Editor’s note: What follows is a email conversation between Spencer Riggs, on-site general manager at the Little America west of Green River and the Star’s editor, David Martin. In order to provide Riggs’ comments the best context, we decided to publish the conversation in full regarding Riggs’ concerns on the reporting of the zoning change in Jamestown and what it could mean for the area if a truck stop is built in the area. Some portions of the exchange have been edited to enhance clarity.
Spencer Riggs: I don’t like how your news is portraying the zoning change in Jamestown. The printed headline says “Zone change for truck stop approved.” In reality, a zone change has been made for that land to be used for commercial use. It should not be implied that it has been changed for a truck stop. The news should stop focusing on the land to be used for a truck stop and better portray that the land can now be used for commercial purposes that many different businesses could take advantage of and benefit from. The zoning change is largely being pushed by Love’s truck stop in their effort to try and build there. What is in the best interest of Love’s is not necessarily in the best interest of the county and should not be looked at so one sided, as Love’s would want you to do. The building of a massive Walmart of truck stops will be damaging to many local businesses that may not be aware of what is really happening and what voice they still have. There will yet be a lot of fight and controversy over that land and what its best use will be, whether it be Love’s or any number of other businesses. In the future, please be more accurate in describing what is really happening and perhaps focus more on the fact that the land can now be used by new businesses, rather than prematurely assigning the land to Love’s.
David Martin: I read your comments and have given it some thought. While I can see where you’re coming from on this, the root of the issue is the land was rezoned because of specific interest in placing a truck stop at that location. While you are correct in stating the land could be used for commercial uses outside of a truck stop, the truck stop drives the conversion about that parcel of land. If it didn’t, a representative from Love’s would not have spoken with the county commissioners.
I believe the headline as printed is an accurate representation of the situation.
Regarding your comments about the discussion being one-sided, the article reflects concerns voiced by the two county commissioners who voted against the zone change and comments against placing a truck stop at the location made by a representative of Rolling Green Country Club.
Riggs: Thanks for your response and time spent on this. I hope that you will not only include what I have previously said, but also publish my feelings and comments as mentioned below.
You’re right, the article does show both sides of the argument. My only intent in calling it one sided was to show that Love’s is the only big pusher of this. Love’s wants the people to believe that this change is being made for them. While that may be true in some officials minds, and it may push toward that, it is not a done deal. At least one of the commissioners voted against it because they didn’t like it being done based on the push from Loves, rather than a more fair push from the county as it should be. No doubt, that land would be well used as commercial land, but not necessarily as a massive truck stop. Right now Love’s is the only thing that has been put out there for people to consider. If given several options, I don’t think that most people would pick it.
Now I know, of course I would say things like this, being in the business that I am, but I also know a thing or two about the local area and about how things really are in the world of truck stops. I also live locally and have a love and passion for this area. I certainly have a concern for the welfare of my own local business, but so too does Love’s have a concern for their business. Mr. Van Dyke, the representative from Love’s is not a local guy and is not so concerned about the negative impact that this station could have on our local area. He is most concerned about his own business. His flowery words of the positive aspects of his truck stop are in many ways not correct and in fact quite the opposite of reality. His comments are centered on what is best for his growing national chain, and not what is best for our community.
Having a truck stop in the area will not help to alleviate trucks in the area. It will only attract them to it. When the lot fills, trucks will begin flowing into every area around the truck stop that they can find. I have one of the largest truck lots anywhere around, and even so, when the roads close, trucks pile up everywhere blocking access to everything and destroying property. Trucks trying to get to Love’s parking lot will find it full and being forced to exit the freeway will find places to park all up and down the frontage road of Jamestown clogging up the entrances to businesses and residences. Both the exit near the truck stop and the others in town could be affected. No matter what laws are in place to limit the pollution of trucks, the majority of truck lots are full of idling trucks that fill the surrounding air with fumes. Mr. Van Dyke’s comments about it being good for the town that his truck stop will be outside of town will only mean that local people leaving town for work or other things will now stop at Love’s instead and others that may have come into town for gas or other business will no longer need to, since they can just stop at Love’s.
It also continues to be mentioned that a new Love’s will generate more taxes and increased jobs. But wouldn’t any new business create the same? Almost any employer can tell you that there is actually a shortage of people looking for jobs. New jobs offered will not help unemployed people near as much as it will take already employed people from existing local businesses and move them to the Love’s national chain, only making it harder for local businesses.
What I hope is that people will stop looking at this as Love’s new property and look more toward the opportunity for growth that this area could get from a variety of other businesses. Let’s talk more about the best uses for this land and how to best serve our community and don’t just hand the freebee to Loves, which we may only regret later.
Reader Comments(0)