Issue 184

Friday, October 27, 2023

Prince William County

Dear Neighbors,

This week I participated in the County's celebration of the completion of the widening of a section of Route 1 (see Chair's Calendar below). You can see a video recap of the event here. This is one of the many current mobility projects happening in Prince William County. It is also a critical part of our reinvestment in the Woodbridge area by improving traffic congestion and accessibility to retail, shopping, restaurants, the historic Belmont Bay, and the VRE station.

Upgrading Route 1, one of the oldest roads in America, versus building a new road was a complex process and required patience. As I have said before, Prince William County has the best Department of Transportation in Northern Virginia and very possibly in the Commonwealth. While we have over $1 billion in ongoing road projects, most are not building new roads. It’s about transforming existing roads to alleviate congestion and enhancing people's quality of life. 

For example, the $109-million Balls Ford Road Interchange Project, which was completed on time and under budget, has given me back roughly 15 minutes a day on my commute. This translates into over an hour a week. If you multiply that by 48 weeks a year, I now more than 48 waking hours more, or three whole days, of productivity, time with family, or even vacation. If you think about how many thousands and thousands of people drive these roads every day, after we alleviate the congestion, we actually are changing the productivity of the County as a whole. The investment makes a difference.

In Service,

Chair Ann Wheeler

Wednesday, October 25, Chair Wheeler attended the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Congressional Delegation Reception. Held at the Russell Senate Building in Washington, DC, Virginia U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner joined Maryland U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen to discuss regional priorities and collaboration.

Bottom left: City of Falls Church Mayor Dave Snyder, Fairfax County Board Supervisor and COG Board Vice Chair Rodney Lusk, and Virginia State Senator George Barker

Center: COG Board Chair Kate Stewart and U.S Senator Tim Kaine

Far right: City of Fairfax Mayor Catherine S. Read, Fairfax County Board Supervisor and COG Board Vice Chair Rodney Lusk, Arlington County Supervisor Libby Garvey, and Falls Church Mayor Dave Snyder

Thursday, October 26, Chair Wheeler spoke at the Route 1 Widening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Woodbridge. The newly completed section between Featherstone and Marys Way widened Route 1 from a four-lane undivided highway to a six-lane- divided highway with a five-foot-wide sidewalk along the road. The 1.3-mile section of the road was built with local, regional, state and federal funding. The design for the project was approved in 2015, with the roadway construction beginning in 2020.  

Commended the Boy Scouts of America Troop 1396, National Capital Area Council

During the past summer, Boy Scouts of America Troop 1396 undertook

watering and caring for 45 trees located around the new bridge on the Occoquan Greenway off Hedges Run. The care and maintenance of these trees significantly contributed to the beautification and ecological health of the County. The dedication, hard work, and community spirit demonstrated by Boy Scouts of America Troop 1396 in this endeavor exemplify the values and principles that are foundational to the Boy Scouts of America organization.

Commended The Links, Incorporated Old Dominion Chapter on Their 30th Anniversary

The Old Dominion Chapter of The Links, Incorporated was chartered on

September 18, 1993, as the 250th chapter of the Organization. It has evolved as an award-winning chapter with members who are committed to exceptional philanthropic service in PWC, including its:

• Food Insecurity Program, which has provided over 1,500 boxes of food to local elementary schools.
• Backpack Program, which has provided over 425 backpacks to local youth.
• “Saturday Academy” programs in collaboration with local elementary schools with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

The chapter also engages with the community through many other initiatives such as Night at the Arts, a showcase of the artistic talent of local high school students, collaborating with Colgate to have the Colgate Van visit a local elementary school, AARP to provide programming at each of the Senior Centers, and many other partnerships with civic organizations. 

Proclaimed November 18 National Adoption Day

On Saturday, November 18, the local courts of the 31st Judicial District will open their doors to celebrate National Adoption Day by finalizing and recognizing the adoptions of local children. This effort, along with similar celebrations in all 50 states, offers children the chance to live with stable and loving families and encourages others to make a powerful difference through adoption.

Following a thorough recruitment process Mandi Spina has been appointed the County’s Director of the Department of Development Services effective Monday, November 13. Ms. Spina has been Acting Director of the department for the last eight months and previously served as the department’s Deputy Director.

Ms. Spina began her career with the County in 2013 and has served in several roles, including Senior Human Resources and Administration Analyst for the Department of Development Services, Senior Human Resources Analyst for the Department of Information Technology, and Senior Business Services Analyst with Development Services. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh.    

As Director of Development Services, Ms. Spina will lead a staff of more than 150 full-time employees and be responsible for the department’s divisions of Building Development, Land Development, and Zoning Administration, as well as the Early Assistance Desk. She will serve as a liaison to industry groups, including the Commercial Development Committee, NVBIA, NAIOP, and the Chamber of Commerce. She will also co-chair the County’s Development Ordinance and Review Advisory Committee.

Learn more about Halloween safety at home and on the road.

Please note: PWC does not designate an official date for trick-or-treating.

Saturday, October 28, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, the PWC Police Department and the Manassas City Police Department are joining the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and community groups in the nationwide Prescription Drug “Take-Back" Day (County News issue 182).

Ken Davis, teacher of students with special needs at Chris Yung Elementary School, was honored with the Military Bowl Foundation Extra Yard for Teachers award. Given to educators who go above and beyond for their students, Mr. Davis was given a small metal lunchbox containing a $1,000 donor choice card to improve his students' educational experience. He plans to use the funds to purchase electronic devices to help the children communicate with him and his colleagues.

Staff members nominated Mr. Davis for the award, detailing his dedicated efforts in providing academic excellence for his students. The program, organized by the College Football Playoff Foundation, the Military Bowl, and Wegmans, provides these grants to teachers who are veterans or from military families, as well as teachers who serve communities with significant military populations.

Mr. Davis served in the U.S. Navy from 1987 to 1989 when his military career ended due to an injury that required a year of rehabilitation. He has been teaching for 10 years, eight of those in PWC Public Schools. Mr. Davis and other winners will be recognized at this year’s Military Bowl on December 27 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland.

Saturday, November 4, 10:00 am to 11:00 am, the PWC Parks and Recreation is hosting a Turkey Handprint Plates class at the Pat White Center at Ben Lomond in Manassas. Children, ages 5 to 10, will work with a parent or guardian to design and paint their own keepsake turkey handprint pottery plate. Plates will be set in a kiln and available for pickup on Saturday, November 11. Cost is $35. Register here.

Saturday, November 11, 10:00 am to 11:30 pm, the PWC Historic Preservation Office is hosting a Calligraphy II Class in the Brentsville Schoolhouse. Participants will learn about the historical importance of writing forms and calligraphy styles, as well as try their own calligraphy skills and learn history along the way. For ages 13 and up, $15 per person. Participation on Calligraphy l Class is not required. Register here.

Saturday, November 11, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, PWC Parks and Recreation is hosting Family Movie in the Park at Veterans Park in Woodbridge. The movie will begin at sunset. Please bring your lawn chairs or blankets for seating. The event is free, but all participants must pre-register here. A parent must attend with children under the age of 16.

Wednesday, November 15, 6:00 pm to 6:45 pm, PWC Parks and Recreation is hosting a Gratitude and Thankfulness Special Event with Guided Meditation and Sound Bath Therapy at the Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation Center. Meditation can help train attention, awareness, mental clarity, and calmness. Together with the sound of sonic vibrations therapy, which can stimulate the brain, balance and rebuild your body, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep quality. Free for pass holders of Sharron Baucom Center and/or Chinn Aquatics and Fitness Center members, $12 drop-in fee for non-members. For ages 14 and older, register here.

• County Website and Career Opportunities
• Real Estate Assessment and Personal Property Tax information
• Personal Property Payment and Changes Online Portal
• Solid Waste, Disposal Guide, Yard Waste, and Recycling
• Residential Zoning: Decks, Sheds, Fences, Additions, Retaining Walls, and Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs
• Library Branch Locations and Hours
• Parks and Recreation Online Location and Information Mapper
• Current Road Projects
• Pet Adoption and Dog Licenses