Dumfries Makes New Hires

DUMFRIES, Va. — Virginia’s oldest, continuously chartered town has made some new hires.

A new town attorney, town planner/zoning administrator, new police officer and records management coordinator for the police department are the positions that have been filled.

The Town of Dumfries is pleased to welcome Christine Sanders as the new Town Attorney. Christine has been practicing law for over 20 years and brings a wealth of experience to this position. She has an extensive legal background in land use and zoning cases, conservation law and real estate transactions. She previously served as an attorney for Fairfax County’s Land Use Division where she drafted legislation, and litigated zoning and land use cases.

In addition to Christine’s legal experience, she served for over nine years on the Planning Commission for the City of Falls Church, Virginia and understands the significance of planning for the future growth and economic sustainability of a community. Christine also has her own law practice. “We are very fortunate to have Christine join our team,” commented Mayor Fred Yohey. The breadth of knowledge she brings to our Town will be a tremendous asset as we move forward with expanding our tax base through Economic Development initiatives and sound land use polices,” added Yohey.

David Moss, Dumfries’ new planner/zoning administrator comes from Prince William County’s government.

David’s responsibilities as the Town Planner/Zoning Administrator will include providing guidance in land use and permitting cases, updating Town Codes, developing short and long-range planning initiatives, reviewing site plans, working with developers, updating and facilitating the Comprehensive Plan Update process and various special projects related to development in the Town.

David came to the Town from Prince William County’s Planning Department where over the past six years he served as a Zoning Technician, a Planner I and Planner II, and most recently the County’s BRAC Coordinator. Prior to working for Prince William County, David was an Associate Planner for Heyer, Gruel & Associates out of New Jersey.

“The Town of Dumfries has a unique opportunity to draw upon its natural and historic resources, to create a thriving town setting, and to foster well-connected residential and business environments,” commented David Moss, Town Planner/Zoning Administrator. “I look forward to facilitating the development of the Town’s future vision”, said Moss.

The town’s police department also has two new hires.

The Police Department also welcomes Bettina Cannon as the Departments Records Management Specialist and Officer David Richardson. Ms. Cannon was hired as the Dumfries Police Department’s Records Management Specialist on May 31, 2011. Over forty individual’s submitted applications for the position and after a rigorous process, Mrs. Cannon was selected for the position. She came highly recommended after previously serving as an Administrative Specialist for three years with the 10th Judicial Drug Task Force in Tennessee, and four and a half years in a similar capacity with the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee. She currently resides in Manassas, Virginia with her husband David, a long-time Federal Government employee.

On June 13, David Richardson joined the ranks of the Dumfries Police Department as a Certified Police Officer, having graduated from the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy on October 18, 2006 and since that time he has served as a road deputy with the Northumberland County Sheriff’s Office, a police officer with the Town of Orange, and a police officer with the Colonial Beach Police Department. He has an Associate’s Degree from Hudson Valley Community College in New York and has completed significant work towards his Bachelor’s Degree. Office Richardson came highly recommended for his current position and was hired after a rigorous selection process. On June 22nd, he took the Law Enforcement Oath of Honor before the Dumfries Town Council and numerous Dumfries citizens affirming his understanding of his duties and obligations as a Dumfries Police Officer. Officer Richardson has three children and is in the process of relocating to the Stafford area.