BUT FIRST…
…it was a difficult decision.
(Actually, of the four entries received, my kid pulled the winning entry out of a hat.)
And the winner of Fred2Blue’s 1st Ever Turkey-of-the-Year Award Goes to:
The Free Lance-Star for its lead editorial of July, 19, 2007: Aquarius, R.I.P.?
Okay, so here’s the context:
Earlier that week, the (Republican-majority) Stafford Board of Supervisors voted 4-3 (along party lines) to approve a version of Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND). The TND vision was novel and in some ways quite innovative, but as written it conceivably could have allowed skyscrapers in Hartwood and swept-clean the sensitive flora and fauna of the Widewater Peninsula.
Prior to the vote, citizens both for and against TND were allowed to speak.
Among the arguments against (this version of TND) was that it did not first follow a revised comprehensive plan for the County (yet to be completed) and that it green-lighted development beyond the resource-sensitive Utilities Services Area (USA).
Important points.
Among the arguments for this version of TND? That it would allow for the development of less-expensive housing in Stafford County.
And it is with that comment about affordable housing that the FL-S crafted an editorial that first painted Stafford Democrats as a bunch of hedonistic, pot-smoking ex-hippies - then - accused the same Stafford Dems of being elitist snobs against affordable housing.
THUD! That’s the sound this 30-lb. BUTTERBALL made when it crash-landed on Amelia Street!
If the intent of the editorial was to steam-roll Democrats in the local elections, then it was a collosal failure. On Election Day, the majority on the Stafford BOS flipped 4-3 to the Democrats.
So, congratulations to the FL-S editorial board for a job well-done!
Filed under: Humor, Local Media
I loved that it was picked out of a hat! BTW- the TND is still on the table. I think Dec. 4th is the next BOS vote on it.
FYI: The Stafford Town Station TND is item 17 on the 12/4/07 agenda.
Quote: “… swept-clean the sensitive flora and fauna of the Widewater Peninsula.”
I must say that this comment is not accurate. With the amount of Chesapeake Bay Resource Protection Areas (RPAs) out in Widewater, which are required to be placed in a “T1″ area, as well as the changes to the guidelines for determining which non-tidal wetlands are associated with RPA streams, a good chunk of the area would automatically be protected. In addition, the cost for impacting other streams/wetlands is almost prohibitive when the Corps of Engineers and/or DEQ permit requirements are taken into account.