Fire and Rescue Levy
A new and urgent issue has arisen. The recent and significant decline in volunteers in our fire and rescue organizations has caused critical shortcomings in our fire protection which poses a public safety risk. We periodically rely on aid from the county and Manassas Park and are not meeting our obligations for mututal aid to these jurisdictions. Your City Council is taking swift and decisive action in adding career fire staff now and developing a plan for the future. There is no denying this will mean extra costs and will have tax impacts. Those of us pledged to control tax growth will be hard pressed to find the money in other city functions, but this urgent imperative must have the highest priority.
Election Day is May 6
I am thrilled and honored by the endorsements of Mayor Marvin Gillum, Mayor John Weber and Mayor Bob Brown of my candidacy for City Council, as well as the endorsement of Delegate Jackson Miller. These men all know what it takes to do the job I am seeking, so their endorsements are especially noteworthy and appreciated. As of mid-February there is no organized opposition to the Republican slate, but I still hope voters will come to the polls and exercise the franchise that so many have fought to protect. Remember, "it's not over until it's over" applies to elections as well as baseball.
City Contracting Initiative
I am spearheading an effort to require that contractors doing business with the city attest that their employees whom they use on city work are legally entitled to work in the USA. Failure to fulfill this promise could cause termination of their contract and/or loss of bidder status for two years. This plan is less extreme than some proposals in the state legislature which involve civil penalties and/or reaching far beyond our jurisdiction. My plan, currently under review by the City Attorney, is more likely to be workable and survive the inevitible legal challenges.
Neighborhood Cleanup
With thanks to the city staff, particularly the Neighborhood Services Coordinator, over 1,500 zoning and housing complaints have been favorably resolved since last summer. A new "spring cleanup" campaign can be expected to continue this effort which is directed at reducing some of the negative impacts of overcrowding as well as maintain the physical attractiveness of the city.
Illegal Aliens
Since July, over 430 detainers have been filed with ICE by Prince William jail officers, and over 325 area criminal aliens have been removed by ICE. This is real progress, and the numbers keep growing every day. The training of city police should begin soon, now that federal budgeting and administrative issues have been resolved. The trained officers would be a resource for patrol officers to resolve any immigration issues related to an arrest.
Economic Development
As I stressed during the Republican convention, the greatest long term challenge faced by our city is economic development. The Land Use Committee, of which I am a member, is actively working with the Manassas Business Association and city staff to structure a plan of infrastructure development, incentives and support to strengthen the city's commercial and residential base. The time has come to start implementing the variety of plans developed over the past five years. Otherwise we face the serious risk of being the "hole in the donut" of economic prosperity in Norther Virginia. But make no mistake; this will need money from the city taxpayers as well as the business community.
