Haymarket Town Councilwoman Bond Cavazos resigned from her post on September 10. She had been elected in June 2018 and her term would have ended June 2020.
She also resigned from the town’s Architectural Review Board.
- “It is painfully obvious that for most issues facing Haymarket I have stood almost alone on the council in opposition to positions taken by the mayor and most council members,” said Cavazos. “It is obviously and exceptionally stressful that one voice on the council can not affect change, mostly because that voice is drowned out by the lockstep marching of the mayor’s drumbeat. It is exhausting knowing that I may always be one of possibly two no votes on too many important issues where I think the Haymarket council is completely and utterly out of step with the desire of its residents.”
When reached for comment Mayor David Leake said, “In my opinion, this is simply inaccurate. She voted with a majority of council 87.9% of the time and only against the majority of council in three matters.”
Cavazos did vote with the majority of the council nearly 89% of her time as a member, according to her voting record.
On only three items did Cavazos break with the majority of the town council.
- In September 2018, she voted against giving special use permits to two drive-thru restaurants at the Crossroads Village Project.
- Cavazos later changed her vote in October 2018 which overturned a veto by Mayor Leake to deny the permits to those restaurants.
- In August 2019, she voted against the council for a demolition permit for a building on Jefferson Street which would allow for the building of a new four-story Hilton Hotel.
- The Architectural Review Board, of which Cavazos was a member, had previously denied the permit.
The third was during a closed session that also took place in August 2019.
During her statement, Cavazos also made mention of the former town clerk Shelly Kozlowski who had tendered her resignation a few weeks prior to Mrs. Cavazos resignation.
- “…we cannot afford to lose another valued member like Shelly Kozlowski who provided infinite passion, resources, and hard work for our town”
We asked Cavazos to expand on her statement.
- “My resignation statement to the Council stands on its own. It is not based on the quantity of votes taken by the council, but rather looking at the importance of the individual votes. Out of respect for Shelley Kozlowski, I cannot speak on her behalf.”
The Council will appoint a replacement within the 45-day requirement to fill the position and will serve until the end of Cavazos term, June 2020.
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Following Monday evening’s winter storm, school divisions across the region have announced closures for Tuesday, January 7, 2025, due to hazardous road conditions and ongoing winter weather concerns. Below is a roundup of closures and policies for the affected school systems:
Prince William County Public Schools
All schools and offices will be closed Code Red on Tuesday. Inclement Weather Employees are the exception and should follow their assigned schedule.
Stafford County Public Schools
Schools will be closed on Tuesday due to adverse weather and an extended winter storm warning. All activities and events scheduled for the day are canceled. Tuesday was originally a professional learning day, so students were not scheduled to attend.
Manassas City Public Schools
Schools and offices will be closed Tuesday. Code BLUE is in effect for employees.
Fredericksburg City Public Schools
Schools will be closed, and buildings will remain closed as crews work on clearing parking lots and sidewalks. Essential personnel will be contacted by their supervisors for report times.
Manassas Park City Schools Closure for Tuesday, January 7, 2025
All Manassas Park City Schools will be closed on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, due to snowy conditions. **Code RED** is in effect for employees.
King George County Schools
Schools will be closed Tuesday. Code 1 is in effect for 12-month employees.
Fairfax County Public Schools
All schools and central offices will be closed on Tuesday.
University of Mary Washington
All UMW campuses, including Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Dahlgren, will be closed all day Tuesday following the January 6 snowstorm.
Stay tuned for updates on reopening plans and further weather developments. Stay safe!
More as we get them.
The Manassas City Council meeting originally scheduled for January 6, 2025, has been postponed to Monday, January 13, 2025. The meeting will feature the swearing-in of elected officials, administered by the Honorable Jacqueline Smith, Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger, who won re-election in November 2024, will take the oath of office for her second term. Joining her will be Councilman Tom Osina, beginning his second term; Councilman Mark Wolfe, embarking on his fourth term; and newly elected Councilwoman Ashley Hutson, serving her first term on the council. All four ran as Democrats in the 2024 election.
Manassas Park Resident Jose Rafael Lizama pled guilty Friday, January 3, 2024, to felony Involuntary Manslaughter stemming from a December 2, 2023 crash where Lizama admitted to striking and killing pedestrian Justin Burns, 39, of Blackstone, Va.
Lizama
Lizama appeared with an interpreter, and his lawyer stood before Judge Angela Horan and took responsibility for the 11 p.m. crash in front of Old Towne Sports Pub in Manassas.
During Lizama’s preliminary hearing in May 2024, Prosecutors presented evidence, including a nearby homeowner’s security camera footage that caught Lizama’s van traveling at a high rate of speed, striking Burns as he crossed the street in an unlit area of Center Street.
(FXBG Advance) – Prior to ever publicly addressing questions about the removal of Mary Becelia from the Central Rappahannock Regional Library’s Board of Trustees for alleged misconduct, the Stafford Board of Supervisors presented Becelia with a “Settlement Agreement, Release, and Covenant Not to Sue.”
Start 2024 on the right foot by prioritizing your mental health and well-being. At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand how challenging life can be—whether it’s managing stress from work, family dynamics, or navigating the complexities of the world around us. Our team is here to help you create balance and find the peace you deserve.
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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.
Featuring:
