Letters to the Editor

Exploitation of Fishersville undesired

A statement was made that nobody complains about motocross races at Augusta Expoland ("Bane or boon, Feb. 17) during the fair. This is because the races come and go with the fair. They are not a permanent fixture that lingers beyond the boundaries of the fair. If they did, believe me, you would hear many more complaints.

I have many concerns about the proposed sports park at Expoland, but will only address a few. My concerns involve a traditional hunting ground that borders the proposed site. This track will destroy this hunting ground with more unnecessary excavation, excess noise, traffic and lots of dust. Not to mention the loss of habitat.

My next concern as a close neighbor to this track is the noise level. I live throughout spring, summer and fall with my windows open to enjoy the fresh air and general noise-free environment. Having no air conditioning, I rely on this to cool my house during the summer heat. I went to the sound check for the decibel ratings on the motorcycles and could clearly hear lots of noise from my house. I don't particularly like the idea of having to suffer oppressive heat in the summer months because I have to shut my windows and doors to escape the barrage of noise. Aren't tractor pulls and monster truck shows enough noise to impose upon your neighbors-

I can't think of anybody that would be happy to have a racetrack in his or her backyard. I could be wrong but if there is someone, lets put this racetrack in their backyard. I am not opposed to a track of this manner. I am opposed to the location. Augusta County is big enough to find another suitable location that won't infringe on the rights of its residents. We need to preserve the integrity of the Fishersville community, not exploit it.

Let's get on track with no track at Expoland.

Kyle Shilling

Fishersville

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When will City Council get behind businesses-

Last year, I went to the City Council with numbers in hand and explained that, when you decide to shoot a movie downtown or have an event that shuts down the streets, there are ramifications. Sometimes good. Sometimes bad. Their reply was that they have made mistakes in the past and will work with the businesses downtown in the future. This has not happened.

Late last year, the Council decided to again schedule and approve the Soapbox Derby. There is nothing wrong with the Soapbox Derby. It's a great event for the kids. However, how many Waynesboro residents are going to give up a day's pay to have this event happen- (Not that I am suggesting this to the Council because it will probably be approved 3-2).

Soapbox derbies tie up downtown so much that our business is crippled. We lost thousands of dollars of revenue. Do you think Wal-Mart or Target would sit by and let such an event shut them down for a day- They would race to the courts to stop the city from shutting them down.

I am left with these options: do nothing and lose thousands of dollars in revenue, which is a loss for my business, or hire a lawyer to seek damages, and either lose or trust that the council will direct the city to start supporting the downtown business. The city has never done that.

Am I the only one who sees something wrong here- If you are not going to give downtown businesses a break, at least humor us by letting us think we are involved in downtown.

There are solutions, but if no one wants to involve both the businesses and the events, they will never come to the surface. It's like arbitrating a divorce, but only talking to one side.

Bill Mikolay

Waynesboro

Editor's note: Mikolay is the owner of Main Street Discount.