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October was an amazing month in our District! Thank you to the over 500 residents who joined us for the Grand Opening of the Lorton Community Center and Library, the multitude of families that attended Trunk or Treat, the 300 riders who rode in the Tour de Mount Vernon, the thousands of you that participated in early voting at our office, and the many seniors who attended the Senior Safety Summit in early November! TEAM MVD and I love being out in the community, meeting and talking to each and every one of you.
We also held an important community meeting this week with Police Chief Kevin Davis and Mount Vernon District Commander Fred Chambers to discuss the crime statistics in the Mount Vernon Police District, which also includes a large portion of the Franconia District. While some categories of crime are rising, Chief Davis explained that in many cases, the victims are known to each other, and most cases have been closed and the suspects arrested. Chief Davis asked residents to be proactive by locking their homes and cars, reporting suspicious activity and creating Neighborhood Watch groups. He also noted the best way to keep up with County Police information is to follow their Twitter account. Mount Vernon District School Board Member Karen Corbett Sanders also joined us for a discussion about the recent incidents in and near our schools. And, Senator Scott Surovell discussed state laws related to noisy cars. The meeting was live streamed on Facebook and can be viewed here.
I am also hearing from many of you about panhandling at our intersections. Like you, I am very concerned that panhandling at busy intersections is a safety concern for all parties involved. However, the Courts have maintained that panhandling is protected speech. I supported Board action to establish a broad County staff working group to develop data-informed recommendations that might overcome Court restrictions. This is generally NOT a human services matter, as our offers of care or housing are not accepted; but a complex, difficult legal issue that we all are very frustrated seeing continue. I am committed to reducing it in whatever legal ways may be possible.
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In this Newsletter:
TdMV 2022
Senior Safety Summit 2022
Upcoming Events
Land Use
Health, Housing & Human Services
Transportation
Public Safety
Parks & Environment
In the News
Community Information
Pet Adoption Corner
Important Safety Information
Team MVD
Boards, Authorities, Commissions
| I was pleased to attend the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Coat Drive at Station 11, Penn Daw. I am seen here with FCFR Captain Clarence Dickens and one of the children who picked out a new coat at the event. | |
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I am very pleased to announce that our advocacy for a Purple Bin at the Saratoga Park & Ride has been heard and I invite you to join me for a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, November 15 at 3:30 p.m. in celebration of Fairfax Recycles Day. Thank you to everyone who reached out to our office to request this new location! The County has a variety of activities planned for Fairfax Recycles Day, including a recycling photo contest, with entries due this Thursday, November 10.
As we prepare for this month of thanks and the holiday season, please join me for our annual Holiday Open House on Thursday, December 8 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. We are excited to be able to bring back this tradition after COVID cancelled it the past two years and we look forward to seeing you at our office and sharing all the MVD projects and updates.
Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving!
Respectfully yours in public service,
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Dan Storck
Supervisor, Mount Vernon District
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
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Celebrating Our Community | |
Tour de Mount Vernon 2022 | |
Senior Safety Summit 2022 | |
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Thank you to those who came out to the 4th Annual Senior Safety Summit. Due to COVID-19, the event hasn't been in person since 2019 and it was great to be back speaking with all of you face-to-face.
There are many people to thank who made this event a success. Thank you to Hollin Hall Senior Center for hosting and helping with much of the necessary planning. Wyleng Liew from Fairfax County's Fire and Rescue, MPO Marvin Goodley from Fairfax County Police Department, William Jin and Jennifer Purcell from INOVA ElderLink, and Karen Teresa Hannigan from the Department of Family Services - Adult & Aging for your informative presentations. Thank you to all the exhibitors for coming out to share your services: Mount Vernon at Home and Fairfax County Area Villages, GrandInvolve, Access Services, Cable and Consumer Services, AARP, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, Fairfax County Police Department, Department of Family Services- Adult & Aging and Volunteer Solutions, Office of Emergency Management, Fairfax County Health Department - Vaccine Navigation, Commission on Aging, Neighborhood Community Services, Adult Day Health Care and United Community. A big thank you to Paul Spring Retirement Community for providing food for the event!
If you missed the Safety Summit please take a moment to look at my article in The Connection, which highlights some of the great resources for Actively Aging in the Mount Vernon District.
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Para subscribirse para nuestro boletín en español o si conoce a alguien quien quiera subscribirse, o para hablar con un hispanohablante, comuníquese con Madeleine Carcamo Reyes a su preferencia, por teléfono al (703) 780-7518 o por correo electrónico: [email protected].
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Upcoming In-Person & Virtual Events
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November PLUS Webinar Wednesdays
Introduction to Submitting Plans through PLUS
Wednesday, November 16
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Register here...
Receiving and Responding to Feedback on Plans in PLUS
Wednesday, November 30
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Register here...
The Digital Plan Room (or DPR) is a plan review tool used by PLUS and was made available to the public with Release 4. Customers can now use this tool to submit their plans, review mark-ups from staff, submit revisions and access approved plans. The November 16 session will provide an overview of how customers submit their applications and upload plans and documents through PLUS. Part 2, which is scheduled for November 30, will explore how customers receive and respond to feedback on plans and documents, upload corrected plans and access approved plans.
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Health, Housing & Human Services | |
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Fairfax County Launches Opioid Overdose Data Dashboard
In collaboration with the Opioid and Substance Use Task Force, the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) has created a new public-facing dashboard that will inform residents of trends in opioid overdoses and overdose deaths in the Fairfax Health District.
Information on the dashboard originates from two primary sources. The first is the Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-based Epidemics (ESSENCE). The second source of information is the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). Learn more...
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Neighborhood & Community Services Open Hire Events
There will be two open hire events in the month of November for the following positions:
- Community-based Programs and Services
- Activity Facilitator
- School Age Child Care Program (SACC)
- Day Care Center Teacher 1
- Day Care Center Assistant Teacher
Saturday, November 12, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Gerry Hyland/South County Building
8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria
Wednesday, November 30, 5-7 p.m.
Lorton Community Center
9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton
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All Ages Read Together (AART)
All Ages Read Together (AART) is a nonprofit organization that provides free school readiness classes in Northern Virginia for rising kindergarteners. If your child is 4 or 5 years old and has not attended preschool, please contact them. This program will help to get your child ready for kindergarten. All classes below are offered in English and Spanish and are located in the Mount Vernon area.
- Original Mount Vernon High School
- 8333 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria
- Mondays & Wednesdays
- 9:30 - 11 a.m.
- Contact: Fabiana Angulo - (703) 479-1955
- Hybla Valley Community Center
- 7950 Audubon Avenue, Alexandria
- Mondays & Wednesdays
- 12 - 1:30 p.m.
- Contact: Fabiana Angulo - (703) 479-1955
- Mount Vernon Woods Elementary
- 4015 Fielding Street, Alexandria
- Tuesdays & Thursdays
- 9:30 - 11 a.m.
- Contact: Wendy Gaitan - (571) 465-1758
- Hybla Valley Community Center
- 7950 Audubon Avenue, Alexandria
- Tuesday & Thursdays
- 12 - 1:30 p.m.
- Contact: Wendy Gaitan - (571) 465-1758
Learn more...
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Fall Safety Tips
Fall is in full swing. Leaves are falling, temperatures are dropping and the days are getting shorter. While safety is important throughout the entire year, we would like to offer a few safety precautions we should take entering the cool autumn and winter seasons.
Some things you can do to combat darkness while driving are:
- Ensure your headlights are clean and aimed correctly
- Dim your Dashboard
- Clean the windshield to eliminate streaks
- Gaze away from oncoming lights, use the edge line
- If you wear glasses ensure they are fog resistant
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Slow down to compensate for limited visibility and reduced stopping time
Some things you can do to make it home safely during rush hour are:
- Don't be an impatient driver; slow down
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Stay in your lane and beware of drivers who dart from lane to lane
- Even though the route may be familiar, don't go on autopilot; stay alert
- Don't touch your phone, eat, drink or do other things that are distracting
Learn more...
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Metro Service Resumes for Six Closed Stations
As of Sunday, November 6, Blue Line trains now serve all six stations - Braddock Rd, King St-Old Town, Eisenhower Ave, Huntington, Van Dorn St, and Franconia-Springfield. The eight-week closure, which began September 10, allowed Metro’s project teams to relocate 2,000 feet of existing tracks and connect to the new tracks through the new Potomac Yard Station. The Yellow Line will remain suspended through May 2023, while critical tunnel and bridge repairs continue.
Updates to Shuttle Service, Metroway, and Parking:
- Metro will continue to offer three free rush-hour shuttles to and from Virginia and Washington, D.C., to help customers navigate the Yellow Line Bridge closure. This includes the VA-DC Shuttle 3: Mt. Vernon-Potomac Park (former 11Y Route) (5 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. and 3:10 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.); service between Mount Vernon, Alexandria, and Potomac Park every 20 minutes; peak direction service only.
- Metroway service will resume fare collection.
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Parking fees will resume at Franconia-Springfield, Huntington, and Van Dorn St stations.
- The non-rider parking fee at Franconia-Springfield will continue to be waived until May 2023.
Learn more...
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Fairfax County Police Department Piloting Remote Restraint Device | |
The Fairfax County Police Department began piloting a hand-held tool called BolaWrap. The device is intended to be utilized to restrain uncooperative suspects or individuals experiencing a mental health crisis from a distance. BolaWrap is a hand-held remote restraint device that discharges an eight-foot-wide bola style Kevlar tether to entangle an individual at an optimal range of 10-25 feet. Read more on Fairfax County Police Department News... | |
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Take A Moment - Pedestrian, Bicycle and Traffic Cone Safety
Whether you are walking, biking or driving, keep in mind that safety is a two-way street and is everyone’s job. Every year, the number of pedestrian and bicycle related fatalities and injuries continues to rise at an unacceptable rate. As an ongoing commitment to the safety of all residents, Fairfax County launched a multifaceted countywide campaign, “Take a Moment” to eliminate traffic related deaths and injuries.
For more information including tips for pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, safety messages for every season, and additional safety resources, please visit the County website.
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Community Connect Helps Us to Help You! | |
Community Connect is a free, secure and easy to use platform that allows residents and/or business owners to share critical information about their home or business that will aid Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department firefighters and paramedics during an emergency. Any information you provide through Community Connect is completely voluntary and based on what you are comfortable sharing. The platform has made it easy for you to know what may be important by organizing your secure portal into categories of information you can enter. Learn more about Community Connect and register here... | |
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Kirk Park Pedestrian Bridge Closure
Located in Kirk Park, the pedestrian bridge has deteriorated (rotted) and is no longer safe. A new bridge will be installed in approximately two years, including the design and construction process. The replacement bridge will be a fiberglass structure with a wood deck. For more information, please call Maintenance and Stormwater Management at 703-877-2800.
- Task Orders for Design of the stream restoration and replacement bridge projects are scheduled to be authorized and commence in fall/winter of 2022.
- The existing bridge will be removed in spring of 2023.
- Design and permitting for the bridge and stream projects is anticipated to be completed in late spring 2024.
- The Bridge construction contract will be advertised for bid in late spring 2024.
Learn more...
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Fairfax County Pitch and Pilot Names Dynamhex 2022 Winner
Fairfax County and Smart City Works named Dynmahex, an AI based platform that helps individuals and communities track and reduce their carbon footprint, the winner of the 2022 Pitch and Pilot: Fairfax County Innovation Challenge. The team was chosen after a month-long competition and will be considered for a pilot project to showcase their product in Fairfax County. Dynamhex was chosen because its platform can help County owned facilities with carbon accounting and management, and also support residents to understand their individual carbon footprint and incentivize reduction actions. Read more on Department of Economic Initiatives...
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Fairfax County Adopts First-Ever Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted Resilient Fairfax, the County’s first-ever Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan. Resilient Fairfax focuses on climate effects, helping Fairfax County adapt to increasing climate hazards experienced locally. In Fairfax County, changing climate conditions include a measurable increase in precipitation intensity, extreme heat, and storm severity, among other hazards.
As Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Environmental Committee, I was very pleased to move this item for approval. Resilient Fairfax is a critical component of the County’s overall climate action effort and began as a result of my Fairfax Green Initiatives. Along with the Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP), which focuses on emissions reduction, Resilient Fairfax sets us on a path to a more livable, healthy, safe, and sustainable community. Importantly, this plan takes equity into account at every turn, ensuring that the strategies outlined address our most vulnerable populations and those in greatest need of support. Read more on the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination...
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Protecting Trees
We each have a role in protecting trees – residents, government, business and the whole community. We want to preserve and expand our tree canopy. Here are a few ways you can help:
- Take care of the trees in your yard, including the correct use of mulch (no mulch mountains!).
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Remove invasive plants, such as vines, that could harm the health of trees.
- Volunteer as a neighborhood tree rescuer.
- Have questions about trees? The County has an urban forester available to answer questions at 703-324-1770 (TTY 711), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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How Lorton Transformed its Reformatory Prison into a Bustling Arts District
The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton is real-life proof of the adage that everything old is new again. The refurbished former prison, which officially closed two decades ago, now hosts community performing and visual arts events, classes and studios for artists. More than a century ago, a penal commission established by President Theodore Roosevelt created a new prison unlike almost any other in the country at the time. These days, the Workhouse hosts hundreds of events and classes each year with low-cost studios and creative spaces for more than 100 artists. Read more from Northern Virginia Magazine...
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Trees, Hills and Heights Dominate Huntington Metro Redevelopment Discussion
Trees, steep hills, pedestrian paths, building heights and townhomes were the most talked-about elements during the discussion about the redevelopment of the Huntington Transit Station Area. At the October 19 Planning Commission meeting, commissioners and the public weighed in with their thoughts and concerns on the proposed revamp of the Huntington Transit Station Area (TSA). The staff’s comprehensive plan amendment calls for mixed-use development including 382,000 square feet of office, retail, and community-use space, the possibility of a hotel with conference facilities, and 1,500 residential units. Fifteen percent of those units at “minimum” should be affordable, the report notes. Read more on FFX Now...
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Bringing Life to Landfills in Mount Vernon
The word “landfill” instantly conjures up images of smelly trash, jumbles of junk and garbage trucks crawling into the dump. Espousing a “Making Trash Bloom” philosophy, Sustainability Matters is out to upgrade this classic landfill image and to transform these sites into vibrant habitats that support native insects, birds and other wildlife. Their goal is to replace traditional turf with plants that attract pollinators to an area that otherwise would be an ecologically dead space. Read more in The Connection...
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Vote for Art on the Corridor
The Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation (SFDC) has partnered with Community Art for Everyone (CAFE) and needs your input on the new mural at Zips Dry Cleaning in Penn Daw. Take the survey to provide feedback on the three designs by three artists. Take the survey...
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Salute to Veterans
The South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce is hosting their annual Salute to Veterans networking S.T.I.R. on November 9, 5:30-8 p.m. at Laurel Hill Golf Club in Lorton. They are also running a donation drive for Boots to Suits, a Richmond non-profit. They offer veterans looking to enter the civilian workforce a helping hand as they prepare for the interview process. Register...
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Wastewater Management Thanksgiving Tour - Noman M. Cole Control Plant
Join Noman M. Cole Control Plant for a day of fun, educational activities, learning about water industry careers and how you can avoid potential sewer problems over the holidays. The hands-on activities will focus on the work of wastewater professionals, system processes, and water quality to demonstrate the wastewater management team’s critical role in protecting human health, the infrastructure and our environment. Register for the plant tour...
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Adoption Awareness Month
November is Adoption Awareness Month, a time to celebrate adoptive parents for taking an extraordinary step in opening their hearts and homes to children in need of a safe place to call home! Did you know that there are children in foster care waiting for adoptive homes? Many of these children have special needs, are over the age of 9, or are part of sibling groups that would like to find a permanent home together. Adoptive parents support children as they recover from past traumatic experiences so that they can thrive. Explore the path to becoming a foster or adoptive parent here or email.
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Youth Leadership
Leadership Fairfax is proud to present a 2-day Youth Leadership Network Conference on Friday, November 11 and Saturday, November 12, at Virginia Tech Northern Virginia Center, free for all Fairfax County youth ages 12 – 22. The conference will provide opportunities to connect with other young leaders, learn about new topics and expand their knowledge of leadership skills they can use in school, at clubs and on councils. Register here...
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Celebrate National Novel Writing Month by Competing in Sherwood Regional Library's Writing Contest
Celebrate National Novel Writing Month by completing a short story or poem and turning it in by November 30! This year’s theme is, In the Depths, and the contest runs from November 1- November 30. Winners will be chosen for both Teen and Adult categories. The first 25 entries will receive a bound book with their writing and other contest submissions. Learn more...
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Meet Casper
Meet Casper, the friendly dog! To Casper, strangers are just friends he hasn't met yet. He loves everyone and can't wait for them to give him lots of pets and scratches. He may be almost 6 years old, but he's a high-energy boy looking for an active adopter who will make sure he gets lots of fun activities to exercise his mind and body. He will make an excellent adventure buddy for walks, hikes, runs, or just playing in the yard.
If you'd like to meet Capser, or any of the adoptable pets, go in during open hours! For more info on our adoption process, including requirements and fees, click here...
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Important Safety Information | |
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Free Testing for COVID-19
PCR testing is available with results in 1-2 days. There is no appointment necessary, no registration required, no ID needed and no out-of-pocket costs. Testing occurs every Wednesday at Groveton Baptist Church from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Other testing locations...
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Protect Your Child Against Falling Out of Windows
Open windows are a safety risk to children. Screens DO NOT prevent children from falling out. Windows must operate easily for emergency exits in case of fire, but should be made “childproof” by following these safety tips:
- Keep children away from open windows.
- Never leave children alone in rooms with open windows.
- Open windows from the TOP when possible, or only open four inches from bottom.
- Keep beds, chairs, and other “climbing aids” away from windows.
- Consider installing window guards.
- Educate older children about the dangers of open windows.
Learn more...
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Code Compliance - Front Yards
Did you know that the Zoning Ordinance has stricter regulations for your residential property’s front yard than for your side and rear yards? Below are examples of what the Zoning Ordinance prohibits or regulates more strictly in front yards.
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Outdoor storage is not allowed in a front yard. Learn more...
- Maximum fence height is four feet in front yards, except on lots of two or more acres in the R-A through R-1 Districts where up to seven feet is permitted. Learn more...
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Accessory structures, such as sheds, gazebos, treehouses and swing-sets, are not allowed in front yards on lots of 36,000 square feet or less. There are a few exceptions and additional information.
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Parking of vehicles in the lawn or other unsurfaced areas of a front yard is prohibited on lots containing 36,000 square feet or less and developed with a single family detached dwelling in the following zoning districts: R-1, R-2, R-3, or R-4. The amount of surfaced area you can have for parking vehicles in the front yard is also limited in those districts. For additional information...
Learn more...
November Emergency Preparedness Newsletter...
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Mount Vernon District Staff (top row left to right): Christine Morin, Cassidy Donaghy, Camela Speer, Maddie Carcamo Reyes, (bottom row left to right) Peyton Smith, Volunteer Shirley Short, Nick Rinehart and Supervisor Dan Storck. | |
Whether you need a notary, a "Slow Down" yard sign, Mosquito Dunks, or you would like to reserve meeting space in the Mount Vernon Governmental Center -- my office offers all this at no cost to you. Have road maintenance requests, zoning questions, environmental concerns, or need COVID-19 vaccine information? Stop by the Mount Vernon District Office anytime during our office hours, call or email us. We are here to help! | |
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September 2022 Activities:
- Phone calls: 975
- Meetings: 299
Stay Connected:
Mount Vernon Governmental Center
2511 Parkers Lane
Mount Vernon, VA 22306
703-780-7518 (TTY 711) 703-780-1491 (fax)
[email protected]
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Office Hours
Monday - Wednesday, Friday:
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Second Saturday Each Month
Lorton Library: 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
MV District Office: 12:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Walk-ins and by appointment
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Update from Mount Vernon School Board Member Karen Corbett Sanders
Please read my partner on the corridor School Board Member Karen Corbett Sanders' latest newsletter for an update on Fairfax County Public Schools.
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Boards, Authorities and Commissions | |
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Help serve your community by serving on a Fairfax County Board, Authority or Commission (BAC). Please ask your friends, neighbors and community members if they are willing to help serve Fairfax County.
Citizen Corps Council
To harness the power of every individual through education, training and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues and disasters of all kinds. To build on community strengths to develop action plans to involve the whole community, including special needs groups. To focus on public education, training and volunteer opportunities for community and family safety. To promote and oversee Citizen Corps programs. To provide opportunities for special skills and interests. To Identify best practices and report accomplishments.
Human Services Council
To review human services needs and assess the effectiveness of the human services delivery system; to report annually on the conditions and effectiveness of the human services delivery system; to develop a more effective and efficient human services delivery system; to enhance coordination of services among human services providers, both public and private; to recommend annual service delivery goals, objectives, and priorities for human services organization, with consideration of the requirements of non-county funding sources; to develop and oversee a five-year long range comprehensive human services plan which establishes goals, objectives and priorities; to educate the community, in consultation with the Board of Supervisors, on human services; to review and transmit to the Board of Supervisors a program-oriented budget for human services; and to review the annual Capital Improvement Plan and provide appropriate comments to the Board of Supervisors.
Wetlands Board
The board shall preserve and prevent the despoliation and destruction of wetlands within its jurisdiction while accommodating necessary economic development in a manner consistent with wetlands preservation. The objectives and procedures of the Fairfax County Wetlands Board (the Board or the Wetlands Board) are those set forth in Title 28.2, Chapter 13 of the Code of Virginia, (Virginia State Wetlands Act) and in Chapter 116 of the Code of Fairfax County (Wetlands Zoning Ordinance).
There are several At-Large positions available as of October 2022 on County BACs.
- Board of Building and Fire Prevention Code Appeals (Alternate & Design Professional)
- Board of Equalization of Real Estate
- Engineering Standard Review Committee
- Health Systems Agency Board
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Human Rights Commission
- Police Civilian Review Panel
Learn more about any of these BACs...
Volunteering on these committees increases citizen participation in our District. If you are interested in serving on a county board, authority, commission, or committee (BAC), please provide a current résumé to [email protected]. For more information, please download the brochure for a brief guide to BACs, or learn more on the County website. You can also check out the County's Volunteer Management System for information on these and other volunteer opportunities near you.
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