You looked rather glum way out yonder in Goochland-land. Perhaps too many cosmopolitans have invaded, bringing their cityfied sensibilities with them. There you were, petitioning the Planning Commission with reasonable rhetoric -- where did it get you? You, and other grownups, were outnumbered, it seems. These days, someone hears a gun, they're either scared or offended. They hear a gun, they think "noise" or "danger" -- I hear a gun, I think "Freedom" or "Security" -- hard to establish middle ground under these circumstances.
So, will you 'give up the ship' or proceed to the next step, the Board? The enemy is everywhere. Maybe Goochland is over, too.