Monthly Newsletter from Chairman Sharon Bulova

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova

 

In This Issue
Silver Line
Police Commission
Diversion First
Science Center Lab
Summer Concerts
Free Bus Passes for Students
Collect for Kids
Arts Festival
Upcoming Election
WPFG

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Fairfax County is launching Diversion First - an effort to help reduce the number of people with mental illness in jail. Find out more inside this Byline! 

  

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                     August 2015

Greetings, 

 

As I write this Byline letter on July 31st, the news tells us to expect a "rare blue moon" to rise this evening. The moon, however, will likely not be blue. It is also not all that rare - about once in 2.7 years. See Once in a Blue Moon Event Is Not Really Blue. A "blue moon" occurs when there is a second full moon during a month. In this case, on July 1st and again on July 31st.

 

Today, the reference to "once in a blue moon" in addition to "something rare" has also come to mean something "special or exceptional." And this June/July has truly been exceptional!

 

Trying my hand at wrist wrestling.

I will never forget the amazing ten days, from June 26 through July 5th, when Fairfax County hosted the World Police & Fire Games. 9,608 public safety athletes from 68 countries flocked to Fairfax County to participate in these games. The outpouring of support and enthusiasm from our community was fantastic and something I will never forget. Inside this Byline, I am posting some great photos along with my remarks at the closing ceremony of the Games.

 

In addition to showcasing the best of Fairfax County and our impressive public safety capabilities, we saw from these Games how well we are able to plan for and execute a major event. As we look for opportunities to diversify our economy and industry sectors in Fairfax County, it is important that we include tourism and hospitality in the mix.

 

At our meeting on July 28th, the Board of Supervisors received the Carryover Review for the past Fiscal Year. The Carryover is the balance (or shortfall) left over once the books have closed on the previous fiscal year. If we've done our jobs well, we will end the year in "the black" and not in "the red". Revenue projections used to build the FY 2015 budget were pretty much right on the nose with an increase in receipts of less than 1%. County agencies were able to return $54.6 million in savings into the General Fund. Once outstanding bills are paid, the County has a positive balance of $47 million. This is good news that allows us to increase County reserves, as recommended by rating agencies, and to provide the $13.1 million to the School system for their infrastructure needs. Both of these actions were priority commitments our Board agreed to when we adopted the Fiscal Year 2016 budget in April. See FY2016 Adopted Budget Summary.

 

A public hearing will be held prior to adoption of the Carryover package at our Board Meeting on September 22nd. Both Carryover and our upcoming Lines of Business Review will be discussed at our Board's next Budget Committee meeting on September 11th at 1 p.m. Meetings are open to the public and you are welcome to join us!

 

National Night Out 2015

A lot more is going on during this busy summer. See inside the Byline for information about progress being made by our Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission and also steps being taken to address how individuals experiencing mental illness are treated in instances where they become involved with law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Both of these efforts are critical when responding to public safety issues that are playing out locally as well as nationally. Fairfax County has an opportunity to become a model for enlightened and compassionate treatment and response to violent encounters. 
 

Lastly, the Board of Supervisors will not be meeting during the month of August and during the first week in September. I will be taking advantage of this time to address a medical issue that began in March when my right vocal cord became paralyzed, affecting my ability to speak. My voice has returned but testing as a result of this episode revealed a nodule on the right side of my thyroid. In mid-August I will be undergoing a medical procedure to remove the nodule and part of my thyroid. This will be outpatient surgery and hopefully will not require a follow up procedure. My office has declined a number of invitations for events that have been scheduled during this time period. I am sharing this information to explain my absence and also to assure the community that, as always, I will be in constant contact with e-mails, my office and County staff. I look forward to being back in the saddle after the Labor Day holiday weekend and serving as your Chairman.

 

Thanks so much for reading this Byline and thanks for your interest in Fairfax County government!

 

Sincerely,
  


Sharon Bulova
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

Happy 1 Year Anniversary to the Silver Line!
 

July 26, 2015 marked the first anniversary of the Metro Silver Line. The Silver Line consists of 11.7 miles of railway connecting 5 stations: McLean, Tysons Corner, Greensboro, Spring Hill, and Wiehle-Reston East. It offers a nonstop commute to D.C. and joins the Orange Line near East Falls Church. Since opening, the Silver Line has served over 7.5 million people and created significant economic development opportunities. Approximately 40% of Silver Line riders are new to the Metro system, meaning the Silver Line has helped reduce traffic and lessen environmental impacts. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority states that on average, properties close to the Metrorail experience a 7-9% increase in value. The Silver Line adds enormous value to Fairfax County. Nearby parking lots, bike storage facilities, and public buses provide convenience and efficiency, making the Metro a great transportation resource. I hope everyone will continue to take advantage of the Silver Line for years to come!

 

Silver Line Turns One!

Silver Line Economic Impact Already Apparent

  
Update on Ad Hoc Police Commission - Second Public Hearing Sept. 14
 

On March 3, the Board of Supervisors endorsed the creation of the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission. The purpose of the Commission is to improve trust between the Fairfax County Police Department and the community they serve so well. We live in the safest jurisdiction of its size, due in no small part to the hard work and dedication of our public safety personnel. But we have an opportunity to improve the way we handle officer-involved shootings and other serious incidents, build on a culture of trust and transparency, and become a leader in how we treat the mentally ill.

 

The Commission has five subcommittees and almost 70 total members. Since its creation, the Commission has held five meetings, including one public hearing, and its subcommittees have held 29 meetings, all of which have been open to the public. See full schedule.

 

Significant progress has been made toward delivering a set of strong, progressive recommendations for the Board of Supervisors to consider. The Communications Subcommittee and the Recruitment, Diversity and Vetting Subcommittee have delivered their recommendations to the Commission.

 

In addition to the completed subcommittee reports, the website for the Commission is full of information you may find interesting. FCPD senior leadership has been fully engaged with the Commission, providing written answers to hundreds of questions and dozens of documents, some of which had not been publicly released before the Commission was formed. Many answers provide a good perspective on the policies and procedures of FCPD, including uses of force.

 

The full Ad Hoc Commission has 3 meetings left - August 17, September 14 and September 28. On September 14, the Commission will meet at Walt Whitman Middle School in Alexandria to hear public testimony for the second time. There is no need to sign up in advance in order to speak. On October 20, the final report will be presented to the Board of Supervisors. It is expected that the Board will accept the report and refer it to County staff for follow up. County staff will begin developing a work plan/response to the recommendations and present this to the Board at a Public Safety Committee meeting on October 27 at 3:00pm. If you have any questions regarding the Ad Hoc Commission, please contact Clayton Medford in my office at clayton.medford@fairfaxcounty.gov or by calling 703-324-2321.

 

Effort to Reduce Number of People with Mental Illness in Jails
 

A group of about 50 community and Fairfax County government leaders has launched an effort, called Diversion First, with the goal of reducing the number of people with mental illness in local jails by diverting non-violent offenders experiencing mental health crises  to treatment instead of incarceration. The inaugural meeting of the Diversion First group included four judges, top officials from throughout the Fairfax County government, mental health leaders, local law enforcement agencies, local political leaders, mental health advocacy groups and community members whose families have experienced the consequences of incarceration as well as its alternative -- diversion to appropriate mental health treatment. The group has committed to set up a basic jail diversion program by January 1, 2016 with the following initial components in place, to be expanded and further developed over the next 3-5 years:

 

  • An ongoing program of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for local law enforcement personnel, led by the Fairfax County Police Department in collaboration with the county Sheriff's Office and the CSB. The county has made a commitment to ensure that CIT-trained officers are available to cover all shifts, 24/7
  • A therapeutic Crisis Assessment Site at the CSB's new Merrifield Center, where police will be able to transfer custody of offenders who may need mental health services to a CIT-trained officer on-site, rather than taking the individual directly to jail.
  • A second CSB Mobile Crisis Unit (MCU) to increase the county's capacity to provide emergency mental health personnel in the field when requested by county residents or law enforcement, for outreach and support in various mental health crisis situations.
  • Mental Health Docket in the Fairfax County Court system.  A Mental Health Docket is a specialized court docket which employs a problem-solving approach better suited than more traditional court procedures to addressing defendants with mental illnesses.   

 

The next meeting of the Diversion First! Stakeholders Group is scheduled for September 15, 2015.  

 

New Children's Science Center Lab Open in Fair Oaks Mall
 

The Children's Science Center Lab just opened in Fair Oaks Mall, in between Sears and Lord & Taylor. The lab is Northern Virginia's first interactive museum where children, families and school groups can explore science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts through fun, hands-on exhibits! It's a great opportunity for kids to have a positive experience with math and science early on, and help them apply what they've learned in school. I had a lot of fun constructing windmills with Planning Commissioner Tim Sargeant to discover the most energy efficient designs! This is a great place for kids and parents alike to enjoy some exhibits, have fun, and learn a few things, too!

  
Summer Concerts | Wine Tastings | Food Trucks | Farmers Market
 

We have three more Evenings on the Ellipse Summer Concerts this month! Each concert is free and open to the public, complete with wine tastings, food trucks, and a farmers market in the front parking lot. Stop by with your picnic blankets and lawn chairs for a relaxing evening with friends and family.

 

 Thursdays 5:30-7pm at the Fairfax County Government Center:

 

August 6: The Railsplitters (Bluegrass)

August 13: Russikye Musikanti (Russian)

August 20: The Winstons (Motown)

 


In addition to Evenings on the Ellipse, concerts and farmers markets are taking place all over Fairfax County: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/thebigpicture/ 

 

Free Bus Passes for Students - Pilot Program Underway
 
Congressman Connolly, State Senator Howell, State Delegate Plum and me riding the Fairfax Connector

The wheels on the bus will be going round and round this fall when high school students are eligible for free rides on some of the Fairfax Connector routes! The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is partnering with Fairfax County Public Schools for a year-long trial run of the "Student Free Fare Program."

 

Under the pilot program, students who receive permission from a parent or guardian can apply through their high school to obtain a special pass and ride the County bus service for free. The student riders will be eligible for no-cost rides from 6 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Friday and will abide by the usual rules for bus passengers. Schools participating in the trial run include Chantilly High School, Edison High School, Madison High School, Mount Vernon High School, and South Lakes High School. Passes are valid August 1, 2015 through August 31, 2016 and parental permission forms for students seeking to apply are available through each individual school. Inquire about the program today and take advantage of our fabulous public transit services!

 

Help 53,000 Kids Start The School Year With An A!
  young-boy-reading.jpg

The "good news" in our Collect for Kids partnership is that giving has risen every year and more kids are being served than ever before. The "bad news" is we still can't help all the kids who need it.

 

In addition to 1 in 4 Fairfax County students qualifying for "free and reduced lunch," more than 53,000 kids are in need of schools supplies each year. Fairfax County, along with FCPS, and a host of nonprofit and business partners are working to close the gap so that every kid can start the school year off right. By pooling our resources, we turn $1 into $3 dollars of school supplies and provide a student with a new backpack filled with school supplies for about $20.

 

But we need your help - visit the Collect for Kids website or Apple Federal Credit Union's Facebook page to donate today. You can also visit any Northwest Federal Credit Union or Apple Federal credit union to contribute in person. Every dollar donated goes directly to helping Fairfax kids!

 

This information brought to you by the Fairfax County Office of Public Private Partnerships

  

Fall Arts Festival coming to the Workhouse Arts Center
Jeanne Petrosky - Seasons of Grace - hand made paper and acrylic
 
The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia, is proud to present its inaugural national festival -- the Workhouse Fall Arts Festival on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27. Presented in collaboration with Catriona Fraser, Director of the Bethesda Fine Arts Festival, this event and will feature over 100 artists exhibiting painting, ceramics, glass, fiber/clothing, mixed media, wood, jewelry, photography, furniture, digital art and sculpture. The two-day event includes live music, children's activities, and local food and wine. Admission and parking is free! More information about the Workhouse Arts Center can be found at WorkhouseArts.org.

 

Are You Registered to Vote this November?
 

This year's election will take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 from 6:00am to 7:00pm. Remember the New Voter Photo ID Requirements when checking-in at the polls. Acceptable Photo IDs can be found in this helpful chart from the Virginia Department of Elections.

 

Not Registered to Vote? Register to vote online at www.vote.virginia.gov or pick up a Virginia Voter Registration Application at County Libraries, the Department of Motor Vehicles, or any other Fairfax County Government office. Deadline to register to vote is October 13, 2015.

 

Not sure if you are still registered to vote? Or need to change personal information? Visit the Virginia Department of Elections page "View Your Info." This website will also show your polling location and district.

 

Not in Fairfax County on Election Day? Try In-Person Absentee Voting.Voters can come to County Governmental Centers as they would on Election Day, but must have an eligible reason to vote before November 3, 2015. For more information on the locations, dates, and times please visit the Fairfax County Office of Elections page or www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/absentee_locations.htm

 

Absentee Voting by Mail:

If a voter is eligible to vote before November 3, 2015, he or she can fill out and mail back a Virginia Absentee Ballot Application form found at County Governmental Centers and Libraries or at the following website: elections.virginia.gov/Files/Forms/VoterForms/VirginiaAbsenteeBallotApplication.pdf. A ballot will be mailed to the voter, marked by the voter, and then mailed back by the voter before Election Day. Deadline to Apply for an Absentee Ballot by Mail is October 27, 2015

 

World Police & Fire Games:  Closing Ceremony Remarks
 
Opening Ceremony at RFK Stadium

These games have been a journey for Fairfax. From our first decision almost a decade ago to make a bid for the games...

 

Through the years of planning once we knew in 2009 that the Games would happen here in 2015...

 

Through the nervous months and years, after Belfast showed us just how much work and organization we had to accomplish in order to achieve our goal of hosting the best Games...

 

 

And now, the most exciting part of our journey - having everything come together during these past 10 days.

 

We have experienced the highs and excitement of the Opening Ceremony at RFK Stadium as public safety athletes from all over the globe filled the field. We have cheered on the many sporting events and loved the exuberance and camaraderie of these participants as medals have been presented and celebrations have taken place.

 

Together we have mourned the loss of Inspector Carlos Silva, someone who Fairfax County will always remember and hold in our hearts. And we have shared concern for other athletes who have been injured during these games.

 

Fairfax County is a very diverse community - people from all over the globe have chosen Fairfax County and this region as their home. Welcoming public safety athletes here from so many countries has been a spectacular experience for our community. The enthusiasm of our volunteers and spectators has been evidence of that.

 

These Games are fun, but they also serve a very serious purpose. To be a first responder requires fitness, strength and skill. These competitions provide opportunities and incentive for the men and women who serve to keep us safe to hone their abilities and to build important friendships and bonds among their public safety partners throughout the globe.

 

Thank you to the Federation for making these Games happen, to our Fairfax 2015 team - Chiefs Roessler and Bowers, Sheriff Kincaid and Deputy County Executive Dave Rohrer, to Board of Directors Chair Kevin

Relaxing, now that the Games are over!

Reynolds and Director Bill Knight, and to my colleagues - especially Supervisor Mike Frey - who have consistently supported these Games from the very beginning.

 

And thank you to our Fairfax County community - our volunteers and spectators - for making these 2015 World Police & Fire Games a memorable and successful final chapter to the epic journey of these BEST WORLD POLICE & FIRE GAMES. To Montreal and to Chengdu, China, we wish you the best of luck as your journeys begin.