ISLE OF WIGHT
The Isle of Wight County Planning Commission voted unanimously on Tuesday to recommend that the board of supervisors not pass a conditional use permit allowing a shooting range for public use in Walters. The decision came after a contentious hearing in which chairman James Ford several times called for the audience to be respectful to other speakers, including commissioners.

Specifically, American K-9 Interdiction LLC requested the permit on 57.44 acres at 4007 Burdette Road. The site is already being used as a kennel to train police dogs. Close by, the Virginia State Police have a shooting range for area law enforcement.

The range would have made accommodations for 25m pistols, skeet and 100m rifles and 50m tact rifles, with shooting allowed from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and some possible private shooting, but no earlier than 8 a.m.

Among the strengths of the application was that it could offer a service not already existing. The one weakness listed was that the range will create increased noise that will carry to surrounding areas.

Paul J. Roushia, president of the American K-9 Interdiction, said that there had been no training issues in the last seven years. Further, opening the range to the public was “a logical extension.”

Jeremy Gibb of Smithfield was the only other person to speak in favor of the range. He believes that it could enable police dogs to become desensitized to the sound of gunfire.

But both men were interrupted in their speaking by other audience members. For example, when Roushia identified that he lives in Smithfield, someone was clearly heard to say, “You won’t hear it [the gunfire]. Sure won’t.”

John Ford, commission chairman, then asked the audience for the first time to be civil.

When it came time to speak against the permit, approximately 21 people made their case, led by Volpe Boykin of Walters Highway. He said he walked to 146 residences in the rain to let people know of this issue.

“We did not oppose the K-9 range; that place was a flash in the pan,” Boykin said, adding that the opposition is means to “save a way of life.”

Throughout the hearing, the audience frequently applauded speakers supporting their shared viewpoints.

Pat Burgwin, who identified himself as a member of the National Rifle Association, asked to give his to Boykin, but was told no. Then he said he was opposed to the range mainly because of safety issues, adding his concern that there could be an accidental discharge of ammunition on a house. Further, Burgwin believes there’s a potential environmental impact of all that lead leaching into the soil.

“This gun range is going to cause a problem,” said Wade Hove, explaining that he allows his children to explore the nearby woods, and thinks that ammo can go over the protective berms.

Roger Epperson said property values would go down if the shooting range were allowed to be established.

“Who will compensate us,” he asked, adding “Why was this proposal expedited? What’s the rush?”

Jennifer Boykin said, “If you wouldn’t want it in your back yard, don’t put it in ours.”

Jack Keller, who said he and his family moved from Portsmouth to Walters six months ago, came to the area for “peace and quiet.” Living a mile down the road from the existing range, they’ve already noticed loudness from when and where target practice is allowed.

The commissioners discussed their concerns about the issue for several minutes. Even then, audience members were vocal whenever someone suggested the possibility of reexamining the permit if certain questions were answered. Ford again reminded them, “We need to be respectful of each other and be respectful of the process.”

Finally, commissioner Cynthia Taylor said, “I see a nice quiet community. These people were here first,” adding that the application fails and moved to vote sending the proposal to the supervisors for denial of the permit.