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Showdown over Wilderness area Wal-Mart looming in Orange Date published: 7/26/2009
BY ROBIN KNEPPER
People for and against Wal-Mart's plan to build a Supercenter near the Wilderness battlefield will get one more chance to voice their opinions to Orange County supervisors tomorrow night. How many speakers there are and how long they speak will determine whether a vote is taken that night. County officials say a majority of residents want Wal-Mart and the jobs and tax revenue it promises. Three of the five supervisors have said they support the giant retailer's plan to build a 138,000-square-foot store a quarter-mile north of the intersection of State Routes 3 and 20. But historic-preservation organizations have mounted a national campaign against the plan, saying the store and the traffic it will bring will desecrate the Civil War battlefield. "Those two groups coming out to speak Monday night could result in a huge crowd," said Lee Frame, chairman of the Board of Supervisors. The public hearing will begin at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of Orange County High School. Public meetings of the supervisors are capped at midnight but, according to Frame, circumstances may dictate the length of the hearing and whether a vote is taken that night. "If the speakers finish up at 10:30 or 11," he said, "and we can get through our discussion and questions, we can take a vote that night. "If we get to 11:30 and there are 20 people left to speak, we might go to the next night." The board has a regular meeting scheduled Tuesday. Frame is the only supervisor who has not indicated how he will vote on Wal-Mart's application for a special-use permit. "I've probably decided mentally," he said, "but I want to see if there's anything to change my mind--any late-breaking stuff that didn't come out at the Planning Commission's public hearing." "There's so much propaganda out there I expect people to be saying the same thing over and over," said Supervisor Zack Burkett. "But barring someone bringing new information, I expect us to vote that night." LISTENING TO THE VOTERS
Read more stories about Orange Date published: 7/26/2009
Wow! I cannot believe Burkett will not even listen to that the public has to say! How is he even qualified to be a PUBLIC official if he is not even going to listen.
that Burkette admits to hitting the delete button on the negative e-mails! Regardless of the Wal-mart issue, this says something much more glaring about our elected officials. So folks, don't use form letters to send to your representatives...apparently they hold no weight and get the big DELETE. What a shameful confession. Glad he doesn't represent me...mine at least hasn't publically admitted it yet.
If the Orange Supervisors vote "yes" tomorrow for Walmart, their sole intention would be to slap Kaine and Howell in the face. Gov. Kaine just sent the letter a few days ago. He could get revenge by blocking the Orange stimulus cash coming into the county.
I forgot the name of the big land owner but that family offer to sell their land that's not at the battlefield location. Why is everyone against that? You folks around that area better be careful for what you ask for. The walmart in central park has to be one of the trashiest parking lots in spotsy. Then the wind blows and trash if distributed everywhere. It's disgusting to drive through there. That is if you can drive through all the shopping carts that never seem to get taken in.
I cannot believe Mr. Burkett publicly admitted to just hitting the delete button on comments from the public. Whether they are in form letter or a personalized email, he should not be so quick to dismiss the comments of the public. That is definitely not the kind of representation I want on my Board of Supervisors. Show some respect to the people you are supposedly representing.
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