As a community leader, educator and resident, John McGlennon knows James City County and the greater Williamsburg area. Having lived here for more than 40 years, John has seen the effects of good and less desirable change on our community. That’s why he works so hard to protect our quality of life from the impact of overdevelopment. He recognizes that the things that make our community so special need to be defended.
He initiated the county’s efforts to make new development pay for itself rather than imposing higher burdens on current property owners. He has been a forceful advocate for protecting our most important historical and environmental sites from the threat of exploitation. And he is a strong voice for citizens concerned about the impact of rampant growth on their communities, their housing values and their quality of life.
John works tirelessly for the county and neighborhoods he represents, challenging Dominion Energy’s wrong-headed decision to build massive towers across the James River rather than laying the cables under the river, gaining funds and approvals for improved stormwater, road and recreation facilities for neighborhoods from Grove to Neck O Land Road. He has protected valued agricultural and environmentally sensitive land from development, supported significant increases in school funding, and advocated for varied and award-winning recreation programs and facilities.
Thoughtful fiscal stewardship has been a hallmark of John’s service on the Board of Supervisors, supporting policies and actions that have earned James City County a “Triple Triple”, bond ratings of Triple A from all three national bond rating agencies. James City County is the only county under 100,000 to hold this distinction. John also convinced the Governor and General Assembly to exempt groceries from the 1% additional sales tax for tourism adopted last year.
John represents the Roberts District on the James City County Board of Supervisors, having represented the Jamestown District prior to redistricting. His service has been recognized by two Virginia governors who have appointed him to advise them on local government, by local government officials from across the state who elected him as the chairman of the Coalition of High Growth Communities, and by the Virginia Transit Association, which has named him “Public Official of the Year.” He has been a leader in transit, environmental protection and civic education at the state and national levels.
As a Professor in the Department of Government at the College of William & Mary, John teaches and researches on state and local government. He received his undergraduate degree from Fordham University in New York and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
John and his wife Terry have lived in Rolling Woods since 1987. Their two sons, Andrew and Colin, are both graduates of the Williamsburg/James City County Schools and the College of William & Mary. Terry is a retired educator in the Newport News Public Schools.
Neighborhood road improvement and repair of faulty paving.
Expanded bus service and recreation center hours for Roberts District residents.
Creating more housing for our growing senior population.
Stormwater control projects for Grove and James Terrace.
Protecting our drinking water from contamination.
Leading the state-wide Coalition of High Growth Communities, which is fighting against efforts to have current residents pay the costs of new residential growth.
Financial stability by earning and maintaining the County's "Triple A" bond rating.
Promoting our community values by leading successful effort to have James City County endorse General Assembly ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the US Constitution.