Seven candidates are seeking three seats on the City of Manassas City Council. Six answered the same six questions from the Manassas Journal about issues they could face if elected.
Their responses cover housing and development, taxes and utility costs, public safety, schools, data centers and Historic Downtown Manassas.
Rather than summarize those positions in our own words, the Journal is presenting the candidates’ own responses, shortened for length by removing some passages.
Jill Spall did not submit responses by the deadline.
Early voting begins Friday. The responses below give voters an opportunity to compare candidates on the same issues, in the candidates’ own words.
Editor’s Note
Every candidate received the same six questions and the same response deadline. Responses were shortened for length by removing some passages. The Manassas Journal did not rewrite the remaining responses or change a candidate’s wording, position, examples or qualifications.
The same editing standard was applied to every candidate. Each responding candidate was given an opportunity to review their own edited responses before publication.
Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name under each question.
1. Housing and Development
Growth, infrastructure and existing neighborhoods
How would you assess the way Manassas is handling new housing and development today? What, if anything, would you change about how the City addresses traffic, parking, utilities, emergency services and existing neighborhoods?
Eugene E. “DOC” Brown
“I believe the City of Manassas has managed new housing and development favorably thus far. Following a recommendation from the Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance’s Housing Trust Fund Report, we hired a Housing Coordinator. This position has strengthened our ability to advance the ‘Neighborhood Vitality’ strategy outlined in the 2045 Comprehensive Plan.”
“My platform is consistent with the vision outlined in the Comprehensive Plan: improving walkability, enhancing aesthetics, and strengthening quality of life. Under Improving Mobility for All, I will focus on how residents move throughout our community by supporting pedestrian connectivity, safer transportation networks, and expanded multimodal transportation options.”
Theresa Coates Ellis
“We have a national housing shortage and the political push for affordable housing is coming from Richmond and does not have to be the burden of local Manassas City taxpayer funding. We as a city are 10 square miles and cannot solve this mammoth problem.”
“Programs should not be at the expense of our tax payers wallet.”
“As I expected, the road dieting is not working on Grant Ave. Plus the traffic lights are not timed, causing unnecessary backups, including transportation for emergency vehicles and transporting students.”
“Utility bills have escalated and the rates need to be reviewed and high use industries revenue should be used for infrastructure updates.”
“Safety and emergency response is a priority for all neighborhoods.”
Lynn Forkell Greene
“I support housing choices and smart, thoughtful growth. But a project isn’t just the buildings itself. We need to understand what it means for traffic, parking, utilities, schools, emergency services and the surrounding neighborhoods, and what it will cost us to provide services.”
“I want a more complete picture before major decisions are made, with residents and affected businesses involved earlier in the process.”
“Infrastructure needs to keep pace with growth, and residents should have a meaningful voice along the way.”
Dianne Lane
“Manassas City is 10-square miles, and it is largely zoned for single family homes for housing. The City has in its 2045 Comprehensive Plan goals to increase housing availability and density around transportation.”
“The future Mathis Avenue site is also envisioned as a high-density mixed-use community ‘place making’ location. These are all good use of existing land that does not change the character of existing single-family communities.”
“During my work on the Housing Advisory Board, we heard from residents about neighborhood overcrowding and parking issues. I would like to investigate if there is an opportunity to add, or reimagine, how the City does code enforcement today.”
Colin Turner
“Manassas generally has a diverse mix of housing types and price points, and I want to preserve that. We need housing for people at different stages of life and income levels.”
“As the City becomes more directly involved, we also need to be clear about where that level of taxpayer investment makes sense and where it may not.”
“More broadly, new development has to be evaluated by its cumulative impact. Traffic, parking, utilities, emergency services and established neighborhoods cannot be afterthoughts.”
Helen Zurita
“New housing can help Manassas grow, but growth must be planned well. Before approving a project, the City should study its effect on traffic, parking, utilities, schools, and emergency services.”
“Developers should help pay for those added costs. We also need different types of housing while protecting existing neighborhoods.”
2. Taxes, Utilities and Spending
What should the City fund, and what should residents pay?
How would you assess the City’s current approach to taxes, utility costs and spending? What, if anything, would you change or prioritize differently?
Eugene E. “DOC” Brown
“Utility costs are rising, and affordability has become an increasingly important concern for residents. I do not support increasing taxes in a way that reduces residents’ spending power simply to expand City spending.”
“Instead, our priority should be delivering essential services efficiently while being mindful of the financial challenges residents face.”
Theresa Coates Ellis
“As large capacity industries come online and generate a projected estimated 1 million dollars of revenue for the first year, we should be prepared as a council to use this revenue to offset the high utility and tax rates.”
“Taxpayers deserve respect and revenue should be budgeted accordingly when spending for the needs of the community.”
“Utility infrastructure is a priority and we should return to our reputation when, ‘We keep our lights on.’”
Lynn Forkell Greene
“Affordability is about so much more than housing. Residents feel it in their taxes, utility bills and everyday household expenses.”
“I’ve sat on Council and worked through a city budget. I know there are important services we have to fund, but my priorities would be clear: our utilities, infrastructure and the core services residents rely on every day.”
“When used-car values skyrocketed, I championed a 15% personal property tax refund because I believed that money belonged back in residents’ pockets.”
Dianne Lane
“The reduction in real estate tax rate and the elimination of the car sticker fee were real tax rate decreases but they were offset by rising property values.”
“To reduce the residential real estate tax burden, the City needs to continue to diversify its business base and attract development to The Landings, the Washington Manassas Airport, and in-fill along Nokesville Road and industrial/office park areas.”
“My priorities will always be public safety, infrastructure maintenance, schools, and paying our public debts (bond service).”
Colin Turner
“What ultimately matters to me is not just whether Council lowered the tax rate, but what happened to a resident’s actual tax bill.”
“When assessed values rise, a lower tax rate can still result in a higher bill.”
“As data-center and other commercial revenue comes online, I want Council to look seriously at using some of that growth to reduce pressure on residential taxpayers and utility customers.”
Helen Zurita
“Manassas is in good financial shape, but many families are paying more in taxes and utility bills.”
“The City should focus spending on basic needs like roads, public safety, schools, and utilities. It should review programs to make sure taxpayers are getting good results.”
“Utility bills should also be easier to understand, and large increases should be spread out when possible.”
3. Public Safety
Neighborhoods, traffic and large community events
How would you assess public safety in Manassas today, including neighborhood safety, traffic enforcement and large community events? What, if anything, would you change or prioritize?
Eugene E. “DOC” Brown
“With the number of community events hosted throughout the City each year, our public safety professionals have done an excellent job keeping residents and visitors safe.”
“I would like to see greater resident participation in public safety programs and initiatives, along with expanded community policing efforts in our apartment communities.”
Theresa Coates Ellis
“Safety is a priority. Events need a ‘Welcome’ tent that is visible that serves as the central hub of the event for safety, information, and first aid. HMI and volunteers and the businesses need a coordinated public emergency plan for the best response to save lives.”
“We need to continue to tackle crime locally with police coverage and also vote out the Commonwealth Attorney who has allowed criminals back into our streets even though our jails have capacity available. The judicial center should be encouraged to move to the county and give the donut hole of land back to the city. They have plenty of space in the county to expand.”
Lynn Forkell Greene
“Manassas is still a safe community, and I want to keep it that way. But enough has happened that some of our residents don’t feel as safe as they once did. We need to hear that and take it seriously.”
“Safety must remain a priority. We need to enforce the laws and ordinances we can enforce, address traffic and neighborhood concerns, and make sure Police and Fire/EMS have the staffing, equipment and support they need.”
“For our larger events, Police, Fire/EMS, businesses, event organizers and City staff should all be working from a clear safety, communication and emergency-response plan.”
Dianne Lane
“Manassas is a safe city – the data shows that (see Chief Keen’s mid-year July 2026 report). Are there opportunities for improvement, yes. I put those opportunities in the space of residents and our public servants. Not all neighborhoods are communities, where neighbors know each other, look out for one another; they are an address where people live.”
“Traffic enforcement is a work in progress. I hope the new organization of the police department into three jurisdictions will allow officers to gain a deeper understanding of their patrol area.”
“In terms of change, I think the recent shooting is an anomaly but I do support revisiting how First Friday is conducted. I would like to see a limit on the number of bands, a reduction on the number of DJs, to reduce crowding and massing, and to promote shopping at the stores and family-friendly street activities.”
“I think the DORA district could be smaller, moving it away from residential housing, and there should be thought given to establishing DORA cups, where you have to show an ID and you would receive a cup and a wrist band.”
Colin Turner
“The September shooting at First Friday, which killed a 16-year-old bystander, was a painful reminder that public safety cannot be something we take for granted.”
“I do not think the answer is to stop holding community events. I want the City, police, event organizers and downtown businesses to take a hard look at staffing, communication, crowd management, emergency procedures and how quickly businesses and the public receive clear information when something goes wrong.”
“Public safety also includes the everyday issues residents raise in their own neighborhoods.”
Helen Zurita
“Our police, firefighters, and rescue workers deserve our support. The First Friday shooting showed that large events need stronger safety plans.”
“The City should complete an independent review and improve staffing, emergency access, security, and communication.”
“Traffic laws should also be enforced more often in neighborhoods and school zones.”
4. Schools
Funding, results and accountability
How would you assess the City’s current role in funding Manassas City Public Schools? What should guide Council’s decisions about school funding and accountability?
Eugene E. “DOC” Brown
“I believe the City Council has done a solid job supporting Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) and its educational mission.”
“With that investment should come clear outcomes. I will look for accountability through strong literacy achievement in grades K-3 and meaningful workforce development opportunities for students in grades 9-12.”
Theresa Coates Ellis
“I am not a supporter of the revenue sharing agreement option that was in place years ago.”
“The schools should present their budget and should add a ‘School of Excellence’ with a system like Pennington School in Prince William County (expanding with a waiting list) in new Baldwin School upper levels, or in the old Marsteller school, now the Manassas Community Center.”
“The children who have left the public schools might come back and the current students looking for a challenging curriculum will stay interested, if we prioritize excellence and offer an option for them.”
Lynn Forkell Greene
“Council funds our schools. The School Board manages its budget, and the Superintendent is responsible for leading the school division.”
“Council and the School Board have made progress communicating throughout the year. I want those conversations to go deeper and discuss student outcomes and why some schools and programs are succeeding while others continue to struggle.”
“Funding matters, but so do results. Our students and teachers deserve both the resources and the partnership necessary to succeed.”
Dianne Lane
“The school district presents its budget to Council too late in the City budget process in my opinion.”
“There should be a joint Council/and School Board work session at the Council’s retreat where the school presents its priorities, challenges, etc., and the Council has an opportunity to provide feedback based on City priorities, challenges, etc.”
“Academic achievement across all served populations should be a discussion point between Council and School Board.”
“Unfortunately, “all served populations” is an average score, and does not differentiate among populations. Our schools are dealing with English as a Second Language, children with disabilities, and all other measured populations; some populations are struggling, some populations are on track, some excel – but that is all wrapped up in an average.”
Colin Turner
“City Council has a responsibility to adequately fund our schools, and the School Board has a responsibility to show how those dollars are translating into results for students.”
“I would support quarterly joint work sessions between City Council and the School Board focused on shared goals and progress.”
“Funding should not be a once-a-year negotiation. It should be part of an ongoing partnership focused on outcomes for students.”
Helen Zurita
“The City Council provides money for the schools, while the School Board decides how to use it.”
“Schools need steady support, but taxpayers also deserve clear results.”
“The City and School Board should regularly review graduation rates, attendance, test scores, teacher turnover, school safety, and career training.”
5. Data Centers
Growth, infrastructure and benefits to residents
Manassas is home to significant data-center and technology investment. How would you assess the City’s approach to that growth, and what, if anything, would you do differently to maximize long-term benefits for residents?
Eugene E. “DOC” Brown
“The City embraced data center development because of the economic benefits it brought to neighboring jurisdictions. While those investments have generated revenue for Manassas, I believe the community’s appetite for additional data center expansion has diminished.”
“Going forward, I would prioritize using our remaining developable land for projects that diversify our economy, support residents, and enhance quality of life.”
Theresa Coates Ellis
“Review zoning and districts for high capacity usage businesses that could impact infrastructure. Present comprehensive studies on health impact, environmental impact, noise, water, energy, and frequencies.”
“This land use issue must consider the green space depletion and the negative impact on our landscape and our lives.”
“The revenue generated must be used for infrastructure and for help to decrease the high utility bills and tax bills for affordability to our community. I do not support rezoning for these high impact businesses.”
Lynn Forkell Greene
“Data centers bring investment and revenue to Manassas, and we should recognize that benefit. But revenue is only one side of the equation.”
“We’re a small city with limited land and infrastructure, and not everything already approved or built is fully online. Before adding more, I want us to understand the impact of what we already have coming.”
“I want that information presented clearly and publicly, with residents, businesses, utilities and other stakeholders at the table.”
Dianne Lane
“The City has been conservative in projecting data center revenue benefit, and I support that approach. Until the AWS data centers are operational with power, I support not including them in the City’s revenue forecast.”
“The partnership with George Mason University and Prince William County to create nexus234 has great potential to increase our local employers – to provide high-quality jobs at home and not just tax revenue.”
Colin Turner
“I think it is time for Manassas to pause on approving additional data centers.”
“That does not mean I am opposed to data centers or the revenue they can generate. It means the City has already approved significant growth in this sector, and several projects are still under construction or development.”
“We have already committed to substantial data-center growth. I think we can afford to pause, measure the results and make the next decision with better information.”
Helen Zurita
“Data centers bring tax money to Manassas and place fewer demands on schools than new housing. However, they use large amounts of power and create fewer permanent jobs than many other businesses.”
“They should stay in industrial areas and pay the full cost of the services they need.”
“Their tax revenue should support infrastructure, schools, public safety, tax relief, and savings for future needs.”
6. Historic Downtown Manassas
Businesses, preservation and public property
How would you assess Historic Downtown Manassas today? What, if anything, should the City do differently to support businesses, preserve historic character and manage important public property?
Eugene E. “DOC” Brown
“Historic Downtown Manassas is at the heart of our community’s identity. The businesses that choose to invest there take significant risks, and they deserve the support of both the City and its residents.”
“A vibrant downtown strengthens our local economy, preserves our unique character, and creates a destination that benefits the entire community.”
Theresa Coates Ellis
“I remember when our downtown was a ghost town. We overcame that period and blossomed.”
“However, we have a piece of our competitive advantage that is, unfortunately, no longer an important part of our brand. Our history is what sets us apart from our competition.”
“Our diverse neighborhoods and cultures are an important asset to our identity. It is important to keep our history, tell the stories, and embrace togetherness.”
Lynn Forkell Greene
“I love our downtown. It is the heart of Manassas, and generations of residents, businesses and City leaders have worked hard to make it the special place it is today.”
“Our Comprehensive Plan is important, but it is a guide. It is not a replacement for community input.”
“Downtown can continue to grow and evolve without losing what makes it Manassas. Once we lose our history, character or important public spaces, we can’t simply recreate them.”
Dianne Lane
“As a City resident since 1998, Historic Downtown Manassas has the greatest variety of retail, services, and restaurants that I can recall.”
“One idea I would like the Economic Development Agency to consider is grants to Old Town merchants and restaurants once construction starts – in the model of COVID grants — where they would be provided grants for advertising, special promotions, etc., to continue to thrive while Center Street is under development (multifamily, parking garage, and hotel).”
Colin Turner
“Historic Downtown is one of Manassas’ greatest strengths, and preserving what makes it distinctive should be treated as an economic-development priority, not as something that competes with growth.”
“Manassas has something many communities spend millions trying to create: an authentic sense of place.”
“Preservation is not about freezing Downtown in time. It is about making sure it still unmistakably feels like Manassas.”
Helen Zurita
“Historic Downtown is one of Manassas’s greatest strengths.”
“The City should support it with better parking, lighting, cleanliness, restrooms, and pedestrian safety. New buildings should fit the area’s historic character.”
“Deals involving public land should be open and clear to taxpayers. Large events should continue only when there is a strong and workable safety plan.”
What Comes Next
Early voting begins Friday, Sept. 18.
The Manassas Journal is publishing its candidate questionnaire coverage today for the City of Manassas City Council, City of Manassas School Board, Manassas Park City Council and Virginia House of Delegates District 20.
These responses are intended to help readers get to know the candidates in their own words. Voters can also review candidates’ public statements, attend forums and meetings, and learn more about the offices they are seeking.
The Journal’s role is to provide clear, factual information and let readers make their own decisions at the ballot box.
