Tomorrow's night meeting at Onancock Fire House has abruptly been canceled.
Here is the statement WBOC provided the Accomack County citizens with.
This is what was stated just before the WBOC broadcast:
"WE BEGIN TONIGHT -- WITH NEWS REGARDING OUR ACCOMACK COUNTY ARSON SPECIAL.
For days -- we have talked about holding a live town hall special from the Onancock Volunteer Fire Department. We've invited all of you to be with us. However -- just before our 6 pm broadcast -- WBOC was informed by the Accomack County Emergency Services Director, Jeff Terwilliger, that he does not see the value of us holding a town hall event in their county.
We invited a panel of guests to the Onancock Fire Hall -- including Virginia State Police, Accomack County agencies, elected officials and the Virginia Governor's office... All of them declined to participate. Because of that lack of participation -- we've been informed we cannot use the fire hall.
We understand this is an ongoing investigation, our hope was to raise public awareness and provide answers to your questions regarding this incredible string of arsons. The people who can answer those questions are not talking.
In its place -- tomorrow night -- WBOC will dedicate our entire 7:00pm broadcast to the Accomack arsons. The WBOC news team has spent significant time producing in-depth reports -- that we still want you to see.
We want to apologize to you, because we wanted you to be with us at this town hall event... but we still invite you to watch us tomorrow night at 7 -- as we examine the Accomack County arsons.
Citizens are encouraged to attend.
WBOC as we hold a live town hall meeting
"The Accomack County Arsons"
Wednesday, March 27, at 7 p.m.
Onancock Volunteer Fire Department
9 Pine St.
Onancock, Virginia
The hour long special will discuss the seventy plus fires that have burned in Accomack County and meet some residents that have been impacted.
A panel of experts will also be on hand to talk about what is being done to keep the citizens safe.
There have been over 70 arsons in the Accomack County area since November 12, 2012.
I don't blame Accomack, wboc never reports anything from down there so why start now.
ReplyDeleteYou may be right anon 9:25 but for the Accomack County Services Director to state the "he does not see the value of us holding a town hall event in their county" is NOT a good way to reassure the citizens that everything is being done.
ReplyDeleteI realize that everyone is maxed out in this horrible situation but the fact STILL remains that NOT ONE PERSON from the county offices have spoken to the citizens who have had to live with these arsons for months now.
I have found here living on the Eastern Shore very different from anywhere else I have every lived. Most people here are happy with how things are, "as is", working with the public is a difficult task for rural Marylander because of the lack of insight; looking beyond themselves, making changes for the better and so many keep to themselves or just their local buddies.It is a mentality that holds progess back. Change is good when implemented by experienced, educated non-political hands.
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ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
I have found here living on the Eastern Shore very different from anywhere else I have every lived.
[ME] EXACTLY!! And thus the reason that those of us born and raised here love it so much.
Anonymous said...
Most people here are happy with how things are, "as is"
[ME] And we like this way and the reason that we stay here, because we are "happy with how things are" and we'd really like it if the comehere's would stop mettlin' with it.
Anonymous said...
, working with the public is a difficult task for rural Marylander because of the lack of insight; looking beyond themselves, making changes for the better
[ME] And just who the hell do you think you are? If it's so "difficult" for you please see your way back off the shore. YOU are what makes US so difficult. We do not have a "lack of insight" nor do we have a problem "looking beyond" ourselves. Maybe we don't cotton to the kind of "changes" that YOU think or for the "better"
Anonymous said...
and so many keep to themselves or just their local buddies
[ME] Yup, and you wonder why? Read your offending comment. Who in their right mind would want to be your buddy?
Anonymous said...
.It is a mentality that holds progess back
[ME] Yup, we're stoopid... Yup, it's our "mentality" But bye-gawd we can spell progress...
!:03 You missed the point of my post. The public is scared, they feel helpless and want to see some kind of action to feel safe. Seems like backing is not addressing public need to come together during a time of crisis.
ReplyDeleteAND you missed my other spelling error. Like I said before and you confirmed the mentality,it gets back to being "all about yourself rather than addressing public issues. You took it personally
Why waste time proofreading a mispelling of a comment?
ReplyDeleteWhat is being done, what more can be done and the community wants to step up.
What is going to happen when there is drier weather combined with high winds? That fire will spread and it will be more than just rotting structures burning.
I can't see any reason why this did not go on as planned. It could have been a way to get infomation out in regards to what the public should be on the look out for. They set up checkpoints to hand out flyers at the cost of how much to taxpayers? This town hall meeting could have served the same purpose at a much lower cost.
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