Modern Carpetbaggers, Mustache Twirling, and Other Myths of Warren County Growth

There’s been a lot of noise lately about plans to bring data centers and residential development to Warren County, and let’s be honest—it’s starting to sound less like political debate and more like the plot of a Scooby-Doo episode. And with everything recently written by members of the current Board of Supervisors and their friends, you’d think Mr. Henry was trying to build a Walmart on the hallowed shores of the Shenandoah.

First, the pearl-clutching over data centers. Yes, they use water. Yes, they have servers. No, they are not a secret plot to drain the county dry and screw up all the great views.  And while it’s true that data centers don’t employ thousands, let’s also acknowledge they’re not building a coal mine. These things are low-traffic, low-noise, high-tax-paying facilities that mostly sit there humming quietly and doing important digital things—kind of like your introverted cousin who works in IT and never causes a fuss at Thanksgiving. However, contrary to the alarmist vibes, “The Data Centers Are Coming!”—Said No One.

Then there’s the outrage over residential development. Some folks seem to think Hugh Henry’s housing plan is a conspiracy to import legions of godless Washingtonians who’ll vote for kale and ban camo. Let’s take a breath. Mr. Henry doesn’t appear to have any intention to bulldoze every tree and build condo towers shaped like golden-domed temples. It’s to allow some growth, ideally, the kind that lets local kids afford to live near their parents without sleeping in the shed. The idea that housing must be either “public assistance units” or “Beltway bunkers” is a wild overgeneralization. It’s like saying every dog is either a Chihuahua or a wolf. In reality, most development is—gasp—middle-class housing. You know, homes. For humans. In a county. Where people live.

It’s true: Warren County’s water and electric infrastructure needs investment. But guess what helps pay for that? New development. Growth funds upgrades. Mr. Henry isn’t ignoring the issue—he continually seems to be saying, “Let’s build responsibly and fix the system.”

And finally, the truly spicy accusation: that Hugh Henry is a “modern carpetbagger,” which is a very literary way of saying “I don’t like change.” This argument boils down to: “He’s benefiting from any plan to build so he must be evil.” Using that logic, every farmer selling apples is a profiteering orchard overlord. Let’s not pretend the status quo is working perfectly. Warren County isn’t Mayberry in 1962. It’s a rural community trying to stay afloat in a fast-changing world. Mr. Henry’s proposals aren’t a hostile takeover—they’re an invitation to move forward without losing what makes the county special. You can disagree with Hugh Henry. You can prefer a slower growth strategy. But let’s not act like he’s twirling a mustache while scheming to terraform Warren County into a Whole Foods parking lot. He’s offering real solutions to real problems, not romanticizing rural decline.

Progress doesn’t have to mean cultural collapse. It can just mean better roads, reliable internet, and—yes—a Sweetgreen. (Let’s be honest, a good salad wouldn’t kill us.) And you know, I’m going to guess there’s a book in the library that can explain all of this — unless it’s already been targeted for removal.

Sue Laurence
Front Royal, VA

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