January 8, 2010

If you picked up a Crozet Gazette, on the second page, titled "The Biscuit Crumbles," Michael Marshall doesn't hold back any punches as he criticizes the planned state park.

"The Biscuit Run purchase is one of those things that just doesn't look right," said Crozet Gazette editor Michael Marshall.

Marshall says he and many people in Crozet feel with the state facing a financial crisis, spending millions on a state park Albemarle County residents never asked for is irresponsible.

"Rich investors who are holding a piece of property that turns out not to be valuable, find a way to get out from under it, and the state ends up basically bailing them out," said Marshall.

He says the money could have been put to better use.

"In Crozet, we've been waiting for money for road improvements; we've got Jarmans Gap road. It was supposed to have been done 12 years ago, looking for a library to be built, they say they've got to put that off, so there are plenty of needs," said Marshall.

Marshall also says they've been trying to manage growth. He says residents in Crozet were relieved when the county approved Biscuit Run.

"They were actually happy with Biscuit Run because it was going to alleviate some of the growth that was happening in Crozet," said realtor Jim Duncan.

Duncan says now that Biscuit Run is out of the picture, growth will inevitably be pushed out toward Crozet.

"Long term it's something that's going to present a real challenge to residents and to the county government to figure out where to put the next round of growth," said Duncan.

He says unless something is found to replace Biscuit Run, growth could become a growing problem.

To view Marshall's article click "The Biscuit Crumbles."