May 12, 2008
The city’s future
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Williamsburg is a complex community with four major constituencies: Colonial Williamsburg, William & Mary, the commercial sector and the residential neighborhoods. In my opinion, City Council has done an exceptional job of spending our tax dollars wisely to maintain and strengthen each of these areas.
Millions are being spent burying underground wiring, a project with no direct financial benefit but which benefits all constituencies by making our community more beautiful.
Millions more were spent on projects such as stopping Wal-Mart and in its place developing High Street, on purchasing the Tioga Court to rejuvenate Richmond Road as an attractive commercial center, and on smaller $100,000 projects such as reconfiguring the Crown station to create a wider road.
Similarly, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent on rejuvenating houses in residential neighborhoods such as Braxton Court, and on streets within the inner city. The goal has been to maintain an appropriate mix of owner-occupied and rental units. Residents and students seek a well-maintained, high-quality neighborhood.
The issue regarding tax dollars spent on rejuvenating commercial and residential neighborhoods is not whether the city gains or loses money on an individual project or a particular house within the city. Each of these purchases will result in a one-time modest profit in an up market or a modest loss in a down market.
The point is that these investments are rejuvenating important aspects of our city. They represent our responsibility as stewards of two national treasures by preserving the historic and educational heritage of our city. They reflect our obligation to leave an even higher quality of life for future residents and visitors.
Clyde Haulman and Paul Freiling have been outstanding advocates of investing city resources in both our commercial and residential areas for the benefit of future generations. I encourage all of us to support their re-election as a part of our three choices for council.
David E. Kranbuehl
Harrison Avenue
Williamsburg
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