It's my town: Two leave Habitat board after six years' service

Changing of the guard…

After six years of service to the Habitat for Humanity, Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park -- the maximum allowable under the bylaws -- Donna Flory and Glenn Rhodes recently attended their last board meeting. David Wurst also reached the six-year limit this year but was unable to attend the meeting because he was leading a team of volunteers from Grace United Methodist Church on a construction project in Mississippi.

In addition to serving on the board, Flory, who is the vice president of the Flory Small Business Center, Inc., and is active in the Bull Run Rotary Club, served as vice president and president from 2003-2006. Rhodes, a CPA with Campbell, Veltri and Clark, served as the treasurer for the full six years. Wurst, who works for Ross, France & Ratliff, a local civil engineering and land surveying firm which has donated its services to Habitat since 1994.

Tim Lueking, board president, commended the three for their service: "[you] oversaw the affili-ate during a period of tremendous growth. The ReStore was open and expanded. Two homes were built. The A Brush with Kindness home repair program was started and has already helped 30 families. The organization grew from no staff to nine. There's no way to put a value on your service and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

Three new board members were elected at the meeting. They are Jack St. Clair II, who is the owner of Home Instead Senior Care of Manassas; Marci Swanson, who is retired and volunteers in the ReStore on a weekly basis; and Brian Swanson, who is retired from the aerospace industry and has helped with Habitat's home building since the 1980s.

Officers elected for the 2009 year were Lueking, who will serve his third, one-year term as president. He is the vice president of commercial development at Fulton Bank in Manassas. Christopher Daffan, owner of Daffan Homes will serve as vice president. Karen Wilkinson, MetLife Home Loans, was reelected as secretary and St. Clair will serve as treasurer.

Other board members include Michael Garcia, MAG Contractors; Jack Papp, Lockheed Martin; and Rob Major, Major Home Inspections.

The organization is beginning the Family Selection process this month, with a town house to rehab and sell to a low-income family with other property purchases expected. Interested families must attend an orientation to receive an application: May 7 at 7 p.m. at Prince William County Development Services Building, 5 County Complex Court, Rooms 107 A & B, Woodbridge (behind the McCoart Building); May 9 at 10 a.m. at the Manassas Baptist Church School Building, 8800 Sudley Road, Room 4, Manassas; and May 13 at 7 .m. at Central Library, 8601 Mathis Ave-nue, Manassas, Meeting Room.

Two longtime Manassas employees recently retired and were honored by Mayor Harry "Hal" Parrish II.

William E. "Billy" Swartz Jr., assistant Public Works Director, was cited for 36 years of service and Myron Carlson, the city's horticulturist, was honored for 15 years of service.

Swartz, who worked for seven mayors, one town manager and four city managers, oversaw countless right-of-way acquisitions and was involved in the construction of numerous Public Works transportation projects.

Carlson worked with developers to design landscaping for the Harris Pavilion, Center Street, Liberia Avenue, and all gateway entrances into the city as well as projects for the Manassas Museum and Manassas City Public Schools.

For the third year in a row, the City of Manassas' Neighborhood Services is coordinating the summer Week of Hope program, which won State Youth Group Project of the Year in 2008.

Last year more than 900 out-of-town volunteers participated in needed cleanup and renovations projects, saving the city $140,000 in manpower hours. This year, from June 13 to Aug. 1, an expected 1,000 volunteers will come to stay at Manassas Baptist Church's "The Rock" and get involved in community betterment pro-jects.

For more information about bringing the youngsters to your neighborhood, call coordinator Kisha Wilson-Sogunro at 703-257-8240.

In the great tradition of grand ballet, Manassas Ballet Theatre will perform "Sleeping Beauty," the magical tale of the beautiful princess who waits in slumber to be awakened by the kiss of her prince. Petipa's brilliant choreography, combined with Tchaikovsky's magnificent score, will surely create a magical evening of awe-inspiring artistry.

Performances will be May 16 at 7 p.m. and May 17 at 5 p.m. at the Metz Middle School, 9950 Wel-lington Road in Manassas. Tickets are available through Tickets.com, 800-955-5566, or the theater at 703-257-1811.

… advance tickets are $28 for adults and $18 for seniors and children.