July 2004

• Government's wacky goodies for Harbourites
  
  "Ask not," implored President John F. Kennedy at his inauguration, "what your country can do for you."
  
  "Why not?" seems to be the standard response today. Our government spews money in all directions all the time, it seems.
  
  Even the most alarming stories about government waste no longer seem to stir the passions. A report that the Pentagon bought some $100 million worth of airline tickets its people never used has apparently lit up few switchboards. The scandal got meager media coverage.
  
  Instead, when we get hit by larger tax bills, we grouse that we aren't getting any of the benefits. That kind of feeling may be especially understandable now for us residents of Aquia Harbour.
  
  My own real estate taxes this year have leapt about $350 and our homeowner dues have risen too. Gasoline prices are sky high.
  
  The standard response starts with "Yes, but." For starters, have we too soon forgotten the big federal income tax cut that left more money in our pockets this spring?
  
  Another ameliorative response applies only to us Harbourites. We recently got some manna from Washington in the form of a $96,000 check. That was to pay us for setting aside a little acre-plus plot of land next to Aquia Creek (at the end of Delaware Drive) for a permanent, constructed "wetland" to mitigate a similar loss of mudflats in reconstructing Wilson Bridge up north.
  
  As a result, the next time you stop to appreciate the prettying-up of our community, or the fine way snow removal works here, or how dredging keeps our waterways open, give a little credit to Uncle Sugar.
  
  Each residence didn't get a specific portion of that gravy ( which amounted to about $42 apiece). Instead, our community is soon to have good stuff like a new dump truck, much nicer seating and decorations at the country club, and unimpeded boating, save for those contemptible no-wake zones.
  
  Still unhappy? Look at it this way. The value of our property has risen a lot, judging by actual sales of homes here. Example: In April 2004, 16 homes sold for an average of $325,000. In April 2003, nine homes sold for an average of $225,000. True, we may be sitting on a big housing bubble that can't last. Meanwhile, enjoy the feeling.
  
  As an avowed conservative, however, I can't drop the whole subject without at least looking that gift horse of our new "wetland" in the mouth.? In the first place, the law mandating "mitigation" of wetlands destroyed by development is a charade, a bow to radical environmentalists.
  
  It has cost a bundle of taxpayer money. For instance, just to establish our little plot must have cost the government at least $500,000. There were numerous inspection trips, surveys, approvals and such. Then the plot had to be excavated to a uniform depth so high tide on the creek would keep it moist, just like the numerous mudflats we already have in abundance. Then special native plants had to be purchased for planting. Bulkheading of nearby creekfront had to be provided.
  
  And get this: On top of all that messing around, the overseer, VDOT, messed up. They got done with excavating, only later to discover a tiny goof in specifications.
  
  Creek water just wouldn't rise enough to wet the new wetland. So, at this writing, the machinery was slated to come back soon and complete the job of removing another 2,000 cubic yards of dirt from the site, which has recently resembled a shallow pond, given all the springtime rains.
  
  This wetlands mitigation business reminds me of some other wetlands in our county that were surely destroyed with nary a mention of replacement as far as I know. To wit: There was great celebration when they blew up old Embrey Dam on the Rapahannock River down by Fredericksburg. The fish are now free to swim unimpeded.
  
  But how about the wetlands along the river's former banks above the dam that are now high and dry? Somebody ought to sue. No wait. We've already spent enough taxpayer money on such foolishness. No thanks. I'm happy enough at this stage of life to discover something else that isn't fattening to grumble about.
  
  Speaking of which, the Harbour just got a government grant to help us pay for two new johns for the marina. How about that