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, however, that Andy has been a guadairn of this place, as much or better than any other. My essential point, which I offer respectfully, is that the local Republican Party in its current configuration, with its current focus, and under its current leadership, has taken a wrecking ball to our town. I mean, truthfully, except for Andy, where is the interest in a long-term strategy? Where is the basic awareness that we’re in a competitive environment to attract quality economic development, and that we’re at a material disadvantage to our neighboring jurisdictions that tend to be more aspirational and back that with community investment in infrastructure appropriate to a knowledge-based economy? I was wrong to suggest that Manassas compares poorly in quality of life measures compared to the rest of the developed World. But I do think that we seem at this particular point in time to be less aspirational than we have ever been in our history. Looking back at the minutes of the Manassas Town Council, and the Manassas City Council in its early years, this place was incredibly aspirational. Our belief in each other was expressed in grand projects and a desire to create a beautiful progressive town. I think we’ve lost that, somehow, by focusing on obscure minutiae, and be being subjected to the straight-jacketed mentality of the new Republicans that government is bad, that local taxes (no matter how low) are a sacrifice rather than an investment in ourselves, and that there is no higher value than low taxes. I think that view does reflect a devolution in our sense of community and in our sense of patriotism. I think its reflects a devolution in our respect for our possibilities, and I think it represents a profound change from our history as a progressive and aspirational town. I wish with all my heart that the Republican members of the City Council would stop foreshadowing their expectation that the citizens of Manassas will revolt at the slightest hint of a tax increase. Rather, they should be proactive in educating the citizenry on what has precipitated this financial crisis, educating us, also, on the dire consequences of not raising taxes. It is true, that some folks will reflexively grow furious at the notion of a RE tax increase (and that those folks are likely to scream the loudest). But, the truth is that incomes in Manassas have not decreased, and that most folks will understand, if it is explained to them, that the services offered them by the City (including the quality of the schools, the quality of their public safety, and the quality of their basic quality of life infrastructure) will be materialy effected if the tax rate is not increased substantially. We just aren’t collectively that stupid. Andy is the one guy who tends to take the long view. We just need the rest of the City Council to demonstrate similar leadership, and, as I’ve said before, the rest of us will fall in behind.