Stirrup strives to cross the finish line

Just about everybody in the Gainesville Magisterial District has met John T. Stirrup (R) at one time or another as he deliberates on the board; holds town hall meetings; attends dinners, school functions and other events; and cuts ribbons at new business grand openings as he serves as Gainesville District Supervisor on the Prince William Board of County Supervisors. Few, however, are aware of Stirrup’s private life as a husband, father, church member, farm owner, sportsman and businessman.
“I don’t have a rule of thumb for balancing all of the competing interests for my time,” Stirrup said. “But I do quickly recognize if I am being remiss in one area or the other.”
He was elected supervisor in November 2003 after serving on the Park Authority Board. He was re-elected in 2007. He has served as a very visible, active member of the board, familiarizing himself with the people he represents and their issues. The Gainesville Magisterial District includes 12 precincts in northwestern Prince William County, including Gainesville, Haymarket and a bit of Manassas. Stirrup works hard to represent his constituency throughout the district.
“We have been very successful and accomplished much over the last eight years,” Stirrup said. “Clearly reducing the ‘infrastructure deficit,’ as I call it, has improved the quality of life for Gainesville residents and those of Western Prince William County. By the infrastructure deficit, I mean the shortage of parks, roads, schools and other public facilities that existed when I was first elected. I cannot point to a disappointing experience as supervisor.” Although he does not keep a tally of the weekly hours he spends on supervisory duties, he knows firsthand it takes long hours to accomplish the work that is required. The same is true for his occupational workload.
“Professionally, I represent businesses before Congress and the administrative agencies and occasionally state legislature or international regulatory agencies,” Stirrup said. “I have worked in the capacity since 1998 when I left serving on Capitol Hill.”
—Read the full story in the May 20, 2011 print edition of the Bull Run Observer.