Shocked by U.S. 29 bypass vote

By: Susanna Nicholson | Charlottesville
Published: July 04, 2011

I’m writing in reference to the shocking lack of public notification prior to the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors’ recent, surprise vote (4-2) in favor of the U.S. 29 Western Bypass proposal.

This proposal has been described by community activists as “one of the most wasteful and destructive road projects in the country” because of its negative impact on school safety and water supply, and its high cost. According to The Daily Progress reporting, substantial local and state taxpayer money will be required, since federal funds are not available for this project.

Remember the taxpayer boondoggle of Biscuit Run? Rinse and repeat.

The issue was not included on the board’s agenda. There was no public announcement of this critical vote — one that will have detrimental effects on the city as well as the county.

The board majority simply shoved the decision right down the public’s throat. How? By suspending its own procedural rules.

Ironically, the supervisors had just held a lengthy public hearing on the alleged “conspiracy” from “outsiders” promoting local sustainability initiatives. Then they agreed, just before midnight, to pass a historically unpopular project. Talk about conspiracy!

Perhaps the “outsiders” promoting “conspiracy” are the developers whose interest the board clearly serves.