Mans Fruit Stand Targeted By The State

Written by
Ted Shockley
Staff Writer
August 13, 2011

TEMPERANCEVILLE -- Burke Landon is in a governmental pickle with his roadside vegetable stand.



Photo- Jay Diem/Eastern Shore News



After three years of operation, the government has decided that the market and its signs are too close to Saxis Road.

Despite Landon's repeated calls, he said the government won't enforce the 35-mile-per-hour speed limit in front of his home. The thoroughfare is home to frequent motorcycle races and speeding drivers.

Despite Landon's complaints, he wonders if the government is ever going to mow the weeds in a nearby ditch that makes leaving his driveway perilous, or even clean the culvert that causes part of his yard to flood.

Landon even laughs about calling the authorities about loaded log trucks that are mysteriously driving away from U.S. Route 13 on their route north, only to resurface on the highway after avoiding the New Church truck scales. Despite his calls, the trucks continue to use the route.

"It's like no one cares what goes on with Saxis Road," he said. "It seems like I can't get anybody to do anything. I have tried to work with them."

Landon has a big customer base with his small market, where he sells everything from fresh North Carolina shrimp to garden-grown vegetables. It's on Saxis Road just minutes from the Temperanceville intersection. He's open around 1 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and all day Saturday and Sunday.

But as soon as he expanded his stand on the side and rear, the state highway department claimed the stand and its signs were in a state right-of-way. He's four and a half feet too close to the road.

Nora Chivers, a state highway department spokeswoman, said rights-of-way are placed for safety reasons -- so people aren't crashing into buildings or signs.

People who want to post items in rights-of-way need state permits. If something doesn't have a permit, "we can remove it. That's how it's enforced," she said.

However, there isn't an inspection team on the Eastern Shore patrolling for violations, she said. If crews find violations during road maintenance, they can warn violators, she said.

Within a few miles on Saxis Road, Landon counted numerous other apparent right-of-way violations -- his total was 17 violations -- and wondered why he was being singled out.

Landon had a deal for the highway department. "As soon as you cut this ditch, I will move my stand back four and a half feet," he told them.

"They have yet to cut it."

He even offered to keep the ditch near his home maintained if the department's equipment cleared the heavy brush first.

Police also haven't followed up on his tips about the log trucks, the motorcycle races or the clogged culvert.

"You'll probably have a motorcycle go past you doing a wheelie 80 miles per hour," Landon said. "When a child gets killed, then they'll do something about it."

Until then, Landon will keep calling about the speeders and the grass. He'll keep selling the shrimp and vegetables.

He finds it interesting that the government enforcement is more concerned with a sign and a couple of posts in the ground than people endangering others with their vehicles.

"The state and the county are always doing this for your taxes," he said, holding out his hand as if about to receive money.

"But you get nothing in return."

Source; http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110813/ESN01/108130304/-It-s-like-no-one-cares-what-goes-on-with-Saxis-Road-?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Eastern Shore News|s

**We rode past Mr. Landon's produce stand today and I am pleased to report that brush and ditch bank have been cleared on both sides of the road.  Mr. Landon is correct when he tells that speeding on Saxis Road happens everyday and speeders can be found the whole length of  Saxis Road until you reach the end -which is the Welcome sign in Saxis!  Horsey Road is just as dangerous to travel. 

Clogged culvert?  Yes.  Most of them are and there is flooding in front of his home and the others in that area.  Other ditches throughout the area are the same and water sits there for days.  But here's something to remember.  A few months ago the citizens of Accomack County were asked to help all they could to keep the sides of the road and ditch banks in front of their homes mowed.  My husband does.  In fact he cuts further down on both sides most times.  Due to cutbacks with the county and state our state roads dept. just doesn't have the funds to cut these areas as often as needed. However, Mr. Landon did have a just complaint.

Motorcycle races?  Those too.  Horsey Road and Saxis Road are the most popular for this weekend sport and people actually come from miles around to watch and to race.  But the racers know when the police have been notified.   I've even known the races to occur during local church hours and I can't imagine how devastating it would be for a family leaving church to be involved in a drag racing accident.

Logging trucks?  Yes.  And this gentlemen should know.  The woods beside him is being thinned and he should know which way the log trucks travel.  But then, you can ask anyone that travels  the back roads about the number of heavy trucks avoiding the  New Church scales.

Good job, Mr. Landon.  Maybe you got the ball rolling in the right direction for those of us back here that pay taxes and get no action!** jmmb