As a prelude to public comments at the August 12, 2004, Middleburg Town Council meeting, Mike Casey, Town Administrator, said there were three possible "Salamander Inn" scenarios to consider.

Paraphrasing him, they are:

Scenario 1: There is no Salamander Inn, but maybe something else is in its place.

Scenario 2: There is a Salamander Inn, but there is no connection between it and the town.

Scenario 3: There is a Salamander Inn and the town chooses to have a relationship with it.

Though citizens making public comments did not specifically mention Mr. Casey's scenarios, many who spoke, including some council members, implied that Scenario 1 or 2 was their preferred option.

No matter which scenario happens, there will be follow-on scenarios. These sequels need to be examined and then … need to be managed.

Think of it as a war. (Actually, some already do.) Just because you win the first battle does not mean you will win the war. In many cases throughout history a major battle has been won, but the war has been lost. It would be sad for the town to win the first "battle" and then loose the "war" to retain its small town character.

The town needs to examine scenario SEQUELS and see which one is best for the town in the long run.

The Town Council can probably develop many sequels, but here is a starter set:

Scenario Sequel 1: Dr. Johnson does not build the Salamander Inn and either leaves the land undeveloped or sells the property. Maybe a benevolent conservationist buys the property and puts it into a conservation easement. Maybe a developer buys it and presses for authority to put the maximum possible number houses on the property. (Mayor Dimos noted pointedly that the conservative zoning restrictions established by the last County Board of Supervisors is under serious threat.) Instead of having a traffic count of 600 or so with the Inn, we could suffer double or triple that number.

Scenario Sequel 2: Estrangement (unfortunately, an all too likely sequel).

I found it most interesting speakers who said they felt people outside the town were really part of the town did not what to include Salamander in that group hug. If the Salamander Inn were sold and there was no relationship with the town, … well, the town should examine possible sequels and their impact.

Scenario Sequel 3: Establish a mutually beneficial relationship with Salamander Inn

In the absence of a an arrangement we must surely face the unpleasant prospect of the Inn being sold to a major hotel chain, or facing other, less accommodating property developers, knocking on the Middleburg door.

Without discussing a relationship with Salamander, the town has no idea how beneficial a relationship might be established – one that meets all or most of the town's needs and desires.

If the town has a legal relationship with the current owner, that contract can be made binding on subsequent owners.

If the town does not have a relationship, it has no effective influence or control over the current or future owners.

If other neighboring property developers come knocking on the water & sewer door, unless it is in the town's best interest, it doesn't have to answer.

In Sequel 3, the town has both significant legal power and the power of a friendly relationship on its side.

In Sequel 2, the town abdicates most of its power and can only try to exert its influence.

In Sequel 3, the town has little to no power, and less influence, over what happens.

Several speakers encouraged the council not to rush to a decision. Good advise, but there should be a rush to analyze, study, and discuss. For a prolonged decision process becomes no decision and no decision is a decision to abdicate.

Will the town win the battle and loose the war? Or will the town be in control of its destiny?