Meet the County: Supervisor Frank Principi, Woodbridge District

In this series of posts, we'll introduce you to local decision makers and policy-changers.  The goal isn't to be political, and doesn't indicate an endorsement, but is rather to help you learn the faces and positions in Prince William County who you can go to for help, or with your concerns.  You'll notice the question is always the same, "Tell me what you love about Prince William County", and at the end of the post, you'll find a job description of the person listed.  I will not post from people during campaign season (unless it's someone who's mid-term and not currently running for re-election).  Hope this helps you know our county better!!
 
What do you love about Prince William County?
Prince William has it all.  We enjoy the four seasons, rivers, premiere schools, good paying jobs, shopping, outdoor recreation, quick access to the nation’s capital, and a lot of American history!  Did you know that we have nearly 1,000 acres of national wildlife refuge, two rivers, and golf in Woodbridge?  Did I mention shopping?  Potomac Mills Mall and Potomac Town Center have several hundred retailers and restaurants to enjoy.  

What parts of the county are included in your District?
The Woodbridge Magisterial District is the Northern Gateway to Prince William County.  The Occoquan and Potomac Rivers constitute its northern and eastern borders with I-95/Route 1 and River Ridge Boulevard as the western and southern borders.  Significant local landmarks include the Occoquan and Featherstone Wildlife Refuges, Historic Rippon Lodge, Potomac Library, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, Leesylvania State Park, Osprey Golf Course, five marinas, and the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. 
Plans are also underway in the District to build a 6,000 seat minor league baseball stadium to house the Carolina League World Champion Potomac Nationals Baseball Team.  We expect the first pitch to be thrown out in the Spring 2015.  

What is it that you do/how can you help citizens?
Members of the Board of County Supervisors are responsible for policy and budget decisions of local government, including decisions about our critical unmet public safety and fire, schools, transportation infrastructure, human services, and economic development needs.  I believe our most important responsibilities are helping the private sector create new jobs, eliminate our traffic congestion, ensure proper classroom sizes and teacher pay, promoting mixed use (town center) development, and working with the community to improve everyone’s quality of life.  
Since taking office, I have worked with the community to build and implement a vision of a New Woodbridge.  The vision includes building three mixed use developments along the Route 1 corridor, widening our roads and offering more transit options (including high-speed passenger ferry service), and helping to preserve our maturing neighborhoods.  Today, we have nearly $1 billion in public and private investment (not including the new homes being built) coming out of the ground so our vision is in full swing!
As the elected Supervisor, my responsibility is to ensure good government, keeping residents informed and a part of the decision-making process, and aggressively implementing of the vision of a New Woodbridge. Constituents often contact my office with concerns about street lighting, zoning violations next door, referrals to human service providers, and opening new businesses.  We are always glad to serve as liaisons to our federal, state, and local government agencies.

How can people get in touch with you?
People are always welcome to call or drop by my office any day of the week during office hours.  Constituents can also email me.  We also enjoy being invited to events and meetings in the community.
For real-time information on all things vision, visit us at www.NewWoodbridge.org and Like Me on Facebook
Supervisor Frank J. Principi
15941 Donald Curtis Drive, Suite #140
Woodbridge, Virginia 22191
 WoodbridgeDistrict@pwcgov.org