by John Reid

Recently, the PW Perspective met with Hylton High School Coach Nate Murphy as he is currently campaigning for the Neabsco District Supervisor seat. The Democratic candidate talked about what he has learned from meeting with the community since declaring in January.

“I’ve had the pleasure of talking with several community members and hear about their issues and concerns in the community as well as the successes they’ve been having in their everyday lives,” he said. “Going door to door, I have had conversations with about 800 people since January. It has allowed me to see Dale City from a different perspective, and I’m excited about what can be done here from listening to the community.”

He went into detail about the most pertinent issues he has heard to this point. “The number one issue has been the uptick in crime,” he said. “One resident shared with me that they moved here from New York City, and they’re starting to see changes in the community. He had heard everything from loud pops of engines from street racing at night. Also, there’s been several incidents such as assaults at the bowling alley to the recent shootings off of Birchdale.”

“Another issue has been battling inflation, and the meals tax, which I oppose, as well as an increase in property taxes.”

Well known for his work as an educator, Murphy is focused on initiating programs dedicated to keeping young people involved in activities and off the streets. “It requires a private-public partnership,” he said. “Because it’s going to require an investment.”

“First, we have a recreational center, but we need a multi-cultural center. A place where people can express themselves. When I was growing up, there were people ages 18-25 that could be creative to work on music, arts and so on.”

“We have a great community college setting,” he continued, “but we don’t have anything for that group, so when I talk about that partnership, that is what we need to give them in the county.”

Another issue that he looks to take on is the commercial tax base, and bringing not just affordable housing, but attainable housing, as he shares his experiences growing up in the county.

“Affordable housing is very important to me,” he said. “When I was going to Gar-Field High School, my family and I fell on hard times,” he said. “We were homeless for a period of time, so I understand what some of these families are going through. We have to develop more than affordable housing, but it must be attainable.”

“Regarding the tax base, we know there is the elephant in the room with the data centers. The comment was made that the taxes would be raise, and there was pushback. We made a promise to them, and I want to be someone who makes a promise to the taxpayers. There is an emerging industry in which we could tax.”

“Alleviating the tax burden, some people may not realize that it is county opposed. 57% of the taxes goes to a general fund, and then it goes to schools. It’s shifting the meals tax elsewhere.”

So, what would be an option for increasing taxes? He discusses another alternative.

“I don’t understand why we don’t raise the tobacco tax,” he said. “To me, it’s an ethical issue. If you’re going to take something that harms your body, as well as other people, then you should pay an extra tax for it. It’s about adjusting the taxes properly and bringing other industries into the area.

By doing so, he believes it will increase jobs in the eastern end of the county. “I’m not going to promise someone a magical solution, but we need to go to our developers and ask for road improvements. If not, then it needs to be rejected.”

Speaking of which, he goes into detail about facing the challenges of public transportation.

“There’s been a fairy tale in bringing the Metro to the county,” he said, “but then we need to look at improving the VRE, because we have a lot of people that not only drive to but drive through the county.”

“Also, there’s a lot of speeding that still goes on in the area. It leads to accidents, and more traffic, especially along Dale City and Minnieville Boulevard. There has to be more ways to slow drivers down.”

Being a schoolteacher at Hylton High School, it gives him a unique opportunity to meet with parents and fellow educators. “That is our lowest hanging fruit missing, is a partnership with the school board representative and the board. We need to have a working relationship.”

“I’m in a school with more than 2,000 students and I hear from them and fellow teachers. There are several dinner table issues that I get to hear. While we try to focus on large issue solutions, we miss the common-sense approaches to solving these problems.”

What were his influences? “Being an Army veteran, I was proud to serve under First Sargeant Jesse Kaplan, he’s one at my first duty station took me under and told me how to be a service person, as well as the non-commissioned officers. That is what public service is about, being selfless in service. I don’t want to be known as a public figure or politician, but a public servant, which I am now.”

“The number one thing is you’re going to have a supervisor who is present to the Eagle Scout ceremony, to the ribbon cutting, I am going to be there. If there is an accident, I will be at your door. Every day when I wake up, I will have the dual duty to figure out how to make our community better. I want the people of Dale City to have a better life, than what they had yesterday.”

His primary challenger is current Neabsco District Supervisor Vic Angry. Early voting in the primaries conclude on June 17th. For more information about Coach Murphy’s campaign, please visit his website.