WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Are you an effective communicator? Prince William County may soon want to hear from you.
The county’s communications office is hiring and will place a greater focus on how it communicates to county residents via the web. The move comes as officials on the Board of Supervisors aim to make to make it easier to obtain information pertaining to everything from local government issues, taxes, to where to obtain a dog license.
As the county rebrands its communication efforts with a web focus, its Prince William County Reports newsletters printed on glossy paper and mailed to residents four times per year will now be produced and mailed just two times per year, said Communications Director Jason Grant. They’ll be distributed in January and will feature a end-of-year wrap up, and another will go out in May and will feature an update of the finalized county normally approved each spring.
With the $100,000 per year savings expected with the printing cuts, a portion of that money will go to fund a $20,000 increase in the salary range of a previously unfilled position to pay a new full-time employee who will create and implement new applications and new ways of communicating with residents via the county’s website.
“With the rebranding of our office, we will focus on what our office has and does not have when it comes to making communicating with citizens easier and effectively, to improve the customer experience, and put more focus and emphasis on our website,” said Grant.
The new Senior Online Communications Manager job is one of two positions in Grant’s office that have previously gone unfilled. A move Tuesday by the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, in part, means he’ll be able to reclassify one open position to higher pay grade, bringing it more in line to a starting salary range of $64,000 per year.
The new hire will focus solely on the web and developing new communications processes. Though the county has an internal IT department, they are not capable of producing or maintaining the type of new communication product sought by the office, and outsourcing the position isn’t favored as web contractors often maintain several different websites for multiple clients at once, said Grant.
A candidate for a second open position that has gone unfilled, Public Information Officer I, will also be hired. This person will create content for the web — producing text stories and taking photos — as well as responding to questions from residents.
Job descriptions for the postions are expected to be posted within the next two to three weeks, said Grant. Once filled, the new hires will be tasked with a holistic review of Prince William’s website and to look for ways to improve it. Websites for individual Supervisors on the Board will continue to be maintained by staff in their respective offices and not by Prince William County’s central communications office.
The reorganization comes as a daily newspaper that served Prince William County for more than 140 years, News & Messenger, ceased publication last month.
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When the toilet gets clogged, or the pipe springs a leak, it might be time to call Mr. Rooter, the newest plumbing place in Fredericksburg, to fix the problem.
Officials gathered on Thursday, January 30, 2025, to cut the ribbon on the new Westwood Center office just east of I-95.
“When we started Mr. Rooter here in Fredericksburg, we set out to create not just another plumbing service, but a local business that our community can trust — whether it is for routine plumbing repair, an emergency fix, or a major installation,” said Gilbert Mwenedata, owner of Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Fredericksburg. “We’re proud to be part of this wonderful community, and we look forward to building lasting relationships with our neighbors, customers, and other local businesses,” he said.
The Haymarket Town Council is set to meet tonight, Monday, February 3, 2025, at 7 p.m. to receive an update from the town manager on several ongoing projects and initiatives. The meeting will occur at the Council Chambers, located at 15000 Washington St., Suite 100, in Haymarket.
Among the key topics on the agenda, town officials will discuss:
Park Sidewalk Project: Progress continues on the asphalt work, tree planting, and signage installation along Washington Street, with lighting and benches set to be delivered soon.
Stormwater Assessment Program: Officials have identified three major problem areas for stormwater drainage improvements, with full surveying expected to be completed by April 2025.
Town Center Development: Town staff are reviewing the latest submission of the site plan, with discussions focused on prioritization and financing.
Highpointe at Haymarket: The rezoning application for a proposed workforce housing project remains on hold.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
