.jpg)
Jan. 11, 2024 Editor, The News-Gazette: We agree with Supervisor Bob Day! “Why build an airport for private planes?” And, we might add, why use public money — a hefty sum of it — to even study the idea?
Another question — why cover more of our beautiful county’s precious flat land with concrete and more buildings? Airport proponents say it’ll help the economy, but how? Most people we know who have moved here or decided to stay, have done so because Rockbridge is still (relatively) undeveloped, with little pollution and traffic snarl. D o we really want to turn into Charlottesville or Troutville? Do we need more noise, more light pollution, more fossil fuel exhaust in air and on land?
As for business interests, tourism is one of our best industries, along with agriculture. Visitors come here for the beauty and (dwindling) wilderness. Farmers need lowlands for pasture and crops. It’s just not smart to use our precious land resources for more polluting development.
We thought our county celebrated nature, and looked for ways to preserve and promote it. An unnecessary airport benefiting a private few would cancel out the work of all the committees and commissions that keep being appointed to Keep Rockbridge Green! KATHLEEN BALL GORDON BALL Rockbridge County
