I promise I'm fine!

Hi Friend,

What a week. I've got a few things to tell you about, and a few more coming up.

Last week, I had a great time at the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association's yearly Crab Feast.

I met people from the building industry all over Prince William County, plus folks who are involved at every step of the County's building process.

(Great conversations, okay crab.)

Then, this week was my first Board meeting back after our August recess.

At the Board meeting on Tuesday, I asked my colleagues to proclaim August 2026 as Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month, because it is a serious medical condition doesn't get the attention that it should!

Spinal muscular atrophy, or SMA, is a rare disease that slowly takes away a person's strength. It can make it hard to walk, eat, or even breathe. It doesn't get talked about much, so the families living with it carry a lot on their own.

I wanted to help shine a little light on it. If SMA has touched your family, I hope you know you're not alone. ❤️

We've also got a lot coming up.

Our Fall Dumpster and Shred Day is September 19 at Rippon Middle School!

Bring your shreddable paper, any household items you don't need anymore, and bagged trash, and we'll help you get rid of it all, for free! Plus, if you came to the Spring Dumpster Day and picked up one of my shredding bags, you can use it to bring Round Two down to get shredded!

Then: we're gathering for our annual 9/11 Memorial on September 10, this year recognizing 25 years since the World Trade Center attack -- never forget! If you'd like to join us, I included the event details down in the events list at the bottom of my email.

Next... I got a few emails back after my last newsletter from people who would like to attend my next HOA Roundtable. It will be on September 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. at my office, and I'll be giving a big update on the things we are doing to beautify, secure and improve Woodbridge every day.

And don't forget, the Chili Cookoff is coming next weekend!

Friend, I'm excited for the week ahead.

This week I'll be touring some of our county facilities and a big substation, participating in the County's human trafficking prevention training with my staff, holding a ribbon cutting at Woodbridge Elementary, and meeting with residents and staff.

Busy, but that's how I like it!

P.S. You may have noticed I looked a little roughed up at this week's Board meeting. I was mountain biking with my family in Vermont and got thrown off the bike going downhill. I ended up with a broken hand and bruises and cuts on my face. I'm just glad God was looking out for me and I was wearing my helmet, because I really believe that's why I'm writing to you and not dealing with something much worse. I was back at work within a few days, just moving a little slower than usual! Please always wear a helmet!!!

P.P.S. In case you missed it in my last email, Trashy the Raccoon is still making the rounds. PWCPD's litter public service announcement video has Trashy tossing trash right out his car window and paying the price for his terrible behavior! If you haven't watched it yet, now's your chance. It's a hoot!

Anyways, thank you for reading all the way to the end. I'll see you around Woodbridge!

Warmly,

People love my Welcome to Woodbridge: Community Resource Guide! If you or someone you know could use a hand finding help, whether it's food, housing, healthcare, or something else, come by my office and pick up a free copy. We'd love to get one in your hands. If you can't drive, let us know and we can deliver a copy to you.

Dale is a really great, nice, fun cat. He is a big boy at a healthy 12lbs and a funny grey-smudged nose. He came to us in May as a stray, and despite being the friendliest, most engaging cat in the place, he has been overlooked for over 2 months. Dale is taking a break in a foster home and is charming everybody he meets. We think Dale will make a family very happy and keep them warm and loved and entertained every day. He is clean, neutered, vaccinated, chipped and his adoption fee is sponsored. Dale is currently in a foster home. For more information or to schedule a visit, please contact ntarr@pwcgov.org


Neutered male / 1-3 years old / found as a stray / FIV +*

https://www.petfinder.com/cat/dale-id-51576-66f68ab2-caf0-419c-b5d7-8383b352e8a2/va/manassas/prince-william-county-animal-services-center-va331/details/

*Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a slow-acting virus that rarely causes fatal symptoms. Most FIV-positive cats go on to live a normal, average lifespan. It is not a death sentence; instead, it is a highly misunderstood, manageable condition. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is difficult to transmit because it is a fragile virus that cannot survive long in the environment and does not easily cross mucous membranes. Transmission essentially requires the direct injection of infected blood or saliva into the bloodstream, primarily through deep bite wounds.