Seven Republicans vying for seats in the Virginia General Assembly sat inside the old courthouse at the Bristow Courthouse Historic Centre and took questions from me on Monday, September 30.
The Prince William Chamber of Commerce asked me to serve as a moderator for their debate to focus on state and local business issues.
I asked Republicans about their positions on maintaining Virginia’s “Right to Work” status and giving public money to large corporations like Amazon and Micron to get them to locate or expand in the state.
Richard Anderson, who is running to retake his seat in Prince William County’s 51st District, said the state should continue to promote workers’ rights to not be required to join a union, as it benefits businesses.
“If you always do what you always did, you you’ll always what you always got,” said Anderson.
Ian Lovejoy, whose running to unseat Delegate Lee Carter (HD 50-Bristow, Manassas) — a strong proponent of unions — also supports “Right to Work.”
- A Manassas City Councilman, he also praised the $3 billion Micron expansion deal — Virginia’s largest economic development deal — for its plan to bring 1,100 high—paying manufacturing jobs to the region.
Heather Mitchell, candidate for House District 2 (Stafford, Woodbridge) wants the Northern Virginia region to better collaborate with the Fredericksburg region when it comes to transportation.
- House District 2 (held by Democrat Jennifer Carroll Foy) straddles Prince William and Stafford counties.
- The line between the two counties is considered to be the boundary of Northern Virginia and the rest of the state.
- Continued population growth is blurring that line.
While I was expecting to moderate a debate on business issues, the event became a GOP forum.
- The Prince William Chamber organized the event and invited candidates to attend.
- Those invitations were sent about Labor Day, the Chamber said.
“…it came to my attention as we reached out to the campaigns that several of them somehow did not receive the email invitation, or the email went into the spam/trash folder automatically and were not aware of the forum. So by the time I was able to reach them, they were booked with other events,” Prince William Chamber Government Affairs Director Ross Snare said.
Today, I asked Democrats about why they weren’t able to attend.
Delegate Danica Roem (D-13, Gainesville, Manassas Park) hosted an event with VDOT on improving Route 28, which has been dubbed the most-congested road in Northern Virginia, that happened at the same time of the debate.
- Roem told Potomac Local she prides herself on attending multiple chamber-hosted events to preview, and recap events during the legislative sessions.
A campaign manager for Dan Helmer, who’s running to unseat Tim Hugo, one of the only Northern Virginia Republicans in the House of Delegates, told me Helmer didn’t attend because the event conflicted with Rosh Hashanna, a holiday he celebrates.
Other Democratic seat holders, to include Jennifer Carroll Foy (HD 2-Stafford, Woodbridge), Elizabeth Guzman (HD 31-Dale City, Fauquier), Hyla Ayala (HD 51 – Prince William), and Luke Torian (HD 52 – Dumfries) said they didn’t attend due to scheduling conflicts, or that they didn’t receive an email invitation from the chamber.
The business forum comes after the Virginia Chamber of Commerce issued failing grades to Prince William County Democrats in its 2018 legislative scorecard.
- Prince William Democrats received grades C through F.
- The Virginia Chamber gave legislators points for championing its issues and docked points if they didn’t vote on a bill, or were not present to vote with an unexcused absence.
Lee Carter received an “F” from the Virginia Chamber.
- Additionally, Carter’s got no love for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce cited me by name as one of the reasons they were increasing their donations to the Republican Party by up to $52 million this election cycle. I have no expectation that they’ll be impartial, and neither should any Democratic candidate for office,” Carter told Potomac Local.
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With the swearing-in of Donald Trump as America’s 47th President on Monday, considering the new administration, we called some of the Fredericksburg area’s elected representatives to ask about their visions for 2025.
Senator Mark Warner (D) said:
“I’ve been proud to be a member of many bipartisan gangs during my time in the Senate. In fact, it’s through bipartisan work that we managed to tackle COVID-19, fund our national parks, bring back American manufacturing, fuel investment in underserved communities, and so much more. It’s my priority to ensure that this bipartisan work continues – even under a Trump administration. As we dive deeper into the 119th Congress, I’m looking forward to defending and building on the progress we made under President Biden. To do that, I’ll continue to work with anyone who has a good idea, regardless of party affiliation.”
This winter, the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is rockin’ with the sounds of Elvis Presley as the high-energy bio-musical Heartbreak Hotel takes the stage.
Created by the visionary behind the Tony Award-winning Million Dollar Quartet, the production delves into the life of the King of Rock and Roll, exploring his rise to stardom and the challenges that shaped his iconic legacy.
Featuring over 40 of Elvis’ greatest hits, including “That’s All Right,” “Hound Dog,” “Burning Love,” and “Jailhouse Rock,” the show blends electrifying performances with storytelling that gives audiences a closer look at the man behind the music. Heartbreak Hotel presents Elvis at pivotal moments in his life, guided by his younger self, in a journey that reveals the struggles and triumphs that made him a legend.
Featuring over 40 of Elvis’ greatest hits, including “That’s All Right,” “Hound Dog,” “Burning Love,” and “Jailhouse Rock,” the show blends electrifying performances with storytelling that gives audiences a closer look at the man behind the music. Heartbreak Hotel presents Elvis at pivotal moments in his life, guided by his younger self, in a journey that reveals the struggles and triumphs that made him a legend.
In a recent interview, Elliot Litherland, who portrays the older Elvis Presley, and Luke Purcell, playing teen Elvis, opened up about their unique experiences bringing the King of Rock and Roll to life on the Riverside Center stage.
Created by the visionary behind the Tony Award-winning Million Dollar Quartet, the production delves into the life of the King of Rock and Roll, exploring his rise to stardom and the challenges that shaped his iconic legacy.
Featuring over 40 of Elvis’ greatest hits, including “That’s All Right,” “Hound Dog,” “Burning Love,” and “Jailhouse Rock,” the show blends electrifying performances with storytelling that gives audiences a closer look at the man behind the music. Heartbreak Hotel presents Elvis at pivotal moments in his life, guided by his younger self, in a journey that reveals the struggles and triumphs that made him a legend.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors will convene on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 2 p.m. at 1 County Complex Court in Woodbridge for a packed agenda that includes major decisions on land development and state legislation. The meeting is open to the public.
Woodbridge Land Development
Supervisors are expected to approve $250,000 to hire consultants to determine the best use for 21.85 acres of land in Woodbridge, previously considered for an indoor sports and recreation center. The funding, drawn from the Economic Development Opportunity Fund, will support planning for a vibrant mixed-use community hub. The land is part of a larger 70-acre property targeted for an indoor sports venue, focusing on creating live-work-play environments and generating tax revenue.
The Stafford County Board of Supervisors will meet on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 5 p.m. at the County Government Center at 1300 Courthouse Road. One of the key items on the agenda is a proposal to bring a new outpatient behavioral therapy clinic to the Griffis-Widewater District.
Renaissance Healthcare Group Virginia, LLC has applied for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP24155647) to operate a hospital use within the B-2 Urban Commercial Zoning District at 125 Woodstream Blvd, Suite 401. If approved, the clinic will provide adult behavioral therapy and counseling services, with operations limited to 5,050 square feet and open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The staff has recommended approval of the proposal, stating that it aligns with the county’s Comprehensive Plan, which supports commercial development in suburban areas. Additionally, the clinic’s location and intended use are consistent with the existing development pattern along Garrisonville Road.
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.
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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