Wal-Mart Closer to Paving Over Civil War Battlefield in Virginia
Reader Comments
Contradicitng comments on Walmart
On 17 July, Wayne of Va wrote in his Political Puppets comments that he wasn't for Walmart building on the Wilderness Battlefiled and that the government was represented by "big business" and greed has taken over the ideas of our forefathers of a government reprsented by the people. In his comments dated 6 Aug, he has done a flip flop, sounds like our government, on his views. Did he all of a sudden lose his patriotic bearing on what this does to our history? Maybe he was gotten to by a promise of a job at the new Walmart should it be built.
Yes we have opinions when it comes to the destroying our histroy
because of big money wanting to take away our hertiage. I guess he has forgotten his own comments about it being hallowed ground that thousands spilled their blood on. One cannot change horses in midstream but it seems to me, he is trying real hard to do so.
Walmart Battles The Wilderness Battle.
This is another example of greed in our country and the loss of our history going down the tubes. Sounds as if there was some pocket lining on the vote to let them build there. What is next to go by the way of the greedy people of the USA. Maybe the next thing is raise the Arizona in Pearl Harbor and make it a
water slide. I know some think that is a cruel example but it is getting to where history means nothing to some people in the states. Looks like another Civil War will be fought over this and all 50 states should be up in arms over Walmart wanting to build on sacred ground. I believe if Sam Walton was alive, this would not have even been considered in the first place. Orange County needs to vote in new people at the next election and kick these individuals to the curve. Save your Dixie Cups, the South shall rise again.
Wayne of VA
You obviously don't know that the citizens of Orange Country are FOR the Wal-Mart about 4 to 1! This property has never been on any list by either the State or Federal government for preservation. It is located almost 1/2 mile from the nearest public area of the battlefield area. There are 4 houses ON the battlefield property...should they tear their houses down? The McDonald's and Sheetz stores as well as a small strip mall are on the site of a Union hospital...should those be torn down?
While you are welcome to your opinion...if you are not a resident of the county that is all you get is your opinion. If The Board of Supervisors vote for the store...they WILL be representing the people of Orange County.
If the Battlefield Conservation group wants to "save" this area...then why don't they pay for the jobs of the approximately 600 people who will benefit and the approximately $1million in revenue the county will lose. When you can give an answer to those two items...we might listen to you.
civil war battlefields
please do not disturb our history.
this is one of the periods we should always remember,
what it stood for
what was accomplished
why it should never happen again.
Property Rights
Lost in the antipathy toward Wal-Mart is the fact that the County does not own the land, nor does Wal-Mart.
I woul love to see a collection of Robert Duvall's, Tim Kaine's, and Ben Stein's money offered to the landowner, 3&20 Development, to purchase the land and place it into a conservation easement.
Until someone offers the current landowners money for the property, this discussion is nothing more than interference with another's property rights.
Political Puppets
This is just another case of politicians ignoring what the people want. Greed has overtaken our forefathers ideas of a government represented by the people. As cynical as it sounds, case after case confirms we are a government represented by "big business". This is hallowed ground paid for by blood of thousands. Respect that ladies and gentleman of the council. No amount of money should replace this fact. Listen to the fine people of Orange County and find an alternate site for Walmart. Walmart will still thrive in another location, believe me. Remember officers of the council, you are here to represent the PEOPLE of Orange County!
Drew
No one is saying we should forget the Civil War (except most of the Politically Correct Crowd). I for one am disgusted that the Civil War is hardly mentioned in text books these days. Why is no one upset about that? Why is no one (many of whom are bitching about the Wal-Mart) raising cain with ALL the school systems or whomever decides what is either in the text books or taught in our schools? How can we know where we have been if our children are not allowed to learn and understand what was so very important about the Civil War and why it should NEVER be forgotten. While many would say for the wrong reasons, Southerners are the ones who work hard to preserve the honor, memories and traditions of our heritage. I have been told that I should just "get over it...you lost" by many...win or lose is not the point...history and lessons learned is.
A Wal-Mart Store in our county (which sorely needs the tax revenue that is going to the two neighboring counties) will never change how we feel about the brave men/women who fought in the Civil War...our pitiful education system and the PC Crowd in this country will do it for us!
Wilderness Wal-Mart
You reallyl should check your facts. The Wal-Mart is not on the battlefield no can it be seen from the battlefield. Bill Rolfe was not let go because he wanted to move the Wal-Mart down the road a couple of hundred yards.
Wilderness Walmart
Regardless of your convictions about this Walmart, we should all agree that the council has overstepped their boundaries. In my mind, going into a closed session to fire a public official is a cowardly act, and the people who elected them should be throwing a fit.
Orange resident wrote:
"Why do so many who DO NOT LIVE nor pay taxes in Orange County much less the state of VA...need to stick their noses in this? "
Why? Because battlefields are a part of all of our collective story. Without them, the story cannot be told. And if we, as a society, forget where we have been, how can we possibly know where we are going? What's more, we cannot forget the men and women who have given their lives to make this country what it is today. To forget the ground on which they fought, and to forget them, is a tragedy beyond any comprehension.
Wal-Mart vs. Wilderness
1- Why do so many who DO NOT LIVE nor pay taxes in Orange County much less the state of VA...need to stick their noses in this? I see, TX, CA (yeah, they really know how to run a state)NC, DC (another great example)and a bunch of others? If they care so much...why don't they contribute to our tax base or our charity organizations. Basically, mind your own business...not ours!
2- There is much dis-info in some of these email...get your facts straight!
3- I now spend much of my money in either Culpeper or Fredericksburg. I would much rather spend it in my county supporting the tax base here rather than helping the other jurisdictions!
4- The state of VA has more Civil War Battlefield acrage than any other state (according to what I have read), we can't save it all.
5- This sight is located 1/2 mile (I clocked it as I live less than 5 miles away)from the NEAREST facility in the battlefield. It is also ACROSS a 4 lane highway (Rte3) and beind a 7-11 (a beautiful piece of history!). There IS a Sheet, a McDonalds, a bank, STATE liquor store and about 15 other businesses located BETWEEN the land designated for the battlefield and the proposed site!
6- this is a relatively poor (couldn't tell it by our tax bills) county with very few businesses to help the tax base and the job situation.
7- I once had a small business in the town of Orange. I closed it and moved it to Fredericksburg. The local residents would not support it but others drove all the way from Fred. to shop!
8- The town/county has either run off or scared off many local or potential businesses by non support or encouragement.
It is really sad that we have such little minds that feel that any progress is bad. I love the country feel of this area and want it balanced with things that are good for ALL the citizens. Wal-Mart isn't the villan here...it's the people who want to control everything in our lives. Most of Lake of the Woods are retired people who live in their little gated community in a "secure" cocoon afraid to venture out into the scary world. Most came here from the big cities and have little or no understanding for rural life. As one poster said, their development is very much in the center of the grounds of Wilderness...would the give up their homes to "save the battlefield"? I seriously doubt it.
Unless you live here...shut up and stay out of our business. Go bother/control someone else...leave us alone.
