It just keeps coming up, this land deal for Project Clover in Page County. There is a lot of energy around the discussion about whether this is a prudent move: the plan to purchase 200+ acres south of Luray for $7.5 million and use it as an industrial park - and with a Page County Board of Supervisors meeting this week, it was a topic of discussion again. The BOS has signed a contract for purchase on this land.
In previous posts about the Page County Economy, I've mentioned the County's economic development plan, which outlines three goals - develop industry, build tourism, and look at sustainable agriculature - as pathways to the future. No doubt the BOS thinks the land purchase will contribute to one of these goals, for industrial development.
In casual conversations at the Farmers' Market, last weekend at the Triathlon, around town with neighbors and acquaintences, I simply haven't found anyone who says buying the land was a good idea. Sure, there is an acknowledgement of the need to do something to attract jobs to the County, with a large share of the workforce commuting out for work, but the sentiment seems to be that the price for this land, and the need to raise the money for the deal now - poor timing, may simply be a mistake.
Among the public there appears to be widespread concern about the cost and timing of the deal. In the BOS meeting of this week, local Jim Turner, who is managing a petition protesting the deal, gave a talk (full text at http://pagecountywatch.wordpress.com/2009/08/19/jim-turners-response-to-tommy-lafrance/) which outlines the concerns and asks the BOS to reconsider.
From their reaction, the BOS is pretty dug in on their position. They don't seem to be willing to engage the dialog and find a positive way forward in the discussion.
I still need more information before I'll understand their reactions, but from the weekender point of view, something just doesn't seem right.
No comments:
Post a Comment