Hello!
With fall in full swing and Thanksgiving right around the corner, I hope everyone is staying warm and beginning to reflect on all the things for which we are thankful. Last month, we saw great things happening in Lee District and throughout Fairfax County, which I'm excited to share with you below.
I was pleased to continue our positive momentum here in Lee District. This includes work on transportation improvements, affordable housing, police reform, and hearing about the types of pets you'd like to have in your homes!
My staff and I have also been working to continue our great momentum in revitalization and human services work. The month of October also saw the re-opening of John Marshall Library and more progress on the widening and future bus rapid transit work on Route One.
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Scroll Inside this issue
:
BOS Meeting Recap
FCPD Reform
Environmental Assessment
Community Schools
Equal Rights Act
Call to Serve
Giving Back
Public Input Opportunity
Community Spotlight
Constituent Services
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Board of Supervisors
Meeting Summary
There were two Board of Supervisors meetings in October, as well as a number of committee and community meetings. Here are a few highlights from the two Board meetings:
- We approved a Standard Project Agreement with the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) that allows the County to begin receiving the $250 million it was awarded for work on the future Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.
- We adopted a Plan Amendment to make it easier to fill vacant retail spaces. This was something I championed because, as the future of retail continues to change, we're going to have to be flexible to fill these empty storefronts.
- We authorized a public hearing on commonly accepted pets, which would allow residents to own chinchillas, hedgehogs, and hermit crabs as pets. These are currently illegal in Fairfax County.
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Fairfax County Police Department Reform
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The Board of Supervisors received an update on the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission on October 16. This report shed light on the status of the approximately 200 reforms and actions recommended by the separate, civilian-led commission in 2015 about the operations of the department. The intent of this group was to review and recommend changes to ensure the modernization of our police force, while making safety, protection, and transparency its highest priorities.
Of the completed items, the report highlighted the successes of the County’s efforts to divert mentally ill individuals from incarceration; revisions to the Use of Force General Order, ensuring de-escalation is the first response when an officer is confronted with a threat; the creation of an Independent Police Auditor and a Civilian Review Panel; and delivery of more transparency through revisions on the release of information by incorporating a civilian-led Public Information Officer.
The Police Civilian Review Panel will be hosting a public forum to discuss its work at the Mount Vernon Government Center on December 10. Click
here
for more information.
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Environmental Assessment of Route 1
VDOT is currently working to widen the segment of Route 1 between Napper Road and Jeff Todd Way to improve pedestrian and driver safety, reduce congestion, and dedicate space in the center median for the future transit. Specifically, the work will:
- Add additional bike lanes and sidewalks to both sides of the road
- Reserve space in the center median for our future BRT system
- Widen Route 1 from four to six lanes.
As part of the project, VDOT conducted a thorough Environmental Assessment. This required them to analyze the air quality and noise, assess the effects of the project both directly and indirectly, and research the natural resources in the region and what impact this project would have on them. Through this study, which you can access
here
, VDOT found no significant impacts to any of those topics.
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October saw major progress in the way of fostering stronger relationships among Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County Government, and the Fairfax community. The Successful Children and Youth Policy Team (SCYPT), of which I am a member, met in early October to discuss Strategic Plans to ensure our children are safe, equity is a reality, and everyone is getting the proper education and stability they deserve in the classroom, on the field, at home, and in their communities.
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Non-profits in the region such as United Community Ministries and United Way joined us as we introduced and celebrated Fairfax County's first-ever Community School at Walt Whitman Middle, my alma mater. Now, Whitman Middle School will serve as both an edu
cational institution and a center of community life; integrating focus on academics, youth development, family support, and health and social services.
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The Time to Act is Now!
In 1972, Congress passed the Equal Rights Amendment. To this day, only 37 states have ratified that act. Virginia is not yet one of them. This must change.
I was proud to join eight of my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors on a resolution calling for the Virginia General Assembly to take action this coming session. This will ensure all residents, men and women, have equal rights under the Constitution and protection from discrimination on the basis of gender.
The
VAratifyERA
State Campaign
will launch
“10 Days of ERA,”
with a statewide bus tour led by Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy (D) and Senator Glen Sturtevant (R). The tour plans to educate Virginians about the absence of gender equality in the U.S. Constitution.
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Boards, Authorities, and Commissions
Local government is the form of government that's closest to the people. It's where we make important decisions that impact our everyday lives and where resident input is vital to its success. That is why citizen participation is critical.
My office is currently looking to fill one vacancy, described first below, and soliciting resumes on the second item for future appointments. If you're interested in serving, please contact Brittany Choi in my office at
[email protected]
.
Athletic Council
Purpose: The Council assists the County on the allocation, use, and management and future planning of County athletic resources.
Police Civilian Review Panel
Purpose: The Panel works to build, maintain, and enhance public trust and transparency between the Police Department, the Board of Supervisors, and the community.
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Giving Thanks and Giving Back
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This year, there are many things to be thankful for. I'm thankful for all of the progress we've made on the Embark Richmond Highway Comprehensive Plan, a plan to revitalize the Richmond Highway Corridor. I'm also thankful for the re-opening of John Marshall Library; and I'm thankful for the progress we've made in ensuring families and children are thriving in schools by way of the SCYPT.
At this time, it's also important to remember our fellow community members. Fairfax County's Hypothermia Prevention Program does just that. This program is part of a collaborative effort by Fairfax County Government, faith organizations, businesses, and volunteers to serve the critical needs of those experiencing homelessness when they are subjected to the danger of cold weather. All Fairfax County emergency shelters serve single adults and have a "no-turn-away" policy from December 1-March 31. Click
here
to find out how you can help!
If you're interested in more opportunities to give back, stop by my office at the Franconia Governmental Center starting on November 10 until December 8 to donate your new and gently used blankets and coats. All donations will help out Syrian Refugees as part of NOVA Relief Center's Blanket and Coat Drive. See how you can help
here
!
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Lend Your Voice!
Want to help shape the future of the Fairfax County and Franconia-Springfield Parkways? Take the online survey
here
! The survey will be open until Nov. 19.
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Community Spotlight:
Nancy-jo Manney
After 20 years as the longtime president/ CEO of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Nancy-jo Manney has announced she is moving.
Nancy-jo has run the Chamber for 20 years and played a major role in so much of the successful revitalization work that’s occurred in Springfield. She’s also partnered with the County to see to fruition many transportation projects, business openings, and more.
Throughout Nancy-jo's time at the Chamber, we’ve worked together to improve roads, make our community more walkable and bikeable, and planned for the long-term success of Springfield. She was also a major stakeholder with our work to revitalize Springfield Town Center and the transit network surrounding it.
While it is sad to see Nancy-jo leave, I know she has left us in good hands, and left her community in a better place. Congratulations, Nancy-jo, and thanks for your years of service to the community.
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Thank you for subscribing to my monthly e-newsletter. I hope these updates will keep you in the loop with some of the major events in our District.
If you'd like to learn more about something in the newsletter or have an idea for a future edition, please don't hesitate to contact me or my staff.
Sincerely,
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Jeffrey C. McKay
Lee District Supervisor
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
703-971-6262
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