Greenlaw Will Focus On Performing Arts Center
Minutes after winning the election, Mary Katherine Greenlaw told the media she wants a performing arts center in Fredericksburg and will focus on trying to make it happen.
Mary Katherine Greenlaw, a lifelong resident of Fredericksburg, said she worked every Saturday with her campaign officials since the beginning of January to win this race.
It paid off today when she earned 51.55-percent of the vote in the Fredericksburg mayoral election. She defeated Fred Howe, who remains on City Council, by almost 500 votes and third place finisher Matt Paxson by almost 1,100 votes. Greenlaw said she received a call from Paxson, who told her he plans to support her during her four-year tenure. She hadn't spoken with Howe by 8 p.m.
"Fred and I talked before the election and i told him 'when it's over it's over,'" Greenlaw said.
Greenlaw said she also believes voters made it clear that the courthouse project planned for Princess Anne Street, with the $35 million in bonds issues, is a done deal. She said while she knocked on doors and campaigned voters told her that the city needs a courthouse and to please move forward with the plan.
But maybe more importantly, Greennlaw said she wants to focus on improving communication with community stakeholders and bringing a performing arts center to Fredericksburg, something her opponent, Paxson, was very passionate about in his campaign. Greenlaw said it's too early to even identify locations for a performing artc center.
Paxson said he will remain active in local politics.
"I plan on spending the next four years supporting Mrs. Greenlaw as our mayor and we'll just see what emerges," Paxson said while at F.W. Sullivans. "I love Fredericksburg and it is home to me and my wife and we are going to do everything we can to serve the city and this isn't the last of Matt Paxson.
"I've met so many wonderful people and I believe my campaign has brought to light many issues—the riverfront, arts and so forth—and I am going to be a part of helping finding solutions," Paxson said.
Developing story...tune in tomorrow to see what Fred Howe and others said about the courthouse project.
Ruth Golden
10:48 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
A performing arts center is exactly what we need in Fredericksburg; I certainly hope that it stays a priority (I am not a Fredericksburg resident, but a concerned citizen in Spotsylvania). Congratulations, Mayor Greenlaw!!!
Warren Carman
7:37 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Then we will send you the tax bill
ELAINE SMITH-MASON
9:33 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Mr. Carmen, does anyone in your family use local public schools? No one in my family does but I still pay taxes to the county/city school system. I live in the city and walk to 90% of my destinations. I still pay taxes to keep the road in good condition. It is all about being a community and doing what is right for the good of all and not just your individual needs or interests.
Marcie Floyd Tanner
9:46 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
I agree with you, Elaine, but you have to understand that there are so many things in this city that need to be brought back to standard, i.e., roads repaved, sidewalks put in, schools needs to be maintained, so many businesses in the "city" are falling apart and are damaged, the sewer system needs to be revamped. Did you hear the couple on Stafford speak about the "sewage" in their basement when it rains? That has been going on for years. I don't use the sidewalks, but I am asking for sidewalks to be placed in my community for the individuals that do use them, for their safety. I have a child in the city schools and they need more teachers and more room. My son has 24 children in a special education class, don't you think this is ridiculous?
In order to work together, we have to have a common goal - the preservation of the City of Fredericksburg, and building a courthouse, performing arts center and completing the Riverfront Project is not preserving what we have NOW! Those are future projects that should be secondary to the maintenance of the City of Fredericksburg.
Warren Carman
10:22 am on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
It's called "Prioritizing" and the last name is "Carman" thank you. (I am a professional Artist and do appreciate the finer points)
Ashleigh Chevalier
1:48 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
A performing Arts Center is definitely necessary, but ARTISTS and MUSICIANS as well as business people need to be involved.
Ashleigh Chevalier
2:01 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
@ Tanner - I believe you are right. Do you think a performing arts center can help generate the traffic downtown which will feed city revenue streams? I do. When all is carefully integrated, the city can be rejuvenated preserving the historic and the new. It takes both I think. :) And it is easy to get carried away in either direction. May we ALL work together for am ENRICHING and CONNECTED community for our children and our friends.
Marcie Floyd Tanner
2:54 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
No, Ashleigh - I don't believe this would happen. There is a limited amount of parking downtown and we do not frequent downtown as much as we would like because of that. Something has to be done about the parking and the location of the performing arts center, and it should not be located in downtown if we are going to get people from out of the area and in the area to attend. We could build a parking garage, but then the people would complain about that, too.
Dan Telvock
3:26 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
I have never ever ever ever ever had a problem finding a parking space downtown and I live downtown and use it every single day. The key issue here is I don't mind walking two blocks to the flippin' destination.
Marcie Floyd Tanner
7:10 am on Thursday, May 3, 2012
Must be the time of day I am going or the evening. But I can never find a place to park that's remotely close. I keep trying, but it never seems to happen.
Dan Telvock
3:26 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Example: today I went to Soup and Taco and was driving from Rt 3, I had to drive around the block once, and a spot opened up a block away from that taco I wanted. Such a huge parking problem.
Rae Lynn Boyer
10:23 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Hmm....Didn't they build a parking garage? A Performing Arts Center is going to be a great addition to downtown Fredericksburg. Let's face it, it's not called "Dead Fred" these days for nothing. Our little city needs a big boost to bring people...and their dollars....back into it.
Eddie Powers
10:50 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
I agree with Rae and Dan we do not have a parking problem with the new parking garage, unless of course your talking about the small bit of parking available for the VRE station that the city makes you buy a sticker in order to park at. Instead of spending 38 million on a new courthouse we should be putting that money into something that is going to help bring new money into Fredericksburg like a massive wifi hotspot for the city.