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.
On October 29, a Prince William Circuit Court judge denied an appeal for bail for Dr. Latoya Crabbe, who stands accused of second-degree murder in the shooting of her husband, Curtis Crabbe Jr.
Prosecutors allege that Crabbe admitted to the October 21 shooting. Her attorney, David Daughtery, maintains it was an act of self-defense. With Judge Kimberly A. Irving’s ruling, Crabbe will remain in the Prince William County jail without bond.
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As early voting continues across the area, the voter turnout for 2024 reflects shifts in participation compared to previous election cycles, with mixed trends between mail-in and in-person ballots.
Manassas Park Overview
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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.
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Prince William County Parks and Recreation partnered with Amazon Web Services InCommunites, a sector of the cloud-based service that helps local communities, and KABOOM!, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending playspace inequity, to make the new Fairmont Park playground possible.
The playground was designed by 30 children from Prince William County who shared drawings of their dream space. Demolition on the existing playground started in early October, and the playground was just recently completed following a week-long effort by volunteers to construct the new space.
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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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Jennifer Chapman, Ed.D., the new Osbourn High School principal, gave a lengthy presentation to the School Board on Oct. 22 about the school's accreditation, new policies and student performance.
Chapman, who started at Osbourn this summer, was before the Board for nearly 1.5 hours during the three-hour meeting. She acknowledged that OHS wasn't in the best position.
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The new principal of Osbourn High School has rolled out a variety of new policies and practices in an effort to increase student performance at Manassas’ only high school.
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We had a blast at Haunted Happenings in Downtown Manassas. The streets were closed to vehicles, allowing families to stroll and enjoy the festive atmosphere. Seeing so many creative costumes was a delight, and the business owners were incredibly welcoming. They greeted everyone warmly, handed out candy, and decorated their shops, making the experience even more magical. Many also invited us in for some shopping, adding to the day's fun.
We’d love to see your photos from the event! Share your Halloween moments with us by emailing them to [email protected] or texting them to 571-989-1695.
If you missed it, don't worry! On November 1 from 6 to 9 p.m., celebrate First Friday in Historic Downtown Manassas. Bring your family and friends to experience the charm of our city and enjoy great promotions and offers from local restaurants, cafes, and stores.
