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Issue 109
Friday, March 25, 2022
Prince William County
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Dear Neighbors,
Spring is an inherently busy time of year. Birds are nesting, flowers are blooming, bees are buzzing, trees are budding, and grass is turning a lovely shade of green. Shaking off the cocoon of winter, the longer days and warming temperatures seem to breathe energy into everyday life. You might even actually feel yourself wanting to organize the garage, clean the windows, and spruce up your yard.
It isn't just busier at home. As you'll see in the articles below, this past week has been a busy one for me. In addition to another County Department tour, I visited with an important judicial office, participated in a meaningful day of service, an exciting biomedical open house, a recognition event for education innovations, and a significant renaming ceremony.
After two years of the pandemic altering plans, it is wonderful to be able to participate in so many events happening in the County. I'm excited about our future. I look forward to being a part of many more good things to come. One more note, if you really want to enjoy the spring, check out Leopold's Preserve, highlighted near the end of this newsletter. It is another hidden jewel of Prince William County!
In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
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Department Talks and Tours |
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The Environmental Services Division provides watershed management, construction services, drainage maintenance, flood control, gypsy moth and mosquito control, and pollution prevention. The Neighborhood Services Division provides support to the community to ensure it is well maintained and meets property code standards. Through its resources, neighbors can help neighbors create a great place to live.
The Solid Waste Management Division manages trash, recycling, and composting. Its goal is to extend the life of our landfill since it is a valuable asset to our community. The Construction and Operations Division is responsible for drainage control and improvements, mosquito and forest pest management, small construction projects, watershed management, stream monitoring, pollution prevention, and street name signs.
Public Works often receives calls from citizens looking for more information about common issues and concerns impacting their neighborhoods. For your convenience, it has compiled a list of the most frequently asked concerns and the agency that can offer more assistance/guidance to address the issue. |
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"Our Public Works Department likes to say it 'works for the public' and it does that well. Throughout the myriad of areas they address, it is well known in the region as having some of the best practices in place. This is evident in how we have grown as a County and only gotten better. Our community is lucky to have such an accomplished Department."
Ann Wheeler
Chair At-Large Board of County Supervisors
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Monday, March 21, Chair Wheeler met with Chief Judge, the Honorable Robert P. Coleman, and Clerk of Court, Ms. Rhonda Daley, of the General District Court to discuss their ongoing operation and needs of the court. Every county and city in Virginia has a general district court. It hears traffic violation cases, minor criminal cases known as misdemeanors, civil cases such landlord and tenant disputes, contract disputes, and personal injury actions. General district courts do not conduct jury trials. All cases are heard by a judge. |
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Tuesday, March 22, Chair Wheeler visited the PWC Area Agency on Aging ( issue 106 Dept. Tours and Talks) Manassas Senior Center and met with Site Manager Susan Gilbert (right). She then joined volunteer Gale Chisholm (left) for Big Wheels Deliver Meals, an annual day of service that raises awareness about the nutritional health and welfare of home-bound seniors in our community. |
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Tuesday, March 22, Chair Wheeler attended the Serpin Pharma and Caerus Discovery Open House in PWC's Innovation Park. Serpin, a graduate of Prince William Science Accelerator, and Caerus were both founded by Dr. Cohava Gelber. In February, the BOCS authorized the transfer of $100,000 from its COVID-19 Response Special Revenue Fund to support construction costs of a research lab expansion by Caerus. Both companies focus on identifying and developing new therapeutics for treatment of human diseases, including infectious, inflammatory, metabolic, neurological, and malignant diseases. |
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Pictured left to right: Guy Yachin, Dr. Cohava Gelber, Brentsville District Supervisor Jeannine Lawson, Christina Winn, and Chair Wheeler
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Recognizing Career and Technical Education |
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Thursday, March 24, Chair Wheeler participated in the Unity Reed High School Renaming Ceremony ( issue 21 Equity). The event had been delayed for well over a year due to COVID-19. Arthur Reed Jr., a long-time security assistant at the previously named Stonewall Jackson High School, was beloved by students and staff. His name reflects a lifelong legacy and dedication to education in PWC. Unity was chosen to be part of the name for its meaning and what it represents. |
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Arthur Reed Jr. Memorial Garden at Unity Reed High School |
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How to Get Vaccinated:
How to get tested:
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Tuesday, April 5
2:00 pm Regular Meeting
7:30 pm School Board Budget Presentation See School News Budget article below.
Links to the agenda and how to participate in Public Comment Time will be shared in the issue prior to the meeting.
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The final Budget Public Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, April 12, at 7:30 pm. Information on how to participate will be in a future issue.
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Police Department's Plans for Federal Funds |
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The PWC Police Department will use its $250,000 in federal funds ( issue 107 County News) to examine use of force in the County. The effort recognizes it remains a critical issue in communities and worthy of exploring deeper to ensure its use is lawful and not unjustly disproportionately used against members in our communities of color. The funds will allow an independent contractor to assess, evaluate, and analyze the Department’s use of force policies, training programs, police culture, supervision, de-escalation strategies, and tactics. |
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The contractor will also evaluate and assess what environmental factors, or precursors are commonly associated with uses of force using the police department’s data. Recommendations will be provided on what adjustments may be needed in existing policies and training programs. Additionally, the contractor and agency partnership will analyze what use of force data is already being collected, what additional data should be collected, and how the existing data should be interpreted and made available to the public. |
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“We are excited to bring our police department even further expertise and knowledge to enhance its already stellar accreditation and engagement with the public.”
Ann Wheeler
Chair At-Large Board of County Supervisors
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New Medical Facility Opening Soon |
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Kaiser Permanente is opening a new state-of-the-art medical center in Woodbridge in June. The 241,357-square-foot Caton Hill medical center will be Kaiser's seventh major “hub” in the region. It will offer an array of primary and specialty medical care services, including 24-hour advanced urgent care with clinical observation units, pharmacy, ambulatory surgery center operating rooms, laboratory, as well as a full range of radiological services, including x-ray, CT, and MRI. |
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Early Registration Incentive |
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Register for a PWC Parks full day Summer Camp by Thursday, March 31, and earn a $50 Parks Play Money voucher. Play Money can be used online or in person at all parks locations, for another camp registration, waterpark admission, and so much more! One voucher per family. Qualifying families will be notified by May 1. Play Money expires September 30. No cash back. |
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A few items the budget includes are:
- More than $80 million to provide teachers and staff with an average pay increase of 7%.
- Nearly $10 million in additional special education resources.
- The addition of 88 full-time kindergarten teaching assistants, 35 parent liaisons, 15 career counselors, and 13 assistive technology specialists.
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Leopold’s Preserve in Haymarket has launched a new self-guided education initiative, the Tree Walk. Visitors can follow a map to locate remarkable examples of trees within the Preserve, then use the botanical identifier stakes to learn more about each species. It’s a natural scavenger hunt! Head to the Tree Walk webpage to download the map, then visit the Preserve to begin your search. Trails are open to the public daily from dawn until dusk. |
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PWC Parks is hosting two Easter Egg Hunts this year. Space is limited, so register as soon as possible if you want to participate. |
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Saturday, April 2
Peter Rabbit has created trouble by replacing the candy and toys in the eggs with puzzle pieces. Egg hunt areas are divided by family groups of six or less, with a time limit of 30 minutes Once your puzzle is completed, turn it in to receive a gift basket for the family filled with treats, prizes, and more. Registration is $30 per egg hunt. The 30-minute hunt times begin at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, and 2:00 pm.
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Saturday, April 9
Look for hidden objects, do physical tasks, tell a joke, and more as you walk the trail to receive your eggs. Bring your own basket. Family units no larger than 5 allowed at one time. Parental supervision is required along trail. The 30-minute hunt times begin at 10:30 am for ages 3 and under, 11:30 am and 12:30 pm for ages 4 through 6, and 2:30 pm for ages 7 through 11. Registration for children under 6 are $5, adults and children over the age of 6 are $10.
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Celebrating PWC Bluebells |
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Sunday, April 10, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Merrimac Farm, a protected farm located on 302 acres in Nokesville, will celebrate the fabulous Virginia Bluebells! In addition to viewing the almost mile-long carpet of the beautiful wildflower, the free event will have a robust schedule of family-friendly activities with some of Northern Virginia's top naturalists. Merrimac Farm recommends sturdy shoes and long pants tucked into your socks to keep the bugs out. |
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Nominations for the annual Kathleen K. Seefeldt Awards close Thursday, March 31, at 5:00 pm ( issue 107 County Happenings). Persons and organizations that have made significant or distinguished contributions to the arts and live, work, or volunteer in the greater PWC area can be nominated. |
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Evan told ABC 7 News he dedicated his win to his friend, who lost his battle against cancer five years ago, and hopes this motivates others to never give up. Get a feeling for the exciting gold medal match in the video recap below. |
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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. |
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