In this Potomac Local News Podcast episode, Manassas is shaping its future while honoring its past. Host Uriah Kiser sits down with Manassas City Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis to discuss the North Star Branding Study findings, tackling challenges like preserving history, fostering economic growth, and addressing community concerns. Stay tuned for local news highlights, including a shocking insurance scam and updates on the City Council’s new term.
Episode Highlights:
- Introduction: Host Uriah Kiser sets the stage for a discussion of the North Star Branding Study’s findings and their implications for Manassas’ future. The podcast also teases other local stories, including an insurance scam and City Council updates.
- Conversation with Theresa Coates Ellis:
- North Star Branding Study: Theresa discusses the study’s insights, including the city’s brand awareness and challenges in balancing its historical identity with modern growth.
- Balancing History and Growth: Discussion on preserving Manassas’ Civil War legacy while fostering tech and business opportunities.
- Community Concerns: Addressing high taxes, overdevelopment, and the need for workforce readiness in tech industries.
- Future Vision for Manassas: Theresa shares her vision for redeveloping key areas and fostering investment to make Manassas a thriving community.
- Local News Highlights:
- Insurance Scam Story: A troubling case of predatory towing in Prince William County, with police investigation updates and tips for residents to avoid similar scams.
- City Council Swearing-In Ceremony: Details about the January 2025 ceremony, reflections on a contentious election season, and hopes for a collaborative future.
- Closing Thoughts: Uriah reflects on the power of local journalism, encourages community engagement, and invites listeners to share their thoughts on the podcast and local news stories.
Key Takeaways:
- Learn about the North Star Branding Study results and its role in shaping Manassas’ identity.
- Understand how Manassas balances historic preservation with modern economic development.
- Discover actionable insights for preventing predatory towing scams.
- Gain perspective on the recent City Council election and what it means for Manassas residents.
What to Listen For:
- Insights from Theresa Coates Ellis about preserving Manassas’ historic charm while embracing its future.
- Shocking details about the insurance scam and police response.
- Reflections on the heated City Council election and the swearing-in ceremony.
Listen to the full episode for these stories and more, and subscribe for updates on what’s shaping Northern Virginia communities!
Council will be on a two-week recess beginning Dec. 16 through the holiday season. Their first scheduled meeting back will be in early January.
Council unanimously approved the combination of the service and sales buildings of the Safford Subaru dealership on Liberia Avenue. The special use permit filed by the dealership details a nearly 40,000-square-foot building with interior and exterior updates to help the business run more efficiently.
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The Manassas City Council will hold a swearing-in ceremony for its newly elected and returning members on Monday, January 6, 2025, Â Dec. 9, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
The ceremony will feature the oath of office for Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger, Council Member Tom Osina, Council Member Mark Wolfe, and Council Member-Elect Ashley Hutson. Following the swearing-in, all participants will immediately take their seats on the dais to begin their new terms.
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The survey, which sought to measure resident perceptions and identify growth opportunities, underscores the city’s dual identity: a historic landmark with a vibrant, modern beat. North Star conducted the online survey, which garnered responses from 1,520 residents, including 1,118 from Manassas. Nearly 20% of participants identified as Hispanic, Latin American, or Caribbean, reflecting the city’s diverse population. The survey had a margin of error of ±2.51%.
Participants were asked to evaluate the city across several dimensions, including quality of life, economic development, and cultural identity. Key findings included:
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The City Council unanimously approved the appointment during its Nov. 25 meeting, emphasizing Burke's experience and commitment to the community.
Burke will begin his tenure on Feb. 3, 2025, make a $246,000 annual salary, and bring over two decades of public administration experience to his new role. He has previously served as town manager for Front Royal and Luray, Va., where he was credited with implementing infrastructure projects and fostering community engagement. In January, Burke joined Manassas as the Director of Public Works, where he spearheaded improvements and built a rapport with city staff and residents.
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The Manassas Economic Development Authority (EDA) will hold a special meeting on Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m. in the first-floor conference room of City Hall. The meeting, a joint work session with the Manassas City Council, will focus on the interim operations and potential uses of the Manassas Shopping Center before its scheduled demolition.
The meeting is open to the public.
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During its November 18 meeting, the Manassas City Council agreed to initiate the process for a council pay raise. This increase would not occur until July 1, 2027, following the next city council election in November 2026.
The council must adopt an ordinance after a public hearing, which will require advertisement in local newspapers twice: the first notice must appear no more than 28 days before the hearing, and the second no fewer than seven days prior.
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On Monday, November 18, 2024, the Manassas City Council and School Board convened a joint meeting to discuss findings from a space needs study and the future of shared facilities for critical city and school operations. The study, presented by Assistant City Manager Steve Burke, identified a 40,000 to 52,000 square foot requirement to house the Department of Social Services, the voter registrar, and the School Board's central office.
Past and Current Facility Plans
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The 2024 election results for Manassas signal a shift in the city’s political landscape.
While Democratic Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger retained her seat with a notable 56.91% of the vote, Republicans have made meaningful inroads, building on a newfound organizational strength seen across the state as conservatives embraced Virginia’s early voting system in record numbers. In what has become one of the city’s most contentious elections in recent memory, conservatives leveraged social media and new voices, such as the “Until They Kick Us Out” podcast, to rally supporters and draw attention to their causes. The Republican Party’s increased cohesion and visibility hint at a changing dynamic in a city once considered solidly Democratic.
This year’s council race underscores this shift. In 2020, Democratic incumbents Pamela Sebesky and Mark Wolfe received strong backing, with Sebesky leading with 20.7% (8,532 votes) and Wolfe close behind.
This year’s City Council results paint a different picture: not a single candidate reached the high vote totals of 2020. With Democratic candidates Ashley R. Hutson, Tom C. Osina, and Wolfe each earning lower percentages than before, it’s clear that voter support has become more dispersed. Sebesky did not seek re-election. This suggests a competitive landscape where no candidate has a guaranteed stronghold, pointing to an increasingly divided electorate.
In a shift for the Manassas City School Board, Republican-backed candidate Dayna-Marie Miles will now join conservative board member Sara Brescia, who has been a vocal presence since her election in 2022. Miles’ election signals a potential shift in policy focus and priorities on the school board as it navigates pressing challenges of accreditation, truancy, failing test scores, and teacher retention.
This election cycle wasn’t just competitive; it was particularly nasty. In the heat of the campaign, text messages allegedly exchanged between former Manassas Regional Airport Commission Chairman Ross Snare, Mayor Davis-Younger, and a city employee were publicly shared, with disparaging remarks directed at a council member. This so-called “text-gate” led to Snare’s resignation and fueled the polarized political atmosphere, where even those not running for office felt the repercussions.
The controversy around “text-gate” highlights a broader issue in Manassas politics: a hyper-partisan environment that has emerged since 2020. Democrats in city leadership have largely appointed like-minded individuals to board and commission positions and fill vacant council seats. For some residents, this has led to feelings of alienation. Many have chastised Mayor Davis-Younger for seeming to dismiss or avoid engaging with perspectives that don’t align with her own, creating an atmosphere where dissenting voices feel marginalized.
We at Potomac Local News have criticized the mayor for personalizing politics, valuing positive press, and maintaining control over her narrative. While Mayor Davis-Younger frequently uses the phrase “Our Manassas” to promote unity, that unity often seems conditional—extended only to those who support her leadership.
Her continued reluctance to grant a sit-down interview to Potomac Local News, despite our repeated requests since 2019, is a testament to her aversion to critical coverage. However, she recently promised to give us her first interview post-reelection. If she honors this commitment, it could signal a readiness to engage more openly with the press and residents with differing viewpoints.
The inroads Republicans have made this election should be a wake-up call for Manassas Democrats. With conservatives gaining ground across the city and state, it’s clear that the electorate has been evolving since President Donald Trump’s first term when Democrats posted significant gains in local and state-level offices.
For those in power, governing solely for a base of loyal supporters may no longer be sufficient—or sustainable. As seen in the City Council race, no single candidate can now assume widespread support and future victories will likely depend on a broader coalition.
Democrats in Manassas must recognize the changing political landscape and adapt by genuinely embracing diverse perspectives and governing the entire community. In Virginia’s annual election cycle, political tides can shift quickly, and the lessons of 2024 should serve as a reminder that leadership, inclusivity, and responsiveness to all constituents—not just loyalists—are essential in a city as dynamic as Manassas.
The Manassas City Council has narrowed its search for a new city manager, announcing that it will interview five candidates on Nov. 14 and 15.
This announcement, which comes just days before the city’s General Election, raises anticipation for a potential new appointment in early 2025, following a year without a permanent city manager.
