Gadfly Associates, PLLC

10/05/2026

Super proud of our team yesterday representing Gadfly at the CFH 5K!
One of them even won the raffle with some merch and free chicken from Raising Cane’s 😁😋

10/02/2026

Spirit day at the office - CFH 5K coming up this weekend
CFH
https://cfhva.org/9th-annual-cfh-5k-for-affordable-housing/

09/29/2026

Well Deserved! 👏

Congratulations to the 2026 Grand Marshal, Ralph J. Smith!
The inspiring life of Councilman Ralph J. Smith bridges a critical era of America’s civil rights struggle with decades of distinguished local and federal public service. Rising from the devastating school closures in Prince Edward County, Virginia, he turned early systemic injustice into a lifelong mission for civil rights, voting access and public administration.
Ralph’s story as a native of Prince Edwards County during the closing of public schools rather than desegregating them is chronicled in a PBS Documentary. Ralph went on to graduate from one of the oldest historically black colleges, St. Paul’s of Lawrenceville, VA and was featured as a cover story in their alumni magazine. His experiences related to the school closing motivated Ralph to become an advocate for justice – he participated in peaceful protest marches, was a part of Freedom Summer registering voters and teaching at freedom schools throughout the south.
Ralph committed over 20 years as an election official and Chief Election Officer in Manassas. He did this while working as a Senior Executive in the federal government Social Security Administration. He served as a resource person and national spokesperson on issues related to policy and procedures for hearings, appeals and civil actions in claims for Social Security Benefits.
Ralph became a member of the Manassas City Council in 2019. Throughout his service, he has prioritized community advocacy, human rights and accessible local government.
We are proud to announce that Councilman Ralph Smith is the Grand Marshal of the 80th Greater Manassas Christmas Parade!

09/14/2026

Absolutely the right call at this time!
Thanks to City Leadership and the area businesses for making this difficult decision.

Together with Historic Manassas Inc. (HMI), our hearts, thoughts and many prayers remain with the victim’s family, friends and everyone affected by the tragic loss of life during September’s First Friday. Violence has no place in the City of Manassas.

As our community continues to mourn and reflect, HMI, downtown restaurants and merchants, and the City will pause the October Second Friday event. During this time, the City and HMI will evaluate these events, explore potential solutions and seek input from the community.

The first public discussion will take place during the City Council work session on Sept. 21. We encourage community members to continue participating by attending upcoming work sessions, town halls and City Council meetings.

Read and share the full release: https://www.manassasva.gov/news_detail_T11_R420.php

09/10/2026

The Governor of Virginia came into Manassas less than a week after the tragic shooting last Friday
Yet somehow, she was unprepared and/or unwilling to comment 🤦🏻‍♂️🤬
Utterly Insulting & Disgusting!
Politics aside - She is beyond disappointing!

09/05/2026

Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth has advocated a prosecutorial philosophy that deprioritizes certain lower-level offenses and made clear that her office would not assign prosecutors to categories including underage alcohol violations, disorderly conduct and trespassing.

Those happen to be precisely the kinds of offenses that matter when thousands of people gather in a few downtown blocks.

So perhaps it is time to ask a question that should have been asked long before someone died:

What exactly did we think would happen when increasingly disorderly behavior was met with increasingly fewer consequences?

No, prosecuting an intoxicated teenager doesn’t magically prevent a tragic shooting.

But laws don’t exist only to punish the worst thing that happens at the end of the night. They establish boundaries long before we ever get there.

That’s called deterrence.

And leadership isn’t merely prosecuting murder after somebody is dead.

Leadership is helping maintain a community where disorder doesn’t become normal in the first place.

That responsibility doesn’t belong to Amy Ashworth alone. City Council, event organizers and law enforcement should all examine what First Friday has gradually become and what they allowed themselves to tolerate along the way.

But our Commonwealth’s Attorney should answer a particularly important question:

Does she still believe that retreating from prosecution of lower-level public-order offenses makes Manassas safer?

Because “prosecutorial discretion” sounds wonderfully enlightened when discussed in a conference room.

It sounds considerably different when you’re standing on Battle Street watching police tape go up.

I love First Friday.

I love Old Town.

And that’s precisely why this should make us angry enough to demand better—not to destroy First Friday, but to save it.

Bring back the families.

Bring back the expectation of decent behavior.

Bring back consequences when people deliberately violate that expectation.

Bring back the First Friday that Manassas fell in love with.

Because surrendering a beloved community tradition to disorder isn’t compassion.

08/29/2026

Culpeper has really stepped up to assist!

Town backs applying for $1m in matching dollars to fix historic structure through Industrial Revitalization Fund; owner says candle suspected cause of fire. ⤵️ Find a link to the story in the comments.

08/21/2026

There are moments when politics should simply give way to gratitude.

Whatever one’s politics — public service is deeply personal. It requires time, sacrifice, patience, an occasionally unreasonable tolerance for criticism, and a genuine willingness to put yourself out there on behalf of the place you call home.

And Manassas isn’t just somewhere she served - This is her hometown!

She grew up here, built a business here, served on City Council here, and ultimately became Mayor here — making history along the way.

That’s no small thing…

But more important than being the first, is the fact that she made sure she wouldn’t be the last - Through programs like My Mayor Looks Like Me, she deliberately opened the doors of City Hall to young people who might never before have imagined themselves sitting in that chair.

That is a rather lovely legacy.

Cities aren’t completely built by governments, buildings, businesses, festivals or development projects.

They’re ultimately built by people who care enough to show up.

And Michelle showed up for Manassas.

Again and again and again.

Through growth and change, celebrations and disagreements, ribbon cuttings and council meetings, easy days and undoubtedly some very difficult ones, she carried the responsibility of representing this wonderful ‘sweet little town of Manassas’ that we all care so much about.

Leadership is rarely perfect - Nor should perfection be the standard.

Service should be!

And hers deserves to be acknowledged with generosity, respect and gratitude.

So, Mayor Davis-Younger — from one arguably opinionated citizen and Old Town business owner:

Thank you for your service.

Thank you for caring about Manassas.

Thank you for making a little history here.

Most of all, thank you for giving a piece of yourself to the city we all love.

May whatever comes next be every bit as meaningful as what you’re leaving behind.

Godspeed, Michelle. ❤️

𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: The City of Manassas has received the written resignation letter from Mayor Michelle Davis confirming her decision to vacate her elected seat effective Sept. 30, 2026, following her final council meeting on Sept. 28, 2026. Full Release: https://www.manassasva.gov/news_detail_T11_R416.php

08/13/2026

We truly & genuinely love Manassas!!!

We love its history, its characters, its businesses & restaurants, its festivals, its arguments/quirks, and everything about the stubborn little patch of Old Town we all share.

I’ve invested a lot here - I work here - I spend an unreasonable amount of time thinking about how to make it better…

And maybe loving a place eventually turns you into the old man yelling from the porch, ‘Stay off My Lawn!’ 😄

But apparently we need a quick refresher on “public space etiquette” on Battle Street.

Yes—Battle Street is a public street.
So are parks, sidewalks, and plazas… But, none of which require you to turn the nearest doorway into a smoking section.

“Public property” is about ownership - Not manners.

Battle Street isn’t just parking spaces—it’s patios, office entrances, pedestrians, customers, and people trying to keep downtown pleasant for everyone.

So if a restaurant asks you not to smoke on their patio, the sidewalk in front of someone else’s door doesn’t automatically become “Patio 2: Marlboro Edition.”

We are NOT claiming ownership of the street!
Just the radical idea that your cigarette shouldn’t become everyone else’s problem.

Certainly, use the ashtray that hangs on the fence next door. But when you are smoking, please take a few steps away and enjoy Old Town.

Just don’t post up outside our firm like it’s a cigar lounge.

With ‘Gratitude’, gadfly

06/10/2026

Well, it looks like we’re all hanging out in Culpeper next week. Please come join…

❤️ FROM OUR HEARTS, THANK YOU ❤️

After the tragic fire at Zandra's Culpeper & Neighboring Businesses, our community showed us what it truly means to come together. The outpouring of support has been overwhelming, and we are forever grateful.

Now it's our turn to give back.

🌮 Join us on June 18 from 5-9 PM at the Culpeper Renaissance Inc. Downtown Third Thursday Concert Series as we sell our famous Walking Tacos!

This is a concert series, so they do sell tickets to access this account. Individuals UNDER 21 ARE FREE!
LINK TO PURCHASE TICKETS: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/june-3rd-thursday-summer-concert-series

Proceeds will benefit:
🚒 Culpeper County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, supporting the responders who helped during the fire.
❤️ The Bridge Community Church of Warrenton Canteen Unit, whose volunteers provide support during emergencies and disasters.

Every taco purchased is a thank you to the heroes and community who stood beside us when we needed them most.

We hope to see you there. Together, we are stronger. ❤️




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