Opinion

Passion and Commitment. These were the two words that helped shape my military career. After retiring from serving 23 years in the United States Army and serving as the first African American Command Sergeant Major for the Army National Guard, it had always been a childhood dream of mine to become a fireman. 

I joined the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department in December 2011. Once I completed the fire academy, I was assigned to Station 10, Battalion 2 and my Officer in Charge was Jeremy McPike, who is now running for the Democratic nomination in the 29^th Virginia Senate district.  

June 9th is Election Day and Prince William County has a “Hotly Contested”election between Tim Ciampaglio and Mark Dudenhefer in the Second District. This is one of the easiest decisions I have ever had to make in an election. Tim Ciampaglio has rolled out detailed plan after plan with a vision for where he wants to lead us. Mark Dudenhefer has done nothing but make false attacks and try to hide his tax and spend record. It is no wonder people call him “Duden-Hiker” for all the taxes he raised while in office. Did you know that when he represented Prince William and Stafford Counties, he not only voted for Virginia’s largest tax hike, but he also voted to raise three special taxes on Prince William County that he would not have to pay in Stafford. He made our sales tax higher, put a special property tax on us when we sell our homes, and put a special tax on our hotels. I will never vote for a person who believes it’s OK for me to pay a tax that he doesn’t pay.

To the Editor:

I’m voting for Jeremy McPike because I know he’s the strongest candidate, because I know he has the smartest policies, and because I know he’s the most effective leader running for State Senate. But that’s not the only reason I’m voting for Jeremy. I’m voting for Jeremy because I see in him the capability and passion necessary to protect and cultivate the community that I grew up in and the community that I love. Like Jeremy I was born and raised in Woodbridge and as a child of Ghanaian immigrants I was taught to realize how lucky I was to live in an area where I could grow and learn and dream far beyond what my parents could in their childhood.

As the weather warms and summer nears, we are approaching the road mowing and paving season in Northern Virginia. Several paving projects are coming to eastern Prince William County and northern Stafford County in the 36^th District.

VDOT plans to pave I-95 from Neabsco Creek to Smoketown Road, all of VA-123 and Old Bridge Road from VA-123 to Minnieville. Cardinal Drive will get a new surface from U.S. 1 to Minnieville as well.  Southbridge will see new blacktop in on Wayside Lane, Pine Ridge Boulevard and several surrounding streets.  VDOT will pave the entire length of Joplin Road from U.S. 1 to Bristow Road and all the streets of the entire town of Quantico. The Main Street between Curtis Drive and Quantico Gateway Drive through Dumfries is also scheduled to be repaved.

On June 9^th, I urge my fellow voters to support Atif Qarni in the Democratic Primary. He is a person we can trust to fight for public education and will be a true advocate in Richmond for the reforms our students deserve.

As a teacher, I know that our classes are too large and they don’t get the resources they need to thrive. Northern Virginia is a proudly diverse region and we’re leaving too many kids behind by forcing this one-size fits all curriculum. The current pacing guides that teachers need to follow do not allow for students to gain a complete understanding of any of the subjects, and those who have questions fall behind early and cannot catch up. I know Atif personally and as a teacher, he knows the issues better than anyone. He knows the kind of improvements that need to be made to ensure our students, and students across Virginia, need to be competitive. Atif can be the passionate supporter that public education needs in the Senate.

Senator Chuck Colgan (D) is retiring after 30 years of faithful service to our community. He’s known for having a sense of fairness, protecting taxpayer dollars, and exercising sound judgment when dealing with countless political challenges and controversies over the years. As Democrats in the 29th Senate District, we have a responsibility to choose a […]

In 2012, Mandrel Stuart, the 35-year-old owner of a small Staunton barbecue business, was stopped for a routine traffic violation in Fairfax County. In his vehicle was $17,550 in cash from his business that was going to be used for payroll and other expenses. Without being convicted of a crime, the Fairfax County Police Officer took the $17,550 under the authority of the current Virginia Asset Forfeiture laws.

He rejected a settlement for half his money, demanding a jury trial. He eventually got all of his money back, but lost his business because he didn’t have cash to pay his costs. Currently a local sheriff or police officer can seize your property without a criminal conviction. In fact you can be found not guilty of the criminal charge and the forfeiture action could continue.