style points more than anything, the way you are coming across at your meetings, the way you are managing your relationships, and it’s getting bad press for us. You need to do a better job of reaching out to the community.”
Wanda Hollberg told council that citizen input should be sought regarding a master plan for Taber Park. In January a consultant gathered citizen input so he could develop a concept for renovation of Urbanna’s Taber Park, which includes the town pool. A public informational meeting of the proposed plan will be held on Monday, August 12, at 7 p.m. in the town hall.
Also speaking was Bob Calves, a former Urbanna resident and town treasurer, who commended council for paying off town debt.
Business owner Jody Anglin commented that the landscaping on Virginia Street needs to be maintained.
