DUMFRIES, Va. — Cydny Neville has left her job has Dumfries’ Community Services Coordinator and has decided to run for Town Council.
The 37-year-old has spent the last two and a half years serving Dumfries in her weekday job planning town events such as the annual Multi-Cultural Festival in the spring, Fall Festival, and the Christmas Parade. She also applied for and won a grant for a now implemented youth program, Dumfries Cares, which pairs school students with mentors to help them with classwork.
Now, Neville (pronounced Nev’ill) says she wants to focus on the larger issues that affect the town and its residents.
“It was time for me to move on, I’ve done a lot in the community in that position, but in order to move things forward I need to be able to work on another level with the town,” she said.
Like others who are running for a Council seat, including Vice Mayor Willie Toney and Councilman Derrick Wood both who are seeking reelection, Neville has called for more civility in town government and for Council members to better work together to achieve common goals.
She has also called for more employees to help town staff, and the Dumfries Parks Commission, in their efforts to bring more special events to the town.
“Things have gotten bigger and better and we have had a lot of volunteers who have worked to improve our community outreach. But we need to realize that when things are bigger and better that’s more work on someone, and that should reflect in this budget,” said Neville.
Neville resigned her position with the town last week, during a time when Town Manager Daniel Taber has been working remotely due to a serious injury he suffered when he slipped a fell on ice in January. With budget season upon us and officials set to decide how to fund the town’s current $4.4 million budget needs, Neville says the town is already behind in the process.
“We need to be on a time schedule with the budget. We’re almost done with the fiscal year and there is no mid year budget review,” said Neville.
She called Taber a “very strong leader” and a speedy recovery, but says an interim Town Manager needs to be appointed during his recovery.
Last week, town officials read aloud a written statement from Taber assuring residents that he is indeed fulfilling his duties as Town Manager.
Neville, a Democrat, runs her non-profit company Neville Empowerment Network, and is a graduate of Leadership Prince William and works the Virginia Leadership Institute. She lives in Dumfries with her 14-year-old son who attends school in Prince William County.
Voters in the town will head to the polls May 6.
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