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the citizens and landowners of Rappahannock County.
In spite of our progress, highway maintenance and construction problems are greater today than ever before. The effect of the inflationary spiral on Highway financing is doubly serious. Construction and maintenance costs rise; however, the vehicle uses no more gasoline (our major source of income) even though the cost of gasoline may rise. Compare this with the Sales Tax which also rises when inflationary costs rise.
In an effort to cope with our problems, the Highway Department has changed in the last few years in organization as well as policy. We are constantly studying ways to operate most efficiently, reduce pollution, keep the citizens of Virginia better informed, design roads and bridges with safety, aesthetics and landscaping as a principal consideration. Complex and expensive policies have been adopted for the acquisition of right of way for major projects, particularly in the field of relocation assistance. Continuing efforts are being made to keep sign encroachments off of our right of way. Recently enacted Outdoor Advertising Laws are more restrictive than before; however, I believe we could do even more in this area.
In this letter I have touched on a few points which I believe are interesting to the citizens of Rappahannock County. Please feel free to call on me if I can be of any assistance to you or your Club in Highway matters.
Yours truly,
James K. Skeens
Resident Engineer
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