Gainesville Supervisor Pete Candland-R of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors announced, today, that he would resign his position as of Dec. 16, 2022.
"While I could continue as Supervisor in a more limited role and still get many positive things accomplished, I do not feel this would be in the best interests of the citizens of the Gainesville District. I didn’t run for office to gain power or notoriety. I ran to make a difference and to improve the lives of my fellow citizens. I believe I have accomplished what I set out to do. But in the end, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s new opinion is so restrictive that it does not allow me to represent each one of you in the way that I feel would be effective," Candland wrote in an announcement.
Candland joined with his neighbors to sell their land along Pageland Lane in Catharpin to make way for two super-sized data center developments on 2,139 acres. In a 5-2 vote, on Nov. 2, county supervisors voted to amend their comprehensive plan to make way for the data centers. However, the land has not officially been rezoned, nor has the development been approved.
But Candland's limitation did not begin this autumn. As a result of that conflict of interest, Candland has not been able to vote on several important agenda items, over the past year, in addition to the Prince William Digital Gateway Comp Plan Amendment. And, that amendment was arguably the most important of all votes since it opens up the rural crescent to allow approximately 95 data center buildings: all in close proximity to the Manassas National Battlefield.
Despite the controversy, Candland resisted resigning. His anti-digital gateway constituents came to rely on Brentsville Supervisor Jeanine Lawson-R, who stated she was very opposed to the Prince William Digital Gateway Comp Plan amendment.
To gain representation for themselves, residents circulated petitions to have Candland removed from office. The loudest calls came from conservation groups, those supporting the rural crescent and those opposing data centers. Whether they were Republicans or Democrats, they joined together, hoping a new supervisor would advocate against the digital gateway.
Candland announced Saturday, that he finally decided to resign, saying he had just learned he would be barred from participating in more votes than he had previously anticipated.
According to the Supervisors, Commonwealth Attorney Amy Ashworth said he would not be able to participate in any Comprehensive Plan Update Path to 2040 votes, nor any data center votes, until the Prince William Gateway rezoning is settled.
The board is scheduled to vote on the comp plan, Tuesday night, after a public hearing. Even though those amendments do not include the digital gateway, they do involve other data center developments.
Since Candland is resigning as of Friday, it is unclear if Gainesville will be without representation, Tuesday, for the significant comp plan amendment votes. It is further unknown if the Tuesday vote will be delayed.
Candland said that other supervisors said they would support his proposal to build a walkover bridge at the intersection of Route 15 and Graduation Drive, Tuesday, allowing Battlefield High School students to safely cross the highway from Dominion Valley and vice versa.
Pete Candland is the longest-serving member on the board, having represented the Gainesville District for the past eleven years. He is one of three Republicans currently serving on the board, and one of three Republicans.
On Facebook, Candland limited comments on his announcement.
Alyson Satterwhite-R, who has already launched a campaign for Gainesville Supervisor, made a request the board delay its Comp Plan Pathway to the 2040 vote, until such time that a special election has been satisfied.
"As the Board of Supervisors considers a vote this week on an amendment to the comprehensive plan, I urge them to postpone the vote! Gainesville has not had representation on this issue for months - it’s important for this District to have a voice before more decisions are made regarding the PW Digital Gateway and surrounding development," said Satterwhite, who previously served as Gainesville School Board member. "I have fought to protect our community for over a decade. My commitment to our community is unwavering."
This is a developing story.
Candland's Letter
Dear Friends:
I have two important items that I’d like to share with you today.
First, I’m extremely proud and happy to announce that I’ve been able to secure the funding for a pedestrian bridge across Route 15 at the intersection of Graduation Drive. This much-needed safety improvement will help save lives and give students and parents much more comfort in sending their children to school each day.
Almost twelve months ago, I vowed to get this done and it has only been through the help of members of the community, the Dominion Valley HOA, County staff, and my colleagues that this has come to fruition. Many claimed that establishing this project and finding the funding would be impossible, but I have seen the impossible done too many times since I’ve been on the Board to give up.
I cannot be happier for this development and want to thank everyone for their help in getting this done. The Board of County Supervisors will vote to approve this project on Tuesday. I have spoken to each one of my colleagues and they have agreed to support this project.
Second, I want to address another issue that has arisen over the last 18 hours.
Over the last eleven years, I have endeavored to serve each one of you to the best of my ability and to be transparent in my actions. That is why, last year when Robyn and I decided to join our neighborhood for the PW Digital Gateway project, I reached out to explain my position. I knew the news would be controversial, but I felt strongly you needed to hear it directly from me.
I felt that the conflicts of interest I would face would only be with PW Digital Gateway. However, as time went on, the situation became more complicated. That is why earlier this year, in consultation with the County Attorney, I requested an opinion from Amy Ashworth, the Commonwealth’s Attorney, to provide guidance on how I should act in various situations.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s opinion mapped out for me where potential conflicts of interest could arise depending on the circumstances of any given land use case. Again, the conflicts seemed limited to a handful of issues and votes. Since then, I have strictly followed her opinion.
Once the PW Digital Gateway CPA vote was done, and with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan vote coming up, I made the decision, again in consultation with the County Attorney, to make another request for an opinion from the Commonwealth’s Attorney. I took this additional step in requesting her opinion to ensure the integrity of my future votes.
Nearly a month after making the initial request for a second opinion, I received her opinion late yesterday. And the limitations on my ability to perform as Supervisor have become severely more restrictive.
According to the opinion of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, I cannot participate in any Comprehensive Plan vote. In addition, it also states that I cannot participate in any vote on any data centers in Prince William County until the PW Digital Gateway rezoning is settled.
Although I do not agree with the entire opinion of Ms. Ashworth and believe I would be able to participate in these votes without prejudice, I must abide by her opinion as she is the duly elected chief law enforcement officer for Prince William County. I have a great deal of respect for Ms. Ashworth and appreciate the time and careful consideration she and her staff took in responding to my inquiries.
With her new opinion, my ability to serve on the Board of County Supervisors has been greatly diminished. While I could continue as Supervisor in a more limited role and still get many positive things accomplished, I do not feel this would be in the best interests of the citizens of the Gainesville District. I didn’t run for office to gain power or notoriety. I ran to make a difference and to improve the lives of my fellow citizens. I believe I have accomplished what I set out to do. But in the end, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s new opinion is so restrictive that it does not allow me to represent each one of you in the way that I feel would be effective.
Therefore, effective Friday, December 16th, I will be resigning as the Gainesville District Supervisor. I will spend my last week working with my staff, County staff, and my colleagues to transition the necessary items to allow the next Gainesville Supervisor to smoothly transition into the role.
I plan to send out another email before I leave office, but I want to take a quick moment to thank County staff and my colleagues on the Board of County Supervisors. Regardless of party, my colleagues have offered words of encouragement and I have witnessed firsthand that they are all good, honorable people who want what’s best for our community.
Finally, I want to give a special thank you to those folks who have stood by Robyn and me during the last year. It would have been easy to believe the lies, the false allegations, and the slanderous claims, but many of you sent us words of support that will stay with us forever. It reminded us every day that the majority of our community is filled with wonderful people who have tremendous hearts. Your love and generosity will not be forgotten.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you on the Board of County Supervisors.
Sincerely,
Pete Candland, Supervisor
Gainesville Magisterial District
