The Abuse Continues In Manassas Park
By Greg L | 8 May 2008 | Manassas Park | 53 Comments
Is there any wonder that the tax rate in Manassas Park is $1.24 per hundred of assessed value, drawing howls of protest from residents? From the MJM:
The Manassas Park City Council approved a comprehensive agreement with Blacksburg-based developer OWPR, Inc. Tuesday night to build a new Parks & Recreation Center at Costello Park.
The $22 million phased project will include an indoor swimming pool and enough space to eventually expand revenue-generating programs from 300 to 1,500 once the facility is built, said deputy director Theresa Polk.
The worst part of this is that not only is the City of Manassas Park going to once again shoulder a new capital improvement project during a period of fiscal crisis and add to the interest payment burden that taxpayers are going to bear, but that the operating costs of this new facility will add yet another expense item to the city’s budget when it becomes operational. From the extravagant state-of-the-art police station, to the outrageously expensive renovations to Cougar Elementary School, and now this, the extravagant spending habits of the Governing Board continue. And to make this even more outrageous, not one of these projects seem to have ever been awarded after a competitive bidding process.
In the meantime, the city has sold off several acreage lots to developers in the past several years, and never has the revenue from these sales shown up in the City’s budget. Tens of millions of dollars in City revenue seem to have utterly disappeared. Someday investigators are going to get to the bottom of this fiscal malfeasance, and those responsible for these shenanigans will be held to account. For City taxpayers, this day cannot come soon enough as they are subjected to perhaps the highest tax rates in the Commonwealth of Virginia, while they arguably receive the worst level of service.
City residents will have a lot of shiny new buildings to be proud of while they’re taxed into squalor and further despair, though. Maybe that’ll be Frank Jones’ campaign slogan as he bolts the Republican Party and runs as an independent: “You may be impoverished, but our new buildings sure are pretty!”
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Bryan Polk assures us that this will be “revenue neutral” for the first few years and by the time it starts costing the city money the economy will be just fine.
We shall see about that. The city WILL lose its charter this time next year when they have no choice but to factor in an entire year’s sales from extreme drops in property values. I would kill to see the books for our great city and check the numbers. Word on the street was that there is a hiring freeze at all MP offices and layoffs possible. Can’t imagine how it’s going to be this time next year when 33% of their tax base dries up from such drastic drops in real estate values. What will they do then? Raise the rate to $1.75 - $2.00 per $100 assessed? I don’t think so…
I also understand that bonds were issues to pay for this in 2005. It seems to me that that bond should be redirected to more critical problems and that a rec center of $20Mil+ just is not appropriate at this time. All the time I see brand new school buses, city vehicles, and wasted street painting going on. What was wrong with the old vehicles? Didn’t they have a couple of more years of use in them? Frank and crew doesn’t listen to his constituents.
When are they up for re-election?
Bryan Polk, Frank Jones, Cynde Gardner, Keith Miller, and Bill Treuting are ALL up for re-election this year, in November.
All but Cynde appear to be running as independents this year. I am unsure if Cynde is running again, however.
Gotta keep up with the Joneses (no pun intended.)
Where do I find out who is running among other pertinent information?
If they are smart they won’t be running. When this house of cards comes crashing down this time next year, and it will, then they had better be far away. It’s too bad that nobody else will want to run and challenge them, but it’s a tall order to ask someone to come in and pick up the shambles of this city after it has been run into the ground so efficiently by the current group. I know I wouldn’t want my name associated with what will happen next year when the money runs out on this spending spree.
Interest rates are down, bond prices are way up and so are payments, gas is out of control, school buses don’t run on water, foreclosures here will only increase which will only add more pressure to those of us who are losing all of the value of our homes at a break-neck pace which will in turn generate even more foreclosures which will in turn generate more blight and make the city less desirable to newcomers. We are only halfway through this ARM/foreclosure crisis and I am still seeing houses in my development succumb to the auction market.
I honestly don’t know how they can save this city next year, but who knows, maybe they have a plan that doesn’t include increasing the tax rate to $1.75……rightttt, and I’m a Chinese jet pilot.
“Where do I find out who is running among other pertinent information?”
To the best of my knowledge neither the Dem or the Rep committee has selected nominees.
However, it has been stated that Peter Farrell approached the Dem committee about running.
Also once I get the information as to when either the Rep or Dem committee are having their nomination process I will post it here.
MP Resident, have you and the rest of the folks who are concerned about “your” City Council found some decent folks to run against that mob?
…or at least in the process of looking?
This is criminal. I am new to Manassas Park politics. Is the city council and mayor incompetent or criminal? If anyone runs for mayor its seems all they would have to do is promise an investigation and an audit of the cities past financial dealings. They would get my vote.
They are both incompetent and criminals. Welcome to the blog. You will find it very informative.
Lets not be so quick to throw around words like incompetent or criminal…and please newcomers do not be so quick to believe everything that you read…For the record, the City books are audited by a very competent and respected Virginia auditing firm Every year. The report is brought to the public televised session of the Governing Body and discussed. The annual audit report is kept in City records. I believe it is a matter of public record and any resident of Manassas Park can request to read. it.
Arthur Andersen was a respected auditing firm too. Till the Enron scandal, anyhow.
The tax assessments this year were massively overinflated, there are massive amounts of foreclosures and expenditures this city has taken on in the past 2 years and there is great financial strain on those of us who are enduring the fallout by being unlucky enough to get caught in this perfect storm of incompetent city management and illegal immigration. We begged the council for years to do something about all of these illegal aliens invading the town, but they called us racists and let the town turn into a flop den for illegals and all of the problems that accompany it. Now the vast majority of surnames on the foreclosure lists are Hispanic and the remaining citizens here have lost more equity in their homes than any other jurisdiction in the NOVA area while still enduring the state’s highest tax rate as an added bonus for being responsible and law-abiding.
There is no way the bills will be paid when the piper comes due next year when they can’t resort to lying to the public and overinflating our home values any more. Anyone with common sense can see that. Enjoy believing what you want lady liberty, but the rest of us know the real score. A fold back into PWC can’t happen soon enough. Maybe then the citizens of this great city can get some competent financial management who are actually in touch with what its constituents want. It’s pretty easy lady liberty. We, the citizens who are left, want and demand enforcement of the law, zoning enforcement, and sound financial decisions. You don’t spend 30+ million on a school in the middle of a recession. You don’t build Taj Majal style Police HQ’s and town centers when foreclosures in your city are exploding at a break neck pace and your tax revenue is drying up, and you don’t build a rec center when there will be nobody left to use it due to the previous reasons discussed. I want to see this city become a place where middle income people actually WANT to live because opportunity is high and taxes are low. Right now we have the exact opposite and it is directly attributable to the current management and its total disregard to its constituents.
i AGREE AND WANT TO GO TO TOWN STATUS. WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME START THIS PETITION.
ANYONE!!!>???
PLEASE HELP
I’d help but I have to fix up my former flop house before I can move in and become an official resident.
I would fight tooth and nail to avoid town status. PWC Schools are a horrible monolith for parents and provides subpar services for exceptional children. I chose to live in Manassas Park and have my children educated here, even with its high tax rate. Becoming part of Prince William would be a disaster for my family and for others who value being in a small school district and having a voice in their children’s education. Start your petition, but expect to see many fight against it.
“Start your petition, but expect to see many fight against it.”
Know what? I wouldn’t bother with a petition at this point, seems pretty clear to me that the writing is on the wall. You should have gotten a clue when Brendel was tossed out but refused to see it.
Unlike the Federal Government, MP cannot start running major budget deficits to fund itself.
If the city goes bankrupt it won’t matter we will have no choice but to go back to the county. It seems to me that a 22 million dollar pool is not as important as the schools, but I guess the mayor and others see it another way. I want good schools. I want a nice recreation facility but if we can’t afford it we shouldn’t be building it. Maybe a petition isn’t the thing to do but my gosh maybe it would get someones attention to what is happening.
I should point out the obvious–that means MP either raises taxes or cuts services. Voters are already quite irritated about the tax rate, and the propensity for MP City Council to blow money left and right on un-needed services like a Rec center and a new city hall, particularly during an economic downturn, makes it all the more infuriating.
“I want good schools.”
They’re happy to blow $30 million on a new school building which incidentally set the record for per-square-foot construction cost in Virginia as of 2006.
I humbly suggest that they could have built a less-expensive building and spent the money on teacher salaries and things that actually make a difference. A nice looking expensive building without good teachers to back it up is, well, like slapping stickers and a fart can on a Honda Civic in an attempt to make people think it’s a race car.
The exterior may look nice but it’s what’s inside that really counts…and I’m not talking about flat-panel plasma displays either. I’m talking about people, morale, management, teamwork, etc.
What’s going on now is called DEWB…Dazzle ‘Em With Bull****.
Oh, for anyone who thinks the real estate problem in MP just came out of nowhere:
“The next highest shares of high cost loans were in Manassas Park city, Virginia, with 25.3 percent of loans from subprime lenders and 36.9 percent high interest rate loans in 2005″
Source:
NeighborhoodInfo DC Fact Sheet
A Partnership of the Urban Institute and the
Washington DC Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
Subprime and High Interest Rate Mortgage Lending
in the Washington, D.C., Region
March 2007
mp resident said:
“like slapping stickers and a fart can on a Honda Civic in an attempt to make people think it’s a race car.”
I completely agree. That cracked me up.
Also, I think that the parents of these kids need to get some credit for their education not just the schools. Parents are the ones who must be accountable to their own children. Whether its a private, public or home school, if the parents aren’t involved with their children then the schools will fail. No matter how much we spend on them.
1,500 revenue generating programs, doesn’t that seem like a lot of programs to anyone?
One more thing do we think the cost of the recreation center would stay at 22 million or would that number have to be tweaked to allow for cost overrun especially if energy prices keep going up. That is going to be one heck of a pool. I hope its heated for the winter time.
Parents count and you are absolutely right, we didn’t need a $30 Million dollar new school. But, as I said, there are many of us who have had an easier time fighting for our children in a smaller setting. I see the struggle of other parents in PWC to get needed services. The hoops they have to jump through are a joke and their children receive very little in return. Private school is not an option for many exceptional kids. I would walk away from my home before I would turn my child over to PWC. I am sure it is adequate for many, but for some kids, it is truly a nightmare.
Brendel and Slater lost because of their attachment to the political debacle that was the OTB. If some of the incumbents lose because of the OTB or the tax rate, so be it. That’s how the process works. Get new people in there and see if they do a better job. That’s fine. But quit screaming about stripping the city charter if you are willing to step out from behind your keyboard and run yourself.
Incidentially, I know three people putting in contracts on houses in MP because of the schools. I even explained to them why the tax rate is so high. They are teachers and they have seen what the kids coming out of our system can do, that they are further along in the curriculum. Even the Spanish speakers. They are the type of neighbors (young, professionals, starting families) that I think people on this board would like to see in this community. They are coming because of the schools - what’s going on in them, not the construction on the outside.
Funny how the people who are screaming about schools and teachers are so uneducated on the budget and our predictament overall.. Have you even seen how poorly Signal bay pool has been kept, it is fallling apart. The lining coming up paint peeling and general maintenence.. Does anyone,anyone really believe once we get a Rec center that our miserable excuse for a public works dept will be able to handle the upkeep?!!!
It will be an eyesore just like park center . And what happened to the land to be developed on digital drive? Just a driveway to nowhere for years.. This city is shit! pure and simple. Going to PWC will still allow us to keep our schools and teachers you idiots! Really we will just get rid of the salaries of the elected officials and keep most everything we already have although some services might get annexed or combined I think you would be suprised how little would change except our taxes which would really fall as a burden to PWC residents but who cares let us be THEIR problem. not the other way around.
You Ignorant dumb asses. Stupid is as stupid duz.
Bang for your buck! The Frank Jones slogan
What kind of hick is this guy?
WOW
The bang for your buck budget! Featuring Bob Barker
What is behind
Door #1 Police station with fresh self cleaning toilets
(gonna need to get rid of some of this stink)
Door #2 Fry station oh wait I mean Fire station but I was hungry mmm fries..
Door # 3 Park center with beautiful views of the…..mm never mind
Door # 4 A brand new rec center with 1500 revenue generating programs… Uhh 10000 city residents / 1500
ratio 6.3 with 10 per class min.+everyone in the city needs to sign up for at least 2 classes.. Let me get my 6 month old signed up for pottery now please..
With the sad economy what kind of fees you think they are going to try charjin..yuk yuk
Door #5 City hall oops you were not supposed to know that yet. we aint dun jacked up that tax rait to 2 buck yet yuk yuk yuk
Fuckheads
Does anyone not realize if we go to be PWC we will still have all our things we have but just lose elected officials and some public service people. We will still keep out teachers and our schools and you do not have to worry about PWC kids coming here. They would be too far to bus in anyway.
Use your brains people.
We are overcharged here for what?
FOR WHAT!?
Open your little minds already.
“And what happened to the land to be developed on digital drive? Just a driveway to nowhere for years..”
Do you know why they named it Digital Drive? They were hoping to get high-tech employment there.
Instead, they got yet more residential development that won’t pay the taxes to support the services it uses.
“What kind of hick is this guy?”
The term “southern democrat” comes to mind.
“Door # 4 A brand new rec center with 1500 revenue generating programs… Uhh 10000 city residents / 1500
ratio 6.3 with 10 per class min.+everyone in the city needs to sign up for at least 2 classes.. Let me get my 6 month old signed up for pottery now please..”
You know that math stuff.
The MP City Council doll…says “Math is hard” when you pull it’s string!
“The MP City Council doll…says “Math is hard” when you pull it’s string!”
Just in case anyone is wondering, the MP School Board doll says the same thing when you pull it’s string.
Very funny however it pronounces it
Mat id hod( say this slow while you rock back and forth)
Guarnteed good laughs
Petition leader…. Educate yourself. We’d keep the teachers, but the programs would be PWC. Their special education is basic warehousing for many kids, nothing more. My child is actually educated here in Manassas Park. I will not let that be taken away from him without a fight.
If you believe there needs to be change so badly, why don’t you run for office?
“I will not let that be taken away from him without a fight.”
Then I suggest you fight for some fiscal responsibility on the part of City Council.
MP mom
If you are so worried about special programs pay for private school.. This whole city(soon to be town) should not have to go and spend what little cash we have left for what you may consider good programs.
That is why I am in support of state vouchers if the assembly would ever approve it. Then people could make their own choices and take the burden of the budget of failing localities exactly like our own.
I am sure Ii wll make some enemies but by popular opinion we have more than enough support from the cries I have heard from anyone I have personally spoken to.
Not everyone is so HAPPY with our schools either.
The parents are the key so you educate yourself as well.
Anonymous said on 11 May 2008 at 5:44 pm:
“…PWC Schools are a horrible monolith for parents and provides subpar services for exceptional children…”
I take extreme exception to that statement, Anonymous! Both my children went through Prince William County schools and both are doing quite well, thank you! My daughter has been an honors student and is currently studying at the University of Reading in England. My son is doing well at a technical school in PA and is well on his way to becoming certified as a Master Mechanic. Each made a different choice in their career paths…but each is doing extremely well.
Insofar as being “a horrible monolith for parents,” I had no problem at all dealing with teachers, administration, OR the School Board when necessary. My kids got an extremely fine education, and all my concerns were satisfactorily addressed when they arose. Of course, they DID graduate from High School back in 2005, prior to the worst of the illegal alien invasion…perhaps that had something to do with it. At least PWC has addressed those problems…Manassas Park has only just left their “sanctuary” policy behind.
Incidentally, I went through Prince William County public schools too, and I did not see what “Anonymous” was complaining about. As far as it being a “monolith”–it seemed to me that each school administration had a wide latitude to do things as it saw fit, particularly with their “site based management” initiative they had in the early 90s.
As far as “provides subpar services for exceptional children”…a friend of mine was provided and allowed to use a laptop in class because he had visual-motor integration problems resulting in handwriting difficulties. Wouldn’t be very surprising today but this was back in 1992!
In high school I went through SIGNET (the PWC schools gifted program…I r smart!) and I have no complaints about it, in fact I found it quite interesting.
Now it’s possible that PWC schools have deteriorated in quality since I went there years ago…but AWCheney’s comments above seems to indicate that they have not.
The children who live in Manassas Park deserve whatever services they need because their parents pay one of the most exorbitant tax rates in the state. It’s no secret that schools sell houses. If we didn’t have the services that we do and the schools that we do, many families that live here would have chosen other places to live. So if you think “paying for private school” while also paying taxes in MP is as easy as that, you’ve got another thing coming. If we pay $1.24 in taxes, we DESERVE top of the line schools and services without having to resort to the private school option by default. I’m certainly not going to live in a city where 57% of the taxes go to schools and then pay for private school on top of that. For that kind of money, it would be a travesty to not have top notch schools (which, in fact, we do).
The rub here is really where this thread started- with over-inflated unneccessary projects like this rec center. The rate at which the city board can and does frivolously spend money is disgusting. The bond for the center has to be paid back starting in 2010, by which time there’s about a zero chance that we’ll have even started to recover from the economic stress the board has tossed us all into. By the time residents truly know about these projects, they’ve already been planned and contracted out. Only after that do we have open meetings at city hall for citizen feedback. Sure, they’ll hear our feedback and then do nothing with it. This board clearly has it’s own agenda and what the citizens want and need takes a backseat.
Why do I get the feeling that in a year, we’re all going to be on here bitching about the new city hall building that’s been planned and contracted out without public knowledge? Is there anyone who has solid information on this? With 41 jobs having been cut from our schools for next year and decreased services to fire fighters, police officers and public services on top of a higher tax rate, there’s no chance the public can’t make a huge stink about a new city hall building BEFORE it’s too late.
I agree that it’ll be hard to find someone wanting to attach his or her name with the nastiness ahead in Manassas Park politics, but I also think that if we want change, we have to incite change. Is there really any way that anyone can, in good conscience, vote for any of these people in November?
Just in - I live in Blooms Crossing and appealed my 2008 assessment as I promised the city council I would… Well, to my suprise - they lowered my assessment by 30K - about 5%! That is a net savings of $772 annually in real estates taxes. I hope others who took the time and effort to fight their ridiculous assessments gets good news as well.
On a new city hall - over my dead body. I helped pass out over 500 flyers trying to get people to get involved with the ludicrous notion of a new P&R facility. I would be willing to walk around petitions - whatever I can do to affect change in this failing community.
I have two small children and work 4 days a week so I myself don’t have the time to run for public office, but I will happily support whoever runs against the incumbents in November!
Down with Frank Jones and Co.
congratulations concerned MP resident..and a question to all other MP respondents - where were all of you at the public hearings on the Bond , the tax rate and the rec center ????
Do not despair- your chance to serve and to effect change may be at hand– the Republican Party mass meeting to choose 4 candidates to run for city council and also 1 for Mayor is June 1…Contact the Chair for more info..does anyone know when or if the Democrats are having a mass meeting??
I was at the public hearing for the bond, the rec center and the tax rate. By the time that meeting took place, the contract had already been awarded and plans were drawn up for the rec center. It was a “fait accompli”. The board had made up it’s mind way before they asked our opinion that the center was being built, and despite the fact that 50+ residents showed up and voiced their disapproval for spending 23 million dollars on something the city absolutely can’t afford, they went right on ahead as planned. It’s as if they hold public hearings to simply say that they gave us our chance to speak, but they don’t listen to our voices at any cost.
That’s why I was asking about solid information on the (at this point alleged) new city hall building. I want to nip that in the bud NOW, not at a public hearing when the contract has already been awarded and the plans are on Frank Jones’ desk.
Anyone know anything that isn’t speculation on that? I’d love to read up on it.
I, too, have young children and a job and so holding a board position (sadly) isn’t an option for me right now. I’d do whatever I could to support someone who sees the current administration for what it is and is ready to change it, regardless of party at this point. There’s no way I’m sitting idly by while this continues.
Hi Lady Liberty - I was at the meeting you are referring to and spoke out against the water and tax rate hike. How do I find out more about the meeting to choose nominees to run? You said “Contact the Chair for more info” - who is that??? As I said before, I cannot do it, but I know a couple of individuals in my community that may be a good fit.
Concerned MP resident,
As published in legal notices- Manassas JM on May 16, the Chair is Bill Wren. Persons who are interested in running for office under the Republican banner need to file a preapplication form.
The pre-application form may be obtained by contacting Party Chairman William Wren, 703-409-7650, billwrenok@earthlink.net.
As you think about a good fit- consider that you want candidates that are interested in a Change in MP Not just against the present board..
I have no idea who the Democrats have as Chair- if they even have a party here any more of if they are planning to run a slate…
Chair is Bill Wren. Public notice in the Manassas Jm on May 16 gives his email as billwrenok@earthlink.net. Have no idea who chair of democratic party is- or if they are having a mass meeting and planning to run any candidates..
I love manassas park, I don’t think we need the police station, maybe a small one, but that big one and the 200 some people it employs is a little crazy for a city under 3 sq miles. I’m perfectly happy to pay the high taxes on the awesome schools my kids get to attend, with the personal attention and the fact that they don’t have to contend with feeder schools for middle and high school, the taxes are cheaper than the cost of private school cost. I’m excited about the new rec center, because I know my kids and I will use it. And there is nothing for teenagers to do around manassas. The new city center is what I thiink is a waste of money. But like I said, I love manassas park, even the diversity of it, we have it all.
Erin,
Where did you get your info re police personnel…there are not 200 employed there- I think in total including police officers, dispatchers and management maybe about 50 people …I too love the City but 23million for a Rec Center that most citizens will not be able rto afford to use is way over the top…city center is private- city sold the land- when completed, the center will be revenue generating and( hopefully) help to reduce our taxes….agree abt the schools- ours are terrific…
I agree about the schools, Erin. I wouldn’t mind paying higher taxes for my kids to have that top notch schooling. I do think that the current board has spent way more of our money than it should have on some of these projects, and now schools are taking a big hit even in the face of a tax hike. Sure the rec center will be nice, but this city is totally overdrawn and residents won’t be able to afford the 23 million dollar bond in the face of economic hardships. Especially when you consider that we’ve got about 30 million dollars in overhaul to the water and sewer systems and 41 school jobs lost (and those are just this coming year’s job losses), plus loss of services for fire fighters and police officers, it’s just too steep a price to pay with an impending recession. The board wanted it but didn’t need it, so they did it anyway even though plenty of residents strongly opposed it.
Erin, have you considered Freedom Center? It’s only about 15 minutes away, and they have tons of programs for kids and teens, after school, in the evenings and on weekends. Just a thought- it’s where we go and it keeps us plenty busy!
And LL, you’re right too. Our schools are fantastic- I just hope we can keep them that way with all that’s being left out for them next year and probably in the next few years to come.
oops sorry about the wrong number for the police—it just looks like the building is for 200 people!! Well the freedom center is alright but with gas prices and schedules, work, traffic, it really feels like a trip to go to that side of town. I work in fairfax so most of my commuting is in the opposite direction.
I think the rec center will generate some money because there really isn’t much on the old town, MP, Yorkshire, Centerville side for recreation…so if it doesn’t suck I think allot of non-mp people will pay non-resident prices
to use it. Um I hope we can afford to use it, but with 4 kids it is like $40 to go to the movies once a month, so I suppose I would pay about that to use a rec center all month. The current advertising for rec programs isn’t very good, this year they sent something out about summer programs in a timely manner, but it lacked important info. I remember one year they had an end of school pool party for the highschool and only 2 kids were there, no one knew about it I guess.
I believe that spending on and improving our city is the best thing that manassas park can do right now, to get over the economic slump…the top notch schools inside and out, the shiny new rec center, and evn the city center, should draw new residents and things will get better.
The illegals moving on because we are surrounded by PWC and from what I gather they were afraid of deportation so skipped out on mortgages etc. So the backlash of ridding the county of illegal aliens is that they spent their money too, and our whole area is feeling a burn from the withdrawl of ALLOT of people from PWC area. My mom always said..you can’t have your cake and eat it too.
Hi Erin
I agree with you that all the things being built make th area more attractive to improve the city but do you not agree that the city has done too much in too short a time span?
Some of these things should be held off for another 5-7 years while the city can better be positioned to not have to increase taxes to an amount that most of us will find unbearable.
That is my concern, how quickly things are being done when our tax base is just not broad enough to support all this
Just a thought.
Any council may reply with their thoughts as well.
Thanks