Milt Johns heartily supports new high school aquatic center

proposed pool

In a letter to the editor, Prince William County School Board Chairman Milt Johns has written a cogent, well stated endorsement of the aquatic center initiative at the soon-to-be built 12th high school.

By Milt Johns
Chairman at Large, Prince William County Schools

“Pool” has two meanings in Prince William County this summer—a place to cool down and an issue that is heating up as residents debate the proposed addition of a countywide aquatics center to the building of the area’s 12th high school. Opening that school by September 2016 means the School Board must decide on the issue one way or the other and award building contracts by year’s end.

I strongly support the center proposal but respect thoughtful opinions on both sides. However, I urge all concerned to ignore misinformation and personal attacks from online provocateurs who offer nothing but negativity. Let’s decide the issue based on important questions.

Is an aquatics facility needed and central to the PWCS mission? Would it benefit the entire community rather than just one school? Is it a smart investment in tough financial times? To each, I say a resounding, “Yes!”

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Kiss the Rural Crescent Goodbye?

Having attended a private “stakeholder” meeting and “citizen” meeting last night on the efficacy of the Rural Crescent, I am here to tell you, get ready to lose the best land use tool Prince William County possesses.

Here is the THE biggest glaring flaw of the “Rural Preservation Study“, you just read it actually, the name of the study gives away the mistake.  The Rural Crescent is more than just preserving open space, it is a critical fiscal tool.

Earlier on Thursday, representatives from those groups met for a focus group discussion at the county’s McCoart administration building, Price said. The goal of the evening session was to explain the study’s goals to area residents and begin gathering their input.

Many complied, voicing a range of opinions about the county’s A-1 zoning rule.

Some expressed support for the existing policy, which they credit for limiting sprawl and preserving open space by directing new growth toward existing population centers.
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Cantalopes for Capital Hill

Not allowed to accept gifts? Don’t make me laugh! That’s all those clowns do is accept gifts.

Rep. Brady just drips with insincerity. “Thank you for being here.” Translation: “Leave you ungrateful slob before I have you arrested.” [throwing cantaloupe in trash can and then washing his hands.]

My hat is off to each one of those immigrant kids who has come here, studied hard and done well in school. They enrich our country. I have known many. If you haven’t already, get to know some hard working kid who is forced to live in the shadows because their parents are undocumented.

Each year more and more young folks graduate from Prince William County Schools. Some are documented and some are not. You can’t see the difference. Undocumented immigrants aren’t branded with the scarlet I.

Our laws need to change. It’s that simple.