Act now

As pastor of the Oak Shade Baptist Church in Catlett, I, along with the congregation, have been an integral part of this community for many years.

Unfortunately, we (church trustees and members of the congregation) are concerned about the lack of progress being made by the county to provide a solution to the sewer problem in Catlett.

For the past 30 years, we have heard that a solution was forthcoming, and for the past six years we have urged county leaders to do something about the well documented and serious problems associated with failing drainfields in the community.

Maintaining drainfields in the Catlett area is a constant challenge and limits the full use of our property.

Beyond the obvious health and environmental problems, we believe there are additional implications if this situation is allowed to persist in the less affluent areas of Fauquier County.

Many of those who live in Catlett are of modest means. If the current situation with the lack of progress in providing sewer in Catlett is allowed to continue, businesses will continue to leave the area. This simply adds to the burden of maintaining a vibrant community.

It appears that there are those in other parts of the county with power and money who are working vigorously against plans to provide a solution to our problem. In order to maintain a no-growth approach to development, they are content with allowing an economically challenged community to languish in its own failing septic systems. This should be unacceptable.

We are not taught to ignore thy neighbor, but to love thy neighbor. It is time for Fauquier County to invest in a solution that will provide basic sewer service to hundreds of families and businesses.

The county has just rejected the offer by a developer to contribute more than $6 million to build a public sewer plant in exchange for a modest 225 new homes in Catlett.

These homes would bring new tax dollars, new retail businesses, and a workable solution to the current sewer problem.

What does the county propose to do instead to solve this lingering problem?

There continue to be studies and proposals, but a failure to obtain a positive vote on any solution to resolve this lingering issue. This type of problem should not be allowed to exist in a society that has the technology available and where the residents of the community need and desire to have it resolved.

Why are the residents of Catlett being ignored?

The county has an obligation to act and to act soon. Either find a way to bring the Catlett Farm project back to the table and settle your differences, or give this community a real alternative.

To do neither would be unjust and unkind.

Rev. Jesse Jones Jr.

Catlett