Status Quo.   

In Gordonsville, there is a great divide between those in the no growth camp and those who believe in development.  There is always development.  We want the convenience of McDonalds and Walmart but were also want the area to remain rural.  Change is inevitable and it is healthy.  You are either growing or you are dying.  When I moved to Gordonsville in 1979, it was a dying town.  Main Street was filled with vacant buildings.  Little Chief Market and Dollar General, the ABC store, there was a dime store and the Post office.  across the street there were 3 banks.  That was downtown Gordonsville.  Now there are several stores along Main Street and that is a good thing.

We're not sure how some of the new developments are going to change Gordonsville but I suspect Gordonsville will survive.  These things run in cycles.  100 years ago Gordonsville was a thriving town.  I'm sure the locals complained that things were changing too fast and the character of the town was under attack.  Again, this is a natural thing.  As the railroads declined so did Gordonsville, that steady decline lasted for 90 years.  Only recently has the town turned the corner and I argue that these changes have had a positive impact on the area.  There are many who have moved to the area and now they wish to close the door behind them fearing Orange will turn into Fairfax.  At $3.00 a gallon, I'm here to tell you that is nonsense.  In our lifetime, we will never become a suburb of Washington.  Not practical.  Many places to the north of us will have to fill up before Orange becomes the best viable option.  It's hogwash.  Growth is not all bad.  We all want a better life for our children.  I will argue that it is better now then when we were kids and it will be better when my sons are adults.

I love this area.  I moved here when I was 12, I'm now 41 and I will die here.  I hope that is a long time from now, I know Gordonsville will look a lot different then, but mostly it will still look like home.