Editor:
What’s good for the goose is good for the gander!
The following in an email interchange with City Council Candidate Barbara Henley, a resident living on farm land in Virginia Beach:
To Mrs. Henley
Please tell me why you want to preserve the farming area (at a cost of over $90 million) where you live but you are for the SGAs and TOD with high density that will make that part of the City look like Brooklyn. If you want high density in any part of the City, then it should also be in the farm area. Or is this a case of do what I say, not do what I do? This seems to be a serious contradiction.
Her response
You really miss the point about the Agricultural Reserve Program. If this country is going to continue to produce its own food, it must have farmland. Becoming dependent on other countries for our food will be far more devasting than depending on other countries for oil. I would be glad to have you come find out more about the agricultural industry in Va Beach. And enjoy your meals today. You know, you really do depend on farmers.
To Mrs. Henley
Farmland is important and there is MUCH farmland that is fallow throughout the U.S. I know because I own some. You failed to address the point that you want your rural area but want the rest of the City to look like Brooklyn. Can you see my concern with your position?
Her response
If you have fallow farmland I wonder why. I don't know of any farmland in Virginia Beach that is not being farmed. If you check my voting record on rezonings over the years, you will find that I have been one of the strongest proponents of smart growth and neighborhood protection. I really haven't been to Brooklyn, but I don't think you can equate any development in Virginia Beach to what I think you are suggesting.
To Mrs. Henley
Advocates of high density development in the SGA and TOD have openly spoken of low income housing. The developers will try to make a killing on the high density and will try to pack as many people as they can into as small a space as they can. If you will take off your rose colored glasses, you can easily equate any development in Virginia Beach to what I am suggesting. The dollar will drive the issue.
To Mrs. Henley
Again, why is it OK for you to live in a nice rural area where we have bribed farmers with over $95,000,000 not to sell to developers and then you want the rest of us to live in high density next to the railroad tracks?
Her response
SILENCE. NEED MORE BE SAID?
Ben Krause - Virginia Beach
Letters To The Editor 
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