Issue 159

Thursday, April 6, 2023

Prince William County

Dear Neighbors,

According to the calendar, we are a few weeks into Spring. For me, nothing celebrates this beautiful season more than this week's arrival of tulips, daffodils, and Virginia bluebells. This week also is a very special time for many of you, so in keeping with past years, this The Wheeler Report is coming to you a day early.

Tomorrow is Good Friday, a time of prayer for Christians, which is followed by the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday. This past Wednesday was the first Seder of Passover, a seven-day period honoring the liberation of Jewish peoples from slavery in Egypt. Additionally, this week is the middle of Ramadan, a time of fasting and reflection by Muslims.

I wish all those who are participating in any of these religious celebrations, enjoying the beautiful Spring flowers, and embracing family time during the last days of Spring Break, a time of joy, peace and blessings.

In Service,

Chair Ann Wheeler

Saturday, April 1, Chair Wheeler spoke with the members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's Interfaith Iftar Dinner at the Masroor Mosque in Manassas. The annual event's theme this year was "A universal Message of Peace and Security." Other guest speakers included Virginia State Senator Jeremy McPike (bottom photo second from left), Virginia Delegate Michelle Maldonado (bottom photo center), and Virginia Delegate Briana Sewell (bottom photo right).

Wednesday, April 5, Chair Wheeler participated in the annual Pinwheels for Prevention Garden planting at the McCoart Plaza. The blue pinwheel, a national symbol for child abuse prevention, represents the innocence of childhood. Its shape represents positive cycles of love and support.

Proclaimed April Child Abuse Prevention Month to remind everyone prevention continues to be the best defense. Scientific studies have documented the link between the abuse and neglect of children and a wide range of medical, emotional, psychological, and behavioral disorders. Effective child abuse prevention activities succeed because of the partnerships created between child welfare professionals, education, health, community and faith‐based organizations, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and families.

Left to right: Department of Social Services Advisory Board Member Clarice Torian, Advisory Board Vice Chair Idris O’Connor, Advisory Board Chair Laurie Wilson, Assistant Director of Protective Services Van Washington, Prevention Unit Lead Theresa Wilson, and Assistant Director of Children Services Act Jessica Webb

Proclaimed April 8 through 15 Public Safety Telecommunications Week to honor the women and men whose diligence and professionalism keep our County and citizens safe. The “first” first responders are the public safety telecommunicators who answer 9-1-1 and are virtually “on the scene” providing emergency medical and other life safety instructions while providing moral support to callers in distress and dispatching field responders and

equipment to the scene.

Proclaimed April 9 through 15 Animal Care and Control Officer Appreciation Week to express sincere appreciation for the service and dedication for those who provide essential community functions including the enforcement of animal control laws, protecting the public from diseases such as rabies, capture roaming and potentially dangerous animals, investigating reports of animal complaints and welfare. They also answer calls for assistance, educate pet owners, and provide for the proper care of animals.

Chief LaBelle has a Bachelor of Science from Hartwick College and is working toward a Master in Homeland Security from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. He graduated from the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program in 2019. He holds multiple certifications, including Chief Fire Officer – Commission on Public Safety Credentialing and Pro Board Certificated as a Fire Officer III, Fire Instructor II and Fire Investigator.

Since 1987, the PWC Police Department has been nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). As a part of its overall candidacy for continued accredited status, the department has a community portal for residents and business owners to share feedback related to the agency’s compliance with CALEA standards, engagement in the service community, and delivery of public safety services. Use the links below to submit your comments. You can learn more here.

Submit a comment to CALEA about the PWC Police Department here.

Submit a comment to CALEA about the PWC Public Safety Academy here.

This community portal will be open through Wednesday, May 31.

The PWC Public Libraries has expanded its participation in the Trex® Recycling Program Challenge! In 2022, the Central Library collected 500 pounds of plastic bags (about 40,500) and with the help of Keep Prince William Beautiful, sent them to Trex®. In return, the library received a green bench from Trex® in September made 100% from recycled materials. Now, in addition to the Central Library, residents can drop off their plastic bags at Bull Run, Chinn Park, Dale City, Haymarket Gainesville, and Montclair Library branches.

Several PWC Schools are participating in the 16th Annual Trex® Plastic Film Recycling Challenge and are showing impressive results. As of March 27, these schools were in the top 30 for the category listed;

High Schools Category

Forest Park High School in Woodbridge was ranked 9th out of 180

Elementary Schools Category

Bel Air Elementary School in Woodbridge was ranked 23rd out of 447

All Schools Category

Forest Park High School was ranked 17th out of 766

Burnside Farms' Festival of Spring, voted the #1 Tulip Festival in the Country by The Travel (County Kudos issue 154), opened this week! Each tulip beds/rows contains 6,500 or more bulbs. The farm imports a little over 2.5 million new bulbs from Holland each year and plants them every Fall. The tulips aren't the only stars of the show, there are over 40 varieties of daffodils!

The Virginia Bluebell Festival at Merrimac Farm only happens once a year and is not to be missed! Come out Saturday, April 8, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, to the protected farm located on 302 acres in Nokesville. In addition to the beautiful wildflowers, the free event has a robust schedule of family-friendly activities with some of Northern Virginia's top naturalists.

The carpet of fabulous Virginia Bluebells is nearly a mile-long!

Now in its second year, the Prince William Farmers Market in Woodbridge is reopening for the season on Thursday, April 13. The market is open on Thursdays from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, through Thursday, November 9. The PW Dale City Farmers Market, which is open year-round on Sundays, is now operating on its Spring/Summer/Fall hours of 8:00 am to 1:00 pm through Sunday, November 26. You can learn more about PWC farmers markets here.