The budget was, for all intents and purposes, put to bed about a month ago. In the intervening time I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on the changes that have occurred in the political process in Manassas. Some of those changes are subtle, some very public and profound. I hope that this period of reflection gives a reasonably accurate portrait of how things lie. It’s the public changes that have surprised me the most:
The first change is the emergence of direct special interest lobbying. The Council has been pressured by the Chamber of Commerce and the local Realtors Association during this budget process. That’s a new twist – the combined Chamber is clearly interested in making sure that people know they are paying attention. I’ve remarked elsewhere on their tactics. I think it will be interesting to see what kind of reaction (if any) the activities of the different business groups will draw from some involved citizens as the tax burden increases on residents and falls on businesses. The narrative isn’t hard to imagine and I imagine that you’ll see some politicians get caught up in that mix as they’ve taken very public positions on some of those things.
We had more citizens address the Council than we have in the past several years. The citizens who came to speak to the Council during the public hearings were schools people and TEA party people. I don’t know that you could say that those two are diametrically opposed but I do think it fair to say that their common interests would be limited. That dynamic will be interesting to observe. I believe the TEA party folks are more politically active than the schools folk and it seems likely that they’ll run someone to further their agenda of cutting spending. I don’t see the schools people as being that organized. Could be wrong though.
There are some others but I think it fair to simply say that politics in Manassas have become more political. That sounds ridiculous but it’s true. You now have distinct special interests, state-level electeds, citizens group and other political parties (will tea party people run as republicans? If so, Why?) lobbying the Council. The disparate pressures have also taken their toll on the Council as a whole. Things have gotten more divisive. (This is a problem as the Council doesn’t really have working financial projections – we back into our budget every year, one line item at a time – and this only feeds it all. Working strategic plans provide some glue for the process.). It could be that I’m over-reacting but it’s an interesting thing to consider in any event.
May 19, 2011 at 8:50 pm
My humble impression is that political activism by citizens in a community is a good thing. Thankfully, gone are the days when Manassas was run by a few families for the benefit of no one else. I am in full support of any group of citizens that want to band together to petition their elected leaders to listen to and address grievances. From the Chamber to the dog park advocates, from the TEA advocates to the school advocates, their right to organize and lobby is as American as apple pie. Successful leaders will welcome and embrace activism and will skillfully walk the delicate balance between concerned citizens and their government.
In terms of the dissention within the Council, again, it should be something to cherish and be proud of. We citizens expect you all to debate, debate, and debate. Consensus is all and well when appropriate but citizens expect contentious issues like taxes and budgeting to be debated vociferously. No one wins when Council members practice ‘groupthink’.
just my 2 cents.
May 19, 2011 at 9:05 pm
Understand I render no opinion as to the “goodness” of the changes, only that they are changes…..
May 19, 2011 at 10:16 pm
Countrydoc,
Well said. Although there are people out there that think no one should question our elected officials, including some of the elected officials themselves.
Again I thank all of our elected officials as their job is not an easy one.
May 20, 2011 at 5:37 am
assuming that all of these newly-emergent groups are simply “groups of citizens” is quaint but simple.
May 20, 2011 at 10:53 am
Andy,at 9:05 you say you dont render an opinoin about the change being good or not. However, the language in your post clearly has a negative connotation about the ‘political changes’ you are finding here in Manassas.
I couldnt agree more with counrydoc’s thoughts on this one.
As the ‘state-level elected you were refering too in the post (I have said it before and will say it again). Just because I happen to be a member of the House of Delegates does not preclude me from being an active member of my community and a voice on issues I find important to the City in which I live and work.
May 20, 2011 at 11:19 am
J: My intent was to convey observations. I worked pretty hard to keep it neutral and, in re-reading it, I think I was largely succesful. Saw you yesterday over in Wellington in the truck…
CD: I think it’s appropriate to debate things but how much you might “cherish” dissention is an open question in my mind. That word has specific connotations and if you think that model works well, please go research the Dumfries town council a bit…
May 20, 2011 at 12:23 pm
Actually, there has been activism going on for the last year and not just on the budget -Abortion Resolution, the SOB and GTS. And unfortunately, each time the Council before having time to stop, debate, and prepare a reaction plan, there have been standing up in Church services to rally members, rally to oppose, and shouting at all levels. Some of it grandstanding; some of it used in a POSITIVE way to further a point (an example there was Delegate Miller using GTS in a way to berate those who are responsible to make laws and resist doing).
As known by many, I do not hesitate to question and ask for documents – Andy does a great job of posting them here as they are NOT available on the City website. Having the documents so a PROPER debate can be made enables Citizen participation. It is when activism steps in and treads on “stopping and look” that has really arisen this year.
Case in point – the Abortion Resolution. Regardless of personal position, Councilman Wolfe was the one to take the hard stand – that resolution was pure politics and not in the scope of local government as he so carefully stated. Second Case in Point: the SOB resulted in what most citizens and us active ones already knew – there was no real “problem” and we had a zoning regulation issue. If the Council had been allowed to pause in place, taking the County Ordinance and tweaking it (basically the end result of the $71,000 expended) could have been done by City Attorney. Of course, as the Mayor and I discussed, something had to be done because emotions were high.
Andy, you did a good analysis in a nutshell and it ain’t overreacting…your reaction is a positive approach vs. emotional. I am still chuckling the TEA folks were reacting over the increase to a “sin tax” which is still far below National average of around $1.45 a pack. As for the school crowd, if they were organized, the School Board would be having a full chamber too.
Debate is good – when taken under general rules of approaching with pros and cons and being able to prove position. I would like to see one on just “what can be cut”…that is always tossed around, but nobody has shown the bucket list yet.
May 20, 2011 at 7:40 pm
“Dumfries town council” LOL ya, you got a good point there Andy.
Thank goodness you guys dont even resemble that sort of dissension.
May 20, 2011 at 8:08 pm
J: indeed, I would like to think that whatever our divisions are that we get the people’s business done. We may disagree with each other, our state reps or our federal guys but I do feel like I can talk to any of those folks. Policy divisions shouldn’t stop us from working together when possible!!
Thanks for your thoughts!
May 20, 2011 at 9:44 pm
Hmmm, I can recall more than once Andy and or Steve making comments regarding the number of people showing up, or lack of, at Council Meetings. As Country Doc has well said it, this is a good thing. As vested members so to speak, we should all have a say in how our money is being spent. Maybe some on the Council feel as if they can vote and act as however they like, so maybe having some actual Citizenship oversight is a good thing.
May 21, 2011 at 12:15 am
In regards to the Dumfries City Council I would only say that civil political dissention is different from childish buffoonery.
May 21, 2011 at 6:58 am
You’re on the right track for more civic engagement — offering visible places for people to gather, talk and exchange ideas through this blog, your town hall meetings.
The coffee shop in Old Town, the platform at the Train Depot or the Farmers’ Market would be great gathering places this summer to host little mini informal, spontaneous “coffee with a council member” sessions that engage people one on one (partner with the coffee shop). You’d get a fuller range than just who shows up at citizen’s time.
By the way, I LOVE the story-telling wall murals at City Hall. When is the city going to publicize them? I have seen people linger in front of them and begin to tell their own stories. I would add a podium with a big blank journal for people to add their own thoughts. Pull people in to participate. Print the best “memories” in the local paper.
May 21, 2011 at 10:29 am
Cindy: I think it would be a great thing to be able to do – as a practical matter it happens everytime I go into a restaurant…:)
May 21, 2011 at 10:49 am
Roger Snyder, when he was Community Development guy, used to hold sway at the City Tavern. He would go in for lunch, and then sit in the booth for a couple of hours afterwards talking with large and small businesses alike. Had a couple of convesations with him there.
Cindy, your point on publicizing keeps feeding the fuel for my rant on the Public Affairs person which Andy also advocates on. Someday…someday…
May 21, 2011 at 9:35 pm
Andy, a little political forecasting – sorta fits into your Crystal Ball post, but you mentioned TEA Party and running as Republicans and asked “Why?” – think of the basis of the movement as conservative and smaller government, plus the assorted anti-tax issues. Republicans traditionally also are conservative in the political sense, if not always in terms of “fiscal conservative” which is different. The difference of course is where along the line (left-center-right) TEA or Repubilcan is.
I can see the TEA Party running, and from what a couple of folks have told me, when the Manassas Republican Party has its convention, they will be there….and possibly even have someone to run for Council.
Picture this Scenario: The Convention is held because the TEA put up one or two challengers. Our three incumbants form a block (as what happened last time the Convention was held)…and the block goes through, but not without a bit of a tussle. Now, over on the Democrat side, they see the split – and find someone to run for Council, and given the new Census reflecting a higher Hispanic population, their choice is Hispanic who follows Democratic Principles. Take it to Election Day –
Given that in the last election of Council, we had around 1200 people show up. The TEA Party, angered over the Republican Block, side with the Democrat contender and rally voters. TEA Party does this since the Democrat takes the stand the current Council is not in touch with the City and is disenfranchising itself from the ones with below the median income who are watching every dollar, and the spending by the Council is raising taxes, but not in the terms of progressive taxes which is also a Democratic ideal. Because there is a canditate who is opposite of the last two Council elections, and “change” is needed, there now raises the shadow of someone elected who will be representing the average person.
Just musing on a Saturday night….
May 22, 2011 at 10:29 am
– Not a good news morning for Manassas in today’s WaPo, with the
High School Challenge (“Post education columnist rates schools
on the breath of their college-level testing. Which ones push
the most students to aim high?” Apparently we don’t,
according to the article.) AND in the Prince William Extra,
“Fire chief wants time to rethink job offer – Bowman says
‘issues’ have caused him to reconsider.” Fire and rescue chain
of command is an issue that the council must resolve in the
very near future. Perhaps it was naive, but some of us
knowing we aren’t experts on the subject, thought the
best plan was was to allow those who are, career and volunteer,
to work out the details of a department that would best serve our
community but that apparently hasn’t happened.
– While certainly not claiming to be a dance critic, I enjoyed last night’s
Manassas Ballet Theatre’s production of “Romeo and Juliet”
(there is a second performance this afternoon at 3) The Mayor,
Councilwoman Bass and Supervisor Nohe did well.
– There are two organized political parties in Manassas and they are
both Republican 1) The Main St./Chamber center/right people and
2) The more right-wing “Tea Party” folks. They have battled in recent
local GOP mass meeting with mixed results – moderate incumbent
Judy Hays being denied a nomination followed, two years later, by
moderates beating more conservative candidates.
Note that Obama carried PWC and the two cities in 2008 – much to
the surprise of many, including me, but the Democrats in Manassas
haven’t been able to build on that. My take is they are a small
group and too liberal for what is, at heart, a center/right community.
The Hispanic population has grown and will become active in local
government at some point. (According to the 2010 census, Manassas
is now one of the youngest and most Hispanic communities in Virginia).
Don’t think next May’s election will be uncontested, at least not
at the GOP convention level.
Manassas as a town and then a city, like most communities, has always
had “challenges”- often hotly debated. A hundred years ago, according
to writings from the period, key topics were trying to get the last
of the 48 maidens lined up for the Peace Jubilee – some local young
ladies were balking at representing “Damn Yankee”states – and what
was the proper direction for the Confederate Soldier on top of
the Cemetary Monument to face.
Some Sunday morning observations.
May 23, 2011 at 8:37 am
And now look at the City. A hundred years from now if the City is still around, the most recent headlines will be regarding the rampage of an illegal alien, gang violence, and the sex shop dust up. Progress is not always a good thing.
May 25, 2011 at 10:34 am
http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/wb/287623
A good speech by Governor McDonnell
June 19, 2011 at 2:37 am
Excellent weblog here! Also your web site loads up fast! What web host are you the usage of? Can I get your associate link in your host? I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol.