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Spotsylvania supervisors butt of jokes for not joining VRE Date published: 6/1/2007
By DAN TELVOCK One reason some Spotsylvania supervisors have been hesitant to join the Virginia Railway Express is because they say the contract can't be terminated. The Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization has challenged that concern. Lloyd Robinson, FAMPO's director of transportation planning, said members consulted with an attorney, who determined a locality can withdraw from VRE without the consent of all parties. Spotsylvania Supervisor Chris Yakabouski, who has opposed joining VRE, said he was stunned by that opinion. "Everybody I have ever talked to says it's a contract that you can't get out of," he said. Before a locality can withdraw from the contract, it's obligated to pay its financial commitments to the VRE, Robinson said. For example, he said that VRE just purchased new coach cars for rail service. "If Stafford County were to withdraw from VRE it would still be liable to VRE for its share of those coach cars," he said. Robinson said if VRE is to have a long-term impact on traffic congestion, it would be beneficial for Spotsylvania County to join. "That would seem to me to be in everybody's best interest," he said. Anywhere from 800 to 1,200 Spotsylvania residents use VRE. VRE has about 14,500 riders from eight member localities. Spotsylvania voters passed a 2005 referendum that included $12 million for a VRE station. The Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors is often the brunt of jokes at FAMPO meetings because it won't join VRE. Supervisors Hap Connors and Yakabouski are FAMPO members. Connors said it's embarrassing to get razzed, but FAMPO members have a point. "I think Spotsylvania has been avoiding the whole mass transit issue for almost 20 years now," Connors said.
Read more stories about Spotsylvania Date published: 6/1/2007
ViewFromMe: So if one supervisor wants the VRE and the other doesn't, you replace both of them? I'm not sure I understand your logic. Sorry.
I cannot believe what I've just read! We have voted to join the VRE 2 YEARS AGO. You bet you'll see some new faces after the elections and Mr. Connors and Mr. Yakabouski should be replaced. It's just disgraceful and against the American way of democracy.........!!
Good lord people, tax yourselves into oblivion but leave ME out of it! Why don't they just cut some entitlement expenses rather than continue to raise taxes? Morons I tell you. Morons.
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