A diverse community gathered to pay homage and respect to the formerly enslaved, the Native Americans, and the multitude of other souls buried at a documented historic cemetary which has recently been desecrated in Thoroughfare. While the group formed a circle to participate in an ancient tribal ceremony to bring peace to those disturbed, someone cried out, “LOOK UP!” In a surreal and magical moment, the dozens of us from different races, religions, and ethnicities bore witness to a bald eagle circling above our own circle, seeming to join and contribute to the ceremony with his scream and call. No one could deny the absolute power in that moment. No one.
Protecting our communities and our historic assets is best described by the words of those leading this effort.
Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare spokesperson Frank Washington said:
“I would like to thank everyone for their attendance and support of yesterday’s press conference and Native American ceremonies.
“It is truly a blessing to see communities come together for a common cause. To see people of different nationalities, cultures, religions and backgrounds stand together to protect our collective history. Stand together to protect each other. Stand together with true compassion, care and respect for each other.
“It brings forth a feeling of healing that this world so desperately needs right now. I truly believe our unity will bring needed change as well as protection for our collective history. Thank you again and God bless.”
When we stand in solidarity for one another, we stand in support of more than just our historic assets, we stand for more than just protecting the Rural Crescent where so much of our history can still be preserved – we stand as a community in love and compassion.
There are two upcoming events where you can speak up and show your compassion for our community.
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Please attend this program May 3rd to learn more about what is being put at risk in Thoroughfare, within our Rural Crescent.
| Thoroughfare: A Town Under Siege, with Frank Washington
Welcoming remarks from Supervisor Pete Candland and PWC Archaeologist Justin Patton May 3, 7PM. Register here. |
| Thoroughfare, located off Route 55 outside Haymarket, was established by freed slaves and Native Americans as a self-sufficient standalone farming community. Their descendants have deep roots in our history, including the civil war. Now that history is being threatened by encroaching development.Join us for an installment of Places Worth Protecting for a conversation with resident Frank Washington, who formed the Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare. We’ll discuss the history of perseverance and hope, and learn how that legacy continues today as the community faces new challenges and threats.
The freed slaves and Native Americans of Thoroughfare endured hardships, pain, and suffering. That legacy is coupled with a legacy of pride, love, and faith in God that a better life could be created for their families. The story of Thoroughfare is our collective shared history. It deserves to be preserved for generations to come. |
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Speak out for your Rural Crescent – May 4
The Board is making decisions on the Rural Area at their meeting on May 4. Emails can be ignored – but they can’t ignore you if you show up to speak in person or remotely during the public hearing before their vote.
We know this community is exhausted. We know it can feel hopeless, showing up time after time, feeling ignored by this Board. DO NOT GIVE UP! Nothing worth fighting for is easy.
We have to stay engaged. It is up to all of us to protect the future of this county, its impressive natural resources, to honor the past, respect the present, and protect it for future generations.
Here are all the details outlined by the Prince William Conservation Alliance (PWCA):
| Prince William at a Crossroads
On Tuesday, May 4, at 7:30 PM the Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on the Rural Area Preservation Plan. The Planning Commission recommends adopting only one of the strategies presented in the Plan – a Purchase of Development Rights program. We agree with the Planning Commission. It’s unknown if Supervisors will follow that lead or if this will be viewed as an opportunity to expand allowed Rural Crescent uses to include increased densities, commercial uses, or even industrial development. Although much is uncertain, we know a few things. We know that opening the Rural Crescent to development beyond what is currently allowed goes against why it was established in the first place – to protect the Occoquan Reservoir watershed, to maximize investments in the development area, and to maintain green open space (which could also be part of our climate change mitigation plan!). Rather than expanding development in the rural area and investing money for infrastructure there, we should be supporting communities where equity needs call for infrastructure upgrades. Numerous schools in the development area would benefit from facility upgrades for state-of-the-art learning environments. Also, few, if any, developers will redevelop Route 1 or elsewhere if the county allows them to purchase cheap land in the Rural Crescent, which effectively redirects taxpayer funds away from underserved areas.
The Rural Area was defined at the edge of the county because that was the most expensive area for extending sewer/water lines and roads. New residents there would also experience the longest commute to jobs in Fairfax County/DC, so it was viewed as the least-attractive area for building new subdivisions. Now, once again, the Rural Crescent and its benefits are at risk. Given the inconsistent, fragmented process, and poor information sharing with the community, PWCA sees an urgent need for an honest, comprehensive conversation about how to ensure equitable, sustainable communities for everyone. Please share your views with Prince William Supervisors. Click awheeler@pwcgov.org,abailey@pwcgov.org,mfranklin@pwcgov.org,jlawson@pwcgov.org,pcandland@pwcgov.org,yvega@pwcgov.org,vsangry@pwcgov.org, kboddye@pwcgov.org to email the Board. (click here for more contact information) Show up at the McCoart Building on May 4 to speak in person at the 7:30 PM Board meeting, or register here by 5 pm on May 3 to speak remotely during the public hearing. |
Eight benchmarks that demonstrate the Rural Crescent has been effective:
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Most Supervisors support data centers on privately owned land in the rural area, including next to our national parks. The county understands the value of a quality town center area to attract economic investments, but the value of the Rural Crescent — attract tourists, support farming and other agri-businesses, improve underserved areas, and protect our reservoirs — is not considered. This “it’s not appropriate for here, just put it there” mentality shows the county has not recognized the value of our protected rural area.“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
