Editor, Gazette-Journal:

I am writing to remark on the Mathews BOS proposal to abandon a 30’ right of way at Williams Wharf and the subsequent transfer of ownership of the entire property to the Mathews Land Conservancy (MLC). The two are so intertwined that they must be discussed in tandem. My first reaction was confusion and anger. Why turn over ownership to a valuable property with unconditional deeded access and which was acquired with taxpayer funds? Was this a sham transaction to turn a million taxpayer dollars over to a private not-for-profit entity for the benefit of a very exclusive group? What consideration was being given? Did this violate the spirit and intent of the federal ISTEA grant? Who were these elitists, prohibiting motorized vessels and restricting access to daylight hours? Finally, who was going to stand up for our less privileged citizens who depend on these areas to fish? What about their rights? Didn’t Mathews County just go to the Virginia Supreme Court to retain a public landing and right of way? I had more questions than answers.

I met with Jim Smith, president of the MLC, whom I’ve known for 10 years. Jim was very gracious and answered all of my questions and shared documents as well as detailed site plans. We visited for several hours and covered the project from its inception to present. I have read the contract between Mathews County and the MLC "setting forth the duties and obligations of the Conservancy as the ultimate owner and conservator of the Project" and discussed the grant process and the myriad agency requirements that had to be met before final disposition of the project by the Federal Highway Administration. I am fully satisfied that a most rigorous, detailed and transparent process has been followed and that the public’s interest has been well represented by the Mathews BOS and staff. More importantly, I am convinced that the MLC has been and will continue to be the best entity to efficiently and economically own and operate the Williams Wharf Landing.

Space requirements do not allow a complete discussion of what I have learned but I will attempt to distill the main points. First, Mathews has spent no money other than staff time. The controlling agreement required that the MLC provide all funds necessary to meet the 22 percent match as well as pay for all engineering, design, planning, cleanup, recordkeeping, construction and operating expenses. MLC has met this requirement and its expenditures have exceeded the public’s stake.

Second, the restrictions concerning motorized boats, fishing, swimming and hours which give the impression of disparate treatment are easily understood when explained. The grant was to promote alternate modes of transportation and education and it placed the ban on nonessential motorized watercraft. The tender boats for the YMCA and crew (who are both paying tenants) meet the exception. There are also insurance considerations and restrictions underlying many of these restrictions such as the swimming ban. Crew members must be certified swimmers as well as being supervised and insured by Mathews County Schools. Also, fishing is limited to a designated site (pier to be constructed) for the same reasons as well as VDGIF requirements.

This pier also enabled Game and Inland Fisheries to see that the public was gaining so much more than it was giving up that they view the abandonment in a favorable light.

Finally, it should be understood that the right of way concerns a swath of ground that is 30 feet wide that runs to the water. There is no other land deeded with it such as what is commonly associated with these public landings and in a strict letter-of-the-law sense it would be a trespass to stray off that 30-foot stretch. There is no public right to Williams Wharf whatsoever other than that which Mathews County and the MLC have worked to acquire and provide for the last 18 years. Frankly, it is my opinion that we owe a serious debt of gratitude to those who have worked so hard to provide this treasure to the citizens of Mathews County.

Jack White

New Point, Va.