June 8, 2022

Neighbors,

Fair housing has been federal law since 1968 (read the history here) and many of us might have assumed that illegal discrimination when obtaining housing is a relic of the past. Federal law and Fairfax County require that everyone have access to housing regardless of race, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, elderliness, military status or source of funds. 

However, thanks to a call from a diligent Hunter Mill resident, troubling information has come to my attention, which I brought to the Board of Supervisors at our meeting yesterday. Some background: for several years the Fairfax Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs (OHREP) has periodically collected housing discrimination data through its fair housing testing program. Fairfax County is one of only two jurisdictions in the Commonwealth who does this sort of independent testing. The county began working with a contractor, Equal Rights Center (ERC) in 2019 to conduct and analyze 122 tests in the county in the rental, lending and housing sales markets. These tests were done on the basis of race, national origin and disability. The Fairfax County Human Rights Commission recently provided a summary of the results of these tests in the Fair Housing Rental, Sales, Lending Testing Report. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read this report. 

It's 2022, more than a half century since the Fair Housing Law went into effect, and yet the test results show rental housing providers were more likely to give White testers more detailed information, respond more frequently to their messages, and offer more favorable terms than to their matched pair counterparts, who were Black, Latinx or Asian. The numbers reported for the lending and sales markets were even more troubling. They clearly show that historical practices of segregating neighborhoods through steering or offering no or less favorable loans to Black individuals is still very much an issue today.

The good news is that our county is doing this testing and is one of only a few jurisdictions in the country to do so. My Board Matter that was approved yesterday directs county staff to review our fair housing enforcement program and use all the tools in our toolbox to weed out illegal discrimination in our housing industry. 

As my Board colleague and longtime friend Lee District Supervisor Rodney Lusk said during yesterday's discussion, "This is horrible. It makes my stomach turn to even talk about it. We have a duty to intervene." 

Regards,

Walter

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The Board of Supervisors met yesterday, June 7. You can review the Board package here and watch the meeting here. Several highlights include:

Gun Violence Prevention: I co-sponsored a Board Matter with Lee District Supervisor Rodney Lusk for the county to conduct a review of successful gun buyback programs across the United States, with a specific focus on those that have occurred in jurisdictions comparable to Fairfax County. The review will focus on programs that have been particularly effective, consider an array of incentives, and highlight private sector and nonprofit partners that have been involved in those efforts. I anticipate that this issue will be discussed at an upcoming Public Safety Committee meeting.

In addition, the Board approved Chairman Jeff McKay's resolution that calls on our state and federal leaders to take further action on gun control and safety. Stricter gun legislation has been a priority in the county's Legislative Package for many years. Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, so the county needs the General Assembly to expressly give us authority to pass certain ordinances.

Fairfax Connector Free Fare Study: The Board approved a study of the feasibility and pros/cons of making the Fairfax Connector free to all riders. Staff are expected to present the feasibility results at the September Board of Supervisors Transportation Committee meeting, which I chair.  

Residential Traffic Administration Program: The Board approved a “Watch for Children” sign to be placed on Drewlaine Drive in the Tysons area of Hunter Mill District.

North Point Precincts Change: The Board held a public hearing and approved changes for the North Point 1 and North Point 2 precincts since St. Thomas á Becket Catholic Church, 1421 Wiehle Avenue, Reston, can no longer logistically accommodate voting for both precincts. The Board approved:

• North Point 1 will move to Aldrin Elementary School, 11375 Center Harbor Road, Reston, and will be renamed North Point.
• North Point 2 will continue to vote at St. Thomas á Becket and to avoid voter confusion, the precinct will be renamed Piney Run.

Updated voting information will be sent to affected voters. 

Library's Summer Reading Challenge Begins June 10

Children, teens and adults are invited to participate in this summer's reading challenge, which includes many fun activities. Learn more.  

Meet Author John E. Schmitz for a Discussion of His Novel “Enemies Among Us” and the History of World War II Internment Camps at Patrick Henry Library June 14

Join the discussion on June 14 at 7 p.m. as Schmitz examines the causes, conditions, and consequences of America's selective relocation and internment of its own citizens and enemy aliens, as well as the effects of internment on those who experienced it. Learn more. 

Reston Comprehensive Plan Study Task Force Update; Next Meeting is June 13

County staff review of the Task Force’s interim recommendations on the 14 areas of the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study is underway. The next Task Force meeting to discuss county staff input:

• Monday, June 13, 5 p.m. The meeting is hosted on Webex, Use this link to attend and participate. Call in and listen to the meeting: dial 1-844-621-3956, and use access code: 2342 653 0563. The meeting can also be viewed on YouTube.
• Important Note: Meeting dates are subject to change, non-Task Force members can receive notifications about changes to scheduled meetings. To sign up for email updates, visit the Email Subscription page, enter your email address and select Reston Study & Plan Amendment News.

To learn more about the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study and the Task Force, visit the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study webpage. The archive of meeting details and agendas is here. The video archive of all past task force meetings can be found on my YouTube page. If you have questions or would like to provide input, please email [email protected].

June 16 - 18

• In commemoration of Juneteenth, Sully Historic Site will have free Forgotten Road Tours during Juneteenth weekend. Take a 45-minute tour of Sully’s outbuildings and slave quarters area, highlighting the daily work and history of the enslaved community at Sully during the 18th century. Learn more and register here. 
• Thursday, June 16, 2 p.m.
• Friday, June 17, 2 p.m.
• Saturday, June 18, 2 p.m.

June 18:

• Juneteenth Celebration at Frying Pan Farm Park Learn more and register 
• The Town of Vienna initiated Liberty Amendments Month in 2021 after Juneteenth was declared a state holiday. The month kicks off with a Juneteenth Celebration, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Vienna and includes African drumming and dance performances, food trucks, car show, vendors, kids book giveaway and a Earth, Wind and Fire Tribute Band. Learn more.

June 19:

• Juneteenth: Jane Austen and Slavery at Green Spring Gardens, call 703-941-7987 to register for this historic program and tea.
• African Americans at Walney Walking Tour at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. Learn more and register
• Sully Car Show & Juneteenth Tribute at Sully Historic Site. Learn more and register 

June 20 

• In recognition of Juneteenth, Fairfax County Government offices will be closed.

Ongoing

• The Fairfax County Public Library has many resources to learn about and celebrate Juneteenth, including a book festival, videos, book and activities. Learn more. 

Big Screen on the Green

Grab a blanket or lawn chair and head over to the Vienna Town Green for Big Screen on the Green on Thursday, June 9, at 8:30 p.m. Watch "Remember the Titans" with popcorn and refreshments to enjoy, while supplies last. This event is free and open to the public.

Independence Day Celebration on Friday, July 1

Vienna's Independence Day celebration is Friday, July 1 at Yeonas Park. The U.S. Navy Concert Band will perform beginning at 8 p.m., and a 20-minute fireworks display will begin at 9:30 p.m. Learn more. 

The Reston District District Station commanders are hosting a Hunters Woods area Town Hall Meeting, Thursday, June 9, 6:30 p.m. at Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Rd. to talk about the recent homicide and other safety concerns in the Hunters Woods area of Reston. If you have a specific question, please email [email protected] ahead of the meeting. 

Hunter Mill Needs Volunteers to Serve Our Community

The Hunter Mill District has openings noted below for our Boards, Advisories and Commissions (BAC). If you are interested in serving your community and working with neighbors, contact Gwenn Minton in my office for more information. 

• Cathy Hudgins Community Center Advisory Council – youth representative
• Citizen Corps Council – Hunter Mill District representative
• Community Action Advisory Board – Hunter Mill District representative
• Reston Transportation Services District Advisory Board – commercial or retail ownership representative
• Reston Transportation Services District Advisory Board – residential owner in a homeowners association or civic association representative

Summer Fun in Fairfax County

Get great ideas on how to enjoy summer in our county, whether its for a fun a family weekend or a singles staycation - all here in Fairfax County. Learn more. 

Your Guide to Snakes in Fairfax County (and How to Avoid a Snake Bite)

Fairfax County is home to an array of snake species, most of which are non-venomous and pose no threat to people. Learn how to identify species and stay safe.