Our Story Keeps Growing

A Threat to Our Rural Home

Going strong for decades, and now up to 1,500 members, Citizens for a Better Eastern Shore (CBES) actually started in the living room of a concerned Shore citizen, with just a handful of others.

It was the late 1980’s and like other coastal communities rapid, unchecked development, devoid of community input, was that threatening our rural beauty and small-town coastal heritage. Most alarming was local government seemed unconcerned and ill-equipped to deal with the outside development pressure.

The resounding question became – shouldn’t it be Shore citizens who decide our community’s future?

Coming Together

Powered by love for our Shore home, dedicated citizens quickly organized CBES on a solid foundation, holding its first meeting in July 1988 and incorporating our nonprofit 501c3 that October. (Accomack County started its own chapter, which would later merge into a single organization as reflected in today’s membership.)

Recognizing the Eastern Shore as a truly diverse community, a substantial effort was made to ensure “all had a seat at the table” by listening to varying viewpoints and making CBES membership accessible to everyone. Today this continued effort is reflected in CBES strong partnerships and ambitious Mission - Promoting balanced growth, enhancing the quality of life of all our citizens, and preserving our cultural and natural resources.

Success!

CBES initial achievement was the passing of a new Comprehensive Plan for Northampton County and an updated Zoning Ordinance. Reflecting the community’s vision and a stronger focus on sustainable development, Shore folks were squarely in the driver’s seat.

Along with balanced growth, CBES recognized from the beginning that working toward a healthy and equitable community involved in tackling a variety of issues from housing and sustainable economic development to education and groundwater management.

CBES “Voice”

ShoreLine news journal, considered CBES “voice,” also began in 1988. Primarily volunteer-powered, it is published monthly without exception. Together with a variety of forums over the years, ShoreLine puts CBES mission into action. It is an integral part of how we help  INFORM – ENGAGE – EMPOWER  our citizens.

History of Confronting Shore Issues

Below is a partial list of topics CBES has helped our community address over the decades. Most continue to need attention as we work toward a better Eastern Shore.

• Advocating for Community Supported Comprehensive Plans & Zoning Ordinances for Both Counties

• Sustainable Economic Development

• Supporting Agriculture, Seafood Production and Sustainable Tourism as Key Shore Industries

• Affordable Housing

• Education of Shore Youth

• Jobs & Workforce Training

• Groundwater Management/Shore’s Sole Source Aquifer

• Need for Recreational Opportunities

• Proposed Maximum Security Prison in African American Neighborhood

• Rapid Increase in Accomack County’s Industrial Poultry Operations

• Affordable Shore-wide Internet Access

• Impacts of Short-Term Rentals

• Menhaden Fishery in the Chesapeake Bay …and more!