Much has been written and said about Chuck Kuhns and the approval of the Valley Commerce Center. Judging by social media and conversations around town, many residents seem to have settled on a convenient villain. But before we point fingers at Mr. Kuhns, perhaps we should look in the mirror.
Mr. Kuhns is a businessman. His role is to pursue opportunities, invest capital, and advocate for projects he believes will succeed. Whether one supports or opposes the Valley Commerce Center, it should surprise no one that a developer seeks to develop property. That is what developers do.
The more uncomfortable question is this: where were we?
How many residents attend Planning Commission meetings? How many serve on advisory boards, commissions, and committees? How many take the time to read agendas, understand comprehensive plans, review zoning ordinances, or participate in the long and often tedious process that shapes the future of our community?
The truth is that relatively few people do. When our town council threatened to dissolve our police department, over 500 residents showed up to the town council meeting. On an average Tuesday, there are maybe 20-30.
We cannot ignore another important fact. Mr. Kuhns approached the Town of Purcellville multiple times seeking annexation of this property. Had the town chosen to annex the land, Purcellville would have gained direct control over planning and zoning decisions affecting the parcel. The town also would have had the opportunity to negotiate proffers, infrastructure improvements, and other community benefits as part of the development process. Instead, Purcellville Town Council declined the annexation.
Reasonable people may disagree about whether annexation would have been the right choice. But once those opportunities were passed by, control of the property’s future did not simply disappear. It shifted elsewhere.
Communities do not shape themselves. If citizens choose not to participate, others will make those decisions for them. That is not corruption. That is not conspiracy. That is simply how local government works.
The future of western Loudoun and Purcellville will not be determined by Facebook comments, anonymous posts, or outrage after the fact. It will be determined by the people willing to attend meetings, volunteer for commissions, review plans, and engage in the difficult work of civic involvement.
So rather than spending our energy searching for villains, perhaps we should spend it becoming participants.
If you are frustrated by the direction of our community, step out from behind the keyboard. Apply for a board or commission. Attend a meeting. Read a staff report. Run for office. Become part of the process.
Because if we choose apathy, we should not be surprised when others make decisions in our absence.
Western Loudoun and Purcellville volunteer boards, commissions, and committees include:
– Agricultural District Advisory Committee
– Animal Advisory Committee
– Art Advisory Committee
– Commission on Aging
– Communications Commission
– Community Services Board
– Disability Services Board
– Economic Development Advisory Commission
– Economic Development Authority
– Environmental Commission
– Family Services Advisory Board
– Heritage Commission
– Historic District Review Committee
– Housing Advisory Board
– Library Board of Trustees
– Loudoun Health Commission
– Parks, Recreation and Open Space Board
– Planning Commission
– Purcellville Main Street
– Rural Economic Development Council
– Transit Advisory Board
– Zoning Ordinance Committee
– Board of Zoning Appeals
– Purcellville Planning Commission
– Purcellville Board of Architectural Review
– Purcellville Board of Zoning Appeals
– Purcellville Economic Development Advisory Committee
– Purcellville Arts Council
Almost all of these commissions and boards have vacancies. In a town of 9,000 people (more if you include all of Western Loudoun), how are we not filling commissions with 9 or 10 seats?
Our community’s future belongs to those willing to help shape it. As a mother of 3 children 13 and under, a business owner who works 5-6 days a week in a service-based industry, a farm owner with over 100 animals, I get that volunteer work is hard. I serve on two of the boards listed above and often get frustrated when I find myself over extended or missing out on time with my kids. But I also see the bigger picture. This community is my future and it is my children’s future. I’m going to show up and ask questions. I am going to go out of my way to talk about what’s happening in our community. Apathy and keyboard cowboys get us nowhere. If you care, get out from behind the computer and start showing up.
