Good presentation by staff this evening. There were also representatives from the state department of Game and Inland fisheries. Packed room – I wish there were that many people on a regular basis.
What the presentation from the staff illustrated is that, at this point, there are as many question as answers. However, the staff laid out a very good course of action for us to pursue and the Council voted to direct staff to try to fill in the holes. With any deal like this, the success or failure will be in the details that emerge so stay tuned.
The timeline is a unclear at this point. If the deal is to work there are at least 3 governmental agencies that will have to iron out operating and other agreements. At this time of year with the holidays and state and local budget season approaching it may take some time finish. If there is any good news, it is that this is primarily a staff-driven effort so even if the Council or GA doesn’t have time to work on it, this should not seriously impede progress.
If you have a burning desire to stay abreast of the situation, the utilities meetings (or minutes thereof) would be the best place to look.
December 7, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Would you say most of the people that showed up supported opening the lake? Was there any indication of when there might be a next meeting?
December 8, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Most, if not all, supported it. In addition, the majority of the folks I talked to were not citizens of manassas…(har har)
I’m excited by the possibilities but the devil is in the details and the success or failure of this opportunity will depend on the details that emerge as staff works their way through this.
December 8, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Andy,
Thanks.
Of course there are people that do not live in Manassas that want to use the lake. Would you want to restrict only Citizens of Manassas to shopping or visiting Old Town? I would hope not.
On another note, I read in the Winchester Star today about a new campaign the local Winchester Stores are doing. It might be something our local stores might be interested in doing.
http://www.winchesterstar.com/pages/view/shop.html
December 9, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Great meeting, I learned a lot. Never been to a work session before.
COM, I couldn’t access the Star article. What’s Winchester doing?
I know they have a First Night coming up, as does Warrenton, Leesburg. Fredericksburg, etc. Has Historic Manassas revisited organizing one? They are popular family-oriented, non-alcoholic events for New Year’s Eve.
December 9, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Here is a better link to the program. The program promotes local businesses and the belief money spent at a locally owned business means more money stays in the local area then if the money is spent at a National chain store, even if the chain store is owned by a local.
http://www.the350project.net/home.html
December 9, 2009 at 11:11 pm
COM-
The Manassas Old Town Business Association launched
the 3/50 program here in October. A great concept.
Cindy-
We discussed a First Night in Manassas some years ago,
but a number of restaurant owners didn’t want it because it
was already a huge night for them and they didn’t want us to
“mess it up”. May be time to review it since one of the issues
was parking and that has been mitigated by the new deck.
December 9, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Steve,
Thanks. I did not know that. Are they advertising the program?
December 9, 2009 at 11:46 pm
COM, the 3/50 flyers are widespread, even saw them when I went to renew my dog’s license earlier this week. That’s why I bought my holiday cards at the Manassas Museum, stocking stuffers at Whimsical Gallerie and my daughter’s Christmas present at Ashby’s. I got to walk in the fresh air and watch a horse drawn carriage make the rounds, too.
What I hope is that these same businesses also “shop Manassas” when they purchase supplies, do their printing and use other services 🙂
Steve, it’d be great to hear what the restaurant owners in these other cities think about their First Night celebrations. It must be a win-win, or it wouldn’t be recurring and spreading to other localities.
December 10, 2009 at 12:07 pm
I guess I’ll have to look a bit closer the next time in Old Town.