By E. Bruce Davis
July 22, 2022
In the morning of July 12, Elena Schlossberg, Executive Director, Coalition to Protect Prince William County, issued a press release entitled “Prince William County Wide, Launch. Effort to Recall Chair Ann Wheeler,” announcing a 6:30 p.m. press conference at One County Complex, Woodbridge regarding an effort to recall Wheeler.
It said, “The Damage is done. Wheeler’s past ownership while she was taking action on the Prince William Digital Gateway and expanding the overlay can’t be undone…she still holds significant relevant data center investments. Blackstone Stock was just the tip of the iceberg for Wheeler. What about Amazon? Microsoft? Plug Power? Others…”
It cited, “2.203103.4 Prohibited Conduct No officer or employee of a state or local governmental or advisory agency shall: Use for his own economic benefit or that of another party confidential information that he has acquired by reason of his public position and which is not available to the public.”
The press release concluded, “Today we will ask for the resignation of Ann Betteridge Wheeler, and if she does not resign we will recall her. She has lost the trust of the people. In a time when there is so much division, this recall effort is uniting citizens across party lines.”
Marilyn Karp, a Gainesville District resident and champion of many local social issues, was first to speak at the press conference that was held prior to the July 12 evening session of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors.
She said the recall was not a partisan endeavor, but it was an effort to, “Follow the Money.”
She urged there was an obligation to sign the petition.
Others speaking during the press conference included Karen Sheehan, Board Director, Coalition to Protect Prince William County, who said there had been personal profiteering and some signatures had already been obtained on the Wheeler recall petition.
During the BOCS meeting’s public comment time, a dozen individuals, including Karp, spoke against Wheeler and referred to “Facts,” “Neglect of Duty and Misuse of Office” and “Material Adver Effect,” outlined in the petition.
Five others spoke against the PW Digital Gateway, without mentioning Wheeler. Some 22 spoke in favor of the Digital Gateway.
The Wheeler recall petition requires the signature of at least 11,209 Prince William County voters – 10 percent of the vote cast in Wheeler’s 2019 election.