I guess it’s time for me to dig out my bard hat for a few comments about the council election. Manassas City elections are upon us and the usual actor are ….well, acting out. As usual, my city owls are flying out to the county with election info. Whhhoooooo is going to win? There seems to be little eye of newt in this one.
Apparently several someone’s are pissed off because all over town people are supporting Ken Elston(D) and Patricia Richie-Folks(D) along with Sheryl Bass(R). It appears that the City folks are really bi-partisan in their sentiments this year. Perhaps it is about ideas rather than party? Meanwhile, “the other Republican” and his buddies are calling people liars and barbs are being thrown on several different facebook pages.
Apparently the guy who isn’t even running, Mark Wolfe, is getting the blame for all the Republican discontent. When in doubt, blame Mark. I seem to remember clearly that “the other Republican” supported an independent last time, rather than Wolfe. If you have forgotten, check it out here on The Conscience of a King link. So I have to ask…why is it OK for Mr. Aveni to support someone off the R ticket and it’s not OK for Mr. Wolfe to do it? Are there two sets of rules?
I have even heard some Republicans have advocated bullet-voting for “the other Republican.” Does that sound like someone is running scared? Bullet voting would be only voting the one candidate, rather than for a slate of 3 candidates.
Marc, what goes around, comes around. Maybe you just brought yourself some bad Karma last election cycle. I expect Mark Wolfe is supporting you like you supported him. I distinctly remember an all-out effort to railroad Mark Wolfe off the council. It just didn’t work. If memory serves me, Mark Wolfe captured the most votes of all three candidates. That fact alone speaks volumes.
Meanwhile, I think I will weigh in on the Bass/Elston/Richie-Folks card. That seems to be the winning moderate ticket. I have pretty much had it with extremists. Extremists don’t make very good neighbors.
The Baroness is going to beat your ass, Miss Moon.
How cool can anyone be when Greg supports you? That’s like a death sentence on your candidacy.
Judging from what I hear and read the hard right crowd is blaming anyone they can find. Jackson Miller has even stepped in and is calling people personally to garner support. The big change here is that the schools and their constituencies have become involved and they aren’t amused.
Some of the stuff on facebook is priceless. Council members claiming to have “supported” new schools etc. even though they voted against the cip and budgets for those things. Can’t have it both ways guys!
The underlying problem is that the republican party in Manassas is a mess.
Way back in 2012, I had wrote here that the MRP needed to take a look at the changing City. Flash forward two years, and we see a strong Republican Leader decide not to run; our Elder Statesman Steve announces retirement opening up another seat; the City Democrats putting forth canditates; and a group forms to back Bass/Elston/Ritchie-Folks. And that group playing politics like not see in this ole City for years! And of course, all the antics on yard signs which is pathetic.
In terms of Mark Wolfe, you were right he had the highest number of votes. I nicknamed it “revenge votes” because many folks came out to vote for him as they had enough of the bashing he was taking. I am waiting to see if that occurs again tomorrow since there are 4 for three slots, and I for one am glad to see there may be once again a woman, if not both women, on the Council.
I heard that there was a lot of sign stealing stuff going on. That generally is young people. Most adults don’t go in for that kind of childish semi-vandalism. I think both Democrats and Republicans have lost signs and let’s face it, signs cost money and are often difficult to come by.
Both Andy and Steve will be missed. It makes me sad to think about them not being there. Both brought good things to the table when they were there.
Now is the time for change. Women are definitely needed on the Council, for starters. Both bring unique qualities to the chambers. Ken Elston is impressive. I have spoken with him and I like what he has to say. None of these three candidates are extreme, despite the picture their opposition tries to paint.
I guess I just like candidates who want to move the City forward rather than dwell on the past and issues that really just don’t fall under City purview.
The Bass/Elston/Richie-Folks ticket represents onward and upward.
@Ray Beverage
I like your nickname–“revenge votes.” I think you are spot on with that name too. Definitely revenge votes. Mark Wolfe prevailed and I think it made most of the City happy to see him arise “bloody but unbowed.” He did take a bashing. I guess what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
Excellent analysis by both you and Ray. Funny how what goes around comes around. Republicans are now claiming a conspiracy to “railroad” Aveni off the Council. I guess they are suffering from some form of political memory loss. Two years ago at the Republican convention, Mr Aveni along with Jackson Miller and Ian Lovejoy brought us “bullet voting” in an attempt to “railroad” Mark Wolfe off the Council. Their attempt failed, now they are getting a dose of their own medicine. Apparently they don’t like the taste of it. Tomorrow should be interesting.
I’m sure the Baroness isn’t far off….
Should I be worried about my hind-quarters?
Then there was that one of little Faith who also wanted to do some thumping on my head.
Who is The Baroness?
Someone should kick your rear end. You are pretty lippy about the only candidate worth voting for. He wants to clean up Manassas.
does trying to close the abortion clinic count as “cleaning up manassas” because that’s about the only thing he has seemed interested in “cleaning up”.
That clinic has been there since 1989. I believe 25 years sets a precedence.
Has he cleaned up anything else? Oh he and his buddy Jackson led the charge against the “naughty store.” You know, no crotchless undies or bustiers allowed in Old Town.
Hmmm…Can one assume, then, that the Elston/Bass/Ritchie-Folks trio is strongly in favor of crotchless underwear and bustiers? I can see the tourist signs now:
VISIT OLD MANASSAS – THE CROTCHLESS UNDERWEAR CAPITAL OF THE OLD DOMINION!
Ha! No, I don’t have a clue how they feel about those two items of clothing.
I doubt that they would demonstrate over a merchant who sold those items in a store.