The survey, which sought to measure resident perceptions and identify growth opportunities, underscores the city’s dual identity: a historic landmark with a vibrant, modern beat. North Star conducted the online survey, which garnered responses from 1,520 residents, including 1,118 from Manassas. Nearly 20% of participants identified as Hispanic, Latin American, or Caribbean, reflecting the city’s diverse population. The survey had a margin of error of ±2.51%.
Participants were asked to evaluate the city across several dimensions, including quality of life, economic development, and cultural identity. Key findings included:
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The City Council unanimously approved the appointment during its Nov. 25 meeting, emphasizing Burke's experience and commitment to the community.
Burke will begin his tenure on Feb. 3, 2025, make a $246,000 annual salary, and bring over two decades of public administration experience to his new role. He has previously served as town manager for Front Royal and Luray, Va., where he was credited with implementing infrastructure projects and fostering community engagement. In January, Burke joined Manassas as the Director of Public Works, where he spearheaded improvements and built a rapport with city staff and residents.
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The Manassas Economic Development Authority (EDA) will hold a special meeting on Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m. in the first-floor conference room of City Hall. The meeting, a joint work session with the Manassas City Council, will focus on the interim operations and potential uses of the Manassas Shopping Center before its scheduled demolition.
The meeting is open to the public.
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During its November 18 meeting, the Manassas City Council agreed to initiate the process for a council pay raise. This increase would not occur until July 1, 2027, following the next city council election in November 2026.
The council must adopt an ordinance after a public hearing, which will require advertisement in local newspapers twice: the first notice must appear no more than 28 days before the hearing, and the second no fewer than seven days prior.
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On Monday, November 18, 2024, the Manassas City Council and School Board convened a joint meeting to discuss findings from a space needs study and the future of shared facilities for critical city and school operations. The study, presented by Assistant City Manager Steve Burke, identified a 40,000 to 52,000 square foot requirement to house the Department of Social Services, the voter registrar, and the School Board's central office.
Past and Current Facility Plans
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The 2024 election results for Manassas signal a shift in the city’s political landscape.
While Democratic Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger retained her seat with a notable 56.91% of the vote, Republicans have made meaningful inroads, building on a newfound organizational strength seen across the state as conservatives embraced Virginia’s early voting system in record numbers. In what has become one of the city’s most contentious elections in recent memory, conservatives leveraged social media and new voices, such as the “Until They Kick Us Out” podcast, to rally supporters and draw attention to their causes. The Republican Party’s increased cohesion and visibility hint at a changing dynamic in a city once considered solidly Democratic.
This year’s council race underscores this shift. In 2020, Democratic incumbents Pamela Sebesky and Mark Wolfe received strong backing, with Sebesky leading with 20.7% (8,532 votes) and Wolfe close behind.
This year’s City Council results paint a different picture: not a single candidate reached the high vote totals of 2020. With Democratic candidates Ashley R. Hutson, Tom C. Osina, and Wolfe each earning lower percentages than before, it’s clear that voter support has become more dispersed. Sebesky did not seek re-election. This suggests a competitive landscape where no candidate has a guaranteed stronghold, pointing to an increasingly divided electorate.
In a shift for the Manassas City School Board, Republican-backed candidate Dayna-Marie Miles will now join conservative board member Sara Brescia, who has been a vocal presence since her election in 2022. Miles’ election signals a potential shift in policy focus and priorities on the school board as it navigates pressing challenges of accreditation, truancy, failing test scores, and teacher retention.
This election cycle wasn’t just competitive; it was particularly nasty. In the heat of the campaign, text messages allegedly exchanged between former Manassas Regional Airport Commission Chairman Ross Snare, Mayor Davis-Younger, and a city employee were publicly shared, with disparaging remarks directed at a council member. This so-called “text-gate” led to Snare’s resignation and fueled the polarized political atmosphere, where even those not running for office felt the repercussions.
The controversy around “text-gate” highlights a broader issue in Manassas politics: a hyper-partisan environment that has emerged since 2020. Democrats in city leadership have largely appointed like-minded individuals to board and commission positions and fill vacant council seats. For some residents, this has led to feelings of alienation. Many have chastised Mayor Davis-Younger for seeming to dismiss or avoid engaging with perspectives that don’t align with her own, creating an atmosphere where dissenting voices feel marginalized.
We at Potomac Local News have criticized the mayor for personalizing politics, valuing positive press, and maintaining control over her narrative. While Mayor Davis-Younger frequently uses the phrase “Our Manassas” to promote unity, that unity often seems conditional—extended only to those who support her leadership.
Her continued reluctance to grant a sit-down interview to Potomac Local News, despite our repeated requests since 2019, is a testament to her aversion to critical coverage. However, she recently promised to give us her first interview post-reelection. If she honors this commitment, it could signal a readiness to engage more openly with the press and residents with differing viewpoints.
The inroads Republicans have made this election should be a wake-up call for Manassas Democrats. With conservatives gaining ground across the city and state, it’s clear that the electorate has been evolving since President Donald Trump’s first term when Democrats posted significant gains in local and state-level offices.
For those in power, governing solely for a base of loyal supporters may no longer be sufficient—or sustainable. As seen in the City Council race, no single candidate can now assume widespread support and future victories will likely depend on a broader coalition.
Democrats in Manassas must recognize the changing political landscape and adapt by genuinely embracing diverse perspectives and governing the entire community. In Virginia’s annual election cycle, political tides can shift quickly, and the lessons of 2024 should serve as a reminder that leadership, inclusivity, and responsiveness to all constituents—not just loyalists—are essential in a city as dynamic as Manassas.
The Manassas City Council has narrowed its search for a new city manager, announcing that it will interview five candidates on Nov. 14 and 15.
This announcement, which comes just days before the city’s General Election, raises anticipation for a potential new appointment in early 2025, following a year without a permanent city manager.
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From Lynn Forkell Greene, Manassas City Council candidate:
Three years ago, I joined a grassroots movement to save the Greater Manassas Baseball League (GMBL), an organization that serves as the heart and soul of our local sports community. Today, GMBL stands on the precipice of an uncertain future. The crucial question now is: Will Micron move forward with its option to purchase the E.G. Smith Baseball Complex, or will they stand down? Why have the current Council and Interim City Manager been so silent toward the GMBL Board?
For me, preserving GMBL isn’t just about baseball—it’s about standing up for transparency, integrity, and authentic representation in Manassas.
When GMBL was threatened by a public sale, I mobilized parents, players, and local supporters, making it clear that youth sports are integral to our community’s identity and the development of our children. Thanks to these efforts, GMBL’s advocates managed to secure renewed Council commitment to preserving our fields and youth sports. But now, more than ever, we must continue the fight.
This moment represents more than the future of GMBL; it’s a choice for Manassas residents. Will we elect leaders who genuinely reflect our values, or allow those in power to prioritize hidden agendas? The Micron deal with the city expires this week, and yet City Hall has maintained years of silence despite public assurances of a new home for GMBL. Micron now waits on a city response, and the stakes have never been higher.
Micron’s decision looms: will they prioritize corporate interests over their promises, or honor their commitments until we have leaders who represent us effectively? GMBL’s fate—and by extension, our community’s future—rests on who we elect in this coming election. If Micron proceeds with the purchase, GMBL will need a new home, and current city leaders will have failed to keep their word.
The ongoing issues surrounding GMBL and Micron’s role highlight the power of democracy rooted in accountability. My advocacy has shown that as constituents, we must demand transparency and genuine representation. Election day is our opportunity to ensure our voices are heard.
This movement is bigger than one baseball league; it’s about preserving democracy and reinforcing community values. By casting your vote, you uphold these principles and demand leadership that works for all of us.
Manassas City voters can cast their ballots early through Saturday at the Registrar’s office at 9025 Center Street or at their regular polling places on election day, Tuesday, November 5.
Let’s make the right choice for our city’s future.
Forkell Greene, a Republican, is seeking her first full term on the council after she won a special election in November 2021 to complete the term of then-council member Michelle Davis Younger, who was elected city mayor in 2020. Forkell Greene’s term expired in December 2022.
During the October 28, 2024, Manassas City Council meeting, Patrick Small, the city’s economic development director, provided a long-awaited update on the upcoming downtown hotel project.
The project, which aims to bring a Hilton Tapestry hotel to a prime location in downtown Manassas, is expected to bolster local business, attract tourism, and add significant tax revenue despite ongoing challenges related to parking solutions.
