Democratic Committee Canvasses Neighborhoods for Manassas City Candidate

Members of the Manassas/Manassas Park Democratic Committee canvassed neighborhoods on Saturday in support of Patricia Richie-Folks, who is running for a seat on the Manassas City Council. The election is set for May 1. 

E.J. Scott, committee chairwoman, said volunteers hoped to hit 1,000 homes in an attempt to generate support for , who is also a local businesswoman. 

“We want to get the word out about Patricia,” Scott said. “The same group has been running things in the city for a while and we think another voice needs to be heard. Someone who can bring a different voice.” 

Richie-Folks, a local business manager who lives in the Haydon precinct, has focused her campaign on economic development in the city. The city needs to do a better job in attracting new businesses and supporting those now in the city. A vibrant business community provides the tax base and resources necessary to better fund education, public safety and all the core services that local government provides, Richie-Folks said. 

“I believe I’m going to win,” she said, “because I think the community is ready for a change. People want to see a new direction and I can offer a perspective that is different from the one now held by the council."

For example, the council should move ahead and implement the city’s Economic Development Strategic Plan which was adopted in 2008, but has since languished. The city should embrace and support sections which are unique to the community, like the old town area, she said. 

“We need to get rid of the empty spaces and get them filled with new businesses,” she said. 

Also, Richie-Folks pointed out that the Manassas Airport is underutilized and she would support efforts to attract new airline related enterprises.  

Richie-Folks, who has lived in Northern Virginia for the past five years, said this is her first run for elected office. However, she did work as a legislative assistant while she lived in Florida and is familiar with how government works.

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