It is only natural... Natural Bridge, that is!

Could a limestone formation 215 feet high that was once owned by American's third President become part of the Virginia State Parks? Let's hope so because it is a natural fit.

Governor Bob McDonnell has let it be known that the Virginia State Park system would welcome a new addition of Natural Bridge, located in Rockbridge County, if a private group wants to buy it, claim some tax credits for conservation easements, and then donate it to the state. If that happens by the end of the year the General Assembly could work out funding for needed improvements, maintenance, and staffing. Natural Bridge is currently privately owned and the planned auction is on hold while the parcels are surveyed.

There are many reasons that Natural Bridge is a great fit in the Commonwealth's system of parks. Proximity to heavily traveled I-81, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Lexington make it a "natural" stop for tourists. Under private ownership ticket prices were high ($21 for adults and $12 for children) and raised $1-2 million each year. The state will probably lower the admission making it accessible to more people and an even more attractive tourist destination that will reap benefits for the nearby caverns and local businesses (and sales tax collections). The National Historic Landmark was owned by Thomas Jefferson who bought it from King George III for 20 shillings. It was later surveyed by none other than George Washington.

Another compelling reason for adding Natural Bridge to Virginia State Parks is the fact that the Shenandoah Valley and Highlands are woefully underrepresented in the system. Only three parks - Sky Meadows, Shenandoah River, and Douthat - are found in the region that stretches from Roanoke northward along I-81 to the West Virginia line.

Our elected officials should be desperately seeking investors to make this deal happen. It is a win-win for everyone.

Suicide isn't painless

It happened on April 26 on I-81 near Mint Spring when a 53 year old Buena Vista woman purposely walked in front of a tractor trailer causing instant death. It happened again on May 19 on I-81 near Verona when a 60 year old Verona man did the same thing.

The lyrics of the theme song of M*A*S*H*, seem to justify or at least explain suicide -

The game of life is hard to play

I'm gonna lose it anyway

The losing card I'll someday lay

so this is all I have to say.

suicide is painless

It brings on many changes

The person who chose to end his or her life is gone and that earthly pain is over. But any suicide leaves family and friends with the enduring pain of sadness, loss, and perhaps many unanswered questions.

Suicide committed this way spreads the pain to the driver of the vehicle, who although totally blameless, will recall and question, and feel pain for the rest of his life. Suicide committed this way spreads the pain to first responders and other motorists and their families who witnessed the horrific event.

Vehicular suicide isn't painless. It is intentional. It is selfish. It is cruel and painful to all the innocents who are unwittingly forced to participate.

Keep him center stage

In some ways I've been pleasantly surprised that Governor Bob McDonnell has been conservative, but relatively moderate, on some issues since taking office in January. He's a sharp politician and knows many Virginians are in the middle of the political spectrum and he has to work with a Virginia Senate controlled by the Democrats. But, CCC still believes McDonnell is a hard right conservative by ideology and he is being pulled towards stage right by the tea party whackos who are increasingly influential in the Virginia GOP and by "friends" like the extremist attorney general. Ken Cuccinelli is actually doing the governor a favor - as long as he's prowling the far right, McDonnell appears to be moderate by comparison.

So, in the hope that McDonnell will remain a somewhat pragmatic politician who knows the best political hay is in the middle of the field, I hopeful that his current town hall tour will fill his ears with more than right wing manure. Tonight (August 26) the governor will be at JMU Festival Conference and Student Center at 7:00 PM. In this format there will be time for only 12-15 speakers/questioners. If you plan on attending get there early and sign-up to speak - even so, it is likely his handlers will tilt the verbal questions to known conservative friends of the governor's policies.

If like me you cannot attend, or if you don't have the opportunity to speak, you can always leave comments at the governor's Reform Task Force website. Cluck, cluck... the site is slow loading today.

One issue the governor along with a local state senator will be pushing is privatization of the Commonwealth's liquor stores. I'm not opposed to the prospect of private liquor stores, but it is far from clear that this makes dollars and sense. There are two issues that I think are unresolved. The dollars don't seem to add up over time - it would be a real shame if a one-time cash infusion built a few roads and made the governor look like a hero only to have that funding stream dry up when he's out of office. Does it make sense to have more stores selling whiskey? Or would this lead to more DUIs or more hard liquor in underage bellies?

Earlier this year Governor McDonnell proposed closing five state parks and has sided with Ken Cuccinelli on the legal challenge to the EPA which questions global warming. Some right wingers want to privatize state parks. If we don't speak up, this administration may dismantle Virginia's parks and do nothing (or take steps backwards) on protecting our rivers, air, and the Chesapeake Bay. Here is what this bird is telling the task force:

• Do not privatize our state parks. Do not close state parks. Instead, assure adequate state funding to keep our parks some of the best in the nation. My family and many of our friends have too many fond memories of camping, of picnics, and of exploring our great state parks to let you or anybody shut them down or diminish their splendor.
• Get real about transportation by moving encouraging rail-freight solutions on I-81, smart investments in public transit including high speed rail, and encouraging local governments to have common sense regulations to end the sprawl that means more and more cars on the roads. VDOT must be fully accountable to all environmental regulations.
• Make Virginia a green model for the nation. A recent report indicates that many of Virginia's streams and rivers are impaired. Impaired rivers mean an impaired Chesapeake Bay. We need tougher regulations to assure our water supplies are going to be cleaner in the future than they are today. The governor supports off-shore drilling - now let's see enthusiastic support for off-shore wind energy and other green businesses. That's hard to do when your attorney general, to appease the right wing, is conducting witch hunts in his crusade against global warming.

The governor has shown he can be nudged to center stage on some issues. But only if common sense Virginians are willing to speak up... indeed, stand up... to keep Virginia moving forward.

Daddy, I gotta pee (and other stories)

VDOT, the Virginia Department of Transportation, has announced cutbacks that everyone will feel - commuters, truckers, and the traveling family. The agency is trying to cut about $2.6 billion in spending and plans to layoff over 1,400 employees.

The headliner in the Shenandoah Valley has been VDOT's plan to close 25 rest areas statewide, including all of them along I-81's 323 miles from Tennessee to West Virginia. That's a long way to go without a potty break and more than a minor inconvenience for truckers who use the rest areas to catch a few winks - for them, and all who share the busy corridor, it is a real safety issue. Perhaps one of the consequences will be more business at the fast food and mom & pop stores that are found at most exits. Junior may need to pee, but once there the family may want a Happy Meal or drink. Another consequence will be more trucks parked along exits and perhaps in shopping centers and Wal-Mart lots found in nearby towns and cities.

VDOT also anticipates consolidating their five offices in the Staunton District. The plan is to close the Verona and Luray offices and shift duties and employees to the Edinburg, Harrisonburg, and Lexington offices. The Harrisonburg office would become the managing office overseeing a huge geographic area. Local governments worry about the implications for response time for snow removal, clearing fallen trees, and especially for cleaning up after accidents.

Of course, projects are on-hold or cancelled, perhaps pending stimulus money coming to the rescue for some. Lesser known consequences for rural areas will be greatly reduced maintenance and no dust abatement for gravel roads (I've read that Augusta County has more miles of these roads than any county in the state; other Valley counties have significant mileage, too). Might be good for business of alignment shops and car washes, but not for the residents of those roads. Mowing and pruning of limbs, snow removal, dead animal pick-ups will all be cut back with convenience and safety implications. Country roads take me home...?

If you want to comment on VDOT's plans, you can do so by email, by visiting the VDOT website, or attending a public hearing at the Augusta County Government Center in Verona on March 12 at 6:00 PM. Other meetings are scheduled around the state.