Monthly Newsletter from Chairman Sharon Bulova

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova

 

In This Issue
New Year Reception
I-95 Express Lanes
Fun Winter Activities
Silver Line & Shopping
Snow & Ice Prep
'Tis the Season
Special Election
John Geer Investigation

Sign up for the Bulova Byline 


 Join Our Mailing List

Did You Know?
You can plan your Metro/bus routes with WMATA's Trip Planner tool
  

Stay Connected

    
Like me on Facebook
  
Follow me on Twitter
  
View my profile on LinkedIn
  
View my photos on flickr
  
View my videos on YouTube
  
Email
  
Website
  
Office
(703) 324-2321
  
  
  
Please contact my office with any comments, questions, concerns or ideas. I look forward to hearing from you!
   
                    December 2014

Greetings, 

 

As many Byline readers are aware, Fairfax County is dealing with a troubling case involving the 2013 death of John Geer. I've spent a good deal of time during these first days of December responding to questions about the federal investigation into this case and why it is taking so long.

 

Ordinarily a police-involved shooting in Fairfax is referred to the Commonwealth Attorney's office and is handled in a relatively short time.  In this case, however, the Commonwealth Attorney's office asked last January for the Federal government to assist.  That investigation is still ongoing.

 

Interpreting the facts in order to discover the truth of what happened is often difficult. There are the bare facts of what happened: the police were called and a man was shot. Then there is the interpretation of what happened. Or what one thinks happened. Or what one heard happened. Why and how it happened. Individuals view information differently through their own cultural prisms and backgrounds. The interpretation part is never simple.  That is the job right now of federal investigators.

 

Below, you will find a copy of my personal Statement regarding this case, along with the County's official Statement.

 

The violent loss of a life is tragic, whatever the circumstances. In fairness to everyone involved and affected, it is critical that information obtained through the investigation be carefully vetted and corroborated prior to its release at the conclusion of the process. The County has provided all of the information and materials requested by federal investigators.

 

Our Board does not interfere with, or insert itself into, a criminal investigation. We have, however, expressed our frustration and deep concern with the length of time this investigation has taken. Once the process is completed, I am committed to a review of Fairfax County's own internal policies and procedures to make sure we are working with all levels of law enforcement so that justice is served in a timely manner.

 

***

 

On a lighter note, this Byline also includes information about some upcoming transportation events, along with tips on how to stay safe during our always changing winter weather. Lastly, don't miss links for Holiday activities and events throughout the County!

 

Have a safe and blessed Holiday Season, and thank you for keeping up-to-date on your local government by reading this Byline!

 

Sincerely,
  


Sharon Bulova
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

Join Us to Celebrate the New Year!
 
 

 

RSVP Today

      

Chairman Bulova invites you to celebrate the New Year at the Fairfax County Government Center! We invite you to attend as a special "thank you" for all you've done for Fairfax County and our community. Come enjoy music, friends, food, and a great evening. Hope to see you there!

            
  
I-95 Express Lanes Opening Soon
  

The I-95 Express Lane project will be completed this month, providing added lane capacity and faster, more predictable travel options for commuters.

 

The 95 Express Lanes operate for about 29 miles, from Garrisonville Road in Stafford County to the Edsall Road area on 395. Carpoolers are able to ride in the Express Lanes for free. Commuters with an EZPass can now pay to enter the Express Lanes and will have a guaranteed travel time from Stafford County to Tysons. Learn more!

 

  

 

Things To Do This Winter

 

 

Silver Line & Shopping

 

 
Whether commuting or visiting, get to Tysons easily by car, bus, bike or rail. The Silver Line Metro station is directly connected to Tysons Corner, providing access to shops, restaurants, apartments, offices and more. Ride the Silver Line to the Tysons Corner Station for convenient access to the shopping mall via a covered walkway. Metro bus routes serve two bus stops directly on the property.
  
  
  
 
Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful  

 

...but we have some great tips and resources to help you get ready for this winter!  

 

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is responsible for plowing most roads in Fairfax County. Fairfax County and VDOT stay in constant contact with each other during snow storms to help ensure the safety of Fairfax County residents.

 

STAY UP TO DATE:

  1. Sign up for free email and text alerts with Fairfax Alerts
  2. Bookmark the Emergency Information Blog
  3. Follow Fairfax County on Facebook and Twitter  
  4. I will keep constituents up-to-date on my personal social media accounts as well  

If you ever need assistance or have any questions about plowing, shoveling, or winter weather procedures, please contact my office at 703-324-2321 or email chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov. During snow storms, my staff checks office phone messages and emails remotely, and coordinates with VDOT to help you with any questions or concerns. In the event of an emergency, please call 911.

 

TRAVEL RESOURCES:

This information will be useful throughout the winter as we deal with snow and ice. So please be sure to save this edition of the Byline.

Giving Back this Holiday Season

 

 

Donate to your favorite non-profit as a gift this Holiday Season

 

 

Stuff the Bus - Helping Feed Families in Need

  
  
Virginia House of Delegates 34th District Special Election
 

The 34th Delegate District precincts in Fairfax County are 219 Westbriar, 226 Wolftrap, 240 Colvin, 301 Chain Bridge, 303 Churchill, 304 Cooper, 306 Great Falls, 309 Kenmore, 311 Langley, 316 Salona #1, 322 Forestville, 323 Shouse, 328 Hickory, 329 Seneca and 331 Spring Hill. Check your voter registration information by visiting the Virginia Department of Elections website vote.virginia.gov/search or calling the Fairfax County Office of Elections at 703-222-0776.

 

Registration Deadline

The voter registration deadline is on December 30, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. for in-person and 11:59 p.m for online.

 

Absentee Voting

In-person absentee voting for the January 6, 2015 Special Election has begun. The final day to vote in-person absentee is Saturday, Jan 3rd. The last day to apply for an absentee ballot by mail is December 30, 2014.

 

Voting on Election Day

On Election Day, polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Virginia law requires all voters to provide photo identification when voting in person at polling places. For more information on the Election, including photo ID requirements and sample ballots, please visit the Fairfax County Office of Elections website at fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/upcoming.htm.

  
John Geer Investigation
 

Chairman's Personal Statement:

 

"The loss of a life, whatever the circumstances, is a tragedy.  I wish to express my sympathy to the Geer family and to everyone involved in and affected by this event.

 

While mindful of the need for a thorough and careful investigation, my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors and I are frustrated and dissatisfied with the length of time this investigation has taken. The Geer family and the community deserve information and closure. 

 

Federal investigators have been provided all information and materials from the County that they have requested.   I urge the Department of Justice to bring this investigation to a timely resolution.  

 

Lastly, once this investigation has been completed, I am committed to a review of Fairfax County's internal policies when an incident, such as a police involved shooting, is referred to another State and/or Federal law enforcement organization.  It is critical for all levels of law enforcement to work together effectively in order to ensure that justice is timely served."

 

Fairfax County Official Statement:

  

The shooting death of John Geer, on August 29, 2013, by an officer of the Fairfax County Police Department responding to a domestic disturbance call is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, and the FBI. The DOJ confirmed just last week that this matter was referred to them nearly a year ago, in January 2014, and that the investigation is still ongoing. The DOJ stated that it is investigating whether Mr. Geer's civil rights were violated and whether any criminal charges should be filed.  

 

The Police Department and its employees have cooperated fully with the federal investigation.  We trust that the federal investigators have also gathered evidence from all the other sources and witnesses, including the members of Mr. Geer's family.

 

The Fairfax County Police Department has given the federal investigators all the information that they have requested. At one point, the federal court was asked to decide a single motion involving a legal issue. The legal briefing and decision are sealed by law. The federal authorities continued to investigate even while that motion was pending.

 

As officials elected to represent the interests of all citizens of Fairfax County, the Board of Supervisors also will not compromise the integrity of a criminal investigation by inserting themselves into that process. Fairfax County and its Police Department trust the federal investigators to complete their independent and thorough search for the truth, and they await the conclusion of that process.

 

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/2014/statement-on-john-geer.htm