University of Virginia Library

Growth

In Oregon, one of the most
environmentally aware states,
there is an aggressive campaign
to discourage people from
coming to the state. They are
publicizing miserable aspects of
the states such as its heavy
rainfall. "People don't tan in
Oregon, they rust," is an
example of the propaganda.
Another indicator is the defeat
of proposed Olympic games in
Colorado due primarily to the
fear that it would stimulate
new growth and destroy the
natural beauty of the
country-side.

The most publicized
opposition to local growth has
centered in Fairfax county,
Vs., A suburb just outside of
Washington, D.C., it has been
growing at a spectacular rate:
from 262,482 in 1960 to
538,700 in 1972. Rising taxes
and increased congestion has
caused many of the residents
to question the maxim, "Bigger
is better."

In 1970 a study was
released by Mrs. Audrey
Moore, a member of the Board
of Supervisors, and David
Southern, a Virginia state
delegate which showed that by
developing the Bull Run
watershed of the Western
country, it would cost the
taxpayers $5.5 million more in
yearly capital outlays than it
would bring them in new
borrowing capacity.

This and other findings
contributed to the defeat of a
$39 million sewer bond issue
on September 22, 1970.
Sewers are the principal object
of attack since they are
necessary for any development
to progress.