With all due respect to Debra McCown’s usual balanced reporting, I feel her coverage of the “truck stop project” on June 9 did not truly characterize the public presentations to the Washington County Board of Supervisors. Only a handful spoke in favor of granting the rezoning from agricultural to business, which would allow the truck stop to move in. In sharp contrast, the room was filled with more than 100 people, with at least two-thirds opposing the truck stop at the proposed location and a large percentage of these making public presentations.
And, while a petition with 200 signatures of supporters was offered, there were two petitions presented holding 800 signatures in opposition, most from Meadowview residents and volunteered, not solicited, at the two Meadowview businesses where the petitions had been placed.
McCown’s article omitted the convincing research presented by several Emory & Henry College science professors regarding the health and safety risks, as well as increased crimes that the truck stop would bring. The crime statistics presented were impressive and were filed from occurrences around the Glade Spring truck stop.
I also found it interesting that so much of the reporting focused on the present property owner’s presentation. She spoke of how wonderful it was growing up there on the farm, yet she and her son want to deprive present residents of the same experience. This family’s focus on profiteering from the sale of the property may be equal to the greed of the Love Corp. since the property owner can choose to sell to a business that does not present the same health and safety hazards and the truck stop can locate elsewhere in Washington County.
Both of these thoughts were offered by most of the presenters in opposition and omitted from McCown’s article.
Bunny Medeiros
Damascus, Va.
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