LETTERS: Boucher Strives To Help Bring Jobs To Region
The recent letter to the editor from Jerry Chorosevic of Bristol misrepresents a number of facts and does a great disservice to Congressman Rick Boucher.
In his letter, Mr. Chorosevic criticizes Mr. Boucher for obtaining $750 million in funding for horse trails in the national forest. The actual grant he is talking about was in the amount of $600,000 – less than one-tenth of what Mr. Chorosevic claims – to construct horse trails in the High Knob area not far from my home in Scott County where the Regional Horse Association has spent considerable amounts of its own money to develop a wonderful park in nearby Dungannon that attracts hundreds of visitors to the area.
These trails will add to the growing number of recreational assets in that area and will bring greater numbers of horseback riders to the region, increasing the revenue of both local businesses and local governments.
Congressman Boucher has helped to bring technology-based companies to Southwest Virginia, creating more than 5,000 jobs. He has, through his hard work, secured funds to help build industrial parks, construct public water and wastewater systems at an unprecedented pace. He has taken innovative steps to make the 9th District the rural leader nationally in the use of information technology, securing federal funds to expand broadband services to homes and businesses and increasing the number of telemedicine sites in our rural region to create access to the best health care available anywhere.
Mr. Chorosevic further criticizes Boucher for bringing federal funds to restore the Bristol Train Station and to create a new museum for Scott County. These valuable projects are actually key investments in the new economy of our region and are supported by partnering with the Virginia Tobacco Commission, our local governments and private funds. These are investments that will ultimately generate revenue for our region, and Boucher has had the foresight to develop them. As a resident of Southwest Virginia involved in economic development and tourism efforts, I appreciate every dollar Mr. Boucher helps bring to projects in the 9th District of Virginia.
Joe Fuller
Nickelsville, Va.
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Reader Reactions
tmullins, you need to get out of Wise County before the toxity and lack or riding trails kills you. “Appalachia is a toxic Third World America”. As John Stossel would say “give me a break.“
I’ve lived here all my life and it’s better now than it’s ever been. In the fifties, nearly everyone ran raw sewage right into the creeks. Trash was dumped along creek banks, burned, and the debris washed down stream when the creeks raised due to rain. More people have water and sewer than ever before. There are paved roads where before there was only ruts and mud. There are numerous modern schools and colleges that replaced small two room buildings with outhouses.
Are things perfect? Of course not. However the thing you need to know is that had it not been for Coal and Gas the changes I’ve mentioned wouldn’t be here. Besides you can ride horse, and I see it all the time, on a reclaimed strip mine site, a lot easier than you can ride around the side of one these hills a goat couldn’t stand up on.
Now, why don’t you give the toxic third world term a rest. You ever heard of the term “quit beating a dead horse.“
Rick Boucher is owned, head to toe, by corporate interests. He is not in tune with the changing tide in the Democratic party. He must be replaced.
He’s not a bad man. He’s not a closet Right-Winger…he’s just a Corporate shill and that’s the kind of Democrat we have begun to reject.
Rick has two choices, change or be exchanged. SWVA progressives will find a replacement.
Congressman Boucher is a dismal failure, he’s been there too long, politicians and profit machines come ahead of people, their health and environment. Appalachia has been bombed, blasted and bulldozed right into a toxic Third World America. Who wants to come for the scenic views and riding trails, when the landscape is gone forever ? If anyone cares to see pictures of what I am talking about please GOOGLE : www.wisecountyissues
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