Op-Ed: Just the facts

By Former Purcellville Mayor Kwasi Fraser

As Ronald Reagan insightfully remarked, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the Government, and I’m here to help.” True economic growth thrives when government embraces an environment that is fair, honest, and predictable for all.

Hosting a meeting at 8 a.m. on a workday to outline a vision crafted by two politicians, one of whom was the recipient of large campaign donations from a 21st Street developer, does not empower our local businesses. Instead, you should allow businesses to shape the vision and take action based on our community’s comprehensive plan. Despite challenges, over the past eight years, small businesses have invested over $6 million in downtown Purcellville, demonstrating resilience in the face of setbacks like the stagnated misaligned development scheme on 21st Street.

Contrary to misinformation, my record speaks for itself. Along with Town Council, we reduced the debt we inherited by ten million dollars, secured $10.5 million in ARPA funds through my advocacy with other elected leaders from the National League of Cities, and witnessed a doubling of meals tax revenue, over $1 million in nutrient credit bank revenue, welcomed hundreds of new businesses, implemented millions in road infrastructure improvements, and experienced a significant increase in property values throughout my tenure as mayor.

While water fee revenue exceeds the water utility fund debt by over four times, and sewer fee revenue exceeds the sewer fund debt by two times, a majority of Town Council raised water and sewer rates because they refuse to acknowledge their appetite for uncontrolled spending. 

As the Town’s record shows, in 2019 we adopted the modest annual increases in water and sewer rates as recommended by Davenport; and we were told by Davenport that these modest increases would ensure predictability throughout the remaining life of our inherited utility debt. 

However, a year later we were told by management that we needed to significantly raise rates above the modest increases agreed to just a year prior; even after we received $10.5 million in ARPA revenue we did not budget for. This reveals the town’s issues with financial forecasting and uncontrolled spending on operational costs.

It’s concerning to observe that this is the only jurisdiction in Loudoun County contemplating a $2.5 million charge to ratepayers for PFAS remediation, despite the prevailing uncertainties surrounding this issue. 

While other Towns collaborate with state and federal agencies to have the polluters and federal government pay for future unknown PFAS concerns, your approach raises questions about the true purpose of this budget item. Is it genuinely for unknown PFAS impacts, or does it aim to support proposed annexations that will require increased water infrastructure?  

Leesburg has released extensive PFAS findings, yet refrains from allocating CIP funds given the associated uncertainties. Conversely, Purcellville has not disclosed comprehensive PFAS data but commits $2.5 million of ratepayer funds for speculative PFAS concerns, despite not being listed among communities mandating treatment for confirmed PFAS contamination. It’s evident: what you cannot measure you cannot improve regardless of how much of the rate payer’s money you throw at it.

Further, it’s encouraging to witness the owners of the vacant buildings on 21st Street actively revitalizing the area, liberating the business community and visitors from the constraints of the stagnant and misaligned development scheme which has been going on for nearly 14 years. This mayor and the Town Council majority, however, are eager to work out a deal quickly with this developer whose permits will expire in June 2025.

In November I look forward to casting my vote for candidates who steadfastly prioritize truthfulness, transparency, fiscal responsibility, and community collaboration to pave the way for a prosperous future for Purcellville.