Two important Spotsylvania County Supervisor seats are up for election November 3, 2009.  (There are actually 3 seats open, but only two seats have candidates with opposing views on this topic).  If you live in the Lee Hill District or the Battlefield District, you need to pay close attention.  In August, the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors voted to join the Virginia Railway Express, the VRE; the commuter train that allows Fredericksburg area residents an alternative to driving to work in DC every day.  This was a narrow victory, a 4-3 vote.  However, there is a caveat to this victory.  Most start dates for new projects is January 1 of the following year.  The VRE project start date was moved to February 15 by the current Board of Supervisors.  This allows the new Board, elected on Nov. 4, to overturn the VRE vote.  Yes, this is politics at its finest. 

Although there are many issues on the table for the candidates to discuss, it appears they are all talking about the VRE.  Spotsylvania residents have had the luxury of using the VRE by driving to the Fredericksburg City station or one of Stafford County stations.  This luxury has come at a cost to Fredericksburg City residents and Stafford County residents whose tax dollars go to pay for these stations.  Spotsylvania County has been asked to join the VRE system several times in the last 17 years, but until this last vote, the invitation has been declined.  A VRE station in Spotsylvania County will not only make it more convenient to commute to Washington, DC, it can also open Spotsylvania County to being a DC bedroom community.  Fredericksburg City and Stafford County have enjoyed increased home sale prices because of their proximity to a mass transit system.  I’ve personally had countless numbers of clients who refused to look at homes in Spostylvania because of their lack of a VRE station.  There is also talk of a high speed rail service that would go from Richmond to Washington, DC.  Spotsylvania would benefit from having a stop in their county to help attract visitors to their historic sites. 

Are there drawbacks from becoming a member of the VRE system?  Well, of course.  Somehow Spotsylvania will have to pay for this system.  New tracks will need to be laid.  (However, jobs could be created because of the work involved with getting the Spotsylvania station up and running).  How do you pay for the system?  Well, taxes.  It’s just the way government works.  Had Spotyslvania jumped on board with this project 5 years ago, the system could have benefited from the areas rapid growth.  Spotsylvania will need to start planning for smart growth along the VRE corridor.  No one wants to see Spotsylvania become overcrowded or have the County loose the small town feel it prides itself on.  Smart growth is key and a realistic strategic plan will go along way. 

Here’s how the candidates for the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors plan to vote if elected:

Lee Hill District:                 DJ McGuire – against VRE                  Gary Skinner – for VRE

Battlefield District:           Chris Yakabouski – against VRE        Benjamin Pitts – for VRE

To get more information about where to vote and who you will voting for click here. 

This is a very important election for Spotsylvania County.  The outcome of the vote will determine the future of mass transit in the area.  Spotsylvania County residents need to consider the ramifications of not becoming a part of the VRE system.