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,

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 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

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.

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 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.

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

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

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.

Be sure to subscribe to our FREE news email. Each week, we will pose a single question to all candidates running for the Manassas City Council.

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.

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.

 

Fredericksburg Free Press: “They agreed that health care costs are too high and that prices at the gas pump have been, too. But that was about it Monday night.

The candidates running for office in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District made their cases to voters — individually — in a town hall forum put on by the Fredericksburg Free Press.”

Read More

Rachel Vindman, the 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.

As early voting for the fall 2024 election approaches on Sept. 20, 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 third one, which ran on Aug. 27, focused on data centers.

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: Parking.

The candidates were asked: What solutions do you propose for the ongoing parking issues in areas like Georgetown South? How would you address the community’s concerns and find a sustainable solution?

Mayoral candidates

Xiao-Yin “Tang” Byrom (R)

Parking in our city isn’t a one-size-fits-all issue. Each neighborhood deserves a

tailored approach that respects the needs of its residents. In places like Georgetown South, where congestion is a daily struggle, homeowners associations need to have the loudest voice. They live the problem and know the solutions that work. For other areas without these associations but still facing parking headaches, we have options. Should we introduce paid street parking? Build more vertical structures? Require City decals for long-term parking? These choices have their pros and cons, but they need your input.

As Manassas continues to grow, the parking crunch will only get worse. But here’s the good news: We’re not alone. By looking to other cities facing similar challenges, we can adopt proven strategies that fit our community. Your voice matters in shaping how we address this.

Byrom, the owner of Tang’s Bridal and Alterations in the Canterbury Village shopping center at 8675 Sudley Road, opened her Manassas store as an alteration shop in 1999. She eventually expanded her business to include bridal and formal wear. Her business employs 17 people.

Michelle Davis Younger (D-Incumbent)

NO RESPONSE

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)

Parking is a vital issue for our community, affecting residents, businesses, and

visitors alike. Here are some key points I believe we should focus on.

Enhanced parking solutions: We need to explore a range of parking options to accommodate the growing population and influx of visitors. This could include expanding existing parking facilities, investing in multi-level parking structures, and creating additional parking spaces in strategic locations.

Improved signage and wayfinding: Clear and accessible signage can significantly improve the parking experience. We should invest in better signage to guide drivers to available parking areas, reducing frustration and congestion.

Smart parking technologies: Implementing smart parking solutions, such as real-time space availability apps and automated payment systems, can streamline the parking process and make it more convenient for everyone.

Support for local businesses: Ensuring that parking is accessible to customers is crucial for the vitality of our local businesses.

Community feedback and engagement: I believe in actively engaging with residents to understand their parking challenges and preferences.

I am committed to addressing parking concerns with thoughtful, practical solutions that balance the needs of all stakeholders while enhancing the overall quality of life in Manassas. Your feedback and support will be invaluable as we work together to create a more accessible and efficient parking system for our city.

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 re-election bid, Forkell Green was a freelance reporter covering city issues for Potomac Local News.

Ashley Hutson (D)

As we all know, many neighborhoods in Manassas were established 50 and even 60+

years ago. When these neighborhoods were built, typical families had only one vehicle, so only one parking space was allotted per house. Now, residents in a single-family home may have four or more vehicles, so where do they park?

I understand that the residents of the Georgetown South Community have faced historical parking challenges. To help aid the situation the City of Manassas, guided by community input, proposed permitted parking districts which allow for two designated spots per household and a third offered by lottery. Listening to the community’s input to make informed solutions is important.

As a former renter of an apartment at the corner of Battle Street and Center Street, I experienced parking challenges and heard of many challenges throughout the community. Especially on days when the streets were closed, some neighbors expressed frustration with not knowing or having no nearby place to park their car. While some of those sentiments are common to every city, more can be done to ensure convenient parking for the residents of Manassas. Ensuring residents and businesses are informed about special events and perhaps offering special garage parking permits for Old Town residents on event days could help this problem.

Further, the capital improvement plan calls for a parking garage with ~300 spaces on the north side of the train tracks in Old Town to allow parking for City Hall and the surrounding businesses. I have no doubt that an additional 300 spaces in Old Town will be helpful!

Throughout my campaign, I have stressed the need for forward thinking land-use decisions, because all too often, the people of today are negatively impacted by the decisions of yesterday. Because Manassas is less than ten square miles, we must be considerate of the future needs of our community when planning for housing developments.

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)

With parking policy and managing cars, the only sustainable solution is to enforce

existing parking codes in the city and have a paid permit system for street parking. Much of the discussion in Manassas centers around the effects of overcrowding within single-family homes and how that leads to a lack of available parking, but we often leave out the fact that having three or more cars also could mean you’re a family with older children. In just two years, our family will need a third car for our teenage daughter, and the city-sticker system used in Georgetown South and Bristoe Station is a workable solution. There are no magic wand solutions to parking. You have to remain flexible, price parking spaces appropriately, register all vehicles, tow cars that don’t play by the rules, and consider whether or not the city needs a second parking deck to support the Historic Downtown deck. It’s also very important that small cities like Manassas not become over-reliant on free parking. When cities do that, you rapidly begin losing what little available land you have to parking lot. Green space becomes concrete slabs. Fair, market-rate parking solutions is what will keep Manassas beautiful and moving.

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 candidate who proposes the all-encompassing solution for parking issues in the

City of Manassas can be elected for life!

Seriously, parking is a challenge in the city because many of our neighborhoods were built for car situations which have changed and grown over time. If you live in a single family home, your garage, driveway and street can accommodate more than the two vehicle household which was the norm in the last century. But if you live in a townhouse, apartment or condo, parking spaces are limited especially on the adjacent public streets.

As a resident of Georgetown South for more than two decades, I have seen what occurs when residents can register as many vehicles as one wants even when there is a parking district. That is why I knew limits were needed, first as a resident who could not find parking if I came home after 8 p.m., then as a member of the GTS Community Council where I was part of an effort to propose some restrictions, and finally as a member of City Council where a two-vehicle limit per address was set in a special GTS parking district. Accommodations were made for work vehicles and an adjustment was made to permit a one year third vehicle parking pass (based on a lottery) based on community input.

Is this perfect? Not if you own more than two vehicles per address. But it has made it so all GTS residents can park at least two vehicles which has helped with the original problem. This would not necessarily work in all of Manassas as the streets in GTS are public streets so the city government could implement a total solution. What I have been doing is going to different neighborhoods which have indicated that there is over parking. I talk with their HOA Boards and residents to determine what are the challenges that they face and what might work in their particular situation. I connect them with police representatives to help with current enforcement and bring in city staff who guide them through the process if there is interest in establishing a special parking district.

What does not work is seeking wholesale changes in parking because one has received a parking ticket in an area outside of their neighborhood. I have received parking tickets in different parts of the city but I have not turned my poor decisions into ones where I am calling for changes in parking which really should be decided by those who live in the area.

Our neighborhoods are unique and they require different approaches to bring some parking relief to those who live there. I have great faith that our residents know what the problems are and are willing to accept equitable solutions if they have a part in building the solution.

Remember, the focus of the Town Hall meeting on Sept. 16 is Parking. It will begin at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 9025 Center St.

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)

To address the ongoing parking issues in high-density neighborhoods like Georgetown South, I propose a comprehensive strategy that tackles both immediate concerns and long-term solutions. Georgetown South is unique in that the neighborhood’s roads are owned by the city, not the homeowner’s association. The city has already initiated a plan aimed at providing residents with more reliable parking options in Georgetown South.

For other neighborhoods, a short-term solution would involve working closely with homeowner associations to reassess current parking allocations. In the long term, we can explore opportunities to create additional parking by reconfiguring underutilized public spaces, all while preserving the community’s amenities.

There are several potential solutions worth considering, but it’s essential that we engage with residents in every community to ensure the strategies we implement reflect residents’ needs and concerns. Together, we can develop a sustainable solution to these parking challenges.

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. He 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)

This is a little bit of old news regarding GTS. This Council has acted decisively to implement a

fair and equitable parking plan for GTS that recognizes the reality of having 1,700 parking spaces for 800 units. This issue had been before the City for years and I am proud that this Council took decisive action.

One of the major changes the City has implemented over the years is in allowing (encouraging) citizens to request that parking districts be established in their neighborhoods.This grassroots empowerment of our citizens increases public engagement and is our best tool in dealing with outside parking. Another example of the city trying to help can be found on Stonewall Road where the city change the parking pattern to allow for more vehicles to be parked in public areas.

Parking is and will continue to be a challenge. but it is my priority — and a City one — to work to maintain the integrity and quality of life in our neighborhoods.

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 starts  Sept. 21, and Election Day is Nov. 5.

Be sure to subscribe to our FREE news email. Each week, we will pose a single question to all candidates running for the Manassas City Council.

As early voting for the fall 2024 election approaches, 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 third one, which ran on Aug. 16, focused on commercial airline services.

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: Data centers.

The candidates were asked: The recent approval of data centers near the Manassas National Battlefield Park has sparked significant debate regarding their impact on the environment, local infrastructure, and property values. What is your position on the development of data centers in Manassas City, and how do you plan to address the concerns related to environmental impact, increased utility rates, and the overall strain on city resources? How would you ensure that the economic benefits promised by these projects are realized while mitigating negative impacts on the community?

Mayoral candidates

Xiao-Yin “Tang” Byrom (R)

I wasn’t involved in the decision-making process for the current data centers, so it wouldn’t be fair for me to question those decisions. However, I have thoroughly researched their impact on the city and our residents and am confident that the city staff have addressed all the relevant concerns. From what I understand, there will be no increase in utility rates, and there may even be a small savings. The data centers will receive their power directly from Dominion, so they won’t be connected to our city’s electric grid.

Byrom, the owner of Tang’s Bridal and Alterations in the Canterbury Village shopping center at 8675 Sudley Road, opened her Manassas store as an alteration shop in 1999. She eventually expanded her business to include bridal and formal wear. Her business employs 17 people.

Michelle Davis Younger (D-Incumbent)

NO RESPONSE

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)

My approach to data centers in Manassas City is grounded in careful evaluation and strategic oversight. While I acknowledge the potential economic benefits, such as increased tax revenue, I am equally committed to addressing the associated concerns, including environmental impacts and the strain on city resources and infrastructure. Additionally, we need to be mindful of the potential for job losses, as data centers may not offer many local employment opportunities once they are operational.

To ensure that our residents fully benefit from any economic gains, I propose implementing a transparent plan that outlines when and how tax breaks will be delivered. This way, our community can see clear and timely benefits from these developments.

Community engagement remains a top priority for me. I advocate for a policy requiring all data center proposals to be reviewed by City Council rather than being handled through a by right process that might sideline resident input.

In summary, while I see the potential advantages of data centers for Manassas City, a balanced and responsible approach is crucial. We already have four approved. By prioritizing environmental stewardship, protecting and investing in infrastructure, while ensuring transparent economic benefits, we can foster both economic growth and community well-being.

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 re-election bid, Forkell Green was a freelance reporter covering city issues for Potomac Local News.

Ashley Hutson (D)

While I was not involved in past decision-making on data center location and development in the City of Manassas, I support our Council in their decision to place data centers on land zoned for industrial use because I recognize the impact of new development on existing neighborhoods.

Through my work at the Heavy Construction Contractors Association, I have had the opportunity to learn about the positive impacts of data center development such as significant tax revenue and support of local community organizations and charities, which Manassas will benefit from as our planned data centers go live.

I have also learned there are a variety of data centers and their designs can impact sound levels. In recent years, there have been concerns about noise emitted from data centers located near residential areas. Regulations now require noise barriers such as berms and buffer walls when they are built. Further, manufacturers of chilling systems, which are the main cause of noise emission, are exploring changes in technology and design to decrease the potential for sound issues.

Manassas residents should not expect increased utility rates or a strain on our electric grid due to data center construction because each data center in the City of Manassas has its own electrical substations, which are paid for by the data centers. Transmission lines directly from Dominion Energy power those Substations.

I look forward to being part of the budget-planning process that will allocate new funds coming in from the data centers. Funding for schools, enhancing our greenspaces, and investing in the Marstellar property for the use of our future community are some of my priorities for the new funds.

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)

Manassas must approach all data center projects with one core principle in mind: Tangible benefit to the citizens of Manassas. An increased standard of living is a tangible benefit. That can come in the form of tax revenue collected on these centers, currently $2.15 per $100 of assessed value on their equipment, directed toward infrastructure and public building updates. I do not think Manassas residents should be seeing higher annual property tax bills, which they currently are, while data centers are moving into city limits. Manassas has already increased the tax rate on data centers significantly, and I’m open to going higher if that’s what residents want done in the future. I’m not anti-data centers, but I get the sense that these tech firms need us more than we need them.

Data centers are not getting their energy from the city grid, so I’m not particularly concerned about electric. We have an effective team of city managers are have updated our utility equipment, and they are prepared for the impact of data centers on our power grid if Dominion fails. Water is of more concern, and the city has work to do and tough questions to ask of these tech firms moving in, as to how they’ll partner with the city to address concerns over resources.

At the end of the day, what residents tell us about their concerns around data centers should be taken seriously. Manassas can get this balance right.

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)

There are four locations for data centers in the City of Manassas. Three of them are being built by right, which refers to projects that are permitted under their current zoning and do not require any legislative action by City Council. City staff oversees these projects to make sure that they follow appropriate site development, construction and occupancy requirements.

The fourth location is land the City sold that was primarily a vegetation dumping site for the Airport. I voted for the sale of that property.

The City has taken several key steps to mitigate negative impacts on the community. One has to do with increased utility rates.

Each data center will have its own dedicated substation which will deliver electricity directly from Dominion Energy. It has no effect on the electricity produced and purchased from Dominion Energy which is transmitted to Manassas residents and businesses nor the rates charged. Unfortunately, the wording of this question continues the myth that these data centers will increase utility rates for city residents and strain city resources which it does not.

Another is noise. The building boom of data centers in nearby Prince William County has demonstrated that the noise produced by heating/cooling equipment has a negative impact on nearby residents and neighborhoods. Toward that end, I voted for a revised Noise Ordinance to give city staff tools to deal with this problem. City staff is requiring data centers in Manassas to install noise baffling on their heating/cooling equipment.

Since taking office, I have been interested in reducing the reliance on taxes collected from residents for operating city government. But to do that, there has to be an increase in the amount of taxes collected from commercial businesses.

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)

As technology advances rapidly, data centers have become an essential part of our digital infrastructure. According to the International Energy Agency, energy consumption by data centers is expected to double by 2030, accounting for 4% of global electricity demand. This growth is largely driven by the rapid expansion of AI, with AI-related data centers outpacing non-AI ones. With the City of Manassas likely to see four new data centers come online, it is crucial to address the environmental impact they may bring.

While digital connectivity is vital in nearly every aspect of our lives, it comes with significant costs, much of which is attributable to data centers consuming substantial energy. A key concern is their reliance on fossil fuels, which release carbon dioxide and contribute to a growing carbon footprint. Additionally, data centers place a heavy strain on local infrastructure, stressing utility and grid capacity. Although Manassas sources electricity from several providers, including Dominion and NOVEC, the region’s grid faces considerable challenges that can impact our city, potentially leading to increased utility costs for residents as generator capacity is expanded.

Concerns have also been raised by homeowners about potential impacts on property values, though there is currently no evidence suggesting that data centers negatively affect home prices in this market.

Manassas City is set to bring two additional data centers online, with one currently navigating the approval process and Amazon acquiring land near the airport for a potential fourth center. These data centers are projected to generate significant revenue for the City. However, whether this revenue will effectively reduce the tax and utility burdens on residents depends largely on the decisions made by the City Council once these facilities become operational. As a member of the Council, I would prioritize ensuring that this revenue is used to alleviate the financial strain on our community, providing tangible benefits for all residents.

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. He 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)

NO RESPONSE

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 starts  Sept. 21, and Election Day is Nov. 5.

Be sure to subscribe to our FREE news email. Each week, we will pose a single question to all candidates running for the Manassas City Council.

Virginia Senator Tim Kaine (D) expressed disappointment that his opponent, Hung Cao (R), declined to participate in three scheduled debates and forums. This continued a pattern observed during the GOP primary when Cao skipped 12 of 13 candidate forums.

In a press release, Kaine states that he remains committed to discussing his efforts to support Virginia’s economy, health care, reproductive rights, and military families in an upcoming debate in Norfolk on October 2. Potomac Local emailed the Hung Cao campaign for a comment and received no response.

Yesterday, Cao held a veterans event in Norfolk.

Early voting for the November 2024 General Election begins Friday, September 20, 2024.

Press release:

Last week, the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce/NBC4 and AARP had to cancel their respective Senate debate and forum because the Cao campaign informed them that he refused to participate. The Northern Virginia Chamber/NBC4 debate was originally scheduled for September 19, and the AARP forum was scheduled for September 13.

Michael Beyer, Communications Director for Kaine for Virginia, released the following statement in response:

“As is tradition, Senator Kaine accepted four invitations for debates and candidate forums in different regions of the Commonwealth. He is disappointed that his opponent has refused to participate in the first three. But he isn’t surprised—his opponent skipped 12 of 13 candidate forums during the GOP primary.

“Senator Kaine looks forward to appearing with his opponent in Norfolk on October 2 to talk about his record of standing up for Virginians and describing his ongoing work to create high-quality jobs, reduce health care costs, protect reproductive freedom, and support our military families and veterans.”

Last month, the Virginia Bar Association canceled their debate on July 20 because they were “unable to obtain a timely commitment to participate from the Cao campaign.”

Cao skipped 12 out of 13 candidate forums during the GOP primary, only attending a single forum in his home county. The list of GOP forums he skipped is as follows:

• Spotsylvania US Senate Candidate Forum – 2/25
• Virginia Beach Republican Women’s Club Candidate Forum – 2/27
• US Senate Candidate Forum, Virginia Beach – 3/16
• US Senate Candidate Forum – Immigration/Economy, Arlington – 3/18
• Virginia Beach Candidate Forum – 3/25
• Chasing Freedom Virginia National Security Forum, Arlington – 4/9
• Candidate Forum, Suffolk – 4/11
• US Senate Candidate Forum, Chesterfield – 4/20
• VA US Senate Republican Candidate Forum, Alexandria – 4/30
• US Senate Candidate Forum, Appomattox – 5/4
• US Senate Candidate Town Hall Forum, Chantilly – 5/11
• Virginia Republican US Senatorial Candidate Forum, Staunton – 5/17

Washington Free Beacon: “Something funny happened when the Washington Free Beacon contacted the campaign of Trump whistleblower turned congressional candidate Eugene Vindman last week. Vindman, a 24-year Army veteran, says he “served our nation in combat.” A 2019 Daily Mail piece said he “has not seen combat.” The Free Beacon asked the campaign to explain the discrepancy.

Vindman’s campaign manager, Jeremy Levinson, responded by introducing a third party, the employee of a political action committee. “All future questions,” he said, could be directed to him.”

Vindman, a Democrat, is running to replace Abigail Spanberger, who represents eastern Prince William County, Stafford and Spotsylvania counties, and Fredricksburg. Republican Derrick Anderson is also vying for the seat.

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