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Spotsylvania County should join the VRE Date published: 10/10/2008
IN TOUGH economic times, the idea For years, Spotsylvania County has refused to join the Virginia Railway Express partnership that brings commuter rail to the region. Frugal supervisors, concerned about raising revenue to support a service that "only" 800-1,000 county residents use, have put the kibosh on organizers' efforts. But now, the executive director of the Spotsylvania Technology Center says that bringing VRE to Spotsy is key to the center's success. Bob Duffy said as much to a group gathered at the Fredericksburg Country Club to hear plans for the STC, part of Tricord's Summit Crossing development. The idea is simple and attractive: The STC hopes to draw companies that can band together to lure lucrative federal contracts to the center. Eventually there may be enough business there for Woodbridge residents to consider commuting to the area, justifying southbound commuter trains or an additional stop by existing Amtrak trains. But for trains to stop, there must be a station. And VRE will build one, but only if Spotsylvania joins the system. It's time for the county to do just that. Do the math: Joining VRE would require the county to raise its gas tax 2 percent. By doing so, $4.7 million would flow into county coffers. The VRE would require $1.7 million of that amount; the rest would be available for use on other transportation projects. (That's required by law.) Thus, all Spotsylvanians--not just commuters--could potentially benefit.
but I do think that a clear majority of residents need to
support it.
The last poll I saw - showed about a majority but not an
overwhelming one.
At some point though, those opposed to it need to realize
that they are cutting off their nose to spite their face.
More money for more/better transportation in Spotsy - both
VRE and other roads - including rural ones is needed.
Some of those who most oppose VRE are also the same
ones complaining that their road are not paved - roads that
would get paved....
I hear tell that some Spotsylvania residents who oppose
VRE because of the 2% tax will buy gasoline in
Fredericksburg where they not only pay the 2% tax but the
revenues go to Fredericksburg instead of Spotsylvania.
In fact, that tax goes to help Fredericksburg pay for some of
their roads - like the new Cowan Blvd - which I am quite
sure that folks from Lake Anna use when they go to Mary
Washington Hospital.
I think it is a no-brainer to join -
continued
The writer is spot on. Time for Spotsylvania to join VRE. larryg, true it's a tax increase, but the point is that at present the 2% is NOT staying in the pockets of county taxpayers. It would be of interest to know if enough gas is purchased in Spotsy by NON-RESIDENTS to cover the VRE subsidy. Also, remember that every time you buy at the Wawa in Central Park, you're paying Fredericksburg 2%.
I'm tired of hearing about those folks out by lake Anna complaining that it's not fair for them to subsidize the relative "few" VRE commuters. HELLO !!!! why should the majority of us subsidize the roadways by their rural homes that even fewer use.
Good Lord. Not supporting the VRE is just plain stupid and shortsighted. The megalopoulous had gotten to Massapnonax and we should have a rail system to support it. But, the dumb stuck in the last century supervisors abetteed by those who don't even want a cost of living raise in gasoline taxes just prove how backwards thinking in this county is. Sorry, Spotsy has gone the way of Fairfax, and there is no turning back. Why don't you who don't want to face reality move away from I-95
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