January 16, 2025

Neighbors,

As the Virginia General Assembly begins its session in earnest this week, I joined residents who oppose a casino at a news conference in Richmond yesterday.

I spoke at this event, along with representatives of a coalition of residents and homeowners associations that oppose a casino in Tysons, Senator Jennifer Boysko, Senator Saddam Salim, my colleague Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman and Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert. And we were joined by Delegate Irene Shin as well.

As I’ve said before, once a casino opens in a Silver Line station area it becomes a “No Go Zone” for major employers.

There are also many other good reasons why a casino is a bad bet.

Fairfax County is already economically successful with the highest growth rate in Northern Virginia — which as a region accounts for 42% of the state’s total GDP.

While there’s always more to do to sustain and grow our economy, casinos aren’t the answer. The county is home to 10 Fortune 500 companies (many in Tysons), making up 40% of these firms headquartered in Virginia. The jurisdictions across the state that approved casinos face much more difficult economic conditions. But several communities that aren’t economically desperate have rejected them like Manassas Park and Richmond where a casino referendum has failed twice.

And economists have found that as more casinos open they create diminishing returns, cannibalizing each other.

While some people say holding a casino referendum would be innocuous, there are no campaign finance limits in Virginia, and the millions of dollars that would be thrown into a referendum would be bad for our politics. In fact, the only reason we are having to fight this fight is because a single developer has poured millions of dollars into campaign coffers of public officials. I have never taken that money, and I never will.

A casino is not in Fairfax County’s Comprehensive Plan and unlike other Virginia jurisdictions so authorized, the Board of Supervisors has never asked for a casino. As I said yesterday, this is an egregious example of state officials sticking their noses into local land use. SB 982 specifies use, square footage, and possible locations. If state officials want to do land use, then run for local office!

And finally if this bad dream continues the next step would bring the craziness closer to home. Fairfax County would have to designate a site and select a casino operator before a referendum is held and before any rezoning is considered.

Stay tuned, the fight isn’t over!

Regards,

Walter

The Board of Supervisors met yesterday, Jan. 14. You can watch the meeting and review the agenda and package.

Crescent Apartments Redevelopment

I sponsored a board matter to redevelop the nearly 60-year old Crescent Apartments at Lake Anne that are owned by the Board of Supervisors. This is a much-needed effort to provide these residents with improved affordable housing, and this property’s redevelopment will also help advance the Comprehensive Plan’s goals for Lake Anne, including preserving and providing affordable housing and supporting the area’s economic revitalization. We have an opportunity to replace the existing 181 homes by leveraging development of additional new affordable and market residential units. As a next step, the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority will begin outreach with existing residents and community members about the project.

Sunrise Valley Drive Cycle Track Funding

The board accepted $4 million in federal funding for a cycle track on Sunrise Valley Drive from Innovation Station to the Fairfax County Parkway. The money will be used for the design and to initiate construction of this two-way bike lane. This project will improve safety for bicyclists, pedestrians and drivers, and it also includes other improvements such as protected intersections, signage and curb adjustments.

Pilot Textile Recycling Program

The board authorized the county to enter into a one-year pilot program with Helpsy for textile recycling. The company will install three to six collection bins at the I-66 Transfer Station where residents can drop off unwanted clothes, shoes and linens. Helpsy will pay the county a fee for the materials collected. As part of the pilot, the county will also work with the company to offer curbside pickup. There will be more details to come when the pilot launches.

About 27% of our neighbors in Fairfax County experience food insecurity, according to the Capital Area Food Bank. You can help take a bite out of hunger. Donate to the Stuff the Bus food drive. Drop off food or gift cards at two grocery stores in the Hunter Mill District on these dates:

• Vienna Giant on Saturday, Jan. 18 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

359 Maple Avenue East, Vienna

(To benefit The Committee for Helping Others)

• Giant at North Point on Saturday, Jan. 25 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

1450 Point Village Center, Reston

(To benefit Cornerstones)

Please consider donating these most requested food items.

Stuff the Bus is a partnership between Fairfax County and local nonprofits, and there are other locations across the county where you can donate through March 1.

To honor and commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., join me for a day of service at the Cathy Hudgins Community Center on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 9 a.m. to noon. Family friendly community service projects include sandwich making for the Embry Rucker Shelter and sorting donated toys for nonprofit The Closet. To volunteer, register with Reston Association’s Volunteer Manager Ha Brock by email or call 703-435-7986.

Volunteer Fairfax is also holding a week of service that culminates with its family friendly “Give Together” event at the James Lee Community Center in Annandale. Service projects are broken into sessions for specific age groups (age 5 to teens).

There’s a critical regional shortage for Type O blood, and it’s in high demand by hospitals because it can be used in transfusions for any blood type. Since it’s also the most common blood type — roughly 43% of Americans have O blood — you may be eligible to donate. Find an donation event near you or schedule an appointment.

Hunter Mill Land Use Committee Jan. 21

This virtual meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m.. Use this link to attend and participate. To participate by phone, dial 571-429-5982 and use conference ID 659 834 815#

Reston Planning & Zoning Jan. 27

This virtual meeting is Monday, Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m. Use this link to attend and participate. To participate by phone, dial 571-429-5982 and use conference ID 826 435 557#

For more information, email Mark Goldberg-Foss, call 703-478-5123, or visit the Hunter Mill District Land Use and Zoning webpage.

International Spy Museum Day Trip

Visit the Spy Museum’s official exhibit of 17 iconic vehicles used on-screen by James Bond on Feb. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $79 for town residents. Book now.

Annual Seed Swap

Get ready for spring with the town’s free annual seed swap on Feb. 8 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Vienna Community Center. Bring seeds that are two or less years old, and take a class on seed starting. Details.

🍷 Sample award-winning Virginia wines at the NOVA Wine Festival on Jan. 18 at the Dulles Expo Center.

🎼 Listen to the Reston Community Orchestra play specially chosen music for their “Annual Musical Salute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” on Jan. 18.

🚂 Visit the Northern Virginia Model Railroaders open house on Jan. 18.

💬 Join the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration luncheon and keynote address with Angela Rye at RCC on Jan 19.

📖 Take the kids to “Reading with a Cop” with an officer from the Reston District Station on Jan. 20 at the Reston Barnes & Noble.

📽️ Watch the remarkable true story “Nyad” on Senior Movie Day on Jan. 22.

🧱 Compete in Reston Museum’s Bricks by the Lake Lego building competition on Jan. 25.

For more exciting activities and trips around the area, join Reston Association’s events distribution list to stay updated on upcoming opportunities. To join, email them, and check their calendar of events too.