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Our View
Don’t you ever
forget it
The last Rappahannock County Board of
Supervisor’s meeting was muddied with the
sludge issue.
The house was packed and without exception ' those who spoke were on an anti-sludge platform.
But it was a public hearing with several items on that evening’s agenda and sludge slur aside, one of those issues has perhaps even longer ranging significance for the county.
“I feel like a cartoon before the main feature,” chuckled Rappahannock resident and historian John Tole.
Laughs aside, Tole was there for a very serious reason.
He came to present his proposal which will be submitted to the Virginia Department of Transportation asking that Rappahannock County be enhanced with Civil War Trails Markers and a Visitor Kiosk.
These markers would commemorate and describe people and events that relate to this county’s role in the Civil War.
Tole envisions that the county will benefit in many ways if seen as a historic destination in addition to its .thriving art and antiques community, wineries, fresh produce, restaurants and bed and breakfasts.
Tole is right when he stated, “We can enhance the future by taking advantage of the past.”
Several of the surrounding counties already have such historic markers and erecting them in Rappahannock County would certainly add to the number of visitors and dollars spent in addition to promoting a heritage rich in civic pride.
Always cost conscious, the board approved that Tole’s proposal be submitted particularly in light of the fact that, as Tole presented the plan, it won’t cost the county anything.
The majority of the money needed would come from the State.
The county had already earmarked funds for a paving project near the library where the proposed kiosk would stand and Tole sees the county’s students and local Boy Scout troops providing maintenance as a community service. Tole plans to take on the administrative and coordination of the on-going maintenance that will be required.
Resident architect Tom Tepper soundly endorsed it as a win-win situation for the county and certainly consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan which promotes historic preservation.
Rappahannock County could benefit by promoting its Civil War Heritage and Tole’s proposal is a no brainer.
Plus, it’s a huge credit to his personal tenacity and commitment to have devoted so much of his time to putting together this proposal and carrying it forward to the Transportation Enhancement Program.
Like Tom said, “it’s a win-win.”
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