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It looks like Wal-Mart will be approved for Orange Date published: 1/12/2009
BY ROBIN KNEPPER
It can only be called unintended consequences. Reacting strongly, and negatively, to pressure from groups of historians and preservationists, a majority of Orange County supervisors have thrown their support behind a Wal-Mart supercenter in the northeastern corner of the county. At a weekend retreat supervisors Mark Johnson, Zack Burkett and Teel Goodwin declared their backing for the 138,000-square-foot store planned for a 19.5-acre site a quarter mile north of State Route 3. Newly elected Board Chairman Lee Frame said he was undecided and his constituents were divided 50-50. Supervisor Teri Pace steadfastly opposed Wal-Mart's building at that location. The supervisors were reacting to a five-page memo sent to Frame and Pace on Friday from Katharine Gilliam, Virginia Programs manager for the National Parks Conservation Association. She forwarded a The group offered to pay for a "Gateway Vision Planning Process" to "protect the character and integrity of the national park." (The Wilderness Battlefield, part of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, is on the opposite side of State Route 3 from the proposed Wal-Mart and is already home to a Sheetz, McDonald's, used-car lot and strip mall.) "This is nothing but a cheap ploy to slow down Wal-Mart," said Burkett, "and we need the jobs and the tax revenue." "I vigorously oppose this," said Johnson. "It's just a delaying tactic." Pace objected, saying that her fellow supervisors were "throwing away an incredible opportunity for the county." Burkett replied, "If we give our blessing to this, it's guaranteed they'll use it against us." "I don't want to give that group any standing," added Johnson. "They've got a specific agenda they're pushing." When Supervisor Teel Goodwin was asked whether he supported the coalition's offer, he quickly replied, "Hell, no." It's not only Wal-Mart that's under fire from preservationists and Civil War buffs. The coalition has declared the agriculturally zoned land located in a 1,000-acre area designated by the county for economic development to be too close to the Wilderness Battlefield.
Date published: 1/12/2009
I've never read or heard such ridiculous comments from an elected official in my life. Any one person associated with "this group", that is so despised, has more knowledge of Orange County than all three of you put together. It's easy to see that you all are gaining something personally from walmart, or you simply hate history. Your decision bears weight on more than just your county. Quit using the jobs and revenue as a ploy. All that is fantasy. Tourism dollars will get you more.
Yea, what a bad attitude by the writer. Do we have a shortage of big box stores in our area? You want to talk about jobs and identity? Our Civil War heritage is one of the strongest and most enduring aspects of Fredericksburg - destroying that identify would be a shame. Only Walmart would be dumb and selfish enough to build this store.
You may think it insignificant that you build there..got news for you...I have no agenda and I think it is a disgrace. Orange County has other locations that can be used.......not only are the routes to area inferior but so is the county leadership in favor of this Walmart location! Build it somewhere else in the county and learn how to plan properly for the furure of your constituents....vote this man out next term...Virginia is a rare gem that is unspoiled in so many ways...build it elsewhere!
Mr. Johnson, you disavow the group wishing Walmart to locate to the King property refusing "any standing." Is this Orange Co. Democracy in action? Who gets standing? Is it only those from out of town offering pretty glass beads? Nothing comes w/o a pricetag, the question is how much and is it worth it.
Mr. Burkett, promosing advocay you received a large infusion of funds from a group that Mr. Johnson disavows . Will you now return the money?
Request: Be true stewards and wisely decide.
Anyone on the Orange BOS who votes for this Walmart will be a short-timer. There is no reason that they cant redesignate a different 1000 acres, a few miles from the battlefield.
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