Aug. 31, 2022

Neighbors,

It came up really fast, but Labor Day weekend is upon us! It's hard to lament the end of summer when the temperatures are still in the 80s, but I think for most of us our days and nights will soon get busier with activities and obligations. Before we do run headlong into September, I would like to take a moment to thank the12,000 Fairfax County Government employees and 25,000 Fairfax County Public School employees who are working hard every day to provide our community with top notch services. They showed up when we needed them during the pandemic and continue to protect and contribute to our quality of life here in Hunter Mill District and countywide. 

As your supervisor, I get to see first-hand the work by our county employees, and did so during my tenure previously on the Planning Commission and Park Authority Board. In the schools, I had the opportunity to meet many FCPS employees as a parent and a PTSA president. At the beginning of the week, I had the pleasure of meeting with the new FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid (pictured with me). She shared with me some of the amazing work being done by our teachers and school employees, who are faced with so many challenges including mental health needs and our youngest students being prepared for kindergarten, among many others. 

If you know one of our Fairfax County public servants – perhaps a police officer, a fire fighter or paramedic, a librarian, a sanitary sewer technician, a school nurse, a teacher, a mental health counselor, a park authority employee, a human services intake counselor, or one of the many other dedicated specialists that make local government work in Fairfax County – please take a moment this Labor Day weekend to thank them for their service. Monday, Sept. 5 is Labor Day and Fairfax County Government offices and facilities will be closed, although many of our public safety and other essential employees with be on the job. I hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday weekend! 

Regards,

Walter

Today's News: I am sorry to pass along that the Fairfax County Park Authority just announced that effective today the Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole is closed for the season due to mechanical issues. This includes Labor Day weekend and Dog Daze is canceled for Saturday, Sept. 10.  Learn more.

COVID-19 Testing Update:

• Getting free at-home COVID-19 tests from federal gov't ends this Friday, 9/2.
• With health insurance, you can get paid back for 8 at-⁠home tests/month.
• Testing continues to be available from the Fairfax County Health Department.

Learn more.

• Community Levels By County
• Fairfax County COVID-19 Data Dashboard

In an effort to reduce the county's carbon footprint, the Park Authority and Department of Public Works and Environmental Services are in the process of phasing out gas-powered blowers. Our county parks have discontinued the purchase of gas-powered blowers and are exclusively purchasing battery-powered blowers moving forward.

To protect the health of residents and the environment (as identified in the Countywide Strategic Plan), Fairfax County is also encouraging the use of battery-powered blowers by contractors and residents. Here's why:

• Battery-powered lawn equipment is less harmful to the environment than gas-powered lawn equipment.
• Battery-powered lawn equipment doesn’t produce emissions that are unhealthy to breathe and that can worsen asthma or other respiratory conditions.
• The noise from gas-powered lawn equipment is significantly louder than the noise produced by battery-powered lawn equipment.
• Gas-powered leaf blowers are often worse than many vehicles on the road today. Two stroke engines are dirty and emit greenhouse gases, which are harmful to the environment.
• Electric versions of lawn equipment such as leaf blowers are generally more cost-effective to operate. Both battery-powered and plug-in versions are available. 

Learn more.

I also look forward to the day when Richmond provides local governments the authority to regulate and ban the sale of gas-powered leaf blowers in the commercial marketplace, but that is for another day!

Great information from Fairfax County Department of Family Services:

We use pronouns and names frequently in our everyday written and verbal communication. Most of us have learned from a young age to use “she/her” for girls and “he/him” for boys. As we have progressed in understanding gender identity, our language has also evolved. Learn how to model the use of pronouns and why this practice shows respect.

Bowman Towne Court Redevelopment Update and Public Hearing Sept. 15

The proposed Bowman Towne Court Redevelopment project is sponsored by the Fairfax County Redevelopment & Housing Authority (FCRHA) to develop affordable housing and a library at the intersection of Bowman Towne Drive and Town Center Parkway in Reston. FCRHA is holding a public hearing Sept. 15, 7 p.m. on the proposed Interim Agreement with Foulger-Pratt, LLC for the development of Bowman Towne Court to include affordable residences for low-income households and a new Reston Regional Library. Additional information can be found here. The meeting will be held at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, Conference Rooms 9 and 10. Written comments may be submitted by email on or before Sept. 14 to Marwan.Mahmoud@fairfaxcounty.gov. Residents wishing to speak are encouraged to contact Avis Wiley at 703-246-5152, TTY 711, or by email at Avis.Wiley@fairfaxcouty.gov  Additional information or questions about the public hearing may be directed to Marwan Mahmoud at 703-246-5017, TTY 711.

Concurrently, and as noted in a previous newsletter, now that the Reston Comprehensive Plan Task Force has finalized their recommendations (see below) I am finalizing the creation of a Reston Town Center North Task Force, which will study and make recommendations for a master plan of community-focused facilities on county-owned property in Reston Town Center North. Foulger-Pratt will meet with the task force when appropriate to provide information on how the Bowman Towne Court redevelopment could fit into the Reston Town Center North master plan. More information will be forthcoming in future newsletters. 

Reston Comprehensive Plan Study Update and Upcoming Meetings

As I noted last week, the Task Force held its final meeting on Monday, Aug. 22 and approved its final recommendations, which you can find here. County staff review of the Task Force recommendations for the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study is underway and several community meetings are being scheduled, including:

• Sept. 14, 5 p.m. Transportation Focused Virtual Meeting
• Sept. 15, 5 p.m. Economic Development Focused Virtual Meeting
• Sept. 22, 7 p.m. Nonprofits/Community Organizations Focused Meeting at Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate
• Sept. 23, noon – Virtual Lunch and Learn
• Sept. 27, 7 p.m. – Young professional/Civic Leaders Focused Meeting, venue pending
• Sept. 28, noon – Virtual Lunch and Learn

All of these meetings are public and I encourage every Reston resident to attend at least one. Additional meetings may be scheduled. Links to virtual meetings and additional information will be in next week's (Sept. 7) newsletter and soon on the county's Reston Comprehensive Plan Study webpage.  

If you have a group that would like a presentation and the opportunity to provide feedback during the community outreach phase, please email my office at huntermill@fairfaxcounty.gov. You will also be able to provide input via a county portal that will be live beginning Sept. 6 through Oct. 28 and that link will be in next week's newsletter as well. 

Metrorail Ridership Survey 

Metrorail customers are being asked to complete ridership surveys that will help ensure future policy decisions reflect transit needs. Metro staff in yellow vests will be handing surveys out at various stations across the system, which will be collected from drop boxes at stations through November. Surveys can also be completed online via a web address or QR code on the printed surveys, which are unique to each individual survey. As a member of the County Board of Supervisors and as an alternate director on the WMATA board, I really want to hear from you. Learn more. 

New Police Station Ribbon-Cutting and Tours, Sept. 2

Residents are invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the town's new police station this Friday, Sept. 2, 11 a.m. at 215 Center St. South. There will be light refreshments and you will have the opportunity to tour the new facility. I am looking forward to this! You can also stop by for a tour on Saturday, Sept. 3, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

As you may have seen in our local media, several women have been grabbed by a man on and near the W&OD Trail in Reston - and there have also been reports of similar attacks in Herndon. The acting Reston District Commander Lt. Michael Gubesch has been keeping me and my office updated on the status of the investigation. The Fairfax County Police Department is dedicating a lot of resources to the investigation including the canine unit, detectives from the Major Crimes Bureau, as well as bike and foot patrols. You can watch today's police media briefing with additional information, as well as safety tips here. I will provide updates when available on Twitter and Facebook. 

The photo provided is from a Herndon resident's security camera showing the man who police believe may be the suspect. Anyone with information related to this photo or these events is asked to contact the Police Department's Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option #3, or the non-emergency number at 703-691-2131.

Visit Fairfax Features Waterfront Dining in Reston 

Visit Fairfax is promoting waterfront dining in Fairfax County and six of the eight destinations featured are in Reston. I encourage our Hunter Mill District residents to check out these establishments for good food with a view! Learn more. 

Inova Fair Oaks Hospital Virtual Town Hall, Sept. 8 

Inova Fair Oaks Hospital’s leaders are hosting an interactive virtual town hall on Thursday, Sept. 8, 5 to 6 p.m. to learn more about the latest at the hospital and in our community’s health. Residents are encouraged to share questions in advance. Click here to RSVP and submit your questions.

Volunteer For Hunters Woods Fellowship Square Fun Fair 

Volunteers are needed to help Fellowship Square host a Fun Fair with games and prizes for the senior residents of Hunters Woods Fellowship House on Friday evening, Sept. 9. Sign up to volunteer or donate prizes.