September 25, 2024

Neighbors,

You may have seen the video of rock star Jon Bon Jovi helping persuade a distressed woman off a ledge on a Nashville bridge.

Not only was the legendary musician at the right place at the right time, but also he had training in how to talk to people in crisis.

His actions were heroic — but his life-saving behavior also teaches us that we can help people in mental distress when we have a caring attitude and a little bit of education too.

This is why the Board of Supervisors proclaimed September as Suicide Prevention Month, and I’ll be joining my colleagues for the Out of the Darkness Walk this Sunday, Sept. 29. I invite you to join us. This walk raises money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and more importantly, it helps raise awareness, sending the message that suicide can be prevented.

Like Bon Jovi, we can also educate ourselves to recognize the warning signs when someone is in distress, like when a person talks about feeling hopeless or withdraws from family and friends.

For those who want to become even more educated, take the county’s Mental First Aid course. You’ll learn how to help someone in crisis, understand the importance of early intervention and get an introduction to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems.

If you or a loved one are struggling, you are not alone; resources are available to help, including:

• 9-8-8, the 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Hotline, is available via text or call
• Calling CSB Emergency Services at (703) 573-5679
• Texting "CONNECT" to 855-11 to contact PRS CrisisLink

We can all help as individuals and as a community.

Regards,

Walter

The Board of Supervisors met yesterday, Sept. 24, You can watch the meeting and review the agenda and package.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

We recognized Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month. With our Latina and Latino county employees and many community organizations present, including HACAN, we celebrated Hispanics’ contributions to the arts, food, culture and economy.

Public Hearing on a New Sanitary District in Reston

We also approved advertising a Nov. 9 public hearing to add 51 Hunter Mill District homes to the county’s Solid Waste Collection Areas. If ultimately approved, the county will provide trash, recycling and vacuum leaf collection for these homeowners between Lawyers Road, Fox Mill Road and Steeplechase Drive which petitioned to get county service.

Carryover Package Approved

The Board also approved the FY 2024 Carryover Package. Carryover is the process by which unspent or unencumbered funds for commitments from the previous fiscal year (i.e. FY 2024) are reappropriated to the current fiscal year (i.e. FY 2025).

There was a $240 million balance (including federal stimulus funds) approved for carryover — and it’s worth noting that this represents just a 2% variance from our adopted budget. This balance resulted from careful management of expenses and higher than expected revenues on our investments due to higher interest rates.

The money will be used for county priorities, including $25 million for pedestrian and bicycle projects to help improve safety and access to schools, parks and transit stations. These projects are important to fund (across Fairfax County) as we’ve had four tragic pedestrian deaths just this month.

Are you planning to vote early? Thanks to a new tool, you can check the wait times before you go to vote.

Know Before You Go: Check the estimated wait times online.

Where to Vote: Three early voting sites are currently open on weekdays, plus three Saturdays and one Sunday:

• North County Governmental Center: 1 - 7 p.m. (M-F)
• Mount Vernon Governmental Center: 1 - 7 p.m. (M-F)
• Fairfax County Government Center 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (M-F)

Starting Oct. 17, an additional 13 early voting sites will be open until the last day to cast your ballot early on Nov. 2.

Find early voting site locations and hours.

While paying taxes isn’t fun, a reminder that personal property taxes — better known as car taxes — are due on Monday, Oct. 7. (Normally, they’re due on Oct. 5, but the deadline was extended because this date is a Saturday.)

Ways to Pay: There are many ways to pay, but paying online is quick, easy and free when you use an e-check. You’ll also save time and gas. Other payment methods include:

• By phone
• By mail
• In person

Your Vehicle’s Assessment: By state law, your vehicle is assessed based on its value on Jan. 1 — and the law doesn’t allow your assessment to be readjusted if your car depreciates in value during the year.

• Overall vehicle values have declined by about 5% since last year — but they still remain elevated compared to before the pandemic.
• Some electric vehicles have significantly declined in value, and EV owners should know that many online pricing guides, like Kelly Blue Book or Edmunds, display a vehicle’s current value — not its value as of Jan. 1 which is date the county must use for assessments.
• Your vehicle value is based on a recognized third-party pricing guide, as required by state law. Fairfax County uses the J.D. Power Official Used Car Guide, as does every locality in Virginia.

Tax Relief and Appeals:

You may appeal your vehicle’s assessment if it has high mileage, body damage or serious mechanical defects as of Jan 1:

• How to file an appeal

Seniors who meet income limits and people with disabilities may apply for personal property tax relief. 

Do you have hearing loss, know someone who does or provide care for someone who has difficulty hearing?

Attend a Fair and Expo: Attend Celebrate Communication on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Springfield Mall from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

It’s a free information fair for people of all ages, sponsored by the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Persons.

With more than 30 exhibitors, including Fairfax County agencies, you’ll find out the latest about:

• Hearing assistive technologies
• Finding ENTs and audiologists
• Apps
• Hearing aids
• Tinnitus
• Cochlear implants
• Captioning

Other fun activities include:

• Free face painting from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Free photo booth by Ocean Kiwi Studios, a deaf-owned company
• Crafts and arts for sale from small businesses owned by people who are deaf and hard of hearing

Fairfax County has a new chief equity officer starting Monday: Toni Zollicoffer. Learn more about her.

Why it Matters: This role is key to advancing the county’s One Fairfax policy, a racial and social equity initiative, and she will:

• Oversee the integration of equity principles into the county’s policies and programs
• Collaborate with community stakeholders and provide guidance on addressing barriers to opportunity
• Play a key role in the One Fairfax Community Roundtable that brings together diverse voices to inform and shape policy

What’s the Policy: It aims to ensure that every resident, regardless of their background or circumstances, can fully participate in the county’s economic, social and cultural life.

The county is focused on five key drivers to achieve our vision of equity:

• Community health and wellbeing
• Community safety and justice
• Cradle to Career Success
• Equitable Community Development
• Inclusive Prosperity

I’ll be at Vienna's Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 5 on historic Church Street! Come see me at my booth at this annual festive town tradition that will serve up live entertainment, family fun, multinational food, and a variety of beers and wine for purchase from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free. Event details.

Do It Your Way 0.5K on Sept. 29

Join me for the seventh annual South Lakes High School PTSA’s Do It Your Way 0.5K this Sunday, Sept. 29 from 2 - 4 p.m. at Lake Anne Plaza. This fundraiser supports the South Lakes PTSA’s food pantry that serves 500 families with food, toiletries, and other essentials each week! It will be the most rewarding 650 steps you’ll take this year. Register in advance or same day.

Nourish Your Neighbors at Farmers Markets Sept. 28

Help nourish your neighbors this Saturday, Sept. 28. Head to the Reston Farmers Market and fill a basket with farm-fresh produce to donate to your neighbors in need. You’ll get to keep the reusable basket from the Fairfax County Park Authority when you participate in this food drive on Saturday. Donate food on the last Saturday of every month at the Reston Farmers Market through Nov. 30.

Freedom Hill Park Cleanup on Sept. 28

Help celebrate National Public Lands Day by volunteering for a cleanup at Freedom Hill Park this Saturday, Sept. 28 from 9 to 11 a.m. You’ll remove plastics and trash from this park in Vienna. Sign up.

George Mason Space Day on Sept. 28

Space enthusiasts blast off to George Mason Space Day on Sept. 28 from 3 – 9 p.m. NASA Astronaut Kjell N. Lindgren will headline the event, and you’ll learn about the technology and science behind some of our area’s leading aerospace projects and enjoy hands-on space-related activities. Register for this free event.

Soapstone Connector Informational Meeting Oct. 10

The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold a community meeting about the Soapstone Connector on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at South Lakes High School. Learn about the project and provide feedback to VDOT. It will extend Soapstone Drive from Sunrise Valley Drive to Sunset Hills Road via a new bridge over the Dulles Toll Road. Meeting details.