Local GOP candidates vow to ‘tighten’ voting laws

GOP, from page 1

Stirrup said early voting is a burden on the parties, the candidates and the taxpayers who pay for election officers to staff early voting locations.

Stirrup also said he does not support same-day voter registration and would like to revert back to allowing early absentee voting only with a reason, such as having to commute out of the county for work or being away for travel.

Republican Josh Quill, Stirrup’s opponent in June 20 primary was not present at the debate because of death in his family and informed the organizers in advance that he could not attend.

During an interview with the Prince William Times earlier this month, Quill said that the early voting period in Virginia needs to be shortened. “I think voting is too long. Forty-five days is a long time,” Quill said. “I’d say a week would be ideal, (but) if we could compromise on two weeks, I’d be willing to go there.”

In 2020, former governor Ralph Northam (D) and a Democratic-con- trolled General Assembly passed legislation to expand voting access and make voting much easier in the commonwealth. State lawmakers repealed the state’s voter ID law, enacted 45 days of no-excuse absentee voting, designated general Election Day in November a state holiday and put in place automatic voter registration for individuals who receive a Virginia driver’s license.

In the 2020 presidential election, more than 2.8 million people voted early across Virginia, which was nearly five times as many as voted early in the 2016 presidential election, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

Forty-six states and the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands offer early in-person voting to all voters. Just four states—Alabama, Connecticut, Mississippi and New Hampshire— do not offer early in-person voting to all voters, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Data compiled by the NCSL shows a wide range of early voting periods across the U.S., with early voting be- ginning up to 50 days before Election Day or as late as the Friday before Election Day. Virginia has one of the longest early-voting periods. The average early voting period is 27 days.

At the forum, Bill Woolf, who is vying for the Republican nomination in the race for the 30th District state Senate seat, expressed concerns that early voting could lead to fraud and said he does not support the use of ballot drop boxes.

“I have concerns with the amount of early voting that’s going on. … I’m concerned about fraud,” Woolf said.

While Woolf said he doesn’t think “our elections are invalid,” he said it is the role of the government to “put up appropriate guardrails” to “prevent fraud from happening in the first place.”

“We have made it so easy to vote. Why do we need to create a system that is inherently set up for fraud?” he added. “I think there are plenty of opportunities to cast that vote, whether it is a mail-in ballot or whether it is going in person.”

Woolf’s opponent in the State Senate District 30 primary contest,

Robert Ruffolo, told the audience of about 50 people that the first thing he would do if elected would be to propose an “election integrity” bill to reduce early voting from 45 days to five days, require photo ID to vote with compulsory signature verification and allow absentee voting only by exception.

Maria Martin, who is seeking the Republican nomination in the state Senate’s 29th District, said she is also concerned about election fraud.

“Our quality of voting is in jeopardy where we are right now,” she said, adding: “I really think we have to tighten up voting.”

Martin posited the idea of issuing licenses to voters who demonstrate a need to access early voting such as military families, mothers with young children and the elderly.

Martin’s primary opponent, Nikki Rattray Baldwin, was not present at the debate due to another commitment.

Primary Election Day is June 20. Early voting began on May 5 and runs through June 17.

Reach Cher Muzyk at cmuzyk@ fauquier.com

3 dead in quadruple shooting in Dale City

SHOOTING, from page 1

Officers arrived on scene just before 2:30 p.m. and found three victims inside the home and one lying outside, Carr said.

Two of the victims died Friday, including Salmon, 37, who was found outside the home, and Salgado-Rivas, 41, who was found inside the home and died later at an area hospital.

On Saturday, May 27, police were informed that the third man, Vallecillo Mendoza, 23, had also succumbed to his injuries, Carr said.

The fourth victim, a 21-year-old man, is expected to survive, Carr said.

Without disclosing a motive or the circumstances around the shooting, police continue to say only that the incident “does not appear to be random.”

“Detectives are continuing to actively investigate the incident to determine what led up to the shooting and are seeking to speak with anyone who has information regarding this incident,” Carr said.

Hours after the shooting early Friday evening, police were still trying to determine the identity of the victims, their relationship to each other and a motive, according to Prince William County Police Maj. Kevin Hughart.

“At this time, our investigators are on scene, talking to witnesses, talking to neighbors and everyone in the neighborhood, and we are very convinced that the violence that took place at this residence today is limited to this individual home,” Hughart said.

Hughart declined to say what kind of gun was used in the shootings.

Police issued a be-on-the-lookout alert for a Black male driving a black 2014 Ford SUV in connection with the shooting shortly after the shooting was reported Friday afternoon. Hughart, however, said Friday evening that police have not yet confirmed that information and were still working to determine the suspect’s description.

No updated suspect information had been announced as of press time.

The incident brings the number of homicides in Prince William County since Jan. 1 to 11, five of which occurred in May alone.

Reach Jill Palermo at jpalermo@ fauquier.com

Letters To The Editor

PW Digital Gateway would boost commercial tax revenues

In the debate over the Prince William Digital Gateway, some of the opposition seems to assume that nothing will ever be built in Prince William County again if the Digital Gateway is tripped up. But at least some development is necessary.

Prince William County is currently in an unhealthy, unbalanced range of about 85% residential properties and 15% commercial properties.

It has been said that a good ratio for development is approximately 70% residential properties and 30% commercial properties.

What that means for the average resident is that there are too few tax-generating commercial prop - erties in Prince William County to properly relieve the high local tax burden on us, the hard-working taxpayers of Prince William County.

A technology corridor, like the Prince William Digital Gateway, can lead to more of those much-needed tax generating commercial properties as well as more high-tech jobs and is a good investment for the future. We just need to take the next steps to make it an economic reality.

As the world of technology grows and grows, shouldn’t Prince William County grab a share of it?

DAVID SEYER Manassas

Kenn Knarr’s use of military photos in his campaign materials is wrong

I served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps for 22 years, retiring in 1997 as a lieutenant colonel and making Prince William County my home. I am offended by the blatant appeal of Kenneth Knarr through photos of himself in uniform in campaign advertisements. If that wasn’t bad enough, he’s using these tactics on many of his materials without the required disclaimer by the Department of Defense. This is both disgraceful and immoral campaigning.

Generally, the military discourages the use of military uniforms, including pictures of oneself in uniform, for political campaigning or partisan activities. Retired officers may wear their uniforms on formal, ceremonial or veterans-related occasions, but not for activities that may imply endorsement or involvement in partisan political affairs.

It’s important to distinguish between personal use and use for political campaigns. Personal use, such as displaying photographs in private settings or sharing memories, is generally acceptable, as long as it does not imply endorsement of any political candidate or party. Using official military photographs or images in a manner that suggests endorsement of a political candidate or party is generally prohibited.

Kenneth Knarr has used photographs of himself in uniform in digital ads, Facebook and campaign emails. Such misleading and improper tactics not only insult the intelligence of the electorate but also tarnish the reputation of the political system as a whole. As citizens, we deserve accurate and transparent portrayals of those seeking our votes, allowing us to make informed decisions based on the truth.

In addition to the issue of misleading visuals, it is also crucial to address the absence of a necessary disclaimer on the candidate’s campaign advertisements. Finance laws in the Commonwealth of Virginia require that all advertisements should clearly contain the disclaimer, “paid for” or “authorized by.” The omission of this required information raises serious concerns about Knarr’s campaign, whether he is blatantly disregarding laws and regulations or has made no attempt to understand and follow them.

Prince William voters deserve better than candidates that use offensive tactics, attempt to mislead voters and simply disregard or have no care to understand, the laws that apply to them. As we approach the Republican primary, it is incumbent upon us, the voters, to carefully scrutinize the candidates and their campaign practices. Let us support those who uphold transparency, honesty and a genuine dedication to the values we hold dear.

BILL CARD Dumfries, VA

WRITE: Letters to the Editor, 53 South Third Street, Warrenton, VA 20186

EMAIL: news@fauquier.com

Supervisors’ judgment on open meetings act, like data centers, is lacking

As I read about the result of a three-year litigation, the following headline hit me square in the face: “Virginia Supreme Court finds PWC supervisors violated FOIA law.”

I thought about how these same five supervisors have acted in their placement of data centers. By using non-disclosure agreements easily carved out with developers, the public couldn’t debate openly, and facts could be shrouded in secrecy. They have been able to circumvent what the public desires so they could join with developers over the needs of constituents. Their behavior was irresponsible and showed bad judgment.

Have you seen the 100-foot walls going up at Village Place in Gainesville along Route 55 at Catharpin? These poor residents thought they were going to have a shopping center next door, but now they see the truth! They will be living with the noise coming from rooftop chillers and diesel generators. They will be looking at 100-foot cement monoliths. Their property values will decrease, and their health will suffer.

Now, after losing this Virginia Supreme Court case, Chair Ann Wheeler has stated that the county will be paying for all the legal fees of the supervisors. Why is that? This was their own doing, and each board member should be paying their own fees instead of having taxpayers foot the bill.

This action alone proves why voting is important. Everyone needs to vote!!! Professionalism, integrity and truth are what we are seeking!

ELAINE ROMANIAS Gainesville

On Village Place data centers: Is this what the developers promised?

If you are a lightly engaged citizen who naively trusts government to be looking out for your best interests, treat yourself to some strong coffee being poured along Va. 55, just east of Haymarket.

There, a gothic horror story entitled “Village Place Technology Park” is playing out in full view to shock you out of your slumber. No words could do justice to what can best be defined as civic vandalism.

How on earth could responsible county officials approve four huge data center buildings directly adjacent to a quiet townhome community and across the street from two schools? The answers are: You didn’t know, and They didn’t care.

The project is owned by something called Black Chamber Group, operating as CTP-I LLC. The name and the stealth alone would fill anyone with a sense of foreboding. Black Chamber Group executed a non-disclosure agreement with the Prince William County Department of Economic Development on August 12, 2021.

When they started moving earth last November, the good citizens of Village Place were getting nervous. Not to worry. The county planning office promised “wide setbacks,” “landscape buffers” and “berms” to assuage their growing discomfort.

A quick review of the contrast between what was promised and what is taking shape makes you wonder what caused county planners, expected to protect us, to start preying on us. This disaster cannot possibly represent their best professional judgment. Is pressure being applied to compromise their standards?

Take a look for yourself and see if you don’t have the same questions.

BILL WRIGHT Gainesville

On a life-saving mission

We are a local nonprofit that supplies free automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to youth sporting programs around Prince William County. We were started by a current Prince William County high school student.

We are excited to announce that we have just donated AEDs to a local little league program, a local private football program and a youth soccer program. Even with those donations, we still have funding for one or even two more AEDs. We are looking for help in getting our message out to local youth programs. The AEDs are provided 100% free of charge to any local nonprofit youth sporting organizations located within Prince William County.

AND SCOTT GEORGE