Editor, Gazette-Journal:

The development and future use of the East River Boatyard is a concern for all residents of Mathews County, and not just the concern of residents that live on Mill Lane Road and adjacent properties.

Mathews County is a diverse and caring community. It is an inclusive community that always extends a helping hand and supports all its residents. This support for the community was demonstrated when the supervisors voted down a $50,000 Department of Game and Inland Fisheries grant that it had applied for several years ago.

Accepting the grant would have excluded the watermen from using the East River Boatyard. The supervisors’ vision and plan for the East River Boatyard was for all recreational and commercial vessels to co-exist there. This vision and plan was to benefit and be enjoyed by everyone, and should not be changed.

The very resourceful and innovative people of Mathews County look forward to meeting with the supervisors to explore alternative fund...