LTE: Ashburn Resident Pushes Against Rail

My husband, Bob, and I moved from Fairfax County (Vienna) to Ashburn two months ago. Since then, we have attended several meetings on this project. The Lesser organization presented their findings at one of the meetings we attended. Previous to my retirement, I was a former small business owner and also COO of a mid-sized corporation in the '70s and '80s. I was astounded to learn that several of the supervisors were leaning toward approval of this ridiculous project extension past Dulles and taking on the unfunded liabilities of long-established but not well managed rail lines (DC, MD) including NOT having a seat on MWAAs Board. But wait, that was not the worst of it.  No one even has a clue as to what it will cost OR how it will be funded.

Please tell the citizens of Loudoun if any of you would commit to purchase a house, a car, an appliance, a vacation in spite of the fact that you don't know what any of these items cost or how you will pay for it when the bill comes due. Explain your rationale to us. Are you relying on rose-painted pictures of 'GROWTH?’  Again, if you haven't noticed, Loudoun has grown without rail and without the burden of having to pay forward to promote the very same 'GROWTH.’

Yes, it is good practice to have hearings and perform due diligence. But how is it possible that this 'venture' could be seriously entertained by some of the supervisors on this board? This is how issues/projects/regulations/laws/bills are decided upon across the river by Congress, if you haven't noticed. And also, if some of you haven't noticed, this country is broke. Are you planning the same future for Loudoun? I am so surprised that the very people who were elected into office in November promising FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY would even consider getting on board this 'train.'

I urge the Supervisors who are leaning toward voting yes on this project to read the papers/listen to the news and look back at history. Roads that are built for future use or to promote growth go broke ... note your own Greenway! These projects do not fulfill their own promise. Do not be seduced by glowing pie-in-the-sky fantasies.

It has been noted that the citizens of Loudoun who prefer to drive might benefit from the rail extension to Dulles Airport (for travel to Tysons or DC) which LOUDOUN DOES NOT HAVE TO SUPPORT WITH HIGHER TAXES. Sadly, Fairfax does not have a fiscally responsible board.

I began this communication by stating that we have just moved to Loudoun to put the density and high taxes of Fairfax behind us. Should the Board accept this 'developer land deal' boondoggle and encumber Loudoun, we will shortly be moving out of Loudoun. PLEASE OPT OUT --- UNANIMOUSLY!

Linda Miller
Ashburn, VA

[Editor’s note: There are cost estimates as well as proposals to fund the construction, operation and maintenance of the project.]