Maureen K. Wood

Candidate for City Council

Age: 44

Residence: Winters Ridge, Dean area.

Education: Management and payroll training, Giant Food; political workshops.

Occupation: Substitute teacher, Manassas city schools.

Elected offices/civic activities: Chairman, Manassas City Social Services Advisory Board; member, Bull Run Republican Women's Club, Manassas Republican Committee; volunteer, Metz Middle School; past member, Manassas R-7 Zoning Committee, Western Fairfax Republican Women's Club; initiated 15 mph speed limit in certain school zones.

What do you think is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction? "Overcrowding and skyrocketing real property taxes. I promise the citizens that I will devise a way to make single-family homes, truly single-family homes, which in turn will alleviate the overcrowding issue and relieve our overburdened public services. We can also eliminate the need for more funding of necessary services this way. Residents are literally being taxed right out of their houses. Most people's income can't keep up with the extra burden placed on them from skyrocketing real estate assessments. I will put a stop to this by keeping the tax rate at the rate of inflation."

Why should voters elect you? "I will be responsive and responsible to the citizens of Manassas. I want to make Manassas an affordable place for families to live here again."

Web site: None given.

E-mail address: votemwood@yahoo.com