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Issue 90
Friday, November 5, 2021
Prince William County
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Dear Neighbors,
The cornerstone of democracy is conducting free and fair elections, which Prince William County's Office of Elections provided in this year's General Election. Equally important for democracy is participation in those elections. Often, historically odd year elections have much lower voter turnout.
However, I am very pleased to share that participation in this year's General Election was much better than 4 years ago! According to the Virginia Department of Elections, in 2017 in Prince William County 122,732 people cast their vote in the Governor's race, which was 48% of the active registered voters. This year, that number rose to 156,539, which is 54% of the active registered voters.
Over 33,000 more votes were cast this year. A 27% increase from 2017. Thank you to all who voted this year and to those who encouraged others to vote. Your participation is vital to our democracy.
In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
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On Wednesday, November 3, Chair Wheeler attended an event hosted by the U.S. Pakistan International Chamber of Commerce. USPICC is a member-based, not-for-profit, trade and business organization, based in the Washington DC Metro area and with offices in New York City and Islamabad, Pakistan.
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On Thursday, November 4, Chair Wheeler attended a Diwali celebration at the Sikh Center of Virginia in Manassas. Diwali, or Deepavali, is the 'festival of lights' and many consider the start of the new year. It is a religious observance commemorated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists around the world.
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On Diwali houses are decorated in every corner with lights, lamps, diyas and candles to help people clear their shadows of doubt, cast away their inner negativity, and usher in everything positive. People will also decorate the floors of their homes with rangolis, intricate patterns made from colored powder, rice, or flowers. Traditional sweets and savory foods are also a major part of the holiday. |
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Vaccines for Children 5 to 11 |
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Effective Sunday, November 7, the CVC will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm and closed on Mondays. At the Manassas Mall Vaccine Clinic, vaccines for this age group are offered Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
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- Don't surprise children with vaccination.
- Talk with children about the vaccine and answer their questions.
- Be a good example.
- Celebrate the vaccination.
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The Pfizer vaccine for children 5 to 11 has the same active ingredients as the adult vaccine, but a smaller dose is given. This vaccine will be given in a two-dose series. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to make an appointment for the second dose 21 days after the first dose has been administered.
“I understand that parents, especially of younger children, may have questions and concerns about vaccinating their kids. I want to assure you that vaccination is safe and effective for your children. As a parent and a pediatrician, I wouldn’t tell you that if I didn’t believe it.” Dr. David Avula, Virginia Vaccine Coordinator
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If You Need to be Tested for COVID-19 |
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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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Tuesday, November 9
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2:00 pm Regular Meeting at the McCoart Administration Building, One County Complex Court in Prince William
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6:00 pm State Delegation Meeting at the Realtor Association of Prince William Building, 4545 Daisy Reid Avenue in Woodbridge
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For Public Comment Time options during the afternoon meeting, visit SpeakUp! Prince William.
Remote speakers must sign-up by 5:00 pm on Monday, November 8.
In-person speakers can sign up at the afternoon meeting.
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Opportunity to Share Your Thoughts |
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The PWC Central Library at 8601 Mathis Avenue in Manassas has opened a cool, independent workspace called Studio 8601 Makerspace. Designed for patrons 12 years old and older, it provides a variety of machines, tools, and technology to explore, build, collaborate, and create. Makerspace is open Tuesdays from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Thursdays from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
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At Studio 8601 Makerspace you will find:
- 3D printers and pens.
- A Cricut Maker and Cricut Airs.
- Craft and jewelry supplies.
- Embroidery machines, sewing machines, and a loom.
- Tech and coding tools.
- A whisper room with audio and video recording equipment.
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Daylight's Saving Time ends Sunday, November 7, at 2:00 am when clocks are turned back one hour to 1:00 am. This is a good time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries, the air pressure in your vehicle's tires and have your fireplace inspected if you have one.
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The ACTS Hunger Prevention Center is holding its annual Operation Give Thanks (issue 86) through November 19 to ensure every family it serves has a meal to share on this special holiday. It relies heavily upon donations to make it happen and in 2020 community donations provided the fixings for close to 1000 families to prepare Thanksgiving meals! |
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The 12th Annual Northern Virginia Veterans Parade will be held Saturday, November 6, at 11:00 am in Old Town Manassas. the parade will be led by two Marines and combat veterans who reside in PWC: Lt. Gen. Richard Natonski and Cpl. Adam Devine. This year's parade is dedicated to former parade committee member and Manassas resident, CPL Bryan Nason, USMC, who passed away earlier this year. |
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Wednesday, November 10, at 9:30 am, the BOCS is hosting a Veterans Day Ceremony to honor all the men and women that have served in the armed forces. The event will be held at the Prince William County Freedom Park Memorial near 5 County Complex Court in Woodbridge. Chair Wheeler, Supervisor Victor Angry, and Veterans Commission Chair Tom Gordy will provide remarks during the ceremony. The event is open to the public.
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VAU, an all-volunteer nonprofit run by veterans, constructed this memorial to bring awareness to these honorable service members and their gold star families. In front of the flag is a battlefield cross sculpted from mahogany wood by female veteran artist in Richmond, Alicia Dietz. |
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Prince William Forest Park is offering an Entrance Free Fee Day for Veterans Day on Thursday, November 11. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. This 16,000 acre National Park is home to the largest protected natural area in the Washington D.C. region and was once used during WWI & II by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) for spy training.
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Celebrate Veterans and the Arts |
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Sunday, November 14, at 7:00 pm, The War and Treaty will be preforming at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Drawing on traditional folk, country, R&B, and spirituals, the duo has earned praise for their dynamic and passionate performances. Named Americana Music Awards 2019 Emerging Act of the year, this husband-and-wife duo of Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Blount will dazzle in their debut at Merchant Hall. Tickets are $44, $37, $26, and free for Veterans and Service members with ID (up to 2 tickets each).
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Washingtonian Magazine's October 2021 issue honored two of PWC's own in as Washington’s Most Powerful Women 2021. Chair Wheeler was named a Local Public Power and School Superintendent LaTanya McDade was named an Education Power. In addition, U.S. Representative Jennifer Wexton, who represents a portion of PWC in Congress, was also named a Local Public Power. The list of the region’s 150-plus most powerful women included hometown heavyweights, national notables, and folks shaping things from the arts to medicine to the economy. |
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An Important Acknowledgement |
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November is National Native American Heritage Month, or as it is commonly referred to, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.
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Resources to Learn More
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum have joined together in providing a wide variety of in-person and online tributes to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans. Their dedicated website provides information on exhibits and collections, audio and video media, and resources for teachers.
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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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