Wal-Mart Myths, Misinformation
2009-02-12
It’s amazing how much people will exaggerate to support their position on the Wal-Mart site. The myth that the proposed Wal-Mart site will have impact on any park site is one of the most exaggerated claims.
The nearest park east is five miles. The nearest park west is 20 miles, and it is over one-and-a-half miles to any entrance up Route 20 to the nearest entrance and that is only a shelter. And the parkland up Route 20 only extends a half-mile in each direction from that entrance.
Between the intersection of Route 3 and Route 20 and the nearest parkland is: on the east side, a large cornfield; on the west side, a large gas station and convenience store; a McDonalds and a shopping center. The Wal-Mart site will be at least a quarter-mile farther.
The next myth is that it is a bad location. The proposed site is perfect! It is a natural! There is a lot of traffic that flows through this intersection. This traffic will make up most of the shopping traffic to Wal-Mart. The difference here is that a lot of the traffic that is going to Culpeper and Fredericksburg will shop here instead. If you compare that to the hassle of driving Route 3 in Fredericksburg, you will appreciate being able to avoid it.
On road construction involved, costs will be minimal because there would only be an entrance lane and an exit lane to construct. That will employ locals, and in these economic times that should be a priority.
The store will improve our tax base. Or maybe all the detractors who don’t live in Orange care to help pay our taxes. Otherwise, they should butt out of Orange County business.
This, I think, is very important to the Orange County residents. Make your views known to your county supervisors. There is a large organized pressure by national groups to influence our county government on the Wal-Mart situation.
Albert Mayott
Locust Grove
