Paul McCray moved to Purcellville with his family in 2003 while managing the W&OD Trail. He retired as the Operations Director for NOVA Parks in 2011 and now works part time as a Historian for that agency. He serves on the Purcellville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. In his spare time McCray writes about local history for Loudoun publications and gives presentations about the history of Purcellville and the W&OD Railroad.

Blue Ridge Leader: What are your three top priorities for the Town of Purcellville? 

Paul McCray: Hiring a town manager who has relevant experience, high ethical and moral standards and commitment to the town is the highest priority for Purcellville. The lack of a qualified, long-term town manager has been part of why decisions are not being made in the best interests of Purcellville. 

One of my priorities is to spend taxpayer dollars more carefully. There’s been too much waste and for the fiscal year which just ended, the mayor and his majority ran a deficit of $2.7million. Purcellville needs a stable revenue stream rather than the chaos in recent years from arbitrary budget cuts and fee reductions. 

Another urgent need is a traffic study for the town, especially to gauge the effects of the 690interchange. While it’s likely to relieve the congestion on Main Street, it could also create gridlock on the west side of town.

BRL: Under what circumstances would you support annexing land into the Town of Purcellville? 

PM: I would only support annexing land if it was a positive move for the Town and I would set a high bar for annexation. There must be a net gain from revenue sources such as real estate taxes, meals taxes, sewer/water connections and utility fees. Traffic in town should not be affected. Additional maintenance and police expenses should be more than covered by the revenue increase. Current town residents should benefit from an annexation and not be harmed.

BRL: How important is the Town’s Zoning Ordinance, and are there changes you would like to see? 

PM: I believe the downzoning of the downtown business district has made the chances of reasonable revitalization difficult and kept new businesses establishing storefronts in that area. The reduction of living spaces in commercial buildings takes away a revenue stream small businesses often rely upon, not just now but in Purcellville’s past.

I’d like to review the inclusion of certain neighborhoods in the historic district to verify that the status is correct.

I believe the exclusion of new duplexes in town prevents affordable housing opportunities and given housing prices, this reduces the chance of someone living in Purcellville. Parking problems are often mentioned as an issue but with strict site standards this could be avoided.

BRL: Do you believe the Town has made sufficient investments in utility infrastructure over the past several years? What improvements would you prioritize moving forward?

PM: Purcellville has been unable to make necessary improvements in its utility infrastructure because most of the council majorities over the last ten years have not increased wastewater and water fees to keep up with inflation and the cost of repairing the system. Until the fees increased this year, it cost the town almost $10 more to deliver 1,000 gallons of water than residents paid for the service. The wastewater system has had a similar deficit.

The fee increases for the next few years which were approved by the majority of the council will move the system towards sustainability and should be allowed to take place.

BRL: Residents and businesses collectively pay more than $18 million annually in real estate taxes to Loudoun County. Do you believe the town is receiving an adequate return on that investment?

PM: I believe Purcellville residents and business owners receive their fair share of county benefits from the taxes they pay. We get numerous services from Loudoun and have been the recipient of many grants. The Sheriff’s Office backs up our police department when necessary. Fire and Rescue provides emergency services. The Building and Development Department handles project review for new construction and renovation within town. Parks, Recreation and Community Services runs the community center, maintains Fireman’s Field and is building a regional recreation center just outside of town. Human Services manages public health, family services and aging programs for our residents in need. The Carver Senior Center is provided by Loudoun County.

Approximately 30% of the taxes Purcellville residents pay to the county go to the public school system and the public schools in town pay the highest rate for all the water they use.

Many of the road improvements in Purcellville are made possible with grants from the county, including the new 690/Purcellville Road interchange, the improvements to the Berlin Turnpike interchange and the roundabout at Eastgate Drive.

I also believe that we can ask more of the county, especially for help with our water/wastewater system. And I believe that the Loudoun Board of Supervisors and county staff want to help the town.

BRL: How would you assess Purcellville’s long-term financial outlook? 

PM: Purcellville has a lack of revenue problem. Taxes and fees have not kept up with costs of running the town and this was compounded a year ago when the council majority cut both knowing that vital services and projects would be sacrificed. Important staff positions were  cut, important water and waste water upgrades were deferred and our emergency reserves were reduced.

Other cuts over the last year have harmed the town. Cutting the IT staff when computer systems in towns across the country are being attacked puts us at risk. Removing vital utility upgrades creates potential hazards for our water and environment.

Stabilizing the fees in the water and wastewater departments will allow the money taken from the general fund to stay there and build back our town’s capabilities.

BRL: How would you encourage economic development?

PM: I will communicate with business and property owners to learn about their goals and needs.

The town should develop relationships with brokers who help small businesses find storefronts.

I support bringing back the position in Zoning and Planning which helps prospective and current businesses navigate the requirements of opening a business in Purcellville.

I will move to have Purcellville rejoin the Main Street Virginia program. The organizers of Purcellville Main Street have shown that people want to attend events in our historic downtown, bringing sales to the small businesses there. Town participation in this program allows Purcellville Main Street to access grant opportunities which would help revitalize the downtown and the businesses…something which is sorely needed. The only cost to the town is a few staff hours.