After surveyors marked off the proposed swath dimensions, Mr. Fallon's environmentalist also walked through. Peter Deahl, an arborist, verified this list and also identified several American elms in the swath path. This is the more remarkable in that Dutch elm disease wiped out most American elms in our area years ago. The swath Mr. Fallon proposes would invade the root area of dozens of mature and valuable trees. Providing our children with an extended and unspoiled natural area in which to learn about our countryside and wildlife grows more important each day.
Aerial photographs show the outdoor lab to be the last such tract on town property.
The price of an alternative sewage line across his own property would be costlier for Mr. Fallon, to be sure, but the cost should be his, not ours. He hasn't even offered to build the required chain-link fencing around the Fauquier Outdoor Lab which his new development will make necessary. I certainly hope the school board will decide that the unique learning experience the Fauquier Outdoor Lab offers our children is the consideration which should weigh most heavily when they make reply to Mr. Fallon's request. If others feel as strongly as I do, I hope they will let their school board members know.