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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? |
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June is National Adopt a Cat Month.
The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is offering 50% off all adoption fees for cats!
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See who's looking for a new home.....
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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,
June is Immigrant Heritage Month in the United States, a celebration of our shared heritage as a nation of immigrants and a time to reflect on the contributions newcomers have made in their new home.
Co-founder of Immigrant Heritage Month, Tolu Olubunmi, once said, "The entrepreneurial drive and spirit of our country is built on our diversity of origins. It is what drew the first people to the U.S. and what continues to drive American business. American success is a result of our many distinct experiences, not in spite of it."
This June Byline contains a number of opportunities to reflect on the topic of immigration:
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During the weeks leading up to, and following, June 17th, we will be hosting Fairfax County's 275th Anniversary Celebration. The Signature Celebration will be held on the grounds of the Old Court House, located in the City (formerly town) of Fairfax.
Before Fairfax County was a county, Algonquian-speaking Native Americans called the Taux or Dogue populated this land. Familiar names today such as Pohick, Accotink and Occoquan help us remember the very first groups of people who lived here.
Early European settlers came to The New Land in the late 1600s when King Charles II granted land between the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers to seven Englishmen, including Lord Thomas Fairfax. In 1608, John Smith journeyed up the Potomac River and was one of the first European explorers to document life in this region.
The Fairfax family put down stakes in Virginia. William Fairfax constructed a mansion he called Belvoir near the present day Mount Vernon.
If you come to the 275th Anniversary Celebration on June 17, you can meet one of Lord Fairfax's descendants, Lord Nicholas, who will be visiting from The United Kingdom with his wife Annabel!
Fairfax was part of Prince William County until 1742 when the northern part of Prince William was broken off to form Fairfax.
It's important to note that Virginia's economic success was heavily dependent on slave labor. In 1800, 41 percent of Fairfax County's population owned slaves. When we talk about Virginia's historic economic successes, we cannot leave out this chapter in our history that scars our nation and areas in the south, including Virginia.
A number of Fairfax County's original African American communities remain today, including Gum Springs, Tinner Hill, Sideburn and Floris. These and other communities were established by freed slaves who purchased land, built homes and schools and opened businesses. You can visit the Gum Springs Museum on Route 1 to experience a dynamic exhibit of the history of the Gum Springs Community.
A lot has changed in Fairfax County over the past 275 years, including our demographics.
Irish laborers who escaped the potato famine of the mid 1800s settled in Fairfax and many found work building railroads such as the Norfolk Southern and the Richmond Fredericksburg and Potomac, today's CSX.
Fairfax County's proximity to Washington, D.C. and the presence of military institutions such as the Pentagon and Fort Belvoir has resulted in an increase of newcomers to this country that tracks with political upheaval and unrest around the globe. Following the Korean War of 1950 - 1953, and the liberalization of American immigration laws during the 1960s, a major wave of immigrants from South Korea and other Asian countries settled in Fairfax County.
This was followed by Vietnamese refugees in the 1970s.
Attracted to a booming job market and ample opportunities, the Hispanic population in Northern Virginia and Fairfax County has grown dramatically. Many of these individuals come from El Salvador, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia and Guatemala. A number of Middle Eastern and African families have settled into Fairfax County neighborhoods as well, welcomed by a local culture of acceptance for different faiths and backgrounds.
Today, Fairfax County is close to being a minority-majority community, with 61.4% white, 19% Asian-Pacific Islanders, 16.4% Hispanic, and 9.6% black.
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At Cardinal Forest Elementary School for Read Across America Week, March 2017
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With a population that now tops 1.1 million, Fairfax County has experienced dramatic growth over the past 100 years.
- We are larger and more diverse.
- Our low crime rate makes us the safest jurisdiction of our size in the United States.
- We have made education and economic development major priorities.
- The media has called us "one of the greatest success stories of our time" and a "job magnet."
What will our future look like? If only we could peek ahead and see.
The important thing is for us to continue focusing on the things that have helped us to succeed - education, economic opportunity for all, and safe, engaged and accepting communities.
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Later in the month, on June 22nd from 10 to noon, Fairfax County will be celebrating our newest citizens at a Naturalization Ceremony here at the Government Center. I am always moved by this beautiful ceremony, and I am always inspired by these newcomers who have come here to build their lives and enrich our community.
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In New York Harbor is the statue of the goddess Libertas, the Roman Goddess of Freedom. It was a gift to the United States from France in October 1886. Inscribed on a plaque at the base of the Statue of Liberty are the much quoted words:
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teaming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.
I lift my lamp beside the Golden Door.
Adhering to these beautiful words is not as easy and simple as some might like. Democracy is messy. It is, however, a system that has served us well. Even with - or maybe because of - our messiness, we are a great country. And that is something to celebrate.
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Sincerely,
Sharon Bulova
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
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| Celebrate Fairfax! June 9 - 11 |
The Celebrate Fairfax! Festival is a county fair and music festival hybrid, steeped in the history and vitality of Fairfax County and its 1.1 million citizens. Launched as the Fairfax Fair in 1982, the event was created by a commission of elected officials and community leaders who realized that our fast-growing county lacked a unifying event or an established downtown. Th
e resulting county fair was (and remains) the only major event designed to reach all of Fairfax's communities. This three day festival is coming up June 9-11 at the Fairfax County Government Center!
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| Workforce Housing Ribbon Cutting |
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June 5, 2017 - Ribbon Cutting for Residences at Government Center
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The price for housing in Fairfax County and throughout the region is expensive. Many service industry and entry level employees cannot afford to live near where they work. This contributes to longer commutes and traffic congestion.
Workers with modest salaries in Fairfax County now have a more affordable housing option!
The Residences at Government Center (within walking distance of the Fairfax County Government Center, Fairfax Corner, Wegmans and Fair Oaks Mall) is now open for individuals or families earning 60 percent of the area median income, which is about $53,000 for a family of two. There are 270 units in this beautiful four-story apartment community, which also features a pool, fitness center, courtyards, a community room and garage parking. This project is designed to be EarthCraft Gold certified and green features include Energy Star appliances and high-efficiency water heaters.
The Residences at Government Center is a unique public-private partnership between Fairfax County, the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Jefferson Apartment Group and SCG Development. Fairfax County provided the land that was already owned by the County, and the private sector took on the construction and management of the property. What a great public-private partnership at no cost to local taxpayers! Also, because this development is privately owned, it is generating revenue for Fairfax County.
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| Community Council on Land Use Engagement Delivers Final Report |
 This week, the Community Council on Land Use Engagement
delivered its final report. I created the Council in January with the goal of producing a set of recommendations that would improve Fairfax County's public outreach and community engagement in the land use and development process. The Council was chaired by former Planning Commissioner Walter Alcorn, and its 25 members included new and long-time Fairfax County residents, district land use committee members, community association representatives, developer representatives, and County staff from the Office of Public Affairs, Department of Information Technology, and the Office of the Deputy County Executive. The Council met six times between February and May of 2017 and heard presentations from County planning and zoning staff, Planning Commissioners, Providence District Supervisor Linda Smyth, a civic association leader, a land use committee chair and a land use attorney.
The Council found that many engagement processes work very well, particularly in areas of the County with active community associations (HOAs, civic associations, land use committees, etc.). But even in those areas, the Council suggested ways to enhance ongoing efforts. A renewed effort from developers, County staff, and those citizen groups could position Fairfax County to be a leader in the area of communications, public engagement and outreach on land use.
To view the report and see videos of past meetings of the Council, visit their website at
fairfaxcounty.gov/chairman/communitycouncil.htm.
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| Fairfax County Joins Mayors National Climate Action Agenda |
At our Board Meeting on June 6, my colleagues endorsed my intention to join the
Mayors National Climate Action Agenda
. Joining this effort is in line with Fairfax County's demonstrated leadership on addressing climate change and promoting energy efficiency, conservation efforts and renewable energy initiatives.
The Board of Supervisors in 2007 led a similar effort in creating the Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Initiative.
Through the adoption of Cool Counties, Fairfax County has already committed to the three main pillars of the Climate Mayors Agenda: developing a community greenhouse gas emissions inventory; setting near (and long-term) emissions reduction targets; and developing a climate action plan.
I see joining the Mayors initiative as a recommitment to vigorous current efforts to work with local authorities, businesses and residents to encourage emission reduction and meet the targets laid out by the
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
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I look forward to continuing our efforts with our regional, state and federal partners to meet our goals to help protect and preserve the environment for generations to come.
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| Interested in Solar Panels for Your Home or Business? |
Now until June 30, Fairfax County residents and businesses can take advantage of discounted prices on solar panels through
Solarize Fairfax County. Like a Groupon for solar, this program offers one-time, low prices with companies chosen through competitive bids.
To get started saving on your electric bill, you can sign up for a free, no commitment solar assessment. The County will be hosting an
information session
for this campaign on Thursday, June 22 at 7:30pm at the North County Government Center Community Room (1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston, VA 20190). Feel free to come out to learn whether solar is right for you, understand pricing and financing options and meet the contractors who may install your equipment.
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| Help Protect the Chesapeake Bay | June 10 |
The Chesapeake Bay's underwater grasses are making a comeback, and you can see them up close at "Back to the Bay" Day on Saturday, June 10.
This free, family-friendly event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at
Mason Neck State Park
, 7301 High Point Road, Lorton.
This state-sponsored festival includes participation from county agencies and aims to educate residents about the bay, the largest estuary in the nation. It will feature paddleboarding, music by The Burn Band from Mason Neck, food and drink, and an oyster shucking demonstration!
"Back to the Bay" is the signature event of Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week, which was established last year by legislatures in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. It is designed to encourage events, activities and educational programs to raise awareness about the Bay. NewsCenter...
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The Future is Here for Connected and Driverless Cars
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 In our drive toward economic growth, Fairfax County recently hosted an event demonstrating the newest advancements in motor vehicles and the promising future for driverless cars! Residents, employees, researchers and members of the media were able to test drive some of the latest connected and semi-autonomous cars and get a feel for this new technology.
Fairfax is a forward thinking County that helps foster and expand technological innovation, and I'm happy to share that we are a target arena for the development of automated vehicles. Fairfax County and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute partnered with the Virginia Department of Transportation, eTrans Systems, RK&K, the Virginia Transportation Research Council, and other top transportation researchers and policy experts to make the event possible. NewsCenter...
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| Track Your Bus Arrival Time |
The Fairfax Connector
BusTracker helps commuters better time their trips.
Using GPS technology, BusTracker provides real-time information on Fairfax Connector bus locations and arrival times. Travelers can see bus locations on a map or street view. Additionally, the BusTracker offers a list of estimated times of arrival for each bus. The tracker is available on smartphones, tablets and computers.
BusTracker also offers email and text messaging alerts for those who want to remain informed on certain bus routes, stops and times. Travelers can
sign up for these alerts
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| Come Celebrate Fairfax County's 275th Anniversary on June 17th! |
Fairfax County is marking its 275th anniversary this year with events celebrating our history. The
signature celebration
of the anniversary will take place on
June 17, 2017 from 10am-4pm
in the area surrounding the Historic Fairfax Courthouse, located in central Fairfax. For this special day, Lord Nicolas Fairfax and his wife Annabel will be attending the celebration as our honored guests all the way from England.
We are still
looking for volunteers
for various aspects of this event! We have many time slots available and something fun for everyone. All volunteers get a T-shirt or hat!
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| Evenings on the Ellipse Summer Concerts |
I am pleased to announce another exciting season of the Evenings on the Ellipse concert series this summer. On Thursday evenings from July 6th through August 24th, the backyard of the Fairfax County Government Center will be alive with fun music and good company. Employees, nearby residents and music lovers can stop by after work with lawn chairs and picnic blankets to relax in Wolf Trap-esque style! We have some great bands lined up for this season. Want to bring food? No problem! The Farmers Market in the front parking lot will have snacks, produce and food trucks each Thursday from 3-7pm, so you can grab a bite to eat before or during the concert. Paradise Springs and Bull Run Winery will also be at the concerts with complimentary wine tastings! Thank you to our fantastic corporate sponsors who make this concert series possible.
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| Youth Arts Camps Offered at Workhouse Arts Center |
The Workhouse Arts Center offers young artists ages 3-17 the opportunity to spend their summer break exploring mediums such as drawing, painting, ceramics, glass, mixed media, computer game design, culinary arts and more! These fun-infused, arts enrichment classes are taught by professional artists and Master of Art in Teaching (MAT) graduate students from George Mason University. The programs offer students a 12:1 student/teacher ratio, giving each student the attention needed to excel and have fun developing creative skills. The Youth Arts Camp program gives students an opportunity to engage in physical exercise activities, community service projects, and access to state-of-the-art facilities. To register for the Youth Fine Arts Camps online, please click here. For more information about the Youth Arts Summer Camp Program, please contact Camp Director Calvin Register at 703-584-2934 or email [email protected].
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| Virginia Primary Elections Happening June 13 |
One of the most sacred civic duties for any citizen is to exercise the right to vote in an election. As Virginians, we get an opportunity to exercise our civic duty on a yearly basis. On
June 13, there will be a Democratic and Republican Primary Election to determine the candidates for the General Election in November. The following offices will be on the ballot this year:
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and House of Delegates. In-Person Absentee voting will be available until Saturday, June 10th at 5:00pm. Remember, you must have a valid photo ID card whenever you vote in person. For more voting information or to find your polling place, visit
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/.
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