Greg Paris

A Slow Growth Candidate for Purcellville Town Council

I Pledge to Protect Purcellville

I am running for Purcellville Town Council because I believe the decisions we make today will shape the future of our town for generations.

Like many residents, I chose Purcellville because it is different. It has a strong sense of community, a historic downtown, beautiful open spaces, and neighborhoods where families know their neighbors. Those qualities are worth protecting.

I grew up in Hershey, Pennsylvania, where children spent their days riding bicycles through the neighborhood, playing pickup games with friends, and enjoying the close-knit atmosphere that comes with living in a small town.

One of my earliest lessons about local government came when residents organized to oppose a large residential development planned for one of our community’s largest farms. I remember watching neighbors come together to protect the character of our town. They attended meetings, organized petitions, challenged decisions, and refused to give up. In the end, the land was permanently preserved. More than 35 years later, it remains open space. That experience taught me that citizens can make a difference when they are willing to stand up for their community.

Today, I see many of those same challenges facing Purcellville.

Development pressure is coming from every direction. Residents are being asked to accept more density, more traffic, greater demands on infrastructure, and increased pressure on limited resources. We need leaders who are willing to ask tough questions and make sure growth serves the community instead of changing the community to serve growth.

Throughout my career in technical communications, government contracting, and business development, I have helped organizations solve complex problems, manage competing priorities, and build long-term strategies. I believe those experiences, combined with a practical, thoughtful approach, will allow me to serve the residents of Purcellville well.

As a father, I want my children to grow up in a community where they can safely ride their bikes, know their neighbors, and enjoy the same small-town experience that shaped my childhood. Once a town loses its character, it is impossible to get it back.

I support policies that respect the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, protect taxpayers, preserve existing neighborhoods, and ensure infrastructure and public services are planned responsibly. Growth should be guided by the needs of residents, not by outside pressures or short-term interests. The people who live here should have the strongest voice in determining Purcellville’s future.

My wife and I have made Purcellville our home, and we are proud to be raising our two children here. We are active in our church, and I enjoy reading, volunteering, and being involved in our community.

I am not running because I am seeking a political career. I am running because I care deeply about this town and want to help preserve the qualities that brought my family here.

Purcellville is worth protecting, and I would be honored to earn your vote and the opportunity to serve on the Town Council.