STUDENTS JOIN SCN SPEAKERS AT SUPERVISORS' MEETING March 2, 2004 Speakers from "Save Crow's Nest," including students pictured below from the Environmental Club at Colonial Forge High School, continued to call upon the Board of Supervisors to act to prevent development of the peninsula. In particular, some speakers called upon the Board to hold a special bond referendum to fund the purchase and preservation of Crow's Nest.
Students, with placards and home-made T-shirts that read "Save Crow's Nest," stand to speak to the Board of Supervisors. Afterward, they gather outside the Board chambers.
During the public comment period, Linda Thomas read a statement on behalf of "Save Crow's Nest" that said:
"Two
weeks ago, 'Save Crow’s Nest' asked this Board to support a bond
referendum to save the entire Crow ’s Nest peninsula.
We are glad to hear that now there may be support on the Board for
doing just that. We
believe that once the economics of this issue are laid bare, citizens and
taxpayers of Stafford County will overwhelmingly support a park bond to
buy Crow’s Nest. The choice
we face is stark and clear: we
either invest roughly $32 million dollars to buy and preserve
Crow’s Nest forever or we spend well over $70 million
dollars—more than twice as much—to, in effect, subsidize more
growth, more development, and more traffic.
Saving Crow’s Nest just makes good economic sense for the
County’s taxpayers. The
Crow’s Nest issue has been lingering for years.
If a viable solution in the form of a bond referendum is now in
sight, then the County should move swiftly to pursue this avenue of
action. The property owners
deserve to know that a purchase is possible and the citizens of Stafford
County deserve to finally know that Crow’s Nest can be permanently
protected. Rather
than waiting for the general election in November, we support the idea of
a park bond referendum to be held as soon as possible.
Let me mention three reasons for this: First,
Crow’s Nest is in immediate danger.
It’s that simple. We
fear that a November referendum may come too late for parts of Crow’s
Nest. The longer the County
waits, the more economic incentive the owner will have to proceed with
logging or development. We
need an immediate referendum to help prevent this. Second,
holding a referendum in the middle of a presidential election virtually
guarantees that the issue will be lost amongst the presidential coverage.
The media’s attention will be focused on the national
campaign and the important information surrounding the Crow’s Nest issue
is unlikely to reach voters. A
special election held earlier will ensure that the Crow’s Nest issue
receives the attention it deserves. Third,
holding a referendum in the middle of a hotly contested general election
increases the likelihood that this issue will get caught up in partisan
politics. I trust nobody
here wants that to happen. The
issue us just too important for Stafford County.
“Save Crow’s Nest” is a non-partisan group.
Supporting the preservation of Crow’s Nest has always been
a non-partisan issue. Let’s
keep it that way by separating the bond referendum from the general
election and by getting leaders from both parties to step up and endorse
passage of this bond. That
would show everyone that on this important issue our leaders can
unite and will stand up to protect the interests of Stafford
County. We have repeatedly
heard from you that you support saving Crow’s Nest.
Here’s a chance for all of you to come together to do just that.
Don’t let the fate of Crow’s Nest get lost in a general
election. Support an immediate
special election to give this unique local Stafford issue the attention it
deserves."
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