Increasing at-place employment wages, schools investment, smart growth on Principi’s to-do list

Serving the Woodbridge Magisterial District as your full-time Supervisor for the last eight years has been a privilege and an honor.  

I am thankful for the opportunity that the residents of eastern Woodbridge have given me and I never take for granted the awesome responsibility that is public service. During my time in office, we have accomplished great things together: widening Route 1 to improve safety and reduce travel times; building new schools and classrooms and hiring new teachers to help reduce overcrowded classrooms; and pushing for smart development like Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center while also investing in a new network of sidewalks, bike paths and walking trails.

Even with the progress we’ve made, more remains to be done, and that’s why I’m running for re-election.

Elections offer voters and residents a special opportunity to consider the future direction for their community and what priorities elected officials should focus on. As I’ve traveled Woodbridge, knocking on doors, attending events and speaking with residents, it’s been made abundantly clear: traffic (including mass transit and public transportation), education and maintaining a high quality of life are the most significant issues that continue to require attention.

I’m proud to say we’re moving in a positive direction on each of these while simultaneously bringing new investment to Woodbridge. Over the last four years, here are just a few of our recent accomplishments:

— Making Woodbridge easier to navigate, with widening of Route 1 to six lanes, undergrounding utilities and tearing down blighted buildings, and adding sidewalks, bike lanes, a walking path and a boardwalk at Neabsco Creek.

–Reducing classroom overcrowding by securing funding for the construction of a new Kilby Elementary School and addition of 36 new classrooms in five schools.

–Adding over 1,000 high-paying jobs to eastern Prince William.

–Improving pedestrian safety by securing funding for the construction of sidewalks at seven critical locations, including along Route 1, Dale and Rippon Boulevards, Optiz Boulevard and Blackburn Road.

–Enhancing recreational options, including $4.2 million for the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and $1.2 million to add lights, building a skate park and improve turf at Veterans Park.

–Leading the fight to bring Metrorail to Prince William, including support of Congressman Connolly’s effort to initiate a WMATA-funded feasibility study.

-Investing in existing transit options, proposing legislation to preserve OmniLink and OmniRide services.

Our work together is not done. Over the next four years, my focus will be on:

–Continued investment in our schools: new construction, added classrooms and increasing teacher pay in order to retain our best and brightest.

–Integrating better and smarter growth strategies, co-locating similar and complementary businesses to create beneficial hubs and ensuring that developers are held accountable for infrastructure and educational needs created by new projects.

–Attracting growth industries such as green technologies, managed care and military manufacturing, increasing wages and at-place employment for area residents.

–Identifying and securing funding to complete the Route 1 widening and safety project.

–Beginning the planning process for bringing Metrorail to Woodbridge.

–Taking steps to make Fast Ferry service from Woodbridge to the Washington, D.C. metro area a reality.

–Supporting our public safety professionals with the resources they need to protect our residents.

–Continued investment in our green spaces and historical treasures: parks, athletic fields, wetlands, preservation areas, museums and landmarks.

If re-elected as Woodbridge Magisterial District Supervisor, I will continue to work collaboratively with residents, developers, investors and my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors to build upon this foundation for a New Woodbridge, further enhancing the quality of life and economic opportunity for all that live and do business in our community.

I ask for your support on November 3, and look forward to serving as your Supervisor for the next 4 years.

For more on the progress happening in the Woodbridge District, along with voting information, please visit frankprincipi.com

Democrat Frank Principi is running for a third term on the Prince William County Board of Supervisors