Good, safe roads do not benefit developers only

September 28, 2012 12:10 am

Cord Sterling's position ["Impact fees on developers are entirely fair," Sept. 26] is one we have seen all too often from political leaders. There seems to be a trend of passing the buck on to someone else to pay for or address the cost of public needs. Here is where his positions miss the mark:

Safe, improved, and new roads have been necessary in Stafford County for years, not just for the purpose of future development. I suggest county leaders review results of the 2008 transportation bond referendum.

Since development is linked to the market and economy, revenue for new roads will not occur any time soon, which will hinder new commercial investment and new employment in the county at a time when the county greatly needs and is marketing the same.

Public safety should always trump politics, and rigid political platforms benefit only political parties, not communities.

All if not most in the community will benefit from safe, new, and improved county roads that will also stimulate the local economy and create new jobs, which will more than offset the cost to taxpayers, generate new revenues, and provide improved quality of life to our residents.

I know Stafford has fine leadership. It now needs to just lead, remove itself from rigid political gamesmanship, and promote the best interests of its residents through more creative methods.

Charlie Payne

Fredericksburg