Name: Christy Hart

Age: 39

Town of residence: Dumfries, Va.

Office seeking: Town Council (write-in candidate)

Occupation: Independent Contractor

Education: College

Community involvement: President of Williamstown HOA, volunteer at St Francis House, volunteer at Dumfries Elementary, Manage Williamstown Pool, Manage Williamstown National Night Out, Manage Community Yard Sale, Write Community Newsletter to keep residents informed.

Campaign website:

Why should young people be excited to vote for you?

Because I bring fresh ideas to the council from a younger prospective.

In your opinion, what are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent? What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?

A. Creating a budget that is conducive to the town size. Currently we are spending money on programs that are mirroring the county instead of having programs that will help our citizens.

B. Lack of proper infrastructure conducive to our business community. We must create a pedestrian friendly community. This will put the consumer at the businesses front door.

C. Create most of the under developed areas of the town into a mixed use zone. Most young individuals are looking for areas where they can work, live and shop in the same area instead of getting in their vehicles and drive in traffic and take most of their day.

What are the biggest issues and needs facing the youth of your district? What will you do to address those needs?

Increased drug and gang activity. We need to bring in resources that specialize in dealing with these two problems and give them the ability to prosecute these individuals to the fullest extent of the law.

From your prospective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking? What expertise will you bring to the position?

As an HOA President, I bring the expertise of being connected to the community, local businesses and local government. We meet with the Town Council and discuss our concerns. By being on the council, I can address these concerns first hand.

Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of town government? If not, how do you intend on improving communication with your constituency?

Yes I do feel the citizens are well informed. There is social media, Town website, Town Charter (like a newsletter) and open council meetings. But there are more ways to improve this too. There is an important aspect that is missing, a local newspaper (not everyone has cable or internet). A lot of citizens used to depend on the newspaper but that has gone by the wayside.

Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they effected you?

Well, I have never held a public office therefore no mistakes have been made. No one is perfect and I’m sure that I as well as other council members will make mistakes.Is there something that you are currently working to improve and develop within yourself to become a better leader?

Currently I am not working on any personal improvements. However, I consider myself a lifelong learner, so if something comes up that I need to improve or develop within myself, I will not hesitate to seek resources.

Is there something that you are currently working to improve and develop within yourself to become a better leader?

Yes I am currently working to improve my communications skills. I think everyone has something to work on because no one is flawless.

Editor’s note: Editor’s note: Residents of Prince William County’s towns of Dumfries, Haymarket, Occoquan, and Quantico will head to the polls May 6. PotomacLocal.com emailed a questionnaire to all candidates seeking office in this year’s elections in . The responses we received will be posted to this website.

See more Project:Election 2014 Town Elections profiles

Name: Gwen P. Washington

Campaign website:

Age: 71

Town of residence: Dumfries, Va.

Office seeking: Town Council

Occupation: Behavior Specialist, Dumfries Elementary School

Education: BS-VA State Univ & MEd-George Mason University

Community involvement: Little Union Baptist Church (Deaconess, VBS Director, Asst. Church Clerk, Drama President/Director), Lifetime member National Education Association, Lifetime Member VA Education Association, NAACP, VA Municipal League, VML Human Resources & Education Committee, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Women In Community Action, AARP.

Why should young people be excited to vote for you?

Young people should be excited to vote for me because I remain open to listen to them and discuss their concerns so that I can better represent them in the Council’s Decision Making Process. As a lifetime Dumfries resident, educator and community volunteer, I have worked with young people on many levels. I am very open, honest and most of all very approachable. I have spent my adult life advocating for young people. I look forward to continuing to work with all of our citizens, as we shape our future together.

In your opinion, what are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent? What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?

Top three issues facing our town: Economic Development, Traffic Issues, and Infrastructure Issues. I believe that collaboration is one of the keys to our economic development and traffic issues. We need to start an ongoing dialog with our current business owners and neighboring Virginia towns as we continue to explore ways to increase our economic development.

We also need to work collaboratively with our local and state officials in the planning and funding of road projects. We need to find a way to be at the table where decisions and policies are being made, so that we can ensure that our concerns and issues are being addressed. We also need to seek more available grants that will help us revitalize and improve our town’s infrastructure. We definitely need more sidewalks and lighting to keep our citizens safe.

What are the biggest issues and needs facing the youth of your district? What will you do to address those needs?

Biggest issues facing the youth of our town: Lack of transportation and lack of family oriented activities. The town has made great strides this year in the area of family activities. With the onset of the new Parks and Recreation Commission, family activities have doubled. I will continue to vote to provide the necessary resources to fund quality family activities. In order to improve our transportation issues, we need to form partnerships with community stakeholders. We, also, need to seek grants for programs that include transportation funding..

From your prospective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking? What expertise will you bring to the position?

My job as a councilwoman is to represent the best interests of the citizens of Dumfries. I believe that the direction of our town must be established by it’s people and carried out by it’s leaders. It is their right to question our actions; to offer us advice; and to hold us accountable. I am a lifelong resident who has spent three years on the council representing the people of Dumfries.

My family has a history of community service here in Dumfries and I am aware of the responsibility that the people have charged me with—I do not take it lightly. I have always made my decisions based on “what’s best for Dumfries.” I’m not just a Town Councilwoman, I’m a lifelong concerned citizen. As a citizen, I want the same things, I believe most of our voters want.

Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of town government? If not, how do you intend on improving communication with your constituency?

I do not believe all of our citizens understand the workings of our town government. I believe, well informed and more involved citizens are the answer to a better Dumfries. For that reason, over the past two years, I have voted with the council to invest in new technology designed to enhance our citizens involvement in the workings of our town government.

Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they effected you?

No.

Is there something that you are currently working to improve and develop within yourself to become a better leader?

Currently I am not working on any personal improvements. However, I consider myself a lifelong learner, so if something comes up that I need to improve or develop within myself, I will not hesitate to seek resources.

 

Editor’s note: Editor’s note: Residents of Prince William County’s towns of Dumfries, Haymarket, Occoquan, and Quantico will head to the polls May 6. PotomacLocal.com emailed a questionnaire to all candidates seeking office in this year’s elections in . The responses we received will be posted to this website.

See more Project:Election 2014 Town Elections profiles

Name: Derrick Wood

Campaign website:  derrickwood.com

Age: 36

Town of residence: Dumfries, Va.

Office seeking: Town Council

Occupation: Chef

Community involvement: Derrick serves as chapter leader of the DC Metro Chapter of the Kingdom Chamber of Commerce, contributing writer to Thy Kingdom Carriers an International publication, the Chairman and Founding member of the Dumfries Parks and Recreation Commission, and an advisory board for Stratford University’s School of Hospitality Management. He also holds an honorary doctorate degree in Philosophy.

Why should young people be excited to vote for you?

Young people can see that I care about the things that matter most to them, like getting an education, recreational programs, and creating a family friendly cultural in the Town. Young people of all ages vote for people that they can relate to and value the same things that they value. Like me, I know young people value a pride of belonging to a community focused on growth and development.

In your opinion, what are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent? What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Create a concrete plan that will develop the people that make up our community. When you invest in people and believe in their value. Then the whole community wins!

INFRASTRUCTURE – The roads are going to get widen, so I would begin to focus on building a good relationship between council and the major land owners in town.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS – As a council it is important that I focus on building relationships with county, federal, and state officials to help advance the vision of the Town.

From your prospective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking? What expertise will you bring to the position?

To provide input on creating a clear vision of what the Town of Dumfries will look like in the future. I will bring my personal experiences as father, husband, business owner and school ambassador.

Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of town government? If not, how do you intend on improving communication with your constituency?

Many citizens are not well-informed of the difference between the local government vs. the federal and state governments. The key to improving communication is by providing opportunities for them to get involved and every opportunity to plant seeds that will grow.

Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they effected you?

As a man with a son, I understand that my public life and my private life have to be the same, they have to be one. Yes I have made mistakes, yet it gave me an opportunity to learn what to do and what not to do. Every mistake is not a loss but a lesson learned.

Is there something that you are currently working to improve and develop within yourself to become a better leader?

Yes. I am working on learning how to say no to things that don’t line up with the vision that the creator has instilled in my and to trust in dark what was shown to me in the light.

Editor’s note: Editor’s note: Residents of Prince William County’s towns of Dumfries, Haymarket, Occoquan, and Quantico will head to the polls May 6. PotomacLocal.com emailed a questionnaire to all candidates seeking office in this year’s elections in . The responses we received will be posted to this website.

See more Project:Election 2014 Town Elections profiles

Name: Kurtis Woods

Age: 26

Town of residence: Haymarket, Va.

Office seeking: Town Council

Campaign website: votehaymarket.com

Occupation: Systems Administrator

Education: Bachelor’s of Science in Information Systems from Cedarville University

Community involvement: Involved in service with McLean Bible Church including community programs, serving on Sunday mornings and as a member of a search committee for a new worship pastor.

Why should young people be excited to vote for you?

I bring a youthful perspective to the town council. I plan on living here for a long time and will endeavor to work for the good of the town’s future. I will respect the voice of every citizen, especially those with more experience and investment in the town.

In your opinion, what are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent? What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?

The town needs to take a look at it’s organization and find areas of duplication that can be removed. I support an organizational assessment to discover and tackle those issues.

There are several vacant properties in town, some of which are eyesores. Providing businesses with incentives and a friendly atmosphere could transform those vacant properties to be thriving and revenue creating locations.

The police department needs a serious look as well. We need to include it in the above mentioned organizational assessment to determined how it can be managed to serve the best interests of our town.

From your prospective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking? What expertise will you bring to the position?

A town council member’s job description is, in my opinion, to listen to the citizens of the town and make informed decisions based on their desires and needs. It is to manage the town’s affairs in the best interest of the people. I would be able to contribute a young family’s perspective, my expertise as an IT professional, and a listening ear.

Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of town government? If not, how do you intend on improving communication with your constituency?

I do not feel that the town is currently well informed. They need to make efforts to take advantage of more available avenues of communication to get the issues in front of the public. One proposed means of doing so is to personally visit the homes of the town residents during my term to talk with them about their needs and desires.

Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they effected you?

This is my first try at politics, and I have not yet had much chance to make public mistakes or be affected by them. However, in my personal life I always strive to own up to my mistakes and accept the consequences with grace.

Is there something that you are currently working to improve and develop within yourself to become a better leader?

There is nothing like experience. I believe that simply by serving on the town council will make me into a better leader. I am surrounding myself with other leaders that I look up to, and I continually seek their advice.

Editor’s note: Residents of Prince William County’s towns of Dumfries, Haymarket, Occoquan, and Quantico will head to the polls May 6. PotomacLocal.com emailed a questionnaire to all candidates seeking office in this year’s elections in . The responses we received will be posted to this website.

See more Project:Election 2014 Town Elections profiles

Name: Gerald “Jerry” Foreman

Age: 52

Town of residence: Dumfries, Va.

Office seeking: Mayor

Campaign website: gmforeman.com

Occupation: Aviation Consultant, United States Marine Corps (25 years – – Retired), Current Town of Dumfries Mayor

Education: B.S. Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) and a M.S. Aviation Science from Everglades University in Florida.

Community involvement

American Legion; Dumfries Business Association; Ellis Airport Board Jacksonville, NC (2005-2006); President Hampstead Landing Homeowners Association (2007-2010); Historic Dumfries Virginia Inc. (2009-Present); Image Church (Dumfries); Kiwanis International; Marine Corps Aviation Association; Marine Corps Association; Military Officers Association of America (MOAA); National Rifle Association (NRA), Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC), Prince William County Republican Committee; Southern Illinois University Alumni Association; U.S. Air Force Association; Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW); Virginia Municipal League (VML).

Why should young people be excited to vote for you?

The Town of Dumfries is 265 years young. This Town was founded by young Virginians, who had ideas and were motivated by making their vision a reality. Today, young voters live in a democracy where they were born with the right to have a voice in government. Dumfries is “local government” and this is where young voters can make the biggest impact. A government by the people, for the people just can’t work without people participating.

Since elected Mayor, there has been a changing of the Guard; Council, County and State officials have been challenged with a fresh perspective and new energy from the Town of Dumfries. Dumfries needs a new prospective, those who think outside the box. We have a lot happening in our Town right now. Our young people can have a voice in how things get done….status quo is not always a good thing. Changing direction means fresh voices, fresh ideas and the ability to effectively work with fellow Councilmembers and staff. Our young voters can bring all that to our Town.

I welcome new and exciting growth and challenges in our Town. I have met our young voters and they are active in business, volunteer organizations and churches. They should be encouraged and applauded when they step forward with governmental ideas and a willingness to make a difference. Your elected officials should not fear change or discussion for change, this is where ideas are nourished and compromise is facilitated. Politicians get elected because of the ideological beliefs and the effectiveness with which they articulate positions.

Young people ages 18 to 29 make up 21 percent of the eligible voting population, and when younger people participate in elections, it makes it more likely that others in their households will vote. So this year, make an effort to do your research. Find out which Town Official is leading by example and is taking care of your interests and providing you a quality of life you deserve. Remember how important it is to vote, and commit to being a part of creating change.

In your opinion, what are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent? What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?

1. Transportation:
– Route 1 Widening Efforts (to commence in CY 2025): This requires continuous dialogue with Richmond (VDOT & Elected Officials), Fairfax (VDOT), Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, and Prince William County Elected Officials and Staff.
– Rte-234 Extension to Potomac Shores intersection w/Rte-1: This is and remains a joint effort between VDOT, PWC and the Town of Dumfries. No one entity has a lead. It will only be through a combined effort that there will be shared success.

2. Continued repeals FY10 Equalization Initiatives:
While the economy / housing rates have not fully recovered since the recession and housing market collapse of 2009 / 2010; the Town Council should take every opportunity to address these initiatives. The Town’s budget is solid (and each year has more revenue than projected); this should not happen year after year without repealing these unfair taxations. While a full return to pre-Initiatives levels cannot happen, each item should be addressed individually.

3. Protection of our Natural Resources:
– Quantico Creek & Quantico Bay Protection & Restoration: PWC, the National Park Service, the Chesapeake Bay Authority, Northern Virginia Regional Commission and the Town of Dumfries are addressing this concern. Stormwater Management Programs and conservation efforts must complement each other as Dumfries is where all efforts converge.
– Park Maintenance & Beautification (all Parks within Town limits): Our Parks were created for relaxation and enjoyment. There should be an effort by Councilmembers and Staff to identify and work with organizations in Northern Virginia that will donate funding to beautify, maintain and promote our parks. Too often Council wants to create activities that require staff man-hours and taxpayers monies to promote and execute, when there are organizations that want to partner and share the cost with the Town.

What are the biggest issues and needs facing the youth of your district? What will you do to address those needs?

This boils down to family and community values and having pride in your hometown. We are fortunate to have non-profit organizations and Churches in the Town that offer programs that compliment parenting. The Town of Dumfries partnering with local organizations offer a lot for everyone, we have:

– The General Heiser Boys & Girls Club that offers programs after school, on weekends and also offers an organized sports program.

– Historic Dumfries of Virginia (HDV)/Weems-Botts Museum offers Town of Dumfries and Prince William County (PWC) history, demonstrating colonial life and sponsoring living history events such as “Living History Programs” and “Children’s Day at the Museum”; thus, helping to bring to life our communities rich contributions of historical importance. With PWC and Manassas Schools, HDV offers a “Virtual Classroom” on the internet (and programs on PWC television); an interactive talk about the History of PWC and the Port of Dumfries from pre-colonial time through the 1800s. Lastly,monthly HDV hosts a “Home Schooling Day” with SOL approved programs.

– Programs sponsored by the Town of Dumfries Staff such as “Dumfries Cares”, “Elementary Emerging Leader’s Program”, “Middle School Monday Program” and lastly our “Internship Program”

From your prospective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking? What expertise will you bring to the position?

I believe that the spirit of Dumfries starts and ends from the Mayor’s seat, for my full job description refer to gmforeman.org (click “Promise” tab).

I would like to say that it is not “one” experience but rather a lifetime of experiences that have prepared me to serve as Mayor. I have learned as a Marine, as a business owner, as an Aviation Consultant, a logistics contractor supporting the Federal government, as a College Professor, as Councilman and as your Mayor with two years under my belt.

In each occupation or profession, I have had experiences that have taught me how to bring together and lead a group of people from diverse backgrounds and, while utilizing resources in a strategic way, strive to accomplish common goals and shared objectives. Throughout my personal and professional life, I have learned how to conduct research, listen to concerns, prepare plans, work with other people, endure hardships, and I have demonstrated all of these skills as mayor.

I have ensured that challenges are approached in a solution minded attitude and continually bring a sense of optimism. This optimism conveys a sense of a “Can-Do” attitude that is desperately needed in today’s political arena. I have and will continue to cross party lines in order to achieve singular and common goals.

Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of town government? If not, how do you intend on improving communication with your constituency?

I am speaking from knowledge as Mayor, the citizens and business owners of the Town of Dumfries are well in tune with the concerns, issues and future for the Town of Dumfries. In two years as Mayor, I have met with citizens and business owners 3-4 four days a week.

Let me bring to light my recent campaign experience; it was the citizens, organizations and business owners of Dumfries who wrote me, called and stopped by my office at Town Hall, as well as my home, to discuss Town concerns. During each conversation, it was made clear to me the accomplishments that had been achieved over the past two years and the shared vision and strong support of what has yet to be achieved. Lastly it was made clear to me that the voters of Dumfries are very much aware of the political climate in Dumfries, the voters want a choice.

Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they effected you?

Have I made mistakes? Absolutely, who hasn’t? I accept responsibility for my actions, both failures and successes. However as Mayor, it’s different, I also accept the responsibility for Council decisions as a whole. Mayor’s need to be dreamers in one sense but realistic enough to take affordable steps to move things to reality. Elected officials solve problems through facilitation and action, not petty bickering on the Council dais.

I have ensured that challenges are approached in a solution minded attitude and continually bring a sense of optimism. This optimism conveys a sense of a “Can-Do” attitude that is desperately needed in today’s political arena. I have and will continue to cross party lines in order to achieve singular and common goals.

I have had the courage to face adversarial challenges daily; with six other Councilmembers there is surely someone who always disagrees with what I am doing. No elected official should take “no” for an answer. I am not going to be embarrassed, intimidated or dissuaded in promoting the Town’s interests. My focus has matched my ambitions. I don’t have any regrets in my actions as Mayor. This is a job where you learn by talking to other Mayors, past and present. I have been very fortunate to have the counsel of former Dumfries Mayors Butch Brawner, Chris Brown and Mel Bray. They have been a wealth of information. I deeply believe in the principle that elections come with a solemn obligation to act in the best interest of the Town.

Is there something that you are currently working to improve and develop within yourself to become a better leader?

When dealing with people, I’ve learned that no matter where you go, faces change, names change, but personalities remain the same. There will always be that one person that is divisive, wants the limelight, challenges authority, comes unprepared, uses big words and doesn’t know what they mean or berates others. How to deal with an individual is always a learning experience. Behavioral concerns are in every work environment, it’s more challenging when you are a Christian and an elected official.

Editor’s note: Residents of Prince William County’s towns of Dumfries, Haymarket, Occoquan, and Quantico will head to the polls May 6. PotomacLocal.com emailed a questionnaire to all candidates seeking office in this year’s elections in . The responses we received will be posted to this website.

See more Project:Election 2014 Town Elections profiles

This Michael Futrell first time seeking political office and he hopes to unseat Republican incumbent Mark Dudenhefer on Election Day.

Futrell, a Democrat, seeks to represent the Virginia’s 2nd House District which includes portions of eastern Prince William County to northern Stafford County. Dudenhefer was the first to represent the district when it was created in 2011 following the state’s decennial redistricting processes.

Futurell says his leadership within the local Democratic Party, his work on the non-profit he founded “Make the Future,” and his business experience as a pharmaceutical sales representative would make him a natural leader.

Transportation

A key issues in the 2nd District is transportation. Both Interstate 95 and U.S. 1 run directly through the heart of the district, and many of its residents rely on these two roads to get them to work, school, and to play each day.

Futrell has called for the expansion of Metro rail from Springfield to Woodbridge, which would allow for more cars to be taken off area streets, he said. Sidewalks are another key to his transportation vision: the area needs more of them, he said.

He’s also eyeing more opportunities in public transportation to move more people around the entire district.

“There’s not one bus that runs between Prince William and Stafford County, and that is one thing I will look into – how to move more people between these two rapidly developing areas,” said Futrell.

Business and jobs

Much of his focus on transportation also says a lot about his policy on businesses. U.S. 1 must be improved in order to attract and sustain new businesses to the corridor.

While improvements are well underway and new shops are opening at places like Marumsco Plaza in Woodbridge, and U.S. 1 is being widened in two places in Woodbridge, he says business owners and community leaders need a stronger voice.

“We’ll invite business owners and community leaders to a newly created district council to hear from them, and to determine the jobs of the future and what development is needed here. We want include everyone to make sure we are bringing the development to the area,” he said.

Obamacare expansion 

When state legislators this year approved landmark transportation reform, with it came an planned expansion of Medicare in the state. Some conservatives, including Republican gubernatorial candidate and Attorney General Ken Cuccienlli have called for cutting back the Medicaid expansion.

Distancing himself from his opponent, Futrell supports it.

“This is a law that has already been passed and its something that we are going to pay for, so why not expand it,” he said.

His opponent says Medicaid, and by extension the Affordable Healthcare Act (Obamacare) needs to be revamped, revised, and updated, and has called for a review of it before the program is expanded in the state.

Education

Also following the legislative session this year, Gov. Robert F. McDonnell signed into law a measure that gives a letter grade to schools – A through F – to rate their performance. Futrell is not a fan of this grading system.

“If you give the school an overall failing grade, it doesn’t give them much encouragement to improve,” he said.

Futrell spend a year as a school teacher in Ohio before moving to Virginia to become a pharmaceutical sales rep.

Patricia Ann Trimble has a long history in city government. She has seen how both the Commissioners and Treasurers offices work and feels that she can use this information to better operate the revenue office for the people of Manassas Park.

“I am a very down to Earth person and I believe that city officials are here for the citizens,” Patty told Potomac Local News.

As the Commissioner of Revenue, Trimble said she would like to eliminate the windshield decal that all residents are supposed to have on their cars. Trimble said that the taxpayers would save money for the postage of the decals, the printing of forms for the decals and creation of the decal stickers. Since the police department in Manassas Park can now stop people who are in arrears on tax payment, Trimble said the decals are no longer necessary.

“I would like to work on better hours for our citizens,” Trimble said. “We are here to make residential and business life easier not harder.”

Currently, Manassas Park city offices are closed from 1:30-3 p.m. to lower costs, however this makes it challenging for people working from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to get city business accomplished. Trimble said she would like the office to stay open late at least one night a week and to make the Commissioner of Revenue’s office more accessible via the web, which would allow residents to make payments and do paperwork at home.

Voters will go to the polls Nov. 5.

 

Loree Williams has been a resident of Woodbridge  for over 30 years. She is running up against current incumbent Steve Keen for occupation of the Woodbridge seat on the Prince William County School Board. She says this election isn’t about competition; rather, it’s about bettering the schools.

“There are no enemies in this race,” she says. “Keen has served before and I think that he is a wonderful opponent and has done a great number of things for our county.”

Williams is a wife and mother with two sons, one who is currently attending a Prince William County school. She says this gives her the opportunity to offer a fresh perspective that is not currently being represented on the board.

“I served as a PTA president at my son’s elementary for two years and I also am currently serving on the PWC Gifted Advisory Board. When the position for school board came up, I felt like this was the next logical step for me to try to help our county’s students, parents and teachers,” she says. “Currently there is no one on the board that has young children and with the best interest in seeing our county’s schools grow and change to meet the needs of the students that are in the schools,” she says.

Challenges

Williams says one of the biggest challenges facing schools is adapting to new technologies.

 “Technology is becoming more and more imperative in our schools and education and most of the students are doing some type of online learning,” she says. Williams says it is important that students and teachers both have the technological capabilities they need in modern society.

Additionally, Williams says she will advocate smaller class sizes to allow for a better learning environment for students and teachers.

“I am fully aware of how much time it takes for our teachers, especially when they have 33 students in a class, that’s over 108 students they have to deal with in a day when it comes to grading papers and all the preparation they need for the class.” she says. “It would be to our advantage if we reduce our class sizes to alleviate some of that stress from the teachers and to provide more one-on-one attention for our students.”

Controversial Pool Proposal

An indoor aquatics facility could soon be coming to the 12th high school in Prince William County and has caused controversial opinions across the Woodbridge community. One of the first decisions the newly elected Woodbridge school board member will make is whether to authorize the school division to build the pool.

Prince William County Schools project that the pool’s cost will be $10.5 million to construct and $800,000 per year to operate, in which usage fees will cover about 70-100 percent of the operating fees. PWCS says that it will serve the entire community, providing aquatic instruction, lessons and space for private and high school swim teams.

Williams says the pool could be beneficial to educational instruction, however, she says it is important to be mindful of the budgetary and upkeep factors that come along with the proposal.

“Because our mission for PWCS is to provide a world class education for our students, I could see how having a pool inside one of our schools would be an added benefit to that, but the operation and maintenance (issues) are something we need to look deeper into and come up with some definite and final decisions,” says Williams.

2014-2015 Budget

The superintendent’s proposed budget for FY 2014-2015 will be presented this February, shortly after the school board member is elected. One of the biggest issues talked about at the board of supervisors level is how the budget can be managed properly to see that schools are funded and teachers are retained. Williams says that if she is elected she will work to form a budget committee to review the school division’s proposed budget.

“I do everything in my power to educate myself on all the issues pertaining to the schools, whether I’m elected to the board or not,” she says. “If I am elected, it would only be to my benefit to continue that habit. I can’t make an informed decision unless I, myself is informed.”

Virginia voters will go to the polls on Nov. 5 for the 2013 General Election.

 

Delegate Jackson Miller, Republican representing the 50th district (Manassas and Prince William County) has served the Virginia House of Delegates since 2006. This year he is running for reelection against Democrat Richard Cabellos. He will continue to center his campaign on public safety, criminal justice and business.

As a former police officer for 17 years, he is experienced with issues of criminal justice and public safety. He is responsible for sponsoring legislation that would protect victim and witnesses of crimes by requiring that the defense attorney not be able to publically disclose the personal information of the victim and witnesses. He said this exemption is only currently intact for gang crimes. His bill would include victims and witnesses of drug crimes and violent felonies.

“A lot of people assume that a violent felon who has been charged that they would not have access to the victim or witness’s information, but in fact they do,” he says. “Right now we only allow it for serious gang crimes. We should allow it for all crimes.”

Although these three areas are aligned with his professional level of expertise, Miller says he strives to represent all the issues important to his constituents. Having served as majority whip in the Virginia House of Delegates, he had the opportunity to influence legislation that he may not be a part of otherwise.

Education

Miller says he has worked hard to help fund and prioritize education properly.

“I’m proud to say that because of my previous support of education in Virginia, that I got the endorsement of the Manassas Education Association and the Prince William Education Association,” he says. “I continue to work hard on the funding of schools and classroom sizes and that’s why I have the endorsement of teachers and that’s something I’m very proud of.”

Miller’s target-area when it comes to schools has to do with security. Last session he sponsored a bill with the focus of providing experienced security personnel in the schools.

“It’s a bill that would allow retired police officers under the Virginia Retired system to be hired by a school system full-time to be a school security guard,” he says. Currently, several retired police officers are able to get jobs as school security guards, but not on a fulltime basis. He says that this bill would help provide a safer school environment, especially if a critical incident were to occur.

“It’s much safer for the schools because a retired police officer knows and understands police procedures in a critical incident,” he says. “In many cases, the police officer goes to work in the jurisdiction he was (originally) a police officer so he almost instantly knows the officers and how they respond.”

Transportation

Miller says he was not in favor of Gov. Bob McDonnell’s bipartisan transportation package because he feels it is detrimental to Prince William County. He says that in Northern Virginia’s Planning District 8, which includes Prince William County, Fairfax and Loudon counties, Miller says the region saw a 20 percent increase in sales tax and a 150 percent increase in the Grantor’s Tax, which is a tax on homes sold in the area.

“I simply couldn’t support bill that would have significant tax increases on my businesses and my constituents,” he says. “Prince William’s biggest competitors for business aren’t Fairfax and Loudon, our biggest competitors are Stafford and to a lesser degree, Faquier County, but those counties don’t have that tax increase.”

Miller says that it could be argued that the population in Fauquier and Stafford are gaining a huge increase at a higher rate than the Prince William County residents because they do not have to absorb the same tax increase.

 “I simply cannot vote for the bill when we pay much more than our neighbors, yet they commute through the same region we do at a higher percentage than PWC residents.” Additionally, Miller fears the transportation package will ultimately be damaging to business development.

“I don’t disagree that it will benefit people in Prince William County, but still I don’t think it’s worth it at the cost of us not being able to attract jobs,” he says. “It’s a lot more difficult for Prince William to attract the huge high-tech companies that bring a lot of high paying jobs to Fairfax and Loudon counties.”

Job/Business Development

As a current realtor and real estate investor, Miller is oriented toward making Virginia more business-friendly.

“I drew a lot of pieces of legislation that were created to help businesses,” he says. “They (were created) to let businesses work more smoothly under the guidelines that the state government provides for them.”

He says creating regulations is not always bad for business and that his knowledge of different types of businesses helps with making regulatory legislative decisions.

“I’ve worked to help several types of business groups eliminate regulations that weren’t necessary and sometimes create regulations that the industry thinks is necessary,” he says.

Medicare expansion

Miller says that the Affordable Care Act, a federal comprehensive healthcare reform package that is set to be expanded in Virginia on Oct. 1, could be damaging to Virginia as a state. He worries that by accepting the healthcare expansion during a time when the federal economy is fragile, Virginia will later be expected to make significant budget cuts in order to continue to fund the program.

“It’s not good policy and has the ability to break the budget of the commonwealth of Virginia,” says Miller.  “I think that expansion is way too risky for the future of the commonwealth and that it would be a direct threat to funding for education, funding for public safety and all the other services that are provided by (the state).”

Why Miller?

Miller says his experience as a delegate and with the community help to give him an advantage as a candidate in the upcoming election. He says that he respects his opponent, Cabellos, as a respectable family man, however he doesn’t believe Cabellos has the pulse of the Prince William County and Manassas communities.

“Mr. Cabellos doesn’t know the district. He’s only lived here for a couple years. A vast majority of his political work is in the Arlington and Alexandria area and I believe he has the Arlington and Alexandria type of mentality,” he says. “I was a police officer for almost 12 years. I served on the Manassas city council for two years. I’ve been very involved in a variety of other organizations.”