This post is paid for by Jon Leads the Way — Jonathan Way for Manassas City Council.
City Councilman Jonathan Way solves complex problems, works to preserve the city’s history, and is the “face of the city” in several regional commissions which have important impacts on the city.
Manassas City Councilman Jonathan Way could have chosen anywhere to retire, but he chose Manassas. To him, he said, the city offered the opportunity to accomplish all the things he hoped to accomplish and Manassas just had that comfortable “hometown” feel.
Before moving to City Council, though, Way worked on the Planning Commission and then moved to Chair. He felt he was doing good for his community in this position, so 10 years ago he ran successfully for Manassas City Council, something which he is doing again this year. Way says of his motivation, “I want to leave Manassas in a better place than when I came here.
Way is passionate about figuring out the answers to complex problems. He says virtually all problems that come before the Council are complicated. Working on the City Council is a balancing act. Since people frequently have different opinions, he said, it’s difficult to please everyone. His job, he said, is to make sure the public is satisfied with the Council’s decisions (or at least “comfortably dissatisfied.”)
Way’s current pet project is the 100 plus-year-old water tower in the city’s Downtown. He is actively working with a team of volunteers to save what has been an icon of the city. He says that even though it’s not needed for water management, the water tower is historically significant and “deserves better than to become a parking lot.”
The biggest challenge to City Council is having a balanced budget without substantial tax increases, while still providing the superior services the public needs. Way said, “It’s a heck of a balancing act… but we do it each year. It’s satisfying to overcome such a challenge.”
Regarding the campaign trail, Way said he takes great satisfaction from meeting people. He said the public is almost “universally polite,” which makes for a pleasant experience and allows a serious exchange of ideas. “You meet a lot of interesting people and learn a lot of interesting things about the city,” said Way.
Election campaigns in the city have thus far not been vicious.
“People point out what they can do, some point out what they’ve already done, some people say they want change, but that’s about as argumentative as it gets. We try to not ‘bad mouth’ other candidates,” he said.
Way said he is a good candidate not only because of extensive experience, but also because he is retired, so he has the time to put in the 1,200 or so hours per year necessary fulfill Council responsibilities and also represent the city on several regional commissions including Greater Washington Council of Governments, Transportation Planning Board, Virginia Railway Express Board of Directors, Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission director, Novant Prince William Health System Board of Trustees, Member of Governance Board of Directors, and Quality committees and an associate of the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
It’s tough for council members who are still working full-time to meet all these commitments, Way said.
“In our country where polarized government has taken over the landscape,” Way said, “I’m a balanced, sensible conservative who has been a Republican since the days of Dwight Eisenhower. I recognize the other side has legitimate concerns and feelings as well. I’m satisfied to have a workable compromise solution to most problems, not a ‘my way or the highway’ approach. If you do that, you can end up on the highway yourself, and that’s not the way to run a government.”
For more information on Jonathan Way’s campaign, visit www.jonleadstheway.com.
