Category: Dear Editor

Letters to the editor of local newspapers.

No due diligence for business park

Louisa County government has been promoting the Shannon Hill business park entirely on the basis of its proximity to Interstate 64. That is a valid point. That might be a good place for such an investment if there is a good site and if good infrastructure is conveniently and economically available for the property that was purchased.

About the same time that the board of supervisors finally, and possibly illegally, approved the millions of dollars spent to purchase the business park property, they entered into a contract with Timmons Engineering for what was called a due diligence study. Basically it was to advise the county on how to develop the land they had purchased, after the same company had advised them to buy it.

There are lots of different things to evaluate in such a study. Costs and best method of developing the property; earthmoving; paving; utilities, environmental, cultural, and historical considerations; transportation access, etc.

Those were listed as the contract’s objectives.

That contract came into effect almost two years ago. Timmons made a presentation to the board in 2020, apparently accepted without comment, laying out what they called their “final plan” for the property’s development. It was basically an elaboration of previous material from our county planning department showing how one could arrange a number of large buildings on a flattened map of the project. No cost estimates have been provided, as far as I know, for grading and basically resurfacing around 600 acres of one of the more challenging sites in the vicinity.

As per previous publicity, no serious study has been made addressing how the site connects by the existing transportation corridor with most of the county and points north. They have published some existing traffic counts along route 605 and their subcontractor’s report on archeological and historical concerns. The “final plan” presented to the board did not clearly address these issues.

The due diligence study contract has not yet been completed, to the best of my knowledge. Some of the promised preliminary engineering reports are not yet available. Those are what the “final plan” is supposed to be based on. That is only common sense and actually is what their contract stipulates.

County Economic Development Director Andy Wade is now asking, in a public hearing scheduled for March 1, to give Timmons Engineering $2.5 million more just to study how best to spend an additional minimum $20-plus million (their figure) to build a pipeline for water and sewage from Ferncliff with an unestablished source, plus sewage pipe and pumping to take everything all the way back to Zion Crossroads to be treated and put into the South Anna back another 14 miles downstream. They have reported concerns about the possibility of unknown costs and risks in having to tunnel under the interstate and the Colonial Gas pipeline.

And they want this contract expedited. Seems a little greedy, in the least. Are we going to learn from the ancient wisdom stories about throwing good money after bad? In the meantime, what about using that beautiful forest property for citizens’ nature and recreation pursuits? Surely we can do better.

William Hale
Louisa

This letter was previously printed in The Central Virginian newspaper and is reprinted here with the author’s permission.

Keep up push for broadband

To the editor:

Like over half the households in Louisa County, mine is served by Rappahannock Electrical Cooperative (REC). I’m concerned about REC’s commitment to helping citizens get access to affordable high-speed internet.

On Jan. 14 The Central Virginian included an article about a suit filed by a Culpeper landowner to stop REC from using existing easements for the purpose of expanding broadband access. Then, on Feb. 4, the CV reported that REC had shelved plans for broadband access using easements because of the suit.

When I looked at the Virginia law passed in 2020 to allow utilities to use easements for broadband (HB 831), here’s what I found: The measure provides that any utility may use an easement without such utility paying additional compensation to the owner or occupant, provided that no additional utility poles are installed. There is no mention of additional poles related to the Culpeper landowner who brought suit against REC.

I question why Rappahannock shelved their efforts when the law so clearly states they were in the right? REC announced on Feb. 5 the appointment of Mark Ponton to the new position of director of broadband and fiber Services. I hope they are truly serious about tackling this problem for rural households.

Juanita Jo Matkins
Yanceyville

Keep up push for broadband

More criticism of the president

Cancer, a virulent killer, knows no limits of time, toxicity or destruction, as it thrives by ravaging. By its very name, cancer defies the value of descriptors, rendering all redundant as it inflicts harm, pain, and depraved infection. It defiles all it touches, requiring thorough, aggressive excision and disposal.

Donald Trump has become a cancer. Tragically, he exceeds the metaphor. Once out of office, he will carry with him our most secure secrets, available to the highest bidder for his gain and for our peril. Trump’s recent invitation to and incitement of his supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol, and their intercepted communications before and after the insurrection document this truth. Trump is truly a cancer.

Bill Walling
Louisa

The Central Virginian

Capitol Attack Exposed Weaknesses

The breach of the Capitol Building by rioters highlighted a huge weakness in our national security that could now be exploited by professional terrorists. Look how easy it was for a group of people to breach the Capitol without really trying.

Think about what it would have looked like if this attack were carried out by professional terrorists embedded with those rioters who breached the Capitol building. As it was, there were individuals who successfully entered with guns, zip tie-style handcuffs, and Molotov cocktails. Pipe bombs were planted a short distance from the Capitol.

I know more D.C. and state capital protests are being planned in the days leading up to the inauguration. Consider that terrorists or foreign actors may well use those protests and plans to their advantage, especially if more breaches are planned. If you go, can you be sure everyone else in attendance is who you think they are? Can you be sure you won’t let your anger be used in ways you didn’t intend?

Pamela Wilkinson
Mineral

The Central Virginian

Healthcare Worker Supports Spanberger

As a resident of Louisa County, mom of an 11-year old, and provider of Mental health services I am writing to encourage others to join me in supporting Abigail Spanberger representing Viriginia’s 7th Congressional District in the US House or Representatives.

Ms. Spanberger has repeatedly demonstrated her commitment to supporting affordable accessible healthcare for all citizens, including children, senior citizens, and young adults. This has included advocating that coverage remain available for those with pre-existing conditions, as well as for adults 26 years and younger needing to remain on their parent’s plans while they get started on their own.

While Nick Freitas has made vague reference to protecting coverage for those with pre-existing conditions, he has failed to be clear on his plan for maintaining this coverage and has continued to support policies that do not cover pre-existing conditions. Not only has Mr. Freitas voted against Medicaid expansion, Politifact confirmed that his support of short term, inexpensive health policies does not comply with currently requirements to cover pre-existing conditions. Without these protections in place, all of us are at greater risk of difficulty in finding coverage and potentially faced with greater health costs.

It is important to remember that health costs overall are typically reduced for those with insurance coverage. So even though we pay for insurance and may have a co-payment or out of pocket expense for services, the charges are FAR less that they would be if we were not covered by that insurance plan.

It is hard to imagine how difficult it might be to handle the additional stress of paying for medical care for my daughter without insurance. Though generally healthy, she has been impacted by asthma like responses to basic illness and some other medical issues since she was very young. With ready access to doctors, testing and treatment, we have been able to learn about her medical issues and manage them with a limited amount of ongoing medication and treatment. Our insurance has allowed us to access this care at a more affordable rate. To consider the possibility of any child being denied insurance to support their medical needs because of a pre-existing condition is alarming at best. Prevention is far less costly than the intensive or emergency treatments that can come when issues are not identified early and managed pro-actively.

The stressors that greet young adults is often apparent in my work as a mental health provider. For those in their early 20’s access to health insurance can greatly smooth their path. Whether they are using their insurance coverage to access traditional medical care, mental health services, or necessary prescriptions the opportunity to remain on family insurance through age 26 allows young adults to have one less hurdle in establishing themselves as independent.

The concern about access to medical coverage is further heightened as we find ourselves navigating our way through this global pandemic. While it feels like we’ve been living in this COVID-19 lifestyle for way too long, it’s also true that we have yet to learn about the long- term impacts of COVID-19. Will prevalence of pre-exiting conditions grow? We don’t yet know. Costs of any treatment increase with time and severity of condition. Coverage allowing preventive care and early treatment, whether for COVID-19 or other conditions, tends to reduce expenses overall. Protecting access to insurance coverage for those with pre-existing conditions is a reasonable, even critical piece of maintaining a strong and healthy community.

Please consider the importance of access to insurance coverage for those you love. Even if your family is not faced with a pre-existing condition today, there is no way to know that this will remain the case. It’s stressful enough to be worried about the health of someone we love, especially a child. Knowing that insurance coverage is in place to ensure coverage and reduce family costs allows us to worry less about the money and focus more on supporting the people we love.

A vote for Abigail Spanberger will help to ensure that your family will be protected should something unexpected arise.

Ann Tourangeau
Louisa

[CV]

Let local firm compete for fiber

I have fiber-optic cable to my home. I get continual high-speed broadband service. And, I live in Louisa County.

I didn’t get this wonderful service from the Louisa County Board of Supervisors. I got it from iWiSP. They approached my property owners’ association with an offer to provide fiber to the home to all our members for $75 a month at a minimum of 30 megabits per second, with no limits, caps or hidden costs.

iWiSP came to us years ago and provided the only wireless internet service on the Louisa side of Lake Anna. Wireless was not without its difficulties (disruption from lightning strikes, storms, leaves on trees, heavy use, etc.) but it was way better than dial-up modems or hot spots (since it was way cheaper). For the past eight years the Louisa County Broadband Authority has been trying to move more citizens into the broadband age, but with limited success.

Now iWiSP is working to complete fiber to the home in our community. Again, we are the first to get this much higher level of service. Another nearby association may piggyback off our services with no reduction of service level for us after it is completely installed.

Will the county be able to convince the electric utilities to offer this service with just $15 million “reserved” for this effort? Rappahannock Electric Cooperative forecasts it would cost $500 million (or more) to provide this to their 12,000 customers. Earlier this summer I listened in on a call with the chief executive officer of REC, who said at that time they had reservations about providing this service except as a carrier along existing routes. Getting to the home was not viewed as part of their strategy, since existing wiring cannot be used and additional fiber-optic cables must be installed from the street to the home.

So, why not get local businesses more involved? Why limit the partnership to just the electric company and the county government? iWiSP operates around Lake Anna. Why not include them in the planning for fiber to the home? I’m loving my fiber-optic internet service. Why shouldn’t more of Louisa County have the same opportunity?

Larry Zemke Mineral

[CV]