It’s a beautiful spectacle to see people exercise their rights under a free democracy.

Whether it’s voting in an election, writing a letter to this publication or speaking during a public hearing, it’s paramount to our freedom to exercise our rights as American citizens.

Case in point: the process was undertaken recently by Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) LLC as it sought local approval for a 53,783 horsepower compressor station, part of its 600-mile natural gas pipeline.

I’m glad that throngs of people showed up at both hearings held by the county’s planning commission and board of supervisors.

The special use application process is one that afforded Buckingham County residents an opportunity to have their voices heard by those who make decisions that affect them the most, their elected supervisors who adjust their taxes, work to get roads paved and offer youth the best education available.

No matter whether you agree or disagree with the decision supervisors made last week regarding the permit, there’s one fact, and that is residents and those concerned about the project had two public, matter-of-record opportunities to support or object to the ACP and compressor station.

There’s no doubt that the process, through ACP’s seeking permit approval for the station, has enriched the spirit of democracy in Buckingham County, affording fairness and equality to those concerned about their community and those supporting the project.

JORDAN MILES is managing editor of The Farmville Herald. His email address is jordan.miles@farmvilleherald.com.