No to Special Deals, Yes to More Options

It seems odd to me that we would have a board whose largest single contributors were local developers (big fan of those) who are decidedly NOT union shops, and yet they are seriously considering a deal with MWAA (Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority) that would give 10% bonuses on their point system to union contractors for development of the rail project.

It would seem logical to anyone, even the most cynical, that these supervisors would be willing to say, “Not only no, but hell no!” to a deal like this, where MWAA has basically HIDDEN a PLA by saying it’s not mandatory…just strongly encouraged.

How stupid does MWAA think this Board of Supervisors is? Hopefully marginally more stupid than they actually are…hopefully.

Why would ANY member of this Board of Supervisors, all supposed champions of business in Loudoun County, pretend that we should simply depend on Richmond to stop union favors from being dished out in Loudoun County, when this Board has the power to say ,”NO.” Do we think that any of the supporters of their campaigns (to say nothing of Loudoun citizens writ large) will be well served by special union deals coming from MWAA in Loudoun County?

It also strikes me as ridiculous that I’ve seen no options from a public transit standpoint to the saving grace of ONE train station in the middle of Ashburn. Bus Rapid Transit has been implemented all over the world and is decidedly more flexible and much more affordable than a rail system. Are we going to just pretend that 300,000 people spread out over the county are properly served by ONE rail station in the middle of the County, or are we just going to pretend that all 300,000 people are going to send their properties back to nature, ditch their cars and pile up in high-density and partially subsidized housing (don’t worry, if you think THAT’S not coming, you’re in a dream world) “multi-use” paradise on Ryan Rd?

Who are we kidding? Someone from Dulles South Alliance the other night alluded to the fact that Waterford (get this!) was passed up in 1871 by the train, and their economy went into the tank as a result (true), therefore we need to spend $3 Billion on one train station outside the Airport. Of course that conveniently leaves out the fact that 1871 was more than THIRTY YEARS before cars first became commercially available! Waterford recovered nicely after that, and the only thing that has kept it from being a commercial hub again is the fact that it actively defends itself from such with not one, not two, but three separate Historical Preservation regulators…

For our County Government and all the developers du jour to live in a dreamworld where trains are somehow the most magical, innovative, progressive technological marvel to move people from place to place are doing no service to the citizens of Loudoun County.  There are options.  BRT is one.  Increased rideshare opportunities, telework…you name it.

Trains ≠ Economic Development. Obviously they are related.  But Trains require the swan song of Economic Development from public officials (elected and not elected) way more than Economic Development actually requires trains.

It’s time for the board to speak the truth about what it means to actually care about the economic development of Loudoun County.  That includes developing businesses HERE so that we are no longer dependent on points east to employ our residents, and it also means NOT becoming a part of the dysfunctional money-grubbing monster that is MWAA.