The Prince William Board of County Supervisors dean announced her run to become its chair.
Jeanine Lawson, who served on the board the longest of all its eight members since 2014, seeks to unseat Ann Wheeler, who has served as board chair since 2020. Lawson has been an outspoken opponent of Wheeler and the majority of Democrats who have pushed to put more data centers and other industrial businesses in the western portion of the county.
Last fall, Lawson led a fight to oppose the Prince William Digital Gateway, 27 million square feet of data center space that could be developed next to the Manassas National Battlefield, after the board amended the county’s comprehensive plan last fall, after a marathon 14-hour meeting.
Last spring, Lawson ran to become the Republican candidate to run against Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D) in Virginia’s 10th congressional district. Hung Cao won a May 2022 GOP firehouse primary to become the nominee.
Meanwhile, Wheeler, a Democrat, faces opposition from a candidate in her party — Deshundra Jefferson, whose been critical of Wheeler over the past two years and her push to trade rural land for data centers, is seeking her party’s endorsement in a June 2023 Primary Election.
Lawson said she would campaign on a platform to end regular tax increases and to reduce the county’s increasing crime rate.
More in a press release:
Today Brentsville Supervisor, Jeanine Lawson, announced her bid for Chair of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors.
“Under the failed leadership of our current Chair, Prince William County has been quickly moving in the wrong direction,” Lawson said. “In three short years under her iron-fisted reign, we’ve watched her lead with extreme and reckless policies, while putting her political agenda first and Prince William families last. We deserve better.”
Here are just a few disturbing facts from the past three years under our current county Chair’s failed leadership:
Rising taxes – over $1,400 more in annual real estate tax bills for the average Prince William County family, plus a new meals tax, and additional proposed tax increases.
Skyrocketing crime – 150% increase in homicides since 2020.
The prioritization of a multi-billion dollar data center industry over residents – giving big business tax breaks on the backs of Prince William families.
“Enough is enough. Our local taxes are through the roof. Unchecked development is rampant while conservation and concerns about our local environment have been tossed aside. Crime in every corner of the county is skyrocketing,” Lawson continued. “It’s time to throw out our current Chair’s radical approach and implement new, practical, constituent-focused solutions to local governing.”
“As your next Chair, I’ll restore common-sense leadership, integrity, and a balanced approach back to our Board of Supervisors. I’m running to represent our families and neighbors, not an out-of-touch agenda. I’ll strive to lower our cost of living, improve our quality of life, and manage the growth of our communities in a responsible way.”
Jeanine Lawson has lived in Prince William County since 1995, where she and her husband Dan raised their two children. Since 2014, Jeanine has served on the Board of Supervisors representing the Brentsville District where she has been re-elected twice. During her time in office, Jeanine has fought to keep taxes low, support public safety agencies and manage growth.
Updated Wednesday, September 21 — Theresa Coates Ellis is seeking a second term on the Manassas City Council.
She and Lynn Forkell Greene are the only two Republicans on the city’s top governing board, which Democrats have controlled since 2020.
Ellis made streetlight issues the focus of her time on City Council, advocating for small business owners and lower property taxes for residents. She also worked to bring more visitors to the city by creating the Manassas Bee Festival, a community event held for the past two years at Liberia Plantation House.
Earlier this year, she made a failed Primary Election bid to become the Republican nominee for Virginia’s 10th Congressional District. In 2020, she ran for mayor and lost to Michele Davis Younger (D).
Coates Ellis is running alongside Lynn Forkell Greene, seeking her first full term on the Council, and Rick Bookwalter, a longtime city resident.
Three open seats are up for grabs on the City Council this year. While Republicans hope to win all three to level the political playing field, Democrats are also running for those seats.
Incumbent Ralph Smith, Sonia Vasquez Luna, and Dheeraj “JD” Jagadev, Democrats, hope to win the seats.
Ellis agreed to talk with us for a wide-ranging interview on taxes, city improvement projects, and the city’s struggling school division. Here’s a transcript of our conversation.
1. Taxes:Â City residents continue to see their tax bills increase despite commercial development projects like Micron, the largest public-private economic development project in Virginia history, which leaders promised would help take the burden to fund the local government of the residential taxpayer and place it onto commercial business. When do you anticipate the burden shifting to commercial businesses to fund the government, and what do you say to residents wary of regular tax-bill increases?
TCE: When I ran in 2018, my messaging was let’s grow Manassas together. And the whole point was to shift the burden from the residents paying taxes and allowing our businesses to thrive.
I’m a small business owner in my own business, born my children of 30 something years… when you make more money, you know you have to pay more back. I mean, there’s going to be taxes involved…when you’re getting into that, and most businesses understand that.
But what happened, I think, with us is the pandemic hit. We do have a diverse economy here in Manassas. We’re very fortunate. We have manufacturing…some hospitality restaurants. We have a good mix.
But a group of them were hit really hard. When the assessments came in really high for the residents, for their property tax, I have to say I was shocked that there was anything on the table to raise the tax bill.
So Lynn [Forkell Greene] and I, we were on council, and we tried everything we could to try to get them to understand, but it just seems like there’s more spending. That’s how it keeps coming out.
“We need more” is is the message the council keeps sending. We don’t need more. Needs and wants are very different.
Personal property tax bills for city residents have increased each year for at least the past five years. On September 12, the City Council voted unanimously to give taxpayers a 15% break on their personal property (vehicle) tax after many were slammed with more than 20% higher tax bills than the previous year.
After much public outcry, Coates Ellis and Forkell Green petitioned the City Council to reconsider tax relief, something it didn’t do in the spring, at the advice of city Commissioner of the Revenue Tim Demeria. While surrounding jurisdictions charged a lesser percentage of tax on personal property, Manassas continued to charge the full rate.
A lack of new car sales over the past year due to supply chain issues led, for the first time, to older cars appreciating in value. Now, the city will mail new tax bills with a new amount owed.
2. Businesses:Â What’s your assessment of how the city is attracting businesses to Manassas, and are the right types of businesses opening in the city?
TCE:Â We have a vibrant community, and we have really big great businesses. I remember I interviewed [the owner of Sinistral Brewing in Downtown Manassas] and I said, “I hear there are more breweries coming in.” He’s like, good. “That’s good.”
And he’s like, “we want them to come because if they come, [customers] will hop around,” and that’s what happened. We just have, I think, two more art galleries that opened up.
These types of businesses…bring the vibrancy that we want, the diverse population that comes in looking for a lifestyle that they enjoy living and working in. So you’re seeing it.
You’re also seeing more restaurants coming in. I think now that there’s a meal tax in Prince William County, before, there was a choice: do we want to go to Manassas City [where there’s been a meals tax for years, or eat in the county]? Now the county has a meals tax, too]…so it’s like, we’re going to go to Manassas City because they might like the vibe here better. It’s more of a community.
So we are growing because of the work that I’ve done…making sure we let businesses thrive and bring about a sense of community that we need here, not just all strictly services, our struggle.
3. Capital improvement plan:Â For years, we’ve seen the city invest in its capital improvement plan, from a new police station and lane reductions on streets to an expansion of the city museum. Some say the city is beginning to resemble Arlington and other localities closer to Washington, D.C.
When most proposed capital improvement projects are presented to the public, a considerable amount of staff time and money has been invested into researching the project. During this time, city staff can become excited about a project.
Do you get the sense that, by the time some recent projects have been presented to the public, such as the Grant Avenue lane reduction and streetscape project, staff has become advocates of a particular project and urges the public to share in their excitement, presenting information in a biased manner?
TCE:Â I voted against the Grant Avenue project. I’m not a fan of the roundabouts [being built on Grant Avenue near a new police station and proposed at Route 28 and Prescott Avenue near Food Lion].
I think they’re confusing. There could be an argument that in the long run, there’s less money to run it. You don’t have traffic lights and all that, but I know they’re very confusing.
I lived in New Jersey for a couple of years, and they call it circles and it’s just a nightmare. But I think the public, most of the majority of the public outcry is against the roundabouts.
But [city staff] comes to us with, “oh, that’s funded, we got it funded, so, therefore, it’s OK [to build]. But that’s not going to satisfy people that sit in traffic.
Grant Avenue to go from four lanes to two. [City staff] tried to push that as a safety issue, which there’s merit in that. When you’re talking about the students from the Georgetown South neighborhood, they have to cross that busy street to cut through, to go over to Baldwin and Osbourn [schools]…But you can have crossroads that are safe as well without taking two lanes away. The beautification of [the Grant Avenue project]…I do like…but that could have been done without taking two lanes away.
In my opinion. You’re seeing that all over the city where they’re adding landscape and whatnot… parks. Annaburg Manor was a huge outcry to buy. I supported that because I think parkland is very important to this city.
What’s happening? Liberia house, the preservation as well as the investment…I think that’s why people will want to live here and work here if they have the types of things that they need to enjoy with their family.
So that’s kind of where we are. I feel like we’ve done a lot of good things, but there have been things that I have voted against that were passed. It’s important that you get the three of us elected so we do bring the balance to council and we can try to get some more common sense in there with the money that’s being spent.
4. Schools:Â SOL scores are lower than in 2019, and the city school division is discussing purchasing the largest private office building in the city instead of taking over the police station.
As the majority funding mechanism for the School Board, how should the City Council work to ensure education dollars are spent on more learning and less on capital projects many see as monuments to public education?
TCE:Â The schools are a big challenge. I mean, the learning loss is severe. I know that. I just talked to some of the school board members about some things. Virginia State, our schools were about 10% to 15% below the average for Virginia before the pandemic. Now, of course, it’s worse…We’ve got to get a good school board. We have good people running for the School Board. We have to get a School Board in there that is going to really stick to education.
When it comes to [the school division’s $11 million proposed purchase of the building at 8700 Centreville Road, the largest office building in the city, instead of moving into the city’s old police station, to house the school division’s central office as originally planned]…one question that I have that I just talked to the School Board member, about nine to 13 million in order to move into the police station for renovations to get it ready for them to go in, this building is under $11 million. And so when you look at $9 million to $13 million [to renovate the old police station for schools use] versus $11 million, it’s like we’d have to spend almost the same amount.
And. They’re thinking…they’ll own the building for future education purposes that they think that they’ll need. It’s a pretty big parcel. I’m not sure where I stand on this yet.
We have to get back to investing in the classroom and making sure the teachers have what they need to teach these kids. The admin costs are very high in the budget. We need to shift that towards the classrooms.
Our teachers work so hard. I mean, my kids all went to public schools… We know how hard it is to teach, and they really do, I think, a great job.
Sometimes what’s coming down to them, what they have to do, isn’t always what they want to do. But if you get back to getting our kids in education, we have to educate our kids no matter what. That is the most important thing right now.
I mean, what they’re facing right now, it’s going to take decades to recover. That’s what some of the reports are that are coming in. And you see other school districts and even the private schools, how they did not waiver some school districts across the country, they survived quite well. So it does come down to leadership in our school board, as well as the leadership making the parents, giving them more information.
5. Finally, why should voters choose you?
TCE: Well, I’m a council person that I’ve been here 30 years. I’m a mom. I’ve built my own business, and I’m very active in the community. I have my finger on the pulse of the community for decades.
Six daughters, and one son went through this public school system. They’re all grown. And my husband George and I just have been very active, not just as business owners, but in the community. One of the things that I did as a council person that I really am excited about is we had the designation of a Bee City USA, because George and I are beekeepers as hobbies and the council got so sick of hearing me talking about bees.
But I was so excited because it was something that really brought the community together. It’s a simple thing, but we had a huge bee festival, super successful two years now, and it was the whole community. And something that really made me think about this was we are bringing ourselves together to thrive.
And that is kind of how I do really serve the citizens. It’s about them and we have to come together instead of being pulled apart if we’re going to thrive.
We’re still in a pandemic recovery. Even though we have businesses opening, there are still a lot of people that are suffering… 40% of [city residents] still using social services in the city and that’s that’s very alarming.
So we as a council have to remain committed to our citizens and what they really do need versus wants.
I also have some leadership positions, appointments chair and appointment committee, getting our volunteers on board in the city in different phases, and planning commission down to Beautification. That’s a really important committee, more than it sounds like.
But the volunteers that we have in our city really keep it going. It’s showing they’re investing their time and equity into it, even down to working at the transfer station when we have our supplies coming in for recycling.
Also on the airport commission, I was a committee member before I was elected. And what we have seen out there with the growth of our airport, it’s a dynamic economic engine out there. And I’m really happy that I’ve been a part of that for a long time, since, I think, 2015. We also do a lot of mentorship in our community.
I started the Shadow for a Day program, and that’s to give our students and career changers opportunities to link up with professionals locally and be able to learn about different careers and paths and connections so that they can get jobs and some guidance.
Because when you’re talking about our students, that’s one thing. They’re not all going to college. They might be looking for jobs right out of high school or into the trades. So we have to have these programs in place, and it has come a long way. I introduced that five years ago when [Career and Technical Education] struggled. And I have to say that we do have more programs available now through the schools and in the community to help our students. So I think I had something to say about getting that jumpstarted. I’m very happy about that.
Democrat Incumbent Ralph Smith, Democrats Sonia Vasquez Luna, and Dheeraj “JD” Jagadev also seek the three open seats. They have not returned a request for comment about their campaigns.
Need to know election info:Â
- First day of in-person early voting at your local registrar’s office: Friday, September 23, 2022
- The deadline to register to vote or update an existing registration is October 17, 2022.
-  The deadline to apply for a ballot to be mailed to you is October 28, 2022. Your local voter registration office must receive your request by 5 p.m.
- Voter registration offices open for early voting:Â Saturday, October 29, 2022.
- The last day of in-person early voting at your local voter registration office: is Saturday, November 5, 2022, at 5 p.m.
Daniel M. Gade will be the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate to face incumbent Mark Warner (D) in the November 3 General Election.
Gade handily beat his Republican Primary Election opponents Allisa A. Baldwin, and Thomas Speciale II with 67% of the vote. Locally Gade won Prince William and Stafford counties with 58% and 64% of the vote, respectively.
Republican Party of Virginia Chairman Jack Wilson issued the following statement:
âI first want to congratulate each and every candidate that answered the call to serve Virginians in the United States Senate and House of Representatives. Itâs that level of dedication that Virginia will need to deliver our Commonwealth for President Trump and take back our majority in the House.
âDan Gade, Scott Taylor, and John Collick are well-positioned for big wins in November. Their grassroots organizations are unmatched, and that energy will be front and center on November 3, 2020. Campaigning in a pandemic is no easy task, but these three took the challenge head on and emerged victorious.
âItâs now time for Republicans to rally around their nominees and reload for the long fight ahead.â
In the Democratic Primary Races in our area, Qasim Rashid is the winner over Lavangelene A. “Vangie” Williams with 52% of the vote. Rashid will move on to the Nov. 3 General Election to face longtime Republican incumbent Robert Joseph Wittman. This was Willaims’ second bid at the seat, as she lost to Wittman in the 2018 General Election.
Locally, Democrats in Prince William and Stafford counties chose Rahsid with 52% and 61% of the vote.
In the 11th House District, Democrat Gerald E. “Gerry” Connolly easily fought off his Primary Election opponent and political newcomer Zainab M. Mohsini with more than 70% of the vote. Connolly, who has held the office since 2008, will go on to face Republican Manga Anantatmula in the Nov. 3 General Election.
The Virginia Democratic Party did not issue a statement on the wins for Connolly and Rashid.
On the Manassas City Council, four three Democrats picked up wins in a party primary held today. Incumbents Pamela J. Sebesky and Mark D. Wolfe won with 31% and 27% of the vote, respectively, followed by political newcomer Tom C. Osina who garnered 26% of the vote.
Democrat Helen Anne Zurita lost her Primary Election bid on Tuesday as there were only three open seats. The winners will go on to the Nov. 3 General Election to vie for one of three open seats on the City Council.
Republican incumbent Ian Lovejoy is also running for one of the three open seats.
Mayor Hal Parrish II announced his retirement earlier this year. Two current councilmembers, Michelle-Davis Younger, a Democrat, and Theresa Coates-Ellis, a Republican, are both vying for the mayor’s seat. Both council members’ current terms expire in 2022.
Tuesday is Primary Day across Virginia, where voters will head to the polls to choose candidates for Senate and House of Representatives.
Polls open at 6 a.m. Tuesday, June 23, and close at 7 p.m.
Three Republicans are vying to unseat Mark Warner, a Democrat who was first elected to the office in 2009.
On the Republican ballot for is:
In the House of Representatives, Democrats will have options in these races:
In House District 1, which includes a portion of Prince William and Stafford counties, on the ballot is:
- Qasim Rashid
- Lavangelene A. “Vangie” Williams
Rasid ran last year for Virginia Senate House of Delegates 28 District in Fredericksburg and Stafford County and lost. The seat is now held by Richard Stuart Joshua Cole.
For Williams, this is a rematch Wiliams ran for the same seat two years ago and lost to Republican Rob Wittman.
In House District 11, voters in Prince William County will see two names on their ballots:
- Gerald E. “Gerry” Connolly
- Zainab M. Mohsini
Connolly, 70, has held since 2008, which he won after serving as At-large chairman of the Fairfax Board of County Supervisors. This marks the first campaign for Zaibab, 31, who works as a legal coordinator for a “reproductive justice organization,” the campaign tell us.
Both candidates live in Fairfax County.
In Manassas, four Democrats are competing for three open seats on the city council.
- Pamela J. Sebesky (Incumbent)
- Mark D. Wolfe (Incumbent)
- Tom OsinaÂ
- Helen Anne Zurita
The winners of this Primary Election will go to compete in the November 3, 2020 Election.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam delayed the Primary Election by two weeks due to the coronavirus. Northam and election officials across the state urged all voters to obtain an absentee ballot by June 16 to vote by mail.
In Prince William County, a total of 12,701 absentee votes have already been cast in the Democratic contest. A total of 1,589 absentee ballots of have cast.
Together, the numbers represent about 5% of registered voters in the county.
Prince William County Office of Elections spokesman Matthew Wilson says:
Iâll start with Absentee numbers, which have been through the roof.
Most [absentee] voters have been sent ballots through the mail. Iâm sure this is some kind of a record for a June Primary, however, I cannot corroborate that. [The] turnout before election day will be at roughly 5% but remember that in June Primaries our ceiling is something like 20%.
We are confident in our preparation but there are some things that we are expecting that will be out of the norm:
–An increase in Outside Polls or Curbside Voting. Voters, in the name of safety, might not feel comfortable going inside the precinct.
–Although things are âloosening up,â [so] to speak, this will be the first public event for many people and there could be an increase in typical turnout.
–For many of our absentee voters, this will be their first time voting by mail.
–Many have called and asked about being to vote in their precinct. Many are also concerned about their ballot getting to us in time. As per the usual many voters waited until the last day (June 16th) to apply.
–There could be an increase of spoiled or provisional ballots depending on whether they bring those mailed ballots with them.
The Virginia Department of Elections created a resource page to answer questions about voting, to include where to find your polling place.
Manassas citizens will have the chance to vote to select three out of four Democrats running for City Council in a June 23 Primary.
Polls in the city will open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
The vote will occur before they head to the general election in November. There are four candidates, including the incumbents Mark Wolfe and Vice Mayor Pamela Sebesky.
Two newcomers, Helen Zurita and Tom Osina, also have thrown their hats in the ring. Only three will win and head to the November election.
Potomac Local News recently reached contacted all four Democrat candidates. Here are some of the answers provided to us from Helen Zurita.
Why are you running for office?
I have been working for over a decade as an advocate for low-income families, seniors, and children. I feel that as a member of the City Council I can help influence policy in a way that benefits working families and people that generally havenât had a voice. Through my work in the community, I have become very familiar with the needs of working people. I want to make sure those needs are met efficiently and fairly.
How long have you lived in the city of Manassas?
16 years
What is the most important issue for you as you seek political office?
People have to be able to afford decent housing. It is important that people who work in Manassas and make a minimum wage can afford to live in Manassas as well. We need to preserve our low-cost housing and try to create more affordable units as we move forward.
What are your ideas to help the city government operate in the midst of the coronavirus?
The city governmentâs first priority is to make sure the basic needs of the people are met. Until people are back to work, we need to ensure that they remain in their homes, that utilities stay on and that they have food and medical care. We also must find ways to help local businesses re-open safely.
How has your campaign been affected by the coronavirus?
Unfortunately, as a result of COVID19 I have been limited in going door-to-door to meet and talk with many of the constituents. I want to hear the concerns of as many people as possible so I can work to address the concerns of the community.
Why should citizens of the City of Manassas elect you?
There are many people who feel they are not listened to or do not have a voice in government. I want to be the voice for all the people. I want our citizens to know that they are being heard and that the City Council is doing its best to meet their needs. The City Council can do so much more than just pass policy and laws. I believe we should connect people to resources and set an example by volunteering in the community to get done what needs to be done.
Tell us something about you that’s not political.Â
As a mom and a grandmother, I love to spend time with my family. I also enjoy meeting new people and learning from the experiences of others. I have to say though, there is nothing better than a delicious picnic with friends and family on a beautiful summer day.
According to the Manassas election officials, Tuesday, June 16, 2020, is the last day to request an absentee ballot by mail. Due to coronavirus pandemic, residents are encouraged voters to vote by absentee ballot.
Manassas citizens will have the chance to vote to select three out of four Democrats running for City Council in a June 23 Primary.
Polls in the city will open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
The vote will occur before they head to the general election in November. There are four candidates, including the incumbents Mark Wolfe and Vice Mayor Pamela Sebesky. Two newcomers, Helen Zurita and Tom Osina, also have thrown their hats in the ring. Only three will win and head to the November election.
Potomac Local recently reached out to all four Democrat candidates. Here are some of the answers provided to us from Tom Osina.
Why are you running for office?
An impetus for my candidacy is that those who live in low income housing, like me for the last 20 years, need to have input at the highest levels of decision making in the City. We need advocates who understand firsthand what these challenges are so that when decisions are made, especially those which impact these communities, there is someone who had experience to shape them directly.
How long have you lived in the city of Manassas?
20 years
What is the most important issue for you as you seek political office?
Growing economic prosperity throughout the City of Manassas.
What are your ideas to help the city government operate in the midst of the coronavirus?
There is no question that as the City moves into FY 21 it needs to keep a close eye on revenue and expenditures during these uncertain times. That is why I am a supporter of the Councilâs decision to hold quarterly reviews of the budget in conjunction with the City Manager and staff so that appropriate adjustments may be made.
How has your campaign been affected by the coronavirus?
It has required me to find innovative ways of reaching voters to discuss issues.
Why should citizens of the City of Manassas elect you?
As a 20-year homeowner in Manassas, I appreciate strong neighborhoods & housing opportunities. As a parent, I have seen the impact that public education has on the future of our children. As small business owner, I know the value of jobs & a sound transportation system towards building overall economic prosperity.
Tell us something about you that’s not political.Â
My husband is Ed Mattison. I have one son and one daughter. For fun, I ride motorcycles, collect old political paraphernalia, and rescue Weimaraners. Coffee ice cream is the best.
It’s looking like Manassas City will have a female mayor for the first time in its 147-year history.
Mayor Hal Parrish II announced his retirement at a small gathering at Okras restaurant in Downtown Manassas in February. It came as a surprise to many, as he’s served as mayor since 2008, and has been on the city council since 1993.
As Parrish departs, he’s leaving the city in a similar economic climate that mirrors the financial crisis of 2008, when he won his mayoral job. After a banner economic year for the city, unemployment in the city has skyrocketed to 13% — levels seen during the Great Depression of the 1930s — following the pandemic.
Now, two businesswomen with ties to the community are facing off for the mayoral seat. Potomac Local News recently spoke to both candidates about their visions for Manassas.
Michelle Davis-Younger, a life-long Manassas resident, has been on Manassas City Council since November 2018. She’s the presumptive Democratic nominee.
âItâs been great,â Davis-Younger said.
Bringing in business and new development to the city are some of her goals, Davis-Younger said.
âWe want to grow,â Davis-Younger reiterated.
Keeping taxes level and not raising them is also a priority for her.
âIâve been touted as a bridge builder,â Davis- Younger said sheâs known for bridging the political divide on the city council.
Davis-Younger owns a human resources consulting business. A lot of her work involves âtalking it out, getting people to the table to talk through things,â she said. She adds those skills go hand in hand with working on the city council.
She also helps her clients with resume writing and job- interview preparation. Davis-Younger added that when people are working outside the current pandemic, âthat, hopefully, more money is being spent in my city,â and âWhen mom and dad are working everyoneâs eating and working, it makes for a better city.â
Davis-Younger, a single mother, took night classes at Strayer University while working full-time, eventually going on to get her MBA.
She started her human resources firm as a side business in 1996, but now itâs her full-time job. Her company, âThe1ForHR,â is now located in Downtown Manassas.
Now married, Davis-Younger and her husband, James, and her 15-year=old daughter who attends Osbourn High School. All three Two of her children attended Manassas schools, she adds.
Theresa Coates Ellis, the presumptive Republican candidate for mayor, is also a local business owner with a strong desire to take charge.
“I am ready to lead,” Coates Ellis said.
Coates Ellis has forged multiple strategic partnerships in the city, which includes her Shadow for a Dayâ program that helps students and small and large businesses connect for mentorship. These types of outreach programs are important aspects of being a mayor, she said.
Coates Ellis has also made it a point to bring together the city council and the leaders of homeowners associations to discuss community issues.
Coates Ellis is also the Patron of the Bee City USA â which is a way to get the city involved in sustainable living, native plants, and attracting pollinators. She and her husband Goerge spend hours working with bees.
âIt’s a good way to brand our city,â Ellis said.
Ellis, who won her first seat on the city council in 2018, said that she had expected Mayor Hal Parrish II to run again, but had planned on running if he didnât.
“I’ve been mentoring with him,” Ellis said.
Ellis, an entrepreneur, believes that her experience with her Manassas-based company Tackle Management and Marketing has prepared her for the mayoral role. The firm works with small and mid-sized businesses helping them with marketing and creative projects.
“I’m a big connector, I’m very interactive,” Ellis said.
Ellis has been a resident of the city for 30 years.
Ellis said that she is very focused on growing the city’s economic development and ways to move the city forward for the whole community. The city is coming off its largest economic boom in history,
In her experience with marketing, she has done work with many different industries, but mostly healthcare, Ellis said, so she understands citizen’s issues with high deductibles, Medicare, Medicaid, and mental health crisis.
Ellis is also concerned about the coronavirus pandemic and its effect on the city. coronavirus outbreak, Unemployment has skyrocketed to 13% in the city since the start of the outbreak, and Ellis supports the city furnishing gift cards to area businesses that remain open during a statewide shutdown meant to curb the spread of the disease.
Since 1965, only Republicans have been elected mayor in Manassas. Prior to that, the city did not keep political party records.
Mayor Harry J. Parrish served in office from 1965 to 1982 and his son, Mayor Harry J. Parrish II, who is now retiring, has served on the city council starting in 1993, and as mayor from 2008 to 2020.
Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3.
Ann Little is running for Mayor of the City of Fredericksburg.
She’ll face incumbent Mayor Katherine Greenlaw in an upcoming city-wide election on May 19. That election was postponed from May 5 by order of Gov. Ralph Northam, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Little has a green thumb that has helped her grow her businesses. She has founded many companies including AGL Marketing in 1977, Through The Garden Gate Landscaping Company in 2004, and Tree Fredericksburg in 2008.
Little has served on several city boards such as Social Services, the Clean and Green Commission, and the Soil and Water Board. Sheâs also a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Fredericksburg NAACP.
Potomac Local News asked her a few questions to help our readers know a bit more about the candidate.
For more information on Ann Little go to her campaign website LittleforMayor.com
She will be on the ballot for Election Day on May 18 19.
What issue in the City of Fredericksburg has the highest priority for you? If elected as Mayor what steps would you take to make any needed changes?
Unmanaged growth brings many problems, and has a huge impact on the affordability of housing, crowding in schools, and many other issues. If we grow too fast, we will need to raise taxes to pay for more city services for these new residents. With unmanaged growth, our city gradually loses its special character. Currently, there are 1,500 housing units under construction while our schools only have space for 300 new students. The city says we cannot afford a new school for 10 years, but I believe we must find a way to build a new elementary school now. Our childrenâs future depends on it.
To manage growth, our city needs a real strategic plan. A strategic plan is an economic plan that balances growth, taxes, and the infrastructure needed to support our residents â schools, fire, police, and more. This starts with bringing community leaders together to create a vision for our city that we can all agree on and then forge a path to managing our future with a solid plan. I would push hard for a strategic plan â a roadmap for success for our community.
The city has a comprehensive plan that outlines decisions on land-use, public safety, as well as provides policy guidance for city leaders and staff. It was last updated five years ago
What do you believe are the most important needs for business and economic development in Fredericksburg?
I believe we need to focus our efforts on our current businesses and find a way to help them succeed and grow. 80% of economic growth comes from current businesses. We need to foster opportunities for our business community and help attract the right workforce to our area. Our schools should be focusing on creating more opportunities for our students with career and technical training.
We should be partnering with Germanna College and [University of Mary Washington] to find more ways to educate and train a better workforce. I would like to see an advisory group of business leaders formed to help guide the city out of this virus crisis. I am a proponent of opening up the government to bring in as much available talent and expertise that we can find.
What are some other concerns in Fredericksburg that have caught your attention? Any that may have caught you by surprise?
I was aware of the issue of affordable housing, but I did not realize how many people it affected in the city. We cannot continue to raise property taxes and expect working families to be able to live in Fredericksburg. 39% of the residents of Fredericksburg are classified as the âworking poorâ â nurses, teachers, municipal workers, fire, and police personnel.
A family of four with an income of less than $60,000 falls into this category. I have been knocking on doors, and many people, especially the elderly, told me that they are struggling with paying their bills now, and more property taxes will drive them out of the city. Affordable housing is not just a city issue. It must be addressed in conjunction with our regional partners, the state, and the federal government. We can help ease the tax burden by managing our growth which in turn mitigates the need for higher taxes for increased infrastructure improvements. An intense multi-faceted approach is needed to address this issue, and if elected, I will make this a priority.
Please describe your particular qualifications to serve as Mayor. Why should voters choose you over your opponent?
I have a business background. I founded and ran my own sales and marketing company for 25 years in the five-state mid-Atlantic region. I had over 40 employees, and I know how to manage people and finances. Being an entrepreneur, I know how to get things done. I am good at identifying a problem and bringing others in to help craft a solution. I believe that having the community invested in decisions leads to a stronger, more resilient city.
When I first moved to Fredericksburg, I saw that the tree canopy was shrinking. I started small, planting a few trees with a dedicated group of my neighbors and friends. That was 12 years ago. To date, we have planted over 8,000 trees with over 5,000 volunteers and changed the culture of our city to where people value trees and love our tree-lined streets.
What are some special features of Fredericksburg that make it a good place to live?
The people of this city are what make Fredericksburg special. I have been lucky to be part of some of the great things that our community has to offer. I work with the university and the students on environmental projects, and I was also a member of the Town and Gown Committee for many years. I was on the board of the Friends of the Rappahannock and led their campaign to save the 4,200 acres along the river from development. I served, and still am, on the committee that designed the trails system that we all use and love.
I had the privilege of serving as Chair of the Clean and Green Commission for eight years with a fabulous group of volunteers â their work still continues to this day and has made our city a much better place to live. We are a city with a great heart. I hear from many people every day that they want changes in how things are decided and who gets to participate in those decisions, but deep down, everyone loves this city and wants to help maintain that special quality and charm of Fredericksburg.
Diane Raulston aims to keep her seat on the Prince William County School Board, and says the work to reduce or remove classroom trailers needs to continue.
Name: Diane L. Raulston
Party: Democrat
County: Woodbridge
Running for: Prince William County School Board – Neabsco District
Website: facebook.com/friendsforDianeRaulston
Work: I am a retired activist who currently sits on the PWCS School Board. I represent the Neabsco District.
Education: I attended Kansas State College and majored in English and Journalism.
Community Involvement: In 2007, I moved to Dale City, Virginia where I obtained membership in many local and civic organizations. I am a former member of the Bel Air Women’s Club. I am an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1503, a lifetime member of the Dale City Civic Association, and volunteer with the Prince William County Lassie League.
On a county level, I was appointed to serve two terms as chair of the Neabsco Budget Committee at the pleasure of my late friend, the Honorable John D. Jenkins, Board of County Supervisors. I am a former member of the Prince William County Disability Services Board, and the Discover Prince William & Manassas Convention and Visitors Bureau.
I received Congressional Recognition of Volunteerism from Congressman Gerald Connolly in 2013 and 2014 and from U.S. Senator Mark Warner in 2014. I currently sit on the Board of directors of the Prince William County Boys and Girls Club. As mentioned
I am currently a sitting member of the PWC School Board, representing the Neabsco District and looking forward to another great four years representing my district.
Questions and Answers
PL:Â What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?Â
Raulston: Eliminating the remaining trailers. Increasing the district’s school budget, and transportation.
PL:Â What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?
Raulston: School renovations following trailer elimination, work with the board members to increase the school site budgets, and obtaining competitive salaries for school bus drivers.
PL:Â From your perspective, what is the job description of the office youâre seeking?
Raulston: Oversight of the Superintendent to make sure he is achieving the visions and goals of the district, work within the budget and advocate for the teachers, parents, and students.
PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?
Raulston: As the incumbent, I will bring my four years of experience as a sitting member PWC School Board representing the Neabsco district and my future four-year strategic plan that includes increasing parent involvement and a journey of continuous progress to upgrade technology and systems.
PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government?
Raulston: No. I intend on improving communication with my constituency by frequent town hall meetings, simplified social media access, and newsletters.
PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?
Raulston: No.
PL:Â Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?
Raulston: Over the last four years I was able to reduce 70% of the trailers in the Neabsco District. We have seen continuous academic progress in our schools at every grade level. Going forward I will continue to work with leadership and the community for the best interests of our students.
