A Call to Arms! All hands needed in Orange on Monday

[dusty27]

I've been sick all week, but if anyone in the NOVA area who has time on Monday and can get there, the CWPT would sure appreciate any help you can give. It doesn't matter what level of reenacting you participate it, preservation is one goal we all share, I hope.

Dusty



Gentlemen,

First apologies to those of you I haven’t spoken with in far, far too long. I hope you’re all having wonderful summers and doing your best to avoid the stifling heat.

Just a few moments ago, the Orange County Planning Commission voted NOT to recommend approval of Wal-Mart’s Special Use Permit application (technically, the vote was 4:4, but since this is not a positive recommendation, it goes on the books as a denial). Obviously, this is wonderful, huge news for us, but we can’t declare victory yet. They are only an advisory body to the Board of Supervisors and the vote is non-binding; the BOS can still go either way.

It is now more critical than ever before that we get a big crowd to Monday’s Board of Supervisors hearing. And CWPT and the Wilderness need your help especially. It appears (and I am not there in person to verify this) that Wal-Mart paid some mounted re-enactors to attend on their behalf. Can you help us spread the word to get folks out in uniform on Monday? I know it’s a haul for just about everyone on this planet to get to Orange, but we can really use the backup. Even people who aren’t comfortable speaking in public will be valued, just their presence sends a real statement. The preservation and historic communities must stand together to help protect the Wilderness.

This is one of those times we really, seriously, desperately need feet on the ground and a show of force to make a statement.

I can’t begin to tell you how much we’d appreciate any and all help you can give us in turning out the troops. Please let me know if you have any questions at all or if I can provide any additional information. Meeting time, location and link to a map are below.


WHAT: Orange County Board
WHEN: August 24 at 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Orange County High School Auditorium 201 Selma Road, Orange VA

CWPT will have an information table set-up one hour before the hearings, and we encourage all who attend to arrive early. Both public hearings will be held in the Orange County High School Auditorium, 201 Selma Road, Orange, Va. Click here for directions and a map of the school.

www.maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=201+Selma+Rd.,+Orange,+VA+22960&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=33.572881,79.013672&ie=UTF8&ll=38.246741,-78.097408&spn=0.008123,0.01929&z=16&iwloc=A

Mary Goundrey Koik
Deputy Director of Communications
Civil War Preservation Trust

[PogueMahone]

Re: All hands needed in Orange on Monday

It appears (and I am not there in person to verify this) that Wal-Mart paid some mounted re-enactors to attend on their behalf.

Just my own opinion here, but those are the kind of people I'd be in favor of blackballing from the hobby.

Normally I'd be of the opinion that appearing in CW uniform would be a distraction from the discussion, but in this case it has been requested and it may be a "fight fire with fire" need. Wearing the clothing does make you more visible in a crowded room.

I hope some of you local fellows can make this meeting. And while you are supporting preservation, find out who these "mounted re-enactors" are. Maybe you can get them to switch sides during the meeting?

Good luck!

[VaTrooper]

Re: All hands needed in Orange on Monday

What happened? I wanted to go but couldn't afford to miss my shift.

[NC5thCav]

Re: All hands needed in Orange on Monday

Wal-Mart got their permit approved and plan on building within a year. History and sacrifice loose to money once again.

[lojafan]

Re: All hands needed in Orange on Monday

This is the one part of living in the home of Wal-Mart that makes me ashamed. I've lived the first 19 years of my life from my parents working for Wal-Mart, and I've always supported them and said good things about it. But since Mr. Sam died, it's gone way down hill. Very sad!

Sincere apologies from a Wal-Mart baby.