Heed rural community concerns

Thank you, Supervisor Duane Chamberlain, for considering the people of Dunnigan and their concerns regarding the impact of the proposed travel center site on their community. A “shame on you,” Supervisor Jim Provenza, for disregarding the people’s concerns and looking only at the dollars to the county.

The Dunnigan community did not reject the entire project. They rejected the location and suggested an alternative site. The small rural communities that are striving to survive and even grow in a beneficial way are having a tough time. It is even more difficult when the decision-makers disregard the local concerns. But if it is a larger city, i.e., Davis, the local residents can stop any project, no matter the proclaimed benefits may be.

Before Interstate 5 was constructed, the old Highway 99W north passed through all the small towns, creating visitor traffic and income for the small local businesses. Despite the insistence of the highway department that, with offramps, the construction would not make a negative impact, the reality is that it did.

The other situation is that when an objectionable project may be proposed, it is shoved off to the rural area. Yet, our rural areas are farm ground, the source of food for man and beast. Rural areas and the people who live and work there deserve the same respect as those who live and work in the urban and suburban areas.

At the county level, the gatekeepers for that concept are the members of the Board of Supervisors.

Vernette Marsh
Davis