Opinion

Voters in the Potomac Magisterial District have an important choice to make for their school board member. They can return Mrs. Covington to office or they can turn to Justin Wilk.

There are several reasons to support Mr. Wilk. I am probably one of the only voters in [the Potomac District] who had Mrs. Covington as a principal when I attended Dumfries Elementary, but later had Mr. Wilk as a teacher at Woodbridge Middle School. Both were outstanding educators, and cared deeply about their students.  I truly respect Mrs. Covington, but it’s time for a change.

I have known Betty Covington for more than 25 years. Betty has spent a lifetime serving the citizens and more importantly the children of Prince William County.

Her dedication, integrity, and professionalism are without a doubt the finest we have to offer our school children. Betty is an award winning educator who served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and school board member. She has seen the Prince William County School system from all sides including that of a parent. All three of her children are products of Prince William County Schools.

On October 16, I attended the debate held at Lake Ridge Middle School between the candidates for Occoquan District Supervisor, Earnie Porta and Ruth Anderson.

I was struck by the difference in the candidates answers to the questions presented. Mr. Porta was clearly knowledgeable of the important issues facing the district and the county, and presented clear, well thought-out, common sense answers to questions on subjects including traffic congestion and taxes.

When deciding who would best represent our community and support the families that it consists of, the answer is as clear as a summer sky.  Justin Wilk is an honest, devoted leader who has dedicated immense amounts of efforts to have the opportunity to bring the positive change that this county so greatly longs for.

As a former educator in Prince William County, he has witnessed the issues first hand. He has stood in front of a classroom, one that is overpopulated compared to our competing districts, and struggled to develop teaching methods that accommodate every one of his students.

I met Maureen Caddigan before she entered public life. We first collaborated when she was a member of the Prince William County School Board and worked closely since she has been a member of the Board of Supervisors representing the Potomac District. Maureen and I have worked on a variety of issues to include transportation, public safety and education.

As [a member] of the Board of Supervisors, Maureen understands the need for leadership and working as a team. She does not get involved in partisan bickering and readily reaches across party lines in order to accomplish a goal and improve the quality of life for the citizens of Prince William County.

Virginia State Delegate Scott Surovell has done an excellent job in the House of Delegates and is running to replace Senator Toddy Puller who is retiring.

Delegate Surovell has an excellent record as an advocate of all the people. One of his key pieces of legislation bans texting and driving, a life-saving piece of key legislation.

Prince William County Residents will be heading to the polls in November to choose their School Board Members for the next term. For anyone that truly cares about all children, the choice is clear: Betty D. Covington, School Board Member for the Potomac District.

I have had the privilege of working with Mrs. Covington as a teacher for sixteen years while she was the principal of Kilby Elementary and as an Associate Superintendent while she served on the School Board. I observed firsthand her dedication to and tireless efforts on behalf of the teachers, students, and parents of Prince William County.

I am the present School Board member representing the Potomac District. I am a candidate for reelection. I have never joined a political party.

I am an Independent. The School Board is nonpartisan. I belong to the Children’s Party. I vote for what I feel is best for our children’s education.

Providing for public safety and ensuring our brave men and women in law enforcement have the tools they need to do their jobs effectively is among the top priorities of any elected official.  In the Town of Dumfries, where I serve as Mayor, that responsibility took on added meaning a couple years ago.

As many of you know, the reputation of the Dumfries Police Department took a big hit in 2010 when there was major turnover within the Department, including the Chief and Assistant Chief, following an investigation into wrongdoing and mismanagement by the Virginia State Police and Virginia Department of Criminal Justice, as well as an internal investigation.

On November 3, I will be voting for Earnie Porta for Occoquan Supervisor.  

He has the experience in municipal finance, the proven leadership skills in government as Mayor of Occoquan and the right priorities and ideas for addressing our challenges in education, transportation, economic development and environmental protection.