TO THE EDITOR:
My property adjoins the site of the new Rivian plant (“Rivian faces local opposition to plant in Georgia,” autonews.com, Feb. 23). Our rural communities oppose this monstrous assembly plant. Rivian says they are a green, environmentally friendly company. So why are they not recycling existing abandoned industrial locations instead of taking 2,000 acres of land?
We do not need the jobs or the potential crime, increase in population and property values and taxes (making it harder to afford a house), pollution, contaminated drinking water or destruction of the way of life we value here. Our infrastructure and public safety force are not able to handle a doubling, or more, of the population.
We were not waiting for a savior to arrive — we have wonderful lives because we don’t want to live in cities or heavily populated areas. We are not anti-growth, anti-change or anti-business, but this venture is clearly not in our best interests. They talk of job creation and opportunities for our children, yet it seems clear most of the employees will come from outside the community.
I am proud of the stand my community has made. We are not just a momentary pushback from a small, vocal chorus — we are passionate about our community and want to see it survive intact. The best thing we can do for our children is to show them that there are things worth fighting for. We proudly stand for our community, its ideals and lifestyle, its people and its precious resources.
DEBORAH CROWE, Rutledge, Ga.
