MANASSAS — Six city council candidates were given the opportunity to present their visions for Manassas at an open forum on Friday.
“Candidates Forum – Your City, Your Topics” was hosted by Historic Manassas, Inc., and moderated by Potomac Local publisher Uriah Kiser and Pastor Keith Savage of First Baptist Church. Twelve questions were gathered from online submissions, placed in sealed envelopes, and read to candidates for the first time at the forum.
The Manassas City Council is made up of seven members, and this year, three seats are up for grabs. Michelle Davis-Younger is one of six looking to fill a seat.
Two Democrats — Ken Elston and Rex Parr — and three Republicans — Amalfi Arias, Marc Aveni and Theresa Coates Ellis — are also in the running.
Back in November 2017, Peter O’Hanlon won his seat on the Manassas School Board, unopposed. Before that, he was appointed to fill the vacant seat held by Pamela J. Sebesky, who resigned to serve on the City Council.
This year, though, there are five candidates jockeying for the position, and only three will be elected to the seven-member board. We asked O’Hanlon to complete our 2018 Project: Election survey, and here’s what we learned.
This is Rex Parr’s second run for a seat on the Manassas City Council.
The Democrat placed 5th in a seven-person race for three open seats on the council in 2016. After a two-year break from campaigning, and after his 2015 retirement from leading Manassas-based Didlake, Inc., he’s running again.
FREDERICKSBURG — Two Stafford Board of Supervisors candidates hope their experience will resonate with voters, and land them a permanent seat on board.
Interim George Washington District Supervisor Tom Coen is campaigning on his record of 20 years of public service which includes a four-year run on the Stafford County Planning Commission. At a candidates forum in Fredericksburg on Monday night, stressed his ability to be a bridge between the various supervisors.
WASHINGTON — (Press Release) Today, Rep. Elijah. E. Cummings, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Government Operations, requested that the Department of Commerce Inspector General Peg Gustafson investigate the Department’s decision to add a question regarding citizenship status to the upcoming 2020 Census.
“Since Secretary Ross’ decision to add the citizenship question to the 2020 Census, Democrats on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee have sought documents from the Departments of Commerce and Justice, as well as the Census Bureau, in order to conduct oversight on the matter,” the Members wrote. “Unfortunately, our efforts have been frustrated by Secretary Ross’ refusal to comply with our oversight requests, the Department of Commerce’s failure to provide documentation due to ‘ongoing litigation,’ and the failure of Republican Committee Members to join our requests to obtain information, documents, or testimony.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – (Press Release) U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement on the vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court:
“I am deeply disappointed that the Senate has rushed to confirm Judge Kavanaugh without a complete investigation into the serious allegations against him. A five-day investigation that featured interviews with a handful of people, while ignoring dozens of witnesses who were willing to cooperate and a secret report whose contents could not even be discussed with the public convinces many that the entire goal was to ignore the serious charges.
MANASSAS — Historic Manassas, Inc., is planning to host a Manassas City candidate forum on October 24 at City Hall.
The event will run from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Historic Manassas, Inc. Executive Director Debbie Haight said that the event will give candidates two and a half hours to answer questions and a little time in the end for a meet and greet.
Preston Banks is seeking another term on the Manassas Park Governing Body.
He’s one of three people seeking as many open seats on the council. Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 6.
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY — The candidates running to become the next Prince William County School Board Chairman At-large will attend a forum Thursday.
Interim School Board Chairman Dr. Babur Lateef, sitting Gainesville District School Board member Alyson Satterwhite are billed to attend.
