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| Monthly Newsletter from Chairman Sharon Bulova |
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| New Year Reception Photos
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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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| Sign up for the Bulova Byline
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Greetings,
Wikipedia defines uncertainty as:
a situation which involves imperfect and/or unknown information. However, "uncertainty is an unintelligible expression without a straightforward description".[1] It arises in subtly different ways in a number of fields, including insurance, philosophy, physics, statistics, economics, finance, psychology, sociology, engineering, metrology, and information science.
You can add to that state and local government.
Wikipedia even offers a number of graphics that help to illustrate its meaning. My favorite is the one here, attributed to the United States Department of Agriculture.
Uncertainty is the condition Fairfax County (and much of the nation) finds itself in as we attempt to discern how recent Executive Orders and shifts in philosophy at the federal level will affect us with the change of administrations in Washington.
Fairfax County's $4 billion General Fund budget includes approximately $227 million in funding from the federal government. Of that, about $100 million goes to the schools. Approximately $102 million comes to the County for safety net programs such as Head Start, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and Family Services.
Another $76 million comes from the federal government to the Fairfax County Redevelopment & Housing Authority for housing assistance, such as the Housing Choice Voucher program. This is one of the programs Fairfax County uses to help lower income residents keep a roof over their heads in this high rent part of the country.
Our County Executive will be releasing his Advertised Budget on February 14th. This will be to a backdrop of much uncertainty, as we await likely changes to Medicaid and to health care for residents who have insurance under the Affordable Care Act, a freeze on federal hiring, and a travel ban that is affecting families, our universities and our businesses. This action in particular is counter to what defines this country. We are a nation of immigrants committed to religious freedom. I am committed to keeping Fairfax County a safe and welcoming place and will continue to work hard to ensure the well-being of our community.
See inside this Byline for information regarding my new Community Council on Land Use Engagement, an update on our environment efforts, opioid overdose training information, and more. Lastly, I look forward to celebrating with you as Fairfax County celebrates our 275th anniversary.
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Sincerely,
Sharon Bulova
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
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| Your Guide to Winter Weather in Fairfax County |
While 2017 has proven so far to be unusually mild, you never know when snow could be headed our way! In the event of winter weather, you can follow these sources for important information and updates:
- fairfaxcounty.gov
- Twitter: @fairfaxcounty
- Facebook: @fairfaxcounty
- Cable Channel 16
- VDOT website: virginiadot.org
- Emergency Information Hotline at 703-817-7771, TTY 711
- Local media
It's important to remember that Fairfax County local government is not in charge of plowing snow for most roads. The State of
Virginia's Department of Transportation (VDOT) has that responsibility in nearly every Virginia county. You can use VDOT's
online snow plow tracker to check the status of your road and see what has been cleared. Read more in Fairfax County NewsCenter's
Winter Weather Guide.
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| Regional Economic Roadmap and Workforce Trends |
The SkillSource Group, Inc. and the Northern Virginia Workforce Development Board (NVWDB) are convening employers, public officials, educators, community leaders and other stakeholders to take part in bi-monthly Northern Virginia Workforce Conversations. This month, you are invited to:
A Conversation with Stephen S. Fuller, Ph.D.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Dr. Fuller's economic roadmap focuses on upcoming workforce trends and opportunities for the Washington D.C. region. This event offers a chance to discuss how we can work together as a region to promote a positive and sustainable economic trajectory, strengthen employment opportunities, and provide a high quality of life for current and future residents. This event is free and open to the public.
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| Fairfax County YOPROs - A New Generation of Thinkers and Leaders! |
Young professionals in Fairfax County Government are expanding personal and professional networks, furthering career skills, volunteering, and brainstorming new ideas for Fairfax County's future. This year, the YOPRO cohort will discuss topics relating to community leadership, conflict resolution, organization, staying fit, and will also engage in Q&A discussions with County leaders. The group will also get together for Celebrate Fairfax and other fun events throughout the year! I am pleased to see a new generation of County employees connecting and growing together with sincere dedication and contagious enthusiasm! For County employees, feel free to check the YOPRO site on FairfaxNET for dates and times of upcoming meetings and events.
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| Exterior Property Maintenance |
Fairfax County property owners are required to keep their buildings in good repair, structurally sound and sanitary. If there are properties in your neighborhood with rotting wood, broken or cracked windows, defective roofs, unsecured doors, or structurally unsound materials, the Department of Code Compliance can investigate and issue a Notice of Violation to have those items repaired and/or replaced.
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| Community Council on Land Use Engagement First Meeting Feb. 13 |
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Thank you all who expressed an interested in my Community Council on Land Use Engagement. My office is reaching out to potential Council members this week. All meetings will be open to the public and be held at the Fairfax County Government Center. The Council's first meeting will be on February 13 at 7:30pm in Rooms 4/5. The Council will be tasked with making recommendations to improve Fairfax County's public outreach and community engagement in the land use and development process. Former Planning Commissioner and current Park Authority Board Member Walter Alcorn will chair the Council. Walter has extensive experience in land use and public outreach, having successfully led the community engagement effort on the revisioning of Tysons.
Here's a brief look at what the Council will discuss. Council members will work together on a scope of work and set priorities at the Feb. 13 meeting, so these topics may shift. Keep an eye on the Byline or check with my office if you want to hear about a particular topic.
Feb. 13, 7:30pm, Rooms 4/5
History of Planning and Zoning
Council Discussion of Priorities
Feb. 27, 7:30pm, Rooms 2/3
Land Use 101
March 13, 7:30pm, Rooms 4/5
Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission
The Developer Perspective
March 27, 7:30pm, Rooms 4/5
Breakout Sessions and Full Council Discussion
April 17, 7:30pm, Rooms 4/5
Review and Approval of Final Report
April 24, 7:30pm, Rooms 4/5 (IF NECESSARY)
Review and Approval of Final Report
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| CSB Offers Training to Prevent Opioid Overdoses |
Did you know that more people die each year from drug overdoses than from car crashes? Overdosing remains a serious problem across the nation and in our own backyard.
- The Fire & Rescue Department responded to 291 suspected heroin overdoses in Fairfax County between 2011 and 2014.
- In Northern Virginia, heroin-related deaths increased 164% between 2011 and 2013.
- Virginia's opioid addiction crisis was deemed a public health emergency in 2016.
REVIVE! is a program that uses naloxone (Narcan®) to reverse opioid overdoses. (Opioids include legal medications like hydrocodone and oxycodone, in addition to illegal drugs like heroin.) The REVIVE! program trains people on what to do and not do in an overdose situation, how to administer naloxone, and what to do afterwards. Each person who attends the program receives a free REVIVE! kit, which includes all the supplies needed to administer naloxone. The medication itself can be acquired at a pharmacy after completing the training. Attendees also receive a safety plan to help individuals prevent overdose if they relapse. The Community Services Board has partnered with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and the Chris Atwood Foundation to host Project REVIVE! in our community. Visit fairfaxcounty.gov/csb/revive/ for locations, dates and times for upcoming classes. For more information on treatment, recovery and data, please visit vaaware.com.
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| 18th Century Artifacts Now On Display in Fairfax County |
One of the oldest complete sets of colonial weights and measures in the United States is now on display in the lobby of the Fairfax County Government Center! This display is one of the many ways Fairfax County is celebrating its 275th Anniversary. To commemorate Fairfax County's extensive and influential history, a number of great events will be happening throughout the year, including a history fair on June 17, 2017 on the grounds of the historic Fairfax County Courthouse. Visit fairfax275.com to see what's coming up!
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| Fairfax 275 Celebration - Weights and Measures |
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| Working to Keep our Environment Healthy, Clean and Cool! |
 In 2007, the Board of Supervisors signed a
Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Declaration. We pledged to
inventory Fairfax County Government's own greenhouse gas emissions, help to reduce the D.C. Metropolitan Region's overall emissions to 80% below 2005 levels by 2050, and urge the Federal Government to create limits and incentives to help reduce emissions.
While the new federal administration has not made the environment a top priority, Fairfax County continues to work to reduce our own greenhouse gas emissions at the local level. We adopted a
green building policy, continue to use
landfill gas for heat and electricity, implemented and surpassed a 30-year goal of a 43% tree canopy by 2037, and encourage alternative forms of transportation (examples include
Capital Bikeshare in Reston and Tysons and adding additional
bicycle trails).
As a region, the goal to reduce overall emissions below 2005 levels is right on track: both Fairfax County and the region have cut per capita emissions by 10%, according to the 2012 Metropolitan Washington Council of Government's
study.
Fairfax County needs your help to keep our environment healthy. Fairfax County Government is responsible for only 3% of current greenhouse gas emissions, while the other 97% comes from homes and businesses. Here is a way you can calculate your own environmental
footprint. Please check out
Energy Action Fairfax for some tips on how we can all do our part.
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| Spread Kindness Locally Through Volunteer Work |
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Serving dinner to families who are homeless at the Katherine K. Hanley Shelter in Fairfax |
Opportunities to give and get involved in your community are everywhere. You can v
isit
volunteer.fairfaxcounty.gov for some options! Here is just a sampling:
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