Except for the last line this is a good petition to sign. Meadowview is a wonderful place and near to the hearts of all the Emory & Henry family. This truck stop is really not need as there is one two exits up, and will be very harmful to the homegrown/homespun/ sustainable economy of Meadowview.
http://www.change.org/petitions/love-s-travel-centers-oklahoma-city-ok-abandon-plans-to-build-a-truck-stop-at-exit-24-on-i-81-in-meadowview-va
I'm glad we got a board that will vote for Loves this time, it should already been here. The location is perfect plus McDonald's will be a great addition to this dead town.
ReplyDeleteI only hope that the board will recognize this.
DeleteI agree. Don't understand why a community would vote against jobs and county revenue.
ReplyDeleteThey have a hidden agenda, that's why.
DeleteFirst,thank you for your comments. This is what this blog is about.
ReplyDeleteThe main reason Meadowview does not want a McDonalds or a truck stop is that neither is sustainable. The money does not stay in the community, nor are the jobs ones that can sustain a family. While a truck stop and McDonalds is good for bringing in quick business, it is not sustainable.
Meadowview's vision is to grow in a way that is long term. McDonald's and truck stops are short term and lead to larger problems
wow, have you even researched Loves??? How can anyone argue that it is "not sustainable". It is one of the largest privately owned companies in the US today! They have had incredible growth in the last few years. They open an average of 15 stores every year. They employ over 8000 people and offer great benefits for a community that needs jobs for all people not just the wealthy of Wa county.
Delete"sustainability" should include the spending of money earned by being employeed by Loves.
DeleteThe matter of Love's growth is not in question. Sustainability has numerous factors, the least of which is where money spent at a location goes. Think of where a dollar spent at McDonald's or Love's goes after it leaves your hand. Does it stay in the community? If it does, how much stays in the community? Does that dollar go to paying a living wage to someone so they can provide for their family with some comfort, or does it go to a minimum wage that does not allow the wage earner any means of real security?
ReplyDeleteSustainable growth means that money spent in the community stays in the community and provides for living wages. A dollar spent at Meadowview'S Farmers Market stays in Meadowview, and goes towards the farmer being able to stay on their farm, thus it is sustainable. A dollar spent at Loves (if it even stays in Meadowview) goes to a low wage that in the long run hurts the earner.
Finally, it is not about wealthy! Jobs that do not pay a living wage are actually more harmful to those in those positions. If you want to help Meadowview and Washington County, McDonald's and Loves (even with the new jobs they offer) is not the way to do it
Does "sustainability" include the spending of money earned by being employeed factor into the equation?
Deletefor those of you who have commented I have written a point/counter point to what has been said here. It is anti-truckstop, so be forewarned. If you would like, feel free to write a rebuttal to my rebuttal. It's the only way this is going to be solved is through understanding both sides
ReplyDeletehttp://fairtopartlymoderate.blogspot.com/2012/03/busted-flat-in-meadowview-waiting-for.html
We need anything we can get in Meadowview because we don't have anything.
ReplyDeleteI will give you that. It doesn't have a high crime rate, horrendous traffic, a serious drug problem, or diesel fumes.
ReplyDeleteIt has been my experience that when a community "doesn't have anything" it means they just haven't looked around lately. Meadowview has a great farmers market in the spring and summer. It has a world class restaurant owned and operated by a best selling author. In Abingdon there is a theater that offers top of the line plays and musicals. Just 3 minutes up the road there is Emory & Henry with PLENTY of things going on (lectures, sports, movies). Having lived in both small towns and big cities, I've learned to look for entertainment rather than have it look for me.
A truck stop isn't all that great when stacked up against the options that surround Meadowview.
I am frustrated with the fact that so many people want Meadowview to remain a retirement community but refuse to admit as such. A desire to have things remain the status quo is not a bad thing, if that is your agenda. I respect your right to have a motive and fight for it.
ReplyDeleteWe have an opportunity at a time when the economy is poor but yet we fuss about community reputation and offerings. Right now, Meadowview offers nothing...with the exception of a WORLD CLASS restaurant (which nobody has even heard of) owned and operated by a best selling author.
The "Greatness Of A Truck Stop" is not the issue. The problem lies in the fact that the people here are content with things remaining dormant. What we are talking about is a business that is located off the interstate at an exit....not burrowed deep into a community.
Fighting an opportunity that can financially impact us in a positive manner makes us look like a bunch of narrow-minded hicks. Bucking one opportunity scares others away.
We all have hidden agendas. We shroud these agendas to avoid the truth.
Truth is..maybe we are associated with the Petro at exit 29 and want to maintain a monopoly by setting prices without anyone keeping us in check.
Truth is...maybe we have our own small business that will be negatively impacted by somebody coming in and offering higher pay, medical, dental, 401K, bonuses, paid vacation, promotion and advancement.
Truth is...maybe we already have the necessary financial stability that personally suits us and don't care about anybody else. We have a secure job, locally, and do not have to travel far for work. We don't have children wanting to work their way through college. We are set and screw everybody else. It's dog-eat-dog, so fend for yourself.
Truth is....I am retired, set for the rest of my life, and can die here without "All those diesel fumes" working their way from the rest of the fumes on I-81.
It is natural to fight for your own well-being. Just don't hide behind "Community Reputation" or many of the other well developed arguments put into place.
We all have hidden agendas. I know I do...
Truth is....I travel far for work and am away from my family to support them and this may give me the quality of life that my wife and children deserve.
Truth is....I need a job, other than Exit 7 to help me get a car to travel to and from college.
Truth is....My parents both work to pay the bills and I want to contribute.
Truth is....I am a Pepsi, Coke, 7-up, Red Bull, Little Debbie, Hostess, Frito Lay, Lance, vendor and need the extra commission to afford a better home for my expanding family.
Truth is....I am an independent contractor that can use the work because people are doing more things themselves.
Truth is....I went to Vocational/Technical school and could use that training working at a tire shop instead of watching "I Dream Of Jeanie" marathons.
Truth is...I am going to school to get a degree in: Information Technology, Human Resourses, Risk Management, Business Law, etc....and can network a simple gas desk cashier position into a corporate career.
Truth is...I need a job. And I will spend some of my earnings locally....if that is okay with those that think jobs like this are inconsequential.
The most interesting thing about arguements is the fact that whatever side you support, if you are passionate enough, your viewpoint will not be swayed by a valid point. I understand the importance of community reputation and image. But I also understand that a business opportunity provides benefits that lay much deeper than we all realize.
It is admirable to wax romantic about community image and offerings beyond those of a gas station. But deep down inside...cutting to the basics of basics...people really do not care as long as you have what they need at that specific moment, at that specific price, and do so in a friendly manner.
It is simply an Exit....not a community.
wow! you got my interest in reading your post. truck stop in chippenham
ReplyDelete