Lovejoy focused on promoting Manassas economy

 

We sent a questionnaire to Lovejoy and all other candidates seeking a seat on the Manassas City Council. Lovejoy's responses are below: 

Lovejoy: 1. Reconciling the opinions some in the region have about the city, with the more positive truth.

 

2. Deciding what kind of city we want to be: Fairfax/Arlington model vs. Winchester/Leesburg model

 

3. Improving quality of life for current residents: overcrowding, zoning issues, etc.

 

Lovejoy: Our Economy-Playing to our Strengths.

*Fully revamp the city’s Economic Development website

*Launch SBA HUBzone marketing plan to attract high paying government contractors

*Work with regional partners to establish physical/virtual business incubator

*Work with local nonprofits to produce commercials featuring city businesses to air on city controlled stations and online

*Establish Entrepreneurship Academy in partnership with Chamber of Commerce and other community partners *Launch “Manassas is Open for Business” campaign

*Fight for the Taxpayer! Oppose raising taxes on businesses and citizens

*Expand membership in our Manassas Business Council to better advise council on economic matters and act as ambassadors to the broader business community

*Host semi-annual event with regional real-estate agents to communicate positive city information

 

Lovejoy: To be the citizen’s voice. To aid residents in interfacing with the government (customer service). To recognize that being elected comes with the requirement to commit to a higher ideal, to recognize one is in the unique position to, ever so modestly, change our community for the better and attempt to rally others to that cause.

Lovejoy: Individual citizens working together make a community strong– not the government. I’ve practiced what I preached and have served the community in many non-governmental roles including as President of the Manassas City Public Schools Education Foundation, as a volunteer for Historic Manassas, Inc., as Vice President of the Point of Woods HOA and currently as Chairman of the Tri-County Walk to End Alzheimer’s, in honor of my Grandfather, Clennie Lovejoy. I was recently named one of Northern Virginia’s “40 under 40”, recognized as one of the most “influential people in their professional industries and catalysts of community impact.”

 

 

Lovejoy: I think we have a very engaged citizenry, but there’s always room to improve. I’ve been at the forefront of communicating with residents and sharing information (newsletter, direct mail, social media). I’d redouble those efforts.