Shameful decisions in Prince William County

Martha Mauck
Published: July 25, 2008

I do hope many read the article, “Sights to see ... so close to home,” along with the elegant scene of the restored Brentsville courthouse featured in the July 13 edition of the Potomac News & Manassas Journal Messenger.

It so amazed me as I quote the Prince William County, Brentsville district supervisor’s words of “The entire Brentsville District is a cultural resource site.”

There are only two districts that are considered cultural resource areas. The other is Buckland, where you get the flavor of the community as it existed at that time.

The Brentsville Supervisor also talked about learning from the past and learning of the “historical perspective of the Civil War and happenings at the Brentsville courthouse.”

These are touching words.

What is so bewildering is the loss of 152.4 acres of A1, agriculture land right in the heart of the Civil War battlefield and the location of much history in the Brentsville and Bristow area of agriculture,
historical and residential living.

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors disregarded their appointed planning commissioners study. And the commissioners’ complete denial of the rezoning along with the voices of many
citizens who spoke up for denial of the rezoning, were given no attention.

It appeared that the board of supervisors decision had already been made on this rezoning of agricultural land as there was very little discussion and some said nothing. I credit one of them who wanted
more study.

It is my words that they all should bow their heads in shame for the destruction of this agriculture and historic land.

MARTHA MAUCK

Bristow