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Rogers says drive from Manassas Park City Center along Route 28 must be improved

Mike Rogers during a recent candidates forum called Manassas Park one of the best places to live in the U.S. 

Originally from Philadelphia, the pastor is making his first bid in a write-in campaign for a seat on the Manassas Park Governing Body.

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Manassas Park residents will head to the polls for the November 8, 2016 General Election to choose two people to fill two open council seats, and a new mayor.
 
We sent a questionnaire to Rogers, and all other candidates seeking office for the Manassas Park Governing Body. His responses are below: 
 
PL: What are the top three major issues facing Manassas Park residents?

Rogers: Revenue Generation, Infrastructure, and Debt

PL: What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?
 
Rogers: 1) Attract large businesses to come to Manassas Park. 2) Review and identify all City Contract in order to identify which (if any) can be renegotiated and do so. 3) Reduce the number of suppliers and identify cost efficiencies that may be available and develop strategic relationships 4) Roadways must be developed, expanded, or manipulated to foment the persistent traffic along Manassas Drive from the City Center through Route 28. 5) Manassas City, Prince William County and Fairfax County must be convinced to take their proper part in re-engineering traffic 6) We attack the debt issue by increasing revenues not by increasing taxes.
 
Editor's note: Rogers says he'll increase revenue by working to lure large corporations to the city. 
From Rogers: 
 
To clarify, by increasing the revenue base using smart development (as an example encouraging large employers to open locations in Manassas Park and negotiating more with the City Center Developer to build-out the spaces that are in the City Center) we can attack the debt issue. I am opposed to increasing the amount of taxes that individuals already pay.

PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?

Rogers: From my perspective, the City Council is an advocate for the people - own who has the chance to interact with people on a regular basis and one that has the duty of communicating their concerns. But, the City Council also has the duty of protecting the City, foreseeing issues, and being a stabilizing force. Lastly, I would say that the person on City Council has the duty of not going it alone , but of being a team player.

PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?

Rogers: Accountant, contract manager, counselor, teacher

PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well informed and understands the workings of city government? If not, how do you intend on improving communication with your constituency? 
 
Rogers: I feel that the average citizen is uninformed and does not understand the workings of local government. But, that is sad. I intend on being a change agent. I'll offer time in my office to school students, mom's, and businessmen. I'll conduct regular sessions with other members of the Governing Body focused on gaining understanding and finding ways to communicate with the citizens of Manassas Park in the way that they communicate.
 
PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?
 
Rogers: I'm a pastor and a business leader. I make mistakes pretty regularly. But, I approach them by trying to be open and by asking for help to make things better.
 
PL: Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?
 
Rogers: Hopefully, the readers will see that I have been a leader throughout my professional life. I believe that when they see my willingness to listen to them and to drive their issues, they'll put their trust in me as a leader. The readers should vote for me because, regardless of whether or not I am elected as councilman, I am a leader in Manassas Park and have been one since I arrived.
 

Read more Project: Election 2016 candidate profiles.

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