Board sets in motion conflict of interest investigation
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By Cheryl Chumley
Published: October 7, 2008
Prince William supervisors Tuesday gave the go-ahead for the county attorney to solicit the state Attorney General’s involvement in some citizen-generated claims of conflict-of-interest surrounding certain committee appointments.
Vice chair John Stirrup, R-Gainesville, brought forth a request for attorney investigation during yesterday’s supervisors time. Several constituents, he said, had asked if some members who were appointed months ago to a land-use committee – now disbanded, said At-Large Planning Commission member Gary Friedman, in a brief followup interview – stood to benefit financially from changes in the Comprehensive Plan they had proposed. The recommended changes opened the doors to certain developments; the committee members in question were real estate developers, Friedman confirmed.
County attorney Ross Horton said Conflict of Interest Act investigations belonged in the hands of the state attorney general, but that he would draft a letter requesting such investigation if the board agreed.
Supervisors approved the action.
The issue will more than likely come up Wednesday at the 7 p.m. Planning Commission public hearing at the McCoart Administration Building.
The meeting is geared toward receiving comment from residents about the proposed changes to chapters of the Comprehensive Plan – the very same recommendations that came from committee members now accused of conflict of interests. Ethics aside, the land-use changes are controversial for other reasons. The Centers of Commerce and Centers of Community Smart Growth proposals, for example, have been perceived by some as threatening to the county’s stock of open space and conserved properties.
Staff writer Cheryl Chumley can be reached at 703-670-1907.
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Posted by ( kgotthardt ) on October 09, 2008 at 8:15 am
Sup. Stirrup, WOW. Glad he’s not in hiding.
Perhaps he will now give us an answer on the Duecaster question, eh?
The whole system of appointments needs to be cleaned up. Other counties don’t do it in this slipshod manner. Appointees should be put where they can be most useful and the most objective. Duecaster on Human Services? No.
Let’s say Covington appointed ME to a committee on immigration. Would you not be PO’d? Of course you would be! I can’t be objective on that topic.
But then, I wouldn’t accept the nomination anyway because I ADMIT I couldn’t be objective.
Duecaster, step up to the plate and be honest with yourself and us. Why not serve on another committee if your motive truly IS to serve this county? You can’t be objective per your own words and history.
(DRT, don’t bother responding because I intend to ignore you and your “issues” with me, a person you’ve never met. You don’t like me because I’m vocal about MY government.)
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Posted by ( jc ) on October 08, 2008 at 6:25 pm
it would be a cold day in h--l before Nohe would put Kopko on a committee—Kopko was Corey’s appointee.
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Posted by ( AntiBVBL.net ) on October 08, 2008 at 5:42 pm
do the right thing,
I’m going to give Supervisor Stirrup kudos on this issue. This whole ‘Center of Communities’ plan is an outright disgrace.
But it does remind me of another issue that we have been vocal about lately and that is the vetting of appointees. Obviously, with this current system we have seen some rather questionable appointments made without proper oversight.
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Posted by ( ejben ) on October 08, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Our prior Supe in Woodbridge,always did put developers on the Comp. Plan and also Attorneys.
What is interesting Barg put Granville -Smith on for Woodbridge. He does not live anywhere near Woodbridge.
Principi had his chance to reappoint some one else but he didn’t. This tells us he’s in Bargs pocket and she pulls the strings.
All of these appointments need to be looked at,lets have a major overhaul.It is long over due.
Great Going Supervisor Stirrup. Keep up the good work.
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Posted by ( do the right thing ) on October 08, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Martin E Nohe
Committees associated with this candidate:
* Nohe for Prince William County Board of Supervisors - Martin
* Home
* Money In
* Money Out
* Elections
* List Donors
* Donors by Industry
* Donors by Locality
* Donors by ZIP Code
Contributions Reported by Nohe Committees
From through (select all years )
All Receipts Cash In-Kind Loans
Amount Name Location
$5,000 Clemente Development Co Inc Vienna
$5,000 Jon M Peterson Fairfax Station
$3,150 C Daniel Clemente McLean
$3,000 Gary D Rappaport Vienna
$1,000 Theodore D Britt Great Falls
$1,000 William D Fairchild, III Gainesville
$1,000 W Brad Gable Burke
$1,000 Gregory Construction Co Inc Manassas
$1,000 Skip Groupe Woodbridge
$1,000 Bobby J Surface Catharpin
$1,000 Alexander I Vanegas
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Posted by ( Skeptical ) on October 08, 2008 at 12:19 pm
You need to correct your correction, Nohe’s appointee was Tom Kopko.
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Posted by ( jc ) on October 08, 2008 at 11:58 am
NOTE: Supervisor Nohe’s appointee to this Task Force is NOT a developer. Tom Burrell is a private citizen who has served this county well on many committees and task forces throughout the years. Supervisors Covington and Principi have appointed gentlemen who are in the development community, but Supervisor Nohe has not. Just wanted to correct the above comment.
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Posted by ( hill ) on October 08, 2008 at 6:56 am
Can anyone provide any information as to what changes are being proposed?
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Posted by ( do the right thing ) on October 08, 2008 at 6:13 am
Thank you Supervisor Stirrup for bringing this conflict of interest issue to the forefront.Once again, you have leadership.
Citizens need to be paying attention to the actions of Supervisor Nohe and Supervisor Covington. Citizens connected to developers have been appointed to various committees by these Supervisors. Also, pay attention to the deals being cut between former supervisor Hilda Barg,members of her family(Dents), Supervisor Frank Principi, and developers.
Refer to Virginia Public Access project to view the large campaign contributions made to these Supervisors by developers. Pay close attention to Supervisor Nohe’s campaign contribution site where his campaign received over $23,000 on January 23, 2008 from various developers.
Citizens are being hoodwinked by these supervisors who have engaged with the illegal immigrant supporters to deflect attention and ingratiate themselves to the anti-resolution crowd in the hope of garnering support when the ???hits the fan on this issue.
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