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Small town, big crowd: Hundreds come to Dumfries mayoral inauguration

DUMFRIES — It’s a new day in Dumfries.

Hundreds of people came Sunday afternoon to witness Mayor Derrick Wood be sworn into office. This marks the first mayoral term for a barbecue food-truck chef by day turned public servant.

“I’ve gone from selling barbecue in the parking lot to parking in the mayor’s parking spot,” said Wood.

Wood, 40, a town council member since 2012, was elected mayor on May 1 with nearly half the vote. He defeated longtime council member Cliff Brewer in that race.

On Sunday, Wood thanked outgoing Mayor Jerry Foreman, and Brewer for sitting in as temporary mayor since the election on May 1. Foreman, who was not seeking re-election, resigned the day after Wood won the election.

Wood appears to have the support of three newcomers to the council also elected May 1 — Monae Nickerson, who was also sworn in Sunday, and Cydny Neville, and Selonia Miles.

They will join Brewer, Melva Willis, and Brian Fields, the returning members of the council whose council member terms expire in 2020.

Brenda Via lost her election bid in May, while Gwen Washington did not seek reelection.

Sunday’s event was the most heavily-attended political events in the town in years. In the past, swearing-in ceremonies have been about a half-hour prior to the start of council meetings, attracting a small crowd.

The event was held in the town’s newly purchased town hall at 17739 Jefferson Davis Highway, next to the current town hall. Town Manager Robbert Ritter said about 100 chairs were set up for people to watch the ceremony. A standing-room-only crowd spilled into hallways and an adjacent conference room. 

Many of those who attended Sunday’s ceremony were guests of Wood whom he said he personally called an invited. Many hailed from Wood’s congregation at Grace Baptist Church.

Monique, his wife of 18 years, joined Wood at the podium for his swearing in. His two daughters, ages 13 and 17 stood next to their parents while their 16-year-old son watched via live video.

Wood spoke of the importance of coining partnerships with business owners, and with elected officials in Prince William County, Richmond, and in Washington. Wood gave a nod to Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Fairfax, Prince William) who was also in attendance.

Widening, and re-routing Route 1 in the town is his top priority. The town is set to receive more funds to begin utility relocation for a project to widen the northbound portion of the road (Fraley Boulevard) from two to six lanes, shift southbound traffic over the widened portion of the road.

When completed, the current southbound portion (Main Street) would see far fewer cars and could be revitalized. They hope is street side shops and restaurants would open, not only draw in new customers but also provide current residents the chance to shop in their own town saving them a drive to retail shops in nearby Stafford or Woodbridge.

“We want to make it so people don’t want to drive through Dumfries. We want to make it so they want to buy our houses. We want to be a place people drive to,” said Wood.

Nickerson also called for more economic development, saying the town needs to speed the process of improving Route 1 — a road that has been widened to six lanes both to the north in Woodbridge, and south of town at the main gate of Quantico Marine Corps Base.

“We need to grow at the pace others are growing around us,” she said.

Three former mayors to include the town’s first black mayor Bel Brae, and Nancy West also attended the ceremony. Improving the road will most likely be the council’s first priority, said West, who added it will take about four to six months before the council is able to be judged on their accomplishments.

“Let them have their honeymoon period,” she said.

Monae Nickerson is (center) is sworn in to her seat on the Dumfries Town Council.
Hundreds attended a swearing-in ceremony for Mayor Derrick Wood and Councilwoman Monae Nickerson on July 1, 2018.

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