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March 15, 2023
Neighbors,
A longstanding priority for the Board of Supervisors has been to ensure that our residents can age in place in their homes and actively participate in their communities. However, we know there are multiple challenges, including isolation, financial (and food) insecurity, and access to physical and mental health care. This isn't unique to our county, nor is the fact that the number of older adults in our communities is increasing – the percentage of residents aged 65 and older in Fairfax County is anticipated to increase from 13.4 percent in 2019 to 17.7 percent in 2035.
Yesterday, during the Older Adults Committee meeting, the Board of Supervisors was briefed by the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging and members of the Commission on Aging on the draft SHAPE the Future of Aging Plan: 2023-2028. The areas that are covered in the plan include:
- Services for Older Adults and Family Caregivers
- Housing and Neighborhood Supports
- Access to Mobility Options
- Personal Well-Being
- Economic Stability and Planning
The Board of Supervisors has been asked to provide comments on the draft plan by March 23. I encourage you, whether you are over/under 65 and/or a caregiver, to take a look at the draft plan and let me know your thoughts. Send your comments to [email protected] and please put Future of Aging in the subject line.
As always, your input is essential, and I look forward to reading your comments.
Regards,
Walter
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Board of Supervisors Update | |
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The Board of Supervisors held several committee meetings yesterday, including the Transportation Committee that I chair. A lot of good information was shared – you can review the presentations and watch the committee meetings here:
The next Board of Supervisors meeting is Tuesday, March 21. You can view the draft agenda here.
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Budget, Real Estate Assessments and Taxes
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First Town Hall is this Monday, March 20
The county executive recently presented his proposed (advertised) budget for Fiscal Year 2024. You can get his presentation and details here. I will be hosting two town halls to get your input on the proposed budget and real estate tax rate. Hunter Mill District School Board member Melanie Meren and county staff will also be on hand to answer questions.
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Tuesday, March 28, 7 p.m. James Madison High School, Warhawk Lecture Hall, 2500 James Madison Dr, Vienna.
For questions regarding the proposed budget and tax rate, please email my office at [email protected].
Real Estate Assessment Questions
If you believe that your real estate is incorrectly assessed, or have questions, you are encouraged to contact the county's Department of Tax Administration:
Tax Relief Workshops
Staff from the Department of Tax Administration will be at the North County Governmental Center and several other locations countywide to assist residents with filling out the 2023 tax relief application form, as well as answering questions. Learn more.
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Land Use and Transportation Updates | |
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Community Meeting on Armstrong Elementary School Renovation, March 16
Fairfax County Public Schools is hosting a community meeting for an update and input on the capital project at Armstrong Elementary School tomorrow, March 16, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The school is located at 11900 Lake Newport Rd. in Reston. Enter through Door 1. Learn more.
Reston Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Virtual Meeting, Monday, March 20, 7:30 p.m.
The Reston P&Z meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 20 at 7:30 p.m. Use this link to attend and participate. You may also call in and listen to the meeting, dial 571-429-5982 and use conference call ID: 816 293 203#. For more information contact Shruti Nallappa
Hunter Mill Land Use Committee Virtual Meeting: Tuesday, March 21, 7:30 p.m.
Update: This meeting has been cancelled.
Reston Town Center North Task Force Meeting, Wednesday, March 29
The next Reston Town Center North Task Force meeting is Wednesday, March 29, 7 p.m. in the North County Governmental Center Community Room, 1801 Cameron Glen Dr., Reston. County leadership will discuss future needs for public facilities, including a regional library, emergency shelter for homeless and a human services center. Learn more. For more information on the task force meeting, email Shruti Nallappa or call 703-478-5123.
Reston Comprehensive Plan
Planning Commission Workshop is scheduled for Thursday, March 30
The Planning Commission will discuss updates to the draft Reston Comprehensive Plan on Thursday, March 30, 7:30 p.m. in Conference Room 11 at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. The meeting will be televised on Channel 16 and streamed live online with closed captions provided in English and Spanish.
Reston Comprehensive Plan Study webpage and podcast.
Click on the timeline below for a larger view.
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From the Fairfax County Police Department:
The 2023 Road Shark campaign is underway countywide. Road Shark is a high-visibility and coordinated enforcement and education effort to deter aggressive driving, reduce crashes, and change driving behavior. Educating aggressive and distracted drivers will be a key to the success of the initiative.
Police officers will be in high-visibility areas looking for traffic violations including aggressive driving, excessive speeding, driving under the influence, school zone violations, distracted driving and others. A 2022 NHTSA synthesis of studies concluded that high-visibility enforcement efforts such as these reduced crashes and improved safety outcomes in study locations.
Fairfax County police officers, along with Virginia State troopers, will utilize data-driven and risk-based enforcement strategies and operations that target areas with high crash concentrations to reduce crashes. They will also be focusing on concurrent education and enforcement campaigns to better inform and reduce unsafe driving behaviors across Fairfax County. Learn more.
Related: Fairfax County's Take A Moment Campaign
Annual Report from Police Auditor
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Town Cleanup Day is April 1
Mark your calendar for Vienna's Cleanup Day on Saturday, April 1, 9 a.m. to noon. The Town schedules two cleanup days per year in April and November. After meeting at the Vienna Town Green, volunteers are assigned a location in town that needs some attention. The Parks and Recreation Department coordinates the event, providing supplies and assistance throughout the day. Learn more.
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Health and Human Services Updates | |
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From the Fairfax County Health Department: Maternal Mental Health Resources
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy. Call or text 1-833-943-5746 (1-833-9-HELP4MOMS) Counselors provide support in English or Spanish. Counselors also have access to interpreter services who can support 60 other languages.
Learn more
Normal Medicaid Enrollment Resumes
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicaid members have been able to keep their health coverage even if their eligibility status changed. Due to the passage of the federal 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Virginia and all other states will now begin re-evaluating eligibility for Medicaid members. Learn more.
Volunteer Opportunities
How to Help Your Neighbors in Hunter Mill District
COVID-19 Resources
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Winter Coat Closet Wraps Up for the Season
The Winter Coat Closet wrapped up for the season this past Saturday, March 11. A big thank you to Cornerstones for this critical partnership that ensures that anyone who needs a warm winter coat (and hat, scarf or gloves) can get one. And it wouldn't be possible without our volunteers and the generous residents and businesses that donated coats. This is what was accomplished:
- 419 families assisted
- 1,618 coats distributed
- 1,312 accessories distributed
Who to Contact About Downed Trees and Wires
The windy days of March are upon us, with stormy summer days to follow. Especially this week, we have seen a lot of downed trees and wires countywide. If you see a downed tree/wires at a park, your property or on a road, here is who you should contact.
Planting Pinwheel Gardens for Child Abuse Prevention
As part of the effort to raise awareness, the Fairfax County Department of Family Services is organizing volunteers to plant pinwheel gardens around our community at libraries, community centers, local businesses, houses of worship, and schools in recognition of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Learn more.
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Stay Informed and In Touch | |
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn
703-478-0283, TTY 711
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