LTE: Hillsboro Resident Questions Higgins' Stand on Rail

Dear Editor:

The following is a letter I sent to Geary Higgins following last week's Town Hall Meeting held in Lovettsville, VA.  Mr. Higgins says that he needs to look at all the information, he is "very concerned about the capital construction and long term costs associated with joining a system which is governed by unelected boards (MWAA and WMATA) that are controlled by Maryland and the District of Columbia," and "will not support the project if it is to be laid upon the backs of Loudoun's families," but he is still unable to commit to a position of opposing the Loudoun Rail Project.  Now is the time for true leadership in order to protect Loudoun County citizens from endless taxation, instead of political games.  I offer my letter which was addressed to Mr. Higgins for the people of Loudoun County to consider, and I am still waiting to hear that Geary Higgins will publicly, clearly, and vigorously oppose the Loudoun Rail Project.

Mr. Higgins,

I attended tonight's Town Hall Meeting in Lovettsville, and while I do appreciate the fact that you showed up, you did not earn my respect when it comes to the issue of Loudoun County's involvement with METRO.

Your inability to acknowledge how this project is bad for your constituents, and Loudoun County as a whole was disappointing.  The people who you represent need someone willing to have the courage to state an opinion, recognize that this is bad for their future, and to be a leader in rallying support to defeat this measure, instead of someone who will sit on the fence and see which way the wind of public opinion is blowing that day.

I am curious, as you state that you want to look at the information, how much information do you have to see in order to say that this is bad for Loudoun County.  I also wonder, if so many people are stating their support for building the Metro project in response to your email survey, where were they tonight?  If these people  are as passionate about building it as you mentioned tonight, they certainly didn't believe in it enough to get off their couch and leave their home to come support it tonight.  It takes a lot to get me to leave my family and my children in an evening to go out to something like this, but I did tonight because I truly believe this is a horrible idea for Loudoun County.

Sir, please do the right thing, have courage, be a leader, and take a stand as a leader to defeat this horrible idea of Loudoun METRO by publicly stating your opposition and OPT OUT!

Thank you,

Todd Morrison,
Hillsboro, VA