Occoquan Residents Thank Leaders For Stance on Oaks III

Merchants, residents and friends of the town of Occoquan filled the Town Hall for its monthly town council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 7.  Seeing the crowds of people arriving for a usually sparsely attended meeting, council members began to wonder what issue people might be upset about that they were unaware of.  

Concern turned to surprise and delight when Occoquan resident and former council member Barry Dean stood at citizen's time and said that he and the others in the room were there to say "Thank You" to the council and Mayor Porta, along with citizen activist James Phelps, for all the hard work they had done on behalf of the town in the .  

Dean delivered prepared remarks, and the assembled audience rose for a standing ovation as the council member and the Mayor were presented with a "Thank You" cake baked by the Sugar Buzz bakery. James Phelps was unable to attend the meeting but was presented with a copy of the remarks and a share of cake afterwards.

Afterwards, Dean said, "These days we hear all the time how people feel let down by the people they elect to represent them.  But these people worked as hard as they could on our behalf.  Even though we didn't get the outcome we wanted at the re-zoning hearing, it was still important for us to let them know we appreciate what they have done and what they are still trying to do on our behalf."