Branner Station vote shows need to expand board

Dear Editor,

In a prior letter [Sept. 26], a writer expressed concern that those supporting expanding the board of supervisors displayed a "lack of understanding of the process, a fear of hard work and a thoughtless readiness to spend the taxpayers' money" without further analysis prior to doing so.

The candidates who support increasing representation on the board and/or at-large representation actually display a greater understanding of the process than the prior letter writer gives them credit. Representation, accountability and access are the issues, not cost. To reach the conclusion the current system has produced a more efficient, cost-effective and representative government "requires the willing suspension of disbelief," to quote a well-known presidential candidate.

The voters could not have been presented a better reason to support those candidates who advocate additional magisterial districts than the recent 2-1 vote on Branner Station, with two supervisors abstaining and the two lame-duck supervisors not seeking re-election forming the "majority" vote on such an important case.

It is time for Chesterfield County to come out of the Stone Age. It is time for the "good old boy" system that has resulted in decisions such as Branner Station to come to an end. It is time for the citizens of Chesterfield County to receive the representation they deserve.

Karen B. Petrone

Summerford

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