Haymarket Town Council Fireworks
By Greg L | 8 December 2007 | Prince William County | 6 Comments
The Town of Haymarket seems to constantly demonstrate how small-town local government can be among the most dysfunctional, the most corrupt, and the least accountable types of government in existence, despite the maxim that government closest to the people is supposed to be the best. Where else would you imagine hearing a sitting town council member assert that “I cannot ethically abide this crap” in an open session? These guys really give Manassas Park a run for it’s money in the inadvertent race to earn the title “Worst Government In Virginia”.
From the Gainesville Times:
Once most of the standing-room-only crowd dispersed after the public hearing, debates heated up.
“But I thought when we discussed this earlier, we were not going to step on procedure or move mountains to make this happen just because it’s convenient or the applicant potentially requires that,” Councilman Bob Weir said.
“[If] you guys push this forward, you guys want to have a meeting this month to vote on it, you’ll have my resignation tomorrow,” he declared. “I cannot ethically abide this crap.”
Shortly afterward, council member Ozzie Vazquez asked if the council is technically allowed to vote on an issue on the same night as a public hearing. He found out that it is allowable, but the council generally waits a month.
Vazquez then supported a December vote “because we’re not violating anything ethically.”
“Except our own policy,” interjected Weir, who opposes the deal.
Vazquez claimed Haymarket residents want the deal to go through, and their will should be the deciding factor for the early vote.
“I couldn’t care less about (Kennedy’s) risk, and I couldn’t care less about the bankers’ risk,” Vazquez said. “The risk I’m concerned about is the majority of the people want to sell this property and develop this.”
“You have a procedure in place that you either follow or you don’t,” Weir later said.
“Yeah that’s true…for the next 15 properties we sell, we need to make sure we do it exactly the same way every single time,” Vazquez countered sarcastically.
Then, the political theater reached its climax.
“If (Kennedy) pulls the plug because the normal January vote isn’t to his liking,” Weir began. But Vazquez stood up, put on his black fedora and finished Weir’s thought, saying, “It’s because we’re being obstructionist!”
As Vazquez began to leave the hall, a noticeably angry Weir slammed his fist. Then Cole stepped in.
“Every council member needs to have the opportunities to present their data and their case,” he said, attempting to moderate the dispute.
The vice mayor clearly leaned toward the Jan. 7 vote, saying he wanted to call Kennedy first to find out how that decision would impact him.
“This thing could fall apart if that lease didn’t work out,” added Cole. “So there’s other issues here.”
Vazquez, having returned to his seat, displayed his sense of sarcasm on the town’s behalf again.
“That’s why it’s important for us to continue to try to obstruct as much as we can,” he said.
Weir stood up, leaned over his desk, pounded his fist yet again and declared, “Obstruct my ass! [Kennedy] came with the other property, and I demanded he come in here with proof that he had the deeds to those properties or at least the contract purchasers. That wasn’t being obstructionist; that was fulling my fiduciary responsibilities to this town!”
At least these guys have an advantage over Manassas Park. Here they at least argue. In Manassas Park, they just rubber-stamp whatever the mayor wants to do.
This debate regards the sale of the existing town hall property so that a new town hall can be constructed. With Haymarket growing considerably over the past decade, there probably is a legitimate need to expand the town hall, but with these transactions there’s always an opportunity for some to obtain a personal benefit through the various deals that are made. Citizens are going to have to keep a close eye on what happens here.
The opinions expressed here are solely the views of the author, and not representative of the position of any organization, political party, doughnut shop, knitting guild, or waste recycling facility, but may be correctly attributed to the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy. If anything in the above article has offended you, please click here to receive an immediate apology.
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6 Comments
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At least they appear to have one councilman that works for the people. That’s a far sight more than what we have in the park.
Those Harrover’s are nothing but trouble…:)
Greg L/”Newcomers”: These anticts have gone on for decades around here. I’ve seen worse behavior than this in decades gone by, and yes I’m talking about the P.W.C.B.O.S. too. We need to keep a close eye on ALL of our elected leaders. I’m sure watching the behavior of those on our board. Hilda, actually quacked after being called a “lame duck” five times this past Tuesday night. It was a pretty spirted public hearing.
“I would like to sound off about the boring quality of
government in Manassas. To hear Kathy Keys tell it,
week after week no council member ever calls another
council a thief or liar.
The Mayor of Manassas has never refused to sign
anything, never threatened to steal another jurisdiction’s
fire truck or rechannel Bull Run through Nelson Park.
Everyone knows we have democratic government of
the people, by the people and for the people’s
entertainment. Why should other jurisdictions have
all the fun?”
Manassas Journal-Messenger (9-13-76)
Yes, those Harrovers have a history of causing
“trouble”.
” A pair of Osbourn pass catchers - End Frank Hoss
and Back Curtis Harrover - are the MJM Weekly Stars.
… Although a football midget, Harrover hits with
dynamite in his shoulders.”
Manassas Journal-Messenger (10-30-1952)
Note: Curtis Harrover is Manassas Council Member
Andy Harrover’s father.
It is a shame the reporter chose to focus on the one emotional moment in this meeting. There were a lot of good things accomplished at this meeting…namely hearing from many residents who have grown tired of the financial drain the unrealized dream of a Town owned Town Center has caused this Town. This is the best offer we are going to get. Accept it or be saddled with this run down property for many years
While I applaud Mr. Weir’s ethics w/ regard to proper procedure I feel it is in everybodys best interst to act quickly.