A very disappointing article ran in the local paper today. Here is what these three gentlemen from the Orange County B.O.S. said in response to the offer from the Wilderness Battlefield Coalition to pay for a "Gateway Vision Planning Process" in order to see what options are available in regards to the proposed Wal-Mart location. (I am also including their contact info which is posted on the Orange County Board of Supervisors website in case you would like to call or write them to voice your displeasure.)

"I vigorously oppose this. It's just a delaying tactic. I don't want to give that group any standing. They've got a specific agenda they're pushing."

Mark Johnson
540-832-9042
rmj142@yahoo.com

"This is nothing but a cheap ploy to slow down Wal-Mart and we need the jobs and the tax revenue. If we give our blessing to this, it's guaranteed they'll use it against us."

Zack Burkett
540-661-6622
zburkett@orangecountyva.gov

And the REAL WINNER...

When Supervisor Teel Goodwin was asked whether he supported the coalition's offer, he quickly replied, "Hell, no."

Teel Goodwin
540-672-0381
Teel.Goodwin@vabb.com

I just attended a CWPT meeting on this a couple days ago and I'll be anxious to see how my fellow members will react.

ADDED 1/15: I think it should be added that the goal of our organizations here in the area is NOT to prevent the building of a Wal-Mart in Orange County. It is to move the location further away from the battlefield proper. We have to accept economic development and progress whether we personally like it or not, but it should be done in a responsible and respectful manner. Those of us living in the Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg, and Orange County areas are custodians of these historic sites. It is our obligation to speak up on their behalf. A group was successful in getting the Ferry Farm Wal-Mart moved further down the road away from George Washington’s boyhood home and the goal of this movement is to do the same.

At our meeting at the CWLM it was recommended by the CWPT and Friends of the Wilderness that we make a stand by respectfully letting the Orange County B.O.S. know how important The Wilderness is, write letters to the local papers and keep the story in the news, and remind those involved of past preservation failures and the repercussions of them such as Salem Church which is buried by development.

Are you kidding me? Minutes after updating this post I received the following email message. You can't make this stuff up folks.