Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Remember a few years ago, when several well-intentioned citizens actually shed real tears lamenting the "fact" that, if certain new developments were allowed to take place on Main Street, civilization as we know it in Mathews would come to an end? It seems that most, if not all, of those fearful skeptics are now happily procuring Kung Pao chicken, groceries, sausage biscuits and coffee at those evil denizens of cultural doom.

It seems that another change has now surfaced that has caused a similar reaction from a small group of citizens that I admire and consider long-term friends. For any unintended anguish that I may have caused them by being the instigator of this anticipated "change," I sincerely apologize. As a Parks and Recreation professional for more than two decades, serving as board chairman in both Henrico and Mathews counties, I have, on many occasions, seen the positive results achieved from providing the community with saf...