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Last week, at our Board of Supervisor’s meeting, County Executive Bryan Hill presented the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025. It will be a tough budget year for our residents, employees, and students. I am committed to making sure we can agree on a budget that will benefit the County as best as possible. I am also meeting with several groups to hear about their concerns with the budget, and of course reviewing all your messages with your opinions and concerns.
There are several ways for you to learn more about the budget, ask questions, and provide feedback to the Board of Supervisors and myself. Public hearings on the budget will take place in April and I will be hosting my own Budget Town Hall on March 22nd at 6pm which will be televised on Channel 16 and streamed on Facebook Live.
My office is also available to take any questions and concerns you may have. I look forward to working together to bring the best outcome forward.
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If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office.
Email: Franconia@fairfaxcounty.gov
Phone 703-971-6262
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- NCS - Open Hire Events
- Join Franconia District Police Commander's Monthly Newsletter
- Police Civilian Review Panel
- Accessible Parking Survey Now Available
- Resources for Residents - Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination
- Community Housing Partners
- Summer Fun at Mason Camps
- Community Fire and Rescue Academy is Accepting Applications
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Land Development Services (LDS) New Education and Outreach Events
- Second Annual Conference for Landscape Professionals in Spanish
Out and About
- First Baptist Church of Vienna Justice and Legislative Sunday
- Black History Month Events
ICYMI
- Early Voting for Presidential Primary Elections Now Open!
- ECHO - Food Donations Needed
- Free Tax Preparation Help Available Until April 15
- RPSV Winter Gear Drive
- Hypothermia Prevention Program Info
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NCS Open Hire Events
NCS will hold a series of Open Hire events in various areas of Fairfax County in February. NCS is hiring for the following positions in Community-based Programs and Services and School Age Child Care. Please click the links on the location information to access a flyer and see complete job descriptions and pay information.
Apply and interview on the spot for different positions. Qualified applicants may fill positions at other locations. Please bring several copies of your resume to the event.
Saturday, February 24
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Join Franconia District Commander Police Commander's Monthly Newsletter
The district commander is committed to maintaining a strong and transparent relationship with the community they serve. This newsletter serves as a vital medium through which he aims to keep you informed about the latest developments, initiatives, and accomplishments of our Franconia District.
By registering for the newsletter, you will gain access to exclusive content tailored to address our community members' needs, concerns, and interests. It will provide valuable insights into our ongoing efforts to ensure public safety, enhance community engagement, and foster a sense of security within our district.
Featuring a range of topics, including crime prevention tips, community events, updates on local law enforcement, crime statistics, and more. To register for the newsletter, simply visit https://form.jotform.com/FCPD/FranconiaNewsletter and provide your email address in the designated subscription box. Rest assured, your personal information will not be shared and in compliance with our strict privacy policy.
We highly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to stay informed and engaged with the happenings within our district.
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Accessible Parking Survey Now Available
Fairfax county staff is looking to assess accessible parking supply in off-street parking areas. To assist in gathering data for this, a survey was created to gain perspectives from drivers who use off-street accessible parking. This is now available at this link: publicinput.com/accessibleparking on the Engage Fairfax County webpage.
This survey will be available until April 15. Please take any action you can to publicize the survey to maximize response to this important concern.
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Resources for Residents - Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination
Visit the Office of Environmental and Energy website to find a variety of resources that will help you understand the impact of climate change and what you can do to help combat it. From videos about real Fairfax County residents to checklists with simple climate actions you can take in your daily life, we have information that will help you save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience to changing climate.
Click on the link here: Resources for Residents | Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (fairfaxcounty.gov)
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Community Housing Partners
Would you like to lower your utility bills? Is your home uncomfortable or difficult to heat and cool? The non-profit Community Housing Partners (CHP) Energy Solutions may be able to help improve homes and apartments across our community. CHP Energy Solutions provides no-cost, government and utility-funded improvements to increase the energy efficiency, health, and safety of your home. This can include installation of insulation, LED light bulbs, heating & cooling repairs and upgrades, and more!
Homeowners AND renters can see if they qualify by calling 888 – 229 – 3714 or by visiting www.chpenergysolutions.org.
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Summer Fun at Mason Camps
It isn’t too early to begin making plans for the summer. George Mason University offers a variety of programs to engage children through academics, the arts, and sports/recreation camps. Participants can explore conflict resolution, conservation, game design and technology, podcasting, theater, music, and more. Camps are available on the Fairfax campus, Science and Technology (Manassas) campus, and virtually. Visit https://camps.gmu.edu/ for details.
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Community Fire and Rescue is Accepting Applications
Want to learn more about the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department? Join us for a fun-filled, eight-week program that will show you what firefighters and paramedics do every day! The Community Fire and Rescue Academy (CFRA) is open to persons 18 and older who live in Fairfax County. Each session will cover different aspects of #FCFRD, providing an in-depth overview of the department and its uniformed and civilian workforce. Applications will be accepted through March 4, 2024. The Academy runs March 21, 2024, to May 9, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For more: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire-ems/cfra
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Land Development Services (LDS) New Education and Outreach Events
Land Development Services (LDS) is continuously developing resources to help improve customer access to our services. One of these resources is the Education and Outreach Events webpage which details the different types of educational opportunities and outreach events available at LDS.
An outreach event request form is linked at the top of the webpage for customers to receive educational materials or schedule outreach events. If you’d like for LDS staff to present the building permits 101 training for your homeowners association (HOA), for example, submit a request through the outreach event request form.
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Second Annual Conference for Landscaping Professionals in Spanish
Spanish-speaking landscape professionals are invited to the second annual conference on Friday, March 8, at the Fairfax County Government Center to learn about native plants, invasive plant control, tree care, and safety. As a special treat, famous Capital Naturalist Alonso Abugattas will talk about wildlife you may encounter in the garden. Registration is required. The conference is free and open to any Spanish-speakers in the landscape profession: lawn and landscape workers, owners, landscape designers, employees of garden centers, etc. https://www.plantnovatrees.org/clase-en-espanol
Profesionales del Paisajismo de Habla Hispana
Los invitamos a asistir a nuestra Segunda Conferencia Anual, el viernes 8 de marzo, en el Fairfax County Government Center, para aprender sobre plantas nativas, control de plantas invasoras, cuidado de árbol, y medidas de seguridad de los mismos.Como un aporte especial, contaremos con el famoso naturalista local, Alonso Abugattas, quién nos hablará sobre la vida silvestre en el jardin.
Se require registro a este evento. La Conferencia es gratuita y esta abierta a qualquier miembro de la communidad Hispana en la profesion del paisajismo: proprietarios de companias, trabajadores de césped y jardines, diseñadores de paisajes, empleados de centros de jardineria, etc.
https://plantnovatrees.org/clase-en-espanol
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I was honored to speak at the First Baptist Church of Vienna's Justice and Legislative Sunday event. I spoke about my goals for my second term and my work as the Chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee. I was able to highlight achievements such as bringing more community voice to the table with the creation of the Matrix Working Group. I am also proud of implementing a co-responder model to bring behavioral health experts on board with a trained police officer, and advocating for funding a first of its kind, self-help legal resource center at Fairfax County Courthouse. It was an honor to speak and I'm glad to be able to update and engage the community on important public safety initiatives.
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As we close out Black History Month, I wanted to share a few photos from some of the events I was able to attend this month. On Friday, February 23rd, Fairfax County hosted their Unite, Uplift & Celebrate Black History Event at the Fairfax Government Center. | |
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This past Saturday, I was at the Hybla Valley Community Center, for a Black History Month Event which included prizes, food, and an educational panel. Thank you to United Community and Neighborhood and Community Services for putting together a fantastic event.
Later that day, I was able to attend and speak at the Gum Springs Community Center's Black History Month event celebrating Black Wall Street. I had a great time with the residents of the Historic Gum Springs Community.
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ECHO - Food Donations Needed
While the demand for food assistance has increased, supplies and donations have not. You can help make a direct impact by supporting those in our community who are in need of food and making a donation. Please visit ECHO on any of the times below to make a donation.
Donation hours -- M, T, W, Th, F - 9:30am to 12:30pm and T, W, Th - 7:00 to 9:00pm at 7205 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA 22150
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Free Tax Preparation Help Available Until April 15
Tax season is officially underway — and so too is free tax preparation assistance by the AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide program.
Fairfax County is partnering with the nonprofit to provide eight county facilities where residents can get no-cost help filling out their federal and state taxes through April 15.
Tax-Aide volunteers are trained and IRS-certified every year, according to AARP. At every location, volunteers can help you prepare your federal and Virginia state tax returns, and some locations can also assist you with District of Columbia and Maryland taxes. For more information click here!
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RPSV Winter Gear Drive
Recovery Program Solutions of Virginia's South County Recovery and Drop-In Center is hosting a Winter Gear Drive for the Homeless at this time. New and gently used winter clothing is welcome and is urgently needed as the temperatures have dropped to such dangerous levels.
Additionally, they are seeking tarps, waterproof tents, sleeping bags, and waterproof rolling backpacks for the homeless as well. Donations can be dropped off at our center at 8794 S. Sacramento Drive in Alexandria (in the Plaza with the Planet Fitness) between 3-7 p.m. on Monday and Friday and 12-7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, please call Gary at the center at (7030 341-6890).
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Early Voting for Presidental Primary Elections are now open!
Early voting for the Presidental primaries has started at three locations in Fairfax County! There is a primary for the Republican and Democratic candidates for president. In Virginia, voters do not register by political party, and you may only cast a ballot in one of the presidential primary elections.
You may go to any of the three locations below to cast your early vote until March 2nd.
Additional sites will open on February 24th.
For questions or more information, contact the Fairfax County Office of Elections at 703-222-0776, TTY 711, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.
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If you see someone who is unsheltered and you think is at risk for hypothermia, call 703-691-2131 TTY 711. This is the non-emergency police number. A police officer will respond and conduct a wellness check.
Learn more here.
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Thrive - Introducing the THRIVE Program, an initiative designed to fuel your growth.
If you've been in business since 2021 or earlier and have 49 or fewer employees, this is your chance. THRIVE will offer 600 businesses up to $10,000 in specialized consulting across key areas like digital marketing, operations, and financial planning.
Visit here for eligibility and to apply now!
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Thank you for the opportunity to serve. | |
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Rodney L. Lusk
Franconia District Supervisor
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