Better the devil you know?

James Clements
Published: June 29, 2008

If Steve Vento of Angler’s Culpeper Utility Partners is ever looking for a side business, I’ve got a suggestion for him: professional matchmaker. Based on the progress that came out of last week’s meeting on a joint water and sewer authority, I think the Town Council and County Board of Supervisors would agree.

There’s nothing like the devil you don’t know to make you run to the arms of the one you do. And for that, we can thank Culpeper Utility Partners unsolicited proposal to build a complete water system with wells, towers, and waste water treatment for the county. Just the thought of the Board of Supervisors jumping into such a big plan on their own perked up many ears in town.

And so, as a result, we were all treated to the lovefest that took place last week when the two governing bodies met in closed session to discuss the framework to jointly provide water and sewer, while also paving the way for town expansion.

According to Allison Brophy Champion’s coverage (“Town, county reach accord,” June 15), both sides were quite optimistic when she spoke to them the day after the meeting:

-Mayor Pranas Rimeikis, who I wouldn’t take as the type to fall in love on the first date, predicted “we will have a satisfactory agreement by the end of the year for a water and sewer authority or at least a plan.”

-County Board Chairman Bill Chase agreed that the two sides have reached a “general agreement” even if all the details haven’t been worked out yet.

More love was coming from County Supervisor Sue Hansohn, chairwoman of the county’s public works committee: “We’re trying to get to the same place, but until we actually sat down and talked about it, we didn’t realize how close we were.”

And even the town’s resident naysayer, Steve Jenkins, jumped in: “[F]or the first time since I’ve been on council, I saw a true commitment between both bodies of trying to reach compromise and trying to work together.”

It’s starting to sound like an eHarmony commercial around here.

As the two sides pat themselves on the back for coming together, I applaud their efforts. Those of us who live in town are too often made to play the role of “Billy” in our governing bodies version of “Kramer vs. Kramer.” It’s a great change to feel like we’re in a Brady Bunch revival instead.

Of course all of this “consolidation” on plans for a water and sewer agreement can’t help but draw attention to the 400-pound gorilla in the corner.

Where do we go from here on Culpeper businessman Joe Daniel’s consolidation drive? And does the threat of consolidation looming over the town like the Sword of Damocles provide the county with a disincentive to work with the town — why play nice when they might own all of the town’s infrastructure in a few months anyway?

When Daniel started his petition drive for “One Culpeper,” he claimed his motives were to bring the town and county together. Sure, saving taxpayers money was also mentioned, and it made a nice sound bite, but the meat of the argument was that we should all be tired of the fighting and this would force the two sides to work for us, not against each other.

Now what? If Mr. Daniel is sincere, he should speak out in support of the talks that started last week and ask those who signed his petition to vote against consolidation when the plan comes to referendum. Let him take all the credit for forcing the two sides together, let’s applaud his results even if we question his methods, and let’s move on.

And before you feel sorry for Vento, he may still get to build his water system for the county — nothing says happy marriage like both sides coming in with their own assets. And no matter where you stand on that project, you have to admit he’s quite a matchmaker.

James Clements is a Culpeper resident and independent columnist who appears each Monday.
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