New City Council, School Board Members Sworn In

The Manassas City Council gained newly-elected Ian Lovejoy of Point of Woods; while school board gets two new members and a new superintendent.

Four members of the City of Manassas School Board, along with the school
system’s newly appointed superintendent were sworn in Tuesday morning at City Hall.

Cathy Magouyrk, the new superintendent of Manssas City Public Schools and recently re-elected School Board members and took their oaths of office before a crowd of witnesses, according to a press released issued by the school system this week. Ilka V. Chavez and Ellen M. Purdy were also sworn in as new members of the school board.

The school board also chose to re-elect Albrecht as chairman of the board and Bushnell as vice-chairman. Marion J. Martin was appointed Clerk of the Board and Kenneth LaLonde was appointed Deputy Clerk of the Board.

Later that evening, the City Council held its swearing-in ceremony for newly-re-elected members Mark Wolfe and Jonathan Way, both starting their second term,  and newcomer Ian Lovejoy. Mayor Parrish, who fended off a challege from Vice Mayor Andrew Harrover in January, was also sworn in.

The ceremony, which packed the council chambers with guests Monday evening,  began with a Presentation of the Colors by the Manassas Young Marines (see photos). It was followed by an invocation by Rev. Robert C. Cilinski, pastor of All Saints Catholic Church, who also closed out the ceremony with a benediction.

Councilmember Jonathan Way, who is starting his second term on the council,  told those in attendance and watching on TV he is honored and appreciative the citizens of Manassas would hire him again. He said the council has worked hard the last four years to weather the economic storm and work with what he called a "starvation budget."

Way said the council had to take a number of "unpleasant" tasks to survive, including cutting staff and freeze wages, but it a paid off.

"Our bond rating has actually improved a little bit, unlike many cities in the country..." Way said.

Despite being a model of fiscal responsibilty in the past, Way said the council has many new challenges in the future to include improving the school system and economic development.

Mayor Parrish echoed Way's remarks for the need for increased economic development in the city, and said he is optomistic. 

Parrish cited Moody's recent significant increase in the city's bond rating and a more diversified economic base as things that help keep the city on solid econimic footing.

Parrish said the council, financial staff and city manager are prepared to "catch the next ecomonic wave that will be coming soon."

He said the council should work to ensure this by moving forward with pending projects in Old Town, including changes to Main Street that will widen sidewalks for outdoor seating, among other things, to enhance sales and meal tax revenue for the city.

Parrish said several upsacle residential projects that have begun or are about to begin near Old Town will also add to the economic base in the city.

"I am absolutely confident that our Old Town's economy which is doing better today will perform even better in the future," Parrish said.

The mayor said it is also important that the different entities of the city government continue to work together to strengthen the school system and public safety. 

Capital improvement plans for new schools and a possible have been discussed, but . "At the same time we are ," Parrish said.

A new safety facililty on the southside of the city that would house a new fire station, a police fireing range and expanded police facilities, among other things, has also been requested.

The mayor said going forward it is important the new council and school board study the city's capital improvement needs and move forward with some of the projects for renewed economic vitality.