Mark Wolfe has been a member of the Manassas City Council for 16 years and is running for re-election in 2024. With a long track record of involvement in city government, Wolfe, a Democrat, has played a significant role in shaping Manassas’ growth and policies. As voters prepare to head to the polls, Potomac Local News sat down with Wolfe to discuss his vision for the future and the critical issues facing the city.
In this exclusive interview, Wolfe tackles critical questions, such as:
- What are the top three issues Wolfe discusses as he speaks with voters during his campaign?
- What policies have helped turn Manassas into an economic hub, and what more can be done?
- Is Electra planning to build a major manufacturing facility in Manassas, and what will happen if it chooses another city?
- How will the expansion of the Manassas Regional Airport impact jobs, noise levels, and quality of life for residents?
- What’s the city’s approach to the rapid growth of data centers, and how will it affect local infrastructure and neighborhoods?
With early voting beginning on Friday, September 20, 2024, this is a must-listen for anyone who cares about the future of Manassas. Potomac Local News is committed to bringing you exclusive interviews with the people who want to lead your city. We’re asking the questions that matter and getting the answers Manassas residents need before heading to the polls.
Listen now and hear firsthand from Mark Wolfe about his plans to continue shaping the future of Manassas.
Prince William County is developing a new Crisis Receiving Center (CRC), which will provide much-needed mental health and substance abuse services to the community. Set to replace the former Gander Mountain store at 14040 Worth Avenue, the 79,000-square-foot facility is expected to serve as a state model for addressing mental health crises. Still, operational funding hurdles have emerged due to Medicaid restrictions.
The CRC will feature 16 32 beds—eight 16 for adults and eight 16 for children—for individuals needing urgent mental health care. Patients may arrive independently, be transferred from local hospitals, or be brought in by police. Once at the center, individuals will receive continuous monitoring and care for up to 23 hours a day, typically staying between three and five days as they stabilize and prepare for the next steps in their treatment journey.
However, challenges surrounding Medicaid funding are threatening its smooth operation. A longstanding federal policy dating back to 1965 classifies facilities with more than 16 beds that treat individuals with mental health or substance abuse diagnoses as Institutions for Mental Disease (IMD). This classification prevents Medicaid from reimbursing such facilities, presenting a significant financial obstacle for the county.
“We are planning to provide immediate and critical care to those in crisis, but the Medicaid policy hasn’t caught up to the real-world needs of today,” said Prince William County Community Services Executive Director Lisa Madron. “This facility isn’t a long-term care center, but a short-term crisis intervention facility, and yet we are being penalized by policies written nearly 60 years ago.”
The county is working with state officials to seek a waiver allowing the CRC to receive Medicaid funding. However, the application process is lengthy, and approval is expected to take six months or more. In the meantime, the county is exploring interim funding options to keep the CRC on track for its planned opening.
The facility, considered a model for other localities across Virginia, will serve as a critical resource for residents and emergency services. Police officers and healthcare providers now have a dedicated place to send individuals in crisis, reducing the strain on local hospitals and jails.
“This is the kind of facility that communities across the state are going to want to replicate,” said Prince William County Executive Chris Shorter. “We’ve designed it to meet the growing mental health needs of our residents, and we’re confident that once it’s up and running, others will follow our lead.”
The center’s construction is on schedule, but the uncertainty over Medicaid reimbursement remains a concern. The county estimates a potential shortfall of $8 million if the funding issue is unresolved. State lawmakers and the county’s congressional delegation are urged to expedite the waiver process and push for legislative changes to ensure the facility can operate fully.
Steve Burke, the director of public works, said implementing EV charging stations has been a tactic to get more visitors to downtown Manassas.
"We've received, over the past year, over 5,500 individual uses of our charging stations," Burke said. "That level of use comes with some expense to the city. Last year, we spent a little over $18,000 in electric charges we had. There's also costs for the software that people need to use to connect to it, as well as just the use of those charging stations, things break, and we wind up having to pay for them."
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wife sister-in-law of Democratic congressional candidate Yevgeny “Eugene” Vindman, has removed a tweet that sparked significant backlash following the second attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
Vindman posted on her X account (formerly Twitter): “No ears were harmed. Carry on with your Sunday afternoon.” The comment referenced a prior assassination attempt on Trump in July 2024, where a bullet grazed his ear during a political rally in Pennsylvania.
In a subsequent post, she added: “Sorry you’re triggered. I mean no I’m not. I don’t care a little bit.”
The tweets drew criticism from both sides of the political aisle, with many calling her remarks inappropriate and insensitive.
This morning, Rachel Vindman deleted the tweet and apologized: “I have deleted my tweet. It was flippant. Political violence is a serious issue, whether it’s aimed at a former president, the media, immigrants, or political opponents. Every incident should be addressed appropriately if we want to change the tenor of our political discourse.”
Yevgeny Vindman condemned the violence in a post on his own account but did not comment on his sister-in-law’s tweet. He wrote: “I am deeply disturbed by yet another attempt of political violence in our nation. I am grateful that no one was hurt and thankful for the law enforcement agents who acted bravely and swiftly.”
When Potomac Local asked for a statement, a Vindman campaign spokesperson said only that he would speak for himself. At a rally in August in Dumfries, Yvgeny Vindman declined to answer questions from the press, directing reporters to email their inquiries to his campaign manager.
His Republican opponent, Derrick Anderson, responded strongly to the situation, saying: “My opponent has refused to condemn the hateful statements made by his family members and political advisors. In fact, the Vindman family has doubled down on their rhetoric, justifying the second failed assassination attempt on Trump. This sets a dangerous precedent. While my opponent fails the leadership and decency test, I will always stand up for what’s right for this district — my home. The American people must come before partisan politics.”
Tonight, both candidates are scheduled to participate in a voter town hall at the Fredericksburg Convention Center at 6 p.m., where they will answer questions from the audience.
Vindman, a Ukrainian immigrant, is one of the twin Army officers targeted by former President Donald Trump for their roles in his impeachment.
Vindman served as deputy legal advisor for the National Security Council under Trump. He and his brother, Alexander, were forced into the public spotlight after Alexander testified before Congress about phone calls between Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that ultimately led to the U.S. president’s first impeachment trial.
Virignia’s 7th Congressional District includes Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania, King George counties, and Fredericksburg. Early voting begins Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2o24.
At the Manassas City Council meeting on Sept.9, several transportation and infrastructure projects were discussed, emphasizing both ongoing improvements and long-term planning.
Key updates included the Grant Avenue roundabout, the Sudley Road third lane addition and regional transit expansion initiatives, such as the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and Metro.
Grant Avenue roundabout
The Grant Avenue project, which includes the installation of a roundabout, is nearing completion. Councilors noted that while the roundabout is intended to improve traffic flow, residents are still adapting to its use. The roundabout was designed to facilitate smoother traffic without halting movement and is part of a broader vision to enhance accessibility to Old Town Manassas.
The city staff underscored that the roundabout is a critical component in transforming Grant Avenue from a through-street into a “to-street” that encourages visitors to stop in Manassas rather than merely pass through.
Sudley Road third lane construction
Construction of the third lane on Sudley Road has also begun. This project is expected to significantly ease congestion — especially during peak hours — as it leads to the nearby hospital.
Trees along Sudley Road have been removed to accommodate the expansion, which aims to improve traffic flow and safety for both residents and commuters. Regular updates are being provided to residents in both English and Spanish to keep them informed about construction progress.
VRE and Metro expansion Â
Councilors highlighted recent developments in regional transit, focusing on VRE’s upcoming expansion and Metro’s long-term funding needs. The Virginia Passenger Railway Authority’s recent purchase of a Norfolk Southern railroad line that runs through Manassas, is is seen as a major step toward turning VRE into a fully operational transit system, with potential long-term benefits for Manassas and the broader region.
Additionally, discussions continue regarding Metro’s future funding and expansion, which will play a crucial role in the city’s connectivity to Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Long-term vision for transportation
The council emphasized the importance of planning for the future, drawing parallels between current projects and past decisions, such as the relocation of Manassas Airport and the acquisition of Lake Manassas.
These infrastructure decisions reflect the city’s long-term commitment to improving transportation options, economic growth, and overall quality of life. Ongoing discussions at both the local and regional levels aim to address the growing transportation demands while ensuring sustainable development.
While acknowledging that the book is popular and contains a compelling story, Funderberg insisted that its adult content did not add value to the narrative and should not be accessible to young readers in middle school libraries. The Prince William County School Board reviewed the challenge, with both school-based and district-level committees voting to retain the book, limiting it to high school libraries. The superintendent upheld this decision, ensuring the book would remain available only to older students.
As the county continues to face challenges related to the availability of certain books deemed inappropriate by some parents, new initiatives are being rolled out to give parents greater oversight.
Parental Control Mechanisms
One of the key topics discussed at the meeting was introducing a new parental control system that allows parents to directly monitor and restrict the books their children check out from school libraries. This new feature, developed with the help of the school system’s library software vendor, enables parents to create accounts linked to their child’s library profile. Through this account, parents can block specific books, authors, or genres they feel are inappropriate for their child.
Parents can also set restrictions that align with their values, preventing their children from checking out materials that don’t meet their standards. However, the system is opt-in, meaning that parents must actively use the platform to set restrictions, giving them complete control over what materials are accessible to their children.
“This system allows parents to create a custom reading environment for their children. They can restrict access to certain content while still allowing students the freedom to explore other materials,” said Dr. Stephanie Soliven, the Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, during her presentation at the board meeting.
Requests for Additional Transparency
Despite the new system, some parents voiced concerns about the complexity of manually setting these restrictions. One parent said, “It’s great to have this tool, but going through and blocking every book individually takes time. I’d love to have an alert system that lets me know what my child is checking out.”
This request for greater transparency led to discussions about implementing a system that would notify parents via email whenever their child checks out a book, similar to the notifications sent when lunch accounts are updated, or textbooks are borrowed. Soliven responded positively, confirming that the library software vendor offers such capabilities and that the school system is exploring ways to implement it.
“The more we can make this process transparent and seamless for parents, the better it will be for everyone,” Soliven said. “We’re working on ways to enhance this tool so parents have a clearer picture of what their child is reading.”
Library Book Challenges
Library book challenges have been a contentious issue in Prince William County, with several titles facing scrutiny for containing sexually explicit content. Parents concerned about specific books can challenge their availability in school libraries. These challenges are reviewed by school-level and district-level committees that include educators, parents, and administrators.
School board members and school officials emphasized the critical role of parental involvement in shaping students’ reading habits. “We believe parents know what’s best for their children, and we want to give them the tools to make those decisions,” said a Coles District School Board member Lisa Zargapur.
Prince William County Government employees were urged to leave their regular jobs temporarily and serve food and drinks to guests at a prestigious golf tournament now underway in the county while still being paid their government salary.
The Solheim Cup, an internationally recognized LPGA golf tournament, is taking place now at Robert Trent Jones Golf Course in Gainesville. From September 13 to 15, the event is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors to the region.
A whistle-blower shared an email from the county government’s top brass encouraging employees to volunteer during their duty days at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club from September 10 to 15, 2024. This arrangement has raised several concerns about using taxpayer resources and the impact on county services.
Volunteer Solicitation and County Response
The county’s email solicitation for volunteers invited employees to sign up for shifts at the tournament, where they will serve food and drinks to attendees. The county did not answer questions about employees serving alcohol, but an attendant at the golf course said alcohol will be available wherever food is served. Volunteers are paid their regular county salary to work at the LPGA event. The communication also highlights that 8% of gross revenues from catering tents and tips will benefit a local charitable organization.
County government spokeswoman Nicole Brown responded to inquiries, stating that the goal is to support the event’s success and promote Prince William County as a prime location for major sporting events. According to Brown, participation in this volunteer program is optional, and volunteer employees will receive regular wages for working at the event.
The Prince William County Government was one of several area non-profit organizations seeking volunteers to serve food and drinks to golf spectators. Organizations like Volunteer Prince William and the Prince William County Parks Foundation recently pleaded for volunteers to help a hired caterer serve food and drink.
Potomac Local News contacted the LPGA for information on the catering services at the tournament and why volunteers are needed to support a catering company. We received no response.
Prince William County Director of Economic Development Christina Winn discussed the broader context of the event’s impact. She noted that the Solheim Cup is expected to attract around 150,000 spectators and generate significant economic benefits for the county. However, she admitted that the specific details about the volunteer arrangements and their implications were not fully within her purview.
Winn indicated that the county had attempted to involve various nonprofit organizations to fulfill volunteer needs but faced challenges when those groups could not provide sufficient volunteers. This led to the decision to extend the opportunity to county employees.
The Solheim Cup, run by the for-profit LPGA, will benefit from the taxpayer-funded labor. The tournament’s entry fees range from $65 to $515 daily.
Prince William County has added nearly 500 full-time employees since 2020, and the county’s budget has consistently increased. Meanwhile, the potential liability for any injuries sustained by county employees while volunteering, whether on-site or en route, remains unclear. While the county will compensate employees for their work at the event, including overtime, the broader implications for employee safety and county liability remain in question.
There are concerns about diminished services for residents as county employees work the event instead of the jobs for which the county hired them. The high ticket prices and parking fees for the Solheim Cup limit access for many county residents, raising questions about the tangible benefits that the county will receive from putting so much effort into the event.
Event literature recommends that those traveling stay at hotels in Fauquier and Loudoun counties. Winn said, “The county simply does not have enough hotel rooms.”
On Friday, the LGPA issued an apology for failing to provide adequate shuttle bus transportation from Jiffy Lube Live to the tournament.
Public Transparency and Accountability
The conversation around this initiative highlights a broader issue of public transparency and accountability in allocating taxpayer resources. Winn says the event is “expected to inject $60 million into the economy,” but her numbers include the broader Northern Virginia, as tax revenue from hotels and airports outside the county stays within the county the business is in does not trickle down to Prince William County.
Winn acknowledged that the decision to involve county employees was made with positive intentions, aimed at supporting a high-profile event and showcasing Prince William County on a global stage. However, she admitted that the details of the arrangement and its broader implications need further clarification.
The Solheim Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Course 1 Turtle Point Dr, Gainesville, VA 20155 runs through Sunday September 15. Tickets can be purchased at solheimcupusa.com.
Virginia State Senator Tara Durant (R) revealed reports of two additional intrusions at Quantico Marine Corps Base following the arrests of two men from Jordan who were in the U.S. illegally. Potomac Local News broke the story and told you the men were arrested after allegedly posing as Amazon delivery drivers and ramming the front gate of the military installation on May 3, 2023.
Durant said the additional incursions occurred on May 3, the same day two Jordanian nationals in the U.S. illegally posed as Amazon delivery men. “I heard about it from somebody I know who works at Quantico, and he first alerted me to the first breach,” said Durant. “He has since alerted me that there have been two more breaches that occurred on the same day. I don’t think that’s come out yet.”
The two men from Jordan, Hasan Y. Hamdan and Mohammad K. Dabous, attended their first hearing on July 22 at the Alexandria courthouse. Both men, accompanied by an Arabic translator, were charged with Class B misdemeanors for allegedly trespassing on a military facility, charges which carry up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine. The judge supported conditions for release, and both men have been released, with their next hearings scheduled for September.
On May 22, Governor Glenn Youngkin penned a letter to President Joseph Biden requesting a full briefing about the incident. This request came 20 days after the breach and 12 days after Potomac Local broke the news of the attack. The governor has provided no new information following this request.
Durant mentioned her efforts to obtain more information about these breaches. “I connected him [Attorney General Jason Miyares], who was just so frustrated because there are a lot more attempts at breaches that are happening, and I don’t think that it’s out in the public sphere, and it should be.”
Potomac Local broke the story of the initial intrusion at Quantico, which followed days of pressing officials for information. Sources tell us one of the men is on the FBI terror watch list, something federal officials have not confirmed or denied. When asked about the terror watch list angle, Durant stated, “I’m hearing the same information, but I think we need to find out a lot more about these other attempted breaches. Are they testing to see where the weak points are and setting the stage for something that’s more nefarious?”
Quantico officials have not responded to a request to comment on this story.
Durant expressed support for Governor Youngkin’s request for answers: “I am grateful for it, and I encourage it. We need to get answers for it. I can’t confirm that I know any more about that type of information, but I certainly intend to keep pushing to find out more.”
Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) will ban personal wireless communication devices, including cell phones, during high, middle, K-8, and traditional school instructional periods starting in the upcoming school year. It joins Stafford County and Fredericksburg public schools in requiring students to turn off and store cell phones during instructional time.
Press release:
PWCS is excited to welcome students back to school on Aug. 19! To help prepare our families for the first day, below are 10 key things you need to know for a successful start to the 2024-25 school year. More details will be shared in the coming days and weeks:
