Residents are stakeholders, too!

Dear Editor:

Thank you for keeping Loudoun residents informed about local politics.

Wineries, breweries, and the tourism industry are often cited as stakeholders by BOS members and the local press, including the BRL. Please note that all people who live in rural Loudoun are stakeholders. We are taxpayers. Many of us stakeholders and taxpayers have watched, speechless, as our quality of life and property values are eroded by rural businesses that violate the principles on which AR-1 and 2 are based.

The County devotes a disproportionate amount of time to wineries, breweries, and distilleries; farm markets, and farm stores. The County gave them generous handouts (our tax dollars) during the pandemic; makes the f/t Economic Development office available to promote their businesses; and fails to distinguish between the many legitimate rural businesses and those that bring nuisance, sign and light pollution, and traffic hazards––our rural roads are not designed to accommodate large vehicles carrying winery, brewery, and distillery patrons.

When violations are submitted on LeX, neighboring property owners are threatened and shamed online.

It’s intolerable.

Mr. Kershner says it’s not a good use of staff time to look at the “western policies.” Mr. Kershner represents everyone in his district, and does a disservice to all of us, with this statement.

The County and TLUC should pay attention to the people who live here and pay taxes.

Mary Yakush
Hamilton