A full house for Wednesday evening’s town hall about the future of White’s Ferry.
Montgomery and Loudoun County residents joined a town hall Wednesday in Poolesville to learn updates about the future of White’s Ferry.
Since 1786, the ferry had transported commuters across the Potomac River between Montgomery County, near Poolesville, and Loudoun County, Virginia. In Dec. 2020, it shut down after more than 230 years of service following a court ruling that found there is no legally established public or private landing on Rockland Farm, the Virginia property where the ferry operates.
In February, Chuck Kuhn purchased the ferry and the Maryland side where it operates. He is the CEO of the Sterling-based company JK Moving Services. Kuhn spoke to residents Wednesday evening and committed to reopening the ferry for service before next summer.
He said negotiations with the Virginia shoreline that could lead to reopening were unsuccessful and the matter is now in front of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. Kuhn hopes the board will support eminent domain on the Virginia side so he can reopen the ferry. Residents said the service shutdown has been devastating.
“It changed our lives in intangible ways and not for the better,” Poolesville resident and Hosanna Community Church Pastor Chuck Copeland said.
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