Page County Board Rezones Controversial Property

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Updated: 3:14 PM Oct 21, 2009 Page County Board Rezones Controversial Property Page County A controversial land deal has become a top political issue in Page County. Posted: 11:34 PM Oct 20, 2009 Reporter: Michael Hyland Email Address: mhyland@whsv.com

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A controversial land deal has become a top political issue in Page County.

The Page County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to rezone the Hudson farm property.

The county has agreed to pay more than $7 million for the land. County leaders want it to be the site of an industrial park and they say it's a good move to bring jobs to the area.

Two candidates running for the board disagree. They say the county can't afford the contract.

"I believe that was a bad deal. I believe there was some corruption there. And it's way too much money for buying agriculturally zoned land at the time," says Robert Griffith (R), a candidate to represent District 1 on the Page County Board of Supervisors.

"As soon as we get the new board members, we'll be able to end this by simply not paying it and defaulting. There's no ironclad contract that is going against Virginia code. And, this indeed has gone against Virginia code," says Alice Richmond (D), Griffith's opponent in the race.

About 1,800 people have signed a petition opposing the deal. Richmond says she and others against the deal plan to file a lawsuit in Page County Circuit Court.

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