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LTE: Metro Bad for Horse Industry

A Loudoun veterinarian says rail would pressure horse owners to develop and sell.

Dear Board Members,

It's really hard to ignore the hype. I have been overwhelmed by emails and media. This will be a tough decision for you. I am a horse veterinarian, and a Naval Academy graduate. And I am against the rail extension.

The extension will place financial pressures on horse owners to develop and sell. And as Loudoun urbanizes to the west, there will be less horses, and the horse industry will move west. I don't want to move my veterinary practice, my employees, and my family to Clarke country. Your decision to extend the rail in Loudoun will ultimately cause me, my business, and my family unnecessary hardship. We will be forced to move west, out of Loudoun.

My story is the story of the horse industry in Loudoun. If you bring the rail, you are turning your back on the horse industry. Your approval of the rail extension will undermine all of us involved with horses. You are threatening my livelihood. Please consider the extension as unnecessary. Don't consider it an opportunity to be lost.

Respectfully,

Dr. Jay Joyce
Leesburg, VA
Veterinarian

PFC Prolapse June 15, 2012 at 06:11 pm
WON'T SOMEONE PLEASE THINK OF THE HORSES!!!
Myth Buster June 15, 2012 at 08:22 pm
By far this is the most dis-ingenious editorial pieces I have read in recent memory. With all do respect the notion that Dr. Joyce is espousing is nothing short of fear mongering. Stop 606 & 772 are over 10+ miles as the crow flies from said "horse country". The majority of Loudoun's horse farms are off Route 15, 287 & 9 - tens of miles away from the proposed Eastern stops. When I read letters like this, I want to urge the BoS a "special" mountain view tax for Western Loudoun residents.
MIke June 15, 2012 at 09:46 pm
Stop horsing around, and vote NO to metro already.
Buck June 16, 2012 at 12:54 am
Is this a repost from 1937? Loudoun deserves to lose this.
Shayne June 16, 2012 at 12:06 pm
There is no reason to be snide about a respectful expression of this individual's point of view. I'm not even sure how I feel about the metro, but I appreciate hearing the different points of view. The things that I like about Loudoun are the rural businesses -- horses, farms, wineries, wide open spaces. 10 miles is nothing when you're talking about large farms. There will be increased density and that's not a universal good.
CC Mojo June 16, 2012 at 01:41 pm
I don't see how the Metro is going to negatively impact anything with horses or wine, for that matter. Those people you feel are going to jump onto the development train have a choice whether to remain in the horse industry, or develop the land.
Myth Buster June 17, 2012 at 02:09 am
There was nothing snide about my comment. It is utterly absurd to think Metro would have a negative impact on the Western portion of Loudoun or a direct impact on the "horse community". And 10 miles as the crow flies is roughy 18-20+ surface or road miles...still not where close enough to have a negative impact. The folks from Western Loudoun act as if they are "special", which I find ironic considering Eastern Loudoun tax payers fund their schools & libraries.
Victoria Glenn June 17, 2012 at 03:08 am
While I understand the authors concerns, no one will be forcing those in the horse industry to change anything or develop their land, unless they want to. There really is nothing to lose but much to gain from the metro becoming a reality.
abroderick June 17, 2012 at 04:06 am
I understand your concerns, but I don't honestly believe that the Metro will put you out of business. I believe that horse owners will continue to care for their horses. If any pressure is put on them to sell their land and move it would be because it is profitable for them to do so.
BCan June 17, 2012 at 03:20 pm
Oh please, the horses? Opponents to the Metro are the second largest group of trolls (only second to the Westboro Baptist Church). Seriously now, this should not be anyone's concern. This sounds more like a personal problem. I have a hard time believing that this is a serious heartfelt letter because the metro is not going to put you out of business. Sorry western Loudoun peeps but it's really hard to take you serious when you pull things like the "horse card".
Bob Bruhns June 18, 2012 at 04:57 am
Note that some people don't think locations ten miles from the stations will be affected by rail, but some people think the whole county will benefit equally and should be taxed equally for rail. You can't have it both ways. Which is it?
The Baconator June 19, 2012 at 01:14 am
Metro is going to be bad for the horse industry? Just think about all those commuters that are going to stop riding their horses into work when Metro gets built. Maybe we are missing the whole solution here, we can all start riding horses again. Nice we can all start using horse drawn buggies and be the largest Amish community in the whole United States. We can get rid of electricity while we are at it and we can wash our clothes in the river. I don't think the Metro will hurt your dear horse industry guys and Loudoun needs to be brought into the 21st century, not keep itself stuck in the past.
CC Mojo June 19, 2012 at 01:34 am
I'm glad someone else sees the parallel between these liars and that horrible "church". The lies and deception are unreal.
Western Loudoun will not only be fine, but will reap the benefits of Metro through tourism, closer jobs, etc.
CC Mojo June 19, 2012 at 01:36 am
How could it not be a tourism boom for Western Loudoun? More people living in Loudoun = more tourists.
Stacey F June 19, 2012 at 01:52 am
Noooo! Most of us are ready for Metro! It's been TOO LONG coming to drop the ball now!
abroderick June 19, 2012 at 03:33 am
It's not that the area won't be affected. It's just that some people have a hard time believing that people will go out of business from increased property values and added convenience.
abroderick June 19, 2012 at 03:33 am
You know what else was bad for the horse industry? Cars.
Sunshine Daisy June 19, 2012 at 03:33 am
really? bad for the horse industry? I hope it doesnt affect the people raising chickens as well! It will be pandemonium!
Luisa June 19, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Ok, I'm not trying to be 'snide' or disrespectful, but really?! The horse industry?? I'm also not buying that the metro extension will cause this man's family or business any hardships. A hardship is when you can't or don't have a car for whatever reason and you have no other way to get around. Here is an example: my father, a former marine, had a brain aneurysm that couldn't be fully repaired so he can't drive, can't work, but has many doctor's appts. and rehabilitation visits. As much as I'd love to I can not drive him 45 mins to an hour each way once a week, sometimes, twice a week, but I can drive him 5 minutes to the planned metro stop on 606 where he can catch the metro to his appts. In addition to the commute there is the indefinite time spent waiting while he is at his appts. Even if I could, he wouldn't WANT me to! Oh and for the tax pig who seemed so hell bent on demeaning those who receive govt. assistance, he will happily be swiping his EBT card to ride the Silver Line. Bring the metro to Loudoun already!
Melvin Summers June 19, 2012 at 01:38 pm
I have a hard time believing that the Metro rail will be bad for horse farmers. Most of the Farmers are west in the county and the Metro is going to stop in Ashburn. Someone should do an article called "Build the Metro And the Sky Will Fall" I would have an easier time believing it.
Yes to Metro!!!! No to Horses :)
Bob Bruhns June 19, 2012 at 09:59 pm
You forgot taxes. Maybe dunning taxes might have something to do with it. Ya think?

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Jim June 18, 2013 at 11:22 am
Doug was a coach in Dulles Little League for many years and the entire DLL community sends itsRead More thoughts and prayers to Barbara, Chris and all of Doug's family and friends. Thank you, Payne family, for sharing Doug with us. May he rest in peace.