Economic Development
Manassas is surrounded by major economic development. While we have little open land, we do have the capability and the need for balanced infill development which brings both commercial and residential modernization and economic strength. I support the city’s Comprehensive Plan, the several sector plans, and the progressive zoning concepts which I had a significant hand in developing. If you look around town you will see the beginnings of recovery from the recession as new residential projects resume.
Tax Rates and Services
I believe the services provided by Manassas are excellent and would not want to see major curtailment in core services. As a Councilman, I do work to require efficiencies in government departments, limit government control of private enterprise and refrain from competing with private enterprise (Internet service and land speculation are local examples).
Over the last four years the Manassas average residential tax, after adjusting for inflation, has decreased about 13%, thanks to the conservative approach by your City Council. This in spite of the 9% growth in the police and fire and rescue service expenditures. Our city employees have been squeezed hard by this process both financially and in workload. The City Council recognizes their sacrifices and we trust the citizens do as well.
Schools
Excellent schools are a cornerstone of our city and a major element in attracting new homeowner families and retaining existing ones. Our school system has performance issues which require system strengthening through a more challenging curriculum, greater parental involvement and higher expectations from our students. There are good models in the area; Pennington, Thomas Jefferson, Governor's Schools, STEM programs should be studied and adapted to our needs to serve the full student population, not just the top and the bottom. The City Council has been working proactively with the independently elected School Board to identify and implement improvement plans. We must continue and expand this collaberative approach. Cost control will continue to be an issue.
Illegal Aliens
This is a continuing issue for all citizens, affecting our economy, our schools and our social fabric. We are pressing on the true criminal element with the highest priority. Our active participation in the 287(G) program has been highly successful and without the feared intrusion on law-abiding citizens/residents. Since inception, over 4,700 immigration detainers have been issued with most turned over to ICE for deportation. The "rule of law" is alive and well in Manassas and a model for other jurisdictions and states. Recently, a Fairfax Board candidate bemoaned Fairfax becoming a "magnet" for illegals who have sought to escape Prince William (and Manassas) tough local enforcement of immigration laws
Property Code Enforcement
Residential overcrowding, poorly maintained houses, dilapidated fences, trash pile-up and grafitti pose health and safety issues as well as quality of life issues. We must and do enforce our zoning and fire code ordinances while protecting the Constitutional rights of our citizens. This is a delicate balance. Council’s re-emphasis on neighborhood services and blight abatement involves citizen participation as well as city government enforcement. It has been a significant step forward in controlling negative impacts. Some 987 cases were opened in this fiscal year with 561 violation notices issued.
Tea Party
We must pay attention to the evolving philosophy of the "Tea Party" to take back our government and recover our economic freedom. I broadly agree with and support the Tea Party’s positions on adherence to the Constitution, fiscal responsibility, small government and individual rights. I’m sure we differ on some issues, but they are the exception rather than the rule.
Council of Governments Regional Issues
The COG coordinates DC regional transportation and economic development initiatives, particularly those funded by the Federal Government. Some of their initiatives are useful, such as supporting the stimulus spending which paid half our new railroad overpass. Other initiatives create problematic involvement in local affairs, albeit only advisory. I am the Manassas representative to three COG committees under City council guidance to participate only in those initiatives which we find are cost-effective, do not require local subsidy, do not create competitive disadvantage for our residents or businesses, do not require additional staffing, and do conform to the city’s Comprehensive Plan. This approach preserves our conservative agenda while allowing participation to help shape their initiatives.
Family & Family Values
Shirley and I have been happily married 45 years. Our strong family values have been tested in economic downturns, during Operation Desert Storm while we were living and working in Saudi Arabia, in countless job-related moves and in integrating into new communities. Our two daughters are productive, hard-working adults and we are closely tied to them. Our son-in-law is a Virginia native who has made a true success of his energy distribution business. We also have a really cool six-year old l grandson who you can see on the “meet Jon” tab of this website.
