Floyd Press

Letter to the Editor

September 23, 2001

In the past month I have become involved with the Blue Ridge Coalition, a group opposing any new pipelines in Floyd, Patrick, Carroll and other counties in Virginia. In playing "catch up" I came across a "letter to the editor" from the Mayor of Hillsville (August 9, 2001).

I need some clarification about his views on "progress".

Does he think that destroying the environment, cutting down trees and blasting away at rock to provide a path for a gas pipeline that will not be of any benefit to the citizens whose land it will make valueless, let alone the people of Virginia, is "progress"? Does he think supporting big business while putting innocent people at risk of fire, property damage and even death, is "progress"?

I recently moved to Floyd County from Cincinnati, Ohio because I've had enough "progress. Please indulge me and let me explain. I lived with and in "progress" for most of my life.

When "progress" moves in your whole life changes. Houses must be destroyed and people relocated. Big equipment must be moved in to forever change the landscape. Trees must be cleared and mountains moved. Sometimes the equipment needed to do this can be as big as a house. Blasting makes a boom that is heard and felt for miles away from the construction site. In the case of the pipeline, underground water aquifers must be rechanelled and disrupted, possibly causing springs and streams to dry up. If the pipeline company puts in taps, which are NOT part of the plan, it might bring other business with it and then a few jobs will be created. With all the new business, highways will become more congested as people try to get to work. Farm lands and scenic views will become divided into little parcels to make more housing and more roads, paid for with higher taxes. The skies will change. During the day a hazy yellow film from the pollution will replace the incredible azure blue skies we now enjoy. At night the stars will disappear and we will no longer be able to see the Milky Way because the light pollution will take away the night. The smell of sweet hay and fresh air will be replaced with sulfur emissions from additional traffic and compressor stations. The noise levels from these stations, the increased traffic and the radios from the cars will increase 10 fold bouncing off hillsides where once there were trees.

In my lifetime I have seen thousands upon thousands of acres of woods, farmland and waterfalls be replaced with highways, shopping malls, airports, and industry. In the 15 years I owned my Cincinnati home my taxes went from $150 a year to almost $2,000 a year. Cincinnati got bigger, so did the airport and the flight path of the new runway was directly over my home. A jet gas pipeline was put in my back yard to supply fuel for the increased air traffic. When I called to complain I heard the word "progress" one too many times along with the line "look how many jobs and how much money the airport expansion has generated". Did this help my pocketbook? No. Did it forever ruin what I thought was my home? Yes.

That's the kind of "progress" the Mayor of Hillsville is approving. Is that the life you want to live?

Sure, I'm an "outsider" and maybe that's why I appreciate Floyd. It's not about industry and "progress". It's about scenic views, clean air and pristine water. It's about concern for your neighbor. Helping out when the community needs you. What we have in this part of Virginia is an endangered way of life. It is up to us to protect it and save it for future generations. My friend calls taking charge of our lives and not letting someone else determine our destiny, "proactive living". Who's in charge of your life?

Sincerely and still hopeful,

Floyd County... not just a place. It's a way of life.