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Issue 91
Friday, November 12, 2021
Prince William County
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Dear Neighbors,
Honoring and celebrating all those who have served on Veterans Day is always a meaningful occasion. This year it was even more special as we held our, first ever, Prince William County Veterans Day Remembrance Service (see article below).
This event grew out of our newly formed Veterans Commission, that worked with our Communications Office, to establish what will hopefully become an annual event. Given our proximity to the U. S. Army Fort Belvoir, the U. S. Department of Defense Pentagon, and our own Marine Corps Base Quantico, Prince William County is home to over 42,000 veterans. These brave and selfless men and women, along with their families, strengthen the fabric of our community and we are grateful to have them.
In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
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Wednesday, November 10, Chair Wheeler participated in the Veterans Day Remembrance Service to honor all the brave men and women that have served in the armed forces. This was the first Veterans Day ceremony held by the County. You can watch a video of the ceremony below.
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Economic Development Executive Director, Christina Winn (left) and Terracon DC Metro South Office Manager, Sharon Tyndall, P.E. (center)
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Wednesday, November 10, Chair Wheeler participated in a ribbon-cutting for the expansion of Terracon's DC Metro South office in Woodbridge. The multi-discipline, consulting engineering firm specializing in environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services. The Woodbridge office has been providing geotechnical and materials testing services for clients along the I-95 corridor from Maryland to Richmond since 1990. Its portfolio of work includes transportation and infrastructure projects, energy projects including solar and pile load testing, and a wide variety of commercial, industrial and retail projects.
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Terracon is a 100 percent employee-owned and currently has more than 5,000 employees in more than 150 offices, serving all 50 states nationwide. Additionally, it partners with U.S. clients to serve their international needs. Watch Terracon's very creative video to learn more.
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Use the Prince William Health District's Vaccine Appointment webpage to easily see dates, times, available vaccines, and links to schedule your vaccine appointment at the Community Vaccination Center (CVC) at 14011 Worth Avenue in Woodbridge and the Manassas Mall Vaccination Center at 8300 Sudley Road in Manassas.
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Next Week's Mobile Clinic Flyers |
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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 23,
at 2:00 pm
The agenda and information on how to participate in Public Comment time for the November 23 meeting will be in the next issue.
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From the November 9 BOCS Meeting |
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Historic Community Purchase |
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The purchase of a two-acre parcel along John Marshall Highway, west of Haymarket, was approved as part of the new Historic Communities program. This initial parcel in Thoroughfare falls within the boundaries of the Thoroughfare Historical District ( issue 70). County leaders hope, through funding considered in the near future, to engage residents and stakeholders to help develop a master plan that will convert the property into a public interpretive park.
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The Thoroughfare community was established after the Civil War by freed slaves and mixed-raced families, including those of Native American descent. The farming village prospered through the twentieth century and many of the original buildings, structures, cemeteries, and features like Oakrum Baptist Church, which was founded by freed slaves, still exist today.
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“This is an important step for the County to begin to preserve another piece of our past and celebrate the story of one of Virginia’s significant integrated communities as well as our native American ancestry.”
Ann Wheeler
Chair At-Large Board of County Supervisors
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Department Awards Presentation |
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Virginia Association of Counties Director of Government Relations, Chris McDonald (left), Deputy County Director, Rebecca Horner (second from left), and Lead Procurement Officer, Erika Bukva (right of center) |
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Neabsco District Supervisor Victor S. Angry (left), and Chair of the PWC Veterans Commission, Tom Gordy (center)
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Proclaimed November as Veteran and Military Families Month to celebrate local veterans and their families. Our Community is fortunate to be called home by many veterans and family members of those in the armed services. According to the most recent American Community Survey, an estimated 42,139 veterans live in PWC, making up over 10% of the residents. On this 25th anniversary of Veterans and Military Families Month, we honor those who not only know what service entails firsthand, but also recognize the integral role military family members play in supporting the United States Armed Forces.
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Area on Agency’s Adult Day Health Care Manager, Lorraine Eckhardt (left), and local caregiver, Taalibah Hassan (center)
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Proclaimed November as Family Caregivers Month and called upon community organizations to observe it with appropriate programs, activities, and advance its important message of thanks. Caregivers making time for themselves and the family protects a family caregiver’s own health, strengthens family relationships, prevents burnout, and can enable a care recipient to stay at home up to three times longer. It is essential to encourage these heroes to take some time for respite so they may continue their mission of providing the loving care that only they can provide.
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Over 90,000,000 Americans today are caregivers for their loved ones.
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Six out of ten family caregivers juggle everyday life tasks like preparing children for school, managing household responsibilities, and working full or part-time, in addition to the responsibility of advocating for their loved ones and making decisions that lead to best care outcomes.
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The responsibility of family caregivers is growing every year, especially in the advent of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
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Social Services Director, Courtney Tierney (left), and Program Manager, Diane Gestrich (right) |
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Proclaimed, alongside the PWC Department of Social Services, November 20 as National Adoption Day to recognize the importance of giving children permanent, safe, and loving families through adoption. More than 800 children in the Virginia foster care system are waiting to be adopted. In PWC more than 20 children in the foster care system have, or had, the goal of adoption. All citizens are urged to join in a national effort to raise awareness about the importance of adoption.
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Saturday, November 21, to help children find permanent, nurturing families, the local courts of the 31st Judicial District will celebrate National Adoption Day to finalize and recognize the adoptions of local children and join other organizations to celebrate all adoptions.
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Proclaimed November 1 through November 20 as the official recognition of America Recycles Day. Recycling is vital to preserving the life of the PWC Landfill as well as conserving precious natural resources and landfill space. Consumers’ purchase of products made of recycled material ensure true success of any recycling effort. The nation celebrates America Recycles Day in November of each year.
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The community is encouraged to take the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) “I Recycle” pledge ( issue 87) online by November 20 to show support of recycling and have a chance to win one of the two prizes offered by MWCOG. A PWC resident has won the “I Recycle” pledge contest drawing for seven of the last eight years.
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A New Name Connected to the Departments Roots |
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Following an intense process of reflection and extensive discussions with key stakeholders, the members of the Stonewall Jackson Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad voted change its name to the Stone House Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, effective October 21. The Stone House is located at the intersection of US Route 29 and State Route 234.
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This building is part of Station 11's historical first due and was also the site of the very first meeting of its Board of Directors. The name was chosen to honor those founding members, who leveraged their life savings and mortgaged their homes, in some cases three times, to provide a desperately needed life safety service not yet funded by county government.
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Your Input is Needed on Future Transportation |
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If you would like to learn more, Occoquan Supervisor Kenny Boddye and Neabsco Supervisor Victor S. Angry are hosting a virtual town hall on Tuesday, November 16, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Panelists will include representatives from DRPT, and the County's Planning and Transportation teams. During registration, you may submit questions and share ideas in advance. By logging into YouTube during the event, you can also participate in a live, moderated chat. You can RSVP and register here.
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Students Step-Up to Serve |
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The PWC Human Rights Commission has assembled Cohort 6 of its Human Rights Student Leadership Council. As council members, the high schoolers representing schools from across the County, will prepare for leadership roles and learn about human rights, civil rights, and anti-discrimination laws. The students will collaborate with organizations across the county, implement human and civil rights projects at events in the County, share their unique experiences through outreach and public speaking at conferences, attend small group discussions, online forums, and a variety of other media. This council’s theme this year is “Coloring Outside the Lines” which is meant to help council members think about their mission in different ways.
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“What we need is to be able to look beyond and think about things that we’ve never done before and see the hope for the future. You are our future. By stepping up and taking on this leadership role, you will learn, you will grow, you will challenge yourself, and we are all here to support you in that journey. We see the potential in you.”
Denise Huebner
Associate Superintendent for Special Education and Student Services
Prince William Public Schools
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Veteran Program Expanded to Medical Appointments |
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Saturday, November 20, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm the PWC Police Department’s Community Engagement Unit is partnering with Santa’s Helpers to collect new toys for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation at the Walmart Supercenter located at 17041 Jefferson Davis Hwy in Dumfries. The event will also include some Police displays. If you prefer to make a monetary donation instead of purchasing a toy, please visit Toys for Tots.
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Virtual Annual Climate Conference |
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Wednesday, November 17, ay 7:00 pm, the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions is hosting its Sixth Annual Virginia Climate Crisis Forum: Our Children’s Future. During the online, interactive event, participants will discuss climate solutions needed now to safeguard our families’ futures. The event will feature a panel discussion with Fairfax County Chairman Jeff McKay, who also serves as the President of the Virginia Association of Counties, Arlington County Chairman Matt de Ferranti, and Chair Wheeler. It will also have guest speakers, including Senior Staff Attorney Nate Bellinger from Our Children’s Trust, the world’s only non-profit public interest law firm dedicated exclusively to securing the legal rights of youth to a healthy atmosphere and safe climate. This event is open to the public and free of charge. Registration is encouraged.
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American Revolution Campfire Stories |
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Friday, November 19, from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm enjoy a tranquil campfire at the Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre at 12229 Bristow Road in Bristow as you listen to heroic and inspiring tales of Prince William residents during the American Revolution. Learn how these men and women helped secure our independence and shape our nation. Tickets are $5 per person, children 2 and under are free.
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Saturday, November 20, burn a few pre-holiday calories in the Turkey Trot 10K or 1 Mile at the Marine Corps Base Quantico. All participants are encouraged to wear their silliest turkey-themed attire! The one-miler is open to all ages and starts at 9:30 am. The 10K, open to runners ages 8 and over, starts after the one-miler and features a newly updated course through tree-lined, winding roads and wraps back along the Potomac River. The festive finish includes a petting zoo, as well as frozen turkey and pumpkin pie awards courtesy of Wegmans. Registration fee is $40 for the 10K and $25 for the one-miler. Learn more and register here. |
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Team Receives State Accreditation |
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Congratulations to PWC Police Department Peer Support Team on receiving the prestigious certification of accreditation by the Commonwealth of Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services. The Team was first formed in 1985 and today has more than 20 members who are specifically trained to respond to traumatic situations to provide emotional support to those employees directly involved. The rigorous accreditation process of meeting training and operations standards allows the team to be one of a select few that may provide Peer Support services to other jurisdictions.
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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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