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October 14, 2026

If you haven’t followed this news, big changes could be on the way for who provides your electricity.

Florida-based NextEra Energy plans to buy Dominion Energy, and if this $67 billion deal is approved, the company would become the largest electric utility in the world.

I have serious concerns about this proposal for a number of reasons, and I testified against it this past Friday at the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s public hearing at the Fairfax County Government Center.

I spoke up because local elected officials have absolutely no say on most utility plans and operations, including the electricity rates that we’re all charged — but the commission, which regulates rates, must approve this mega-merger.

Why do I oppose the acquisition? First, I’m worried it may lead to higher rates and bills for you and our businesses.

Dominion’s rates have already increased this year. Typical residential customers will pay an additional $11.24 per month in 2026, following the State Corporation Commission’s approval for the utility to increase its base rate. This represents a 7.5% increase from last year. The SCC also signed off on allowing Dominion to further raise its base rate in 2027 which will cost a typical homeowner an additional $2.36 per month — or a 1.5% increase. And NextEra’s expectations for how much it should make as a regulated utility are even worse than Dominion’s.

I’m also worried that the local relationship my office has developed with Dominion will end once an out-of-state company takes over ownership. While it can be difficult at times to get Dominion to respond to local concerns (remember the tree clearing along the W&OD?), my fear is that things will get worse—maybe much worse.

I also have concerns about the merger’s possible impact on our climate goals, electricity and grid reliability and the need for adequate electricity to support the economic growth in Reston, Tysons and throughout the county. These were all issues that I voiced last week.

I’m pleased that so many making our concerns known to the State Corporation Commission. In August, I — along with the Board of Supervisors, and other elected officials including Delegate Irene Shinn who flagged this for me — had called for them to hold in-person regional public hearings which I’m glad they finally decided to do.

There will be more news ahead on this deal, so stay tuned.

Regards,

Walter

• Sign up for Property Alerts to Prevent Title Theft
• Chalkfest Returns This Saturday
• Venture Into Volunteering Sunday
• Donate Winter Coats for Kids
• Board of Supervisors Update
• Board of Equalization Member Sought
• Upcoming Land Use Meetings
• What's News in Vienna
• Events and Activities

What’s happening: Did you know a scammer could sell your home without your knowledge? It’s an increasingly common scam that’s often called “title theft” or “quitclaim deed fraud.” 

Now, you can protect yourself with new, free alerts from the Fairfax Circuit Court Clerk’s office. When you sign up through MyFairfax, you’ll get an email alert any time a real estate document is filed with the court. This means you’ll get an early warning about unauthorized deed filings or other suspicious activity involving your real estate records.


• Instructions for setting up alerts.

How does this scam work: Fraudsters file forged deeds to take ownership of your home or vacant land and then sell it, take out a mortgage or rent it.

These “title pirates” impersonate you to transfer a home’s deed to themselves using a quitclaim deed. It’s a legal document that transfers a property’s ownership without title or ownership guarantees.

In Virginia, state law requires court clerks to record all documents submitted for filing that appear to contain the necessary information, signatures, and proof of notarization — even if a document appears to be forged or fake.

Why it matters: Title theft is on the rise. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center issued a warning about this scam involving vacant land, and last year, criminals stole more than $275 million through real estate-related fraud from at least 12,368 victims, according to their 2025 report. (These numbers account for all real-estate fraud, not just title theft.)

Other fraud prevention tips: Besides signing up for the new property alerts, follow these other tips:

• Monitor your bills: If you suddenly stop receiving your real estate tax bill or water or electric bills, someone may have tampered with your title. Don’t ignore unexpected notices from banks or government offices or mail delivered to someone else at your address.
• Set up a property search: Some real estate listing portals allow you to set up alerts for a specific property or create a Google alert for your property’s address.
• Monitor your credit report: The three major credit agencies Equifax, Experian and TransUnion offer free, weekly credit reports through AnnualCreditReport.com. Make a request online or call 1-877-322-8228. (By federal law, you are entitled to one free report every 12 months, but the three credit bureaus decided to offer free weekly reports after the pandemic.)

Attend Chalkfest

at Reston Town Center on Saturday

What’s happening: Market Street at Reston Town Center will become a giant art canvas during ChalkFest this Saturday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Amateur and professional artists, families, and kids will color the pavement with a kaleidoscope of chalk creations.

Attend this free, family friendly event that also features live music by Bach to Rock Herndon and free face painting.

Awards presentation: Join me for the awards presentation at 5 p.m. Cash prizes will be awarded in a variety of categories, including Audience Choice Awards. Vote on your favorite.

Hunter Mill Children’s Winter Coat Drive:

Donate Now Through Jan. 31

What’s happening: Once again my office is partnering with Heritage Fellowship Church to collect warm winter coats for kids in need in our community. Please consider donating now through January 31.

What’s needed: We’re collecting new or gently used, clean coats and jackets in all children’s sizes from newborns to teens. Coats for elementary and middle-school children are especially needed. Due to space limitations, we are unable to accept other winter clothing, including sweaters, snowsuits, hats, gloves, mittens and scarves.

Where to donate: Drop off your donation in the collection box at the North County Governmental Center 24/7. For large donations, please come on Wednesdays between 1-5 p.m. (Note the North County Governmental Center is also the location for the Reston District Police Station, and the building is across the street from Reston Regional Library.)

Gin Dance Company Founder and Artistic Director Shu-Chen Cuff (center).

Board of Supervisors Update

The Board of Supervisors met yesterday on Oct. 13. You can watch the meeting and review the agenda and package.

Gin Dance Company Recognized for its Artistic Contributions

At my request, the Board of Supervisors presented the Reston-based Gin Dance Company with a proclamation to recognize their artistic contributions during the past 16 years. (See photo above) It was a bittersweet moment because the company took its final bow with a performance in September at Capital One Hall. Founded by Artistic Director Shu-Chen Cuff and Executive Director Gary Cuff, Gin Dance elevated contemporary dance in our region, also attracting national and international talent to perform here.

Reston Community Center Board Appointments

I moved to appoint Paul Berry, William Penniman, and Hunter Wagenaar to the Reston Community Center’s Board of Governors. These three Reston residents ran in the annual Preference Poll that guides the selection of candidates to serve on RCC’s Board.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors makes appointments to the center’s board following the preference poll. Each year, up to three RCC board seats are up for election through the preference poll. 

Volunteer Fire Commission Awards Recognize Firefighters of the Year

Yesterday, the Volunteer Fire Commission presented their annual awards with these Vienna Volunteer Department members receiving well-deserved recognition. Congratulations to:

• Sebastian Herbolsheimer: He was awarded Volunteer Firefighter of the Year. Herbolsheimer was honored for his exceptional dedication, leadership and consistent service, providing trainings, coordinating engine shifts, and supporting engine, plow and ambulance staffing. He demonstrated his professionalism when responding to a significant house fire where he both helped to knock down the blaze and saved a dog.
• Lt. Adam Serle: Recognized as Operational Officer of the Year with more than 16,000 hours of experience, he serves with exceptional, knowledgeable leadership, calm, commitment and excellence. Serle oversees daily operations, training and apparatus planning, as well as leads monthly training sessions.
• Jonathan Leidenheimer: Awarded with Volunteer Administrative Member of the Year, he was honored for his reliability, dedication, and meaningful contributions. As Chair of the Bingo Committee, he improved the department’s key fundraising activity, and he supported grant-writing efforts to secure funding for equipment essential to the department’s mission.

Setting Fairfax County's Cannabis Retail Sales Local Tax Rate

What’s happening: Recreational marijuana sales for adults will begin on July 1, as authorized under the state budget (HB 30).

In preparation, the Board approved directing county staff to draft an ordinance by this spring to set the local tax rate for cannabis retail sales, per Chairman McKay’s motion. We asked for the rate to be set at 3.5%, the maximum allowed under state law. Additionally, we directed staff to prepare a zoning ordinance for our review.

Under state law, up to 350 retail stores will be allowed to operate across Virginia, along with 100 microbusinesses and five Tier V cultivation facilities.

Taxation required: State law mandates that local governments impose a local tax between 1% to 3.5%. (Local governments are also allowed to charge other authorized business taxes and a licensing fee.)

This local tax is in addition to the state’s own marijuana sales tax that starts off at 6% until July 1, 2029, increasing to 8% after this date. Normal sales taxes also will be charged (which are 6% in Northern Virginia.)

Once a locality enacts its tax ordinance, it must notify the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority, retail stores and microbusinesses within 30 days. The law would take effect on the first day of the second month after enactment, and the adopted tax rate must remain in effect for three years.

Store locations and restrictions: Retail stores and microbusinesses are prohibited within 1,000 feet from hospitals, schools, institutions of higher education, and child daycare programs.

While local governments may not pass laws to prohibit cultivating, selling, distributing , possessing or transporting marijuana, they may regulate the hours when cannabis may be sold.

Other local prohibitions: It’s not legal to consume marijuana in any public place or possess or consume it on public school grounds. However, the law allows localities to further restrict possessing or consuming it at public parks, playgrounds, public streets, or any sidewalk adjoining any public street.

Zoning ordinance: Localities may adopt and enforce zoning ordinances for cannabis retailers, and the Cannabis Control Authority may deny a license to a marijuana business if it doesn’t meet local zoning and land use laws.

However, some questions remain unanswered about how the authority will ensure that local zoning rules are met since there’s currently no requirement for cannabis businesses to seek the county’s review before they apply for a license. Other questions include whether local zoning regulations should allow for exceptions to store location restrictions in dense mixed-use areas, and whether the list of institutions near which stores should be restricted should be expanded.

Fairfax is joining other jurisdictions that are currently updating their zoning laws:

• Henrico County already published its proposed zoning rules with its Planning Commission scheduled to consider them tomorrow. (Read their proposed zoning ordinance.)
• Hanover County has drafted its zoning ordinance, and today, their Board of Supervisors considered authorizing advertisement for a Planning Commission public hearing.
• The Hampton City Council initiated the process to begin creating zoning rules.

Seeking a Hunter Mill District Representative for the Board of Equalization

What’s happening: Do you have a professional background or knowledge of residential or commercial real estate? Serve on the Board of Equalization for Real Estate Assessments which is seeking new members. To apply, email Gwenn Minton in my office or call 703-478-0283.

What’s the Board? Appointed by the Board of Supervisors, the Board of Equalization is an independent body that reviews individual property real estate tax assessments, and it has the power to increase, decrease, or keep assessments the same upon its review.



What you’ll do: As a member, you’ll normally meet three to four times a week from June through March, although the board’s work usually ends in November or December. You’ll typically consider four to six cases per meeting when you’ll hear oral testimony and review applicable documentation and evidence presented by the taxpayer/taxpayer representative and the Department of Tax Administration regarding a property’s current year assessment.



Learn more about the member qualifications and duties

Reston Planning and Zoning on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.

Virtual meeting. Click here to join. To attend by phone, dial and enter meeting ID 488 711 780#

Agenda:

• Reston Crossing RZ-2026-HM-00006
• Reston National Golf Course RZPA-2026-HM-00008

Hunter Mill Land Use Committee Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Virtual meeting. Click here to join. To attend by phone, dial 571-429-5982 and enter meeting ID 572 736 284#

Agenda:

• Tysons Concourse RZ-2026-HM-00003
• Baron Cameron Senior Housing SE-2026-HM-00013

Vienna Theatre Company Presents An Old Fashioned Murder

Get your tickets for the Vienna Theatre Company’s performance of the comedy An Old Fashioned Murder on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays this month, starting this weekend. In Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro’s play, everyone is a suspect on a dark and stormy night when a murder occurs at the elderly Colonel Claythorne’s mansion. Performances take place at the Vienna Community Center. Buy tickets online or purchase them at the door if available.

Vienna Health Fair on Saturday

Come to the Vienna Health Fair this Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Vienna Seventh Day Adventist Church, 344 Courthouse Road. Sponsored by the Vienna Police Department and Northern Virginia Family Services, this free fair will offer blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes screenings and more.

Halloween on the Green on Saturday

Halloween arrives early this year with a free, spooktacular Halloween on the Green this Saturday, Oct. 17 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Kids will enjoy craft-making, games, live animal shows and pumpkin decorating (while supplies last) all on the Town Green. Costumes are encouraged but not required. 

Cops and Kids Fun Run on Sunday

Join the Vienna Police Department for the "Cops and Kids Fun Run" this Sunday, Oct. 18! Wear a Halloween costume and join police officers for a run around town beginning at 11 a.m. outside Vienna Elementary School. Afterwards, there will be lots of activities, games, and treats to enjoy

🎪Board an adventurous ride at the Carnival at Tysons through Oct. 25.

🧱Celebrate Fairfax County's 250th anniversary with an immersive LEGO display at Tysons Corner mall.

🎶Listen to the Yale Whiffenpoofs on Oct. 15 at Church of the Holy Comforter in Vienna.

🦶🏻Explore how to care for your fascia and feet on Oct. 15 at Trace the Zero Waste Store in Vienna.

💻Attend a nonpartisan, policy forum Powering the AI Decade on Oct. 15 in Tysons.

𝄞  Sopranessence sing operatic arias to Broadway favorites on Oct. 15 at Reston

Community Center.

💼Looking for a job? Attend JSSA’s free, virtual, 50+ employment expo on Oct. 15.

🖼️Artist Beverly Ress discusses her work at a free reception and opening on Oct. 15 at Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art.

🎞️Watch a free outdoor, screening of Tim Burton’s classic “The Nightmare Before Christmas” on Oct. 16 at Tysons Corner mall.

🍎Make your own old-fashioned cider on Oct. 17 at Colvin Run Mill.

🥩Dine at The Palm’s 100th Anniversary Wine Dinner on Oct. 17 in Tysons.

🍺Step back in time with Shipgarten’s Oktoberfest Renaissance Festival on Oct. 17 in Tysons.

🎭 Reston Community Players present “Once Upon a Mattress” on Oct. 16-17 at Reston Community Center.

ʝαȥȥ Listen to jazz artist Philip Harvey on Oct. 16 at Reston Town Square Park.

🍁Attend the Fall Harvest Fest and Carnival on Oct. 17 at Frying Pan Farm Park.

🐶Bring your four-legged friend to the free Howl-O-Ween Dog Festival on Oct. 17 at Browns Chapel Park.

🏠The Reston Home Tour returns on Oct. 17 with six inspiring houses on display.

🍂Celebrate the annual Fall Festival at The Farm at Halley Rise on Oct. 17.

🗣️Sing a song with the Fairfax Jubil-Aires for World Singing Day on Oct. 17 at Fair Oaks Mall.

🎃Join Halloween Family Fun Day on Oct. 17 at Reston Community Center.

🎶Voce Chambers Singers perform “Sounding the Vote” on Oct. 17-18 at Church of the Holy Comforter in Vienna.

🍁🍂Visit Reston Farm Garden for their Farm Fall Fun Fest from Oct. 17-18.

🏃🏻‍♀️‍➡️Put on your running shoes for the Fall Backyard Burn on Oct. 18 at Lake Fairfax Park.

🍷Taste Italy’s lesser-known wine varieties on Oct. 18 at The Wine Cabinet.

🚶🏻‍➡️Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Oct. 18 at Reston Town Center.

🖼️Attend “Fall Into Art,” the League of Reston Artists free reception, on Oct. 18 at Reston Community Center.

💚Participate in the Green Fairfax Environmental Summit on Oct. 19 in Tysons.

✂️Join the Crafting Club on Oct. 21 at Scrawl Books.

🎥Watch the movie “Just Mercy,” a drama about a wrongfully convicted man, on Oct. 21 at Reston Community Center.

🧘🏻‍♀️Take a free Pilates mat class on Oct. 22 at Reston Town Center.

♪ Neda Bostani performs an original, live sound journey on Oct. 22 at Tephra ICA.

📖Young adult author Susan Metallo discusses her new novel "Hearts on the Table"on Oct. 22 at Bards Alley.

🎤Tallwood Trio performs the American Songbook on Oct. 22 at Reston Community Center.

🤎🍂Enjoy the free Fall Festival on Oct. 24 at PenFed plaza at Tysons Corner mall.

🩷Join lululemon’s Pink in Motion movement, wellness and recovery class in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Oct. 24 at Reston Town Center.

📚Kids author Ann McCallum Staats reads her book “A Quilt of Stars” on Oct. 24 at Scrawl Books.

💃From Bollywood to ballet, take a Dance Sampler Workshop on Oct. 24 at Mindshift Gym.

🍂🍁Enjoy the free Fall Festival & Art & Craft Fair on Oct. 24 at United Christian Parish.

🏊Bring the kids to Boo at the Pool on Oct. 24 at Reston Community Center.

🐶Dog-o-ween is Oct. 24 at Shipgarten in Tysons.

🌿Join Fairfax Tree Rescuer’s Hunters Green Fall Invasive Plant Clean-up Day on Oct. 24.

🎚️ Get in the groove with the DJ Dance Party on Oct. 24 at Reston Town Center.

👩🏻‍🎨Attend the Craft Fair on Oct. 25 at St. Joseph’s in Herndon.

💪Take a free Corepower class at Vuori Tysons Corner on Oct. 25.

📕 🍺Stop by a boozy, spooky book fair on Oct. 25 at Caboose Tavern in Vienna.

🎪Join family friendly fun at Fall-A-Palooza on Oct. 25 at Reston Station.

🍬Bring the kids for Trick or Treat Beyond Market Street on Oct. 25 at Reston Town Center.

💗Attend a 50+ singles mixer on Oct. 26 at Makers Union at Reston Town Center.

🏳️‍🌈📖Join the Queer Lit Book Club on Oct. 26 hosted by NoVA Prism and Scrawl Books.

🚴‍♀️ Ride the 11^th annual Tour de Mount Vernon on Oct. 31.

Find all events for these local organizations: Reston Community Center, Reston Town Center Association, Town of Vienna Parks and Recreation Programs, Tephra ICA and Arts Fairfax. Find other community events in the Reston Letter.