Candidate Profile: Tom Osina Runs For Manassas City Council

MANASSAS, VA — Manassas will choose Democratic nominees for three City Council seats along with congressional primaries during the June 18, 2024 election.

Democratic candidates who win in the primary will go on to the general election for the three City Council seats. Candidates are Ashley Hutson, Tom Osina, Mark Wolfe, Samantha Tungul and Anthony McGhee. Osina and Wolfe are running for re-election, while Hutson, Tungul and McGhee are seeking election as newcomers. Vice Mayor Pamela Sebesky is not running for another term.

City of Manassas will have the Democratic City Council primary, along with Republican and Democratic primaries for the 10th congressional district and a Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

Early voting for the general election began on May 3 and continues through June 15. More information on how to vote is available from the Manassas Voter Registration and Elections Office.

Patch asked candidates for Manassas City Council to fill out a candidate questionnaire with the same questions. Here are Tom Osina's responses:

Name

Tom Osina

Office Sought

Manassas City Council

Age (As of June 18 election)

71

Education

Bachelor's Degree- University of Virginia

Occupation

Small Business Owner

Family

Married to my husband, Ed and have 2 grown children.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Previous public office positions or appointments

None

Why are you seeking this office?

After serving on Manassas City Council for 4 years, I am seeking to continue several initiatives that have been started.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidate(s) seeking this post?

Major differences include experience on City Council, frequent outreach for the last 4 years to know what is on residents' minds, and ability to build consensus among other councilors.

What do you see as the top issues facing your city, and how do you address them in your campaign platform?

Continued Economic Prosperity - For Manassas to stay prosperous, we need to continue to invest in the city. I have supported efforts to bring commercial air service to Manassas Regional Airport. I voted for purchases such as Old Town Inn so that it can be developed into a key component of Old Town; of the Marsteller School site for a new fire station, community center and additional athletic fields; and of Mathis Avenue Shopping Center to bring mixed use retail and residential (including attainable) housing in that portion of town.

Strong Public Education - I believe that our schools and those who teach our children are very important. That's why I voted for a sound savings plan in my first year on council and onward which sets aside money for the replacement of Jennie Dean Elementary School. I led the effort to provide additional money for teacher salaries last year and continuing this year.

Resilient Neighborhoods - When I ran for Council 4 years ago, I said that I did not have all the answers but, because of the talent in our communities, many residents have ideas and experiences that make Manassas stronger. That's why I constantly visit neighborhoods to meet residents where they live, attend community events and festivals where they celebrate and respond to community concerns from email and telephone.

Everyday is our Chance to make Manassas a Better City.

Before being elected to City Council, I was an active member of various city committees as well as serving as Treasurer and Board Member of my neighborhood HOA.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I brought greater transparency to city government by pushing for the publication of city agendas with attachments a week in advance for the public to see. I got the broadcasting of all city council regular meetings and work sessions as well as their recording for later viewing.

As Chair of the Appointments Committee, I have sought greater diversity on the city's boards, committees and commissions so their memberships looks like Manassas.

I have lived in Manassas since 2000 and seen a lot of changes in just 2+ decades. Those changes came about because councilors then had the foresight to have a vision for continued growth. I use the same approach recognizing that it is only when we become stagnate and complacent that we fall behind.

My goal is to make Manassas the BEST Small Town in Northern Virginia.