Replies

That place is a vulgar travesty, and it would be with or without Michelle Obama’s presence.

There was a great deal of anger and many accusations of racism when Sheila Johnson proposed building it and locals objected to it. It is located on some of the most beautiful and historically important land in the United States, an area where Yankees and Confederates fought and died to determine the future of America. People in the area know how precious that heritage of history is and want to preserve it.

Johnson, who moved to Middleburg so that her daughter Paige could ride and compete at a serious level, could have won the eternal love and gratitude of Virginians if she had emulated Paul Mellon by donating the land for a park or riding trails. Instead she created this resort in a rural area that’s fighting to preserve its historic heritage. As with Obama, any opposition to the development was deemed “racism,” though to be fair some locals are said to have made very ugly racist statements about Johnson.

So far Salamander hasn’t been a success, despite the application of many millions of dollars. The food and service are not consistent with the very high prices. Locally it’s perceived as overpriced and crass, the sort of place you’d expect Michelle and Oprah and similar people go to show off. Locals go occasionally to look around and have a drink and say they went. But we mostly prefer cozy old-fashioned historic places like the Red Fox Inn, or the Hunter’s Head. Salamander isn’t fun.

There was a great deal of anger and many accusations of racism when Sheila Johnson proposed building it and locals objected to it.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
I had ‘heard’ that when she moved to Middleburg she (and her money) were welcomed with ‘open arms’ - ya know PC wise anyway.

Her ‘problems’ began when she had proposed a summer camp or ‘home for unwed mothers’, (a ‘rumor’ anyway) and in typical A Bunker style, A would ‘tolerate’ a Black neighbor BUT wanted to make sure Jefferson had NO Black neighbors.

Few years back one of Boston Celtics first Black players moved into a ‘toney’ Boston neighborhood he was ‘questioned’, assuming the position and all while in the ‘neighborhood’ by the local Gendarmes.
When asked if he was going to sue he (basically) replied.
“Why would I complain this is going to be the safest neighborhood I have EVER lived in.”