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BURG - "Against the Wal-Ball"
BURG is holding "Against the Wal-Ball" - a fundraising dance and silent auction sponsored by Democracy Prevails this Saturday, October 13th from 8:00 to midnight at the University Club. There'll be live music provided by the Billy Coteau Cajun Band, dancing, hors d'oeuvres, desserts, a cash bar and a silent auction featuring fabulous items such as a Trek automatic shifting bicycle, a week's stay at a beach house in Wilmington, exceptional paintings, jewelry and pottery by local artists, and gift certificates for services as well as merchandise.
Advance tickets are $15 and can be purchased at Gillie's, Eats, or Bonomo's, or tickets can be purchased at the door for $20. Proceeds will go towards BURG's legal expenses incurred battling the proposed Big Box on South Main St. With dancing downstairs and the silent auction upstairs there's something for everyone. So come have a fun evening and support a worthy cause at the same time.
If the ball is sponsored by
If the ball is sponsored by Democracy Prevails, and they actually follow what the majority of town residents want (since that's the truest definition of a Democratic society), wouldn't the Wal-Mart be supported? Other than BURG and the vocal members of it, everyone else I've spoken to is in favor of the project in its entirety. I know as a town resident struggling to stay living here because of rising taxes and expenses, I am. Having that shopping available where I could conveniently hop on BT would be an absolute Godsend and really help our ends meet better. The general prevailing message I've gotten so far is that I don't matter since I don't have the political clout or financial backing to shove forth my opinion, and it makes me feel extremely unwelcome in a town that is supposedly full of compassionate and open-minded individuals. That's just my 2-cents, and I feel like BURG could make a lot more headway and gain more support if they weren't so bent on this anti Wal-Mart crusade that just makes them come off as elitists trying to keep out anything they deem as lower-class. Perhaps I'm wrong, but that's the impression I've gotten because that's the common thread in the messages and statements I've seen, other than BURG hate's Wal-Mart with a passion.
well put
Exactly on point. This group claims they are Citizens First but it is just a few of the Citizens who think they own Blacksburg. Wal-Mart in Blacksburg is a wonderful thing. It would bring alot of tax dollars for alot of years. Blacksburg has been overrun with tree loving hippies. Look at the rec department or what is left of one. Because we do not have the fields for kids to play on they are going to play for Montgomery Co Parks and Rec and Christiansburg. It is sad....
well put??
I'm in the lower income range, live in Blacksburg, love my town, and disagree with your comments. Much time and money has been spent on the comprehensive plan and to allow developers to bait and switch would be an injustice to all citizens living in our special town.
I'm done
After having yet more of the "we don't like poor folks and what they want" mantra thrown towards myself and friends of mine, I've just decided it's time to move out of town. Between the fight over this development that would grealty enhance the quality of life and help out people of lesser economic means make ends meet, and the fact that the many town residents have taken a stand that poor people are not welcome to live here, I'm moving to another county. The people who are trying to get every last trailer park bulldozed in town, just because they aren't very pretty to look at next to their $300K plus home, without having any real regard for the people who live in them or why have really grated on me. The town has a severe lack of affordable housing that could be lived in by service industry workers, as hosuing has been driven up in costs by students and rich professionals who can afford to pay high rents and mortgages. Rather than kick these folks out, why not help them to make their communities look better and bring in new mobile home units (rather than have them banned by town code). That would do a lot for the town's affordable housing pool, make these places not look run-down, and make people feel like you actually cared, even if it was only a show and not a genuine sentiment.