Delegate Rich Anderson-R, representing the 51st District in the Virginia General Assembly, visited Nokesville for a town hall meeting on Wed night at the local fire department. Anderson, whose district was recently redrawn, wanted to meet with Nokesville locals to discuss pressing issues in the region and throughout Virginia.
While there was a small turnout, Nokesville residents, who did attend, shared with Del. Anderson their desire to preserve the rural crescent of Prince William County. Specifically, a few residents expressed concern that the widening of Route 28 would further diminish the rural and small town atmosphere of their community.
“I think there needs to be respect for the citizens to maintain the character of their community,” Anderson told the group.
A few citizens equal expressed their dismay that VDOT's public hearings to discuss the widening were not transparent enough, and did not allow enough time for public discussion.
“They know the noise level in Bristow Village, but they’re not telling home owners (who will be losing their land),” said citizen Zara Tirrell. “It’s disingenuous. They know that if we have time to get mad and get organized, we’d kill it.”
However, one citizen said she was told they would be taking her front yard, and that she would be happy with the proposed settlement. Yet, so far, she said she is not happy and disagrees with the widening.
Although the decision to widen Route 28 is not within Anderson’s purview, he listened to the comments, and told the citizens the General Assembly is working to make eminent domain more difficult to obtain, a referendum that may end up on the ballot in November.
While Brentsville Magisterial District Supervisor Wally Covington did not attend the meeting, he provided a statement in response to the citizens' concerns.
While the widening of Route 28 was originally a priority for the Commonwealth, Covington said he agreed that the widening would provide additional safety to the community, which he said remains his top priority.
“Route 28 through Nokesville has been the site of several fatal accidents in the past 20 years, including (one affecting) a Nokesville family. Many people in Nokesville during that time asked for the road to be made safer. Through the years, these plans were open to public comment and public hearings. Recently, the county held two public meetings on Route 28,” Covington said.
However, citizens at the meeting said they believe the widening would encourage more speeding.
Covington also responded that in 2006 the majority Nokesville residents voted to widen the road; 77.7 percent of Nokesville voters were in favor of the widening, and 75.8 percent of the Brentsville Magisterial District voters were in favor of it.
On the subject of transportation and roads, residents also wanted to know how constructions of new roads were to be funded, as residents wanted to see improvements made to major commuter highways in the area, such as routes 66, 95 and 495.
Anderson, who serves on the Transportation Committee of the General Assembly, said toll roads are being considered south of Richmond, as a way to bring in additional revenue for road construction without additional taxation.
Because Virginia policy mandates road repairs take precedence over construction of new roads, he said tolls would serve as a way to make up transportation income lost during recession years. The new toll roads will be strategically placed to target tourists, and because of EZ Pass, they should not hinder the flow of traffic.
According to Anderson, Virginia may be one step closer to extending the Dulles Rail out towards Prince William, since Governor McDonald has released more funding for the project in exchange for an additional representative to serve on the committee.
In response to the Labor Day or “Kings Dominion” Law, mandating that jurisdictions cannot start school until after Labor Day unless they receive a state-granted waiver, Anderson said it voted to repeal that law.
“I voted for it, so that localities can make a decision when their school can start,” Anderson said.
However, despite Anderson’s vote, the law was not repealed, nor has Prince William County been granted a waiver.
Local business owners also spoke about the need to protect the small businesses from what they consider to be unnecessary taxation and regulations that inhibit business. Some spoke of the desire for a flat tax, because of the burden of hiring an accountant to sort out the complicated tax code.
They further stated their desire to be able to compete in a market that seems to favor big businesses, which receive tax deductions and incentives.
“The sector that needs to be nurtured is small businesses,” Anderson said, stating the majority of business transactions in Virginia come from small businesses.
Moreover Anderson said he sympathized with teachers who content with class sizes that are the highest in Virginia. Although he does not serve on the education sub-committee in the Assembly, he said that is another worthwhile cause that is unfortunately suffering because funds are low due to the recession.
Delegate Rich Anderson asked that we publish his contact information.
Legislative Office: 571-264-9983
Email: delranderson@house.virginia.gov
Website: www.richanderson.com
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