Remarks to the Prince William Board of County Supervisors: August 2, 2022

My name is Bill Wright and I live in Gainesville.  I oppose the Prince William Digital Gateway. 

Chair Wheeler has labeled those objecting to runaway data center development “opponents of progressive change”.  But being a shill for corporate raiders looking to exploit our community is not progressive.  It’s a self-serving sell-out and a con as old as time, and I’m proud to obstruct it.

You’ve already read about her progressive conflict-of-interest principles. The Virginia Public Access Project shows that Chair Wheeler spent over $387,000 in her 2019 campaign, more than three times her nearest competitor and more than $6 per vote.  Now she’s actually fundraising off her constituents’ efforts to recall her.  Interesting marketing strategy.

VPAP also shows that she and her family have contributed over $166,000 to her campaigns for Supervisor.  That’s an awful lot to chip in for the opportunity to serve the public. 

The question is who’s really being served.  VPAP also shows us that, beside herself, Chair Wheeler’s principal donors are technology and real estate companies.  I imagine they’re looking for a return on their investment.

Chair Wheeler’s easy ethics have laid out the welcome mat for opportunistic predators who have run amok under her regime.  This whole deplorable CPA process is rife with indications.  Example.  During public comment time on May 24^th, a Pageland Lane resident referring to the Prince William Digital Gateway CPA, said: “The County has taken us down this path”, “Some residents have already secured properties” and “We need you to take us all the way”.

Was there some coordination of effort and were the landowners given some type of assurances from the Board?  What has transpired between you that has given a privileged few such exalted expectations?  This resident said out loud what most of us already believed.  

And how many have already forgotten that oily Pageland Lane charitable foundation very possibly concocted with the tacit encouragement of government officials?

Chair Wheeler is clearly in the pocket of landowners and developers and has cynically exploited social divisions and simmering grudges to advance their mercenary aims.  If she is working for citizens of this county, it is an exceedingly small, well-heeled minority.  Her violation of environmental principles and blatant advocacy for moneyed interests make her an embarrassment to legitimate Democrats. 

I have a checkbook, a keyboard, an active mind and extensive volunteer labor to offer to any legitimate challenger who can send Chair Wheeler on permanent vacation and restore integrity and trust to our party and our government.

Phony progressives like Chair Wheeler we can do without.  Take a stand for honest government and reject her shameful pay to play agenda.