Controlling litter and blight a priority for Ellis

Theresa Coates Ellis is a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and has been lived in the City of Manassas since 1987.

Ellis is a graduate of George Mason University with a degree in Business Communication. She is the founder of Tackle Management Corp, a company that provides local businesses aid in regards to public relations services. Her strengths encompass a skill set of Management, Marketing, and Public Relations. Besides being known as a businesswoman, Ellis is a mother of seven children and is very active within the community.

Ellis currently serves as a member for the Manassas Regional Airport Commission, the MCPS Education Foundation Board, and the President-Elect for the Bull Run Rotary Club. Additionally, she is a Sponsor and Founder of the Community Connection Network (CCN) Manassas City Public School and is a George Mason University Community Speaker.

The Mayor’s seat, and three open council seats up for grabs this election season. Ellis seeks to fill one of the three open council seats. 

A Republican Primary Election will be held Saturday, May 21 at Metz Middle School. Ellis faces incumbents Ian Lovejoy, Jonathan Way, and Mark Wolfe in the Primary Election. 

Potomac Local sent a questionnaire to Ellis and she sent us the responses below:

PL: What are some major issues facing the city?

TCE: Major issues facing the city include strengthening schools, stimulating economic growth, advancing public image and communication, increasing safety and cleanliness of neighborhoods, and improving

PL: What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?

TCE: Educating our youth to be career-ready and college-ready are important to the success of our children and our city. As a business owner, I have mentored many students encouraging entrepreneurship as a critical skill for creating opportunity. Building relationships connecting businesses, schools and the community will impact performance and growth.

Attracting quality jobs and opportunities and supporting local commerce will stimulate economic growth and keeps jobs close to home. Promoting walkability is healthy and reduces the number of vehicles on our roads.

Our police, fire and rescue, emergency response teams and medical community are top-notch.  These brave and talented men and women provide protection, safety, relief and care for our City of Manassas.  The community expects necessary services and facilities for public safety. A strong public image will improve recruiting, retention and community volunteers.

Controlling litter and blight are a priority. Our city should be a desirable place to live and work. Encouraging people to invest in their city creates strong social capital in a community!

My education, work experience and volunteerism will advance the public image and communication efforts in the City of Manassas.  Curating content from city experiences with a public image initiative will advance positive awareness.

User-friendly communication tools will improve access to important community information and events.

PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?

TCE: The Manassas City Council’s job is to serve the community.

PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?

TCE: I built my own business in the City of Manassas. I am a mother with seven children in my family and am also a grandmother. I understand the family and economic challenges we face in our community.

I am from a family of entrepreneurs. As the founder and owner of Tackle Management Corp., I provide management and public relations services to local businesses and organizations.  My spouse, parents and siblings are all small businesses owners. While working fulltime and raising a family, I graduated cum laude from George Mason University (Mason) with a Business Communication degree.

PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government? If not, how do you intend on improving communication with your constituency?

TCE: Providing more information using communication tools and personal contact will improve the understandings of local government.   
I have scheduled neighborhood gatherings until the VOTE scheduled for Saturday, May 21 at Metz Middle School from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

Community members and businesses have graciously hosted our weekly meet ups and events joining us together to discuss City of Manassas issues and happenings.  These meetings have been well-attended and are necessary for improving communication with the leaders in our city.   

PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?

TCE: I am a responsible, hard-working person. I am proud of my family and my accomplishments. I have made tough decisions in parenting and in business.  

Education is the key to success.  My spouse, family with six daughters and one son cheered me on when I graduated from George Mason University while juggling a full time job and family.  I wish I could have finished my higher education earlier in my life, but first I focused on building a business and raising a large family.

PL: Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?

TCE: I care about our community, embrace our history and understand our challenges. As a mother, business owner and community volunteer, I am a hard-worker, an experienced communicator and problem-solver. I engage with the community and get things done.

Now is the time for a new perspective for our historic City of Manassas.