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Issue 179
Friday, September 22, 2023
Prince William County
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Dear Neighbors,
This week the Board had a fruitful work session with presentations from a few different county agencies. One of the topics of discussion was the Parks and Recreation Quarterly Project Report presented by Director Seth Hendler-Voss. The link to his presentation is here and begins on Page 22 (slide 18). There were several items I would like to highlight.
The first is Powell's Creek Crossing, which was funded by the 2019 Park Bond referendum with overwhelming approval from voters. This particular project, with a budget of $9.5 million, and featured in County News below, is an incredible addition to the amenities in the Powell's Creek area and Leesylvania State Park. It promises to benefit generations to come!
Secondly, I wanted to highlight this Board’s decision to use $17 million of ARPA Funds to refurbish, and help make ADA compliant, our existing parks. I visited one of these park refurbishments last week, Brittany Neighborhood Park in Dumfries (Chair's Calendar issue 178). I can't begin to explain how much of a positive transformation the $150,000 investment has brought to this park. In addition, there was the recent unveiling of the improvements at the Ann Moncure Wall Park, as well Marumsco Acre Lake Park and the Prince William Golf Course. Also on tap are the improvements at James S. Long Park, and the intersection, to help with traffic flow as well as safety.
Finally, we of course are always also investing in new parks or having them proffered. A noteworthy addition to our parks portfolio, Rollin's Ford Park, is set to open next week (details in County News below). Furthermore, the Dove’s Landing Master Plan is going into the design phase as some of the land is moved into conservation easements as well.
Once again, I encourage you to take a moment to review the presentation, (page 22, which is slide 18, to page 42, which is slide 38), so you can learn more about all the exciting things happening with our County's wonderful parks. While there's a lot to explore, it's definitely worth your time!
In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
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Saturday, September 16, Chair Wheeler participated in the PWC Police Department third annual Community Fair. | |
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Items Discussed Included (click hyperlink to view presentations):
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About Quantico
The Department of Veterans Affairs NCA maintains 155 national cemeteries in 42 states and Puerto Rico, as well as 34 soldier's lots and monument sites. Dedicated in 1983, Quantico National Cemetery consists of 725 acres. During national holidays, its Memorial Pathway is lined with hundreds of flags. It includes the burial site of Louis Lowery, the World War II Marine combat photographer of the first U.S. flag raising at Iwo Jima's Mt. Suribachi in 1945. Providing ultimate grave space for more than 350,000, the site also includes nine memorials.
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Thursday, September 21, Rabbi Perlstein of the Greater Gainesville and Manassas Chabad Center for Jewish Life visited the Chair's Office. While there, he gave the Chair a traditional Honey Cake. The sweet treat is eaten during Rosh Hashanah, last weekend's Jewish New Year, as a symbol of hope for a sweet year to come. | |
Thursday, September 21, Chair Wheeler spoke at the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Innovation Elementary School in Manassas. Prior to the event, the Chair attended a reception held by Principal Kelle Stroud (bottom right). | |
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About Innovation Elementary
Innovation Elementary is the first three-story elementary school in the PWC Public School system. As a LEED-certified building (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), it provides the framework for a healthy, efficient, carbon and cost-saving green building. The school will be filled with natural light, a makerspace, and media center.
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Tuesday, September 26
2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
For Public Comment Time options visit SpeakUp! Prince William. Remote speakers must sign up by 5:00 pm on Monday, September 25. In-person speakers can sign up at the meeting.
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During the Tuesday, September 19, Work Session | |
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Community Presentations
Joe Lerch, Virginia Association of Counties Director of Local Government Policy, presented the two 2023 Achievement Awards the County recently received (County Kudos issue 176).
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Representatives from PWC Office of the Sheriff accepted the community commendation for its Gun Safety Program. | | | |
Representatives from PWC Department of Social Services accepted the community commendation for its Child Advocacy Center. | | | |
Trail Project Moving Forward | |
The Department of Parks and Recreation has selected INFORM Studios from Northville, Michigan for the planning,design, and engineering services for the Powell's Creek Crossing project. The BOCS approved funding for the design work at its September 12, 2023, meeting. | |
From Department of Parks and Recreation presentation at the September 19 BOCS work session showing possible amenities, which include a fishing pier, kayak/canoe landing, wayside, overlook, trail access, and trailhead. | |
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About the Project
The Powell's Creek Crossing will create a connection between Leesylvania State Park and Potomac Shores. Voters approved the $9.5 million for the project in the 2019 bond issue.
The crossing will close on gap in the 40 miles of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail in PWC, an 800 mile network of locally managed trails along the Potomac River from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay to the upper Ohio River basin in Pennsylvania. The trail system was designated by Congress in 1983 with the goal of linking trail users to the history, culture and natural beauty of the Potomac River.
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As part of its commitment to providing a safe and secure learning environment for students and staff, PWC Public Schools is prohibiting public access to school property (parks, playgrounds, tracks, fields, etc.) during school hours or when in use by the school. Signs stating, “No public access to grounds during school hours,” are being installed at every school. The decision to take this action is a result of several incidents of trespassing on its campuses. | |
Saturday, September 23, through Tuesday, October 3, the nation will be celebrating electric vehicles (EVs), with over 200 events including parades, ride-and-drives, electric tailgate parties, and informational booths during National Drive Electric Week. Transitioning to a mix of hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles could reduce petroleum use by more than 40 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by more than 30 percent. An all-electric car produces no tailgate pollutants! | |
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Are You Considering Going Electric?
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The community is invited to the Rollins Ford Regional Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Saturday, October 7, 9:30 am to 11:00 am. The 69-acre park, located in Nokesville, consists of athletic fields, dog parks, picnic pavilions, and a custom themed destination playground. | |
Celebrate the Power of Pink | | |
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Thursday, October 12, 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, UVA Health Prince William Medical Center is hosting Ladies' Night Out at its Manassas location. Nibble appetizers and sip mocktails while checking out the wide variety of local vendors and medical information. Enter to win prizes and grab a swag bag. Medical staff will be on hand to lead short discussions on women's health issues and answer questions. Myriad Genetic testing will also be available. | |
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Mammogram Screening Available at Event
No physician order is required, but you must have a referring provider. Most insurance plans are accepted. If you are uninsured, you will be provided assistance in setting up a mammogram appointment. There are no walk-in appointments at the event. To secure your 3D mammogram screening space call 703.369.8073.
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Upcoming Fun Events for a Cause | |
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More About ACTS
Thanks to the generosity of our community at last year’s event ACTS raised more than $100,000 in support of its Crisis and Human Services! Each of the programs in these addresses the mission of ACTS to alleviate hunger, homelessness and interpersonal violence in order to help individuals achieve self-sufficiency.
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Saturday, September 30, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm the House of Mercy (Chair's Calendar issue 138) is hosting a Food Truck Festival at 8170 Flannery Court in Manassas. Along with food trucks, there will be swag bags, prize raffles, games, exclusive thrift store access, a beer garden, wineries, and distilleries. There will also be live entertainment including music and comedy improv! All proceeds will benefit the House of Mercy Food Pantry. Purchase tickets here, children twelve and under are free. | |
First Tee of Prince William County is hosting its annual Benefit Tournament Monday, October 9, at the Forest Greens Golf Club in Triangle. Day of event golfer registration begins at 9:00 am, followed by a shotgun start at 10:00 am. The registration deadline to participate is Saturday, September 30, at 12:00 pm. Learn more about the event and register here. | |
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More About First Tee
First Tee Prince William County seamlessly integrates the game of golf with life skills curriculum to create learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids carry to everything they do. It is implemented in 36 elementary schools servicing over 25,000 youth in PWC on a yearly basis.
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PWC's third annual 5K Walk for Mental Health to educate, advocate and dispel myths and stigma around mental illness will be Sunday, October 15, 10:00 am to 2pm at Prince William Forest Park in Triangle. Participants can choose between a rigorous or easy path on mostly dirt and some sandy terrain, and there are plenty of exits along the way. This free event will Reset, Refocus, and Renew your body and mind. Register to participate or be a volunteer here. | |
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Additional Event Details
The event will have a host of community programs on site sharing resources to inform and assist those in need. In addition, personal testimonies, plenty of food vendors, music with DJ Harvey Lee, a special dance performance, and more. There will be something for everyone.
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Public Transportation Advocate Recognized | |
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During the September meeting of the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC), the Board of Commissioners honored former OmniRide rider and transportation advocate Lizzie Johnson with a proclamation for her commitment to public transportation. Prior to moving to Woodbridge in the early 1990’s, Ms. Johnson had lived in Washington D.C. and the nearby suburbs since the 1960’s. These areas were served by Metro, giving her access to daily, frequent service. She never obtained a driver’s license and, therefore, has depended on public transportation.
After retiring from the federal government and beginning a new career working with women fleeing domestic violence, she began to advocate for expanded public transportation in the Prince William area for those in need of transit. Ms. Johnson collected multiple rounds of petitions with thousands of signatures and spoke at several PRTC and BOCS meetings. She also wrote numerous letters to elected officials on the local, state, and national level asking for funding for expanded local bus services for the County.
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Recent Service Expansions
OmniRide added Sunday service in August 2022 to eastern PWC Local routes serving Woodbridge/Lake Ridge, Dale City, Dumfries, and Route 1 routes, along with the Prince William Metro Express. The service is currently fare-free. Saturday service was added to Manassas area Local and East-West Express routes in August 2023.
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Ms. Johnson’s daughter, Casandra Johnson, accepted the proclamation, presented by Neabsco District Supervisor and PRTC Board Commissioner Victor Angry, and PRTC Executive Director Bob Schneider, on her behalf.
“It was an extreme honor to receive the proclamation and beautiful basket on behalf of my mom. My Mom was very passionate about wanting expanded local bus services for the citizens in the County. Although the full expansion that she requested did not happen immediately, eventually over time every request that she made was met, with the most recent being Sunday service, which is a perfect example that delay does not always mean denial.”
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The Brentsville Bluegrass Festival is Saturday, September 30, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, at the Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre in Bristow. Enjoy three bands throughout the day, explore the historic site, shop, and enjoy family friendly activities for the kids. Food and beverages will be available for purchase on-site. Tickets are $10 per person in advance, $15 at door. Children 10 and under are $5 in advance, $10 at the door. Infants 2 and under are free. Learn more and purchase tickets here. | |
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New This Year
The Brentsville Bluegrass Festival is looking for antique vehicles from 1920-1980 for display during the event.
- Entrance fee of $5 includes admission into the festival.
- Awards given to First & Second Place.
- Vehicles must remain on display the entirety of the event.
- Competition deadline entry is Friday, September 22.
To register call 703-365-7895 or e-mail Paige Gibbons Backus.
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Put your sleuthing skills to the test Saturday, October 7, at a Murder Mystery event at Rippon Lodge Historic Site in Woodbridge. Just when everyone is enjoying a grand time at the party, something goes awry. Who among the cast of suspects had murder on their agenda? That's up to you to discover. For mature audiences only. One-hour, live productions offered at 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm. Advanced ticket purchase of $10 per person is required here. | |
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County Website and Career Opportunities
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Real Estate Assessment and Personal Property Tax information
- Personal Property Payment and Changes Online Portal
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Solid Waste, Disposal Guide, Yard Waste, and Recycling
- Residential Zoning: Decks, Sheds, Fences, Additions, Retaining Walls, and Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs
- Library Branch Locations and Hours
- Parks and Recreation Online Location and Information Mapper
- Current Road Projects
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Pet Adoption and Dog Licenses
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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. | | | | |
