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Issue 100
Friday, January 21, 2022
Prince William County
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Dear Neighbors,
Yes, this is the 100th issue of The Wheeler Report. While I reflected in the last issue on the evolution and purpose of my newsletter, reaching this milestone piqued my curiosity to see a snippet of how that has played out.
The first issue had a different look and was almost exclusively about COVID-19. It was sent the very day the County declared a State of Emergency. The 50th issue looked more like our current version and focused heavily on vaccinations, but it also had County and regional news sections. Interestingly, it had an article about a variant, that would become known as Alpha, being identified in Virginia earlier that week.
Yes, COVID is still a very important part of our newsletter. I'm hopeful, that will change before we reach another milestone. Fortunately, we have been able to incorporate all sorts of frequently occurring sections like the Chair's Calendar and County Kudos, in addition to featured articles on great things about Prince William County and the current Department Tours and Talks series.
I hope reading it, whether it's every week, or only occasionally, gives you information about your county that is useful. Our office works hard to provide this service and I want to recognize all the effort on staff's part that goes into putting it together.
In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
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Department of Development Services |
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Recently Chair Wheeler visited with the Department of Development Services. Led by Director Wade A. Hugh, it plays an important role in the creation of a safe and healthy community.
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"The Department of Developmental Services plays an integral role in moving our community forward and we need to make sure they have the resources to ensure quick and timely response to our customers."
Ann Wheeler
Board of County Supervisors Chair At-Large
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Recently Chair Wheeler visited with the Office of Communication. Led by Director Sherrie Johnson, the office serves PWC government to better serve you by working with the Board of County Supervisors, executive management and departments to identify and implement appropriate strategies for creating and disseminating effective messages, promoting the County’s identity, and fostering a clear sense of community.
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The office is involved in a wide variety of PWC communications to include press releases, events, media inquiries, social media, and videos. To receive communications directly for specific areas of interest, like emergency alerts, agency updates, community information, and more sign-up for PWC Alerts. To receive the County newsletter, press releases and event information, sign-up for news and events. |
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"Communications is one of the cornerstones of supporting our community. Making sure we reach our diverse community adequately is paramount. "
Ann Wheeler
Board of County Supervisors Chair At-Large
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During the event, Chair Wheeler said as she looked over the accomplishments of the award recipients, “These are people who go out into the community just make a grassroots difference. I’m grateful that they are in our community making that difference and that they are bringing real, substantial change to Prince William County. I’m always excited to hear about everything everybody is doing.”
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PWC Community Transmission Rate |
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While the level of community transmission in PWC, as well as all of the surrounding counties, remains high, both new cases per 100K and, positivity rate has fallen from last week.
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- Lab report data on January 20 there were 899 testing encounters.
- Lab report data on January 20 there were 208 positive testing encounters.
- Lab report data on January 17 the 7-day moving average positivity was 30.9%.
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Supplying 40% of the nation’s blood, the Red Cross has had to limit blood distributions to hospitals in recent weeks. On certain days, some hospitals may not receive even a quarter of the blood products requested. Blood cannot be manufactured or stockpiled and can only be made available through the kindness of volunteer donors.
To help encourage donations, the Red Cross and the NFL are partnering this January, National Blood Donor Month. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a getaway to Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles, a home theater package, and a $500 e-gift card. Terms apply. Learn more here. |
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How to Donate
The Red Cross is asking the country help ensure people receive the care they need. Make an appointment to give blood or platelets as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-733-2767 (1-800 RED CROSS).
Other Ways to Help
Volunteers are also needed and play an important role by greeting, registering, answering questions and providing information throughout the donation process. Blood transportation specialists, provide a critical link between donors and recipients. Learn more here.
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New Federal Website for Free At-home Test Kits |
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On Wednesday, January 19, the U.S. Government launched covidtests.gov, a website for free, at-home COVID-19 test kits. Every residential home in the U.S. is eligible to place an order for up to 4. The website advises the test-kits will usually ship in 7-12 days. The tests available are rapid antigen at-home tests, not PCR, and give results within 30 minutes (no lab drop-off required). The test will work whether or not you have COVID-19 symptoms. You can read more FAQ's here. |
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Governor Announces COVID-19 Action Plan |
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On Thursday, January 19, Governor Glenn Younkin released a COVID-19 Action Plan. In the plan the Governor cited that the Omicron variant has led to rapidly increasing infections and hospitalizations. The three critical areas of the plan are below. Read the entire plan, including specific action items, here.
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Devote additional resources and efforts to encouraging the nearly 1.6 million Virginians who are still unvaccinated to get the COVID-19 vaccine and booster. Data shows that people vaccinated are 4 times less likely to be hospitalized than those who are not.
Virginia’s hospitals and health care facilities are in crisis. Give health care providers flexibility and support to battle staffing shortages.
Prioritize testing guidelines to mitigate supply-chain shortages by discouraging mass testing for pre-screening and asymptomatic individuals, while urging individuals with mild symptoms to use discretion on testing.
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Vaccination, Testing, and Treatment Resources |
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To learn where you can get vaccinated:
If you are at high risk of developing serious disease, you may be eligible for COVID-19 treatments which can help prevent severe illness and help keep you out of the hospital. Learn more here. |
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Tuesday, February 1
at 2:00 pm
Links to the Agenda and Public Comment Time registration will be available in a future issue closer to the meeting date.
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From the January 18 Meeting |
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left to right
Sgt. Althea Keen, PWC Police Chief Peter Newsham. Sgt. Mary Buggé, Lt. Shawn Peak, and Sgt. Antoinette Johnston
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Proclaimed February 9 School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day. PWC has professional School Crossing Guards, all highly qualified men and women fully prepared to meet the challenges of protecting our school children and training them in pedestrian safety. In the 58-year history of the Crossing Guards, there have been no deaths or serious injuries of any child at any school crossing. Citizens are encouraged to make a special effort to let the highly dedicated School Crossing Guards know that they are appreciated.
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Commended Bill Lake for his four decades of service to the PWC community as a County employee. Mr. Lake started working in the Department of Social Services where he administered the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program (now the Housing Choice Voucher Program) and managing the State Rental Rehabilitation Program. For the past six years, he served as Director of the Housing and Community Development Office, which creates affordable housing opportunities and neighborhood resources for low and moderate-income area residents.
Mr. Lake has overseen various improvements to the office, including a complete ADA Renovation of the Office of Housing and implementing a major software upgrade for the Housing Choice Voucher Division and Community Planning and Development Division. He also supervised the County’s Neighborhood Housing Rehabilitation Program, which has provided more than $16,000,000 in loans, as well as the First-Time Homebuyer Program, which has provided $19,900,000 in loans to date.
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left to right
Board of Zoning Appeals Chairman Paul Chamberlin, Potomac District Supervisor Andrea Bailey, and Eileen Thrall
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appeals of zoning determinations and requests for variances to zoning provisions. Mrs. Thrall sustained the trust and confidence of the BOCS and the 31st Judicial Court of Virginia, which appointed her for four consecutive five-year terms. During her tenure, Ms. Thrall was elected by her fellow Board members Board Chair for four years and Board Vice-Chair for nine years.
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Commended Stafford County Airport Manager Edward Wallis for his twenty years of service. During Mr. Wallis's two decades in public service at the airport, he occupied a variety of positions prior to becoming manager. The airport services PWC, Stafford, and Fredericksburg areas. Mr. Wallis has overseen various improvements including the transition of the terminal from a triple-wide trailer to a permanent structure of more than 10,000 square feet, and the latest final expansion of its runway from 5,000 feet to 6,000 feet to accommodate more diverse aircraft. |
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Path to 2040 Meeting Update |
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Register for in person attendance here and for in-person or virtual public comment here ( signup closes Wednesday, February 9, at 5:00 pm) This event will be live-streamed and recorded. Registration is required to attend in person or to speak during public comment. GMU’s COVID-19 protocols for in-person attendance can be viewed on the project page.
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Medic 512 in Woodbridge takes the title of busiest Medic in the County, coming in at 3,197 calls. This unit also claims the honor of busiest apparatus in the entire County.
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SAF501 takes the title of busiest Safety Officer, coming in at 633 calls. These officers are responsible for all PWC employee at work exposures.
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Rescue Company 510 in Dale City takes the title of busiest Heavy Rescue, coming in at 1584 calls. |
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Tanker 506 in Coles District takes the title of busiest Water Tender in the County, coming in at 143 calls. |
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Ann B. Wheeler was elected Chair At-Large of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors during the 2019 General Election and assumed office on January 1, 2020. Prince William County is located 25 miles south of Washington, D.C., and is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s second-most populous county with approximately 482,000 residents. |
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