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Issue 112
Thursday, April 14, 2022
Prince William County
Dear Neighbors,

The Wheeler Report is arriving a day earlier than usual because this is a sacred time of year for so many of you.

Tomorrow is Good Friday, followed by Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday, the Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. Tomorrow is also the first night of Passover, the Jewish celebration of God liberating the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. This weekend is also the middle of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer.

I wish all those who are participating in any of these religious celebrations, and those who may not be, a time of peace and blessings.

In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
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Chair's Calendar
Police Department Federal Funding
Wednesday, April 13, Chair Wheeler met with Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton, PWC Police Chief Newsham, and several PWC Police law enforcement officers to discuss the recent $250,000 from Congress to the PWC Police Department (issue 107 County News). The funding is being provided for the Department to hire an independent contractor to analyze the department’s use of force policies, training programs, police culture, supervision, de-escalation strategies, and tactics (issue 109 County News).
The meeting was held at the PWC Public Safety Training Center (PSCT) in Nokesville. While there, Chair Wheeler was able to take a tour of the facility. The PSTC is used to train PWC Fire and Rescue System career and volunteer firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics in one of the most progressive combination fire departments in the country (issue 105 Dept Tours and Talks). It is also used to train and certify members of the PWC Sheriff's Office (issue 101 Dept Tours and Talks).
Iftar Dinner
Wednesday, April 13, Chair Wheeler hosted an Iftar dinner, the meal served at the end of the day during Ramadan (issue 61 A Significant Time). Iftar is served at sunset during each day of Ramadan, as Muslims break their daily fast. The other meal during served during Ramadan, which is taken in the predawn morning, is called suhoor.
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COVID-19
Mask Extension News
Wednesday, April 13, the Transportation and Safety Administration (TSA) issued a statement that it is extending the face mask use requirement on public transportation and transportation hubs through Tuesday, May 3 (issue 108 COVID-19 News). In its statement, the TSA noted it continues to coordinate closely with the CDC, which is monitoring the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, especially the BA.2 subvariant that now makes up more than 85% of U.S. cases.
The mandate extension applies to all public air travel as well as OmniRide, the Virginia Railway Express (VRE), and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro). This mandate does NOT affect PWC School buses, where masks have been optional since February 25.
Most Recent Data
The Prince William Heath District Locality Metrics Dashboard data as of Monday, April 11, showed continued low community levels for PWC and the surrounding area, except Arlington County, which was at a medium level.
The Virginia Department of Health Cases Dashboard for 13-week graph and the Thursday, April 14, report date data for PWC is below.
Resources
Protecting Yourself and Others:
Latest Data:
How to Get Vaccinated:
How to get tested:
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BOCS
Next Meetings
Tuesday, April 19
2:00 pm Regular Meeting
7:30 pm Budget Markup

For Public Comment Time options visit SpeakUp! Prince William. Remote speakers must sign-up by 5:00 pm on Monday, April 18. In-person speakers can sign up at the meeting.
BOCS's Proclamations During April 12 Meeting
April 2022 was proclaimed "Fair Housing Month." Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as The Fair Housing Act, was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11, 1968. It prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, handicap, sexual orientation, and gender identity. It also requires all federal programs relating to housing and urban development be administered in a manner that affirmatively furthers fair housing. The Virginia Fair Housing Law further prohibits discrimination in housing based on the source of and veteran’s status. More than fifty years later, discrimination persists and in addition to being illegal, runs contrary to common sense, decency, and fairness.
PWC is committed to the mission and intent of Congress to provide fair and equal housing opportunities for all. Our social fabric, the economy, health, and environment are strengthened in diverse, inclusive communities. 
(left to right) Chrissi Topoleski, REALTOR® Association of Prince William (PWAR) Secretary-Treasurer, Beth Grant, PWAR President-elect, and Jason Swaney, PWAR 2022 President accepted the proclamation.
The week of April 17-23 was proclaimed “National Volunteer Week” and all the dedicated volunteers who lend their time, talent, voice, and support to causes were recognized and thanked. Volunteers across PWC serve the community with pride and commitment, continuously enhancing the quality of life and supporting the County’s strategic vision to be a Community of Choice. Many PWC agencies thrive with volunteer participation, which increases the number of residents who are touched by quality-of-life services and programs. Individuals and groups play an important role by building a successful, strong, and vibrant community by providing a critical role in the quality of life and well-being of our residents. All residents of PWC are urged to volunteer.
In 2021, 3,599 PWC volunteers gave 76,829 hours in support of County programs. The value of their time is the equivalent of 39.4 full time staff and equals over $2 million. 
A few of PWC's many volunteers, joined by County directors and staff, gathered to accept the proclamation.
April 12 was proclaimed “Education and Sharing Day." The Board approved proclamation called upon government officials, educators, volunteers, and citizens to reach out to those within our communities and work to create a better, brighter, and more hopeful future for all. Providing an excellent education for all, especially children, can create hope for a brighter, kinder, more united, and prosperous future. The educational system must also focus on building character by emphasizing the universal moral and ethical values that have served society from the beginning of recorded history. We can nurture the unity of diverse peoples through encouraging increased acts of goodness, kindness, and awareness that even a single positive act of an individual can make a major impact in this world.
One of the leading global advocates for the advancement of education was the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson. He stressed the importance of moral and ethical education as the bedrock of humanity and the hallmark of a healthy society, and strongly urged that education be reinforced by the inculcation of strong moral values.
In recognition of the Rebbe's outstanding and lasting contributions toward improvements in world education, morality, and acts of charity, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, and the U.S. Congress established his birthdate, April 12, as a national day to raise awareness and strengthen the education of our children. This year will mark 120 years since the Rebbe’s birth, and the date will be celebrated across the Country and around the globe in tribute to the Rebbe’s vision, guidance, and leadership.
Shmuel “Shmuly” Perlstein, Rabbi and Director at Chabad of Greater Gainesville and Manassas, accepted the proclamation.
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County News
Solid Waste Facilities Reopening on Sundays
Starting Sunday, April 24, the PWC's Solid Waste Landfill and Balls Ford Road Compost Facility will be open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The locations have been closed on Sundays since January 9, due to staff vacancies for critical positions to run heavy equipment and drive trucks.
Ever wonder how to dispose of things like tires, electronics, motor oil, or even unused medications? You can find the answers to these questions and more in the PWC Resident's Guide to Solid Waste Services. You can also do a search by item name on the A to Z Disposal Guide webpage.
Bounce Back
This year, the Child Abuse Prevention Month theme in PWC is “Strengthening Families by Building Resilience” (issue 111 BOCS). Bounce Back provides the acronym for some of the foundational principles of resilience. Learn more from PWC Department of Social Services staff in the video below.
Mark Your Calendar
Friday, April 29, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, PWC Human Rights Commission is hosting a Community Outreach Pop-up at The Shops at Stone Bridge, at 15000 Potomac Town Place, Suite140, in Woodbridge. Collaborating PWC Agencies includes the Area Agency on Aging, Department of Social Services, Health Department, Housing, Libraries, Police, Prince William Arts Council, Open Space Arts, and Parks, Recreation & Tourism.
Stop by for free information and resources on: 
  • Parks and Recreation Programs
  • Crime Prevention Tips
  • First-time Homebuyer Program
  • Neighborhood Rehabilitation Program
  • Human Rights and Social Services
  • Library Programs
  • COVID-19 Mortgage Relief Program
Historic Purchase
PWC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism's Office of Historic Preservation recently purchased the Williams-Dawe House, the oldest structure in Brentsville, Virginia. The property, located in Bristow, sits on 5.61 acres and is located across the street from the Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, a county-owned tourism site with 40,000 visitors per year.
The acquisition will preserve another portion of the former Town of Brentsville and will expand the Courthouse Historic Centre. As part of the larger Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, staff intends to offer programming at the site for historic preservation and special event purposes upon completion of restoration. See the article below in County Happenings below about the Brentsville Bicentennial Court Day Celebration. 
The Williams-Dawes House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Virginia Landmarks Register and the County Register of Historic Sites. Built in 1822, the House was once owned by Jane Williams, widow of John Williams, who had served as the County Clerk from 1795 until his death in 1813. Jane filled in as County Clerk until her brother Phillip Deveraux Dawe became clerk the next year. Jane was the first female County Clerk of Court in PWC.
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County Happenings
Earth Day
Friday, April 22 is Earth Day and the PWC Public School's Energy Management and Sustainability team is encouraging the community to participate in division-wide spirit week of Sustainability and STEAM-related activities. The Monday, April 18, through Friday, April 22, activity calendar with hyperlinks is jammed packed with ways students (or even "big kids") can participate with their classes, green teams, and families.
The theme for Earth Day 2022 is “Invest in Our Planet.” The First Earth Day was observed on April 22, 1970, when millions of Americans participated in rallies, marches and educational programs across the country. Gaylord Nelson, a U. S. Senator who represented Wisconsin, is credited as the catalyst for the event. In 1995 Senator Nelson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Clinton.
New Leisure Magazine
Find something new and exciting to do for the season in the PWC Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Spring/Summer 2022 Leisure online magazine. Discover the great outdoors, find information on our fitness facilities, join a group exercise class, take a dip or swim some laps, dance, take a hike, or learn the history of our County. Ready to register for a favorite program? Look for the easy 'Registration Link' in the top corner of each page.
Registration is Open
Sunday, May 15, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, the PWC 5K Walk for Mental Health Awareness will be held at Locust Shade Park, in Triangle. Held during Mental Health Awareness Month, the event is a way to help educate, advocate, and dispel myths and stigma around mental illness. Participants can choose a rigorous or easy path and there are plenty of exits along the way. There will be community programs on site sharing resources that are available to inform and assist those in need. Music, food trucks, and other fun activities will also be part of this event. Register for the free event here. Special thanks to Potomac District Supervisor Bailey for spearheading this annual event.
Bicentennial Celebration
Saturday, April 30, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, the Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, located in Bristow, is hosting a Brentsville Bicentennial Court Day Celebration. As the 4th seat of PWC from 1822-1893, Brentsville was a bustling community. Every month during court days hundreds, even thousands, would come to the courthouse to socialize, conduct business, purchase supplies, be entertained, and more. The free event will include mock trials, historic tradespeople, militia muster, markets, music, food, and demonstrations.
If you've been to the historic Brentsville Courthouse recently, you may have noticed the new "LOVE" sign out front. Built out of metal and PVC by PWC Parks and Recreation tradesmen, the sign includes a decal at the bottom to tie in the brickwork you will find around the historic Brentsville site. The hashtag #VirginiaisforHistoryLovers is also included on the sign to highlight Brentsville’s 200th Anniversary. The sign will stay up for the remainder of 2022 for the Bicentennial year.
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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.