I can shed a little light on the debate over Disney's America in Northern Virginia, I hope. I'm a native Prince William County (where Disney was planning to go) resident, and my parents are very active in county affairs - my mother is on the county Historical Commission and my father is on lots of roads committees. Obviously I hear both sides of the argument. Disney decided (in October, I think) that their "America" had generated too much controversy from all sides. Historians had banded together to protest Disney's approach to the content, and local preservationists had banded together to protest the location. Part of the problem was the location they had chosen. The Haymarket area (western end of Prince William County) is relatively open and sparsely populated, which Disney liked. Their park, however, would have eliminated the town of Thorofare, a historically black town with lots of roots. In addition, Disney and all its "amenities" would have totally overwhelemed the area. The state and local governments loved the idea of Disney and its promised jobs, and bent over backward to accommodate them, even offering to pay for all necessary road improvements (Michael Eisner could afford them with his own salary). There is still a debate in the county about the types of jobs and the money that Disney would have brought in. But now the point is moot. As a historian and a resident, I'm pleased with Disney's decision. Now we have to see where they decide to take their park -- I don't think they will go away... Sara Phinney Kelley -- Lehigh County Historical Society PO Box 1548, Allentown, PA 18105 (610) 435-4664 [log in to unmask]