Republicans Unveil City Council Slate: Business Owner Xiao Yin Byrom Pledges to Tackle Challenges as Manassas Mayor

Longtime Manassas business owner Xiao Yin (pronounced Shee-ow Yin) “Tang” Byrom has announced her candidacy for the Republican ticket for Mayor of Manassas. She will challenge incumbent Michelle Davis-Younger, the Democratic Party nominee.

Highlighting her priorities, Yin emphasized two key initiatives aimed at addressing the pressing needs of Manassas residents. First, she stressed the importance of tackling turnover in key roles within the city.

“Our city is currently suffering with turnover in key roles,” Byrom stated, expressing her determination to bring in the best talent to fill these positions and enhance the city’s management. Manassas uses a council-manager government model that provides for the city manager to handle all day to day operations, with the city council having more of a legislative role.

The city has faced an upheaval in its leadership. Notably, former City Manager Patrick Pate left to serve in a similar role in Winston-Salem, N.C., while Assistant City Manager Bryan Foster announced his departure at the end of 2023. Today, former police chief Douglas Keen is the Acting City Manager, creating a leadership shift in the police department as well.

The city also lost its long-time Utilities Director, Tony Dawood, replacing him in February with Tarek Aly. Ana Davis, a former billing coordinator, is currently acting as director for the Water and Sewer Department. Byrom highlighted the urgent need for education reform, acknowledging the challenges faced by the school system. “Our schools are failing our kids and community,” she remarked, emphasizing the need for a new approach to forge a stronger relationship between the School Board, City Council, and students’ needs.

In recent months, parents have been ringing alarm bells as Metz Middle School has shown signs of deep decline. All the while, the school board members have dug in their heels to keep a grading system, introduced during the pandemic, that makes it easier for students to pass and graduate.

Byrom, the owner of Tang’s Bridal and Alterations in the Canterbury Village shopping center, at 8675 Sudley Road, opened her Manassas store as an alteration shop in 1999. She eventually expanded her business to include bridal and formal wear. Her business currently employs 17 in the city.

Elected in 2020, Mayor Michelle Davis Younger has served one term on the council.

There are three open seats on the city council for the Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 Election, in addition to the mayoral seat.

City Council seats

Robyn Williams, who is nearing the end of her second four-year term on the Manassas City School Board, will run as a Republican. Williams holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from George Mason University and has found her background in Finance and Economics valuable on the MCPS School Board, in addition to her more than 10 years as Broker/Owner of Redstone Realty, specializing in residential real estate.

Williams’ public service in Manassas began with the Beautification Committee, serving as a member and eventually Chairperson. She volunteered as a teacher assistant at Haydon Elementary for several years and taught modules in schools through the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation Department.

She continues to serve the community as a member of the Rotary Club of Manassas.

Lynn Forkell Green, a Republican, is seeking to regain a seat on the council, where she served for 14 months, from Fall 2021 to December 2022. Forkell Green served the remainder of Davis-Younger’s city council term, a seat vacated when Davis-Younger was elected mayor.

Lynn Forkell Greene is running for re-election to the Manassas City Council for her first full four-year term. Forkell Greene won a special election in 2021 and served for 14 months, diligently fulfilling her campaign promises. Notably, Forkell Greene successfully advocated for a reduction in the personal property tax burden for all residents in 2022, demonstrating her commitment to fiscal responsibility.

Forkell Greene stood as an ally of the Greater Manassas Baseball League (GMBL) when the city inked a deal to sell a portion of its fields to the city’s largest employer, computer chip maker Micron, so it could expand its facility.

She’s also served as vice-chair of the Parks, Culture, and Recreation committee, and in a leadership role in Keep Manassas Beautiful, where she increased the number of volunteers before assuming the position of Chair.

Professionally, Forkell Greene currently serves as an Administrative Director for a nonprofit organization. Forkell Greene and her husband share four adult children and three grandchildren. Forkell Green has served as a freelancer for Potomac Local News since leaving the city council and will discontinue the role during her campaign.

Stephen Kent, a Republican, and Manassas resident since 2020 and candidate for Manassas City Council, has deep roots in the community. Kent holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from UNC-Greensboro and has forged a career spanning public relations, broadcasting, advocacy, and political writing for a national audience. Notably, he authored the 2021 book “How The Force Can Fix The World” for Hachette, exploring the cultural legacy of Star Wars since 1977 and proposing how shared popular culture can mend political polarization.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Kent is deeply involved in community service. He serves as a dedicated Assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scouts of America Troop 671G in Nokesville, VA, the most active all-girl BSA troop in Northern Virginia. Here, he imparts valuable skills to scouts, including communication, journalism, public speaking, backpacking, and rock climbing.

In his bid for Manassas City Council, Kent’s priorities include addressing affordability, enhancing mobility, and preserving the natural beauty and green spaces of Manassas. With his extensive community involvement and diverse background, Kent aims to bring a fresh perspective to local governance.

Kent, along with his wife Melony, who ran for Manassas School Board in 2022, and their daughter Sylvie, made the decision to settle in Manassas after relocating from North Carolina.

Because five candidates have successfully filed to be the Democratic nominee for the three Manassas City Council seats up for election this year, the voters will select the three nominees in the June 18 Democratic primary. The five candidates seeking that nomination are incumbents Tom Osina and Mark Wolfe and first-time candidates Ashley Hutson, Anthony McGhee, and Samantha Tungul.

Early voting for the June 18 primary began on Friday, May 3.

Alan Gloss is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News. If you’re not getting our FREE email newsletter, you are missing out. Subscribe Now!