Essex County residents will no longer turn a blind eye

Concerns have been expressed by various citizen groups about regional influences affecting local government decisions.  The MPPDC was recently exposed by Essex County residents to be less than factual when they created a water plan for our district.  Essex citizens proved 333 pages of MPPDC information, pertaining to their water plan, was overstated to create water shortage fears.  Essex created a 2 page water plan that met our needs.  The unused, badly flawed MPPDC plan cost our county $98,650.  Keep in mind they are doing the same thing to six surrounding counties and three towns in our district, as well.  There are at least 22 other planning commissions across Virginia.

Mr. Louie Lawrence, Acting Director of the MPPDC, recently betrayed our county nationally and locally through the Washington Post and the Richmond Times Dispatch.  He complained citizens are being disruptive in his meetings.  If providing input during the open comment period in a respectful manner upsets Mr. Lawrence, we need to questions his motives.  I have attended these meetings and I have never observed Mr. Lawrence being disrespected.  However, Mr. Lawrence refuses to hold meetings in a larger facility to accommodate interested citizens and his assistant grudgingly times every public comment.

Mr. Lawrence referred to his meetings as “ yawners,” per the Washington Post.  Previously, no one challenged his facts.  Now that citizens are attending his meetings and questioning out dated and exaggerated facts to create plans, he runs to the media in indignation.  MPPDC plans are over-reaching, expensive, steal our property rights and natural resource rights from us and cause tax increases.

Essex County residents will no longer turn a blind eye to the MPPDC, Mr. Lawrence.  We will, respectfully, question you at every planning level.  Please be accurate and truthful.

Respectfully,

Over taxed, underserved citizens of Essex County