To the seeker, please take a few minutes to reread the article and you will see where Preservation Virginia is actively involved in either minimizing or stopping any replacement of the bridge. You'll find that Preservation Virginia is partnered with and backed by the "monied and landed" estate owners on the west side of the river. God forbid that one of the commoners from the east side need to get to the other side for whatever reason....
To introduce class warfare and envy into this discussion is reprehensible, divisive, and ultimately unproductive. Moreover, it gives the impression that supporters of the bridge bear a grudge towards the folks who have donated thousands of acres of beautiful, scenic land to the Virginia Outdoor Foundation and other preservation groups to protect the unique and beautiful character of the Shenandoah Valley forever. One could respond to CCMan on his own distasteful level along these lines: some folks want the bypass bridge so they can move ahead in their plans to pave the county and make a lot of money doing...
Perhaps our beloved supervisor could take a moment from his image-enhancing media campaign to learn about the history of the area he wants to pave. The proposed bypass goes right through the area surrounding the Low Water Bridge at Morgan Ford. It threatens the oldest known settlement of emancipated slaves in the country. Called “Smoketown,” this village was home to dozens of “manumitted” African-American slave families who settled there early in the 1800s, half a century before the Emancipation Proclamation as free men and women. For those who consider this bypass only in terms of the minutes it will shave...
Where did you come up with Smoketown as the oldest known settlement of emancipated slaves in the country? I can't find that anywhere. Just curious and would like to learn more if it is in fact true....
Isopod Lover, I don't believe supporters of the bridge bear a grudge against anyone. They just would like to see the crumbling, unsafe and outdated bridge replaced by a two-lane, elevated bridge that can be crossed year-round and not closed by a couple days of rain. While the landowners on the west side may have donated "thousands" of acres for conservation and preservation they wouldn't cede a square foot of land for the approach to the bridge. No-one wants to "pave the county". The road is fine as is. A very pleasant drive as a matter of fact. The "will...
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