Last week we predicted there was a game afoot to deny public participation. The county could not look more guilty of that ‘charge,’ after what has since ensued.
After Rebecca Horner, Acting Director of Planning and Deputy County Executive, insisted on pushing forward, Chair Wheeler took charge to hold the Jan. 20 meeting. The Jan. 20 Data Center Overlay Expansion ‘public engagement review meeting’ – limited to 300 in-person participants – was changed to all virtual on the night before, ‘due to weather.’ Supervisor Lawson’s directive to postpone the meetings for 4-6 weeks because of the pandemic surge and impending weather was voted down. Only about 40 citizens were able to gain access to the Thursday virtual meeting to speak because the county’s virtual process broke down.
This week’s Jan. 27 meeting for public input on the Digital Gateway CPA needs far better participation – in spite of how difficult the county is making it to engage.
We know the numbers in opposition to the industrializing of our rural spaces far outweigh the landowners who support this kind of environmental and budget-busting industrial sprawl development.
So, let’s be clear on what this county government has been doing to suppress public participation:
- Planned a meeting during a pandemic spike
- Refused to delay the community engagement meeting three days before meeting, even after the community pleaded and a directive to delay was provided
- After insisting the meeting could not be moved, the meeting was changed the night before, AFTER virtual sign up was closed, prohibiting any additional people from speaking
- The multiple step online process is confusing and intended to limit participation – in-person participation is limited to 300
- Even IF you completed the process appropriately, dozens of citizens did not receive a link to speak virtually to the Jan. 20 meeting
This community will not be intimidated by such tactics to disenfranchise our voices. The Gainesville community will not be intimidated because our own Gainesville Supervisor has recused himself, denying us our vote.
We will not be silenced. Make your voices heard. Sign up to speak, confirm you are signed up and send rhorner@pwcgov.org and awheeler@pwcgov.org a request confirming your ‘reservation to speak.’ Links to sign up below.
We know that this data center plan benefits the few, over the interests of the many.
Our quality of life, countywide, is at stake.
This is not a vote simply on the industrialization of one corridor. If protecting our clean drinking water, our hallowed ground, our quality of life, and our national parks is not an impediment to runaway industrial budget-busting sprawl, then no one in this county can feel confident with sustainable common-sense land use planning.
Deadline for signing up to attend in person or virtually at the January 27 public meeting is one day in advance, Wednesday, January 26 at 5 pm.
PW Digital Gateway CPA Community Meeting
Thursday, January 27
6:00 pm Open House
7:00 pm Meeting begins
Beacon Hall Conference Center
George Mason Sci Tech Campus
10945 George Mason Circle
Manassas, VA
The Planning department has unfortunately now chosen to make speaking in person at the Thursday January 27 meeting on data centers even more difficult by requiring MULTIPLE confusing steps to register, as opposed to one simple step. Please register to speak (even if you aren’t sure if you will) so you at least have the option to speak. Registration must be completed by Wednesday, January 26 at 5 pm.
IN PERSON:
To speak IN PERSON you must complete a TWO STEP Registration process:
Step 1: Go to this link and register to speak in person:
Step 2: Go to this link and register to attend in person:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-person-community-meeting-pw-digital-gateway-tickets-245776994607
VIRTUAL:
To speak VIRTUALLY you must follow a ONE STEP Registration process:
Step 1: Go to this link and register to speak virtually:
Here is the county link to information about the meeting:
https://www.pwcva.gov/department/planning-office/pw-digital-gateway
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BE INVOLVED – STAY INFORMED!
Go to these links to send your own email message to National leaders, State leaders and local leaders.
Get your own sign for your yard
MORE NEWS:
- Opinion Letter: CITIZENS ARE BEING RAILROADED
- Bristow Beat: Supervisor Lawson Aims to Postpone Rural Crescent/Data Center Input Meetings
- Opinion: Prince William at a Crossroads – Bristow Beat
“UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better.
It’s not.”