It's more than a park
Hats off to Phil Briddell for his thoughtful and well-reasoned viewpoint published this past week (A River Runs Through Us – March 25). We have seen and heard far too much in the way of single-issue emotions and knee-jerk reactionary comment to the proposed Heritage Park project. It seems to me that those who are beating the “Eminent Domain Abuse” drum are both ignoring the facts and failing to see the larger picture of what is at stake in this debate. The use of eminent domain was not the first choice, it was the last resort!
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In fact, Lauxmont Farms is FOR SALE. Much as we might all hope for things to stay just as they are, this is just not the reality of the situation. There remains a staggering bankruptcy debt to be paid. The asset pledged to pay this debt is the land. As I see it, there are two choices – Sell the land for housing development as the Kohr family and their legal representatives have proposed to do (they have subdivision plans in place); or preserve this area as two of our county commissioners, the Lancaster-York Heritage Region, and a large number of supporters are trying to do.
Housing development will destroy the special character of this land; increase the burden on our roads, schools and infrastructure, adding to the tax burden instead of easing it. The Susquehanna Riverlands Preservation Project will preserve and maintain this beautiful landscape for future generations. Let’s not be short-sighted and only think about swing sets and picnic tables. This is so much more than just a park.
Chuck Barnes
Lower Windsor Township
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