City Manager Douglas Keen proposed changes to the city's events schedule. [Photo courtesy of the City of Manassas]In City Council's Oct. 22 work session, Interim City Manager Douglas Keen asked Council to consider hosting fewer events in the summer of 2025.
Keen said city staff has been discussing the strain hosting several events has on the city's infrastructure and their workload.
"We have been a victim of our own successes," Keen said. "All of our events, when we first started [First Friday], we were just hopeful to get a few people to come to Old Town. ... We're so crowded. But what that has caused ... is the strain on our infrastructure for some of the locations, the strain on our staff and the strain on our community as a whole."
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Happy Friday, Manassas!
Welcome to another City Council preview, this time for the Oct. 28 regular meeting. This week’s meeting will be held at the City Hall Council Chambers at 9027 Center St.
Sign up for our FREE news email and never hesitate to email me at [email protected] with comments, questions and/or news tips.
The City of Manassas is facing a potential threat to its future water supply, as the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has initiated a review of the city’s water withdrawal permits from Lake Manassas. The DEQ is evaluating whether to rescind the city’s grandfathered rights, which have long allowed Manassas to withdraw water under older, less restrictive conditions.
A change in the city’s withdrawal permit could significantly impact its ability to meet future water needs. City officials, during a recent council meeting, expressed concerns about the DEQ’s review and stressed the urgent need for action.
The council urged staff to engage with the DEQ and state legislators to prevent any changes to the withdrawal rights that could negatively affect the city’s water supply. Losing or reducing the city’s withdrawal capacity would have “a dramatic negative impact” on the city’s ability to provide for its residents in the future, said Interim City Manager Doug Keen.
Although no specific timeline has been provided, the city is working to advocate its position ahead of any final decision from the DEQ. Officials hope that communicating the potential consequences can ensure that Manassas’ interests are considered during the review process.
Depending on the complexity of the environmental assessments and legislative input, the DEQ’s decision could take several months or longer.
Ross Snare has resigned as Chairman of the Manassas Regional Airport Commission, effective Monday, October 21, 2024. His departure comes amid unverified allegations involving disparaging remarks about a city council member, adding fuel to an already heated local election season.
Snare, a Prince William County resident, was appointed to the commission by the Manassas City Council in 2018 and reappointed in 2022. He made history in June 2023 by becoming the youngest and first county Prince William County resident to serve as Chairman. During his tenure, Snare played a pivotal role in the airport’s efforts to introduce commercial flights, a milestone now expected to be achieved in 2026, a year behind the initial schedule.
In his resignation letter to the city council, Snare cited personal matters and other commitments as his reasons for stepping down. “Serving as chair during this transition over the past several years has been the honor of a lifetime,” Snare wrote. “I wish you all the best during this transition.”
The resignation followed a podcast episode of “Until They Kick Us Out,” where hosts read aloud text messages they claimed were between Snare, Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger, and a city employee, allegedly disparaging a sitting council member. Potomac Local News has not independently verified these messages.
This development occurs in the context of a contentious local election, where incumbent Mayor Michelle Davis Younger, a Democrat, faces challenger Xiao Yin “Tang” Byrom, a Republican and longtime city business owner. The podcast hosts have publicly endorsed Byrom for the upcoming November election. With three city council seats and four school board seats also in contention, the campaign has been marked by polarizing debates over property taxes, public safety, capital projects, and school accreditation.
Snare, who currently serves as the Associate Chief of External Affairs for UVA Health, has a background in political affairs and community service, including his role as the Chief Operating Officer of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce. He has been a vocal advocate for the airport, highlighting its economic impact, which includes $375 million in annual economic activity and over 1,350 jobs.
The Manassas Regional Airport, which covers 889 acres, is the busiest general aviation airport in Virginia, with plans to transform it into a hub for commercial passenger flights. The commission’s recent approval of these plans is seen as a significant step toward achieving a vision that has been in the works since the mid-1990s.
Happy Friday, Manassas!
Welcome to another City Council preview, this time for the Oct. 21 work session. This week’s meeting will be held at the City Hall Council Chambers at 9027 Center St. City Council will also be meeting on Tuesday to discuss applicants for the city manager position.
Make sure to check out Potomac Local's recent forum on the state of Manassas City Public Schools, which was held Thursday night with a School Board member and several candidates.
Sign up for our FREE news email and never hesitate to email me at [email protected] with comments, questions and/or news tips.
As Manassas prepares for Election Day on November 5, 2024, Mayor Michelle Davis Younger’s actions during her time in office have shown a concerning pattern: a tendency to make politics personal, holding grudges against those who disagree with her, and even daring to ask challenging questions.
Mayor Davis Younger has consistently demonstrated that she only values positive press and wants to control the narrative about her time in office. Her use of the phrase “Our Manassas” over the past four years implies a sense of unity, but it’s a unity that seems conditional—only extending to those who fully support her vision and leadership. Anyone who questions her motives or approach, whether political opponents or local journalists, finds themselves on the receiving end of her ire.
A striking example of this came during a voter forum organized by the Prince William Chamber of Commerce on October 1, 2024. Davis Younger expressed frustration that it wasn’t a debate where she could directly challenge her opponent, Xiao Yin “Tang” Byrom. But beyond that, she made her distaste for Potomac Local’s presence known, stating, “They invited a journalist that has never said anything nice about me.” This comment is baffling, given that we have written several positive articles about her, covering her community initiatives like “Walks with the Mayor” and “Friday Lunch with the Mayor.”
However, it seems the mayor’s definition of “nice” only applies to outlets that avoid asking critical questions. Despite our efforts to provide balanced coverage, including following up with direct questions and covering her public meetings, Davis Younger has refused to grant us an interview since announcing her candidacy for mayor in 2019.
It was only under pressure, during this election season, that she finally provided an exclusive statement—but only after being confronted by a freelance reporter at an early voting polling station. Her disdain for open dialogue and transparency with the press speaks volumes about how she views the role of media in politics.
Even more troubling, Mayor Davis Younger has played the victim card, lamenting to a majority Black congregation at First Baptist Church of Manassas that she has faced “hate” as the first Black woman to serve as Manassas mayor. While there is no denying the unfortunate reality of discrimination, the mayor’s reluctance to elaborate on these claims or provide specific examples raises questions about whether she is using identity as a shield from legitimate criticism.
This pattern of personalizing politics extends beyond the press. Stories have emerged from citizens like Simone Reddington, host of the “Until They Kick Us Out” podcast, who recounted how Davis Younger refused to speak with her after a “Lunch with the Mayor” event because she knew Reddington supported her opponent. Such behavior is not only unprofessional but undemocratic. A mayor should be willing to engage with all constituents, regardless of their political affiliations.
As voters in Manassas head to the polls, they should ask themselves: Do we want a mayor who makes politics personal and retaliates against those who question her, or do we want a leader who can handle dissent with grace and foster an open, inclusive environment for all? The future of “Our Manassas” depends on that answer.
In a ceremony filled with camaraderie and nostalgia, former Mayor Hal Parrish was celebrated at the City Council chambers with the unveiling of his portrait. This event gathered community members and local dignitaries to honor his decades of service. The picture, a creation by Mary Reilly of Creative Brush Studios, captures Parrish’s dedication and service to the city he loves.
Reflecting on his extensive service, Hal Parrish shared, “I’ve had the privilege of serving in this very room, and while much has changed, my commitment to Manassas has only grown. It’s about service—to our country, our community, and the wonderful people who make up this city.”
Parrish’s tenure as mayor saw significant developments, including the revitalization of Old Town and the construction of the Hylton Performing Arts Center, which has become a cultural beacon in the region. “The transformation of Old Town into a bustling district for dining and shopping and the establishment of the Hylton Performing Arts Center are among the accomplishments I cherish most,” said Parrish. “These projects weren’t just about building structures, but fostering community and culture.”
During the ceremony, Delegate Ian Lovejoy (R), a former Manassas City Councilman who served with Parrish, presented a proclamation from the Virginia General Assembly commending Parrish for his “integrity and commitment to civic leadership.” In a touching moment, Parrish was also presented with a Virginia flag that had flown over the Capitol, symbolizing the widespread appreciation for his public service efforts.
The portrait reveal was a moment of pride for Parrish and the community. “Seeing the portrait for the first time, I was reminded of every wrinkle, every laugh, every challenge we’ve faced together. Mary captured not just my likeness but the essence of what we’ve accomplished together in Manassas,” Parrish commented.
As family, friends, and colleagues gathered for photographs, the warmth and affection for the former mayor were palpable. The evening concluded with Parrish inviting the Monassas Cattlemen’s Association, a group he humorously noted would have their fun with his ‘angelic face’ comment, to join him for a memorable photo.
Hal Parrish’s portrait will hang in the City Council chambers, serving as a lasting tribute to a leader who shaped the city with vision and relentless dedication. As Parrish himself put it, “This portrait is not just of me, but of all of us who believe in the power of community service.”
Early voting is open in Virginia! Starting on Sept. 20, Virginians can begin voting in the Nov. 5 general election and local election. Potomac Local News is dedicated to informing the community about candidates vying for one of three open seats on the Manassas City Council and the mayor’s seat.
To help voters make an informed decision, we are continuing a new feature series, “One-Question Manassas City Council Candidate Survey.” This series will run throughout the campaign season, offering insights into each candidate’s stand on key issues affecting our city. Our sixth one, which ran on Sept. 9, focused on parking.
The candidates are given 10 days to respond to a Google Form, and their answers will be compiled into a single post on PotomacLocalNews.com. This format lets voters quickly compare the candidates’ views on critical issues, helping them make an informed choice come election day.
Today’s topic: Power outages and the electrical grid.
The candidates were asked: How do you plan to address the ongoing power outages in Manassas, and what measures would you support to improve the city’s electrical grid reliability??
Mayoral candidates
Xiao-Yin “Tang” Byrom (R)
Sporadic power outages, which peaked last summer,
Byrom
have highlighted the consequences of leaving critical utility positions unfilled. The mayor and City Council members seeking reelection owe it to residents — particularly the elderly, at-risk, and vulnerable populations — to address outages swiftly. We have to be able to attract top talent to the city and keep them here.
Interim City Manager Doug Keen played a pivotal role in bringing Steve Burke back as assistant city manager of operations, responsible for electric service. After meeting with Steve personally, I’m confident we have the right leadership in place to minimize further disruptions. The next Council and mayor will need to ensure Burke remains with the city and has the resources his department needs to provide residents with a stable and reliable power supply.
As the city grows, new demands on the grid will continue to increase. My focus will be squarely on hiring and retaining exceptional staff like Steve Burke, who can anticipate future needs and offer effective solutions.
Michelle Davis Younger (D-Incumbent)
NO RESPONSE
Davis Younger
Davis-Younger is seeking a second term as mayor, after being elected in 2020. She owns and operates a Human Resources Consulting firm located in Historic Downtown Manassas called The1ForHR, LLC, which focuses on career coaching and resume writing.
City Council candidates
Lynn Forkell Greene (R)
It’s clear that the recent historic outages underscored the
Forkell Greene
need for robust leadership and effective succession planning within our utility leadership team. Additionally, our city lacked the necessary information to swiftly address the challenges posed by aging substations.
As your next Manassas City Councilor, I will prioritize modernizing our electrical grid with a responsible and proactive approach. This involves investing in new equipment, enhancing power lines, and continuing to integrate smart technology for improved monitoring. Starting this process now is essential to effectively manage our financial commitments and prevent future issues, particularly with the anticipated demand from the four approved data centers.
So, how will we achieve this?
First, we must conduct a thorough infrastructure assessment to ensure transparency and effective planning. By evaluating our current capabilities, including the condition of our substations and other critical equipment, we can make informed decisions that benefit our community and prepare us for the increased demands on our grid.
Community engagement is vital to our success. I envision open communication and collaboration that reaches every household, allowing our taxpayers to see the benefits of these developments without sacrificing our quality of life. Together, we can tackle the challenges that come with this growth.
We also need to strengthen our emergency response plans, ensuring clear communication during outages and reliable backup power for critical facilities. Sharing these plans with every household is key to fostering preparedness in our community.
I will work closely with city staff to create a comprehensive revenue plan from the data centers, aligning it with our infrastructure forecast. This will ensure our community is well-equipped to handle increased demands while maximizing the benefits of new developments.
By coming together, we can enhance the reliability of our electrical grid and improve the quality of life for all residents in Manassas. Let’s be proactive, stay informed, and take action for a brighter, more dependable future! Together, we can prosper.
Lynn Forkell Greene is seeking to regain a seat on City Council, where she served for 14 months, from fall 2021 to December 2022. Forkell Green served the remainder of Davis-Younger’s term, a seat vacated when Davis-Younger was elected mayor.
She is an administrative director for a nonprofit. Forkell Greene and her husband share four adult children and three grandchildren. Before announcing her reelection bid, Forkell Green was a freelance reporter covering city issues for Potomac Local News.
Ashley Hutson (D)
The City of Manassas offers excellent utility service.
Hutson
Electrical outages are rare, not ongoing.
In 2023 there were several outages, some due to forces of nature outside of our control, such as extremely hot temperatures and squirrels chewing through power lines. Some neighborhoods experienced more outages than others, such as Battery Heights. At the time of their outages, there was electrical equipment that was due for replacement. Like all electronics, technology gets out-dated and worn out.
When the sub-station that serves Battery Heights was having issues, the city acted swiftly to bring in another sub-station to revive power while thorough inspections and upgrades were completed. The city purchased the additional sub-station so there is backup power, ensuring reliable electricity to its residents and businesses now and into the future.
One of the ways the city is working to enhance the appearance of our neighborhoods is by putting utility lines underground. Burying existing lines, while costly and often complicated, will reduce or eliminate accidental outages like cars hitting power poles and wear-and-tear from weather. I support the city’s efforts to put power lines underground wherever possible.
Hutson is seeking her first term on City Council. She is the director of Member Engagement of the Heavy Construction Contractors Association in Manassas. Hutson has served on the Manassas Board of Building Code Appeals, Washington Council of Governments Transportation Planning Board and Community Advisory Committee. She graduated from Osbourn Park High School and Christopher Newport University.
Stephen Kent (R)
NO RESPONSE
Kent
Kent is seeking his first term on City Council. He is an author and public relations professional. He and his wife, Melony “Mel” Kent, share a child. Mel Kent ran for the city school board in 2022.
Tom Osina (D-Incumbent)
The premise of this question is false.
Osina
There have been NO ongoing or lengthy power outages in Manassas. In fact, when almost 100-degree weather arrived on June 22nd and then stayed, there were no electricity outages for Manassas residents.
Now, in summer of 2023, there were several outages which were extensive in the time it took to find the problem and repair it. But city government took immediate action such as filling a few key electric department positions by increasing the salary because they did not have many applicants.
Last year, the Battery Heights substation experienced a number of outages so the city brought in and later purchased a backup substation. This allowed electric power to be reliably restored while a thorough analysis of the old substation was conducted, parts replaced and additional squirrel guards, owl decoys and lightning shields added.
With the hiring of a new Electric Utilities Director, a revamped inspection program has been put in place to check electric lines and substations. This has led to an uneventful summer and city residents and businesses continue to receive dependable electric power.
Osina is seeking his second term on City Council. He and his husband have lived in the Georgetown South community for more than 20 years. He is the father of two grown children.
Robyn Williams (R)
Manassas has long provided reliable power to its
Williams
residents and businesses, but over the past year, a series of power outages exposed the vulnerabilities of the city’s aging power station and substations, which now require replacement. In response, I would begin by conducting an infrastructure audit and demand assessment. Engaging stakeholders — including utility companies, public works, transportation and emergency services — would help us fully understand the impact of prolonged outages. Additionally, I would involve the community to gauge how these outages have affected residents and businesses.
Although immediate repairs and upgrades have been made to stabilize substations and implement backup systems, it’s clear that we must now prioritize a comprehensive upgrade plan. This plan would focus on modernizing the infrastructure, investing in energy storage solutions, and exploring microgrids for critical areas such as hospitals and emergency services.
As demand for power continues to rise, it will be essential to diversify the city’s electric grid by investing in renewable energy sources and collaborating with state initiatives. A public awareness and education campaign would also play a key role in this effort.
By combining these short-term fixes with long-term investments in infrastructure modernization, renewable energy and effective demand management, we can ensure a more resilient and reliable power grid for the future.
Williams is seeking her first term on City Council. She has served two terms on the Manassas City School Board. Williams holds a bachelor’s of science in economics from George Mason University. She found her background in finance and economics valuable on the MCPS School Board, in addition to her more than 10 years as a broker/owner of Redstone Realty, specializing in residential real estate.
Williams’ public service in Manassas began with the Beautification Committee, where she served as a member and eventually chairperson. She also volunteered as a teacher assistant at Haydon Elementary for several years and taught modules in schools through the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation Department.
Mark Wolfe (D-Incumbent)
The premise of this question is incorrect. Manassas has
Wolfe
not and does not have “ongoing power outages.” To say so is a slander on the men and women from the City of Manassas who work very hard (and at some risk) to ensure that our electric system delivers to all of us.
Before the incident last summer, Manassas enjoyed world-class reliability from its electric grid, typically 99.99% service. Last summer an unforeseen event happened with TWO lightning strikes on the Battery Heights substation. Sometimes, bad things do happen. This had the effect of reducing the capacity of our electrical system at the same time we experienced peak summer demand. That stressed the system and led to outages. I experienced those outages at my home and businesses. All of Council and staff understand how this impacted residents and businesses.
Since then, the City has repaired the Battery Heights substation and our electrical system has returned to its typical world-class reliability. Through August this year, our reliability is at 99.9961%. Unfortunately, the occasional squirrel finds its way into a transformer or someone crashes a car into a power pole. Otherwise, we would be at 100% reliability. A testament to the hard work of the City of Manassas staff.
Wolfe is seeking a fourth term on City Council. He has lived in the City of Manassas since 1990. Wolfe has executive leadership experience in the corporate and nonprofit sectors and is currently the chief operating officer of MovieComm. Amy, his wife of 36 years, is the artistic director and CEO of Manassas Ballet Theatre. They have two children, both of whom graduated from Osbourn High School.
Stay tuned as we continue this series with topics such as power outages, parking issues, city management and staff retention, budget and taxes, public school performance, and data centers. We aim to provide a comprehensive look at each candidate’s platform, ensuring voters have all the information they need to make a thoughtful decision.
We hope this series will engage the community and foster a more informed electorate. Check back for new insights and updates from your Manassas City Council candidates. Early voting started Sept. 20, and Election Day is Nov. 5.
Potomac Local News continues our mission to bring you the most critical information about the candidates running to lead our city. Our latest exclusive interview features Ashley Hutson, a first-time candidate for the Manassas City Council.
In this conversation, we ask the questions that matter most to Manassas residents, and Ashley doesn’t hold back.
How will she address rising taxes in Manassas?
What’s her plan for affordable housing at the Manassas Shopping Center?
Does she support the city’s expanding data centers, and what are her thoughts on environmental impacts?
What qualities is she looking for in the next city manager?
How does she feel about the state of the city’s schools and their latest performance metrics?
Early voting has begun, and this is one more way Potomac Local News is working to keep you informed. Tune in to
hear the full interview and get answers to these pressing questions as we continue to bring you exclusive interviews with those who want to shape the future of Manassas.
Happy Friday, Manassas!
Welcome to another City Council preview, this time for the Oct. 28 regular meeting. This week’s meeting will be held at the City Hall Council Chambers at 9027 Center St.
Potomac Local News continues our mission to bring you the most critical information about the candidates running to lead our city. Our latest exclusive interview features Ashley Hutson, a first-time candidate for the Manassas City Council.