From providing social services, keeping cops on the streets, to making sure street lights stay on: The weight of these responsibilities and more will be on the shoulders of Ann Wheeler, who will take the helm of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors as its new Chairman At-large.
- She’ll oversee the budget in Virginia’s second-largest locality behind Fairfax. And, crafting the county’s fiscal 2021 budget (which takes effect July 1, 2020) will be the first order of business.
- There won’t be a lot of procedural changes in the way we do the budget. There’s a process there,” Wheeler told me. “However, there will be priority changes.”
Wheeler expects a larger focus on finding additional funding for schools and working to reduce the number of students per classroom. Prince William County boasts the highest class sizes in the region.
- However, don’t expect the Board of County Supervisors and the county’s School Board to abolish a decades-old revenue-sharing agreement that automatically transfers 57% of the county’s entire budget to the schools every year, no questions asked.
As Chairman At-large, Wheeler, a Democrat, will represent the entire county and will lead set the agenda and tone for the new Board of County Supervisors taking their seats in January.
She’ll replace longtime Republican Corey Stewart who was elected Chairman At-large in 2007. And she’s one of five new Democrats taking seats on the Board, which flipped this month from being a 5-2 Republican-controlled Board to 4-3 Democrat-controlled body.
- Wheeler said Stewart called to congratulate her on her November 5 win (he didn’t seek re-election to the post after three failed attempts at higher office).
- “He congratulated me, and said there is going to be a lot of change in Prince William County,” said Wheeler.
- The two plan to meet soon to discuss the transition. Wheeler also plans to meet with County Executive Christopher Martino, as well as other county department heads to discuss policies and get to know them, she told me.
In her first few months, Wheeler said she plans to devote time during each Board of County Supervisors meeting to highlight positive aspects of the community.
- “We have so many communities in Prince William County, and it’s more than ethnic — we have veterans and religious communities that I want to highlight,” said Wheeler.
Wheeler won the four-way At-large Chairman’s race with 55% of the vote countywide.
Author
Recent Stories
ARTfactory and Birmingham Green made headlines in Manassas this week. ARTfactory’s Rooftop Productions, now Actors Theatre, won seven awards at the 2024 DC Broadway World Awards, including Best Musical for Kinky Boots and Best Choreography for The Rocky Horror Show. ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre also earned recognition, winning Best Theatre for Young Audiences for its production of The Wizard of Oz.
Meanwhile, Birmingham Green, ranked as Northern Virginia’s top nursing home by Newsweek Magazine, announced Duane Smith as its new Nursing Home Administrator, effective December 30, 2024. Smith brings extensive experience from senior living leadership roles across multiple states and holds several professional qualifications. Birmingham Green continues its 90-year mission of providing quality long-term care to Northern Virginians in need.
Looking for a new best friend? Meet Echo, a 3-4-month-old pup full of love, energy, and curiosity. This little guy, possibly a Boxer mix, is still finding his voice, but…
Should Virginia ditch the longstanding practice of electing the General Assembly and the governor in odd year elections?
The first odd year election in Virginia was in 1851, after a new state Constitution was approved and members of the House were elected to a two-year term. Before that, members of the House had one-year terms, and voters selected members every single year.
Now, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell says modern day voters are sick and tired of voting every year.
A Manassas man was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for providing drugs and alcohol to a child in exchange for sex acts and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting the same victim as well as other children.
According to court documents, Olajide Benjamin Ayilaran, 24, met a 14-year-old girl during the summer of 2023 and began communicating with the victim via iMessage. In the messages, Ayilaran offered to provide the victim drugs, alcohol, and nicotine products in exchange for sex acts. Between at least Nov. 21, 2023, and Feb. 29, 2024, Ayilaran met the victim nine times, usually in the morning before the victim went to school, to exchange the products for sexual acts. Ayilaran would wait for the victim in his car in a nearby park. When the victim arrived, he gave her the drugs and alcohol and then had the victim perform sex acts on him in the car.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
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.
