Author: Saniaa Purdie

Saniaa Purdie is a student at Potomac Senior High School in Prince William County, Virginia, and a reporter for Potomac Local News. She covers local government meetings and community issues, drawing on her leadership as president of her school’s Families for Families organization and her volunteer work supporting families in need.

Stafford

Stafford voters to weigh 1 percent school sales tax

By Saniaa Purdie
Kindergarten students get off the bus at Park Ridge Elementary School on "transition day," Monday, August 11, 2025. [Photo: Stafford County Public Schools]

Stafford County voters will decide Nov. 3 whether the county may levy an additional local retail sales-and-use tax of up to 1 percent, to be used only for construction of new schools or major renovations of schools serving Stafford.

The official ballot question reads: “Shall Stafford County, Virginia levy a local retail sales tax not to exceed one percent (1%) to provide revenue that can only be used for construction of new schools or major renovation of schools serving Stafford County, with such tax ending (1) upon repayment of any bonds or loans issued for the projects, or (2) if the projects are not funded by bonds or loans, on June 30, 2046?”

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Prince William

PIER PRESSURE: Locals Push Back on GMU’s Massive Belmont Bay Dock Plan

By Saniaa Purdie
T. Reid Nelson, assistant professor of environmental science and policy at George Mason University, presents research and academic programs during a town hall on the proposed pier at the Potomac Science Center in Woodbridge on Aug. 19, 2026. [Photo: Saniaa Purdie]

University officials said the pier will give scientists, students, and research vessels direct access to the Occoquan River after nearly a decade of limited water access. Neighbors and local paddling groups raised concerns about the structure’s length, kayak passage, barge safety, and visual impact during the two-hour town hall at the center, located at 650 Mason Ferry Ave in Woodbridge.

The facility opened in 2017 as a 50,000-square-foot research and education building, but its existing short platform reaches mudflat at low tide. Researchers currently must trailer boats to other docks, limiting class instruction, continuous monitoring, and rapid response work.

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