Open Forum Commentary, Winchester Star, 3/22/07

Just like the residents in and surrounding Middletown, local businesses have been misled by O-N Minerals attempt to rezone the buffers that protect the historic town, and adjacent homes, businesses and attractions from the noise, dust and view shed pollution of their strip mining operation. Allowing O-N Minerals to rezone rural, historic property to expand such an operation would be extremely detrimental to many Middletown businesses that rely on tourism revenue.  These businesses have taken the lead to support an industry that studies prove is both profitable and an excellent generator of tax revenue.
 
The Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park, the reenactments at the Cedar Creek Battlefield, Belle Grove Plantation, Wayside Inn and Wayside Theater are a few of the many attractions that allow visitors to experience the historic character and charm of Middletown. Since many of the town’s historic landmarks and buildings have been preserved, it makes Middletown an appealing destination for visitors who want to experience the rich heritage of the Shenandoah Valley and all it has to offer.
 
The Travel Industry Association (TIA) 2003 Historical/Cultural Travelers Report sites that 81 percent of all American adult travelers included culture or heritage destinations on their trip in 2002, which translates to 118.1 million travelers. These studies also confirm that travelers who visit historical and cultural sites stay longer and spend more money than other kinds of travelers. They spend on average, $623 as compared to $457 per trip for all U.S travelers.  In 2006, The Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation reported that over 12,000 people came and visited Middletown just for the reenactment of the Battle of Cedar Creek.
 
Middletown has unique characteristics and assets like no other town or city in the County.  Approving the rezoning of 639 acres of rural areas to extractive manufacturing adjacent to Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park would create an industrial corridor that is 1261 acres, 2.6 miles long and ¾ of a mile wide complete with industrial vehicles rolling down Route 11/Main Street every minute over a 24 hour period.   It makes no sense to gamble with the continued economic success in Middletown by approving such a preposterous application.

Robert Mangus, the owner of the Civil Cricket Cafe