Treuting wins special election

MANASSAS PARK, Va. -- In a special election Wednesday night, William J. Treuting Jr. was unanimously selected to replace Council member Peter Farrell on the Manassas Park City Council.

Treuting, a former mayor and City Council member, has served on Manassas Park's Department of Social Services Advisory Board since May 2009. He was also vice mayor from 1998 to 2000.

Treuting holds a master's degree in business administration from Webster University and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Nicholls State University.

A former member of the Republican party and a former independent, Treuting describes himself as "a fiscal conservative who believes that less government is better."

Contending for the position were Preston Banks (R), Sean Jurjevic (R), Jeanette Rishell (D), Richard Schubert (D), Donald Shuemaker (D) and Michael Wilbourn (I).

Candidates were asked to answer questions related to funding priorities, necessary changes in city government, business development, real estate tax, political ideologies, education, illegal immigration and social services.

All candidates listed public safety, education and parks/recreation. In addition to these, Treuting listed city operations and social services, as well as parks and recreation.

Jurjevic and Schubert also listed social services.

While the other candidates addressed business development in their responses, Rishell put it as a priority, saying, "This focus is key to everything else we want to do. Our tax base is heavily residential and we need the revenue that businesses can provide."

Regarding taxes, Jurjevic said, "…the taxes are way too high and I place the blame on the governing body."

Schubert said, "We have to reduce our tax rate and set it close to surrounding jurisdictions so that we are cost competitive."

Wilbourn thought taxes must be looked at from short and long-term views.

Shuemaker took a different stance: "At times it appears the city is in a competition with other jurisdictions for the nicest buildings. For example, I have not heard anyone express the opinion that we needed a $22,000,000 community center at Costello Park while property values were plummeting."

Treuting believes, "… for new businesses to come to the city, we must have a more competitive tax base to lure new businesses. I believe the time has come to get citizens to know what the costs of service are and that with reduced service responsiveness can come reduced costs."

Regarding illegal immigration, Treuting said, "I believe the real resolution for illegal immigration must be resolved at the state and federal level and not at the local level."

All candidates indicated they would put the city before their party when making decisions.