February 10, 2025

Fairfax County has one of the highest concentrations of government employees and government contractor employees in the country. In most cases, they have made Fairfax home in order to serve our country and they are doing the best they can to serve the American people within the mission of their respective agencies. They are people and should be treated as such. In many cases they are our neighbors and friends and have spouses and families that depend on them. In any changes at the federal level, or otherwise, they deserve to be treated with respect and gratitude for their service.

There is broad consensus across America that the size and scope of the federal government needs to shrink. I fully agree with the need to reduce the size and scope of the federal government. The federal government, much like the Fairfax County government, has been pursuing agendas beyond its scope and created bureaucracies that do not serve our citizens well. While many government programs do good work, many do not accomplish the goals for which they were created and the government cannot be everything to every resident.

For employees caught in a sudden transition, I want to make sure you are aware of the following resources. I will be updating this list as additional information becomes available:

• Job resources. In addition to Indeed.com and other private sector job search sites, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority has a Work in Northern Virginia website which lists more than 80,000 jobs, multiple job fairs, etc. 

• Job transitioning resources. Job seekers and employers in Fairfax County have access to a comprehensive system of employment and training services and resources delivered and coordinated through One-Stop Employment Resource Centers committed to assisting job seekers to reach their employment goals.

• County Human Services Help Line. The Fairfax County Human Services Coordinated Services Planning help line is (703) 222-0880. This line can provide information and referrals to community resources for basic needs, including food, shelter, clothing, transportation, healthcare, employment, and legal assistance if necessary. 

• Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board Emergency and Crisis Hotline. Services are available at (703) 573-5679 for people who have a mental illness, substance use disorder, and/or developmental disability, are in acute distress, and need immediate help.

As a CFO and COO, I have had to do the very difficult work of reductions, restructurings and reorganizations for efficiencies and cost reduction. It is not easy or pleasant work but it can be done with respect of people’s service.

Other News and Information

• Upcoming Winter Storm Information
• Digital Residential Plats Available
• Urgent Need for Blood Donors
• Acting Classes & Camps for Kids & Teens
• GMU’s Mental Health Services are Available
• Lifetime Learning Institute March Forum: Keeping Safe Online (Mar 5)

Upcoming Winter Storm Information

In light of the winter weather event that is expected to begin tomorrow, please see here for winter weather resources and recommendations.

Digital Residential Plats Available

Digital copies of Fairfax County residential plats and other property documents may now be downloaded from the Zoning Property File application at Zoning Property File Application (arcgis.com).

If you are unable to find a particular document through the application, you may request a copy at Plat Request (smartsheet.com). Documents available through this application are currently limited to those associated with residential single-family, detached dwellings. Documents related to townhouse, multifamily, and commercial development will be added in the future.

• For more information, please contact the Zoning Permits Section by phone at 703-222-1082 or by email at DPDzoningpermits@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Urgent Need for Blood Donors

Multiple traumatic incidents and other medical emergencies have left INOVA’s blood inventory for Type O blood critically low. They need all blood types, but a boost to the supply of Type O will help patients in need significantly. Call 1-866-BLOODSAVES (1-866-256-6372) or visit inovablood.org to schedule an appointment. 

Acting Classes and Camps for Kids and Teens

The Traveling Players Ensemble have upcoming classes and camps for kids and teens for acting and theatrical performances. You can see the general information and registration via the links below:

• Acting Classes (grades 2-12)
• Winter Plays 
• Treasure Island  (grades 4-8)
• Orlando  (grades 8-12)
• Summer Camps & Conservatories 
• Day Camps @ Tysons Corner Center (grades 2-5)
• Sleepaway @ Christchurch Boarding School in VA’s Northern Neck (grades 4-12)

George Mason University’s Mental Health Services are Available

George Mason’s Center for Community Mental Health, located at 9900 Main Street, suite 400 in the City of Fairfax, provides evidence-based, accessible, affordable, and culturally sensitive therapy and testing services to those in need, regardless of income. The center sees children as young as age 5, works with community members of various ages, and addresses the mental health needs of veterans.

The center’s Emotional Help Line provides FREE, anonymous, confidential support in both English (703-215-1898) and Spanish (703-914-3878). The line is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Learn more about the center at https://ccmh.gmu.edu/.

Lifetime Learning Institute March Forum: Keeping Safe Online (Mar 5)

The Lifetime Learning Institute of Northern Virginia, https://llinova.org/, a learning group for adults over 50, will hold its next virtual Forum on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. It will be presented through Zoom. The speaker will be Dr. Richard Forno, Assistant Director at the Center for Cybersecurity at the University of Maryland, Baltimore Campus. He has a strong interest in the influence of technology on national security, individuals, and global society. Dr. Forno will talk about best practices to keep ourselves safe online.

The program is free and open to the public by registering on the LLI website www.llinova.org, clicking on Classes and Events, and scrolling down the calendar to March 5, 2025, https://llinova.org/courses/course-event-list/#!event/2025/3/5/March-5-zoom. 

Those registered will receive a link to Zoom. 

This program is part of the LLI’s monthly Forum Series held the first Wednesday of each month. LLI also provides more than 130 classes, programs and excursions a year to its members. 

More information on membership in LLI is available on LLI's website www.llinova.org. Any questions, please e-mail LLI at admin@llinova.org.