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| Monthly Newsletter from Chairman Sharon Bulova |
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| Sign up for the Bulova Byline
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| Did You Know? |
| The Merrifield Center (8221 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax) is the new home to the Community Services Board! 
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| Stay Connected |
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Email
Website
Office
(703) 324-2321
Please contact my office with any comments, questions, concerns or ideas.
I look forward to hearing from you!
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| Greetings, Earlier this month, I gave a brief State of the County update at a Leadership Fairfax event. During the program, each member of the Board of Supervisors was asked to share a favorite inspirational quote. I have a number of favorites, especially John F. Kennedy's "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."  The one I shared that morning, however, was one that is attributed to a number of political leaders, including Winston Churchill, "Never let a good crisis go to waste." I believe that when faced with a crisis, we must look for opportunities to make things better. This is advice I've been following since the Great Recession roiled the nation in 2008, followed by a sluggish recovery that has stalled over the Washington Metropolitan Region like a stubborn storm system. From December 2012 through December 2014, federal employment decreased by 4,500 jobs in Northern Virginia. During the same period, the Professional and Business Services sector lost 7,300 private sector jobs.
Fairfax County has worked to stem the tide by boosting our economic recovery efforts. Even during these challenging times, Fairfax County has succeeded in adding jobs and attracting new business. We are proud to be home to ten fortune 500 headquarters and are diversifying our industry sectors so that we are not so dependent on the federal government and defense related contracting. ***  At the same time Fairfax County is hearing testimony on the Fiscal Year 2016 Advertised Budget, our staff is preparing for a comprehensive Lines of Business Review beginning in January of next year. This review will be an examination of programs and services Fairfax County provides with an eye toward right sizing services with a revenue stream that has never recovered from pre-recession years. The challenge is to make sure we are maintaining the quality that makes us the desirable place we are to live, work and play. When this process begins in January, it will be important to have the community at the table with us as recommendations are being considered by the Board of Supervisors. I will be sure to keep you up-to-date on these opportunities through this Byline. *** A critical incident that I believe presents us with an opportunity was Fairfax County's response to the police involved shooting death of John Geer. The release of information in this situation took entirely too long. Additionally, the process for determining if charges will be filed encountered conflict instead of cooperation among the agencies responsible for this decision. These issues are being addressed, but I believe we have an opportunity here to make improvements to our policies and practices involving critical police involved incidents. On March 3rd, the Board of Supervisors endorsed my motion for the creation of an Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission. This 38 member body met for the first time on March 23rd and mapped out their expectations for the work and results for the Commission. Commission Members were selected based on specific backgrounds and skills in the areas of law, media, law enforcement and academia. Additional opportunities for broader community engagement will be included in the Commission's work plan. The Commission is chaired by Michael Hershman, one of our two Citizen Members of our Board's Audit Committee. Mr. Hershman is an internationally recognized expert on matters relating to transparency, accountability, governance, litigation and security. I feel very fortunate to have his leadership and expertise in this effort. *** Lastly, I am working with Sheriff Stacey Kincaid, Police Chief Roessler, Fire & Rescue Chief Bowers, Community Services Board Director Tisha Deeghan and the Reverend Jennifer McKenzie to consider alternatives to incarceration for individuals with mental illness who have committed a non-violent crime. Other jurisdictions in Virginia and the region have established jail diversion programs and facilities for the mentally ill. Fairfax County should as well. I will be sure to keep you up-to-date on this effort in future Bylines. *** On a lighter side, this April Byline has a lot of good news and opportunities I'm happy to share. I hope you take advantage of the warmer weather (finally!!) to enjoy the beautiful things Fairfax County has to offer. |
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Sincerely,
Sharon Bulova
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
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| Budget Process Update |
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| Break out session at my Community Budget Dialogues at the South County Government Center |
Fairfax County is currently in the middle of the FY 2016 Budget process. The County Executive has advertised a budget built around the current tax rate of $1.09 per $100 of assessed value. When it comes time to mark-up/make changes to the Advertised Budget on April 21st, it is important that the Board of Supervisors has the benefit of your thoughts. When we adopt the budget, we are investing in the priorities of our community. You will have an opportunity to testify about your priorities at Public Hearings on April 7th, 8th, and 9th at the Fairfax County Government Center. Budget adoption is scheduled for April 28. I hope you will participate in this important process! Sign up to speak.
Thank you to those of you who participated in my Community Budget Dialogues on March 14! We had some great discussions and I am very grateful for your questions and suggestions. A summary of these dialogues is posted online.
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| My Visit to Wildflour Caterers |
I recently visited Wildflour Caterers, a bakery, caf? and catering company in Chantilly. Wildflour employs and empowers people with disabilities to achieve independence and integration in the workplace and in the community. Wildflour offers artisan breads, pastries, sandwiches, soups, and a great lunch buffet. One of their signature items is unique and in high demand - fresh and healthy dog biscuits! Tisha Deegan, Executive Director of the CSB, joined me for a grand tour of the business, and we got to see firsthand how these best-selling treats are made. We met a number of employees who taught us how to roll the dough, fill the trays and package the final product for sale. Fairfax County is lucky to have such a great business right here in our community. Hope you'll stop by!
  
Wildflour Caterers | 4500 Southgate Place, Suite 150, Chantilly, Virginia 20151 | (703) 263-1951
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| The World Police & Fire Games Is Fast Approaching! |
Pull out your summer calendars and mark June 26 through July 5. Fairfax County is hosting the 2015 World Police and Fire Games - the second largest international sporting event in the world.
The Police and Fire games showcase the athletic talent of first responders from around the globe. We're expecting 12,000 public safety athletes from 70 countries competing in 61 sports and 1,600 sporting events. The games will take place in 53 locations throughout Fairfax County and the National Capital Region, including our own Springfield Town Center. The Springfield Town Center site will host the Ultimate Firefighter Competition, a multi-day competition that tests participants' capabilities in four stages: hose task, weight and strength, obstacle course and high rise.
Not only can you watch these games, you can be part of this historic event. The 2015 World Police and Fire Games Committee is recruiting 4,000 volunteers to assist with games ambassadors, special events, venues and competition, public relations and marketing, and more. Orientation and training will be provided and you must be 18 years of age by July 6 in order to apply.
And by the way, there's some good economic news for the County. Hosting these games is a real win for our bottom line. The positive economic impact is estimated to be $30-$35 million.
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| Social Media Aids in Capture of Dangerous Escapee |
Wossen Assaye is back in custody after escaping from contracted security guards, assigned by the U.S. Marshals, while he was a patient at Inova Fairfax Hospital. On Tuesday, March 31, Fairfax County Police were called to the hospital shortly after 3am. Our officers immediately worked with hospital staff to lock down the building and surrounding areas outside. Fairfax County Police took to Twitter and began providing critical, time-sensitive information to the public and media. Through Twitter, that information was shared quickly and provided the community with essential information they needed to assist law enforcement in the search. Ultimately, Assaye was taken into custody without incident after someone who saw Assaye's picture on social media spotted him getting off a Metrobus.
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| SpringFest is Almost Here! |
Join us for our annual Earth Day/Arbor Day celebration with food trucks, rock climbing walls, pony rides, games, a petting zoo and more! Come celebrate clean, green and sustainable living as we enter into warmer weather this spring.
SpringFest Fairfax
Saturday, April 25, 2015
10 AM - 4 PM
Workhouse Arts Center
9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA 22079
Free Admission & Free Parking (select activities require a small fee)
For more information about SpringFest or Clean Fairfax Council, visit their websites at www.springfestfairfax.org and www.cleanfairfax.org.
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| Annual Seedling Sale |
The Northern Virginia Soil & Water Conservation District is holding their Annual Seedling Sale! Seedling packages go on sale each year in January and are available for pickup in early May. Trees and shrubs help cleanse water, prevent soil erosion, provide habitat, cool our climate and clean our air. Consider adding native trees and shrubs to your community today!
The shrub and small tree package is available for $16.95 and includes redbuds, silky dogwoods, winterberries, red chokeberries and arrowwood viburnums. The tree package is available for $11.95 and is ideal for common areas or larger suburban yards. This package includes river birches, willow oaks and shortleaf pines. All seedlings are native to Northern Virginia. Order by April 22 or until supplies run out!
Learn More:
Website: fairfaxcounty.gov/nvswcd/seedlingsale
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 703-324-1460
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| Community Feedback for Human Services |
Beginning March 30th through June 1st, the Fairfax County Human Services System would like your help in identifying human service needs and potential solutions in communities throughout Fairfax County. Your input in the 2015 Human Services Needs Assessment is crucial to help strengthen opportunities for individuals and families to be safe, healthy and realize their potential. Community engagement will include an online survey, focus groups and "Meetings-on-the-Go." Some topics will include availability of physical and behavioral health services, accessible and affordable housing opportunities, resources to promote financial stability, opportunities and resources for children and youth, and opportunities for community engagement. Help with this effort by providing valuable feedback! For more information, please call 703-324-4600.
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| Economic Outlook Summit 2015 |
 Experts in the local economy, real estate, and business development will discuss the outlook for 2015 and help you prepare your business strategy. The Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce and the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation proudly present the 2015 Economic Outlook Summit. This event will be held on Thursday, April 9, 8:00am to 12pm at Belle Haven Country Club, 6023 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, VA 22307. The exhibit hall with displays and buffet breakfast opens at 8:00am. Register Here. Confirmed speakers include:
Dr. Gerald L. Gordon, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority Edward L. Long, Fairfax County Executive Terry L. Clower, Ph.D., Deputy Director, Center for Regional Analysis, George Mason University
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| Improving Rides from Potholes to Paving |
 VDOT road crews have recently filled more than 10,000 potholes across Northern Virginia. While patching continues full-force through the spring, there's more good news in store: Next month, VDOT kicks off $168 million worth of paving to further improve roads and rides for drivers across the region.
Paving Plan:
The $168 million in paving across Northern Virginia includes 31 lane miles of interstates, about 50 lane miles of primary routes, and extensive paving on secondary roads and neighborhood streets of almost 1,000 lane miles. See roads scheduled for paving statewide at virginiaroads.org.
Pothole Update:
For patching, crews use "cold" and "hot" mix asphalt, with both mechanized and hand work where needed. Drivers may be familiar with the contracted "pothole killers" that shoot a temporary asphalt patch. In Northern Virginia, VDOT also owns two "Python 5000s," that actually make a permanent patch with a scraper and roller in about two minutes. There are only a handful of Pythons in use in the United States, with about thirty total in operation. Crews are also increasingly using Aquaphalt, a fast-drying material that creates a durable permanent patch.
Resources:
Report potholes online (virginiadot.org/travel/citizen) or to operators 24/7 at VDOT's Customer Service Center at 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623). TTY users, call 711. Crews in Northern Virginia patch roads in Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun counties. If the pothole is in a city, town, or Arlington County, please call the public works department in that location.
How potholes form, safe driving tips, pothole-patching videos and other information: virginiadot.org/info/faq-potholes
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