Conference Highlights Neighborhood Involvement

 Well over 100 people attended the annual Neighborhood Conference on Saturday, Feb. 26 at the McCoart Building in the County Complex.

Attendees gathered in the atrium for get-acquainted refreshments, then assembled in the Board Chambers for introductions to some of the county staff who helped make the day possible. Pat Reilly, Neighborhood Services Division Chief, welcomed everyone, explained the curriculum, and fielded a few questions. A wide range of topics was addressed, including tall grass, county position on hybrid vehicles, and graffiti. Reilly showed photos of an exciting concept for wrapping the three hybrid vehicles with sort of a public service message about tall grass.

Connie Moser spoke about the to “uber-volunteer.” The new Neighborhood Services Coordinator, Jaimi Washburn, has an extensive background in public service, including stints with Habitat for Humanity and the Peace Corps. Washburn is eager to begin working with the Neighborhood Leaders Group and all citizens who want to get involved in improving their communities.

Conference attendees then split into two groups to attend their choice of classes. HOA members were more interested in the topics “Difficult Board Meetings” and “Collections, Foreclosures and Rentals.”

Non-HOA attendees were more likely to choose “The Impacts of Hoarding” and “Affecting Legislative Change.”

“The Impacts of Hoarding” was a fascinating overview of when and how Prince William County becomes involved in a hoarding situation. The class was led by Senior Property Code Inspector, Barbara McMillen, assisted by Inspectors Paula Johnson and Stan Pawlowski. The slide show included many photos of hoarding situations and McMillen explained how each case is handled with the utmost care and regard for the resident’s safety.

“Affecting Legislative Change” was hosted by Michelle Casciato, Director, PWC Office of Budget & Analysis. Casciato is the former Neighborhood Services Division Chief, working on her doctorate in political Science.

Casciato explained Virginia’s position as a “Dillon Rule state.” Briefly, local governments in Virginia have only:

1. Those powers that are specifically conferred on them by the Virginia General Assembly;
2. Those powers that are necessarily or fairly implied from a specific grant of authority;
3. Those powers that are essential to the purposes of government—not simply convenient but indispensable.

Casciato went on to clarify it is difficult to get a new ordinance passed, but it is possible to “tweak” existing laws to do a better job of defining what it is we want to accomplish.

The day concluded with attendees completing a survey to help make next year’s conference even better!