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To the Editor:

This letter was sent to the Hertford County Board of Commissioners.

Gentlemen:

My husband and I live just across the state line in Southampton County, but we own a farm in Hertford County just three miles from our home. We pay taxes in Hertford County.

I was distressed to hear that Parker’s Ferry was not to be replaced. That ferry was practical for some folks commuting to work. However, it was also a tourist attraction with a history.

When we have had visitors from out of town we often took them across Parker’s Ferry and they were fascinated. We usually went into Winton and had a meal at a neat little café or returned to Murfreesboro for a meal, leaving some tourism dollars in Hertford County.

Parker’s Ferry was attractive to both locals and visitors. Tourism can be important to your economy.

I am president of the Southampton County Historical Society, which is diligently working on a Heritage Tourism project establishing a Nat Turner walking trail and restoration of the Rebecca Vaughan House. We expect that it will bring in substantial tourism dollars to our economy.

I am a member of our (county) Board of Supervisors and I understand well your task to balance a budget. However, I feel that over time Parker’s Ferry can be a tourist attraction and it is important to preserve it.

Lynda T. Updike

Newsoms, VA