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Issue 107
Friday, March 11, 2022
Prince William County
Dear Neighbors,

You most likely are aware that after months of negotiations and multiple stopgap funding bills, Congress passed the Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus appropriations bill, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022. President Biden is expected to sign it into law today.

The $1.5 trillion legislation, also known as the omnibus, is over 2700 pages. The shear enormity of it leads to initial discussions focusing on high-level key impacts and unique issues, like $13.6 billion in aid to Ukraine. While details will take days, weeks, and even months, I want to share aspects related directly to Prince William County.

The omnibus includes Congressionally Directed Spending for specific projects. The Senate revived this process as part of FY2022 appropriations to allow members of Congress to dedicate funds in a manner that promotes transparency and accountability.

Through strong advocacy, I am pleased to share that Senator Mark Warner, Senator Tim Kaine, Congressman Gerry Connelly, and Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton secured over $10 million in the omnibus for Prince William County projects. You can read about them in the County News section below.

In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
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Department Tours and Talks
Police Department
Monday, March 7, Chair Wheeler visited the PWC Police Department as part of her department visits. Led by Colonel Peter Newsham, the Department aims to effectively and impartially enforce the law while serving and protecting our community. With over 700 sworn officers, it has been nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. since 1987 and the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions.
The Department has four divisions. The:
  • Criminal Investigations Division investigates major criminal offenses and manages the Department's juvenile education programs. Falling within it are the Property Crimes Bureau, Special Investigations Bureau, Special Victims Bureau, Violent Crimes Bureau, and the Youth Services Bureau.
  • Financial and Technical Services Division provides internal services including financial and technical support. Falling within it are the Fiscal and Policy Management Bureau and the Information Technology Management Bureau. Planning, Research, and Facility Services also falls under this division.
  • Operations Division is responsible for maintaining police officers in a constant operational readiness for immediate response to any call for service requiring police presence. Nearly two-thirds of the Department’s personnel are assigned to the Operations Division, which includes the Patrol Services Bureau and the Special Operations Bureau.
  • Support Services Division provides support services to the Office of the Chief and other divisions. Falling within the it are the Administrative Services Bureau, Animal Control Bureau, Criminal Justice Academy, and Personnel Bureau.

The Department's services and programs includes, but is not limited to, background checks, fingerprinting services, licensing and permits, and School Resource Officers. Officers can serve in specialized units that include K-9, Forensic Services, Bicycle, Traffic (Motors), Crash Investigation, SWAT, Civil Disturbance, Command Post, Crime Prevention, Honor Guard, Marine, Mounted Patrol, Underwater Search and Recovery, and Search and Rescue. Learn more about joining the PWC Police Department here.
"I am grateful for the dedication of our local police force to protect and serve our community. It was enlightening to hear about all the many aspects of what it takes to keep our community safe."
Ann Wheeler
Board of County Supervisors Chair At-Large
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Chair's Calendar
Regional Planning Framework Released
Wednesday, March 9, Chair Wheeler participated in the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Board Meeting, its first in-person one in nearly two years.
At the meeting the Region United: Metropolitan Washington Planning Framework for 2030 was released. Its four regional priorities are:
  • PROSPERITY: Equity Emphasis Areas - Planning concept to elevate equity and inform future growth and investment decisions. 350 locations with high concentrations of traditionally underserved communities.
  • ACCESSIBILITY: High-Capacity Transit Station Areas - Planning concept to better leverage the region’s major investment in transit and inform future growth and investment decisions. 225 locations around Metrorail, commuter rail, light rail, bus rapid transit, and streetcar stations that are in place or will be by 2030.
  • LIVIBILITY: 2030 Housing Targets - Planning targets to address the region’s housing needs. Targets call for at least 75,000 additional housing units by 2030 beyond the 245,000 new units already anticipated, 75% of the units in Activity Centers or High-Capacity Transit Station Areas, and 75% of the units affordable to low- and middle-income households.
  • SUSTAINIBILITY: 2030 Climate Goal and Action Plan - Planning goal and action plan to address climate change at the regional level. Goal calls for a 50% reduction in Green House Gas emissions below 2005 baseline emission levels.
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COVID-19 News
PWC Community Levels Remain Low
The Prince William Health District COVID-19 Dashboard for March 7 shows continued low community levels for PWC and almost all surrounding areas. The one exception was City of Manassas Park, which was at a medium level.
Community CTC+ Initiative Ending
The Prince William Health District (PWHD) is discontinuing Community CTC+ initiative (issue 104), the vendor operated COVID-19 testing van, on Saturday, March 12, due to a decrease in requests. The other testing events and services provided by the PWHD and community partners will continue. Residents can schedule an appointment or find testing at Virginia Department of Health testing website.
Resources
How to get vaccinated:

How to get tested:
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BOCS
Meeting Next Week
Tuesday, March 15
2:00 pm Regular Meeting
7:30 pm Budget Public Hearing

For Public Comment Time options visit SpeakUp! Prince William. Remote speakers must sign-up by 5:00 pm on Monday, March 14. In-person speakers can sign up at the meeting.
NOTE: The BOSC is holding two Budget Public Hearings.The second one will be Tuesday, April 12 at 7:30 pm and 8:00 pm
Budget Resources
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County News
Significant Omnibus Funding Coming to PWC
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, expected to be signed into law today, includes several Congressionally Directed Spending requests that will benefit specific PWC projects. An overview of these and its sponsor(s) is provided below. There are also funds dedicated for neighboring counties and the state that can positively impact our County. You can learn more by clicking on the hyperlink names of our Congressional leaders.

  • Over $1.8 million to support George Mason University’s Center for Literacy’s state-wide project to build literacy skills in K-12 students with a scalable, comprehensive hybrid program for teachers, students, and their families.

  • Over $1.4 million to fund a project by George Mason University to help train law enforcement officers and departments in productive handling of incidents involving individuals with mental health disorders, in concert with local communities and professional mental health crisis intervention managers.

  • $950,000 to prepare for future impacts of climate change through development of a plan to reduce carbon emissions, increase use of renewable energy, and provide sustainability resources within the community to address harmful impacts. Additionally, a study will be conducted of increased flooding potential in the community that will include issues of environmental and social justice, and the equity of programs to reduce flood risk in the community.
  • $800,000 to help train staff of the new PWC local health department initiative on the systems, competencies, frameworks, relationships, and resources that enable public health agencies to perform their core functions and essential services to meet the specific needs of this second largest local jurisdiction and largest majority minority community in the state.

  • $250,000 to enable the PWC Police to hire an independent contractor to analyze the department’s use of force policies, training programs, police culture, supervision, de-escalation strategies, and tactics.
Seeking Community Partners
PWC Office of Equity and Inclusion (issue 55) Is looking for community partners. As partners, your voice will inform greater communication and responsiveness to the needs of our County's residents, businesses, and visitors. In its second year, the office is putting an emphasis on input from those ages 18 to 36, immigrants, communities of faith, and Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender communities. Submit your interest to be a community partner here.
Learn More About Our County
The Office of Equity and Inclusion's census tract demographic dashboards provides a transparent means of comparing key demographic variables of PWC’s population.
Helping Houses of Worship Stay Safe
Wednesday, March 16, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, the Crime Prevention Unit of the PWC Police Department is hosting Securing Your House of Worship. The presentation, intended to encourage Houses of Worship to become more involved in reducing the opportunity for crimes to occur on their premises, will be held at the Western District Police Station, 8900 Freedom Center Boulevard in Manassas. Each person wishing to attend must register individually. Learn more and register to attend here.
Reminders
Sunday, March 13 at 11:59 pm the period for 501(c)(3) faith-based and nonprofit organizations to submit project proposals for ARPA Community Grant Program funding closes. Learn more and submit a proposal here.

Monday, March 14, at 6:30 pm, a public meeting will be hosted at the Haymarket Gainesville Public Library to discuss findings from the archaeological investigation at Scott Cemetery (issue 105).
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County Happenings
Call for Nominations
The PWC Arts Council is now calling for nominations for the annual Kathleen K. Seefeldt Awards. Persons and organizations that have made significant or distinguished contribution to the arts and live, work, or volunteer in PWC, the City of Manassas, and the City of Manassas Park can be nominated.
The candidate must be 18 years or older at the time of nomination and able to attend the Awards Ceremony on at 7:30 pm, Thursday, May 12, at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Nominations can be submitted here through 5:00 pm, Thursday, March 31. Award recipients in the last five years in the category are ineligible. Award nominations may be made in the following categories:
  • Outstanding Arts Educator
  • Outstanding Business Supporter of the Arts
  • Outstanding Individual Artist
  • Outstanding Arts Organization
  • Outstanding Patron
  • Outstanding Volunteer
The Awards Namesake
The PWC Arts Council named the awards in honor of Mrs. Seefeldt (issue 59) because of her long history of service to PWC and the Commonwealth. During her tenure as Chair of the BOCS, the Arts Council was established. She was also instrumental in the development of the agreement that led to the Hylton Performing Arts Center. After leaving the Board, she has held several appointed positions on state government commissions and volunteered with a number of charities.
For Love of the Parks Photo Contest
PWC Parks, Recreation and Tourism is holding a For Love of the Parks Photo Contest. Submit your favorite photo of the parks by posting it to your social media by Thursday, March 31. You must include the required hashtags #PWCparks AND #PWCparksphoto to be considered. Photo(s) must be taken at a PWC Parks and Recreation facility and include the name of park or facility in the description. Phots may include nature, wildlife or interior and exterior park facilities
The selected winners will be announced on Friday, April 15. The initial announcement will appear on the department's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. Photo credit and recognition will also be in the department's April E-newsletter.
Reminder
The 2022 Greater Manassas St. Patrick's Day Parade on Center Street in Old Town Manassas on March 12, 2022, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.
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State News
Virginia Governor’s Fellows Program
Applications are being accepted through Sunday, March 27, for the 2022 Governor’s Fellows Program, a prestigious opportunity for rising seniors and recent graduates to get a firsthand look at the executive branch in action. Since 1982, fellows have worked alongside the Governor’s Cabinet and staff, learning about state government and assisting in essential work for the Commonwealth. Learn more and apply here.
Program participants are placed in different positions in the Governor's Office and in various agencies throughout the Executive Branch. The program attempts to match Fellows with compatible assignments according to background, interests, and future goals. Applicant qualifications include being:
  • A rising college seniors, graduating college seniors or enrolled as degree candidates in a graduate/professional school
  • Enrolled in a Virginia college/university or a Virginia resident enrolled in an out-of-state institution
  • Committed to excellence in academics
  • Able to demonstrate leadership ability
  • Involved in extracurricular activities
  • Active in community service

Interviews will begin Wednesday, March 30, and offers extended on Monday, April 18. Selected Fellows participate in the program from Monday, May 30, through Friday, July 29.
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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.