Keep feds off the Crooked Road

If you take taxpayer money and got two politicians such as Sen. Warner and Rep. Griffith to further your empire — oops, “free association” — maybe you’re a little political?
And am I to believe that the Crooked Road director, Mr. Hinselwood, is working for free out of the goodness of his heart?
And if you get your wish and secure 19 counties in your National Heritage Area, he won’t get a bigger salary and need more secretaries, desks, phones? It is a fact that anytime the federal government is involved with anything it gets out of control.
And you, the Crooked Road, would be in partnership with the National Park Service, and they with Environmental Protection Agency rules, Department of the Interior, Endangered Species Act and more.
Mr. Wilson, I truly don’t believe your 10 public hearings that brought out under 50 people total is a fair representation of the over 600,000 people that live in these 19 counties. I object because all landowners were not notified, and the excuse of cost is unfounded since I just got two tax bills in the mail from my county today — there could have been an avenue to contact us.
I object because we are not offered a referendum. I object because our local board of supervisors was not asked or advised. I object because the Virginia Declaration clearly states that there must be consent of the people.
I object because we have our local tourist groups, music groups, you, historic groups, chambers of commerce, state agencies that already promote all the area. Why do we need more, bigger and better?
I object because if national historic areas were intended to have no impact, they would have no boundaries. Boundaries have consequences!
I object because our attorney general stated that there is no opt out and we would be under federal jurisdictions.
The answer is NO. Have a good day, Mr. Wilson.
Linda Meyer
Speedwell