Bedford revenues
I read with great interest Bob Russell’s commentary on taxation without representation on Oct. 19. He illustrates perfectly the misunderstanding of most Bedford County residents about tax revenues and expenditures. Mr. Russell states that the Forest and Smith Mountain Lake area revenues do not support the expenses associated with their dense development and growth.
In September, the results of a Cost of Community Services Study (COCS) commissioned by the Board of Supervisors were released. The study found that for every dollar raised in tax revenue in the suburban areas of the county, $1.07 was spent in services. On the other hand, industrial land only spent 40 cents and agricultural land a mere 25 cents. Why? One does not have to educate a cow, an apple tree, a warehouse, nor does one have to provide other social services for them such as parks and recreation, libraries and senior centers.
As it turns out, the farmer who is providing us with a beautiful view and a local food source is also making up for our over-spending. The obvious solution is to encourage our supervisors and planning commission to work toward a balance in land use that will accommodate growth, offset by protection of agricultural areas and woodlands. Such a balance will continue the county’s rural heritage, retain low tax rates and continue our high quality of life. Tools for accomplishing such a balance are currently being explored by the Planning Commission and County Planning Department as they inch toward completing our Comprehensive Plan. These issues are economic, not just environmentalist zealotry.
Mr. Russell also expresses indignation over the Jefferson Forest High School decision-making process. As a parent of children who will attend that school, I couldn’t agree more. However, I think it would behoove the residents of the JF attendance zone to understand more fully the economic issues in the rest of the county instead of the self-righteous indignation so often expressed. Instead, we should be making a point of patronizing local Bedford County businesses; buying apples from orchards rather than WalMart, wine from Delahunty’s rather than Sam’s Club, and so on.
We should attend planning commission meetings; participate in comprehensive plan study sessions; talk with our elected officials and make our concerns known. Good citizenship begins in the voting booth. We live in one of the most beautiful places on earth--a place where I can live in a neighborhood yet have horses in my backyard, all while paying low taxes and sending my children to good schools. I feel lucky to live and work in Bedford County. Mr. Russell points out that the moratorium on annexation of Forest by Lynchburg will expire in 2010. If we are not careful, the rest of the county will not be sad to see us go.
Nan Carmack
Forest