Dumfries resident and longtime community activist Ebony Lofton has always been a voice in the area, with a desire to bring change to Virginia’s oldest town. Now, she wants to take her advocacy on another level. Recently, she announced she will run for mayor, and she spoke with the PW Perspective about her reasons behind the candidacy, as well as what she hopes to bring to Dumfries.

“I would like to convince myself that I’m not a politician, but a citizen who for a long time wanted a seat at the table, and in my personal experience it didn’t happen the way it should have,” says Lofton. “I started paying attention to the activities in the town and at the town shelter, particularly after the proposed homeless shelter at Grace Church. It was very close to my home, and I was concerned about the manner in which they brought it to the citizens. I felt it was a reactive and not proactive stance taken by our leaders.”

“So I went out with some of my neighbors, and we got a petition started. We later met with [Potomac District] Supervisor Andrea Bailey to express our displeasure at the lack of information provided to us. After the mayor [current Mayor Derrick Wood] had a listening session, ultimately it did not go through, so that’s what piqued my interest in town activities, because I felt as a citizen, “Is this how we are supposed to be treated?”

One of her campaign goals is to bring more transparency and accountability among the town council. “I have a background in finance, specifically reviewing budgets. If you look at years past, you could see the salaries of town staff and where the money was going. Looking at the recent budget, things are now aggregated, so we don’t get specifics. I submitted a FOIA request, and each time I was told it was going to be cost anywhere from $50 to $300. I have been vocal with the town council about it, and after running as a write-in candidate on November 2020, I applied for the planning committee. I sent lengthy emails about the concerns that I had, such as one of the council members running for chief of police, because it was a conflict of interest. Not only were my emails ignored, but the town council went into closed session. They did not appoint me to the committee, but there were others who applied after me who got appointed.”

“When you look at the budget for the town and the hierarchy, the citizens are at the top. You have a responsibility to be transparent about what is going on. They have an open portal on their town website. You can see a good deal of information, but I wondered if there was a proper procurement process, because the portal cost more than $2500. It’s about getting the questions answered, and there shouldn’t be anything to hide.”

She addresses her stance on the Rose resort, which was approved for building, and whether she changed her views. “For the record, I didn’t support the Rose. There was an organization called No Dice for Dumfries that I was a part of. I didn’t think it was right for the community.”

Next, she goes into her plans for making Dumfries a town for diverse resources, including healthier food options. “From a revitalization concept, it’s about jobs. You want people to have a high quality of life here, and for all intents and purposes, it’s a food desert. There are two McDonald’s, and a Dunkin Donuts, but there’s no Whole Foods, or even a food co-op.”

“Yes, there’s been discussion of a farmers’ market, but that’s not just for food, it can be products and services, selling soaps, herbs and things like that. We need healthier options that will stimulate the economy. We also need a hardware store. If I need supplies, I have to drive down Route 234 or go into Woodbridge.”

“Although there’s been revenue with Rosie’s, but what’s the plan to compartmentalize the funds received?”

Another area she would like to bring stability to is the local police department. “The town has made a great hire with Chief [Vernon] Galyen, but there’s been a high turnover. It’s difficult having someone at the top leading the sergeants and police when there’s instability.”

“We have limited parking in my community, and citizens who live there have to park on the street. When there was a truck parked on the side of the road, in a B-2 zone residential district, I reached out to the police and provided video evidence. I didn’t get a response, and I believe that if there was more workforce to overlook the neighborhoods, we can address these problems.”

“When there was a series of break-ins, we had cameras installed, but what else has been put in place throughout the town? How are the police patrolling the community? We just need to have more transparency for who will be protecting the people.”

How has she been able to get the signatures needed to be placed on the ballot? “I will tell you I’m knocking on doors with my masks, gloves, and so on. When I’ve talked to a couple of citizens, some of the feedback I received was that it was time for a change, so they signed the petition. I think that the support has been there from those who signed because they want to be a part of the democratic process, and that’s been very encouraging.”

Behind the polls, Lofton has a busy life, and shares many of her special joys. “Life at home can be messy at times, because I have two of my daughters living with me, so when I get home after a busy day, I’ll find dishes in the sink [laughs]. I got a promotion at my job where I can work with commercial lending projects, because I know a lot on that side. I love sports and am an avid golfer and even golfed on the shores of Hawaii. I like to work on my car, even being able to change my own breaks and alternator.”

“I also enjoy sewing, and even made my daughters’ prom dresses and made a shirt with the Juneteenth flag on the material for myself for the Juneteenth celebration last year, including the flags.”

She says that in order to reach the undecided voters, she will share her experience in management and getting results. “I understand that there are some concerns about how the town is running and how it can improve. I’ve managed, along with the help of board members on my HOA, to have our monthly fees reduced. Because of my financial background, I could help reduce expenses and changing our budget. We looked at what happened that needed to be changed. We didn’t have a playground for six or seven years, but I knew it was important to our residents to get it installed.”

“If there is a need, I will meet it, and that’s what I want people to know.”

She knows it will take more than just the votes, but also the support of those in leadership. “Once elected, to get things done, I know it will take a vote of at least three other council members. I would work diligently to gain their support by presenting ideas that prove effective and in the best interests of the citizens. While that door may have been closed to me in the past, I’m still determined to be at that table, and if there’s not a chair available, I’ll bring my lawn chair. As the town of Dumfries communicates to me what they want, I will do what’s necessary to achieve it.”

This year’s town of Dumfries election will take place on November 8, 2022, with the mayor and three town council members being up for election.