Plan will ruin historic land

Date published: 11/19/2002

I have been a resident of Spotsylvania for over 15 years. I love this county, but unfortunately living here for so long has allowed me to see all of the aspects that draw people to this area be paved over and converted into parking lots, shopping centers and overcrowded highways.

Large lot subdivisions have taken over woodlands, quiet country roads have turned into three-lane traffic disasters and strip malls are everywhere. Our once rural and peaceful community is transforming into another Northern Virginia. We are losing the qualities that make this area special.

Now, Reston developer Ray Smith wants to build over the historically important farmland adjacent to the Chancellorsville battlefield, an area where thousands fought and died.

He wants to turn it into a "real town" with more than 1,500 homes and dozens of offices and shops. This hallowed ground will soon be overridden with thousands of people and polluted by thousands of cars. This historic land must be preserved. If we destroy our natural and historic heritage, we destroy ourselves.

Jeff Phillips

Spotsylvania

Date published: 11/19/2002