Editorial

Date: June 9, 2006

Stick with PDR, survey results

The town of Jackson, where I am a supervisor, recently completed a survey as part of the town’s comprehensive community planning process. Washington County also just completed a costly telephone survey of county residents for the county’s planning process.

These two surveys have identified issues that are of importance to the electorate. Surveys should guide elected officials in the decision making process.

The town of Jackson survey showed 40 percent of town residents are willing to directly support the preservation of prime farmland and critical open spaces through additional taxes or fees. An additional 30 percent of town residents would support preservation if paid for by outside funding sources.

These figures are consistent with the findings of the county survey where 60 percent of those surveyed would support the use of purchase of development rights (PDR) to preserve farmland. Both surveys show support for a PDR program.

It is not feasible for a small community to fund its own PDR program that could make an impact. I feel it makes the most sense for the county to implement a PDR program that would benefit the entire county.

To overturn the County Board vote of March 14, which approved a county PDR program, is contrary to the county’s own survey. To vote against a county funded PDR program is to ignore the wishes of Washington County residents and waste the time and dollars spent to produce a survey. Voting in favor of the PDR program is a positive way to preserve quality farmland that benefits the entire county. A yes vote on PDR indicates the county board represents the wishes of the voters. I would like the Washington County Board to act on the results of their own survey. Approve PDR again.

Bob Retko, Town of Jackson