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'A good government looks out for the greater good'
Several residents I have talked to laugh when I say some residents don't want lights because of light pollution. Whether you think this is ridiculous or not, I believe a good government looks out for the greater good of a community.I'm sure some don't want to see any light glare, but where do we draw the line? Should we shut down the 211 Quicke Mart? I don't think so because this community uses the Quicke Mart. That place is lit up well and is right next to the road near the fields that would be lit.
For three years, I lived next to the fire hall in Sperryville. The carnival came to town every summer and our skies were lit up with all sorts of neon and fluorescent colors not to mention the "noise pollution.” I didn't have kids then so I rarely attended the carnival but I never thought about what an infringement that was on my life. I always looked at it for what it was - good, clean fun for the kids of this county and a fundraiser for the fire department.
Now if you combine the four nights for that carnival and the other carnivals in Amissville and Flint Hill that is already 12 nights of so- called light pollution. The football team would average four or five home games a year. The baseball and softball teams play at the same time behind the elementary school. They have about 10 home games. That's 15 nights that Rappahannock citizens will have to see a glare. It wouldn't be an everyday thing and again I believe you have to look at the benefit to the entire community. If you took a poll, in almost any school district the football program usually is the big money maker and provides enough funds through gate receipts to pay for some other programs that do not see many fans at games or meets such as golf, track, cross country and wrestling.
Not long ago the Rappahannock News ran an editorial in which the newspaper basically stated that Rappahannock was a great community because it is a county of volunteers and we take great pride in our roles doing that. I am not affiliated with the RCSSA. I do know they are all volunteers. They are extremely hard working with a goal of providing the children of this county excellent equipment and arenas to play in or on so the county can put money toward education and not have to pay for most of the sports equipment. They have bought many years worth of uniforms for all the teams. When I was in school we wore the same uniforms in 1989 that had been used since the late 70s. The RCSSA also built a huge press box/food booth for the football field. They always come through.
I think we would be turning our backs on their volunteer efforts if we didn't take them up on their offer. Remember the plan is for RCSSA and private donors - of which $100,000 has already been offered up - to pay for this system without the county paying for it. The county basically has to co-sign for them just like maybe you have done for your children or your parents did for you.
In last week’s Rappahannock News one resident was worried about the "social costs" of night games. Examples of these costs included extra security that will be needed and the increased amount of teenage drivers out on the roads at night. First, I have always seen at least one sheriff’s deputy at every basketball game and I am sure they are at every football game now. Second, you are definitely not going to stop teenage driving on a Friday night. At least now they would have a safe place to go hang out and socialize with their friends. My kids are only seven and four, but when they get to high school it would be nice to know exactly where they are on a Friday night—at school, having fun with their friends.
These lights should be thought of not as something that will divide our community but as a way to make this community stronger. We can go to work, come home, get a good dinner, and go out to the fields at night to see our kids and our neighbors. Because I work on Saturdays, I have seen more away football games than home. It is frustrating to think I am supporting Madison, Luray and Strasburg athletics more than Rappahannock’s because I have to travel to see our teams.
Dan Ellis
Scrabble
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