Issue 151

Friday, February 10, 2023

Prince William County

Dear Neighbors,

This has been a busy week our office, with lots of things happening in the community and the Board. Then I read an article about a Prince William County resident who traveled to Turkey to check on his brothers and sister, as well as his mother who was still missing, following the devastating earthquake early this week. He also took what supplies he could to help in anyway possible. As I hoped and prayed for him, his family, and everyone impacted by this tragedy, I also had a moment of perspective.

I am grateful to live in a county that has a solid infrastructure, excellent emergency response services, organizations in place to deal quickly with disasters, and a community that I know with certainty would come together when real tragedy strikes. Once again, I am grateful and appreciate how really lucky we are, for all that we have, and all the possibilities.

In Service,

Chair Ann Wheeler

Wednesday, February 8, Chair Wheeler participated in the Metropolitan Council of Governments (COG) Board of Directors meeting. In addition to serving on the Board, Chair Wheeler elected by COG members the 2023 Corporate President (issue 145).

Thursday, February 9, Chair Wheeler attended Bisnow's National DICE Construction, Design & Development Series conference on trends, innovations and solutions to today's data center demands. At the conference, which was attended by people from all across the country, experts discussed that with the expansion of Artificial Intelligence and greater data compilation and analysis, the demand for these facilities is accelerating and they are embedded in our long-term future. Another key topic was that the industry is constantly innovating with respect to environmental impacts, renewable energy use and design standards.

Thursday, February 9, Chair Wheeler attended the On the Road: I-66 Express Lanes Update exploring the ripple effects of the major construction project and development projects around the region. The event was hosted by Washington Business Journal at the PWC George Mason University Science and Technology Campus Beacon Hall Conference Center. Christina Winn (top photo far right), Executive Director PWC Department of Economic Development, and Rick Canizales (top photo far left), Director PWC Department of Transportation, were among the panelists. Luis Vazquez Morales (bottom right photo on the right), MBA, MSCE, CEO I-66 Express Mobility Partners, was the fireside chat featured speaker.

Friday, February 10,Chair Wheeler was on the WAMU 88.5 American University Radio broadcast, The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi. In the wide-ranging interview with Kojo and resident analyst Tom Sherwood, Chair Wheeler discussed data centers, public hearings and public comment time, the upcoming County Budget, congressional infrastructure funding, PWC's Safety Initiative, her 2023 priorities, and more.

Proclaimed February Black History Month to celebrate the history, heritage, and accomplishments of African American people. The BOCS encourages citizen participation in the activities recognizing the past and recent accomplishments, history, and heritage of African Americans.

Left to right from the Black History Committee: William Jackson, John Dowdy, Carletta Sims, and Chairman Byron Jenkins

Proclaimed February Benefit Program Specialists Appreciation Month to recognizes the importance of providing a level of economic stability by administering federal and state benefit programs. Benefit Program Specialists have experienced unprecedented implementation of rapidly changing complex policies and procedures, as well as continuing changes in service delivery and technology, while navigating through the Public Health Emergency and the upcoming unwinding of pandemic specific policies.

Left to right from the Department of Social Services (Talk and Tour issue 121): Advisory Board Chairman Laurie Wilson, Assistant Director of Customer Support and Services Holly Handy, Assistant Director for Public Assistance Division Meron Gebremedhin, and Deputy Director Phyllis Jennings-Holt

Rania Lateef is one of only four high school students in the nation to receive the national Neuroscience Research Prize which recognizes scientific skill and potential for scientific contributions in the field of neuroscience. This is the first time a PWCS student has received this prize, which includes $1,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to present her work at the 2023 Child Neurology Society Annual Meeting.

Rania’s research focused on the effects of sleep deprivation and circadian rhythm disruptions on a fruit fly’s lifespan, mood, and addiction-like behaviors. “I found that sleep and circadian disturbances in flies had a measurable and significant negative impact on mortality, innate behaviors...and propensity to caffeine,” said Lateef. The idea came most directly from the enormous disruptions she and the rest of the world faced during the COVID pandemic.

Occoquan's Chief of Police Adam Linn was one of ten law enforcement executives honored in the inaugural Law Enforcement Executive Certification program by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police (VACP). Chief Linn met requirements that included formal education levels, professional development training, and service on boards and committees. In addition to Chief of Police, he serves as the Occoquan Town Manager. The VACP has been working on the certification program for several years.

February is American Heart Month and PWC Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism is providing lots of ways to educate yourself about the risks for heart disease and live a more heart-healthy lifestyle. Offerings include Mind-body Workshops, Tai Chi, Active Adults, Aquabilities, Pilates Reformer, and Aikido.

Additional Ideas Include:

• Call 703-792-8669 and schedule a free, 30 minute one-on-one Nutritional and Lifestyle consultation at Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation Center.
• Use the Prince William Recreation Mapper to find trails and parks near you.
• Use the search feature on VisitPWC for things like hiking, or explore the Parks, Adventure, and Sports and Spa and Wellness pages.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women of all ages, races, and shapes and sizes in the United States. Women generally get heart disease about 10 years later than men, but it’s still women’s #1 killer. Women who have gone through early menopause, either naturally or because they have had a hysterectomy, are twice as likely to develop heart disease as women of the same age who have not gone through menopause. Learn more about women and heart disease here.

Friday, February 17, at 12:00 pm, experts from the NHLBI's The Heart Truth® program and the CDC’s Million Hearts® are hosting Getting to Know #OurHearts, live dialogue on heart health. They’ll discuss what causes heart disease, what to know about your own individual risk factors, how you can prevent it, and what questions you should be asking your healthcare providers. Following the discussion, you’ll learn about resources available from The Heart Truth® . Join the discussion via Facebook here and the National Institute of Health videocast website here.