LETTER: Supervisors’ ethical lapses on data centers call for an investigation

July 21, 2022

Throughout the review of the Prince William Digital Gateway, facts, evidence and precautions that might have impeded this troublesome proposal have been routinely ignored. Board of Supervisors Chair Ann Wheeler's resistance of reasonable compromises and alternative solutions leaves citizens to wonder what motivates her intractable stances.

Wheeler has flouted ethical norms by acquiring stock in companies that stood to benefit from decisions about data center development that she was expected to make objectively.

Even more troubling, county negotiations with data center developer QTS / Blackstone were hidden from public scrutiny by a non-disclosure agreement. The county was deliberately enticing data center development outside the prescribed overlay district in contravention of its existing land use policy.  It is reasonable to assume such clandestine discussions directly benefited an applicant with pending business requiring county approval.

Even if Wheeler’s financial holdings are not deemed significant enough to legally require recusal, they are sufficient to cast further doubt on the objectivity of a process which has already been seriously impugned by the financial conflicts of Supervisor Pete Candland.  

Ethical lapses and the rush to judgment on an environmentally destructive project of unprecedented magnitude have cast a pall over these deliberations and have resulted in profound public skepticism. Further consideration of the Prince William Digital Gateway should be suspended until a full investigation can be conducted to determine the extent of malfeasance.

Wheeler should resign or be recalled so that our citizens can restore trust and integrity to their county government.

Bill Wright

Gainesville

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