This is Rex Parr’s second run for a seat on the Manassas City Council.
The Democrat placed 5th in a seven-person race for three open seats on the council in 2016. After a two-year break from campaigning, and after his 2015 retirement from leading Manassas-based Didlake, Inc., he’s running again.
Below, find his responses to our Project: Election questionnaire.
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PL: What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?
Parr:
- Education
- Public Safety
- Transportation
PL: What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?
Parr:
- EDUCATION: We need to align the goals and objectives of the School Board and the City Council, extend Pre-K education to every child and continue the great progress on Career and Technical Education (CTE).
- PUBLIC SAFETY: Our Public Safety professionals do an amazing job of keeping us safe. I want to make sure we take good care of them. We should pay close attention to the basics: up-to-date resources, competitive compensation, recognition of achievements and top-notch leadership.
- TRANSPORTATION: To be an attractive place to live, work and play the city must offer efficient transportation options. We all know that we need to improve Route 28 North to I66. We should also push hard to add mid-day VRE service in both directions and, we should plan now to extend the VRE Manassas line to Gainesville and Haymarket.
PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?
Parr: Serving the greater good.
PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?
Parr: Governance, Management, Strategic Planning and Public Policy.
PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government? If not, how do you intend on improving communication with your constituency?
Parr: Local government is complex. The average citizen doesn’t have time to keep track of it all. I will advocate for greater transparency and a more robust communications program of organizations that get important things done. In my experience, success starts with a widely shared vision and a strategic plan developed by a broad cross-section of stakeholders.
PL: Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?
Parr: It’s time for Manassas to begin shaping its future and I can help.
Preston Banks is seeking another term on the Manassas Park Governing Body.
He’s one of three people seeking as many open seats on the council. Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Banks is a member of the Prince William County Republican Committee and has put his campaign’s focus on reducing the city’s debt and solving its water problems.
We sent a Project: Election survey to him. His responses are below.
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PL: What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?
Banks:
1. Lower water and sewer rates
2. Bring businesses to Manassas Park and manage the city’s high debt
3. Manage the city’s high debt
PL: What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?
Banks: To lower the water and sewer rates I propose to continue to explore selling the water system. And to sell it on terms that are in the best interests of the residents which include low water and sewer rates, repairs to the water and sewer system and good customer service.
To bring businesses to the city I propose to market the city and its available space and land.
The city has a high debt of $128 million which was incurred decades before I served in office. The debt payments are about 30% to 35% of the city’s total budget.
The highest payments are in the next four years. I have the knowledge and experience to guide the city through this challenge. To manage the debt and still balance the budget I suggest and support the following:
1. Improve the city’s financial management practices
2. Improve the collection of delinquent and uncollected revenue
3. Economic development to increase revenue
4. Create a debt reserve fund.
To financially survive we have to do these things. And if executed well, we can improve the city and overcome this challenge.
PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?
Banks: To represent all of the residents in improving the city.
PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government?
Banks: It depends on the person, the effort they make and whether they have the available time to go to the city’s website or attend the public meetings. To improve communication I make myself accessible. My Facebook page, email address and cell phone are publicly available.
PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?
Banks: I’m intelligent, care about the residents and the city, a problem solver, work well with others and have a geek-like hard work ethic.
PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?
Banks: Sure. One of my favorite quotes is from Nelson Mandela, “the greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” I learn from the mistake and continue working.
PL: Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?
Banks: Politics today is so divisive with its emphasis on party, ethnic/racial identity, and issues. I keep it simple. We are all part of the community. I’m running to represent all of the residents and improve the city.
In January, Tom Coen was plucked from a laundry list of candidates who all wanted an interim seat on the Stafford County Board of Supervisors.
His fellow board members chose him after Bob Thomas vacated the seat after he won election to the Virginia House of Delegates.
Thomas has spent the past 10 months focused on local issues, and learning his way through the trappings of local government.
He’s running against Gordon Silver, who also wants the seat. Voters will head to the polls on Nov. 6.
We sent Coen our Project: Election candidate survey. His responses are below.
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PL: What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?
Coen:
1. Continue the Approved Renovations of Ferry Farm Elementary School
2. Continue my nearly two-decade efforts to preserve the rural character of the county while protecting property rights
3. Continue our efforts to diversify our economy and tax base.
PL: What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?
Coen:
Ferry Farm Elementary School
When I became a member of the board I saw that was once again Ferry Farm slated for a rebuild in another decade. This would mean another decade of no meaningful improvements to the school for our children. I immediately started working with members of both the school board and the board of supervisors to secure improvements in a timely fashion. In just a few short months improvements to the school started and the renovation will be complete by 2020. There are additional steps to take, and working together we can make them happen.
Growth and land preservation
As chair of the Agricultural Commission, I worked with members, staff, and supervisors to create the Purchase of Development Rights Program. This voluntary program preserves property rights while preserving our rural land. We have preserved nearly 500 acres to date with more sizable acres in the pipeline.
As a Supervisor, I have worked with others to successfully defended attempts to defund the PDR program as well as the Land Use Tax Credit. The state gives localities a limited number of tools to protect open space and I am proud of our efforts to use the tools available.
My experience in zoning, planning and land preservation will continue to place growth where we want it to be while preserving our rural areas.
Economic Development
As a member of the Planning Commission and as Supervisor I have worked with others in the efforts to expand our economic base. By meeting with our Director of Economic Development we have explored new opportunities.
We are in the 21st Century. The county must reach out to current and when possible future opportunities to successfully compete with other communities.
Additionally, I have worked with the schools to enhance our vocational classes, with an emphasis on placing our graduating students and our local businesses together.
PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?
Coen: The first is my long experience of serving Stafford County and achieving results. It has been terrific addressing Ferry Farm Elementary, growth, the budget and school security in just the first eight months in office. The knowledge of the issues and the individuals are key to accomplishing results.
Next is an ability to work with others to achieve results. This is a community- where together we succeed.
Then there is an ability to think outside the box. Too often we get into a pattern of decision making, which inhibits creativity. We are in the 21st Century and need to be flexible in our problem-solving.
PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government?
Coen: Definitely! With the modern communications and the spread of information so much is available. Indeed I have found that many great ideas come from our citizens who want officials to listen to them.
PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?
Coen: Raising three compassionate adult children, many years of successful performance as a school board member, my business, engineering, and legal acumen, and most importantly, my genuine concern and compassion for all children and passion to help all children obtain a quality education.
PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?
Coen: Everyone makes mistakes, as do I. It is important to step up and admit it when you do make one.
The most recent meeting I did just that. At a previous meeting, our fire chief detailed the implementation of over fifty recommendations from his volunteer and paid fire and rescue personnel. I failed to give him the praise he deserved for achieving that in such a short time as chief. This past meeting I publicly admitted my error and corrected it.
It is important for people, especially the young, to see that owning up to mistakes is the right thing to do.
PL: Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?
Coen: Hopefully my record of achievement and ability to bring people together to get results should be an important factor. My knowledge of the county, the budget, planning, zoning, our social services, and protection- police, fire and rescue, has allowed me to hit the ground running.
In every board and commission, in the workplace and in the community people have placed me in leadership positions. This has been humbling.
I have dedicated my energies to this county and to preserving its rural character while protecting people’s rights.
My hope is that they will allow me to continue to serve them and the county we love.
Sanford Williams is seeking another term on the Manassas City School Board.
He currently serves as Chairman of the Board, and this election cycle he’s put the focus on the division’s push to build a new Jennie Dean Elementary School.
Voters will head to the polls on November 6 to vote on who will fill three open seats on the School Board.
We sent Williams our 2018 candidate’s survey. His responses are below.
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PL: What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?
Williams:
PL: What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?
Williams: Working with City Council and our community to find a fiscally responsible way to build a new Jennie Dean School; Making sure our teachers and staff have the resources and get the community support necessary to help all students reach their potential and thrive as productive citizens after graduation; Working with the community, staff, and families to make sure that all students obtain the skills to optimize their educational performance.
PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?
Williams: § 22.1-79 of the Virginia Code explicitly delineates the role of a School Board, so the job description is pretty clear. I can encapsulate the Code to state that from my perspective, the job description is to provide oversight of the Manassas City Public Schools.
PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?
Williams: Raising three compassionate adult children, many years of successful performance as a school board member, my business, engineering, and legal acumen, and most importantly, my genuine concern and compassion for all children and passion to help all children obtain a quality education.
PL: Do you think residents are well informed on the workings of local government?
Williams: No. By reaching out to everyone that I can to inform them of what the School Board does in as many venues and through as many channels as possible, including social media.
PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?
Williams: Yes, I am sure that I have. They let me know that I am not perfect and help remind me to not be judgmental and be mindful that everyone deserves grace and understanding. This does not mean that mistakes don’t have consequences or that every mistake should be excused. Rather, it means that even when tough decisions have to be made, they may be rendered with compassion and respect.
PL: Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?
Williams: I have been an effective and positive force in our school system, and I will continue to work hard for our students and the citizens of Manassas. I respect and value all of our stakeholders: students, staff, parents, and community, and I am well suited to deal with our extremely diverse, in terms of ethnicity and economics, stakeholder population.
This is Theresa Coates Ellis’ second run for a seat on the Manassas City Council.
Ellis ran unsuccessfully for council in 2016. Since then, she’s been a regular at business and community events.
We sent a questionnaire to Coates Ellis. Her responses are below:
Find your polling place
PL: What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?
Coates Ellis:
PL: What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?
Coates Ellis:
Promoting entrepreneurship to students and young professionals with education in school or in Centerfuse, our local business accelerator, will launch business growth in the City of Manassas.
Growing my “Shadow for a Day” program and “Find Your Passion” series with an ”Open for Business” message and will showcase our city as a business community that cares and invests in their students and young professionals by offering mentorships and shadow programs.
City council, the city staff, and the school board need to work together to set up a strategic plan so the community can participate in the education of our young population.
3. Fiscal Responsibility: Our city attracts families and homeowners because it is affordable. As real estate assessments increase and as taxes increase, we will have an affordability crisis, especially for fixed income families. Growing businesses will grow revenue to support our community to take the tax burden off families.
Public safety, traffic, and public image are priorities. Safe neighborhoods for our families and businesses are necessary for a vibrant community. I support improving traffic and walkability to get our citizens to work and for a better lifestyle in our City of Manassas. Our public image departments in our schools and city need to be expanded to continue sharing the events and news in our community. Awareness and transparency are important to attract new residents and businesses to grow Manassas.
PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?
Coates Ellis: The Manassas City Council members serve their citizens as decision-makers for the community. The elected council hires the City Manager, who serves the council. Council supervises the manager’s performance.
Council responsibilities include approving the budget, determining the tax rate, strategizing and setting short-term and long-term community goals, major capital improvement projects, economic development, land use, and financing. The council represents the people and are the eyes, ears, and voice of the community.
PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?
Coates Ellis: As a mom to a family of six daughters and one son — all adults — I am a skilled at multi-tasking. I built my own business 30 years ago and have experience in strategic management and planning, marketing, promoting and as a connector in public relations, hiring professionals, making payroll, and making tough decisions. I have mentored and hired students and professionals in careers in education, healthcare, management, IT, marketing and the arts.
As a community volunteer leader, I have connected and surrounded myself with diversified people who share my dedication to the City of Manassas to get things done. I am a person of action who rises to a challenge.
I will expand my “Shadow for a Day” and “Find Your Passion” series launched this year to connect students and businesses to grow Manassas with mentorships, shadow opportunities and jobs.
I will initiate a Public Image Committee to appoint citizen ambassadors for the community to share events and news.
My “Grow the Manassas Business Landscape” program will attract new businesses and help existing businesses to flourish with easy guidance to grow and prosper.
PL: Do you think residents are well informed on the workings of local government?
Coates Ellis: I do not feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government. The city is a business. With my background in business, marketing, and public relations, I can understand a budget, will promote and increase awareness of the existing tools available on our website and in meet-ups.
Our Public Image Department is excellent but needs to be expanded with a Public Image Committee — ambassadors for the community to organically share news and events.
A video podcast or live broadcast series updating the public featuring special guests can bring awareness to local government, events and news. Partnering with private existing media businesses will help grow their business.
PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?
Coates Ellis: My biggest regret was going to college for only two years as a young woman and delaying the finish until I was an adult with full career and family responsibilities. I had to pay for my own education so after two years as a young Business student at Millersville University, I paused my education to work to support my family and start and grow my business.
When my children were entering high school and college, I went back to finish school as an adult learner and it was very challenging to juggle a full-time job, raising a large family and go to school full time. I graduated cum laude in two years from George Mason University with a degree in Business Communication updating my Marketing and Public Relations skills. My children witnessed the struggle and focused on making their education a priority while working to contribute to their education.
My experiences in public life have all been positive because any diversion from a plan is a learning experience to grow my future.
PL: Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?
Coates Ellis: I will work hard for you and your family as your representative in City Council to grow Manassas together.
I have worked in many industries from growing up in a “shop” as my entrepreneurial family grew their auto repair business in a city, as a shirt presser in a hot dry cleaning business, in banking, in finance, to building my own management, public relations, and marketing business.
I was a first generation high school graduate and later a college graduate. I built my own small business 30 years ago and sacrificed and faced the struggles of growing a large family, a small business and finishing college making tough decisions as I led professionals and staff and mentored students.
Volunteering in the community has always been a priority to give back to the City of Manassas. I would appreciate your vote on Nov. 6 to serve you and your family as your representative in Manassas City Council.
Gordon Silver is a Republican running for a seat on the Stafford County Board of Supervisors.
If elected as the George Washington District Supervisor, Silver would be a newcomer to the county’s political stage.
He’s seeking a seat that was vacated in January by former Supervisor turned Virginia State Delegate Bob Thomas.
Tom Coen is the interim George Washington District Supervisor, appointed this past winter, and he’s challenging Silver for the seat.
Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018.
Silver responded to our Project: Election questionnaire. His responses are below.
Find your polling place
PL: What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?
Silver:
PL: What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?
Silver:
PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?
Silver: Members of the Board of Supervisors certainly wear many hats, but their largest responsibility is clearly financial. Ensuring sufficient revenue and equitable distribution for services and schools are by far the biggest parts of their job.
PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?
Silver: I have 18 years of experience as a business analyst and financial manager. I intend to use the same analytical tools for County decisions as I have used for companies such as J.P. Morgan Chase and Cox Automotive.
PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?
Silver: I have had differing opinions with members of boards or groups over the years. What I have learned is that a true leader is able to disagree but knows how to do it in a way that is not disagreeable. I didn’t always get that right when I was first accepting these roles. Leadership means being able to create an environment of trust where others feel comfortable to express their opinions.
PL: Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?
Silver: The short answer is two decades of financial experience and four decades of community involvement. But just as important, I am deeply passionate about this community. As a lifetime resident, I have a thorough understanding of the issues faced by the George Washington District. I grew up here and watched this county change from a small rural county to a suburb in Northern Virginia.
Delegate Rich Anderson has represented the 51st House District (Prince William County) in the Virginia General Assembly since 2010. He is a retired 30-year Air Force colonel who now co-chairs the joint House-Senate Military and Veterans Caucus, the central clearinghouse for bills that affect veterans.
Two years ago, Andeson ran unopposed. In 2013, Anderson won re-election by seven points with 53% of the vote.
This year marks the first time Anderson’s Democratic opponent, Hala Ayala, is not only a female but the local chapter presdient of the National Organization of Women.
This election season, we’re asked candidates who wish to reach our readers a “why you should vote for me” email by Oct. 27, 2017.
Anderson sent us this email:
Over the course of our combined 51 years of military service, my wife Ruth and I wore the Air Force uniform and worked in partnership during our two lifetimes of service. After retiring from military service, we chose to continue our partnership, but this time in public service—she as the Occoquan District Supervisor on the Prince William Board of County Supervisors and me as the 51st House District Delegate to the Virginia General Assembly.
Service is the lifetime thread that ties Ruth and I to one other—and to the community, we love to serve. With that commitment to our fellow citizens, I am again a candidate for reelection in Virginia’s 51st House District.
As a native and life-long Virginian, I graduated from Virginia Tech and have been a resident of Prince William County for almost two decades. First elected in 2009, I have served in the General Assembly for eight years (four terms) and have accumulated the required seniority that permits me to pass consequential legislation on behalf of our community and Commonwealth. This year, I had one of the highest success rates in the House in passing legislation that focused on job creation, economic development, transportation, education, public safety, and military veterans. Read More
Patricia Richie-Folks is looking to keep her seat as the Manassas City Treasurer.
She’s been there less than a year, after winning the seat in a special election last November following the requirement of longtime city treasurer Robin Perkins.
Richie-Folks won by three points last year. And this year, she faces the same opponent — Republican Rusell Harrison.
This election season, we’re asked candidates who wish to reach our readers a “why you should vote for me” email by Oct. 27, 2017.
From Patricia Richie-Folks
I was truly honored when the citizens of the great City of Manassas elected me to the Office of Treasurer in 2016. In running my campaign, I pledged to serve with honesty and integrity. My established goals were to provide outstanding customer service and to execute all aspects of management and operations with efficiency and transparency. I can state with complete confidence that I have fulfilled these commitments.
As Treasurer for the City of Manassas, an elected Constitutional Officer of the Commonwealth of Virginia, it is my charge to operate my office in accordance with Commonwealth statutes and codes and City of Manassas ordinances.
When I assumed office, I brought with me a wealth of diverse skills and knowledge – including leadership, managerial, accounting, budgeting, and finance. For example, ownership of a small construction company provided me with intimate experience in the management of workers, finances – including projections for short- and long-term operating costs and profits – and clients. In my position as General Manager of the Laundry Division of the Sodexo Corporation, I managed a multi-million dollar budget and a staff of 30 people. As a legislative assistant with the Florida State Legislature, I have a strong grasp interpreting legislation, statutes, and codes. Although these positions do not reflect my career in its entirety, they do reflect an array of experience, coupled with my A.A. in Business Administration, clearly equipped me to successfully meet the professional challenges inherent in the job of Treasurer. Evidently, a majority of the voters were confident enough in my experience and the goals set forth in my campaign to elect me. Read More
Hala Ayala has long been a familiar face for Democrats in Prince William County.
She’s the president of the Prince William County chapter of the National Organization for Women, and she’s attended standing-room-only meetings of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors to protest Chairman At-large Corey Stewart’s position on pursuing immigrants in the U.S. who entered illegally.
This General Election on Nov. 7 marks the first time she’s been a candidate. and she has her sights set to unseat long-serving Delegate Rich Anderson of District 51, which encompasses nearly all of Prince William.
This election season, we’re asked candidates who wish to reach our readers a “why you should vote for me” email by Oct. 27, 2017.
Ayala sent us this email:
I am running for the 51st District of the Virginia House of Delegates. I am a lifelong Virginian and have lived in Prince William County for over 35 years. I’m a cybersecurity specialist by trade, formerly with the Department of Homeland Security. But I pride myself in being an advocate for working families in my community and in the Commonwealth. I have organized on such issues at the local and state level, including protecting women’s choice, speaking out on the need for affordable access to healthcare and equal pay for equal work. I was the founder and president of the Prince William County chapter of the National Organization for Women and am a member of the Governor’s Council on Women.
I want to serve my community and make sure that we are represented when decisions are made in our state government, something that I don’t see with our current representation in the House of Delegates. Every session, we see bad votes that jeopardize our ability to access healthcare and family planning services, while legislators resist practical measures like Medicaid Expansion, which would provide access to crucial health services to families across our state. Read More
