The city's strategic plan -- a document that states what specific things want to see in their community, from better schools, sidewalks, and new businesses -- was a topic in the Manassas City Council Candidates Forum.
It's been 12 years since a panel of city residents gathered to talk about how the city should update its plan that, according to the last update in 2012, focuses on education, public safety, housing, and redevelopment, economic development, and transparency in government.
Republican turned Democrat Mark Wolfe, whose running for re-election on the City Council, says this issue separates the GOP and their Democratic counterparts.
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Calico Jacks and Totally Vintage Designs will expand theirĀ locations in Downtown Manassas.Ā
From Manassas City EconomicĀ Development Department:Ā
Both currently occupy spaces on Battle Street, but when the building was sold in January, each began exploring opportunities to grow, including potential relocations.Ā The City's Department of Economic Development has worked very closely with these businesses to ensure they remained in Historic Downtown.Ā
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Editors note: This is of series focused on historical tidbits about Prince William County, Va. written by theĀ Prince William County Historic Preservation Division
Fannie Wilkinson Fitzgerald was born in Amelia County, Virginia on July 27, 1930. She was the youngest of eleven children. Her parents Reverend Isaiah and Lavinia Wilkinson instilled in their children a reverence for God, love for their fellow man, and the importance of education.
Fitzgerald attended Virginia Union University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 1952. Her first teaching position was at a two-room school in Amelia County with no cafeteria or indoor plumbing.
After teaching for three years, Fitzgerald relocated in an effort to better her life. She applied for graduate school but was denied entry to Virginia Universities because of the color of her skin. She was however granted a full scholarship to attend Columbia University in New York City where she completed a Masterās in Special Education in 1960.
Before completion of the degree, Fannie was offered a job at Antioch-McCrae school for African-Americans in western Prince William County. After completion, she began teaching at the Jennie Dean School in Manassas.
Fitzgerald was a pioneer during the integration of Prince William County Public Schools. In 1964 she was appointed by the county board of education to transfer from Antioch-McCrae to Fred Lynn Elementary and Middle School in an effort to integrate not only students but teachers as well.
Fitzgerald and three of her peers became known as the Courageous Four, Prince William County Public Schools. Steps such as this lead to a fully integrated school system by September of 1965. When asked about being one of the first teachers to integrate in Prince William County, Fannie replied āChildren are children. It doesnāt matter what color they are.ā
In 1968 Fannie was selected to be the first black elementary supervisor of the integrated schools in Prince William County. From 1971-1988 Fannieās service was to the students of Dale City Elementary School.
She taught 4th Grade and was a learning disabilities specialist. Because of her outstanding work with special needs students, she was placed in a supervisory role of special needs programs for all Prince William County Schools.
Fannie retired in June of 1988 but continued to serve the children of Prince William County as a volunteer and community leader tutoring students and spearheading community events. As a result of Fannie Fitzgeraldās contributions to Prince William County Public Schools, the board of education voted unanimously to name an elementary school after her.
Located on Benita Fitzgerald Drive, a street named for her oldest daughter, an Olympic Gold Medalist, Fannie W. Fitzgerald Elementary School stands as a testament to academic excellence and her service to the community. Fannie suffered several years from the effects of Alzheimerās disease and died on April 7, 2016 at age 85.
Aroma Wine Tasting is now open in Downtown Manassas.Ā
Here's a bit about the new shop and its owners from Tasting Room Manager Ashley Mackaravitz:Ā
Potomac Local: What is Aroma Wine Tasting? Please tell us what customers should expect when they come to visit you.
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Submitted:Ā
If your childhood included fun-filled visits to Chuck E. Cheeseās or countless hours playing on Atari, then you can thank this guy ā Nolan Bushnell.Ā Ā Thatās correct, the founder of Chuck E. Cheeseās Pizza-Time Theater Chain is also the creator of Atari, Inc. ā the video gaming company that is widely credited to be the forerunner to video arcades and the modern video game industry.
So how does one man successfully pioneer two seemingly unrelated, yet equally iconic inventions?Ā
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From Tacketts Mill:Ā
TheĀ Prince William County Walk of FameĀ is an installation of granite plaques each representing an individual who is ālocally famousā for his or her extraordinary contribution to the quality of life in Prince William County. Ā This three year project envisions 35-40 plaques permanently mounted on the grounds of Tackettās Mill in Lake Ridge, where a paved path encircles the manicured lake behind the Fellowship House.ĀĀEight installments are currently in place. Ā A central directory for the installments is located outside Safeway at the Tackettās Mill Shopping Center.ĀĀThe Selection Committee invites you to attend the SerenAid 2016 banquet on October 20th, 5:30pm at the Old Hickory Club House to award the current Nominees.ĀĀThe Nominees for 2016 are Senator Charles J. Colgan, David Brickley, John Jenkins, Trevor Blake, and Dr. Richard G. Tami. Ā The banquet is a fundraiser for the Walk of Fame and its community partners: The Clearbrook Foundation a 5019(c)(3) corporation, Tackettās Mill Foundation, New Dominion Choraliers, and the Woodbridge Rotary Club. ĀĀFor more information email "[email protected]". Ā You can also download the attendance form directly by visiting tackettsmill.com. Ā Click on the 'Explore' tab to find the Walk of Fame.Ā
Updated 8:15 a.m.Ā
From Stafford County Public Schools: All Stafford County Public Schools are closed today, Thursday, September 29 due to severe weather, flooding and road closures. Employees will be on Code II. Liberal leave is in effect. Administrative Offices will open at 10 a.m. Thank you,
Sherrie Johnson
Director of Strategic Communication and Community Engagement
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From Prince William County Public Schools:Ā
The newly released 2016 average of SAT scores for Prince William County Public School (PWCS) students was unchanged from last year, remaining above national averages. Over the past five years, PWCS student scores rose by a combined total of 17 points, largely matching the rise seen across Virginia, though falling short of the statewide average score.
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Ā Reading Math Writing Combined Change Since 2011-12 PWCS 513 507 487 1507 +17 Nation 494 508 482 1484 -14 Virginia 520 517 498 1535 +18 Mulgrew noted that the number of PWCS students taking the SAT has increased by seven percent over the past five years, while statewide SAT participation dropped by six percent over the same period. āThe increase in our SAT tests over the past few years is directly tied to our success in getting more students involved in rigorous AP, IB, and Cambridge courses,ā he said. āStudents who take courses like that are better prepared for college and for overall academic success.ā
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Prince William County will explore three new devices in its toolbox to protect the rural land.
County Planning Director Christopher Price, under the direction of the Board of Supervisors, will develop guidelines for a Purchase of a Development Rights (PDR), Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) programs, and new rules that would govern cluster developments along the boundary of the Rural Crescent -- land preserved in 1998 meant for farming, as well as homes built on lots no smaller than 10 acres.
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The Manassas City Council Candidates Forum is Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016. Candidates meet and greet begin at 5:30 p.m. and the forum begins at 6 p.m.Ā
We'll use these color-coded cards to indicate to the speakers how much time they have remaining to answer each of the questions posed to them by the moderator.
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