DOES IT EVER END?

THEY’RE AT IT AGAIN! Having failed to stop Stafford County from endorsing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Affordable Housing Taskforce (AHTF) to continue regional discussions on workforce housing and applying as a region for HUD Neighborhood Stabilization funds (See http://questeverything.blogspot.com/2008/11/dogma-or-pragmatism.html) Board Chairman George Schwartz and Supervisor Bob Woodson decided it was time for Stafford County to discuss withdrawing from the George Washington Regional Commission (GWRC).

The AHTF made up of representatives from housing non-profits such as the Central Virginia Housing Coalition, Habitat for Humanity; and the real estate, banking, and development communities was established by the GWRC (Stafford included) to come up with recommendations to address workforce housing which has been identified as a serious need in the region.

Unfortunately for the cause of regionalism, and in this case workforce housing, Chairman Schwartz and Supervisor Woodson view the GWRC as part of an insidious right-wing Republican conspiracy. No matter the issue or the outcome it must be stopped if any Republicans are involved. This comes as a bit of a suprise to my colleagues on the GWRC who would take some offense at being refered to as a Republican.

At a time when localities are being expected to take on more responsibility with less money working together regionally should be actively perused. Instead, Chairman Schwartz and Supervisor Woodson continue to judge an issue by the party affiliation of those involved. I wouldn’t be surprised if they also had an issue with regionalism because it begins with an “R.”

I thought we were entering a new era of change. Where we are all going to work together for the common good. If so, can someone drop Chairman Schwartz and Supervisor Woodson an e-mail remiding them.