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| Monthly Newsletter from Chairman Sharon Bulova |
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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,
My mother was a Democrat and my dad was a Republican. They both held strong, usually opposing, opinions that they expressed back and forth like a ping pong game at the dinner table. On Election Day they would both march off to our local precinct to cancel out each other's vote.
Mom and Dad were united, however, in their enthusiasm for John F. Kennedy during the presidential election of 1960. It was the first election that got my attention and I recall our family's excitement when we heard our candidate was attending a fundraiser at the Pikesville Armory in our very own hometown.
My dad, my sister Marmie and I piled into our station wagon and arrived at the armory just in time for the motorcade to arrive. Senator Kennedy and his campaign staffers got out of their car and entered a small building on the armory grounds so that he would have some private time to go over the speech he would give at the $1,000 a plate dinner.
By this time it was getting dark. Most of our welcoming crowd had dispersed, but a small group of us circled around the building, peeking into windows, hoping to get a glimpse of John Kennedy.
One of the screened windows opened into a brightly lit, sparsely furnished room. Much to our surprise, a door opposite our window opened, and there in the threshold stood John F. Kennedy. Behind him were media armed with cameras and notepads. I will never forget how Mr. Kennedy smiled and greeted us at the window, then touched his hand to ours through the screen. Flash bulbs went off as he settled into a chair next to our window to go over his notes. Photos from this little encounter appeared in the next morning edition of the Baltimore Sun and then a week later in Life Magazine.
For a twelve year old girl, this was the ultimate introduction into politics. I was hooked. I stayed up all night to watch as election numbers came dribbling in. This would be the first of many such nights.
President Kennedy inspired me with his message, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." He noted that, as a society, Americans had become soft, and rallied us to embrace athletics and fitness. I took that charge to heart and to this day I am a faithful jogger.
Whether you are a Democrat, a Republican or an Independent, I hope that you will exercise your right and privilege to vote this Tuesday, November 3rd. Historically, off-year elections result in the lowest voter turnout. This is despite the fact that state and local issues are what most affect your everyday life - transportation, education, public safety, human services, parks and libraries.
Please see inside this Byline for information on what is on the ballot this year. In addition to all state and local government seats, constitutional officers and bond referenda are also featured.
As always, I will be making the rounds at precincts around the county to greet voters. I still get excited on Election Day and I still stay up most of the night to learn how things turn out. I look forward to seeing you on November 3rd.
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Sincerely,
Sharon Bulova
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
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| Election Day THIS Tuesday, November 3! |
Election Day is this Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Polls are open from 6am-7pm
Find Your Polling Place/What's on Your Ballot:
Bring Photo ID:
 Here's what you'll be voting for:
Everything else you need to know about the election:
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| Blanket and Children's Winter Coat Drive for Refugees Abroad |
 Elected officials from Northern Virginia, leaders from faith communities, and representatives of aid organizations will hold 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 will be collected at various
locations throughout Northern Virginia and will be shipped to refugees who have fled to Turkey.
Many refugees who escape to Turkey have little with them other than what they carry on their backs. With winter approaching, blankets for refugees are a major need that you can help fill. Over the last two years more than 40,000 blankets and more than $100,000 have been raised to help in this effort, and there is still more to do.
This year's Blanket & Children's Winter Coat Drive will take place from
November 7 - December 5, 2015.
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.
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| Wegmans Coming to Chantilly |
 The Board of Supervisors signed off on development plans for a new shopping complex in Chantilly, featuring Wegmans as an anchor store. The complex will be constructed on an empty field on the north side of Westfields Blvd at Newbrook Dr.
This will be the third Wegmans in Fairfax County. The other two stores are in Fairfax and Springfield. A fourth, urban-style Wegmans will be coming to Tysons as part of Capital One's campus redevelopment.
The parking lot for the Chantilly Wegmans will offer about 716 spaces, plus three dedicated spaces for low-emissions vehicles and bike racks. Shoppers will enter the complex from three entrances on Newbrook Drive. The developer will add turn lanes on Westfields Blvd, remove traffic islands, and redesign the intersections. Pedestrian improvements are also included in the designs. A 10-foot bike/walking trail on Westfields Blvd will connect to a landscaped sidewalk that will run around the entire shopping center, offering fitness stations, seating, public art or other amenities. Read more.
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| Latest Economic Indicators |
Fairfax County Economic Indicators reports on the County's current economic climate, as well as selected economic indicators on the state and national levels. Its frequency and timeliness ensures that business leaders, residents and County staff will be made aware of cyclical changes in the local, state, and national economies.
The Economic Indicator Reports track data such as unemployment rates, sales tax receipts, Consumer Confidence Index, number of home sales, average home sale prices, number of active home listings, total federal procurement spending, GDP, and more.
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| Grant Opportunity for HOAs & Civic Associations |
 Does heavy runoff cause problems on your HOA or civic association property? Are utility bills for your association through the roof? A new Conservation Assistance Program (CAP) for Fairfax County community associations can help. CAP provides incentives (matching funds and technical assistance) to create more sustainable landscapes and energy efficient buildings. These energy and watershed conservation practices include installing rain gardens, beefing up insulation and more. CAP is funded by the Fairfax County Environmental Improvement Program. Request a site visit with your community's support by November 9, 2015.
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| Ad Hoc Commission Delivers Final Report |
 On Oct. 20, the Board of Supervisors accepted the final report of the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission. The report includes 142 recommendations aimed at improving trust between the Fairfax County Police Department and the community they serve. I want to extend a sincere thanks to the almost 70 total members that participated in the seven month process of developing these recommendations. I am always so proud of how our community comes together to tackle important issues like these.
The Commission and its five subcommittees held 40 meetings over seven months and reviewed a multitude of reports, documents and policies and received number of presentations of policies and practices by FCPD officials and outside experts on topics such as use of force, Crisis Intervention Training, the psychology of an officer involved shooting, civilian oversight of police departments, and other relevant topics. The Commission heard from PERF Executive Director Chuck Wexler, former FBI agent and behavioral science consultant Dr. Steve Band, and National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement board member and Deputy Director, District of Columbia's Office of Police Complaints Christian Klossner. The Commission held two public hearings, on May 18 and September 14, 2015, where dozens of individuals gave testimony about their perceptions of law enforcement in Fairfax County. Video of both public hearings is accessible online at
fairfaxcounty.gov/policecommission/meeting-schedule.htm
. Much of the testimony focused on a use of force incident in the Adult Detention Center. Although it and the subsequent tragic death were generally out of the Commission's purview because they involved the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, the concerns and anger reflected in the comments are very relevant and informed the Commission's work.
Our Board on Nov. 17 will vote on a process for reviewing and implementing the recommendations. This will not be a quick or easy process but I was very encouraged by the discussion we held on Oct. 27 where Board members expressed a desire to not allow the work of the Commission to get bogged down in bureaucracy. Our Board is motivated and encouraged by the community involvement in this process and I look forward to moving ahead on these recommendations deliberately. As part of the implementation process, we will be retaining the invaluable expertise of the Ad Hoc Commission in an advisory role to help guide Police Chief Ed Roessler and the Board of Supervisors as we move forward.
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 saw 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. I believe the recommendations in the report will help us achieve these goals.
If you have any questions regarding the Ad Hoc Commission, please contact Clayton Medford in my office at [email protected] or call 703-324-2321.
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| Student Technology Challenge To Benefit 50+ Population |
 The 50+ Technology Committee is looking for high school students to take the "Shark Tank" Challenge to develop an innovative technological device or application that improves the lives of older adults and caregivers.
Projects may address health & wellness, safety, social engagement, or caregiving.
INTEGRITYOne Partners of Reston will sponsor four $750 and four $250 cash prize awards. Register for the Challenge by December 4, 2015.
For more information visit
fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices
Brought to you by the Fairfax County Office of Public Private Partnerships
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| Thanksgiving is Just Around the Corner! |
 Thanksgiving Day is the busiest day for the fire department! More property damage and lives are lost in residential fires on Thanksgiving Day than any other day of the year. Turkey fryers are often a culprit. If you need some last minute tips, Butterball's Turkey Talk-Line may just save the day. I've heard good things.
If you would like to help out some families in need this Thanksgiving, consider donating to FACETS 2015 Thanksgiving Food Drive. You can use the shopping list below to create a well balanced thanksgiving meal for a family in need this holiday:
GIFT CARDS
1 $25 grocery store card (Giant, Safeway, Walmart, etc)
VEGETABLES
2 cans of assorted vegetables
1 can or bag of potatoes
2 cans or bags of beans
PASTA & GRAINS
2 boxes of pasta
1 container of oatmeal
1 box or bag of white rice
DRINKS
1 large bottle fruit juice
2 cans or jars of tomato juice
1 box or can of coffee, tea, or cocoa
BAKING ITEMS
1 box of bread or muffin mix
1 bottle of olive oil or vegetable oil
1 bag of wheat flour
1 bag of sugar
1 container of salt and 1 container pepper
You can drop off non-perishable items at 10640 Page Avenue, Suite 300, Fairfax VA 22030 from 9am-5pm, now through November 20, 2015. Call 703-272-3710 for more information.
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| Family Events at Workhouse Arts Center |
2nd Saturday Art Walk on November 14, 6-9pm, showcases the diverse work of more than 100 visual artists
including Denise Phalan (Gallery 5), Patricia Rice (Gallery 6), Winn Jones (Gallery 7), a group exhibition (Gallery 8), and Karen Ching (Gallery 9).
Guests can tour seven studio buildings, mix and mingle with artists, buy original works of art, and experience ever-changing exhibitions, all while enjoying light refreshments and music.
Stop by the FCPS Art Teachers Exhibition to discover the breadth of talent found in Fairfax County Public Schools and meet the artists during the public opening reception! Also at the Art Walk will be a contemporary glass exhibition featuring glass art from across the country.
Workhouse Winter Wonderland on November 28, 3-7pm, is a
free, family-friendly event featuring holiday activities, fine art, Art of Movement demonstrations, entertainment, raffle prizes, food and music. A
rtists will have special small works and holiday displays available for purchase as you think about holiday presents!
Take your date or the whole family on a sleigh bell ride around our historic campus in horse-drawn carriages. Enjoy holiday treats such as s'mores and roasted chestnuts by the fire. At dusk, gather around for an exciting artistic light show and sing-a-long welcoming in the holiday season!
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| Prepping for Winter: Snow Removal Information |
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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:
If you need assistance or have questions about plowing, shoveling, or winter weather procedures, please contact my office at 703-324-2321 or email
[email protected]
. During snow storms, my staff checks office phone messages and emails remotely and coordinates with VDOT to help you with any questions or concerns. As always, in the event of an emergency, please call or text 911.
TRAVEL RESOURCES:
This information will be useful throughout the winter as we deal with snow and ice. Also, a friendly reminder to check in with your neighbors during snow events to see if anyone needs a hand.
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