Wrighteous Indignation

From: Bill Wright < wawright4@comcast.net > Sent: Friday, February 24, 2023 5:55 AM To: 'BOCS@pwcgov.org' < BOCS@pwcgov.org > Subject: Earth to Ann: The Spin Isn't Working Dear Supervisors, Despite the shellacking her candidate took in Tuesday’s special election, an obviously unenlightened Chair Wheeler continues to double-down on her program of data-driven devastation. Read the article below from an industry-friendly media source, which recognizes the depth of public opposition to mindless data center proliferation. Then read Chair Wheeler’s state of denial and characteristic dismissal of popular sentiment: “The Gainesville District is an historically right-leaning district with a long history of election results like this," Wheeler said. "It certainly doesn’t represent the larger Prince William County electorate. I do think that maybe opposition to some local development projects in the region may have increased turnout on the righ...

  LETTER: What ever happened to representative democracy?   February 23, 2023    ( LETTER: What ever happened to representative democracy? | Opinion | princewilliamtimes.com )   Recent decisions by the Prince William County Board of Supervisors and Warrenton Town Council have left citizens wondering what ever happened to representative democracy.   Both bodies approved contentious data center proposals over clear opposition from the people they were elected to represent.   Both bodies negotiated plans secretly, under the cloak of non-disclosure agreements designed to inhibit public awareness.   Both bodies were subsequently presented with mountains of evidence from citizens determined to present the truth to public officials equally determined to deflect it.   In both venues, pleas for transparency, due diligence and prudence fell on deaf ears and not a single vote was changed.   What motivated this treachery and betrayal...

  LETTER: Where is the Washington Post’s coverage of data centers and climate change?   February 9, 2023      ( LETTER: Where is the Washington Post’s coverage of data centers and climate change? | Opinion | princewilliamtimes.com )   On Nov. 28, Washington Post Executive Editor Sally Buzbee touted their expanded climate coverage ( Introducing The Post’s expanded Climate coverage - The Washington Post ). On Jan. 24, I received their special “Climate Solutions” edition.     I e-mailed Climate & Environment Editor Zachary Goldfarb to ask if the Post is really sincere about combating climate change or merely paying it lip service.   Many readers find it curious that the Post gives generous coverage to environmental issues in far off third world regions but ignores the same issues in its own backyard.     My multiple requests to the Post’s editorial staff to address environmental threats right here in the Washin...

  LETTER: Why are Prince William County Officials Such Slow Learners?   February 4, 2023   Chandler, Arizona built data centers near residential areas long before Prince William County did, which resulted in a 24/7 noise problem that affected residents up to a mile away.   In 2021, just as our supervisors began their data center approval frenzy, Chandler officials realized their error and have issued an ordinance sharply restricting further data center development.   The Prince William Board of County Supervisors is fully aware of unresolved data center noise problems at Amazon’s Tanner Way facility in Manassas, yet continues to replicate the same problem throughout the county.   It only takes one noisy data center to make an entire community miserable, so why do our elected officials insist on doubling-down on a bad idea?   While officials in Chandler learned from their experience, those in Prince William prefer to lean into punches. ...