Residents press council over postcards about Rocket Lab; spaceport manager says issues mostly resolved

Several residents used the public-comment period at Chincoteague's December council meeting to raise concerns about postcards and social media posts they said implied imminent launches or use of island ramps by Rocket Lab or other operators.

At the start of the meeting the presiding official corrected what he called "bad fake news," saying a Rocket Lab plan to use Queens Sound had been described in earlier forums as a backup option and that Rocket Lab representatives indicated the Queens Sound option was not going forward. Several residents said the postcards nonetheless circulated and created worry in the community.

Bev Fleming told council that assurances from vendors or outside operators should be documented in writing, not treated as fact. "Assurance is very similar to the word assumed," she said, urging written commitments for any future contracts or arrangements involving town property or island traffic.

Lehi Labick, who identified himself in public comment as general manager of the commercial spaceport, said he attended to answer questions and that most of the mailing issues had been resolved. He provided contact information and asked residents and council members to reach out to him directly to clarify specific concerns. "I'd prefer we work these things as quick and quietly as we can," Labick said, offering to provide factual answers rather than let rumors circulate.

Other speakers urged the council to host public forums and to be cautious about messaging. Suzanne Russo asked to have her name removed from circulating lists and said a quick "it's done already" response did not substitute for public engagement. Several speakers said the town's narrow roads raise safety concerns if special operations require temporary traffic restrictions.

Council members emphasized that factual clarity and clear communication are important, and the manager and staff offered to answer detailed follow-ups. The meeting record shows the town did not adopt any formal policy or contract related to Rocket Lab during this session; the council's immediate action was to correct the record and invite further dialogue between residents and the spaceport representative.