Prince William Times 12/14/2023

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December 14, 2023 | Vol. 22, No. 50 | www.princewilliamtimes.com | $1.00 Covering Prince William County and surrounding communities, including Gainesville, Haymarket, Dumfries, Occoquan, Quantico and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.

Supervisors OK Digital Gateway Plan opens 1,700 rural acres near battlefield to data centers By Jill Palermo and Peter Cary A controversial plan to open more than 1,700 acres next to the Manassas National Battlefield Park for a massive new data center corridor was approved Wednesday after a contentious, all-night meeting that saw more than 200 residents speak both for and against what supporters call a “transformational” project for Prince William County. The three rezonings tied to the Prince William Digital Gateway survived intense fire from opponents and skeptical supervisors on myriad issues. Both the county’s professional planning staff and the planning commission recommended that supervisors deny the project due to a lack of information on several aspects of the plan. But the board ultimately voted 4-3-1 to approve all three applications, with the four Democratic supervisors — Board Chair Ann Wheeler (At Large), Victor Angry (Neabsco), Andrea Bailey (Potomac) and Margaret Franklin (Woodbridge) — voting in favor and its three Republicans —Supervisors

REMINDER: The Prince William Times will not publish a print issue on Dec. 28. We will resume normal operations on Jan. 4. Please visit princewilliamtimes.com for breaking news and daily updates. All print subscribers have digital access as part of their subscription package.

12 candidates vie for 7th District congressional seat By Cher Muzyk

Times Staff Writer

PHOTO BY DOUG STROUD

Prince William County Board Chair Ann Wheeler, D-At Large, right, and Supervisor Margaret Franklin, D-Woodbridge, left, were among four Democratic board members who voted in favor of the controversial data center rezonings. Jeanine Lawson (Brentsville), Bob Weir (Gainesville) and Yesli Vega (Coles) opposed. Supervisor Kenny Boddye, D-Occoquan, considered the swing vote on the rezonings, abstained. The vote was met with a subdued reaction from about three dozen supporters and opponents who remained in the See VOTE, page 4

A Prince William County supervisor, a state delegate and a retired U.S. Army colonel who played a role in former President Donald Trump’s first impeachment are among 12 candidates vying to replace Rep. Abigail Spanberger in the U.S. House of Representatives. Spanberger, 44, announced Nov. 13 that she would not run for reelection in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District and would instead pursue the Virginia governor’s mansion. The 7th District spans Northern and Central Virginia and includes the eastern half of Prince William County, which accounts for nearly a third of the district’s voters, as well as Stafford, Spotsylvania, Culpeper, Orange, Caroline, King George, Greene and Madison counties, a tiny portion of Albemarle County, and Fredericksburg City. Of Virginia’s 11 congressional districts, only the 7th and the 10th are considered “competitive” by the Virginia Public Access Project. Prince William County is split between the 7th and the 10th, which is also open because Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D) is not seeking re-election. Together, the two districts have already drawn 25 candidates. In the 7th District, a dozen candidates are running — one independent, who will not be part of the primary election, and five Democrats and six Republicans who are vying for their parties’ nominations.

The Democratic candidates include:

PHOTO BY DOUG STROUD

FREEDOM EAGLES ARE STATE CHAMPS – AGAIN

The Freedom H.S. Eagles won their second straight state championship Dec. 9, defeating the Highland Springs Springers 42-34 in Charlottesville. FULL STORY, page 11.

Christmas means pasteles at the Puerto Rico Cafe, page 8

Prince William County Supervisor Margaret Franklin, 37, who was recently elected to a second term in the Woodbridge District. On the county board, Franklin worked to revitalize the U.S. 1 corridor by supporting a future new town center and a new elementary school that is now under construction. “From protecting our families from gun violence to standing up for women’s reproductive rights, we deserve leaders who know how to deliver on our Democratic values now more than ever,” Franklin wrote in a press release. See 7TH DISTRICT, page 2

Hope Heals to hold free toy giveaway Dec. 16, page 9

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