Williams Pushes for Make Up Between Loudoun, Redskins

Supervisor Shawn Williams (R-Broad Run) today moved to improve what many perceive as a tense relationship between Loudoun County and the Washington Redskins by sending a letter to team owner Daniel Snyder.

In the letter, Williams urged Snyder to keep the team's practice facility at in Ashburn and asked him to consider renegotiating the marketing agreement that the previous board of supervisors rejected. Under the failed agreement, Loudoun would have called itself the corporate home of the Redskins while the team would have used “Loudoun County” on press releases and would have given space to the county on its website. There was also talk of building the Redskins Hall of Fame in Loudoun.

There has been much talk of the Redskins leaving Ashburn and Loudoun County, but at the moment there appear to be no immediate plans to move the facility.

“There was a proposal on the table in 2008 for Loudoun to partner with the Redskins and build a Hall of Fame in Ashburn, but the previous Board of Supervisors narrowly voted it down,” Williams said. “I believe that sent the wrong message to the business community and I hope the Washington Redskins and this new Board will reconsider. The Washington Redskins are an important part of the local community and I know Redskins fans would be thrilled to see the Hall of Fame here in Ashburn.”

Williams sent the following letter to Snyder: 

Dear Mr. Snyder:

I am very pleased to have been given the honor to represent the citizens of the Broad Run district on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors.  As I begin my term, I want to reach out to you and your organization as one of the most important employers in my district.  I believe the Washington Redskins are vital to the economic health of my district and I want to thank you for continuing to locate your operations here in Loudoun County.

During my campaign, I saw the need for the expansion of economic development efforts here in Loudoun County.  One of my most important issues was the need for Loudoun to be more business-friendly and to cut red tape for job creators.  While I cannot speak for my fellow Board colleagues, I can say with certainty that they share the same general commitment to economic development. 

As you know, in 2008 there was a proposal to partner with Loudoun for marketing purposes and to build a Redskins Hall of Fame.  Unfortunately, the previous Board narrowly rejected the proposal.  As a citizen at that time, I was very concerned about the lost economic development opportunity as well as the unfriendly message that was being sent to your organization and Redskins fans alike.  I personally cannot think of a better location for the Redskins Hall of Fame than Loudoun County.

I would be very pleased to explore locating the Redskins Hall of Fame in Loudoun once again.  Consider this an open invitation for you or your representatives to meet with me at any time to discuss possibilities for this partnership. 

I am very proud that Loudoun County continues to be the corporate home of the Washington Redskins.

Very Truly Yours,

Shawn M. Williams
Supervisor, Broad Run District