Letter: Time for Change in Manassas

It’s TIME! It is time to have a Manassas City Council person that cares about the Economic Development and well-being of Manassas and its citizens more than their personal economic well-being. That person will be Patricia Richie-Folks.

I can’t express how proud I am to have Richie-Folks as the Democratic candidate. She came to me and told me she had been attending city council meetings and following the legislation. When Richie-Folks said she was concerned that some of the decisions being made by our city council may not be in the best interest of Manassas citizens, I challenged her to be the one that can make a difference for Manassas.

She has taken up the challenge and dedicated herself to becoming a member of the Manassas City Council. Richie-Folks has used her experience as a Legislative Aide and campaign organizer to reach Manassas residents by knocking on doors and making phone calls.

As a former small business owner she understands the needs of Manassas’ business community and has reached out to get their opinions and concerns.
Richie-Folks’ knowledge and enthusiasm to do what is best for this city has changed the dynamics of this race. At the first candidate forum, Richie-Folks spoke about thoughtful economic development to fund the schools and community engagement to make Manassas the best place to live in Virginia. She talked about implementing the Economic Development Plan the City commissioned and paid for in 2008.

Since that first forum, the other candidates have revamped their platform and talking points to include economic development. One siting councilman waved a copy of the 2008 development plan saying that the study had been done.

Richie-Folks stated she had read the plan, and then pointed out that the 2008 plan has not yet been implemented by the City Council - four years later.

I saw a letter from the Republican Chairman talking about experience. If he is interested in real experience, the kind that recognizes the need for economic development in this city; the real experience to lead with an agenda that the other candidates now follow; the real experience that being a preacher’s daughter brings to caring and concern for your fellow man, then Richie-Folks is the candidate we all need to VOTE for Manassas City Council on May 1. It’s TIME!

EJ Scott
Chair
Manassas & Manassas Park Democratic Committee