Opinion

Suppressing opposition, Wheeler gives free rein to developers, hurting minorities

By Letters to the Editor
Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chair At-large Ann Wheeler. [Photo: Uriah Kiser/Potomac Local News]

While endlessly preaching unity, Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chair Ann Wheeler and her allies have been working to:

And where does it all end?  Unsurprisingly, as smoke screen and justification for another developer land grab — this time involving breaking open the Rural Crescent to thousands of new houses and shoving down the throats of west county residents more residential development, more overcrowded roads and increasingly dysfunctional schools, higher taxes (during the biggest economic downturn in almost 100 years), and more environmental destruction.

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Fairfax restricts flags, declares moral bankruptcy

By Letters to the Editor
Fairfax County Government Center [Sky's the Limit Media]

On Tuesday, March 23rd, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors passed a much debated zoning modernization (zMOD) change in a 7-3 vote. The 700 page omnibus zMOD can be described as nothing less than a boondoggle, including changes to accessory-living units, home-based businesses, freestanding accessory structures, food trucks, and much more. These changes will affect traffic, housing density, schools, and parking for years to come.

One particularly contentious provision restricts the freedom of citizens to fly American flags outside their homes. Under the new ordinance, homeowners are restricted to 3 flags, which includes state, military, or college flags. They must also apply for a special permit if they wish to have flagpoles over 25 feet in height. This in effect limits the size of flags that can be flown. Chairman McKay made it clear that he, “[does] not support regulating the American flag.” He then proceeded to do precisely that.

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‘Embrey Mill-Stafford Courthouse area isn’t the right place for 18-wheeler trucks’

By Letters to the Editor
An arial view of the new diverging diamond interchange in Stafford. [Photo: VDOT]

The Stafford Board of Supervisors’ recent decision to allow a massive DHL Distribution Center will add over 1,360new vehicle trips daily to our brand-new, curvy Courthouse Road Divergent Diamond interchange.

A significant amount of this traffic will be heavy trucks. And worse, our Board has awarded big tax incentives (aka your tax dollars) to DHL to make it happen.

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Don’t hike ‘tech tax,’ says Prince William Chamber of Commerce

By Potomac Local News
Prince William Chamber Building at 9720 Capital Court in Manassas.

On behalf of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce and its 1,200+ Members, we strongly encourage you not to support advertising the “tech tax” from $1.35 to $1.60, or a massive 18% increase.

We have attracted and grown an industry that accounts for 94% of all investment in the County. Even as other states and localities in Virginia and elsewhere are seeking to grow their data center and technology-based business investment, Prince William County is seeking to increase the tax burden on a key industry driving our economy.

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BOCS should rule out largest residential tax increase in county history

By Uriah Kiser
Vega

On Tuesday evening, the Board of Supervisors will set the advertised tax rates for the 2022 Fiscal Year. Among them will be the residential tax rate.

Currently on the table is a proposal by the County Executive that would not increase the tax rate, but because of increases in home value assessments set by the County, would result in an average residential tax increase of $306 over last year’s bill, and $328 with the residential Fire Levy.

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Principal: Staff to work with ‘dignity, integrity, honor’ to bring students back to classroom

By Uriah Kiser
Martinez

The principals and staff at Forest Park High School near Dumfries are ready to welcome children back to the classroom, said Richard Martinez, the school’s principal.

Martinez briefed the county School Board during its meeting on Feb. 17, 2021. Here’s what he said.

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Voices: Let’s work together in Prince William to bring justice to people tortured by CCP

By Uriah Kiser
Giragosian

Jim Giragosian, a 28 year resident of the Gainesville District in Prince William County and Falun Gong practitioner, spoke to the Board of County Supervisors on Feb. 16, 2021, about atrocities happening to those who practice the religion in China.

In communities across the country and around the world, we are seeing unprecedented calls for justice for all people. Not just for a single race or single ethnicity, or a single sexual orientation, but for everyone.

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Voices: Teachers union pushes for pay raises, promotions for food service, transportation employees

By Uriah Kiser
Hansford

Prince William Education Association President Maggie Hansford spoke before the Prince William County School Board on February 8 to push for raises for school employees.

I just want to start off by making Dr. Walts for making educators a priority in this year’s budget.

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Voices: A meals tax in Prince William doesn’t make sense for hurting families

By Letters to the Editor
Parrish

Tim Parrish, Prince William County GOP Committee chairman, spoke to the Board of County Supervisors during its meeting on Feb. 16, 2021, and urged County Executive Christopher Martino to table talk of enacting a new meals tax that would be paid by people who dine at county restaurants.

I’m here tonight to talk about this tax proposal coming down the pipeline.

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