I frequently visit Farmville and am keenly interested in the proposed changes to the intersection at High, Griffin and Oak streets. 

I am a strong proponent of a traffic circle. Other advocates have offered several perceived advantages; I believe that my rationale provides an additional and somewhat different reason for supporting a circle at that location.

Farmville deservedly takes pride in calling itself the Heart of Virginia. 

Ironically, although it has many beautiful streets, there is no attractive, major intersection anywhere in the town, certainly not one that could qualify as the heart of Farmville.

This particular intersection comes the closest to being the traffic nerve center of the town.

It is at one corner of the university, the entrance to several neighborhoods and the gateway to the hospital — yet it is just plain ugly.

The streets intersect at odd angles, wires form an overhead spider web and multiple electric control boxes assault one’s view.   

In addition to the safety advantages of traffic circles and their reduction of fuel and time costs, they can be and often are beautiful.

I have lingering memories of the flower-bedecked circle in Mexico City where Diana the Huntress stands poised with her bow at ready. 

Why not make this intersection into a beautiful traffic circle that would be the heart of Farmville? There are lots of possibilities. It could be adorned with seasonal plantings of flowers and shrubs. Something historic could be memorialized (i.e., that intersection used to be called Butcher’s Corner).

A classical symbol could adorn the circle.  Farmville is a beautiful town, but it needs a focal beauty spot among its streets. This intersection could rise to that calling.

According to studies that have already been done, it would cost somewhat more to build a circle than a simple intersection. But the end result of an intersection is just that — one more nondescript intersection. A circle is almost a mini-park.

It is worth the investment to establish a beautiful heart of Farmville — the town that claims to be the Heart of Virginia. 

It could create the lingering fond memories for residents and visitors that Diana the Huntress in Mexico did for me.

Helen Warriner-Burke served as rector of the Longwood University Board of Visitors and lives in Amelia. Her email address is warrinerburke.helen@gmail.com.