Opinion
Trust in government at all levels has been falling for years. And it isn’t particularly surprising. We hear almost daily about politicians on the take, breaking the public trust for their own personal or political gain. Unfortunately, we let it continue year after year not only by reÂelecting those guilty of such practices, but also by not demanding more transparency and accountability from our elected officials. But that doesn’t have to be the case in Prince William County.
In 2008, I was selected to serve as the lone, atÂlarge citizen of the County’s Board Audit Committee, a group charged with ensuring that staff are efficient and effective in complying with laws, policies and procedures. The board itself eliminated the citizen position from the audit committee before I had the opportunity to actually serve. This lack of government transparency is unacceptable. To date, the board consists only of the County Supervisors themselves with no input or participation from members of the community. This needs to change. If we as citizens are not invited to be part of processes such as this, and get the bad news along with the good, we lose the power to keep our public servants honest and focused on finding real solutions to the problems we face. As Chairman of the Board of County Supervisors, I will make it a top priority on my first day in office to restore citizen membership to the audit committee so that the public has direct access to compliance and efficiency audits.
But auditing the performance of County staff isn’t enough. The citizens of Prince William pay the salaries of the supervisors, and they need to be able to hold the supervisors themselves accountable. I’m committed to creating a local committee of private citizens whose purpose is to monitor Supervisors and report to the public annually on issues of transparency and conflicts of interest.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Recent Stories
June will be a fun and warm month around Prince William County and Manassas with several meetings and activities scheduled. Take a look at some highlighted events and meetings. Monday…
To increase the city’s bike-ability and promote a “connected communities” concept, officials and residents gathered at the south end of Caroline Street on May 29 in Fredericksburg to discuss creating a Dixon Park Connector trail.
MANASSAS, Va. – Prince William County leaders will consider a rezoning request on Tuesday, June 3, that could transform the aging Manassas Mall into a new urban-style community with more than 1,000 apartments and tens of thousands of square feet in new commercial space.
Luis Riveron-Wong (middle) recently won the RISE Award. [Courtesy of Manassas City Public Schools]Luis Riveron-Wong, a custodial shift supervisor in Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS), won the RISE Award, for…
The most anticipated night of the year is almost here! This Saturday, May 31, step into the romance, elegance, and charm of Paris—without ever leaving Washington, DC.
Join us for An Evening in Paris, an unforgettable soirĂ©e celebrating the best of French culture. Experience an immersive evening filled with gourmet French cuisine, refined wines, captivating live music, and the irresistible ambiance of the City of Light. Whether you’re a lifelong Francophile or simply love a night of sophistication, this is a celebration you won’t want to miss.
✨ Highlights of the evening include:
Calling all WSHS Class of 1975 graduates! Our class has planned our 50-Year Class Reunion to be held September 26-28, 2025 in Woodbridge, Virginia. Reunion details and registration information are available to be sent to you.
To find out more, please email our reunion committee at [email protected]
Your Weight Matters National Convention
Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012, this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education, support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health.
This unique Convention truly has something
Van Metre 5K Run
Participate in the 33rd Annual Van Metre 5K Run—a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, where every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and has
