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Issue 116
Friday, May 13, 2022
Prince William County
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Dear Neighbors,
This week our nation marked a grim milestone - one that was unfathomable two years ago - one million deaths from COVID-19. The Virginia Department of Health Cases Dashboard this week documents that we have lost over 20,000 souls in our Commonwealth and over 800 family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers in our County.
For more than two years, Alex Goldstein has been memorializing the lives of COVID victims nearly every day on the Twitter account @FacesOfCOVID. You can learn more about the power of this personal project and Alex in this interview. He welcomes all who want to have their loved one to send him a message via twitter to receive a link to submit their story.
Many of us have also reached another milestone - it's been over a year since the administration of our initial vaccinations. As the data in the COVID-19 article below demonstrates, cases are on the rise. Experts are advising we could see another spike in the fall. Therefore, this is why it is imperative that we follow the guidelines for ensuring we are fully vaccinated and boosted to the fullest degree we can be.
In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
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Saturday, April 30, Chair Wheeler participated in the 200th anniversary celebration of the Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre (issue 112). | |
Bioscience and Engineering Tour | |
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The PWHD issued a statement on the increase Thursday, May 12 that included the following:
"It’s time for PWHD residents to assess their individual and family risks related to the upward trend in case counts, as well as to take additional precautions if necessary. Although hospitalizations remain low, this is only because many have received a first, second, third, and booster shots. Disease increases are likely related to the emergence of new Omicron sub-variants (BA.2, BA.2.12.1) and fewer people using mitigation measures such as masking or distancing from others."
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For communities with a “medium” level of impact, the CDC recommends the following individual and household-level prevention measures.
If you are immunocompromised or high risk for severe disease:
- Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions (e.g., testing).
- Have a plan for rapid testing if needed (e.g., having home tests or access to testing).
- Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you are a candidate for treatments like oral antivirals, PrEP, and monoclonal antibodies.
If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for severe disease:
- Consider self-testing to detect infection before contact
- Consider wearing a mask when indoors with them
Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
Maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces when possible.
Follow CDC recommendations for isolation and quarantine, including getting tested if you are exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19.
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Protecting Yourself and Others:
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Tuesday, May 24
2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Links to the agenda and to register to participate in Public Comment Time remotely will be shared in next week's issue.
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The BOCS made the following proclamations and declaration during the May 10 meeting. Click on the hyperlink to read each in full. | |
On May 6,1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May 15, 1962, as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week of May 15, 1962, as National Police Week. | | | |
Left to right: Dan Alexander, Deputy County Executive, Lieutenant Shawn Peak, and Peter Newsham, Chief of PWC Police Department, accepted the proclamation | |
PWC is home to over 10,000 businesses that provide over 130,000 jobs to our residents throughout the County | | | |
Left: Christine Winn, Executive Director of the PWC Department of Economic Development, Back center: Ross Snare, COO of Prince William Chamber of Commerce, and representatives from PWC businesses who have been recipients of BOCS-approved COVID-19 recovery efforts over the last two years accepted the proclamation | |
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This year’s theme for the month is, “Safety for All: Codes in Action.”
The weekly themes for 2022 are:
- Week 1 – Energy and Innovation
- Week 2 – Building Safety Careers
- Week 3 – Disaster Preparedness
- Week 4 – Water Safety
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Wade A. Hugh, Director of PWC Development Services, accepted the proclamation | |
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In 2005 the BOCS established a Historic Preservation Division to
maintain and operate County-owned historic properties and resources. In 2021, PWC had 102,000 visitors to its historic sites.
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Fiscal Year 2021 the PWC Department of Social Services
provided 101 children with custodial foster care and ninety-two local foster care families assume the responsibilities of providing adequate care and love for foster children.
Be sure to read the County Kudos article below to learn about a special foster family in PWC.
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Left to right: Laurie Wilson, Vice Chair of the PWC Department of Social Services Advisory Board, Courtney Tierney, Director of the PWC Department of Social Services, and Marcy Capers, Senior Human Services Case Worker of the PWC Department of Social Services accepted the proclamation | |
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In 1992, the PWC Park Authority established the Prince William
County Arts Council, in conjunction with the PWC Parks and Recreation, to promote the expression, appreciation, and education of the arts. In 2018, the BOCS reauthorized the Prince William County Arts Council, adopting a new charter for the Arts Council to serve as an advisory body to the Board.
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Catrina Hudson Stroman, Director of the Prince William County Arts Council, accepted the commendation at the meeting. The milestone was also celebrated at the Kathleen Seefeldt Awards for Arts Excellence (issue 107) Thursday, May 12, at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. You can watch the awards event in the video below. | | |
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The online interactive map for the Proposed Long-Range Land Use update is now available on the Pathway to 2040 Land Use Chapter webpage. The map is a draft of proposed changes to land uses in PWC. It has not been adopted by the BOCS and is not a final version of any of the land use layers shown. The map and layers are subject to change during the review and chapter update process. You can view the Land Use Chapter interactive map here. | |
You can learn more about the Pathway to 2040: Comprehensive Plan Update (issue 99), which began in 2018, here.
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Route 28 Widening Meeting | | |
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Tuesday, May 17, at 12:00 pm, the PWC Department of Transportation is hosting a virtual information session on Route 28 Bypass Project updates, as well as progress on the Fairfax County Route 28 Widening Project. Questions residents have shared previously on the website, through email inquiries, and during earlier information sessions will be addressed. There will not be a Q&A; however, questions will be captured and used to shape future communications and engagement events. | |
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Register to attend the Zoom meeting here. To join by phone:
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Dial: +1 301 715 8592
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Enter webinar ID: 828 5310 6963
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Enter passcode: 738010
Submit questions/comments to the Route 28 Bypass Project team:
- Via the project website
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Via email to route28bypass@pwcgov.org
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By writing to: PWC Department of Transportation 5 County Complex Court, Prince William, VA 22192
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By phone: 703-792-6273
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The PWC Department of Development Services announced it ranked sixth in a nationwide Development Approvals Index study. The Development Approval Index is a new tool produced by NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, to evaluate local approval processes. The Index ranked 30 jurisdictions in 16 states from the Atlantic, Central, Mountain, and Pacific regions by overall scores in three pillars: Transparency, Accountability, and Consistency. | | |
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Sightings of the spotted lanternfly, or SLF, an invasive species that can feed on more than 100 species of trees and plants, was first confirmed in PWC in March 2021. While the presence of the pest is currently limited to a few areas of the County, the PWC Mosquito and Forest Pest Management Branch is asking anyone who sees the SLF please complete this online form. | |
Though some local insect eaters are beginning to recognize the lanternfly as a food source, the lanternfly, which evolved in Asia, doesn’t have any natural predators in the Americas. Learn more about how to spot the SLF and what to do from the County here and the Virginia Cooperative Extension here. | | |
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Registration is open for PWC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Preschool 2022-2023. The state-licensed preschool emphasizes learning through play, in a safe and nurturing environment. Thoughtfully planned experiences and opportunities, stimulate learning in all developmental areas: social, emotional, physical, and cognitive. Programs vary by location, age, days, and times. Register online by clicking the registration hyperlink to the right of the program listed here. Class sizes are limited, so register early. | |
Learn more about the programs on the preschool webpage or in the online 2022-2023 Preschool Parent Handbook here. | | | |
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You can join the live Town Hall online here. To join by phone:
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Dial: 1-301-7158-592
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Enter meeting ID: 859 1731 0935
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Enter passcode: 361463
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Beautification Volunteer Opportunity | | |
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Sunday, May 22, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, PWC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism is hosting planting event at Veteran's Memorial Park in Woodbridge. During this free event, you'll plant flowering native plants along the trails and streambanks of the park. You will learn about native plants, areas they strive in, how to plant different varieties, and get to take a free plant home. Gardening tools will be provided, or you can bring your own. Sign up to participate here. | |
A Fun Weekend on the Water | | |
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Saturday, June 4, and Sunday, June 5, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, River Fest & Craft Show will be in Historic Occoquan. The dynamic new craft show event springboards from its 50-year traditional Spring craft show and celebrates the historic town’s natural beauty along the Occoquan River! The free event will be full of activities for all ages, including live entertainment, great food, arts and crafts, a beer garden, Conservation Alley, and a whole host of river activities. | |
Parking will be available in designated lots with shuttles to/from the event for $5 round-trip; 12 and under ride free. Admission to the event is free. Learn more details about the event and parking here. | | | | |
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Saturday, June 4, from 8:30 am to 11:30 am, the Bass Federation is sponsoring a free Fishing Derby at Locust Shade Park. Children of all ages are welcome. Bait and equipment will be provided, as well as prizes! Space is limited for this popular event. Register to participate here.
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The Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments has named Dan and Jean Ruehle Prince William County's Foster Parents of the Year. Fostering since October 2014, Dan and Jean have opened their hearts, as well as their home, to long term placements for several children ranging from school age to adults. They are vigilant about keeping up their training hours and responding to requests from the Department of Social Services. They support the children’s extracurricular activities, reunification efforts, and demonstrate outstanding love and devotion to the children in their care. Hear directly from them and other honored foster families in the video below.
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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. | | | | | |
