Why am I involved in river easement? I believe in it

Henry "Hap" Connors

Date published: 2/13/2006

A recent letter to the editor from Frank Milborn asked a rhetorical question about why I was involved in the discussions about the river easement ["Don't rush easement--concerns remain," Feb. 8].

First, I am involved because I believe it is our moral obligation to be good stewards of God's resources--and that would include our river.

Second, and quite simply, I'm involved because, much to their credit, city officials asked me and other Spotsylvania Board members to comment on their plans.

We did, and city officials changed the easement agreement to address issues such as control, access for roads and utilities, access for our citizens, and proc-esses for amendments so that we don't unduly tie the hands of future leaders.

In short, we made common-sense changes that achieve preservation goals while producing mutually beneficial outcomes for all parties of the agreement.

Our discussions with the city--again, at their invitation--began two years ago, about the same amount of time it took our forefathers to draft and ratify the U.S. Constitution! So much for the accusations that we're rushing things.

There have also been public forums. Some folks think we need to have yet more meetings and more forums. I don't.

If they really wanted to generate constructive ideas, these same folks should have attended the meetings and forums that we already had, or, better yet, produced an alternative solution.

We would have gladly reviewed other alternatives that reached the same goals.

But having produced nothing, there is but one document on the table under consideration.

And if Mr. Milborn had read the full story about our recent regional meeting, he would have known that I said that at the end of the day, it is the city's land, and therefore the City Council--not me or anyone in Spotsylvania--will have the final say and vote.

I encouraged them to get on with it.

Spotsylvania

The writer is chairman of the Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors.

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Date published: 2/13/2006