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Crandall Shifflett criticized Blacksburg's decisions rejecting plans for Wal-Mart and Sonic Drive-In to enter the town, ("The high costs of Blacksburg's elitism," July 13 commentary).

He argues, "Higher property and sales taxes will be required to produce the necessary revenue that otherwise might be generated by business taxes." This claim, common among Blacksburg United for Responsible Growth's detractors, is easily refuted.

Several studies have shown that large-scale retail development and fast food actually result in a net loss in tax revenue.

A 2002 study of Barnstable, Mass., for instance, showed that big-box and fast-food developments in the town had a net cost of $468 and $5,168, respectively, per 1,000 square feet.

A 2004 study of eight towns in Ohio found that retail development had an average net cost of $440 per 1,000 square feet.

Neither study factors in the loss of tax revenue from displaced local businesses nor the loss of property tax revenue from decreasing property values in adjacent areas. If Blacksburg let development run rampant, it would probably have to increase taxes in the long run.

Both economically and from a quality-of-life standpoint, Blacksburg's town council made the right decisions.

Blacksburg softball needs better fields

Two Blacksburg girls' softball teams made it to the state tournament this year, including my 12-year-old daughter's team, which finished second in all of Virginia.

Yet there are never any pivotal games played in my daughter's hometown because there are no appropriate facilities. Traveling to play in Christiansburg, Radford and Botetourt County, it is heartening to see young female athletes recognized and supported. Conversely, it is humiliating that Blacksburg can't reciprocate.

Our town has one subpar field for the girls' games. When teams from other towns come to play here -- in the hometown of Virginia Tech's Fighting Gobblers -- there are no restrooms (not even a lone port-a-potty) for athletes, parents and fans. We have no scoreboard and no water fountains.

If you come to compete in girls' softball in Blacksburg, bring your own beverage, scorecards and toilet.

Given Blacksburg's tax base, there is no excuse for the inferior and primitive playing fields our children and their families endure.

We understand Tech sports dominate the energy and attention of our area, but we can't help but wonder why this would seem to be to the detriment rather than the enhancement of Blacksburg's young athletes.