Steven J. Randolph came to his 651st regular meeting of the Manassas City Council on Monday night. It was the last meeting held in which he was required to be there.
Randolph and Vice Mayor Andrew Harrover said their goodbyes as both are leaving the council. Voters have already chosen Their replacements, and the new City Council members will take their seats on the dais come January.
Randolph spent 28 years on the council.
“I never thought I’d serve one term much less seven,” he said.
The retiring official said he was happy to have some small role in many of the changes that took place in the city during his term. The addition of the Manassas Museum, Harris Pavilion, and Metz Middle School were all “big battles.”
Other projects noted were the reopening of the city’s train station, now home to a Virginia Railway Express station, and the Center for the Arts at the Candy Factory.
“Both were a home for pigeons,” said Randolph.
Harrover thanked his family for supporting him during his eight years on the Council. He also thanked his colleagues on the Council for working with him.
“There are two or three things I’ve learned over the years: You can get anything done you want to as long as you’re not worried about who gets the credit,” said Harrover.
“Manassas Next,” a series of videos outlining produced to share Harrover’s plan to improve city services, was one of his biggest accomplishments while serving on the Council, he added.
Harrover spent six years as the city’s Vice Mayor.
Residents are invited to a reception honoring both retiring men beginning at 5 p.m. Friday at the Center for Arts at the Candy Factory on Battle Street.
