Voters in Dumfries are heading to the polls today to choose three candidates for the Town Council from a slate of four contenders. The candidates include incumbents Brian Fields and Shaun Peet and new challengers Ebony Lofton and Russell Young. The election comes amid ongoing discussions about growth, infrastructure, public safety, and quality of life in the town of about 5,000 residents.
Brian Fields, 54, a Dumfries Town Council member seeking his third term, is running on a platform to continue the town’s progress under his tenure. Fields, who has lived in the Dumfries area for over eight years, emphasized his commitment to projects such as the Route 1 widening initiative and the Chronicle Creek restoration. He highlighted how these developments and the construction of new businesses like a Wawa gas station, The Rose Hotel and slots, the largest company to open in Dumfries, will modernize the town.
“We’re ready,” Fields said, underscoring his belief that the community is prepared for growth. “Northern Virginia constantly sees growth. Things don’t stay the same. They evolve.”
Fields, who works as a contractor for the Defense Intelligence Agency, brings experience from his years in public safety as a former Dumfries police officer. He emphasized the need for strong police recruitment, specifically targeting local schools and HBCUs, to ensure the town’s safety as it grows. “We have to beef it up,” he stated, underscoring his commitment to building a diverse police force that represents the community.
For Ebony Lofton, 50, who is making her second run for Town Council after a previous mayoral bid, the focus is on sustainable and inclusive changes. Lofton, a resident of Dumfries for 10 years, has voiced concerns about balancing growth with the needs of the town’s most vulnerable populations, including seniors and youth. She expressed her vision for creating programs and services that enhance residents’ daily lives, from regular social activities for seniors to financial literacy programs for younger residents.
“I want Dumfries to be a place where people are proud to live and can enjoy a better quality of life,” Lofton said. She expressed concerns about the potential impacts of the newly opened Rose Casino, particularly on the town’s seniors who are often on fixed incomes. “This is a 1.6 square mile town, and the casino will bring an influx of people that could overwhelm the community,” she noted. Lofton also raised concerns about public safety, highlighting potential issues like human trafficking, which she pledged to combat if elected.
Newcomer Russell Young, 56, a resident of Dumfries since 2021, brings a different perspective, focused on complementing the existing town initiatives. He sees his role as a Council member as one of enhancing and supporting the town’s current trajectory. “I just want to enhance what’s already here and help make Dumfries a better place,” Young stated. He expressed support for further infrastructure improvements and growth of local businesses, voicing a desire to see Main Street flourish as the heart of the town.
Young acknowledged residents’ mixed feelings about the recent growth and noted that patience is key. “Sometimes it’s about waiting to see things come to fruition,” he said, adding that while transparency is essential, some projects may simply need time to fully unfold.
Shaun Peet, 45, an incumbent Town Council member seeking a second term, is driven by a desire to see projects like the town’s new recreation center completed. Peet sees the center as a vital asset for residents, particularly children and seniors. “My main focus right now is the recreation center,” Peet shared. “I want it to be a place for everyone in the community, something that will stand the test of time.”
Peet, who has lived in Dumfries for several years, also highlighted the importance of long-term planning. He advocates for demolishing the town’s old rescue squad building and constructing a new facility that can serve the town well into the future. He views the recreation center as a project that will enrich the community by providing a safe and engaging space for all residents. “I’m committed to doing what’s right for this town, for our children, and for our seniors,” he said.
A total of 290 people had voted at Dumfries Town Hall by 11:15 a.m., the town’s polling place. Polls close at 7 p.m.
Homicide Investigation – On October 27 at 10:34AM, officers responded to a residence located at the 18500 block of Triangle Street in Triangle (22172) for a report of an injured adult male found inside a vehicle. The investigation revealed the victim was found by an acquaintance with life-threatening injuries and later pronounced dead at the scene. The victim’s injuries were determined to be suspicious in nature and not self-inflicted. Detectives are actively investigating the incident and are seeking to speak with anyone who has information to aid in the investigation. Preliminarily, this incident does not appear to be random. The identity of the deceased, a 43 year old male, will be released pending notifications of a next-of-kin. More information will be released as it becomes available. The investigation continues.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Prince William County police at 703-792-6500 or submit a tip online at pwcva.gov/policetip.
Town Manager Tangela Innis is thrilled to announce the hiring of Mr. Curtis M. Eatman as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). With over a decade of public finance and leadership experience, Mr. Eatman has a proven track record of driving fiscal sustainability and operational improvements in local government.
Prior to joining Dumfries, Mr. Eatman served as the Finance Director for the Town of Hamden, CT, where he eradicated a $3M deficit and significantly improved the Town’s financial outlook. He also served as Finance Director for the Town of Bloomfield, CT, and held positions such as Principal Legislative Financial Analyst with the New York State Senate and Deputy Commissioner of Finance for the City of Schenectady, NY.
In each role, Mr. Eatman has demonstrated a commitment to financial integrity, strategic planning, and effective budget management. His expertise in debt restructuring, financial reporting, and stakeholder collaboration will be instrumental as Dumfries continues its growth and development.
“We are thrilled to welcome Curtis to our team,” said Town Manager Tangela Innis. “His extensive experience and strategic leadership in financial management will be invaluable in ensuring the fiscal health and prosperity of our community.”
Mr. Eatman holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communication & Rhetorical Studies from Syracuse University. In addition, he has affiliations with a host of public service and professional organizations including School and State Finance Projects, Schenectady County Human Rights Commission, and Schenectady County Public Library just to name a few. He officially began his role as CFO on November 4, 2024.
Please join us in welcoming Mr. Curtis M. Eatman to the Town of Dumfries. Your support and cooperation are crucial as we embark on this new chapter in our town’s financial advancement.
In an unusual move, the Town of Dumfries sued its Mayor because it alleges his business, Dyvine BBQ on Acts Lane, has consistently failed to comply with the ordinances the Mayor had voted to enact. The manager plans to take further action soon.
In a February 2024 complaint to Prince William Civil Court, the town of Dumfries says Mayor Derrick Wood’s business, Dyvine BBQ, violated 12 separate ordinances regarding permitting, signage, customer seating, trash removal, and insurance requirements.
Prince William General District Court Judge William E. Jarvis agreed with the Town and issued an order requiring Mayor Wood to pay a $400 fine and comply with the Town’s Ordinances.
Mayor’s Ordinance Violations Spark Controversy
The Town code was first adopted in 1995 and updated and approved by Mayor Wood in 2018 to specifically prohibit temporary food vendors from operating more than 12 hours a day at any one location and prevent food trucks from remaining parked overnight with all trash and signage removed daily—something the Town says Mayor Wood’s own business has not abided by.
The Town claims that Dyvine BBQ has violated the ordinance for some time. In an October 2023 Town Council meeting, Councilmen Tyrone Brown and Brian Fields motioned to remove parts of the ordinance that Dyvine BBQ was not compliant with.
Town Council Rejects Exemption for Dyvine BBQ
At the October 2023 meeting, Mayor Pro-Tem Selonia Miles said, “We have to be very intentional about how we grow Dumfries, to amend this zoning amendment for one business is not the way to do that. That business should probably just pursue another avenue.”
After consultation with the Virginia Ethics Board, Mayor Wood recused himself from the discussion and did not participate in the vote. Ultimately, the council voted against changing the zoning in favor of the Mayor’s business, and the Town advised Mayor Wood to correct his company’s deficiencies.
Local Business Owners Protest Unequal Treatment
Other business owners claim Mayor Wood’s business has violated town ordinances for years, and it wasn’t until business owners threatened to quit complying with town ordinances that the town finally took action against the Mayor. Kay Vickers, owner of Kay’s Citrine Soul Food, said she got fed up and told town officials that she would no longer “pay for a permit until the Mayor pays for a permit.”
Vickers said her civil disobedience forced the town to begin enforcement actions against Mayor Wood’s business. “My husband and I had a vision to grow our business in Dumfries, but my biggest fear is investing more money into my business in a town where the Mayor can do whatever he wants and can block my ability to do business because he’s the mayor and I’m a competitor to his business,” she adds.
County records show Dyvine BBQ’s landlord, Johnson Commercial Realty, purchased the property once occupied by Reid Funeral Home in October 2019. The funeral home owner, Shaun Reid, was accused of using the property to store human remains and perform embalming without a license illegally. A cursory look at historical street views shows that Mayor Wood’s food truck appeared at the property sometime between the 2019 purchase and 2021. Judge Jarvis tossed out a separate fine from the Town against the landlord.
Town Manager Tangela Innis said she “can’t speak for what happened before her tenure,” but under her watch, “all businesses will be held to the same standards.” Innis, who came to Dumfries in April 2023 after over a decade in multiple roles at the city of Petersburg, vowed to run the Town of Dumfries professionally.
Mayor Wood has paid his fine and said he’s “corrected all the Ordinance violations, and [he’s] in full compliance.” Town officials say that assertion is false, and the original violations still exist at the property on Acts Lane.
In an email statement, the town is resolute in bringing Dyvine BBQ into compliance with Town Ordinances: “The Town of Dumfries is anticipating issuing new citations this coming week, as we have allowed [Dyvine BBQ] some time to rectify the violations after receiving payment of the fine issued.”
Town Ordinances allow the Town to treat the violations as new violations each day, allowing the fines to accrue until the Ordinance violations are corrected. So far, the town has only issued the $400 fine from the February inspection. Outside counsel was hired explicitly to remove the appearance of impropriety as town officials navigate the unusual process of holding the Mayor accountable.
Previous Lawsuits Highlight Mayor’s Financial Troubles
This is not Mayor Wood’s first brush with civil action against him or his businesses. In February 2024 R&A Design Studio obtained a judge’s permission to garnish the wages Mayor Wood received from the Town Council to pay $14,564 in past rent on his defunct events center. A recent filing in the Prince William Civil Court states that although garnishments started in February, Mayor Wood still owes nearly $13,000. The Mayor was not present for his court date on October 23 to respond to the latest garnishment request, and Judge Che C. Rogers dispersed the previously collected garnishment to the legal counsel for R&A Design Center without Mayor Wood or his representative being present.
In August 2023, Dyvine BBQ was sued for $25,000 after a 53-year-old customer from Springfield claimed a 23-year-old employee assaulted her after the customer attempted to get burned chicken remade. The claim resulted in a non-suit because the plaintiff failed to secure legal representation before the hearing. In a phone interview, the customer, Monica Souter, was frustrated because she felt that lawyers did not want to represent her everywhere she went after hearing that Wood was the defendant.
“They told me I’d never see a dime from him,” Souter said. Souter alleges the assault has left her with a rotator cuff injury that still affects her today. “I’m a grandmother. I didn’t go there to fight. I had my granddaughter and her friend with me. I thought it was a professional business, but the way I was treated said something completely different.” Souter said she’s hopeful an attorney would pick up her case. “It’s not right, the way I was treated,” she said.
In September 2020, a debt collector sued Mayor Wood on behalf of Paul Davis Design of Ashburn to collect money owed after Mayor Wood contracted the company to repair a leak in his basement. The suit was dismissed without reason, but a representative of Paul Davis Design said they still have not received the $414.51 payment for the work they performed in 2019.
Ebony Lofton, a candidate for one of four candidates vying for three council seats up for election this November, said, “It is concerning that someone with so many lawsuits filed for monies owed can be in charge of the budget of our town.”
Overspending Scandal Adds to Mayor’s Challenges
The town’s budget is $11 million. In Dumfries’s system of government, the Mayor does not have direct control of where the money goes, but he does have the power to suggest how the money is spent, and ultimately, he and the council vote for the expenditures.
The Mayor’s ability to suggest how money is spent was on full display earlier this year, and our report showed that the town overspent an eye-popping 135% of its allocated $100,000 budget for the Town’s Anniversary Gala.
Days before the event, the council had to approve $35,000 in emergency funds for items Mayor Wood and the Gala contractor had agreed to outside the council’s vote. During that meeting, council members argued over who was responsible for the overspending.
Vice Mayor Monae Nickerson and Councilman Tyrone Brown pointed fingers at Mayor Wood, who claimed to have overseen the citizen committee responsible for the celebration and worked closely with the planning contractor hired to plan the event.
“You are a chef; you should have known that braised beef and salmon is more expensive than chicken,” said Nickerson, citing Mayor Wood’s personal business at Dyvine BBQ.
Mayor Wood is serving his second term as Mayor of Dumfries. He was first elected to the Town Council in 2014 and as Mayor in 2018.
Mayor Wood lobbied to bring The Rose, a soon-to-open gaming resort, to the town. Most recently, he’s been a fixture at White House parties and is featured in a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee urging people to vote for Kamala Harris and down-ballot Democrats who will support gun control.
During his tenure, Mayor Wood used the council chambers as a private broadcast studio for a YouTube show titled “Spotlight Dumfries,” where he interviewed Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Fairfax) and Prince William County Supervisor Andrea Bailey and promoted sponsorship opportunities on his show. For $1,200, a podcast sponsor could receive a “key to the city” of Dumfries, part of three different sponsorship packages available.
Dumfries Mayor Derrick Wood announced the soft opening of The Rose, a highly anticipated resort and gaming venue, on Facebook today, ahead of any official statement from the operator, Churchill Downs.
"The soft opening of The Rose is in full effect!" Mayor Wood shared in his post. "On Monday, I had the pleasure of joining the Town Council, staff, family, and friends for a private tour of this exciting new addition to Dumfries. I even had the honor of taking the first spin on the machines!"
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The Town of Dumfries will host the Pink and Purple Brunch on October 27, 2024, at the Clyde Washington Community Center to raise awareness about breast cancer and domestic violence. This free event will feature local advocates and healthcare professionals, and attendees must register by October 23, 2024, as seating is limited.
Press Release:
The Town of Dumfries is proud to present the Pink and Purple Brunch, an event dedicated to raising awareness and promoting an end to breast cancer and domestic violence. This free event will occur on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at the Clyde Washington Community Center, located at 3800 Graham Park Road in Dumfries, VA. The Pink and Purple Brunch is a timely and urgent call to action. It serves as a platform for education, support, and solidarity with survivors and those affected by these two pressing issues. Attendees will hear from local advocates, healthcare professionals, and community leaders who are working tirelessly to bring about change. By combining the fight against breast cancer with efforts to end domestic violence, this event fosters a unique opportunity to shed light on these critical challenges that impact many lives. The urgency of these issues should motivate us to act now, and your participation is a crucial step in this direction. Vice Mayor MonaĂ© Nickerson, a strong advocate for community empowerment, and Chair Pro Tem Selonia Miles, recognized for her leadership in public service, are championing this event, reinforcing the Town’s commitment to health and safety. “We come together in pink and purple to support not only those who have been impacted but to take meaningful action as a community,” said Vice Mayor Nickerson. “We hope this event encourages others to continue raising awareness and advocating for change.”
Event Details
- Date: Sunday, October 27, 2024
- Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Location: Clyde Washington Community Center, 3800 Graham Park Rd, Dumfries, VA
- Cost: Free (Seating is limited; registration is required)
- Registration Deadline: Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Space is limited for this impactful event. Early registration is encouraged to ensure participation. Register online at https://bit.ly/pinkandpurplebrunch. Together, we can make a difference by raising awareness and taking steps to bring an end to breast cancer and domestic violence.
Press Release:
The Dumfries Triangle Volunteer Fire Department (Station 3, located at 18321 Jefferson Davis Highway) is pleased to announce the acquisition of a lent ambulance from Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue System. This collaboration enables the department to provide Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance services to the Dumfries, Triangle and neighboring communities, enhancing local emergency response capabilities.
Since the Prince William County Board of Supervisors voted to dissolve the Dumfries-Triangle Rescue Squad (DTRS), located at 3800 Graham Park Road, Dumfries, on October 17, 2017, all medical transports have been provided by:
– Fire Rescue System ALS (Advanced Life Support) transports from Medic units 503, 517, and 523
– Quantico Medic units
– Dale City Volunteer Fire Department’s Ambulance (Unit 510)These emergency services have ensured continued medical transport coverage for the community.
Effective October 1, 2024, the Dumfries Triangle Volunteer Fire Department (DTVFD) introduces a new Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance service, alleviating the increased workload on the Department of Fire and Rescue systems medic units.
- Better serve the community’s emergency needs
- Lighten the burden on system ALS units, allowing them to focus on advanced life support calls
DTVFD aims to strengthen partnerships with:
Fire and Rescue System
- Prince William County Board of Directors
- Dumfries Mayor and Town Council
- The community we serve
- By working together, we enhance emergency response and care for our residents.
Consider serving your community as a firefighter, EMT, or associate member. Visit www.dumfriesfire.com and select “Volunteer Now” to express interest.
Benefits include:
- Â Sponsorship for certification training at Prince William County Volunteer Fire Academy
- Opportunities for certified firefighters and EMTs
- Community service and camaraderie
Join Dumfries Triangle VFD today!
ARLnow.com: “An Arlington business owner and veteran was featured on NBC’s Today Show this week for a life of service to others…Cheeks, of Dumfries, has fostered over 20 children since the late 2000s. In July, she earned the title of Foster Parent of the Year in Prince William County.”
The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) has announced a sustained increase in ridership through August 2024, reflecting a growing reliance on public transit amid various operational challenges, including service reductions and fare adjustments.
In August 2024, PRTC experienced an average daily ridership of 2,753 passengers, a 22% increase compared to last year. This rise comes despite significant service cuts implemented at the end of July and a $2 fare increase at the start of the month. Even a tropical storm at the beginning of August failed to significantly deter passengers, underscoring the essential role of PRTC in the daily lives of many in the region, said OmniRide CEO Dr. Robert A. “Bob” Schneider.
Throughout the summer months of June, July, and August, PRTC has seen a 15% year-over-year increase in ridership. Specifically, in June, the ridership figures stood at 161,071 total passengers, up from 146,952 in June of the previous year. This growth was supported by a consistent service performance across various routes, with notable increases reported particularly on the busiest lines, said Schneider.
The ‘Express’ services, which connect commuters from outlying areas to major employment centers, accounted for a substantial portion of the ridership, with 76,733 passengers in June 2024 alone, up from 65,933 in June 2023. Schnieder adds that this service segment is committed to facilitating efficient and reliable connections for daily commuters.
The ‘Local’ routes, catering to more localized travel, especially in eastern Prince William County, maintained robust figures with 59,201 riders in June 2024, only slightly up from 58,628 in the previous year.
