As we close in on reaching the total number of signatures required to file our citizen recall of Pete Candland with the Circuit Court, we wanted to take this opportunity to explain WHY citizens felt compelled to take this action.
(Citizens are not being silent. As of last Sunday, the count for the Candland recall is 1,794 – only 206 away from completion! The Ann Wheeler recall count as of last Sunday is 4,134; and completed sheets keep coming in! We are more than 1/3 of the way needed for her recall. Check out the Coalition’s Facebook page for all the locations where we are collecting signatures!)
Instead of acknowledging his betrayal of every principal he ran on, Pete Candland has dismissed his Gainesville district community. He has simply reinforced the track record of politicians finding their price.
“Candland said, “At this point, this is nothing more than a small group of individuals, I think about 14, at the BOCS meeting, that has put together a list of inaccurate concerns they have with my performance as supervisor.”
Pete can try to convince himself of whatever he likes. The citizens of his district know the truth and the facts.
Pete Candland ran on protecting the Rural Crescent, on stopping the Bi-County Parkway/Outer Beltway, on addressing our overcrowded schools, and on keeping taxes low.
The recall of Pete Candland is NOT about whether Pete “was” a good supervisor before he joined in the application to sell his property to the data centers. His recall is about how his personal choices will negatively impact his tens of thousands of constituents – RIGHT NOW. Pete decided he didn’t want to live next to mammoth data centers – most other county residents don’t have the luxury to make the choice he has.
Pete has been derelict in his duty. He has not educated the public on the thousands of new homes proposed in the Rural Crescent – and their associated new infrastructure costs. He has not acknowledged that converting 2,200 acres along Pageland Lane to industrial blight is merely one leg of Prince William County residents’ quality of life stool that is being kicked out from under us.
Pete Candland took the time to “visit” with residents along Sanders Lane to explore extending the data center blight, even though meeting with them was a clear conflict of interest. BUT holding a town hall for ALL his district residents to explain the multitude of threats in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan has NEVER happened. He has ghosted his own community – including those of us who put him in office!
As an elected representative, his primary duty is to advocate for the interests of his constituents. And yet he is AWOL. His absence leaves a gaping hole that does more than remove our voice. The end result is that every land use decision that hurts the Gainesville District is MORE likely to happen – exactly BECAUSE of his personal choices, AND his abdication of his responsibilities.
There are many people participating in this recall who had close ties to Pete, who considered Pete not only their elected leader, but their friend.
The diversity of people engaged in this recall across the Gainesville district is an example of unity, not division.
As we prepare for what comes next, we want to make assurances that no one took this recall action lightly. The cataclysmic changes we face require action NOW. Action from the people who will continue to live here in the Gainesville district – as we watch those who would take their profits and move away.
If we don’t take action now, all we will be left with is wondering where all the beauty went – the beauty of our district, and what it gives to our county.
Sign the Candland Recall Petition.
We thank all the volunteers who have taken time from their families in this summer’s blistering heat to engage by gathering signatures for this most important civic duty to protect representative government for all citizens.