A 300-acre piece of property in Nokesville named Merrimac Farm has been the focus of much controversy. The Prince William Conservation Alliance (PWCA) formed a partnership with Quantico Marine Base and applied for a grant from the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation, a state organization for open space preservation, to purchase the property and permanently preserve it for public use as wildlife refuge and environmental study center.

The deal fell through at the last minute due solely to the efforts of Sean Connaughton, chairman of the Board of County Supervisors. Mr. Connaughton cited his concern being that the value of the property had been inflated from $184,300 to $2.6 million as a scam to benefit the property owner at the taxpayers expense, and in some mysterious way, inflate the salary of Kim Hosen, the executive director of the PWCA. He stated that, had the land remained in the ag-forestal district, it would have been protected from development for another 5 years! How conservation?minded of him! Would Mr. Connaughton really expect that the state would ask Mrs. McDowell to give up the 300 acre property for $184,300 so that it could be preserved according to her late husband's wishes? What a deal!

When you look at the significance of Mr. Connaughton's last minute interference in the process, an entirely different picture emerges. Consider the winners and losers if the PWCA?led deal on Merrimac Farm had succeeded:

Winner: The residents of Nokesville and, indeed, all of Prince William County who, without expending a single penny of county money, would gain a valuable permanent resource for recreation and environmental education.

Winner: Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, who would finally have the opportunity to expand their conservation and wildlife watching programs.

Winner: Quantico Marine Base who would gain a much needed permanent buffer against the encroachment.

Winner: The Prince William Conservation Alliance, who get a feather in their cap for completing a model project supporting conservation in Prince William County through a partnership effort.

Loser: The developers who are waiting in the wings to purchase the property if the PWCA deal falls through.

Loser: The developers who are trying to keep a corridor open so that the Western Transportation Corridor can be rammed through the Rural Crescent.

I think Mr. Connaughton either doesn't understand the consequences of his actions, or wanted to swap winners and losers in the above list. The tax payers in this county really lost out on this deal. Instead of searching for demons in the PWCA and family of a deceased conservationist, citizens should be questioning Mr. Connaughton's motivation. What plans does Mr. Connaughton have for this property that conflict with conservation?

Liz Cronauer
Nokesville