‌
Sept. 23, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

As you have seen in media reports and on my social media platforms, Fairfax County residents are already lining up to vote in this election! More than 1,200 people voted at the main Government Center in Fairfax on the first day of early voting, Friday, Sept. 18 — and voting continues to be busy. Note that this the ONLY location in Fairfax County where early in-person voting is now available. The Office of Elections has put many resources in place to provide COVID-19 public safety measures including social distancing, plexiglass barriers, and providing voters with free pens, as shown above, to fill out their ballot and take home with them. (No "I Voted" stickers will be distributed this year.) 

Have questions about in-person early and mail-in absentee voting? These webpages have been updated:

Here are some key reminders that the Office of Elections would like you to know:
  • No Saturday in-person early voting hours are scheduled until Oct. 17.
  • In-person early voting will expand to 14 locations countywide on Oct. 14. This includes the North County Government Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Drive in Reston. Learn more, including hours.
  • If you are planning to vote by mail, please fill out your application for a mail-in ballot online today. There has been an unprecedented number of mail ballots requested and you need to allow extra time to receive your ballot and mail it back.
  • You can drop off your mail-in ballot at a box located inside the Fairfax County Government Center during voting hours. When satellite locations open Oct. 14, you can drop your mail-in ballot in boxes located inside those locations during voting hours. If you drop off your mail-in ballot, it must be in the sealed envelopes that are provided.
  • Please wear a mask and bring your ID when you vote early in-person.
  • Follow the Fairfax County Office of Elections on Twitter @FairfaxVotes

I also encourage you to follow me on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news and updates related to voting, as well as in this weekly newsletter.

Respectfully,
Walter
Today's COVID-19 Updates (Sept. 23)

Current Number of Cases in the Fairfax Health District
  • Daily reported case information for the Fairfax Health District: here and scroll down to get to ZIP Code data.
  • Daily reported case information throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia: here and ZIP Code data look for Data Download bar.

COVID-19 Case Information Chart (as of publication on Sept. 23)
Car Tax Deadline is Oct. 5
car-sales-lot2.jpg
This summer the Department of Tax Administration (DTA) mailed car tax bills and the payment deadline is Monday, Oct. 5. Due to COVID-19 health precautions and to avoid lines at the Fairfax County Government Center, DTA is encouraging residents to consider one of the other convenient payment options available, including:

Online: You will need the last 4 digits of your VIN and property number as shown on your tax bill. If you do not have a bill with you, you will need your DMV customer number (on your driver's license) and the last 4 digits of your vehicle's VIN.

Drop Off at Select Library Locations: Several libraries have drop boxes located outside the building where you can drop off your tax payment until Oct. 5:
  • Reston - 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston
  • Sherwood - 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria
  • George Mason - 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale
  • Dolly Madison - 1244 Oak Ridge Avenue, McLean
  • Oakton - 10304 Lynnhaven Place, Oakton
  • Burke Centre - 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke

Pay by phone or mail.

Learn more, including how to contact DTA.
72,000+ Residents Facing Food Insecurity;
Your Food Donations Are Needed
Three Reasons to Donate to Stuff the Bus This Saturday, Sept. 26:
  • 72,460 people in Fairfax County are experiencing food insecurity.
  • From March to July 2020, 17% of working age people in Fairfax County filed for unemployment.
  • Nonprofit partners are reporting 30% to 400% increases in the number of people seeking help.
This Saturday, Sept. 26, Fastran buses will be parked at 21 locations countywide, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., to collect food donations to assist our neighbors who need our help during the pandemic. In Hunter Mill District you can donate at the North County Government Center in Reston and Patrick Henry Library in Vienna. Learn more.
Land Use and Transportation
Reston Comprehensive Plan Study Task Force Meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 30
To learn more about the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study and the task force, please visit the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study web page. You can also watch the five meetings held to date here. The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 30, 7 to 9 p.m. Details and the agenda will be found here. The meeting will be hosted on the Webex platform. Use this link to attend and participate in the meeting. You will be prompted to register with your email address and ZIP code before logging into meeting. If you prefer to listen to the meeting on your phone, you may call 1-408-418-9388 and use access code: 173 779 5719. This is also the number to use if accessing TTY 711. (Please note each meeting has a unique link and call-in information.) You will also be able to watch a live stream of the meeting on YouTube Live.

Virtual Q&A Sessions Sept. 28 and 30 for I-495 Express Lanes Northern Extension Project
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is offering two new opportunities for the public to ask questions about the I-495 Express Lanes Northern Extension Project in advance of public hearings scheduled in October. The project involves extending the 495 Express Lanes by approximately three miles from the Dulles Toll Road interchange to the George Washington Memorial Parkway interchange in the vicinity of the American Legion Bridge to reduce congestion, improve safety and travel reliability, and provide additional travel choices. The project will involve a change in limited access control. Learn more.
Board of Supervisors' Committees Update
The Board of Supervisors held four committee meetings at the Government Center yesterday, Sept. 22. You can watch the meetings and review agenda and materials below.


The next full meeting of the Board of Supervisors is Tuesday, Sept. 29, beginning at noon. Of note on the agenda is the public hearing on the county and schools' FY 2020 Carryover Review to amend the appropriation level in the FY 2021 Revised Budget Plan.
Learn more about the agenda and how you can watch the meeting or participate in public hearings.
Take a Walk!
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Walk is Oct. 3
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is having its “Out of the Darkness Walk” virtually on Oct. 3. AFSP is asking participants to gather, socially distancing yourselves, in your local neighborhoods with signs, using sidewalk chalk to write messages of inspiration and to put it all on social media with the hashtag #StopSuicideNCAC.If you are interested in participating, register your team on their website. 

NAMIWalks (National Alliance on Mental Illness of Northern Virginia) is Oct. 10
​1 in 5 adults experience mental illness each year in the United States. NAMIWalks raises awareness and funds that support mental health programs and services for our community. Learn more about this virtual walk event.
Stay Informed and In Touch
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn
703-478-0283, TTY 711