We are writing with urgency about the O'Gara Group's "tactical and security training" facility planned for nearby Westmoreland County ["Halifax residents split over O'Gara move to Westmoreland," March 6].
Because Westmoreland County officials deemed O'Gara's project a "school," it became an allowable use on agricultural land with no public notification or review.
This classification is debatable, and there is currently a case pending in the Virginia Supreme Court challenging defining this type of facility as a "school."
O'Gara's for-profit business plans include a 2.5-mile paved raceway, 10 shooting ranges, a six-square-block simulated urban range, a 360-degree shoot house, a skid-control area, off-road training, and night training. There would be up to 120 students simultaneously.
In other counties, plans included an explosives' demolition range, helicopter and parachute drop zone, and a grenade range.
Night shooting at the current location in Alton is allowed until 9 p.m. O'Gara has requested to change this to 11 p.m.
Residents of Montross and Westmoreland County would be permanently affected. Foliage and ground buffers cannot eliminate weapons sounds. The site is near a soccer field, social services, senior housing, and private homes!
Transient "students" would have no investment in the community; businesses
If these types of private, for-profit, military-type training facilities require
At risk is the quality of life of residences and negative impact on the environment and property values.
Decisions with such impact should, at a minimum, require public notification and input.
Joseph and Nina Thompson
Westmoreland