[FredsMom]

Did any of you see this in the BFP this week? I don't live in VT (yet) but my BF does... we spent at day at Fredericksburg this summer and were dissapointed with all of the residential development encroaching on the battlefields. I had heard news of this Wal-Mart situation back in December and immediatly signed the protest letter . It would really be a shame to lose any more historical locations, and this one is of particular importance to Vermonters. Vermont suffered its worst casualties (1,234 men) of the Civil War at the Battle of the Wilderness, turning back a Confederate attack. These are pictures we took at the battlefield this summer:

This is the front of the Vermont memorial at Wilderness


This is the back of the memorial. (And that's my BF, walking the same ground his forefather fought on... pretty incredible.)

And here is a glimpse of the residential traffic that already exists at the intersection of Brock Road and Orange Plank Road... just imagine what a Wal-mart, or any other commerical development would do.

[arctichomesteader]

Interesting, and nice pics (well except of the traffic that is). My ancestors were on both sides of that war and including in that battle. I'd probably get my VT ancestors from that time a bit grumpy saying I'm a secessionist, but my Southern ancestors would be happy. VA, at least Northern VA, is overrun with development. I'm surprised as much of these old battlefields that have survived undeveloped have in fact survived the onslaught of development, but I suspect many won't last much longer, except in tiny patches and around old memorials. VT's lack of development is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because we have escaped many of the evils of development, but a curse because it's hard on people economically.

[Lilybeans]

The last thing this country needs is another WalMart.

[OhBeeHave]

The area surrounding Gettysburg has been destroyed by the unbridled greed of corporate America. I would get in line to oppose WalMart -- or any other big box store or chain store -- from moving in close proximity of areas of such national historical significance.

We were forced off I-95 during the Presidential snowstorm 6? years ago and ended up staying in a chain motel, situated amongst a slew of other chain franchise-type stores, in Fredericksburg. The winds of change are blowing hard.

Something has to give.

[flu189]

Ultimately it comes down to being a consumer demand society. People will avoid or boycott businesses for whatever reason and that's fine, but Walmart and others such as Starbucks, etc, etc, are not in the position now to so to speak "build it and they will come," but rather build and operate where people want and need your product or service. Site selection and covenants are up to each individual jurisdiction and while I don't want to see certain sites disturbed, it's up to the local folks and officials to deal with it. Perhaps in the aftermath of our economic collapse the fast pace of consumerism will be slowed down and with that there will be less need to build and expand. I cut back on routine shopping and purchases well before we hit the skids, now I only buy out of absolute necessity. I did have to go to Home Depot today at 11:30 am to get one item and was amazed on how few people were in the store. Speaking with the sales clerk confirmed that business is way off. Even the supermarket in Tafts Corners had no waiting in line.

[Lilybeans]

Originally Posted by flu189

Site selection and covenants are up to each individual jurisdiction and while I don't want to see certain sites disturbed, it's up to the local folks and officials to deal with it.

Not always. Some sites have national importance and really belong to all of us. What if they were going to tear down Mt. Vernon and build a McDonalds? How about bulldozing the Alamo to build a Home Depot? Dynamite Mt. Rushmore to mine gravel?

[mustmove]

Something happened somewhere once, thus we must never do anything there again ever...
The OP would fit right in in VT. IF Walmart owns the land they shouldn't even have to ask to build.

[Lilybeans]

Originally Posted by mustmove

Something happened somewhere once, thus we must never do anything there again ever...
The OP would fit right in in VT. IF Walmart owns the land they shouldn't even have to ask to build.

If Walmart owns the land, they shouldn't even consider building. Along with rights come responsibilities. They are not independent of each other.

[FredsMom]

A quick search on Wal-Mart's website shows that there are 3 stores already in Fredericksburg (2 of them are Supercenters) and another 17 in the surrounding area. I can't imagine they actually have demand - especially right now with the state of our economy - for a fourth store.

Something happened somewhere once, thus we must never do anything there again ever...

That's just silly. I think most people would agree that there are some areas of our country which should be preserved for future generations to enjoy, appreciate and learn from. I am slightly biased as a history teacher, but I want my students (and their future children) to be able to visit this important place in our nation's history without having to fight off traffic from the local strip mall. Lilybeans is right, the Wilderness site may be under local jurisdiction but it really belongs to all of us.

[mustmove]

Private property belongs to who? Zoning is theft. If it is important to you buy it. Raise private money if need be, buying it with public funds is stealing from the taxpayers for your own desires.