Manassas Park Nominates Candidates
By Greg L | 4 June 2008 | Manassas Park | 7 Comments
Republicans held their mass meeting in Manassas Park this Sunday and nominated Brian Leeper for the Manassas Park Governing Board. Democrats also held their convention on Sunday, and nominated Peter Farrell, and Suhas Naddoni to fill the two-year term that resulted when Cyndi Gardner decided not to run for re-election. Unless another candidate files before the June 10th deadline, Naddoni will be the only candidate running for that seat. The remaining incumbents on the Board are all running as independents, as is Mayor Frank Jones who is so far unopposed.
I’d like to say that I’m stunned that Frank Jones looks like he is cruising to an uncontested re-election given the fiscal disaster that he has delivered upon city residents, but Manassas Park is nearly famous for civic non-participation. It’s quite possible that the Ham Sandwich write-in campaign might have to be resurrected if no one in the city is upset enough about. Voters could rest assured that Ham Sandwich would not hike their tax rate to $1.24 per hundred of assessed value when Prince William County’s rate is $0.97. I’ll have to give Dillon Pikkel a call and see if he’d be willing to run Ham’s campaign one more time, as someone (or perhaps more accurately in this case something) has to challenge Jones.
A couple of observations about this weekend’s activities:
- Democrats refused to allow any non-delegates into their meeting. I spoke to one interested Manassas Park resident who wanted to simply observe what the Democrats were doing, and they refused to let him in. These folks are going to have to work on their transparency of process if they’re going to have any credibility.
- Jackson Miller and Ali Ahmad from the PWC Young Republicans went to the Republican mass meeting. Members of the committee were pretty impressed that these folks took time out of their schedules to come to a nearly-secretive meeting held in a relatively minor jurisdiction. Their attendance was much appreciated.
- The Manassas Park Republican Committee added some new members this weekend, and it seems unlikely that the committee will endorse any of the incumbents who are running as independents and have abandoned the Republican Party. Good for them.
There’s still about a week left for residents who care about their city to do something to ensure that the current Governing Board and Mayor get challenged. Letting these folks get a pass and win by default would be terrible for this city.
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Facts are a little mixed up. Republicans had a mass meeting on Sunday. Dems did not have a mass meeting- they had a Democratic Committee meeting to chose their candidates on Monday night. I agree though that the amount of apathy in Manassas Park is terrible. One would think that the residents are quite content with the mess..we know thats not true- after all 2 or 3 citizens spoke at the 34 million dollar Bond public hearing, a handful at the tax rate meeting and a couple again at the water rate and parks and rec . facility meeting…Not every one has the time, inclinationn or personality to run for office but you would think that people would speak up at meetings or thru telephone calls or emails to voice discontent..
At any rate, kudos to Brain Leeper for steping up to the plate and carrying the banner for the Republican party. Unlike two of our present Council members , he’s proud to be a Republican…
[Ed note: thanks for the correction.]
I guess it is too late to try to be a candidate for city council
I did not know the dealine was here on June 10 and know I can not get 125 signatures by then.
Any alternatives to still get on the ticket for council seat?
Thanks
Greg ,, why are you stunned that Frank Jones is uncontested?
You have said yourself that this city will likely go bankrupt and lose city status at some point.
(IMPORTANT POINT COMING)>>>>
Likely we have passed that turning point with the approval on the rec center bond being the knockout blow.
So who in their right mind would want to have their name associated with the city when that does happen?
Mr Sandwich and sir Pickle do not have a reputaion to worry about being tarnished when this city falls and takes down the credibility of anyone who has their name attached to this government.
Given the low turnout in these elections, Ham has a fightin’ chance!!!
He already has name recognition from his ‘07 race, including a front page article in the MJM.
Riley,, what week was ham in the MJM?
Was it the same week the latin festival got cancelled?
lol
Obama, yomama was pro-life! See you on 66, Greg. MK
Hi Everyone
I am collecting signatures to be on the ballot in November as independent for the open council seat (2 year special election).
If any Manassas Park registered voters would be interested in signing my petition please email me at almafeugo@aol.com
I will be collecting signatures through Monday June 9.
Thank you very much
Richard Schubert