From Potomac News:

Manassas City Public Schools Superintendent Gail Pope says she will remain focused on educating the city’s children, despite a gloomy economic forecast predicting close to a 20 percent drop in real estate assessment values and a possible tax hike.

The evidence of PWC’s economic woes has begun to surface, and I only anticipate it will get worse. Just a couple of days ago, the City of Manassas Council decided to increase the property tax rate to keep revenues at the previous level. The housing market has deteriorated significantly due to the subprime implosion and the credit crunch. Additionally, the impact of the recent PWC decision to deny services to undocumented immigrants – including foreclosure prevention assistance to families – has led to the deterioration of our housing market and the continued decrease in revenues. Finally, the fear experienced by many families has forced them to either leave PWC or to stay home, causing a significant drop in revenues for the local businesses.

Join me in making a difference in PWC. Together we can be agents of change.

On November 6^th, vote for a new voice, vote for Aracely Panameno, write-in candidate for the position of Supervisor for the Neabsco Magisterial District.

If there is any doubt in your mind as to why the Nov 6th election is so important, take a few minutes to hear for yourself the hatred and persecution that is being perpetuated by elected officials and residents of Prince William County and surrounding areas.

An interactive documentary produced by independent filmmakers shows the political divisions that surround the immigration issue in Northern Virginia. Add your voices to the discussion and search for alternatives to the hostility that is taking over our communities.

Go to YouTube and see for yourself how the PWC resolution is dividing our community. Documentary clips include:

• PWC Chairman Corey Stewart (R) declares his views against undocumented immigrants at a “Help Save Manassas” meeting, praises Supervisor John Stirrup (R) for introducing the legislation, and celebrates recent deportations from PWC.
• A PWC resident squares off with youth and other residents about their right to be in the United States.
• An emotional meeting of the PWC Board of Supervisors where officials and residents voice their support and opposition to the resolution.
• Help Save Manassas president and members celebrate the news that immigrants are leaving the county.

This is a critical election. The other side is mobilizing their voters. Everyone and anyone registered to vote in PWC needs to turn out on November 6th.

Take a stand. Vote for change. Vote for Aracely Panameno on November 6th.

Prince William County, Virginia

To the members of my community in Woodbridge and to all registered voters in the Neabsco Magisterial District:

Our community is facing many serious problems. Students do not have books in the classroom. Teachers have to use their own money to buy school and teaching supplies. Homeowners are facing difficulties paying their mortgages due to resetting interest rates. Many of them are selling their property under stress, some are unable to refinance their loans because home prices have dropped, the value of their loan is higher than that of the house and are now facing foreclosure. Police officers are getting increased responsibilities for which they are not trained and the police department does not have the resources to address those training needs. Our local budget is stretched out already; yet over the next five years alone, the police department will need more than $14 Million to implement one law. The department only has about $325,000 in its budget right now. What do we do? Where do we turn for solutions?

I believe we need to be creative about solutions. The law passed by the Board of County Supervisors of Prince William earlier this year and the most recent decision to deny services to undocumented immigrants is the wrong decision for our community. It increases our budget and cuts our sources of revenue. It raises significant challenges that will only increase costs. It does not deal with the reality that undocumented immigrants are already here. It denies services to people who live among us and contribute to our community. The law prevents them from contributing fully. It causes unnecessary divisiveness, generates anger, and an environment of hostility among neighbors because it is impossible to tell who is and who is not legal at a glance. This law is already affecting us all. Finally, our nation is historically a nation that embraces immigrants. They have come from all corners of the world running away from injustice and persecution. Where has that America gone?

I arrived in the United States on February 22, 1981 seeking refuge from the civil war in El Salvador. Twenty-six years have passed since and my life has changed significantly. It all started in Crystal City, south Arlington. There, as a teenager, for the first time I was able to teach myself how to ride a bicycle. I practiced endlessly at the parking lot of The Pentagon. I fell and bruised myself many times, but I always got up and kept going. I have never looked back. The opportunities that this great nation has given me helped saved my life and the lives of my family. It has not been easy. I have had ups and downs. I remember the day I first rode a metro bus. When I came to my stop and the green light at the exit door lit up, I did not know what to do. Other passengers said to me repeatedly “Push open, push open.” I stood there, friendless, not understanding what they were saying to me.

Today, I have achieved the American Dream. As a citizen, I enjoy the freedoms and protections afforded me by our constitution. Until very recently, I no longer feared for my life and that of my loved ones as I did in El Salvador before I came to the United States. I graduated from Wakefield High in Arlington with honors. Also with honors, I graduated from The Catholic University of America. Over the last couple of years, I have been working on my MBA at Johns Hopkins University. But the most important success I have achieved is to raise my daughter Veronica as a single parent with the support of my family, friends, and a large network of people who embraced us and love us. Today, like most proud parents, I rejoice because my beautiful daughter graduated with honors this past June from CD Hylton High and is a first year student at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

I am a homeowner, have lived in Woodbridge for 21 years and in my community at Lakeside for more than 10 years. As a professional, I have and continue to work arduously on national policies to improve the lives of all people, especially women, children and families. I have worked extensively on public health issues. Over the last three years, I have focused on economic justice fighting to eliminate predatory lending practices from financial markets.As a citizen, I take my duties seriously and promote democracy. For a number of years I have worked with our county board of elections as an election officer. The freedom to exercise our democracy without fear is what makes me love this country. I am an American by choice, not by chance.

The last few months, my heart has been torn as I watched the developments in my community, while, at the same time, I focused on the daily routine of work, school, parenting, and paying the bills on time. Every day, I wake up motivated to go to work. Increasingly, it has been more and more difficult to go about business as usual as though the issues in my community do not affect me. Even when driving around my neighborhood, strangers have verbally expressed hostility by yelling insults in the presence of my daughter. In my neighborhood, and commuting to work, I have spoken to African Americans and Whites, Democrats and Republicans. They have offered words of encouragement and support. They have also expressed frustrations and dissatisfaction with the process. My community is divided and the policies being implemented do not address our reality. Therefore, I have decided to run for the office of Board of County Supervisor in the Neabsco Magisterial District as a write-in candidate.

I am not a politician. I am a concerned citizen who firmly believes there is a better way. I promise to listen to all sides of this and all issues affecting our community, to respect all voices and the dignity of all people. I promise to work toward compassionate solutions that work.

I believe that the American Dream of prosperity I have fought so hard to achieve is similar to the dream of all families. The issue that today divides us is complex with many ramifications; much of them economic in nature. Many industries in our society require cheap labor to remain competitive in a global economy. Undocumented immigrants take on all types of jobs to earn a living under circumstances and conditions slightly above wage slavery that no other American would accept. They are willing to take low pay without health insurance or other benefits. They operate lawn mowers; landscape our neighborhoods; build our homes, commercial buildings and highways. They plant and sow the vegetables on our tables. They pack meats and poultry. They care for cattle, horses and other farm animals. They clean hotel rooms and office buildings. They cook and serve our food at restaurants. They are the invaluable baby-sitters and care-givers so we can pursue higher income jobs. Many of them are military personnel willing to lay their lives on the battlefield to protect our freedoms as any examination of the rolls of the honored dead in Iraq and Afghanistan reveals. They are members of communities of faith who fellowship with us. They are mothers and fathers working hard to ascertain that their children have a better quality of life than they ever did. Their hope for the future is no different than mine or that of the community at large. Undocumented immigrants who, through the Internal Revenue Service, have obtained an individual tax identification number pay federal, state, and other taxes through employer deductions. When all of them purchase food, clothing, and other services, they pay the respective sales tax on goods and services. Those who are homeowners pay property taxes based on the assessed value of their homes. Every year, by October 5^th, they are among the automobile owners who pay the car tax in advance of the year for which that tax is assessed. With this law, their participation is restricted further and they cannot contribute as much as they can to our community.

Let me be clear, I am not promoting law-breaking behavior. Some of our federal and state laws already deny services to the undocumented, additional restrictions are unnecessary. They do not receive Social Security or welfare benefits. Our Virginia institutions of higher learning, including all state-funded community colleges, require legal status for student enrollment. Admission is denied even if students are willing to pay for out-of-state tuition. The Virginia Department of Transportation denies them drivers licenses through the implementation of our “legal presence” law. Regarding minors’ access to public education, the U.S. Supreme Court in Plyler v. Doe in 1982, established that no state or local jurisdiction may deny access to undocumented children. The court said that children are not responsible for the behavior of their parents, that the benefits of education do more good than harm.Perhaps a more effective solution to our financial concerns would be to stop racial profiling immediately; to grant those members of our community with undocumented status permission to work in our county and to assess taxes on all wages. Demand that employers pay all workers no less than minimum wage. Penalize all employers in violation of the law who exploit people. And press on our federal officials to make our immigration laws work. I believe that it is within our interest to provide access to health services to all residents in our county, lest our elected officials and health authorities want to create a public health threat to all county residents. It is also within our public interest to make sure that all children have access to public and higher education, lest our public officials are interested in fostering illiteracy and leaving behind a whole class of children unprepared to enter the work force.

Therefore, I say YES to an honest and civil discourse about the complex issues before us today. I say YES to the unification of our community that we may respect each other as we seek compassionate solutions to a difficult dilemma. I say YES to the responsibility of presenting these views, seeking, defining, and implementing better solutions.

Join me in this effort. Together we can be agents of change. On November 6^th, vote for a new voice, vote for Aracely Panameño, write-in candidate for the position of Supervisor for the Neabsco Magisterial District.

Thank you,

Aracely Panameno

The last two days have been a marathon! I have done interviews with both major Spanish language TV stations, Telemundo and Univision, radio programs, and countless print media. The word is getting out. By the way, if you missed reading The Washington Post today, you may want to see the front page or the online version. Materials are almost ready for the weekend.

The best news: I HAVE OFFICIALLY FILED ALL MY LEGAL PAPER WORK WITH THE PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

While at the PWC Board of Elections office, John Jenkins arrived and we had a brief conversation that began with warm hand shaking and introductions and ended with frigid temperatures and disagreement. As I announced my candidacy, he raised his voice. In his own words, “This is about the vote last week. I voted because I am against illegal immigration and you are for it,” he yelled. As I tried to respond, he tried to shut me up, but I wouldn’t. “Let’s be accurate, this is about the fact that you have put our economy in danger,” I replied. All of it was witnessed by a member of the press who was there with me as well as the rest of the board of election staff.

The filing process was challenged by the fact that in an office of 11 staff members, not a single one knew the Virginia Code on Write-in candidates or the legal requirements. I arrived at 11:00 am. The reporter and I, after waiting for some time, had to leave and return at 1:20 pm when the office director was due to back. Upon our return, we sat there for over an hour while Diana C. Dutton read through the VA code and other binders. She made several calls to the VA State Board of Elections. Finally by 2:30, the call back came in. I signed all my forms, had them notarized, copied, and turned in. Yay!

I will have a campaign committee tomorrow named Friends of Aracely Panameno. I will set up a post office box and will be ready to receive your donations.

My excitement was dampened by the report of a hate crime in the western part of my county against the only African American family living in Bull Run Mountain. Despite the fact that African Americans are 20% of the county population, they have never had representation in our local government. Corey Riley is the democratic candidate for board of supervisors for the Gainsville District. We also have Luis Ramirez running for the Woodbridge District. A historical moment for our county!

As some of you know, my personal sense of insecurity is on the rise. Please keep us in your prayers.

John Jenkins, PWC Supervisor, currently representing the Neabsco District, now knows that no election and no vote should be taken for granted.  Jenkins, who was unopposed for the primaries and was unopposed for the general election until I entered this contest, needs to work for his seat.  Nobody would know he is up for re-election.  It was only today that four lawn signs were placed, two in front of my community and two near my parish.
 
I voted for Mr. Jenkins three times; each term is 4 years. For twelve years, my options on the ballot were either “no other choice” or “a vote against the other candidate.”  That stops now. 

Some folks have retorted that he was the moderate on the County Board.  Jenkins voted twice with the rest of the Board to divide our community.  He voted for an irresponsible budget proposal that is going harm all county residents, whites as well as the rest of us.  He voted to increase our expenses and decrease our sources of revenue.

The intended harm has been done!  Businesses are experiencing a decrease in revenues; some residents are going elsewhere to do business.  Others who would drive to Potomac Mills Mall to shop are going to other counties with their dollars.  The already troubled housing market is getting worse due to fearful families who are leaving.  I have never seen so many “for sale” signs in my neighborhood.  Bad strategy for our local economy.

If we want change, the makeup of the board must be altered. Otherwise it will be four more years of escalating tension and a budget in the red. Tuesday, November 6th, exercise your civic duty. Vote for change, Vote for Aracely Panameno.

Analysis of PWC Services / Undocumented Immigrants

Over the last couple days, people have asked what pushes a regular citizen to decide to enter political life. I am attaching a large document prepared for and presented to the PWC Board of Supervisors. The 200+ page document is a detailed review of every possible service in the county that could be denied to undocumented families and children. I invite you to do a thorough review. Check pp 26, 35, 36, 44, 51. I wanted to give you some highlights, but it is impossible to just direct you to any one set of pages. Those of you concerned with what is going on in financial markets and the housing market should pay particular attention to pages 26 & 44.

Andres Aguilera, my adoptive father, who today is buried in Los Angeles, CA, introduced me to this poem. At a very young age, I noticed the ripped page from a book taped on the wall of the living room. We never talked about it because the fact that the page occupied a prominent space on the wall was all that needed to be said. My compatriota Roque Dalton wrote this poem about Salvadoreños. Today, this poem speaks to me of my community – members of all national origins who had to leave their native lands. Those of you who are monolingual English speakers, I am sorry to say that a lot is lost in translation. Dalton’s poetry was influenced by the great Pablo Neruda who was influenced by the great Walt Whitman. I am pasting a segment of the poem below.

Poema de Amor by Roque Dalton

los eternos indocumentados,

los hacelotodo,

los vendelotodo,

los comelotodo,

los primeros en sacar el cuchillo,

los tristes mas tristes del mundo,

mis compatriotas,

mis hermanos.

(Las Historias Prohibidas del Pulgarcito)

Today, Latinos are the largest ethnoracial subgroup in the U.S. The Census estimates us at 14%; I believe we are closer to 18%. But the concrete number does not matter if we do not exercise our civic duty to vote. If you are registered to vote, please go to the polls and cast your ballot. If you have been a legal resident of this great land, please file for citizenship and register to vote. Our communities will continue to be invisible and the object of attack unless we collectively exercise our two most important muscles: our vote and our money. Let us not take Democracy for granted. Participate. Get involved.

I should be able to tell you later today if there is a legal entity ready to receive donations. The printers are already working on materials. A couple of days ago I spoke with Isabel Conde, EFE, who wrote the first story on this candidacy. Yesterday I spoke with The Washington Hispanic, Telemundo, and The Washington Post. Today, I will speak to radio stations and Univision. I hope to share more news with you throughout the day.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Aracely

Thou shall not be a victim. Thou shall not be a perpetrator. Above all, thou shall not be a bystander. – Holocaust Museum

Family and Friends,

I am sending you all my gratitude and love for supporting this candidacy, El Pueblo, Black, White, Democrat, Republican, Independents, Catholics, Protestants, Union leaders and members, business owners, national organization leaders, Women & Men of all walks of life. Those of you that know me well know that what keeps me together is my faith. The rest of you, welcome to my rituals. Tonight, I honor my Abuelita Paca (grandma), mi viejita Maya Pipil, for her wisdom and love; she lived over 100 years. I honor my Mami (mom), for her strength and determination. Finally, I honor my baby for teaching and inspiring me. She is the great-grand daughter of my Black family, on her father’s side, who served Rev. Billy Graham – Grandma Lucy Maxwell of Charlotte, NC. May she rest in peace. And may the future be a much brighter one for you, my hija.

Those of you who pray or meditate, I am asking you to please do.

Aracely