Ken Elston Kicks Off Campaign for Manassas City Council
Manassas, Virginia (PRWEB) August 27, 2014 -- On Wednesday, those interested in knowing more about Ken Elston, candidate for Manassas City Council, his positions, and his vision for the city gathered at Okra’s Louisiana Bistro at the corner of Center and Battle in Old Town Manassas. While there was plenty of good Cajun food, the main course was substantive discussion about real issues facing Manassas City. Elston expressed the value in diversity of ideas and community. The son of a teacher and a civil rights activist, Elston shared his background studying political science and economics, as well as his professional background as both a longtime union member and administrator, responsible for multimillion-dollar budgets and managing personnel.
Ken Elston, Director of George Mason University’s School of Theater, shared his views, stressing fiscal responsibility and a passion to serve the entire population of the growing city. Elston pointed to supporting public schools, public safety and economic growth as key platform positions, and he stressed his commitment to transparency in decision making and community building. With Osbourn High School students manning the volunteer sign-up table, Elston asked the assembled crowd, “If we aren’t doing it for our kids and the next generation, then why are we doing it?” He suggested that the current political division does not reflect the paradigms of the next generation of leaders, nor does divisive posturing set a positive example for this more egalitarian age. He promised a commitment to changing that dynamic on Manassas City Council, and he introduced another candidate in attendance, Patricia Ritchie-Folks, as sharing the same priority.
If elected, Elston would be the only sitting council member with children in the Manassas City School system. He is a product of public schools himself and equates the health of the schools to the health of the city. Elston said that excellent schools make the city competitive, as well as a great place to live. This sentiment was echoed in the campaign’s introductory video, which will be available on the campaign website (http://www.kenelston.org), a video that featured Elston’s children urging him to be himself - a man who cares about his community and will listen to diverse points of view.
Early in the evening, Senior US Senator Mark Warner and longtime State Senator Chuck Colgan stopped in at the Okra’s event. They shook hands and posed for pictures with the candidate.
As we take the turn towards the end of summer and Election Day comes into view, campaign events are drawing interest. Manassas City is considered a bellwether for both federal and local elections. With fewer than ninety days until voters line up to express their opinions and their power of the vote on November 4, candidates are working to raise support and learn how voters feel about the issues.
Elston invites Manassas voters to contact him to share their views and concerns and to ask questions. They can also get to know him better and stay up to date on his campaign by visiting the campaign Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ken-Elston-for-Manassas-City-Council/731049876954707?ref=hl and by following the campaign on twitter: https://twitter.com/Elston4Manassas.
Ken Elston, Ken Elston for Council, http://www.kenelston.org, +1 (571) 277-3826, [email protected]
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