The Coalition will be publishing a formal response to the resignation of Supervisor Pete Candland.
See Supervisor Candland’s Dec. 10 message below.
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL GAINESVILLE DISTRICT RESIDENTS
Dear Friends:
I have two important items that I’d like to share with you today.
First, I’m extremely proud and happy to announce that I’ve been able to secure the funding for a pedestrian bridge across Route 15 at the intersection of Graduation Drive. This much needed safety improvement will help save lives and give students and parents much more comfort in sending their children to school each day.
Almost twelve months ago, I vowed to get this done and it has only been through the help of members of the community, the Dominion Valley HOA, County staff, and my colleagues that this has come to fruition. Many claimed that establishing this project and finding the funding would be impossible, but I have seen the impossible done too many times since I’ve been on the Board to give up.
I cannot be happier for this development and want to thank everyone for their help in getting this done. The Board of County Supervisors will vote to approve this project on Tuesday. I have spoken to each one of my colleagues and they have agreed to support this project.
Second, I want to address another issue that has arisen over the last 18 hours.
Over the last eleven years, I have endeavored to serve each one of you to the best of my ability and to be transparent in my actions. That is why, last year when Robyn and I decided to join our neighborhood for the PW Digital Gateway project, I reached out to explain my position. I knew the news would be controversial, but I felt strongly you needed to hear it directly from me.
I felt that the conflicts of interest I would face would only be with PW Digital Gateway. However, as time went on, the situations became more complicated. That is why earlier this year, in consultation with the County Attorney, I requested an opinion from Amy Ashworth, the Commonwealth’s Attorney, to provide guidance on how I should act in various situations.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s opinion mapped out for me where potential conflicts of interest could arise depending on the circumstances of any given land use case. Again, the conflicts seemed limited to a handful of issues and votes. Since then, I have strictly followed her opinion.
Once the PW Digital Gateway CPA vote was done, and with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan vote coming up, I made the decision, again in consultation with the County Attorney, to make another request for an opinion from the Commonwealth’s Attorney. I took this additional step in requesting her opinion to ensure the integrity of my future votes.
Nearly a month after making the initial request for a second opinion, I received her opinion late yesterday. And the limitations on my ability to perform as Supervisor have become severely more restrictive.
According to the opinion of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, I cannot participate in any Comprehensive Plan vote. In addition, it also states that I cannot participate in any vote on any data centers in Prince William County until the PW Digital Gateway rezoning is settled.
Although I do not agree with the entire opinion of Ms. Ashworth and believe I would be able to participate in these votes without prejudice, I must abide by her opinion as she is the duly elected chief law enforcement officer for Prince William County. I have a great deal of respect for Ms. Ashworth and appreciate the time and careful consideration she and her staff took in responding to my inquiries.
With her new opinion, my ability to serve on the Board of County Supervisors has been greatly diminished. While I could continue as Supervisor in a more limited role and still get many positive things accomplished, I do not feel this would be in the best interests of the citizens of the Gainesville District. I didn’t run for office to gain power or notoriety. I ran to make a difference and to improve the lives of my fellow citizens. I believe I have accomplished what I set out to do. But in the end, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s new opinion is so restrictive that it does not allow me to represent each one of you in the way that I feel would be effective.
Therefore, effective Friday, December 16th, I will be resigning as the Gainesville District Supervisor. I will spend my last week working with my staff, County staff, and my colleagues to transition the necessary items to allow the next Gainesville Supervisor to smoothly transition into the role.
I plan to send out another email before I leave office, but I want to take a quick moment to thank County staff and my colleagues on the Board of County Supervisors. Regardless of party, my colleagues have offered words of encouragement and I have witnessed firsthand that they are all good, honorable people who want what’s best for our community.
Finally, I want to give a special thank you to those folks who have stood by Robyn and me during the last year. It would have been easy to believe the lies, the false allegations, and the slanderous claims, but many of you sent us words of support that will stay with us forever. It reminded us every day that the majority of our community is filled with wonderful people who have tremendous hearts. Your love and generosity will not be forgotten.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you on the Board of County Supervisors.
Sincerely,
Pete Candland, Supervisor
Gainesville Magisterial District