Time is now to invest in city

The News Virginian / News Virginian
Published: April 29, 2007

Almost exactly a year ago in this spot, we argued that the city of Waynesboro was at a crossroads.

The city could take one turn and go down a path of low taxes, low investment and continued deterioration in its infrastructure, its downtown and its quality of life. Or, it could take the other path, which might require some short-term sacrifice in the form of additional taxes but would lead to an improved infrastructure and quality of life.

The latter direction was the one we argued the city should take.

On May 2, 2006, the voters of Waynesboro agreed. By solid margins, they re-elected Vice Mayor Nancy Dowdy and replaced an incumbent with a new City Council member, Lorie Smith. Dowdy and Smith both campaigned on a platform that included the need to invest in the city. Both candidates said the city's infrastructure and downtown had been ignored for far too long.

Their victories appeared to turn the tide on the council. Along with Mayor Tom Reynolds, Dowdy and Smith gave the forces who favored investing in the city's future a 3-2 majority.

So a year later, where are we- 

Quite frankly, we're not sure.

Given a new majority with a clear mandate from voters - and given the increase in real-estate assessments and taxable retail sales - the council has a prime opportunity this spring to invest in the city's future. Instead, we've seen the council majority changing its positions from week to week so quickly that we feel as though we're watching a ping-pong match.

Leadership requires taking strong, principled stands, sticking to them and persuading others to follow. We don't agree with many of councilman Frank Lucente's positions, but at least we know where he stands. Ironically, part of the campaigns by Dowdy and Smith included criticisms of the then-majority for a last-minute cut in the tax rate during the 2005 budget process that required the city manager to make substantial budget changes. Yet the budgeting process this year appears equally disjointed.

Our position is clear and has not changed since last year. The city of Waynesboro has an opportunity to invest in its infrastructure, its downtown and its quality of life. That includes investing in the Wayne Theatre rehabilitation as a project that will spur economic development downtown and pay dividends down the road.

This opportunity may not come our way again. The real-estate market already is slowing; the shopping center at the former Outlet Village that will open later this year probably will be the city's last significant retail development. The Wayne Theatre Alliance faces a tight timetable for a commitment of resources or will lose nearly a half-million dollars in state money. Construction costs for stormwater improvements, new fire stations and new ball fields will only increase if those projects are delayed any longer.

We know that a higher tax bill will place a burden on many residents, especially those on fixed incomes. But what will they do when their property values decline because their backyards flood every time it rains or they have to spend money on sandbags and basement waterproofing systems- Will the real-estate market remain strong if downtown continues to deteriorate into block after block of empty storefronts and dilapidated buildings- What will happen to our economy if tourists continue to bypass Waynesboro for Staunton and Lexington and other small towns that have made the necessary investments in cultural amenities and quality of life-

It's time for the council majority to show the courage to stand up to the naysayers. We're not arguing for throwing money away. We're sure cuts can be made to the budget to reduce the tax rate some from its current proposed level. We're all in favor of creative, alternative ways to fund some of these projects - whether through bonds, a meals tax or a lodging tax.

That's what leaders do. Leaders find a way to make things happen and to drive change. The next few weeks will show us whether the current majority on the council has what it takes to lead.