Panelists discuss 'State of Prince William'

The “State of Prince William” is very well, ac­cording to a panel of lo­cal leaders speaking out earlier this week. One of the few exceptions is the transportation situation.

Before a sell-out crowd of 250 people at the Con­tinental Event Center, Manassas, four speakers presented a mostly rosy picture of the present and future status of Prince William County, Manas­sas and Manassas Park at George Mason University.

Giving a glowing report of their jurisdictions on such subjects as business, government and edu­cation were Supervisor Marty Nohe, Manassas Mayor Harry “Hal” Parrish II, Manassas Park Mayor Frank Jones, and George Mason University Provost Peter Stearns.

Employment Enterprises, Inc. President Lovey Ham­mel was the moderator and supplied the speakers with a series of questions submitted by Prince Wil­liam Chamber of Com­merce members prior to the luncheon meeting which it sponsored.

The only major stum­bling block to keeping the area bustling was the transportation issue, ac­cording to the panel. Nohe said he believes that it was the number one issue fac­ing the area.

“Companies looking at coming into the area, ask how long will it take my employees to get from home to work. While we are building new schools and libraries to improve the quality of their lives, we have got to focus on constructing new roads,” Nohe said.

Jones agreed, saying “we are landlocked.”

He stressed that traf­fic moved pretty well on Va. 28 through Manas­sas, Manassas Park and Prince William County, but once the cars crossed over Bull Run Creek into Fairfax County “it really gets backed up at the traf­fic lights.”

“We should all get to­gether as a region and study the situation to make it better for the com­muters,” he said.

Parrish added that “what has made this area so great is we have all worked together to solve our problems. Improving the transportation problem is important and we should all work to find some solu­tions,” In answer to Hammel’s question of what the speakers were most proud of accomplishing the past year, the replies were:

» Parrish: The hiring of a new city manager, John Budesky, and new hous­ing developments that are springing up throughout the city. He said there was a much more unified ap­proach recently to solving regional problems than in years past.

» Jones: Working with the prospective new busi­ness and giving them a tax break, hoping that VRE in­stead of taking employees out of town will reverse the situation and bring them into the city.

» Stearns: The opening of the “wow” Hylton Per­forming Arts Center and the growth of the Prince William campus, which currently has 2,500 stu­dents but will reach 5,000 by 2017.

» Nohe: The successful hosting of the 150th ob­servance of the First Battle of Manassas/Bull Run and steps to support existing businesses and bringing in new businesses to pro­vide jobs and improve the quality of life in the county — plus his effort to get the Dale City Farmers Market open year-round.

Hammel, at the conclu­sion of the presentation, said “we are extremely happy to have you panel­ists here today. I grew up on a farm near Manassas National Battlefield Park and have seen a great run on the county’s growth. It’s an exciting place to live and work. I want to keep it going.”

Chamber Chairman Lucy Beauchamp closed the meeting by praising the four speakers: “We are blessed by these lead­ers working together on a regional basis to make the community a better place for everyone.”

Chamber President and CEO Rob Clapper wel­comed the gathering, not­ing that the sellout was “a feather in our cap.” He said the local unit is now the largest Chamber in the state, “which means a lot to our members, as a collective voice is stron­ger that speaking with one voice.”

Other speakers praised the work of the Chamber and all of its members “to make Prince William County one of the richest counties in the country.”

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.