Gainesville Supervisor Candidate Peter Candland Calls on VDOT to Review Road Access Permits to Smith Landfill

One of the real tests of leadership comes when candidates have the courage to stand up the powerful special interests in a community, and the Smith farm owners obviously carry a lot of clout in Prince William County.

It is refreshing to see a candidate who is willing to step up, to demonstrate the requisite courage, and take a stand against big money donors and powerful special interests.  There is at least one of the candidates running for office who is willing to do just that, and we hope his leadership will encourage others to join us in fighting to restore safety to our roads and community.

Here is the statement of Pete Candland, who is a candidate to replace outgoing Gainesville Supervisor John Stirrup, on the Smith Landfill problem.  

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Candland Stands Up for Local Residents to Improve Road Safety

“I have serious concerns about the safety of drivers and children in this area”

Gainesville, VA – Peter Candland, Republican candidate for Gainesville Supervisor in Prince William County, today stood up for residents in Gainesville who have concerns about safety and traffic at a local landfill site.  Candland is calling on VDOT and the Board of County Supervisors to review access road permits that are allowing dump truck traffic to enter the Smith property landfill from both Catharpin Road and Artemus Road.

“As a father of four children, one of which will be attending a nearby school next year, I have serious concerns about the safety of drivers and children in this area,” Candland said.  “There have been numerous accidents as a result of the dump truck traffic in this area.  I have already been in contact with local leaders and VDOT representatives, and we are working towards a solution that will protect the safety of Gainesville families.” 

The Smith property was cited by the Prince William County Zoning Administrator on August 11, 2009 for violations of the County Zoning Ordinance for operating a Land Recycling Center.  The corrective action required was for the Smith property owners to "immediately and permanently cease deliveries and removal of dirt and fill to and from the property." 

Because of the failure of the Smith property owners to comply with this Violation Notice and Correction Order issued by Prince William County, the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution on October 26, 2010 to authorize legal action to abate zoning violations on the Smith property.  The Prince William County Attorney filed a Petition for Injunctive Relief with the court, and that motion is pending and scheduled for a hearing in November.

“Every day there are reports that cars have been forced off the road; trucks have crossed the center line; and that pedestrians and joggers have to evade these trucks.  It is imperative that we stop all of this dump truck traffic until all of these public safety concerns have been properly addressed," said Candland.

"This is a valid safety issue.  In my judgment, VDOT should immediately block these access roads until the Smith property owner can document he is in full compliance with every zoning, safety, and environmental regulation governing a commercial landfill," Candland concluded.

Peter Candland is a family man, businessman and community leader in Gainesville.  Candland, his wife Robyn, and their four children live in the Parks at Piedmont community, where Peter also serves as President of the Homeowners Association.  Peter is a senior strategist specializing in contract negotiations for an international technology company based in Northern Virginia.  The Candland family is active in their local church where Peter and Robyn both serve in leadership positions.