Brainstorming Coastal City, Virginia

[death tribble]

Johnson's Farm

 

It is not the biggest farm in the area but any of the milk drunk in the vicinity is likely to be labelled as Johnson's Farm Dairy. The farm is not even owned by anyone called Johnson but the name sells in the locality. It seems to mean quality and dependability. For as long as anyone can recall milk coming from here has been regarded as a mark of quality. A number of farms around the city send milk to Johnson's Farm and then it goes onto retail. It sells whilst anyone doing otherwise runs into problems including bankruptcy. The same is true for anyone trying to parody the name like Johnson Family, Johnston, Johnstone and Jonson. Similarly corporations do not try to market any milk other than that produced in the area as Johnson's Farm Dairy. Unexplained and unexplainable deaths occurred when someone did. Cream, butter and cheese sales are not that high in comparison, it is the milk that sells.

Criminals tend to avoid the area. There are apocryphal tales of criminals trying to run protection schemes on the farms and also trying to poison the ground asking for ransom. These fail because the police are on the ball but fatal 'accidents' have befallen those who have tried to exploit the farmers. During Prohibition there were no stills in the area. There is also a tale that says a Morbane from DEMON felt there was something mystic in the area but he vanished when investigating it.

 

EDIT: Hope that is alright. I saw a hole in the market and voila.

[Mark Rand]

One idea I had was that Coastal City was in New Haven County, Connecticut, taking the place of the coastal cities of Milford and Stratford.  The Housatonic River runs through the city and empties into Long Island Sound.  As far as media goes, it's in the New York City media market.

[death tribble]

The Chandlery

 

This is the place to get supplies for boats or ships and has been for years. It always seems to attract people who know the business of the sea and waterways. And if you want to know the local history of the waterway, then if you can't find it here then they can direct you to where you can find it out. It has passed through several different owners but they have not added anything like the city name or a family name, it has remained The Chandlery. And for some time they were the only place where you could get boat supplies. It has thus ensured the loyalty of the local populace who in a world of change can use it as a landmark and a sign of stability.

The decor may change to suit an owner's taste or to make it look fresh but otherwise the place remains the same.

[Mark Rand]

Coastal City is the main city in Lancaster County, Virginia, and the county seat.  Here is the county government (from Wikipedia). 

 

Lancaster County is governed by a five-member board of supervisors.  The board meets in the Lancaster County Administration Building at 7 p.m. on the last Thursday of every month.  The Administration building is located at 8311 Mary Ball Road in Lancaster, Virginia.

 

Board of Supervisors

·        District 1: Craig H. Giese (R)

·        District 2: Ernest W. Palin, Jr., Chair (I)

·        District 3: Jason D. Bellows, Vice Chair (I)

·        District 4: William R. Lee (I)

·        District 5: William C. Smith (I)

Constitutional officers

·        Clerk of the Circuit Court: Diane H. Mumford (I)

·        Commissioner of the Revenue: Marlon Savoy

·        Commonwealth Attorney: Anthony Spencer (R)

·        Sheriff: Patrick McCranie (R)

·        Treasurer: Bonnie J. Dickson

 

Lancaster is represented by Republican Ryan T. McDougle in the Virginia Senate, Republican Margaret Bevans Ransone in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Republican Robert J. “Rob” Wittman in the U.S. House of Representatives.

 

[death tribble]

Todd Benedict

 

The biggest ambulance chasing lawyer in Coastal City is Todd Benedict. Loathed and despised by the insurance industry and also on occasion by the police, Todd's success as a lawyer is infamous not only in the State but on the entire East coast. Some would argue even across the country.

Todd has two toll free lines 1-800-WRECKIT and 1-800-WRECKEM and he uses these to take on 'those who have hurt the common man'. His adverts show what many would say is the classic Ivy League stereotype, square jawed, shiny white teeth and immaculate short hair. His clients are usually the poor and he makes a substantial amount of money from the claims he makes on their behalf. He gets on well with the people he has represented in the past and has saved some of them from scam artists and blackmailers. His office is modest as are his house and car which infuriates his critics who would love to portray him as a soulless shallow creature.

 

(a lawyer with Luck ? Inconceivable !)