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request is that the town depends on revenues from the Inn to such an extent that if the proprietors move away, the town will be financially distressed.
Is the Inn a “sugar daddy?” Why isn’t there an assumption that equally successful successors would take over? And if there isn’t this expectation, what is the assumption about the future management of a multi-million dollar tourist facility?
• Who proposes to finance the Inn’s expansion? Are its backers real estate speculators who have other ideas about county development? What revenues will the Inn need to generate to make its operation cost effective?
A look into the history of this kind of development will reveal that in most instances, the result is to make life difficult for those already in the area and to force their replacement with wholly new and different house and business owners. An impact study would reveal if this is the probable fate of Washington.
Neither the County nor the Town government has the staff to assemble the information that could throw light on the issues mentioned above, so that decisions can be made rationally. But if some public funds can be devoted to it, perhaps the Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection could also contribute to the effort and encourage others to volunteer their expertise.
We are a county of great wealth, even though many of our citizens are poor. With enterprise, some of our riches could be assembled for an objective study that would be of benefit to all.
DIANA BIRD
Washington
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