Dumfries, Va. –– An elected official was absent from the Dumfries Town Council meeting Tuesday.
Council Lady Kristin Forrester was out of town on business, but confirmed she would no longer attend closed sessions during scheduled council meetings.
Recent reports indicate the council lady is fed up with behaviors that happen behind closed doors, some of which were alluded to during Tuesday’s meeting by Councilman Tom Foreman.
“Where does anyone…on this council get the right to question someone’s education? Where does anyone on this council get the privilege to make fun of, or question someone’s accent? The berating, yelling, and playing of sarcastic air violins has no place in public or in closed sessions,” said Foreman.
He went onto say the closed meetings often drift off topic, are filled with unnecessary gossip about town employees, and that there has been closed-door discussion about impeaching Forrester, or severely limiting her abilities on the council for choosing not to attend closed session meetings –– where the town’s legal matters are often discussed.
Mayor Fred. E. Yohe pointed out it’s illegal for him to discuss what’s said in closed session, but also adds it’s the first time he’s heard of impeaching Forrester.
“What we talk about there is consistent with what we say we are going to talk about, I would vote lets go to the record because when we’re there we always vote on what we said we are going to,” said Yohe.
One of Forrester’s former supporters, and current Dumfries Council Lady Dorthea Barr, says if Forrester doesn’t want to attend closed sessions perhaps she should consider another line of work.
“It’s rare that two people are going to think exactly alike, but these things that are being discussed will affect the town for the next 30 years. Maybe she shouldn’t have run in the first place,” said Barr.
While it’s not imperative that Forrester attend closed session meetings, Barr says the council is made of up seven people so that any tie vote an easily be broken.
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Looking for a cozy way to spend your morning? Join the Cup of Cozy Mysteries book discussion at Vita Nova Creatives & Coffee in Nokesville on Tuesday, January 28, from 11 a.m. to noon. This month’s featured book is Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge.
Enjoy tasty treats while chatting about this delightful, cozy mystery at 13051 Fitzwater Drive. Need the book? Stop by Nokesville Library to grab a copy, or check out the e-book or e-audiobook on Hoopla. Questions? Email [email protected].
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The Virginia House of Delegates Subcommittee of the Cities, Counties, and Towns Committee rejected a bill that sought to regulate the siting of data centers near schools, parks, and residential areas. Delegate Ian Lovejoy (R-22, Prince William County) presented HB1984, which would have required local government approval for data center developments only if they were located at least a quarter mile away from such properties. The subcommittee voted 8-0 to “lay the bill on the table,” effectively killing it.
The vote dealt a setback to those advocating for tighter regulation of Virginia’s rapidly growing data center industry. Data centers, which house servers and infrastructure critical for cloud computing and internet services, have been a source of contention due to their noise, construction impacts, and potential encroachment on residential and community spaces.
A bill to protect individuals experiencing homelessness by prohibiting criminal penalties for seeking temporary shelter in legally parked vehicles failed to advance in the Virginia House of Delegates Subcommittee of…
On January 24, 2025, the Virginia House of Delegates Cities, Counties, and Towns Committee reviewed several critical bills advanced. A charter amendment for the Town of Dumfries was unanimous, while a proposal to protect unhoused individuals seeking shelter in vehicles was rejected.
Delegate Candi Mundon King (D-Stafford, Woodbridge) introduced House Bill 2352, which proposes significant updates to the charter of Dumfries in Prince William County. The bill seeks to modernize the town’s governance structure and clarify its administrative framework. After receiving an 8–0 recommendation from the subcommittee, the committee voted 19–0 to report the bill to the full House of Delegates.
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.
