Letter to the Editor for the week of May 15

Reader backs Hoyt, Stafford SPCA

I have been a resident of Stafford County for the past 28 years. During these years I have been involved in my community in a number of volunteer capacities through my church and secular organizations. IRecently I have experienced some sleepless nights after witnessing a difficult session of the planning commission in reference to the proposed SPCA for Stafford.

I was like so many residents who were “appalled” at the “accusatory” tone and the manner in which a member of our community was treated by some of the members of the planning commission. Mr. [Bill] Hoyt has spent thousands of dollars of his own money trying to provide an animal shelter that is desperately needed! Mr. Hoyt has made amends for past mistakes and has also paid more in taxes the past few years than many of us will submit in a lifetime. I admire Mr. Hoyt for persevering under most unpleasant circumstances and his willingness to put the plight of homeless and abused animals ahead of his personal needs or feelings. Mr. Hoyt's only motive is to provide a much needed facility for Stafford County at his own expense.

If you check the county's Web site it states that the planning commission is a body of seven citizens appointed by the board of supervisors. State code requires that the planning commission review and make recommendations of the county's Comprehensive Plan, Capital Improvements Plan, make changes to the subdivision and zoning ordinances, rezoning and conditional use permits. NO WHERE in their job description does it give them the authority to question a person's past mistakes or bring reproach upon a person's private life.

With all of the budget constraints that so many communities are facing, I am certain that other jurisdictions would welcome caring and generous people like the Hoyts who are willing to provide an expensive and much needed facility for their county.

Carol Dominy
Stafford