|
|
| Monthly Newsletter from Chairman Sharon Bulova |
|
| Stay Connected |
|
Email
Website
Office
(703) 324-2321
Please contact my office with any comments, questions, concerns or ideas.
I look forward to hearing from you!
|
|
|
 |
|
Greetings,
I am writing this early December Byline letter to a backdrop of turmoil being reported from around the globe. A time of unrest.
As we approach the holiday season it is important that we:
Take time to appreciate our family, friends and the gifts we have;
Give back to our community;
Look out for others who need our help;
Remember to be kind.
This Byline includes ways for you to contribute both at home and around the world. My office is a donation site through December 4 for blankets and coats to be sent (free of charge - thanks to Paxton Van Lines and Mersk Shipping) to Syrian refugees living in camps and on the streets in Turkey. Fairfax County is a Sister City to Kecioren in Ankara.
I was also pleased recently to help distribute jackets and shoes to some of our Fairfax County children who receive free and reduced lunches. These children will someday give back to the community that has nurtured them. Kindness is contagious.
Also included in this Byline is information about the Swearing-In ceremony for members of our Board of Supervisors on December 15th. I'd like to take this opportunity to say "thank you" to my colleagues Mike Frey and Gerry Hyland who are retiring from the Board; and "welcome!" to new Board Members Kathy Smith and Dan Storck. We have work ahead of us to meet the challenges our county faces in order to maintain the excellent quality of life our community values during what has become a historic slow recovery from the Great Recession. With the help of our fantastic County workforce and the engagement of our Fairfax County residents, I have no doubt we will succeed.
|
|
|
Sincerely,
Sharon Bulova
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
|
|
|
|
| Welcome to New Members of the Board of Supervisors |
|
|
|
The outgoing Board was a real cast of characters
Original Sharon Bulova Cartoon Artwork
|
Your Board of Supervisors will look a little different starting January 1, 2016. Supervisors Gerry Hyland and Mike Frey are retiring after many years of dedicated service to our community. Gerry and Mike have been wonderful colleagues and friends for many years, and their presence on the Board will be sincerely missed.
Dan Stork and Kathy Smith were recently elected to serve as their successors, representing the Mount Vernon and Sully Districts, respectfully. Be sure to introduce yourself next time you see them! You are invited to attend our Inauguration Ceremony at the Fairfax County Government Center on December 15, 2015 at 6pm where all of us will be sworn in for the next four year term. Hope to see you there!
Our new Board will face a number of challenges this year including working with the state to increase K-12 public education funding, engaging in a thorough Lines of Business Review to insure efficiency and cost-effectiveness of county services and programs, collaborating with local jurisdictions to address congestion on I-66, developing an implementation plan for the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission's policy recommendations, and launching the County's new
Diversion First program, which will help people with mental illness receive treatment instead of incarceration.
As always, our Board welcomes your feedback and suggestions, especially as we consider the Budget for Fiscal Year 2017. An informed and engaged community is a well-served constituency.
|
| Last Call for Blankets and Coats! |
 Elected officials from Northern Virginia, leaders from faith communities, and representatives of aid organizations are holding a Blanket and Children's Winter Coat Drive to help more than 4 million refugees fleeing from Syria and Iraq due to ISIL and civil war violence. Gently used blankets and children's winter coats are being collected at various
locations
now through Saturday, December 5 and will be shipped to refugees who have fled to Turkey. My office is collecting until 5pm on Friday, December 4. We won't be here on Saturday!
Last year's collection drive was incredible with thousands of blankets being dropped off at Fairfax County locations, including my office. We were honored to work with our community partners and local faith organizations to help those in need. I know our community will be there once again to join this great effort. Learn more at
www.helpsyrianrefugees.us
.
|
| Focus for the 2016 General Assembly: More Public Education Funding |
On December 8, the Board of Supervisors will vote to formally adopt priorities for the upcoming session of the Virginia General Assembly. You can read the draft version of these priorities
here. When the General Assembly convenes in January, they will begin work on the state's two-year budget. The Board of Supervisors' top priority is funding for public education.
Since 2009, the General Assembly has reduced state support for public education by approximately $1 billion. The Fairfax County School Board has worked hard to control costs and the Board of Supervisors has increased school funding by over $200 million during the past five years and we are struggling from the reduced State share of funding. We need the Governor and General Assembly as a partner in providing the high quality public education residents expect and our children deserve. This is a challenge shared by local governments throughout Virginia and I am convening a group of: chief elected officials, jurisdiction executives, chambers of commerce, school superintendents and school board leaders from across the state later this month to present a unified case to the General Assembly to consider in January.
The General Assembly is
scheduled to act on a state budget before either the Board of Supervisors or the School Board make any final decisions about our respective budgets. Adequate state investment in public education will be critical to resolving the anticipated challenges facing the County and school system in FY2017.
It's important that members of the General Assembly hear from residents as well as local elected officials. Our local delegation to the General Assembly will be taking public comments on the upcoming session on Saturday, January 9 at the Fairfax County Government Center. You can also
contact your state delegate and state senator if you are unable to attend the meeting.
|
| Leaf Blowers and Lawn Mowers Disturbing the Peace? |
|
Our Board passed a new Fairfax County Noise Ordinance that will go into effect February 17, 2016. The code sets a maximum decibel level and prohibits certain noises during specific hours to ensure residents get the peace and quiet (and sleep) that is expected near a residential area.
To file a complaint during daytime hours (Monday - Thursday 8am - 4pm, Friday 9:15am - 4pm) contact the Dept. of Code Compliance at 703-324-1300. At night, call the Police non-emergency number at 703-691-2131.
..
|
| Prepping for El Niño Winter |
El Niño may have an impact on our weather this winter. Scientists predict overall milder temperatures and more precipitation for our area. If it gets cold enough, that could mean a few significant snow storms. It's always a good idea to plan ahead of time while the weather is still decent.
Get a kit. Basic emergency supplies include:
- Food and water for three days
- A battery-powered or hand-cranked radio with extra batteries.
- For businesses and offices, bottled water, protein bars and a radio or TV to hear local information about whether it is safe to travel.
- A power pack for recharging cell phones and other mobile devices.
Make a plan. Everyone needs an emergency plan:
- Decide who your out-of-town emergency contact will be.
- Where will you meet up with family members if you can't return home?
- Get an emergency plan worksheet at ReadyVirginia.gov.
Stay informed. Before, during and after a winter storm, you should:
- Listen to local media for information and instructions from emergency officials.
- Be aware of winter storm watches and warnings and road conditions.
- Get where you need to go before the weather gets bad - limit travel until roads are clear.
- Get road condition information 24/7 by calling 511 or checking www.511Virginia.org
Download the Ready Virginia app. Free app for iPhone® and Android™ features:
- Location-specific weather watches and warnings issued by the NWS.
- A customizable family emergency plan that can be easily shared.
- A checklist for gathering emergency supplies.
- "I'm Safe!" notification that allows users to quickly send a text message to let family and friends know they are safe.
|
| Forget the Fruitcake - Give the Perfect Gift Online |
This year, there are lots of great ways to give and give back at the same time.
Donate to any of 11 Fairfax County affiliated nonprofits in honor of someone on your gift list. It makes shopping easy and offers you a nice tax deduction, but best of all it helps these organizations succeed in bringing goods and services to those who need them most at this special time of year.
Forget the fruitcake and give the perfect gift online at
www.GiveFairfax.net
.
|
| Local Holiday Events to Light up the Season |
|
|
| You're Invited to Chairman Bulova's Annual New Year Reception |
|
This "Thank You" Celebration is my treat and not funded via County tax dollars
|
|
|
