Election
The election is over. It was a physically and emotionally exhilarating event, particularly recognizing the wide variety of political philosophies among the candidates. All candidates have expressed similar goals of prosperity, governmental efficiency, superior education and public services and quality of life. However, the strategies and actions to accomplish them varied widely among the candidates. The choices have been made and the new team is getting to work.
Fire and Rescue Levy
A couple of years ago we had serious manpower shortages in our volunteer fire and rescue organizations which posed a public safety risk and threatened our mutual aid obligations with the County and Manassas Park. In response, your Council dramatically strengthened the base of career fire fighters and emergency medical technicians, predominately at the city’s cost. The fire levy has grown to 17.5 cents and is budgeted to grow a further 0.5 cents to replace aging, expensive fire and rescue equipment. This urgent imperative must have the highest priority. We have a lot of older equipment with high maintenance cost to maintain opeational reliability.
Illegal Alien Initiatives
We now have a requirement in all city contracts that the contractors attest that their employees whom they use on city work are legally entitled to work in the USA. Non-compliance could cause termination of their contract and/or loss of bidder status for up to two years.
We also recently amended the city business license (BPOL) application to include a warning that the license is contingent upon the grantee not employing illegal aliens. The applicant acknowledges this requirement by his/her signature on the application. This practice is consistent with state law and a recent US Supreme Court decision.
Since the inception of our 287(g) program over 4,700 individuals arrested by the county or the city have been detained. Most turned over to the Immigration & Customs Enforcement service for deportation. This is real progress, and the numbers keep growing every day. We don’t want to be a “safe haven” for illegal aliens.
Neighborhood Cleanup/Blight Abatement
With thanks to the city staff, particularly the Neighborhood Services, over 700 property code enforcement actions have been favorably resolved over the last two fiscal years. A new "spring cleanup" campaign can be expected to continue this effort which is directed at maintaining the physical attractiveness of the city and working with HOA's to strengthen Neighborhood Watch and civic involvement.
We have also initiated an aggressive blight abatement campaign to remove or restore derelict houses. Four houses are in process with more to come. It is a slow process because we must protect property owner's rights even while protecting public health and safety.
Economic Development
As I stressed during the last election and at the Republican convention last January, the greatest long term challenge faced by our city is economic development. The Land Use Committee, of which I am the chair, has developed and is using a plan of incentives and support to strengthen the city's commercial and industrial base. This program offers tax abatement during business start-up or expansion, varying with how much business and employment they bring to the community. A similar program relates to growth of established businesses because retention of our economic base in difficult times is a primary objective. These programs are essential to maintaining our competitive position in Northern Virginia, and have achieved favorable results with both very large and small businesses.
