02.12.2026

Dear Neighbor,

I’m enjoying the (slightly) warmer weather and watching the "snowcrete" melt, albeit slowly. And I’m especially looking forward to hosting our annual Best of Braddock Awards Ceremony and Reception on March 4! This event is an opportunity to recognize our community members and organizations who have committed their time and resources to make our community a better place to live, work, and play. I'm honored to continue this 30-plus-year tradition along with the Braddock District Council of Citizens Associations. 



Come for the heavy hors d'oeuvres and desserts, and stay to celebrate our fantastic Braddock District community members! I hope you can join us.

Intern Spotlight

At the February 3 Board of Supervisors meeting, I was proud to introduce Braddock District’s spring semester intern, Ethan Mitchell. Born and raised in the Braddock District and having attended Terra Centre Elementary School and Robinson Secondary before finishing high school in France, Ethan is currently studying at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government where he is one of only 20 students selected for the prestigious Global Politics Fellows Program. Last fall, Ethan worked as a Congressional Intern in Rep. James Walkinshaw’s office, where he gained valuable insight into the inner workings of Congress and the federal government. 

I’m excited to welcome Ethan to our team as Braddock District’s newest intern, where he will continue serving our community with the same dedication, energy, and commitment he’s shown throughout his work. 

Mason Student Takes the Gold

And if you're anything like me, you've been glued to your TV late at night cheering on our athletes at the Winter Olympics and marveling at the fearlessness, determination, and athleticism of all the athletes. I want to give a special shout out to Ilia Malinin, a Fairfax County resident, Fairfax County Public Schools graduate, and current George Mason University student, as the first ever GMU student or alumnus to win a gold medal in the Winter Olympics - the Team Figure Skating Gold! GMU students gathered this Tuesday on campus for a watch party to cheer on his skate in the individual competition. I love how supportive they are of their fellow student. Please join me (and them) in cheering Ilia on as he skates for the individual gold medal on Friday! 

As always, please reach out to my office anytime if you need assistance (or a notary) or if you want to share ideas of how to make Braddock even better. We are here to listen and help.

Yours in service,

Rachna

NOTICE: the Pennino Building at 12011 Government Center Parkway is closed due to repairs following an equipment failure. Visit this County Emergency Blog post for information on the closure and how you can continue to access services from the County's Human Services agencies.

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Continue reading below for more information on:

• New Feature! Notes from the Boardroom
• Black History Month Celebration February 20
• Veterans and Military Families Wellness Survey Extended
• Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Director to Speak at LLI-NOVA Forum
• Public Hearings Scheduled on Proposed Zoning Rules for Large-Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems
• Congressional Art Competition - Entries Due March 3
• Special Election March 3 for Braddock District School Board
• Public Comment on Proposed 5-Year Consolidated Plan and 1-Year Action Plan
• Don’t Miss Your Chance to Claim 2025 Federal Tax Credits
• Pet Adoption Spotlight: Rasco

Notes from the Boardroom

Hello Braddock! As I wish to ensure transparency and collaboration regarding Board work, I am creating a new section in my newsletter to briefly fill you in on the work of the Board of Supervisors! Welcome to the Inaugural “Notes from the Boardroom.” 

Tuesday February 10th was a busy day with multiple Board Committee meetings. Here are some key highlights and links to materials. 

Economic Initiatives Committee 

The Economic Development Authority presented an update on the region’s economic health, now that the effects of recent federal workforce reductions can be assessed. They compared current conditions to previous downturns and offered a hopeful outlook. Notably, demand for prestige commercial properties is exceeding expectations and we are seeing some success in attracting emerging business sectors, such as space tech, cybersecurity, AI and AI professional services firms, and contractors focused on dual use technologies. Due significantly to the impacts of the changes to federal government employment in 2025, unemployment in Fairfax County rose by 1.1%. Finally, we heard from the Department of Planning and Development regarding the revitalization and redevelopment economic incentive program to redevelop certain areas within the County.

Human and Health Services Committee (HHS) 

I chaired my first HHS meeting, which included a review of a recent survey of panhandlers to understand the root causes of panhandling and possibilities of solutions. Based on the findings, the department is looking to add a specialist dedicated to connecting this population with critical resources, including housing, behavioral and physical health care, and employment opportunities. 

We also discussed the possible elimination of funding for post-secondary education programs within the Self-Directed Services program by the Community Services Board. This program serves postsecondary students with disabilities who remain on the Waiver waitlist and helps with college access. The department presented alternatives to providing the services and I suggested the department monitor to ensure quality of services remains strong.

Housing Committee

I also chaired my first Housing Committee Meeting. The shortage of adequate housing at all income levels remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the County. Without sufficient housing, we risk compromising our quality of life and our ability to attract families and businesses that sustain a strong economy. I am proud of Chairman McKay’s leadership on this issue and look forward to the recommendations from the Interagency Housing Task Force, expected by the end of May. The task force is carrying out the work outlined in Chairman McKay’s Board Matter: Housing Initiatives to Increase Production and Sustain Our Economic Advantage 

Land Use Policy Committee

We heard from the heads of the Department of Planning and Development, Land Development Services, and the Office of the Fire Marshal about proposed application fee increases for Fiscal Year 2027, which begins on July 1. Most increases would be approximately five percent, due to rising costs and to address years of flat fees. The presentation is available online. The Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a hearing on these fee adjustments on April 8, followed by a public hearing of the Board of Supervisors on April 14. 

Black History Month Celebration February 20

Veterans and Military Families Wellness Survey Extended

The Fairfax County Veterans and Military Families Commission has extended the deadline to February 23 for residents to take the survey to identify gaps in serving the County's veterans and military community.

The Commission is seeking feedback from active-duty service members, reservists, retired or separated veterans, and active duty/reserve/retired military spouses. The survey will take about 15 minutes to complete. The feedback will be used to help inform County policy and practices for this community.

Take the Survey

Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Director to Speak at LLI-NOVA Forum

This event hosted by the Lifetime Learning Institute is free and open to the public!

Maestro James Ross, Music Director of the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra will be interviewed about his life and passion with music. James Ross begins this year with his eighth and final season as Music Director of the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra. He recently was named Director of Orchestral Studies at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied in the 1980s and has taught since 2022.

Date: March 4, 2026
Time: Social at 9:30 a.m.; Presentation at 10:00 a.m.
Location: Little River United Church of Christ
8410 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA

For information on this and other events, visit the LLI-NOVA website.

Public Hearings on Proposed Rules for Large-Scale Battery Storage Systems

In January, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized public hearings on a proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment for Large-Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems. The proposed permissions and standards are intended to provide for the siting of large-scale battery energy storage systems, while addressing public safety and compatibility. Standards address topics like setbacks, screening, noise, and safety.

The public hearings include:

• Planning Commission Public Hearing: Wednesday, February 25 at 7:30 p.m.
• Board of Supervisors Public Hearing: Tuesday, March 17 at 4:00 p.m.

Both hearings will take place in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Ctr Pkwy, Fairfax, VA 22035.

For additional information, visit the Battery Energy Storage System Zoning Ordinance webpage or contact the Ordinance Administration Section at (703) 324-1314 or ordadmin@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Congressional Art Competition - Entries Due March 3

Congressman Walkinshaw is thrilled to invite high school students in our community to participate in the 2026 Congressional Art Competition! This competition is open to all high school students who are residents of the 11th Congressional District, regardless of where or how they attend school. 

This event affords students the opportunity to showcase their artistic talent and creativity, and have their art displayed in a professional gallery. Students do not need to create a new piece of art specifically for this competition – they are welcome to submit any piece from their portfolio. Past years’ competitions have included paintings, photographs, drawings, digital art, and more.

Each student can submit a maximum of two pieces. Artwork does not have to be original for this competition, but it cannot have been submitted to the Congressional Art Competition previously. Submissions can be dropped off at the District Office in Fairfax City. The Congressman's office is also happy to coordinate pick-up from schools if there are multiple students submitting artwork.

Entries are due Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

All entries will be displayed at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia. The exhibit will be open to the public from March 7 to March 15, 2026.

The winning piece will be displayed at the U.S. Capitol for one year, the second-place entry will be exhibited at the Workhouse Arts Gallery for a year, and with the permission of the artists, the third-place piece will be displayed in Rep. Walkinshaw's district office.

Individual arrangements will be made for the collection of the Best in Show piece to be transported to DC. Only the winning piece will be required to meet the established framing guidelines, but all of the pieces will need to be ready to hang.

Please click the following links for: Guidelines, Submission Packet, and Frequently Asked Questions. 

For application materials and more information, please visit Congressman Walkinshaw's website. If you have any questions or concerns, or if you need assistance, please call their office at (703) 256-3071.

Special Election March 3 for 
Braddock District School Board

A Special Election will be held March 3, 2026 for a member of the Fairfax County School Board. Registered voters in the Braddock District are eligible to vote in this election.

The deadline to register to vote or to apply for a mail-in absentee ballot is February 20 (same-day registration is available on Election Day).


Voting dates, times and locations:

• Now through February 28: Fairfax County Government Center
  12000 Government Center Pkwy, Suite 323
  Fairfax, VA 22035
  Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Closed Feb. 16 for Presidents Day)
  Saturday February 7, 21, and 28: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  
• February 21 - February 28: Burke Centre Library
  5935 Freds Oak Rd, 
  Burke, VA 22015
  Monday - Friday 1:00 - 7:00 p.m.
  Saturday February 21 and 28: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  
• Tuesday March 3 – Election Day - Vote at your regular polling place. Polls open 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

For more information, visit the Fairfax County Office of Elections website.

Submit Comments on Plans for Federal Investments

The 5-Year Consolidated Plan and the 1-Year Action Plan are two critically important documents that guide the County's investments of federal grants to support housing, human services, and community development.

Fairfax County’s proposed Five-Year Consolidated Plan for FY 2027-2031 and One-Year Action Plan for FY 2027 identify the County’s:

• Housing and community development goals;
• Wide range of needs, current programs and strategies, and gaps and priorities for housing, community service, homeless, community development, neighborhood preservation and revitalization, employment and economic opportunity programs and services; and
• Intended uses of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and HOME investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funding.

The documents are available for your review at the County's Housing website. 

Public comment ends on March 17 at 4:00 p.m. Visit the County website for information on how to submit testimony or comments.

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Claim 2025 Federal Tax Credits

With tax season here, it’s important to remember that many valuable federal tax credits that ended in 2025 can still be claimed when filing your taxes this year.

These credits, designed to encourage energy efficiency and sustainability, offer financial incentives for homeowners and businesses who made eligible upgrades in areas like renewable energy installations, electric vehicles, energy-efficient home improvements, and more through the year.

Consult with a tax professional or visit the IRS website for detailed instructions on how to claim applicable credits. Don’t let the opportunity slip away — take time to review your receipts and documents related to energy-efficient purchases or upgrades made in 2025 to see if you qualify.

Learn more at the IRS website.

Pet Adoption Spotlight: Rasco

Meet Rasco!

Rasco is a sweet old man, looking for a comfortable home to live his golden years in peace and tranquility. Though he can be initially nervous, a gentle patient approach is a sure way to win his trust. Once he gets to know you, he enjoys getting belly rubs, being carried, and falling asleep in your lap. Rasco is content to share his space with other mellow senior pups and might appreciate a calm companion to share chilly winter nights. Thanks to the Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, Rasco is getting a full dental cleaning, so he can go to his new home in tip top shape. Rasco is searching for his one and only, a quiet place to watch the sunset and snuggle when the wind howls through the trees. If that sounds like it could be you, come pay Rasco a visit today!

Rasco is eligible for an Adoption Audition! What is an Adoption Audition? It's a 5-day, no-strings-attached, trial adoption period. You can take Rasco home to try him out! Interested? Come to the shelter any time during open hours and talk to a member of their Customer Care staff. For additional information, please call (703) 324-0299 or email animalshelter@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Learn how to adopt a dog at the Animal Shelter website.

Please share this newsletter with your friends and neighbors. If this email was forwarded to you, consider subscribing to receive Braddock District news and updates.