Chapman asks Democrats to reconsider Prince William Committee of 100 debate boycott

Opinion

While Supervisors are nominated by a political party, there is no place for partisanship in local politics, speed bumps, pot holes, traffic, sidewalks and bike trails are neither republican nor democrat.

Partisanship divides, segregates,  chooses winners and losers. Woodbridge residents I’ve talked to, over 3,500 so far, look to their supervisor to work hard in their best interest, and get things done, not play small, petty partisan politics.

Woodbridge has many beautiful cultures but lacks a sense of community. The current supervisor is not engaged, involved with people, so largely we are not that engaged with each other. If the supervisor doesn’t lead the effort to care for and remove trash in the streets and blighted buildings that should be torn down, who will?

Our hometown has atrophied the last decade with increased traffic and poor planning, the residents have lost confidence and believe, sadly, what we have is status quo.

The election is less than two months away, right now voters have their interest piqued and are wanting to make an educated decision on who will best represent their interests. Debates and communication are an important function of this process, as a candidate for Woodbridge Supervisor I’ve looked forward to debates. I’ve looked forward to asking the questions the voters have not got answers to.

While other races have received invites up to six debates, I have been invited to 1 debate hosted and by the NAACP yesterday at Garfield Senior High School. Woodbridge deserves more opportunity to meet and see their next Supervisor.

Every election year (yes, Virginia has an election every year) the Committee of 100 hosts debates.  While their members have their own political bias, they come together and host debates in a bipartisan manner. The organization is truly a treasure to our county.

Earlier this year their current President Jim Young made several insensitive, offensive comments on his private Facebook account, no one is disagreeing with that. The comments were offensive to all political stripes. 

Sadly, the local democrats are using his offensive remarks as an opportunity to keep the community in the dark by refusing to attend the Committee of !00 debates.

I for one am someone who works to bring the community together, I look for cooperation and look for solutions, to me, voter involvement and education is more important than small, divisive partisan politics. As a concerned citizen, voter, father, Rotarian, business owner, sport coach, ESOL teacher and a candidate for Woodbridge Supervisor, I ask Democrats to reconsider their partisan position do what is best for all citizens and participate in the Committee of 100 debates.

Editor’s note: Steve Chapman is running on the Republican ticket to unseat Frank Principi as Woodbridge District Supervisor.