Join

Seeking city council seat, Clark says Manassas has ‘appetite for high taxes’

He’s been politically active in numerous parts of the city for decades but has never run for office.

He’ll probably never do it again, he says.

For now though, “I’m really enjoying himself,” said Harry Clark, a candidate for the Manassas City Council.

He’s running for the council as a Republican and is the secretary for the city’s GOP committee headed by former city council member Andy Harrover.

Clark serves as the Chairman of the city’s Planning Commission charged with hearing land-use cases and making recommendations to the City Council. He’s also chairman of the Board of Equalization – which hears appeals to property assessments and sits on the Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center Advisory Board, and theĀ Manassas Regional Airport Commission. Clark has also been volunteering to keep score for the Stonewall Park Swim Team since 1997.

“I try to keep busy,” Clark said.

Clark and his wife, Debra, moved to Manassas in 1990. They’ve been married for 35 years and have two daughters. Their daughters went through Manassas public schools. His wife is a retired military police officer, and he is a retired military intelligence agent. Growing up, his children couldn’t get away with anything, he joked.

Clark analyzed intelligence budgets at the Pentagon for 19 years. His office was located where a Boeing 757 crashed into the building on September 11. He was not in his office that morning.

“I got lucky,”Ā  Clark said.

But Clark says the thinks the city is turning the wrong direction politically, and that the government has an increasing “appetite for high taxes.” Eight weeks into the pandemic, the city council this year hiked taxes, raising the average homeowner’s property tax bill $220 more than last year, to an average of $4,295.

At a town hall meeting at the city’s airport on Monday, September 21, he said it was apparent that the people in Georgetown South don’t like the Grant Avenue Streetscape project. The $8.1 million project aims to reduce the number of lanes on South Grant Avenue that runs past their neighborhood, from four to two lanes. Ā The reduction will make it more difficult for residents to travel in and out of their neighborhood and will lead to traffic backups.

Higher tax rates are also driving out the city’s most poor and vulnerable residents, he said. He is also worried about increased taxes driving businesses out of the city.

“I’m retired…I plan to stay in the city,” Clark said. “It’s a vibrant and diverse community, and I want it to stay that way.”

The city has been doing a good job with its response to the coronavirus pandemic, but he thinks the local government needs to be more proactive about businesses getting the relief available from the state and the federal governments. The city’s economic development department had provided multiple grants to city businesses and has partnered with Prince William County, and Northern Virginia Community College to provide job retraining skills.

Clark said he wants the business community to have more interaction with the school system, too. While the school system has a vocational program that works with local businesses to train students, many business owners don’t understand how to access the program. He wants to aid business owners in the process of filling out the required forms and completing the background checks needed, he said.

There are four open City Council seats on the November 3 ballot, to include the mayor. Clark is joined by Republican incumbent councilmanĀ Ian Lovejoy and Lynn Forkell Greene. Incumbent council members Mark Wolfe and Pamela Sebesky are running for re-election, alongside newcomer Tom Osina, for the Democrat ticket.

Two incumbent council members, Theresa Coates Ellis and Michelle Davis Younger are seeking the mayoral seat for the Republican and Democrats, respectively.

“I know all those people, and I like them. Nobody’s getting really nasty about things [during the campaign],” Clark said. “It’s a small town, we’re all friends.”

Recent Stories

The mother of a former student at North Stafford High School has filed a lawsuit against the county school division seeking $15 million in compensatory damages, alleging failure to protect her child.

Virginia is beginning to experience some of the impacts from the cargo ship crash that brought down Baltimoreā€™s Francis Scott Key Bridge, closing a vital shipping lane leading to one of the eastern seaboardā€™s busiest ports.

Rep. Abigail Spanberger was in Stafford County on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 to tout her efforts to bring federal dollars to the district.

Route 1 is closed at Port Potomac in Woodbridge, near Cardinal Drive.Ā 

Are you facing life’s challenges, feeling overwhelmed, or seeking personal growth? Embrace the path to emotional well-being with our expert psychotherapy services!

Why Choose Us?

Our team of compassionate and experienced psychotherapists is here to guide you on your journey to inner peace, self-discovery, and positive change. We provide a safe and supportive environment where you can explore your thoughts and feelings without judgment.

Read More

Submit your own Community Post here.

Dreaming of small-town charm with big-city convenience? Look no further than 7156 Main St in Clifton, Virginia! Nestled just 30 miles from the heart of Washington D.C., this picturesque property offers the best of both worlds.

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city to find tranquility in this quaint, historic town. With its tree-lined streets and friendly community atmosphere, Clifton is the perfect place to call home. Yet, with its close proximity to the nation’s capital, you’ll never be far from the excitement and opportunities of urban living.

Imagine weekends exploring local shops, dining at charming cafes, and enjoying outdoor adventures in nearby parks. Then, commute to D.C. for work or play, soaking in all the culture, entertainment, and career opportunities the city has to offer.

Read More

Submit your own Community Post here.

Van Metre 5K Run

Participate in the 32nd Annual Van Metre 5K Run, a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, and every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and

Ɨ

Subscribe to our mailing list