At yesterday's Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, we recognized the County Tree Commission for their 50 years of service to our community, protecting and growing our tree canopy. This gave me another opportunity to recognize former Mount Vernon District Tree Commissioner, Cathy Ledec, who among other things is responsible for the beautiful native landscaping surrounding the Mount Vernon Governmental Center. I also thank and appreciate the work our current Tree Commissioner and Vice-Chair Elaine Kolish is doing to support the growth of trees and native landscaping in our District!

I invited everyone to join us at the Grand Opening of the Lorton Police Station and Animal Shelter this Saturday, October 28 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. with fun for the whole family, food, games and more! This is a truly unique opportunity to tour our new co-located state-of-the-art Lorton Police Station and Animal Shelter.

Respectfully yours in public service,

Dan Storck

The following are highlights from the Board of Supervisors October 24, 2023 meeting, including items of particular interest to Mount Vernon residents. For additional information, please go to the County’s Board Agenda and Meeting Schedule. The clerk to the board's official Summary of Board Actions is available the week following each meeting. Information is also available by a video linked to the board agenda and the Board of Supervisors Highlights podcast. 

Para recibir la información de nuestro boletín electrónico en español, 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].

To view the October 24, 2023 Board Package click here. For a complete listing of public hearings held and approved, please see the Clerk to the Board's official Summary of Board Actions, available the week following each meeting.

Item 10: Authorization for the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services to accept grant funding in the amount of $531,409 to purchase of wheelchair lift-equipped vehicles to improve mobility services. The full item can be read here.

Item 5: Approved submission of additional projects to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority for FY 2024 to FY 2029 Regional Funding consideration. One project in the Mount Vernon District is being added to support the addition of a third railway track to improve rail service in Northern Virginia. The full item can be read here.

Proclaiming January 16, 2024, as a National Day of Racial Healing in Fairfax County - Joint with Chairman Jeff McKay and Supervisors Dalia Palchik and Rodney Lusk

The National Day of Racial Healing, commemorated annually, is part of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) efforts to restore individuals and communities to wholeness by repairing the damages caused by racism. It facilitates trust, builds authentic relationships and bridges divides, which is the work that leads to community, organizational and systems transformation, and racial equity. It is a time to acknowledge our shared values and create a blueprint together for how we heal from the effects of racism. TRHT is a comprehensive, community-based process to bring about transformational and sustainable change. Through TRHT, the historic and contemporary effects of racism in communities and institutions are addressed. TRHT works to replace the deeply held belief systems that fuel racism with ones that see the inherent value of all people. This holistic approach addresses mind and heart, the interpersonal and systemic, and places the power of authentic, trust-based solidarity at the center.

Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) has partnered with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) THRT Campus Center to commemorate The National Day of Racial Healing and use community development to promote racial healing, transform communities and build social capital. NOVA is one of 62 colleges and universities selected by the American Association of Colleges and Universities to host THRT Campus Centers. The campus centers help prepare the next generation of leaders to break down systemic racism and dismantle a hierarchy of human values through THRT circles. Racism impacts all of us, whether we are aware of it or not. Systemically, racism is one of the biggest obstacles to solving the challenges we face in our communities. Through NOVA’s TRHT Campus Center racial healing circles, participants build relationships, trust and collective power at the community and institutional levels. These relationships lay the groundwork for powerful systemic change, as community partners re-envision and reshape their institutions, policies and practices to address racism and racial healing. This is aligned with NCS’ mission to promote equity and create positive outcomes for people of all ages and abilities. It also aligns with Fairfax County’s One Fairfax Equity Policy.

The NCS and NOVA partnership will collectively impact the racial healing and trust-building needed in communities to achieve transformational changes in policy and practices as they commemorate The National Day of Racial Healing.

America Recycles Day takes place annually on November 15 and is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States. Nationally, thousands of organizations, including our neighboring jurisdictions, hold events to educate people about recycling resources in their community. In years past, the locally branded Fairfax Recycles Day has included informational webinars, the opening of new glass recycling bins and food scrap drop-off locations, a recycling poster design competition and a touch-a-truck at the main government center.

This year there are multiple ways for residents to engage in Fairfax Recycles Day as we encourage everyone to increase their recycling at home, at school, in the office and in the community. Residents are encouraged to drop off glass at a Purple Can Club location, visit the I-66 Transfer Station’s Compost Drop Off and learn how and where to recycle common materials by using the County’s What Goes Where? tool. Simply type in an item and this tool will tell you if it can be recycled, as well as where you can take the item to recycle it if it is recyclable.

Residents are also encouraged to participate in our 4Touch Points initiative with our licensed waste collectors. This 2-minute survey helps the County learn about your experience getting information from your hauler about what can and cannot be recycled. Anyone who completes the survey will receive a fun gift as well as a mention on the County website, if you choose. Each year our staff do a fantastic job helping residents find ways to recycle. By declaring a “Fairfax Recycles Day,” we can build on this success and continue to highlight the benefits of recycling as well as help our residents recycle more.

Nov. 15: PA-2020-CW-1CP Public Facilities Policy Plan: Comprehensive Plan amendment to update the Public Facilities Policy Plan and Area Plans countywide.

Oct. 25: SP-2023-MV-00060 Simple Changes Farm LLC, 10800 Belmont Blvd. To permit a riding or boarding stable with residences for a Manager or Employee.

Early in-person voting is happening now at our Mount Vernon Governmental Center and starting on October 26 at the Lorton Community Center until November 4. In-person voting and ballot drop box times are:

Learn more and see additional sites opening October 26.

National Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, October 28, 10 a.m. — 2 p.m. Drop off unused or expired medications at County police stations, including at the Mount Vernon District Police Station. Permanent drop boxes, also at the Mount Vernon District Police Station, will continue to take medications any time of the year during business hours. Learn more.

What are your opinions on affordable housing in the region? The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority, along with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), need feedback on a draft application for affordable housing funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Learn more.

Learn more.

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) has earned its fourth-consecutive accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The achievement continues the FCPA’s standing as a nationally distinguished park and recreation agency over the last 15 years. Learn more.

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) received two Awards of Merit from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). The redevelopment of Lake Anne House in Reston was recognized in the Affordable Housing category, and the Hybla Valley Community Center was honored as a Community Revitalization project. Learn more.

This year’s James M. Scott Exceptional Design Awards recipients are being recognized for their commitment to design excellence that enhances the experience for people visiting each site. The honor award was given to the G+G House, a private residence described as a jewel box overlooking Lake Barcroft, and Capital One Hall, which included integral, sustainable energy measures in its urban design. The merit award went to Spring Mill House, a private residence featuring expansive windows and thoughtful landscape features, and The Residence at Colvin Run, a senior living facility with a modern cottage style. Learn more.