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Issue 85
Friday, October 1, 2021
Prince William County
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Dear Neighbors,
In the last week, I was at three County events (see below), where the community was able to gather and celebrate. It was wonderful to hold these kinds of occasions.
We have also received news of positive steps (see below) in helping to overcome the pandemic. I am thrilled Prince William County took action so we would be prepared to serve our community.
You will see from the rest of this issue, there is plenty of news, happenings, and kudos across the County. All of the things are part of what makes Prince William County a great place to live, work and play.
In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
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Saturday, September 23, Chair Wheeler attended the Inaugural Community Fair hosted by the PWC Police Department ( issue 80). It was a great, well-attended event! Check-out the video below to see the fun!
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Thursday, September 30, Chair Wheeler participated in a long-awaited PWC Police Department promotion ceremony. Due to health and safety considerations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Police Department refrained from hosting previous promotion ceremonies, the last being held in August 2019. Over the course of that time, the agency has promoted 87 sworn members and professional staff, all of whom were given the opportunity to be recognized by department leadership, their peers, and loved ones at the ceremony. In total, 35 members participated in the ceremony.
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On Thursday, September 30, Chair Wheeler participated the ribbon-cutting for the new Gainesville High School (issue 83). Get a look at PWC's 13th High School in the drone tour video below.
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Mass Vaccination Site Reopening |
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Virginians who are eligible are invited to make an appointment for a free Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccination (see article below). Individuals who need to receive their first or second dose, and those who are immunosuppressed needing a third dose, may receive them at no cost.
To find an appointment, visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-829-4682 (877-VAX-IN-VA). Assistance is available in more than 100 languages. Please plan to arrive no earlier than 20 minutes prior to your appointment time. You will not be allowed in early. Bring your COVID-19 vaccine card or vaccine record with your QR code (issue 83). If you need a copy of your vaccine record, visit vaccinate.virginia.gov.
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Pfizer Booster Shot Details |
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The booster is recommended for those:
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65 years and older.
- Residents in long-term care settings.
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50–64 years with underlying medical conditions.
The booster shot is available for those:
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18–49 years with underlying medical conditions.
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18-64 years who are at increased risk of exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting (see text box below).
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Occupations at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission include the following front line essential workers and health care workers as previously detailed by the CDC (list could be updated in the future):
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First responders (healthcare workers, firefighters, police, and congregate care staff)
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Education staff (teachers, support staff, and daycare workers)
- Food and agriculture workers
- Manufacturing workers
- Corrections workers
- U.S. Postal Service workers
- Public transit workers
- Grocery store workers
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Mask Requirements and Recommendations |
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The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) recently updated its mask guidance webpage. The Delta variant is now the main variant circulating in Virginia and is much more contagious than the original COVID-19 virus. Until more people are vaccinated, wearing masks remains an important tool to help stop the spread. |
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Requirements and Recommendations Snapshot
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PWC currently has high levels of COVID-19 transmission. Therefore, everyone age 2 and up should wear a mask in indoor public spaces, even if fully vaccinated.
- Masks are required indoors in K-12 schools and when using public transportation, even if fully vaccinated.
- Masks are generally not needed outside if fully vaccinated, but you might choose to wear a mask in crowded outdoor spaces if you or someone in your household has a compromised immune system.
- If you are not fully vaccinated, you should wear a mask in crowded outdoor spaces.
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Be Prepared - You can have both COVID and the Flu |
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It's October and the Prince William Health District is reminding everyone the CDC and Virginia Department of Health recommends everyone six months old and older get a flu vaccine every season, ideally by the end of October. It is the best way to help protect against the flu. Flu shots are especially crucial for people who are at greater risk of developing severe complications from influenza, “the flu.” Also, getting a flu vaccine can help protect the people around you, including babies, older people, and those with chronic health conditions. You can find flu FAQs here.
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The Prince William Health District has released its COVID-19 Strategic Plan. Its mission is to develop and implement a comprehensive COVID-19 response, focusing on health equity for the residents of the Greater Prince William community. The plan details the objectives, ongoing needs, testing, risk communication, and vaccination strategy.
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Visit PWHD's website, Facebook page, or Twitter account for mobile clinic locations, dates, and times.
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Visit Vaccines.gov to find COVID-19 vaccination by location.
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Visit vaccinate.virginia.gov to make an appointment.
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Make a vaccine appointment by calling Virginia’s Call Center at 877-829-4682 Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
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Visit vase.vdh.virginia.gov to schedule your vaccination appointment with the Prince William Health District.
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Text your zip code to 438829 (GETVAX).
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If you think you may have COVID-19, ways you can be tested include:
The Uninsured and Underinsured can receive free testing at
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The next meeting will be
Tuesday, October 5, at
2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
For Public Comment Time options,
visit SpeakUp! Prince William.
Remote speakers must sign-up by
5:00 pm on Monday, September 6.
In-person speakers can sign up at the meeting.
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PWC Government has received a AAA bond rating for the tenth consecutive year. This is the highest credit rating available and PWC is one of 48 among the more than 3,100 counties in the U.S. to hold the highest rating from all three credit agencies. The triple-AAA status reflects the financial strength and sound fiscal management practices of the county. |
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The three major bond credit rating agencies statements when reaffirmed the County's financial position included the following.
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Fitch Ratings: “The 'AAA' rating is underpinned by the county's superior gap-closing capacity and budget flexibility.”
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Moody's Investors Service: “Prudent financial management and sustained economic growth will continue to support the county's sound credit profile.”
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S&P Global Ratings: “The growing and diversifying area economy, historically sound financial operations, especially during recent fiscal pandemic-related pressures, coupled with the maintenance of very strong reserves, guided by a seasoned management team and the adherence to conservative and well-embedded fiscal policies underpin the county's 'AAA' rating.”
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“The County’s bond rating is the most significant indicator of how well we are managing the financial position of the County while implementing policies that support the local community,"
Ann Wheeler
Chair At-Large Board of County Supervisors
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PWC personal property taxes for 2021 are due on Tuesday, October 5. Payments can be made by:
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Online at tax.pwcgov.org
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Calling 1-888-272-9829, jurisdiction code is 1036
- Mail to PO BOX 1600, Merrifield VA 22116
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In person at the Sudley North and McCoart Taxpayer Services offices Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm NOTE: Extended hours until 6:30 P.M. on October 1, 4, and 5.
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If you have not received a tax bill for your vehicle(s), contact the Taxpayer Services Office by emailing taxpayerServices@pwcgov.org or calling (703) 792-6710. A late payment penalty of 10% will be assessed on the unpaid tax balance if taxes are not paid in full by the due date. Interest at a rate of 10% per annum accrues monthly until the balance is paid in full. |
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Saturday, October 9, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Keep Prince William Beautiful in partnership with PWC Government is holding its second annual Fix It Fair. This year’s event will be at Central Library in Manassas and advance registration is required. You will drop off your item at your selected time. Then you may head back to your car, grab a bite to eat, or take a refreshing walk. You will be notified once your item is ready, or if there are additional questions. The categories for acceptable items are: clothing, jewelry, small engines (e.g. weedwackers), small furniture, bicycles, and small appliances and electronics. No televisions, please.
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Help keep our communities cleaner and greener by reusing and repairing items before buying new. |
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November General Election Important Dates |
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Friday, October 1, from 4:00 pm to 10:30 pm, and Saturday, October 2, from 11:00 am to 10:30 pm, is the 3rd annual Octoberfest at Farm Brew Live. The event, held at 9901 Discovery Boulevard in Manassas, will feature live music and a menu with all your German favorites. There will also be Oktoberfest brews from 2 Silos Brewing Co., Sinistral Brewing Company, and several other northern Virginia craft breweries. |
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Saturday, October 16, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, enjoy big, small-town, fun at Haymarket Day. The town’s biggest event of the year, it is attended by over 20,000 spectators and 200 vendors. The street festival includes a parade, led by the Grand Marshal, featuring local schools, performers, and law enforcement. There will be two main stages with local musical talent. In addition to numerous food vendors, 2 Silos is sponsoring a beer garden at both stages. The free event takes place at 15000 Washington Street in the Town of Haymarket. |
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Be Transported to Transylvania |
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Friday, October 15, the Manassas Ballet Theatre kicks-off its 2021-2022 season at the Hylton Performing Arts Center with the chilling classic Dracula. This dramatic and seductive production transports the audience to Transylvania after dark where the taste of blood promises eternal youth. The Kim Reynolds Band will accompany the performance live on stage for a multi-layered, spellbinding performance. Showtimes are 7:30 pm Friday and Saturday, and 3:00 pm Sunday. Tickets range from $25 to $70 and can be purchased here. |
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The U.S. Department of Education has named Mary G. Porter Traditional School a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School (NBRS). Porter Traditional School is one of only 325 schools across the nation, and one of seven in Virginia, to be awarded the 2021 designation. The annual NBRS program recognizes private and public schools for exemplary high performance, turn-around stories, and closing subgroup achievement gaps. According to Porter's NBRS profile, it has over 35 documented languages. Located in Woodbridge, it is one of two traditional schools in PWCS where students attend by choice, rather than by geographic assignment.
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“This award recognizes the commitment of the Porter Traditional staff to deliver an exceptional educational experience for every child. As a highly diverse school, they have demonstrated authentic community engagement where every family feels welcome and engaged in their student’s success.”
Dr. LaTanya D. McDade
PWC Superintendent of Schools
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Start Small will help state government agencies with the routine purchases that keep government running and make up millions in dollars of government spending. In 2019 Governor Northam issued Executive Order 35 directing executive branch agencies and institutions to allocate more than 42% of discretionary spending to certified small businesses.
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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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