In this issue…
Patriot Park North Opening Marks 1st Sports Tourism Success – On Saturday, we cut the ribbon on Patriot Park North, the County’s first sports tourism facility. In 2017, I asked the Board to create the Sports Tourism Task Force to look at how the County could become a destination for sports competitions, competing for a share of the nearly 40-billion-dollar, recession-proof industry. The goal of the task force is to build high quality sports facilities for our residents, bring in tourism revenue to diversify our revenues, pay for the facilities and reduce the tax burden on residents. Already, there are 26 commitments for tournament events and camps between now and November, anticipated to net between $162,000 to more than $1 million in projected revenues per event. In addition, these tournaments are expected to generate over $11 million in direct economic impact in Fairfax County. More details below.
Workforce Retention Should be a Priority – Workforce is the issue of our decade, affecting all industries including the public sector. Staffing issues affect the primary function we provide for residents: critical services. My colleagues on the Board are pushing a false narrative that in the FY 2024 budget we can either fund competitive employee compensation or reduce the tax burden for residents, but not both. We can do both if we make the hard decisions like our residents must do every day about their household budgets. See more below.
Other News and Information
- Shredding Events Being Hosted Near You!
- Fentanyl Public Health Crisis Presentation (4/24)
- Repaving Meeting (4/26)
- Support ServiceSource – Wine in the Woods (4/27)
- National Distracted Drivers Awareness Month
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CRASE Training @ West Springfield District Station (April 25th)
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AARP’s Fraud & Identity Theft Session @ Wellness Center for Older Adults (April 26th)
- Bike to Work Day Pit Stop at West Springfield Gov. Center (5/19)
- Beware of Callery Pear Trees!
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Patriot Park North Opening Marks 1st Sports Tourism Success
On Saturday, we cut the ribbon on Patriot Park North, the County’s first sports tourism facility. In 2017, I asked the Board to create the Sports Tourism Task Force to look at how the County could become a destination for sports competitions, competing for a share of the nearly 40-billion-dollar, recession-proof industry. The goal of the task force is to build high quality sports facilities for our residents, bring in tourism revenue to diversify our revenues, pay for the facilities and reduce the tax burden on residents. Already, there are 26 commitments for tournament events and camps between now and November, anticipated to net between $162,000 to more than $1 million in projected revenues per event. In addition, these tournaments are expected to generate over $11 million in direct economic impact in Fairfax County. As Chairman of the Sports Tourism Task Force, I am glad to finally complete this project that we have been working on with many community partners.
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Thank you to Southwestern Youth Association (SYA), our Park Authority, Visit Fairfax, and all the members of the Sports Tourism Task Force for their hard work to develop this facility. A special thank you to Rob Hahne, the Executive Director of Northern Virginia Travel Baseball League for his work on this project for over 20 years, as well as my Park Authority appointee, Mike Thompson, for his work on the task force and this project. A huge thank you to SYA for their collaboration and invaluable role in this project to expand and improve the fields that they originally built and have maintained for years. |
The opening of this facility is a milestone not just for SYA and for the Springfield District, but for the entire County, as it’s our first sports tourism facility. Patriot Park North is the first of what I expect to be many high caliber sports facilities that our residents can enjoy while we work to reduce their tax burden. It will also provide these residents with quality tournaments they can participate in without having to pay to travel.
I’m continuing to work with the Sports Tourism Task Force to attract partnerships to build additional facilities for other sports as well. This exciting milestone is just the beginning for sports tourism in Fairfax County.
Saturday was also special as it was Opening Day for SYA. I say every year at opening day thank you to all the parents, administrators, volunteers and sponsors, the coaches, team parents and, of course the umpires, for providing all of these kids the opportunity to learn some real-life lessons. As a former SYA coach, parent and supporter you have a great organization in SYA--best wishes for a great season.
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Workforce Retention Should be a Priority
Workforce is the issue of our decade, affecting all industries including the public sector. Staffing issues affect the primary function we provide for residents: critical services. My colleagues on the Board are pushing a false narrative that for the FY 2024 budget we can either fund competitive employee compensation or reduce the tax burden for residents, but not both. We can do both if we make the difficult decisions that our residents must make daily with their own household budgets.
The County is struggling to recruit and retain police officers, paramedics, solid waste workers, behavioral health specialists, social workers, teachers, bus drivers, crossing guards, and the list goes on. Overall, the County’s vacancy rate is over 15 percent and that is affecting everything from our ability to pick up trash to fighting crime. The vacancy rate means that the remaining employees are having to pick up the workload.
Providing services to our residents is the primary function of the County government and our workforce should be a priority for the FY 2024 budget as in all budgets. In both my professional career and in public service I have made attracting and retaining a high caliber workforce a priority and pay is a part of that. Unfortunately, we have too much of our compensation dollars in pensions and having an above-market pension plan is not producing the results our residents need.
The Board has historically promised to fund employee market rate adjustments and historically has, more often than not, unfortunately broken that promise. The Board approved up to a 38 percent raise for the Board of Supervisors, but only 2 percent of the full 5.44 percent MRA for employees. We, as leaders, should not be getting more than County employees who directly serve the needs of our residents. It sends the wrong message and we’re losing employees because of it.
Each year that I proposed an alternative budget it is one that lowers the tax bill for the average resident but includes compensation for employees equal to or better than the adopted budget. This year I hear residents saying that the Board needs to prioritize 1) a reduced tax bill and 2) funding critical services. For that reason, I’ve asked that the Board fully fund the market rate adjustment (MRA) for County employees providing those critical services and will be recommending a tax cut as well.
Despite numerous testimonies on the police staffing crisis, my proposal is the only one on the table to address the shortage of nearly 200 officers. Despite testimony from non-uniformed employees on the need to fully fund the MRA, my proposal is the only one on the table so far. Interestingly, this is the same Board that preached the critical need for public collective bargaining to address employee needs yet is ignoring the resounding request from our employees for the bare minimum. I voted against public collective bargaining in part because I believe we should be able to take care of our employees without adding the exorbitant cost of legal process fees on our residents or tying our hands when it comes to affordability for residents.
Even as I put forward the proposal to fully fund the MRA, I am also working on a proposal to cut the tax rate to address the other concern of residents and employees: affordability.
It is critical we send the right message to our employees. We can fully fund the MRA, fund our priorities and reduce the taxes on our residents if we as a Board spend responsibly and set priorities. As always, if you have feedback on the budget, I encourage you to share it with me by replying to this email or share it with the entire Board by emailing ClerktotheBOS@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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Other News and Information
Shredding Events Being Hosted Near You!
My office has received many emails and calls about cancellation of the County-hosted free shredding events. I shared my thoughts on the county’s reasoning (perceived equity issues, the County’s new zero waste policies, and workforce shortages) in a previous edition of the Herrity Report. However, due to high demand, my office and many organizations are hosting events to provide this important service and support residents. Below is a list of events that have been shared with me so far:
Community Yard Sale + Shred Event
April 22nd from 8AM-12PM
41995 Greenstone Dr, Stone Ridge, VA 20150
Unknown Cost
Community Shred & Recycling
April 22nd from 9AM-12PM
42420 Unicorn Dr, Chantilly, VA 20152
$3 per box or 2 for $5
McLean Earth Day
April 22nd from 9AM-12PM
McLean Community Center
Free
The DamonSellsHomes Team
April 29th from 8:30AM-10AM
Sequoia Farms Pool
Free
Marian Homes
April 29th from 10AM-12PM
St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church
Unknown Cost
The DamonSellsHomes Team
April 29th from 10:30AM-1:30PM
Little Rocky Run Rec Center 2
Free
Long & Foster
May 6th from 9AM-12PM
6045 Burke Centre Pkwy
Free (Asked for Food Donations to ECHO)
Monthly Community Shredding
May 13th from 10AM-2PM
14801 Willard Road Rear of Suite 800
$10 per banker box
May 20th from 8AM-11AM
NextMark Fairfax Branch
Free
Supervisor Herrity & Marian Homes
June 3rd from 10AM-1PM
Rolling Valley Park & Ride
Free (Contribution to Marian Homes suggested)
Monthly Community Shredding
June 10th from 10AM-2PM
14801 Willard Road Rear of Suite 800
$10 per banker box
Supervisor Herrity & Crime Solvers
June 24th from 9AM-12PM
Rolling Valley Park & Ride
Free (contribution to Crime Solvers suggested)
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Fentanyl Public Health Crisis Presentation
Please join me at the next community meeting on opioid/fentanyl use, hosted by FCPS at Woodson High School on April 24th from 6:30PM to 8PM. These meetings are powerful and serve to educate the community on this dangerous drug that kills more people than shootings and car accidents combined. It is everywhere and being put into everything. Please join me at this important community meeting. The link to register here: Community Meeting on Opioid Awareness | Fairfax County Public Schools (fcps.edu)
It's Road Repaving Season! Public Information Meeting set for April 26
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) owns and is responsible for the maintenance of all public roads in Fairfax County. It has updated its annual map showing where it is or soon will be undertaking repaving or slurry seal work.
As part of this process, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) teams up with VDOT to determine if any of the roads being repaved could benefit from additional road markings (bike lanes, crosswalks, parking lanes, etc.). This year, only one restriping project is being proposed in Springfield District, a new crosswalk across Shiplett Boulevard at its intersection with Capella Ave./Virgo Ct.
Join me and VDOT and FCDOT staff at a virtual meeting to discuss the repaving process as well as the proposed crosswalk. This meeting is set for Wednesday, April 26 at 7 p.m. Login information is available on the project webpage.
Please note that VDOT has stated that no roads can be added to this season’s repaving list. To report road maintenance issues, open a work request via VDOT’s online system and/or contact my office.
Support ServiceSource – Wine in the Woods
Earlier this week I joined the ServiceSource team recognizing April as Autism Awareness Month. I met with a ServiceSource class that was working on job skills so they can be employed – just one part of the important work ServiceSource does. Please consider joining me for its annual Wine in the Woods fundraiser on April 27th from 6:15PM to 9PM. This is its first in-person fundraising event since the pandemic and will be their first event hosted at Wolf Trap. For more information on the event and registration, see here.
Route 29 Widening ‘Pardon our Dust’ Meeting TONIGHT at 7 p.m.
This evening, join me and VDOT for a Pardon our Dust meeting to learn more about what to expect during construction of the project to widen 1.5 miles of Route 29 between Union Mill Road and Buckley’s Gate Dr. from four to six lanes. This is one of many transportation projects underway in the Springfield District that will relieve traffic congestion in the morning and evening peak hours and improve residents’ quality of life.
The meeting will be at VDOT headquarters located at 4975 Alliance Drive in Fairfax (near the I-66 Transfer Station) and begins at 7 p.m. For more information on the project, visit VDOT’s project webpage.
Prescription Drug Take Back Day
On April 22, Drug Take Back Day returns to Fairfax County. Please take the opportunity to go through your medicine cabinet and bring any unused or expired medication for disposal no questions asked in an effort to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. The event will run from 10am until 2pm at various locations, including the West Springfield Station at 6140 Rolling Road with my office, all County police stations and, thanks to the Clifton Lions Club, at Clifton Presbyterian Church.
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Fairfax County’s Annual SCAM Jam – Fight Senior SCAMs and AARP’s Fraud and Identity Theft Session
On April 26th from 12PM to 1PM, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) will share an inside look at the operations of scammers, how to safeguard against identity theft and fraud, first-hand accounts from victims and what to do if someone you know has been a victim. This is located at the Wellness Center for Older Adults on Olley Lane. This session is a part of their Fraud Watch Network, which is a free resource for fraud education and guidance. They list many prevention resources, including a Scam-Tracking Map, which can be found on their home page. For information on how to register for the session, see here.
In addition, join me at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University on April 29th from 9AM to noon for Fairfax County’s annual Scam Jam. This hybrid event is cohosted with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) to help older adults in our community spot and avoid scams and fraud as well as provide additional resources to protect against scammers.
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Bike to Work Day
My office will be hosting a Bike to Work Day pit stop on May 19th from 7-9 am at the West Springfield Government Center. Registration is free and open to anyone – teleworkers included. The first 50 people who register for the West Springfield Government Center pit stop and stop by will receive a free T-shirt. In addition, anyone who comes on a bike can fuel up for the workday with a free Chick-fil-a breakfast sandwich!
I encourage you to plan to start out your workday or school day on May 19th with this fun and healthy activity. For more information on this regional event and to register for my pit stop, visit here.
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Visit the Old Growth Forest at Hemlock Regional Park
This past week I hiked nearly 3 miles to dedicate a sign recognizing a 20-acre old growth forest in Hemlock Overlook Regional Park. While the trail is steep in places the Hemlock Forest was worth the hike. In my remarks, I spoke of the importance of our forests, of my youth growing up woods of the Accotink stream valley and of my efforts to have the Board of Supervisors reaffirm its commitment to maintaining the downzoned area where the forest resides (first in 2016 and again last year) as well as fight the Prince William County Digital Gateway project due to its impact on the Occoquan and our regional water supply. Consider visiting these 250-year-old Hemlock trees that witnessed the birth of this great nation.
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National Distracted Driver Awareness Month
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, which is also the themes for this month’s Traffic Safety initiatives with FCPD. We have seen an uptick both locally and nationally (12%) in distracted driving crashes. To counteract this, FCPD has broadcasted the message “U Drive U Text U Pay” during their enforcement waves. On April 20th, they are participating in NHTSA’s Drug Impaired Driving Campaign and will be holding a Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety enforcement and education wave from April 24th -28th in coordination with Street Smart.
Please take this opportunity to educate your neighbors and family about the dangers of distracted driving – like texting or eating while on the road. It can limit your reaction time and lead to a fatal crash.
CRASE Training on April 25th at West Springfield District Station
While we all hope it never happens, an active violence event can take place anywhere in the world. The community needs to be prepared with how to respond, and our FCPD officers are here to train you. This hour and a half lecture, on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 from 6:30PM-8:00PM, will help participants learn about attackers, disaster response, and how to prepare for and respond to being trapped in a building during an active violence event. They will review past events, the steps law enforcement will take to assist and limit casualties, and also answer your questions. This training is open to anyone in the community, but some of the material may be considered disturbing.
This training will be held in the West Springfield District Station community room (6140 Rolling Road, Springfield, VA). If you have any questions about the training, contact MPO Tony Capizzi at the West Springfield District Station at 703-277-2363.
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Beware of Callery Pear Trees!
As the blooms on spring-flowering trees start to fade, now is a good time to notice whether the tree you are seeing is helping our environment or hurting it, as is the case with the Callery Pear. These trees have invasive traits that allow it to aggressively spread, like its ability to tolerate poor soils and disrupt the growth of other plant life around it. It can quickly become a difficult and expensive issue for property owners. For more information, see this article covering its impact in Fairfax County.
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Email
Office
(703) 451-8873
Website
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Free Summer Concert Series @ Burke Lake Park |
Every Wednesday 7pm
June 28th- August 16th
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Randy Thompson Band
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
The Nighthawks
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
SoHo Down
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Speidel, Goodrich, Goggin & Lille
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
The Skip Castro Band
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
The English Channel
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
The Road Ducks
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
The Colin Thompson Band
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Riptide
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Tartan was recently return to us when the owner could no longer care for him. We've been monitoring him here in the shelter and he seems to be adjusting as well as a cat can in our busy busy environment. We think he's ready to find a new home with someone who can help him transition to a fully socialized house cat. Also, do you like classical music? We have found out that Tartan seems to have an ear for it, too! He is happy to sit and listen and also is learning to not be afraid since he came in with 84 other cats from a home where he mostly hid. He is interested in toys, lasers, and especially TREATS! If you would like to meet Tartan, click here to arrange a visit.
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