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Issue 124
Friday, July 7, 2022
Prince William County
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Dear Neighbors,
In the Chair's Calendar section below, you'll see my Fourth of July weekend started and ended with special occasions. Friday's celebration was a first-time event honoring essential members of our community. Monday's festivities were a long-standing County tradition honoring the birth of our Nation.
At both of these different events, I experienced an unmistakable commonality - the incredible spirit of the residents of Prince William County. As evident in the two photo collages below, happiness was flowing throughout the crowds.
While there are so many great things to love about our County, I know it's the residents above all else that truly make it a great place.
In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
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Friday, July 1, Chair Wheeler spoke at Patriots Day at Catharpin Park. The inaugural event was sponsored by Gainesville Magisterial District Supervisor Pete Candland to honor Public Safety Personnel. | |
Monday, July 4, Chair Wheeler participated in the annual Dale City Independence Day Parade and Family Fun Day. | |
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The CDC Community Level Tool on Friday, July 8, showed Prince William County's community level continues to be medium. This tool looks at hospital beds being used and hospital admissions, as well as number of new cases. The CDC advises when the community level is medium to:
You can check the community levels in other areas here.
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Protecting Yourself and Others:
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Community Input Opportunity | |
Thursday, July 14, 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm, the PWC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism is inviting the community to attend its upcoming second Public Meeting at the Kelly Leadership Center, at 14715 Bristow Road in Manassas, to review the draft update to the Doves Landing Regional Park Master Plan. The draft plan incorporates previous public input obtained during the first master plan meeting. Participants will have the opportunity to provide further input on the plan and learn about the important cultural and natural resource attributes of the property. | |
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More About Doves Landing Park
In 2020, 74-acres were added to Doves Landing Park, at 9305 Doves Lane in Manassas. Additionally, the park picked up 190 additional acres as part open space proffered with from the Preserve at Long Branch housing development approved by the BOCS in January 2021.
The County now has the opportunity to master plan a nearly 500-acre natural/cultural resource park in mid-County. Combined, this will be the largest park of this type in the County’s park system. Having residents identify their preferences for facilities and programs to be offered at the park is the first phase of the master planning process.
Doves Landing Park currently has a 235-acre forest with one mile of frontage along the Occoquan River, upstream from Lake Jackson. It has three miles of trails that are open to the public and provides a destination for passive uses like hiking, horseback riding, and picnicking.
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Tuesday, July 12
2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
For Public Comment Time options, visit SpeakUp! Prince William. Remote speakers must sign-up by 5:00 pm on Day, Date. In-person speakers can sign up at the meeting.
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The FY2023 County Budget (issue 114), adopted by the BOCS on April 26, 2022, is now available online. The budget is in effect from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. The 516-page budget can be viewed in its entirety here. You can also view it by specific sections here. These sections can aid in understanding the budget development process, the County's various revenue sources, and its expenditure budget. | |
Targeted Industry Land Needs Update | |
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Public Information Session Next Week
As a reminder, on Thursday, July 14, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, the PWC
Planning Office and Department of Economic Development are hosting a virtual public information meeting with Camoin Associates (issue 123). During the meeting, Camoin will provide an overview of the key findings, as well as respond to previously submitted questions from the community. Learn more and register for the virtual information session here.
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PWC, and nine surrounding municipalities, were jointly awarded a $2.5 million Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) grant for Nano-IMAGINE. The project will create 185 new jobs in nanotechnology in year three and 233 in year five, as well as create three new nanotechnology startups. George Mason University, in partnership with the Mason’s School of Business, will serve as a catalyze for the growth of Virginia’s nanotech sector by providing hands-on workforce and entrepreneurial training, as well as supporting the launch and growth of high-tech nanotechnology startups. | |
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More About the GO Virginia Grants
Announced by Governor Glen Younkin on Friday, July 1, Nano-IMAGINE was one of 13 projects awarded more than $10.2 million in GO Virginia grants. The funding is focused on expanding talent pipelines in key industries, strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems, and developing business-ready sites while supporting regional economic growth through localities, public entities, and private businesses. Since the program’s inception in 2017, GO Virginia has funded 229 projects and awarded approximately $92.5 million to support regional economic development efforts.
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Tuesday, July 19, 9:30 am to 1:00 pm PWC Government is hosting a Virtual Career Fair. Participants will learn about the organization, culture, and how it serves the community. Representatives from many PWC agencies will provide information on their departments, career positions, and volunteer opportunities. To learn more and register visit here or use the QR code below. | |
Participating agencies include the Adult Detention Center, Area Agency on Aging, Community Services, Development Services, Fire & Rescue, Human Resources, Information Technology, Police, Public Safety Communications, Public Works, Sheriff's Office, and Social Services. | |
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PWC Public Schools are Hiring too
Saturday, July 16, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, PWC Public Schools System is hosting a Job Fair at the Kelly Leadership Center located at 14715 Bristow Road in Manassas. Human Resources will be there to answer questions and interview for substitute food service associate, substitute custodian, school bus driver, lifeguard, swim instructor, and school security assistant. Learn more and register here.
Wednesday, July 20, PWC Public Schools is hosting a Virtual Instructor Job Fair. Registrants will be confirmed following receipt of an application for employment at here and based upon availability as space is limited. Deadline to register is Monday, July 18. Learn more and submit your interest here.
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The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has advised beginning on or about Wednesday, July 14, through Monday, July 18, drivers should expect delays on I-66 West due to an extended closure of the left lane between Route 29 (Lee Highway) in Gainesville and Route 29 in Centreville. This section will be reduced to three travel lanes, with the left lane (HOV lane) closed around-the-clock. Additional lane closures will occur during the overnight hours. Learn more here. | |
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Details About the Project
An estimated one million tons of asphalt will be laid in 2022 as part of the final paving for the new I-66 Express Lanes and general-purpose lanes between Route 29 in Gainesville and the I-495 Interchange. The Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project will provide new travel choices and congestion relief across this 22.5-mile stretch. Improvements include new Express Lanes, more than 4,000 new park-and-ride spaces with convenient access to the Express Lanes, new and improved bus service and transit routes, interchange improvements, and 11 miles of new bike and pedestrian trails.
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New Glass Recycling Location | |
An additional location for the County's popular glass-only purple recycling bin has been added at the McCoart Administration Building parking lot near Greatbridge Road and Ricter Way, just off Prince William Parkway. The glass recycling trailer is co-located with a blue recycling trailer. | |
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In addition to the new McCoart parking lot location, residents can bring glass bottles, jugs and jars to existing purple bins at the PWC:
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Additional Information on Recycling and Disposal
As a reminder, glass should NOT be placed in curbside recycling bins or blue recycling trailers. Whenever possible, please try to utilize the purple glass-only recycling bins instead of placing glass in your trash.
You can learn more about Recycling in PWC here. Information about specific items like glass, batteries, and more can be found here. PWC's A to Z Disposal Guide can be found here.
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The PWC Office of Historic Preservation is looking for volunteers. Chances are, if you like history, there's something that will fit your interests. Volunteers must be at least 19 years old. Learn about the various adult volunteer opportunities and submit your interest here. For those 13-18, you can learn about Junior Preservationist volunteer opportunities and submit your interest here. | | |
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Friday, July 22, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, PWC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism is hosting Fridays at 5 Summer Concert Series at the Sean T. Connaughton Plaza, located at 1 County Complex Ct in Woodbridge. The free event, sponsored by VA StrEats, will feature live music by Perfekt Blend, food trucks, a beer garden, face painting and more! | | |
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Saturday, July 23, 9:00 am to 11:30 am, PWC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, in partnership with IAM-RC Hobby Shop, is hosting the first ever remote-controlled car race for beginners ages 17 and up at Locust Shade Park in Triangle. Compete and learn to use your remote-controlled car on a parking lot track and an off-road track. The cars will need a transponder and will have battery limits of 2Cell Lipo Battery. The participation fee is $10. Following registration, more details will be sent to participants. | |
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Sunday, September 11, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Arts Alive 2022 will be held at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. The annual community arts festival is free and produced jointly by the PWC Arts Council, Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, and the Hylton Performing Arts Center.
Performing artists will be on four stages in 20-minute blocks. Visual arts will be on display in the Didlake Grand Foyer and other locations throughout the Hylton. Creative writers and poets will have space for readings, storytelling, and book signings. Some Hylton Center spaces, and outside areas, will be available for classes and demonstrations, to include instrument petting zoo, arts classes, dance demonstrations, or a sing-along.
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Interested in Being a Participant or Vendor
Artists who would like to participate need to submit an Arts Alive! 2022 Artist Participation Form (pages 2 and 3) by Wednesday, July 15. Instructions for submitting the form are on page 3. The Arts Alive! Working Group will review all application forms, schedule performances, and assign exhibit spaces. Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. Food truck vendors interested in being at the festival, need to submit a Food Truck Vendor Participation Form.
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Two PWCS Students Win National Award | |
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Project Details
A 2021 survey of two PWC High Schools showed an overwhelming number of students use three or more plastic beverage bottles a day. This prompted Stephanie and Ashley to participated in trainings to learn more about the impacts of plastics on aquatic ecosystems and encourage their peers to use more reusable bottles instead of plastic ones.
The student body identified several barriers to why students did not use reusable water bottles and set-out to devise a strategy to address them. More than 300 students signed action pledges and received a reusable bottle provided by community partners. Stephanie and Ashley started a social media campaign to reach their peers and Stephanie shared her voice as a student representative on the PWC Schools Superintendent’s Advisory Council on Sustainability.
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Freedom High School Specialty Program | | |
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Ashley and Stephanie participated in Freedom High School's Center for Environmental and Natural Sciences (CENS) specialty program, which offers a rigorous four-year program of studies designed to include strong laboratory and field investigation components. The program emphasizes interactive science research and projects that make use of the on-site CENS lab, greenhouse, aquarium, hydroponics, diverse habitats, and pond. | |
Students participate in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, including community service, and will become involved with business and community partnerships that enhance their understanding of environmental and natural sciences. The mission of CENS is to promote environmental citizenship and a sustainable community through challenging hands-on collaborative learning experiences that encourage innovative thinking, problem solving, and leadership within our school and community. | |
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More About the Award
The PEYA was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1970 and recognizes outstanding community-level environmental projects by K-12 youth that promote awareness of natural resources and encourages positive community involvement. Since 1971, the President of the United States has joined with EPA to recognize young people for protecting our nation's air, water, land, and ecology.
Applicants from all 50 states and the U.S. territories are eligible to compete for a national PEYA award. The 2022 awards went to ten projects, from eight regions, along with two honorable mentions.
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Ann B. Wheeler was elected Chair At-Large of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors during the 2019 General Election and assumed office on January 1, 2020. Prince William County is located 25 miles south of Washington, D.C., and is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s second-most populous county with approximately 482,000 residents. | | | | | |
