If you drive around the City of Manassas, most yards with political signs have the same three signs–Bass/Elston/Richie-Folks. So what, you might ask? 4 individuals are running for City Council–2 Republicans and 2 Democrats. This trifecta is 1 Republican and 2 Democrats. It seems that most folks, by an overwhelming majority, like this bi-partisan combination of leaders to represent them.
It appears, if yard signs and talk tell the story, that most City folk reject extremist views and penny-pinching when it comes to public safety, schools and overall quality-of-life issues. The people of Manassas want some of their money going to the arts and those things that make living in Manassas fun. They want their leaves scooped up at the curb, their pot holes filled, their schools to attract and maintain quality teachers, and their Old Town activities to enhance their lives.
Most importantly, however, is the fact that they want these issues for ALL Manassas residents, not just for a few. Most people in Manassas take pride in their school system and want their tax money to go towards improving their own public schools for all the students. They reject their money going into charter schools or other educational configurations that divert limited funds from serving the most children.
The 4th candidate, Marc Aveni, appears to have his own private political agenda. He advocates for charter schools. Can the City really sustain such a venture without pulling much-needed funds from the regular school system? Probably not. Some of his own words on blight and overcrowding seem to be dog whistle words for nudging “others” out of the political process. His advocacy for “Family Friendly” issues in the past seem to be a war on crotchless underwear merchants and reproductive issues that are not within the purview of local government. Wasting energy on issues local officials have no control over seems to be misusing one’s office to advance one’s own personal agenda. Judging from the signs, the good voters of Manassas seem to reject these Torches and Pitchforks issues as unimportant.
Voters want good schools, a funded police department, fire and rescue with updated equipment, and a full slate of fun activities that make Manassas the unique place that it is.
Republicans around town are howling(sorry Moon) because they think Bass has sold out to the Dems. Funny thing about that, in past years, I recall a large number of City yards with Jackson Miller and Chuck Colgan signs in them. The R’s didn’t seem to mind that little partnership. Perhaps they were a lot more confident in their election prospects at that time.
Help me out with this one…how did Sheryl Bass (known as Lady Bass around these parts) possibly sell out? Is it really her fault that people find her more palatable than the other Republican?
4 candidates, 3 slots. Are the Tea Party Republicans math challenged? Lady Bass doesn’t want to decimate the schools nor start deportations from Manassas Station. Does that make her a sell out to the Democrats? I hardly think so.
When the electorate is about evenly split between Republicans, Democrats, and independents and the Republican Party is split between moderates and conservatives, you can’t expect a radical right-wing agenda to adequately reflect the population. People who support Bass, Elston, and Richie-Folks are realists in tune with the majority. (Also, people get tired of the scolding Sallies and their social agendas – save that stuff for your family and church.)
Sorry to disagree but I can’t in good conscience vote for Ms. Ritchie-Folkes. She seems very pleasant certainly but in watching the debate and subsequent conversations with her she seems totally unqualified for such a job. Mr. Elston seems too busy for the job quite honestly, he never seems to be campaigning, but always off doing his GMU play stuff, don’t need that either. Ms Bass is a moderate as you say and she certainly has the past experience so she gets a vote from me. While Mr. Aveni maybe a bit tight with my money there are certainly worse things to be known for and I must say from my experience he is very decent and honest man. He gets the other vote. I never ran with the crowd anyway!
Well hello again, 6 pack. I guess you will just have a two candidate collection of signs in your yard then.
I hope Mr. Aveni is too busy since the good people of Prince William pay his salary.
I would gladly post city signs but I don’t live in the City.
Don’t do yard signs or polls, never liked them or trusted them!
I don’t pay much attention to polls. Yard signs…can tell a lot. Winchester was all about Republican candidates. I saw one (1) Mark Warner sign amidst a sea of Gillespie and Comstock signs. The town was awash with them.
That tells me I probably wouldn’t fit in real well in the City of Wnchester.
Crotchless underwear is a political issue in PWC. Who knew?
Actually the issue was in Manassas City–Old Town to be specific. PWC is too boring to fight over crotches undies.
You guys fight over mangers. Manassas fights over crotchless undies. Prince William bobbitts.
Regardless of the issue in Manassas city, the turnout this morning has been quite good compared to when elections were held in May. I don’t know if people are more interested in the US Senate/House races or the local one but turnout is good so far.
That’s excellent news, Ivan.
My predictions are over at Andy’s blog.
Hi Steve. Will I be agreeing with those predictions?
Moon, that would depend on whether or not you accept the rationale I base those predictions on. Regardless, the accuracy of the predictions will be known before “it’s morning in America, again.”
Steve, please post the election results as soon as you get them.
Got the City winners, in order of most to least votes. 3 slots, 4 candidates.
#1 Bass
#2 Aveni
#3 Elston
#4 Richie- Folks
Does this mean more obstruction? Only time will tell.
I left off, so far it looks like Steve has been right on the money.
Looks like I was dead on, especially in Virginia. Nationally too, or pretty darn close. Wish Gillespie could have pulled it out, but if you look at the 2013 Governors race, and this Senate race, both of which pollsters said the D’s would win but comfortable margins, I think we can draw some conclusions. First, Manassas is a bell weather jurisdiction, at all levels of politics, going back as far as 2000. Second, Virginia is quite purple. Lastly, neither party can take anything for granted in the Old Dominion.
Nice job by Mr. Thomas. Nailed it.
Ivan, thanks. I suspect my having slightly less direct investment in the races gave me a bit more objectivity.