Rural land is not empty space

TO THE EDITOR:

This is my family’s story.

I know there will be many people affected by the proposed Valley Link transmission lines, and each will have their own story to tell. This one is ours.

My husband’s grandfather began farming this land in the early 1900s. Before him, it was farmed by another family. This property has been working farmland for well over a century. He raised cattle and crops here, and later one of his sons continued the work. Eventually, my husband and I purchased the family farm with one hope in mind: that our daughter and her husband might one day continue farming it.

That dream became reality. While still in middle school, our daughter began building her herd by showing Simmental heifers and keeping them. Over time, that small beginning grew into something much bigger. Her future husband was doing the same, and when they married, they combined their herds and built a beef production farm together on this land.

For nearly 20 years, we have watched that dream grow. Along the way, our family has worked closely with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for over a decade to protect our waterways and grasslands. We have made a long-term commitment to conservation, stewardship, and responsible farming practices. This is work that has been supported in part through taxpayer-funded conservation programs.

Today, our daughter, her husband, and our two granddaughters live on this property in a home they built. This is not just property; it is their home, their livelihood, and their future. This land was intended as a legacy for future generations, as are countless acres stretching across the proposed corridor.

Our granddaughters are growing up the way children in rural America always have and learning firsthand what it means to care for the land. This is their childhood. And now we are being asked to accept that they will grow up in the shadow of massive transmission lines; lines that bring real concerns about long-term health impacts and safety, and that will forever change how this land is experienced.

Now Valley Link, in partnership with Dominion Energy, wants its turn to “plow” through this land.

This time, it would be with 765 kV extra high voltage transmission lines as part of the proposed Joshua Falls to Yeats project, an unprecedented undertaking in Central Virginia, that would permanently alter the footprint of this property and the future of the farm.

Rural land is not empty space. It carries history, supports families, protects natural resources, and sustains future generations. Once it is divided and disrupted, it cannot be restored to what it was.

We all have a voice, and our voices deserve to be heard; from the quiet rural communities of Central Virginia to those making the final decisions. I hope those decisions reflect the voices of the people, not just the interests of a corporation.

There is a better way than tearing apart land that has given so much for so long.

This is our story. And it matters.

AMY HARRIS SEAY

Impacted by Valley Link as a Louisa County resident and Fluvanna Farm owner (both within the proposed corridor)

Historical thoughts on redistricting

TO THE EDITOR:

The philosopher and essayist George Santayana wrote the famous quote: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”. In TCV, Thursday, April 9, 2026. Harlow: “Virginia seceded from the Union in April 1861 — Virginia had already voted twice to stay.” “It wasn’t until newly elected President Abraham Lincoln — did the referendum come back to Virginia.” The results of that referendum were a disaster for Virginia. Virginia lost the western part of the state (it became the State of West Virginia) and it took almost 150 years for Virginia to recover.

Congressional districts are revised after the census is completed every 10 years. The 10-year (decennial) census is mandated by Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution. In the 2020 cycle, the new Virginia political commission failed to pass congressional and state legislative plans by the required supermajority, and so the state supreme court took over, pursuant to statute. On Dec. 28, 2021, the state supreme court issued congressional and state legislative plans. On Jan. 16, 2026, the legislature passed a proposed constitutional amendment (HJ 4) that will allow the legislature to redraw congressional districts.

So once again Virginia has a newly elected President (Donald Trump), two previous referendums to redraw congressional lines, and now a third referendum to change the State Constitution. Whatever the outcome on the April 21 vote, let us hope it doesn’t take another 150 years for Virginia to recover.

FRED CELEC
Louisa

Vote no to any redistricting

TO THE EDITOR:

In 2020, 66% of Virginians voted to reject Democrat Gerrymandering and create an independent and nonpartisan redistricting Commission. And just to make myself crystal clear, even if that amendment hadn’t passed, this would still be illegal under Virginia Code24.2-304.04:8. A map of districts shall not, when considered on a statewide basis, unduly favor or disfavor any Political Party.”

Letter from Jason Miyares, Virginians for Fair Maps. This is a very self explanatory Code. From looking at the number of existing Congressional Democrats (6) vs the existing number of Republican Congressional members (5) are fairly proportioned as to the numbers in each party.

The Google Search came up with Democrat voters 51.24%, Republican voters at 30.56% and Independents with 18.2%; other sources indicate Republicans at 46% (Presidential election numbers).

Regardless of the statistical numbers, one thing is certain; the independents are voting with the Republicans by a large number or many Independents have changed to the Republican Party.

Conclusion: (1)The Bipartisan commission that created the Virginia Map Code did a credible job. Leave it alone. (2) Democrats have a larger base and have 6 in Congress, The Republicans with a smaller base as 46% have a correct proportion with 5 in Congress. (3) The purpose of redistricting is to make smaller districts, not larger districts. One hundred mile districts make no sense. Let the Courts rule.

ROBERT MURTO
Louisa