With the swearing-in of Donald Trump as America’s 47th President on Monday, considering the new administration, we asked some of the Fredericksburg area’s elected representatives 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.”
Senator Tim Kaine (D) released a statement online on January 3:
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to serve Virginians for another six years. I’m proud of what we’ve done so far to lower health care costs, rebuild our nation’s infrastructure, protect our national security, and grow our economy by bringing new investments to Virginia. I look forward to building on this progress together. I know that for many Virginians, the new Administration brings uncertainty and even fear, but I will always fight to build a brighter future for all Americans—no matter who you are, who you love, what you look like, how you worship, or what your economic status is. I’m excited to continue traveling across the Commonwealth and working together to strengthen our economy by lowering costs, expanding access to job training programs, and making it easier for families to access affordable child care. I will also keep seeking common ground to support Virginia’s servicemembers and meet our defense needs, and make progress on commonsense immigration reform, gun safety legislation, and more.”
Congressman Eugene Vindman (D) released a Jan. 2 statement in which he said:
““I am honored and humbled to officially begin serving the people of Virginia’s Seventh District in the U.S. House of Representatives. In Congress, I will fight to keep the promise of America alive for everyone across the Commonwealth and our country……
I want every working American like my Dad to have the chance to live their American Dream, and I will fight everyday for families and workers chasing the Dream. That work starts by working across the aisle to lower costs, improve public education, and protect our most basic rights and freedoms.
I am optimistic that my colleagues and I will find bipartisan solutions by listening to constituent concerns, responding with pragmatic legislation, and delivering real results for communities across the Seventh District and the nation…”
Delegate Joshua Cole (D) said:
“As we prepare to start 2025, my focus and vision, specifically for the 65th District and the greater Fredericksburg area, is to make sure we prioritize our working families and the families most vulnerable among us. Ensuring well-paying jobs are coming to the region, access to affordable housing, and boosting our local schools.”
The Fredericksburg City Council will meet on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. The council’s work session begins at 5 p.m., and their regular session begins at 7:30 p.m.
The regular meeting will be streamed live, and the agendas for both meetings has been posted online.
During the 5 p.m. work session, the council will hold a planning commission interview and then discuss the proposed technology district overlay with the planning commission. City staff presented plans for a 250-acre technology district at a December 10, 2024 council meeting. The district will be located in Celebrate Virginia South, parallel to the Rappahannock River.
After two public meetings in October, the council voted on October 23 to amend the city code in order to allow data centers within most commercial zoning districts in the city. The purpose of the district is to promote the development of data centers in areas where new or existing infrastructure could support the centers.
The noise limit for the data centers would be 60 decibels (dB) during the day and 50 dB at night; a graphic in the city’s presentation compares 60 dB to human conversation and 50 dB to the sound of a home refrigerator.
The district also will require that no buildings be visible from the Rappahannock River frontage throughout all four seasons.
The council has acknowledged its timeline for pursuing data centers is aggressive. Mayor Kerry Devine first proposed data centers in a July 2024 council meeting, and the council aims to have a final vote on the Technology Overlay District in February 2025.
In the 7:30 regular meeting, public comment will be allowed. Comments may be submitted by mail or e-mail four hours before the start of the meeting, or speakers may attend the meeting in person. The council plans to read submitted comments aloud during the meeting, and public speakers will be allowed five minutes.
The council will also consider a proposal to remove its Railroad Station Overlay District (RSO) zoning from areas surrounding the downtown train rail. The RSO was created in 1991 and modified in 2010, 2012, and 2013. The changes were intended to help fill vacant lots and smooth the transition from commercial to residential areas. The proposal notes little infill has occurred and suggests the presence of vacant lots is an unpleasant view for train riders.
At a December 11, 2024 meeting, 21 residents expressed concerns about removing the RSO, while four people spoke in favor.
The City of Fredericksburg and Stafford County have both announced water main breaks on Saturday, January 11, 2025.
From Fredericksburg, 10 p.m.:
There have been two water main breaks, one in the area of River Walk Street and Bakersfield Lane and the other in the area of Hanson Avenue and Woodford Street. The residents in both areas will be without water for an undetermined amount of time. We ask for your patience during this time.
From Stafford, 1 p.m.:
There is a water main break at 324 Warrenton Road. The far right westbound lane of Route 17 (Warrenton Road) is closed while repairs are made. Please be careful driving in the area as crews are out working to try to get the repair made as quickly as possible.
On January 7, the U.S. House of Representatives convened for the first session of the 119th Congress and passed H.R. 29, the “Riley Laken Act,” with bipartisan support.
The bill is named in memory of Riley Laken, a 22-year-old nursing student tragically murdered in February 2024 while jogging on the University of Georgia campus. Her assailant, José Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan national who entered the U.S. illegally, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Riley’s death ignited widespread media attention and a national debate over immigration policies, focusing on the detention and monitoring of individuals entering the country illegally.
The Riley Laken Act mandates the detention of certain undocumented immigrants arrested for or charged with crimes such as burglary and theft. It also empowers states to sue the federal government for perceived failures in immigration enforcement.
The bill passed the House with a 264-159 vote. Eleven members abstained, while 48 Democrats joined Republicans in support of the measure.
Northern Virginia’s Representatives Divided
Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-10, Loudoun, Prince William, Manassas) was among the Democrats who voted in favor of the bill, joining five Republican representatives from Virginia.
Meanwhile, Eugene Vindman (D-7th, Woodbridge, Stafford, Fredericksburg) opposed the legislation. In a statement, Vindman expressed frustration over the lack of collaboration, stating:
“The Riley Laken Act puts additional burdens on our local police without their input or additional funding, overwhelms our corrections facilities, and leaves so many of the most pressing challenges on immigration unresolved.”
Vindman, a University of Georgia alumnus with a family member currently attending the school, emphasized his commitment to bipartisan solutions:
“I voted no today to uphold the right to due process and keep our law enforcement focused on the most pressing issues in our communities, but remain frustrated by the lack of real solutions to our immigration problems. We need to find bipartisan solutions that prioritize securing our borders while providing pathways to legal immigration.”
Vindman narrowly won his seat in the November 2024 election against Republican challenger Derrick Anderson.
Historical Context: Bipartisan Immigration Legislation
The Riley Laken Act echoes the controversy surrounding H.R. 7909, the “Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act,” passed in 2024. That legislation, which garnered support from 51 Democrats, including Vindman’s predecessor Abigail Spanberger, made sexual offenses or conspiracies to commit them grounds for deportation. It also expanded the list of domestic violence crimes that can lead to deportation, including physical or sexual abuse and coercive behavior within close relationships.
After passing the House in September 2024, H.R. 7909 was sent to the Senate and referred to the Judiciary Committee for review.
Both bills underscore the continued challenge of addressing immigration policy, balancing enforcement, and securing bipartisan consensus on pathways to reform.
Stafford County’s Board of Supervisors will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 5 p.m. The meeting will be streamed live, and the agenda will be posted online.
Supervisor Monica Gary, Aquia District, confirmed the meeting is still held despite the county government and schools closing for weather conditions.
Tonight’s meeting is primarily organizational, with the board set to elect a new chairman and vice-chairman. They will also review their proposed meeting schedule for the new year, and consider appointments to a number of committees and boards.
Stafford’s Board of Supervisors is comprised of seven elected representatives, who each represent a district in the county.
Meg Bohmke, the 2024 chair of the board, represents the Falmouth District. She moved from the county School Board to Board of Supervisors in 2014; her current term ends December 2025.
Tinesha Allen, 2024 Vice Chair, represents the Griffis-Widewater District. She was first elected to the board in November 2019; her current term ends December 2027.
Monica Gary represents the Aquia District. She was elected in 2022, and has announced she will not run again after her term ends in December 2025.
Dr. Pamela Yeung represents the Garrisonville District. She was elected in 2022, and her term ends December 2025.
Deuntay Diggs represents the George Washington District. The board’s newest member, he was elected in 2024, and his term ends in December 2027.
Darrell English represents the Hartwood District. He joined the board in 2022, and his term ends December 2025.
Crystal Vanuch represents the Rock Hill District. She was first elected to the board in November 2019, and her current term ends December 2027.
In the late 1900s, before smartphones and 24/7 weather updates, people often tuned into The Weather Channel (TWC) for the most up-to-date forecasts; as a child, Tony Craddock tuned in to listen to the soothing background music that accompanied the forecasts. Years later, when his own music was featured on the channel, it was a surreal, full-circle moment for Craddock. His 2011 Christmas album was picked up by TWC and served as background music for the season’s forecasts.
Craddock’s musical journey began in sixth grade when he chose the saxophone—an instrument he describes as having a tone and command close to the human voice. His passion for the sax blossomed through mentorship, early private lessons, and the influence of his father, an avid jazz listener.
Craddock said his parents played a pivotal role in his development, supporting his musical endeavors from the beginning, including investing in a professional saxophone while he was still in high school in Woodbridge. The investment paid off as Craddock’s talent grew, with guidance from key figures like Rob Maletick, a nearby local saxophonist and mentor, and several influential music teachers. Craddock’s high school band directors, Doug Silver and Earl Jackson, saw his potential early on, pushing him to elevate his skills. Craddock also credits his church, 1st Mount Zion Baptist, where Deacon Charles Perkins gave him opportunities to play for various choirs, helping shape his love for music and his confidence as a young musician.
Craddock’s interest in weather remained strong as he pursued a degree in meteorology from Cornell University. After graduating and briefly working with the National Weather Service, Craddock turned his focus to music. A challenge from his parents pushed him to take his music career more seriously: if he agreed to release an album, they would buy him a new soprano saxophone.Â
Craddock said “Christmas in the Air,” his first album, released in 2011, was a testament to his faith and love for music.Â
Craddock’s music journey includes four albums, and his work has been shared on the Weather Channel, Sirius XM, and jazz and gospel radio stations worldwide. Craddock plans to release a new album in the coming months, with plans to connect directly with fans through a new landing page.
Craddock said his appreciation for mentorship and music education drives his dedication to giving back. Having been shaped by mentors, including music teachers and the owners of Studio A to G Music in Woodbridge, where he recorded his albums, Craddock is now a substitute music teacher and mentor. He believes in supporting youth and helping them discover their potential through music, emphasizing the importance of well-rounded development, even if students don’t pursue music professionally.
Now a regular performer at jazz festivals, weddings, corporate events, and church gatherings, Craddock said he views every performance as a way to bless others with his God-given talent.
Craddock emphasized the importance of musical education for youth, saying exposure to music helps build critical thinking skills and mathematical skills. He said music helps form more well-rounded individuals, even if they don’t pursue an instrument professionally.
He also noted the importance of older generations encouraging and mentoring youth in music. Reflecting on his mentors, Craddock said without their support, encouragement, and sharing wisdom, he wouldn’t be where he is today.
Residents of Ward 3 interested in serving for the remainder of the term, which ends December 31, 2025, are encouraged to apply by January 15, 2025.
The two step process involves submitting a Boards & Commissions Appointment Application online and emailing a resume. The Council will discuss the appointment further during its January 14, 2025, meeting and must select a replacement within 45 days of January 1, per the City Charter.
Looking ahead, four City Council seats, including Ward 3, will be up for election on November 4, 2025. Details for potential candidates are available on the city’s website, as is a map of City Wards .
The Stafford County Sheriff’s Department has arrested Nicolas Hartman, 26, of Gainesville for a Nov. 1 hit-and-run where two pedestrians were struck on Mine Road. Hartman was charged with two counts of felony hit and run, and one count of false pretenses related to an insurance claim.
Shortly after 10 p.m. on Nov. 1, two pedestrians were crossing Mine Road near Greenspring Drive with a shopping cart when they were struck by a dark Volkswagon that fled the scene. One pedestrian was life-flighted with serious injuries after a witness performed CPR. He remains in a rehabilitation facility.
Stafford Sheriff’s Office:Â
On November 1st at 10:14 p.m. two pedestrians with a shopping cart were struck on Mine Road near Greenspring Drive. The suspect never stopped to check on the injured pedestrians and fled the scene in his vehicle. However, the suspect left behind pieces of his vehicle which helped lead to his arrest. One of the pedestrians was transported by ambulance to an area hospital and was released several days later. The other pedestrian received life-threatening injuries and was flown from the scene by helicopter. Although expected to recover, the second pedestrian remains in a rehabilitation facility.
Deputy S.C. Martin was assigned as the lead investigator and began a search for the suspect vehicle, a Volkswagen Jetta GLI. Working with the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NCIB), Deputy Martin tracked the suspect vehicle to a storage lot in Spotsylvania County. He obtained a search warrant and seized the Volkswagen on November 26th. Additional evidence was obtained during the search of the vehicle linking it to the hit and run in Stafford County.
Today, with the assistance of the Prince William County Police Department, Deputy Martin arrested Nicolas Hartman, 26, of Gainesville for two counts of felony hit and run and one count of false pretenses related to the insurance claim. Hartman was granted a $5,000 bond by the magistrate and confined in the Rappahannock Regional Jail.
We would like to thank the NICB and the Prince William County Police Department for their help with this case. Excellent work by Deputy Martin in the pursuit of justice for these victims.
A decision made in 2019 by Stafford County’s planning staff has enabled the construction of more than 500 homes on the former Cannon Ridge Golf Course without requiring approval from the Stafford County Board of Supervisors.
The development at the end of Celebrate Virginia Parkway has drawn attention following public outcry for the site to be preserved as a regional park and a statement by George Washington District Supervisor Deuntay Diggs expressing concerns over transparency and standard procedures.
In October, Stafford residents, led by former Hartwood District Supervisor Joe Brito, rallied to advocate for transforming the closed golf course into a regional historical riverfront park. Brito, who served as Hartwood District Supervisor from 2006 to 2009, has proposed a vision for the park that would include public access to historic sites, Civil War camps, and the region’s only waterfall, which is currently inaccessible to the public. His online petition for the park has garnered over 5,000 signatures, with support from local elected officials such as Delegate Joshua Cole and Supervisors Monica Gary and Diggs.
Background on the Approval Process
The administrative approval allowing 579 homes on the Cannon Ridge property stems from a decision made in August 2019. Under Stafford County Code Section 28-39(i)(14)(a), amendments to the Land Use Concept Plan for the RBC (Resort Business Campus) zoning district can be approved administratively if the changes are deemed non-material. The approval, issued by the Department of Planning and Zoning, bypassed the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors.
In 2019, the developer proposed two options to increase residential units within Celebrate Virginia:
- A proffer amendment requiring approval from the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors was denied unanimously by the Planning Commission.
- An administrative approval to add 579 units was granted without public hearings.
County spokesman Andrew Spence clarified that the land use designation on the Concept Plan was changed from “Resort District” to “Retirement/Office/Resort District” and deemed non-material, thus requiring no additional oversight. “The zoning standards for the RBC zoning district allow for amendments of the Land Use Concept Plan administratively if it is determined to not be a material change,” Spence stated.
Spence said the county employees involved in the 2019 decision have since retired or found employment elsewhere.
Advocacy for Parkland
While the administrative approval has enabled development, Brito and other advocates have argued for preserving the site as an open space. The 193-acre golf course, owned by Silver Companies, is valued at $1.4 million as open space and was assessed at $2.7 million in 2012. The company, headquartered in Florida, owns other prominent regional developments, including Celebrate Virginia North and South.
Brito’s proposed regional park would utilize paved golf cart trails to provide public access to key landmarks, including Hunter’s Island, Hunter’s Iron Works, the Rappahannock Canal locks, and Underground Railroad paths. He also envisions the park as a venue for events, festivals, and community activities, citing interest from organizations like the Renaissance Festival.
Concerns About Transparency
Diggs has initiated an inquiry into the 2019 administrative decision. He noted the absence of documentation confirming the Board of Supervisors was notified at the time. “A notification memo was reportedly sent to the Board of Supervisors regarding this matter. I am currently awaiting a copy of this memo to confirm the notification,” Diggs told Potomac Local News.
Diggs called for patience from the community as he investigated, working with the County Administrator to ensure compliance with the county code. He emphasized the need for transparency and public involvement in decisions impacting Stafford County’s growth.
The decision has sparked frustration among residents, many of whom only recently became aware of the development plans. The golf course, which closed in 2018, had historically been taxed as open space, adding to the confusion surrounding its transition to residential use.
Scott Mayausky, Stafford’s Commissioner of the Revenue, said he was notified of the change last week, and his office immediately corrected the assessment. Supplemental tax bills to all property owners involved should allow Stafford to collect all tax revenue due from 2021 to 2024.
Online assessment records show the property’s land value has been increased to over $13 million; It was previously valued at $966,000.
“Unfortunately, there was no public notification, rezoning or proffer amendment indicating this change. It is my understanding that, per state law, no notification was required,” Mayausky posted to Facebook. “Upon confirming these changes last week, I immediately corrected the assessment and issued supplemental tax bills to all property owners involved. These actions will allow Stafford to collect tax all tax revenue due for tax years 2021-2024. The only additional tax dollars that cannot be collected are for tax year 2020.
“I will continue to work with Supervisors Darrell English and Deuntay Diggs to ensure that concerns regarding this issue are addressed. I will also work with county staff to improve internal communications so that these lapses don’t occur in the future,” he added.
Brito and other advocates argue that increasing transportation impact fees for developers and preserving open spaces are essential to slowing development and addressing the burdens of additional housing, which taxes local schools, roads, and community resources.
