At Tuesday's meeting, the Board voted to send a letter [add hyperlink] to the Prince William County Board of Supervisors regarding the proposed Prince William County Digital Gateway Corridor and data centers that pose a threat to the Occoquan Watershed and Reservoir, the source of drinking water for our over one million Fairfax County residents. The letter endorses County staff’s interjurisdictional memos expressing concerns about the gateway and requesting that, prior to any zoning actions, additional study and coordination occur so that the two counties can work together to address issues of mutual concern. It is not our Board's practice to weigh in on other Board land use issues, but the magnitude of the concern raised by this plan and the need to protect our water supply compelled us to do so, and me to support it. My focus has been to continue privately speaking with my Prince William counterparts to share the community's and my concerns about the risks to our unique watershed, drinking water and natural world.

During our moment of silence, I remembered Lorton resident Helen Bahti who died tragically last week crossing the street in Lorton Station. Ms. Bahti was a young mother and Fairfax County Public Schools bus attendent whom all remember as being incredibly kind, a good friend and always smiling. Her loss of life has again brought attention to pedestrian safety in our neighborhoods and highway corridor. I am working with Fairfax Police, Virginia Department of Transportation, Fairfax County Department of Transportation and the Lorton Station Homeowners Association to increase traffic enforcement and improve safety on this roadway.

The Board also recognized October 24 as Diwali, known as the ‘festival of lights,' one of the most important festivals within Hinduism. Happy Diwali, good health and fortune to all who celebrate.

Respectfully yours in public service,