In the June 13 article titled "Logan in favor of VRE hearing," it is reported that VRE attorney Stephen MacIsaac responded to
Mr. MacIsaac said that there are no specific conditions stated in the VRE master agreement governing how a jurisdiction could withdraw.
Dale Zehner, VRE's CEO, said one possibility was that the locality would have to pay its share of debt incurred during its membership from the time it joined.
A key condition of joining the VRE compact is the imposition of a 2.1 percent tax on gasoline sales made by wholesalers to retail gasoline stations.
Spotsylvania Supervisor Jerry Logan stated he thought that was a reasonable condition, and while he didn't say so, left the impression that a negotiated agreement could be achieved if the county ever decided to withdraw.
However, County Attorney Jacob Stroman interjected that the VRE master agreement requires that all jurisdictions, not simply a majority, must assent to a withdrawal proposal.
Fredericksburg City Councilman Matt Kelly and Stafford Supervisor Paul Milde made it clear they are eager
The idea that the other jurisdictions would agree to a withdrawal by Spotsylvania County through a payoff of debt incurred during the time of membership is absurd.
This idea totally ignores a boost in the annual operating deficit payments the remaining jurisdictions would have to make in the absence of Spotsylvania's gas tax contributions.
Therefore, the prospect
Nancy M. McNamara
Spotsylvania