
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, August 6, 1995                   TAG: 9508070011
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: PETE D. CASTELLI III
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CONTROLLING GROWTH NOT AN US-VS.-THEM ISSUE

As a Riner resident, I have a particular interest in the explosion of growth that has occurred in our section of the county, so I read with great interest the July 26 article on the Montgomery County planners and supervisors meeting to discuss growth.

Comments by supervisors and planning commission members certainly do show there is a "gulf" on growth and development issues. I am pleased my supervisor, Henry Jablonski, is taking a reasonable approach and thinking of the interests of Riner residents.

On the other hand, Planning Commissioner Joe Draper and Supervisor Nick Rush seem to be spouting the reactionary propaganda of the right-wing "wise use" movement.

Draper claims zoning to protect our county and reasonable guidelines for subdivision development are "taking away people's rights."

Perhaps the paper should list the occupation and land holdings and business contracts held by those who sit on the planning commission so we can draw our own conclusions on whose rights they are protecting.

Rush claims he sees no problems with septic sytems. Well, take a trip down to the Elliston-Shawsville area and ask around, Mr. Rush. Perhaps we can get you information showing that overdevelopment and use of septic systems cause real problems for nearby wells and waterways.

It is true that landowners have a right to develop and use their property as they see fit. But we must remember that we all live in this community and pay taxes. What happens on my neighbor's land affects the stream or road next to my property. This should not be seen as an us-vs.-them issue or development vs. no development. Rather, as Henry Jablonski said, the county has a legitimate role in protecting existing landowners and requiring subdivision zoning. We cannot let Rush or Draper paint this issue as one of property rights vs. unfunded government mandates.

I have lived most of my life in Riner and can think of no place better. I welcome our new neighbors , yet we must maintain a balance to protect our rolling hills and Little River, the main reasons we live here. There is room for everybody if we work together. Yet allowing planning commissioners or supervisors to drive a wedge between farmers, professionals, longtime and new residents, environmentalists and others will only allow them to lock us out of decisions. We must be conservative in how we develop our county.

The writing is on the wall - or the blueprints are in a developer's office, I should say. The time is now to get involved. Let's use these upcoming elections to take our representatives and their challengers to task on these issues. Because once its gone ... we can't get it back.

Pete D. Castelli III lives in Riner and is active in environmental issues. He is a representative for the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees.

by CNB