Issue 113

Prince William County

War is still being raged on Ukraine and it is clear the residents of Prince William County want to help. Your response to the Northern Virginia Regional Commission's (NRVC) drive for Ukrainian refugees (issue 108) was beyond expectations.

In addition to many donations that were brought to our office's official drop-off location, other locations and groups from across the County collected donations. Below is a picture of what was collected at our office, as well as the Muslin Association of Virginia Dar Al Noor, Ebenezer Baptist Church and Missionaries, Potomac District Supervisor Andrea Bailey's office, Brentsville District Jeanine Lawson's office, and Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega's Office.

In all, donations from across Northern Virginia for the drive will fill three 53-foot trailer trucks of much needed supplies! Thank you to all made who made this donation possible as well as all the other ways I know so many of you have provided support to the people of Ukraine.

Tuesday, April 18, prior to the BOCS meeting, Chair Wheeler proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Victim Awareness Month to draw attention to the fact that sexual assault is a widespread crisis and has both public and personal health implications for every PWC community member. Advocate Angela Henz accepted the proclamation.

Chair Wheeler is also serving as an Ambassador for TPB's Visualize 2045, the long-range transportation plan for metropolitan Washington. The plan will include transportation projects in the region that TPB can reasonably expect to fund and also provide a rededication to equity, resiliency, and safer communities as we visualize our future.

April 24 through April 30 was proclaimed Crime Victims’ Rights Week and a recommitment made to ensuring that accessible, appropriate, and trauma-informed services are offered to all victims of crime.

Left to right: Kristen Marek of the PWC Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office Victim/Witness Unit and Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Teresa Polinske accepted the proclamation.

May 1 through May 7 was proclaimed Public Service Recognition Week and County employees thanked for their commitment, professionalism, and dedication to serving and improving the quality of life for all PWC residents.

Left to right: PWC Service Quality Council members Sharon Richardson, Stephanie Bootwala, Nasa Primas, and Lori Wilson accepted the proclamation.

The week of May 1 was declared International Compost Awareness Week and May 7 proclaimed The Official Compost Awareness Day. Everyone was encouraged to learn about composting, make or use compost at home, and participate in the yard waste program because of the positive effects on soil and lawn health, plant growth, the environment, and waste management.

Left to right: PWC Deputy Director of Public Works Jason Pauley and PWC Recycling Program Manager Scott McDonald accepted the proclamation.

Left to right: PWC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Director Seth Hendler-Voss, PWC Tourism Advisory Board Member Jacqueline Connor, and Tourism Advisory Board Vice Chair Jim Larkin accepted the proclamation.

Left to right: Bicycle enthusiasts Jason Williams and Joe Marshall accepted the proclamation.

As a principal, Ms. Schott strives to create an inclusive environment for all her students, families, and staff. She regularly provides opportunities for student and family engagement. In addition, she supports and encourages her staff to continuously share new ideas to lead the school in achieving at high levels. Ms. Schott has worked for PWCS since 2001 and is serving in her first year as principal at Henderson Elementary, after serving 13 years as principal at Rockledge Elementary. Learn more about her in the Washington Post article.

Thursday, April 21, the new Haymarket Hilton Garden Inn held its ribbon cutting ceremony. Located within the hotel, the Red House Tavern is open to the general public and offers a sophisticated take on classic favorites and features locally sourced ingredients.

Saturday, May 7, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, PWC Solid Waste Division and its partners, Freestate Farms and Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE), will host a Compost Awareness Day event at the Balls Ford Road Compost Facility, 13000 Balls Ford Road in Manassas. Volunteers from the VCE Master Gardeners program will be present to share materials on the benefits and use of compost and yard waste, as well as food composting at home.

Event visitors can drop off food scarps and receive a free compost sample in their own bucket, compliments of Freestate Farms. Compost discounts and compost bins will also be available for purchase. Facility tours will begin at 10:30 am to 12:00 pm.

Friday, May 20, Bike to Work Day will be celebrated at "pit stops" located throughout PWC. Each pit stop is different, but all are free and will have T-shirts and fun. Most will have free snacks and beverages, plus free SWAG and bicycling information, all while supplies last. Some will offer cool raffle prizes too. While most pit stops will have morning hours, a few will have afternoon hours, and some will have both. Start and end times vary by pit stop. Use the hyperlinks below to visit your pit stop’s web page for details. See Bike to Work Day FAQ's to learn more. Register to participate in Bike to Work Day here.

The Gold Award was for its Strategic Marketing Campaign, “PWPL Brand Drives the Miles.” The initiative placed new decals on the library's delivery trucks with the most important services and resources it offers. The trucks drive among 12 PWPL’s library branches and other community locations twice a day, distributing books and other materials.

PWPL also received an Honorable Mention Award for Electronic Media/Social Media/YouTube Video for “PWPL’s Wi-Fi Has Left the Building!”