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Friday, October 30, 2026

Dear Friend,

This weekend will be full of celebrations, costumes, and candy. I look forward to seeing all the festivities around the Franconia District. While you, your family, and friends may be busy participating in the fun, remember that safety is just as important.  

Your Guide to Halloween in Fairfax County 2026

Remember to:  

• Keep an eye on the weather forecast and plan accordingly. 
• Remind children never to enter a stranger's house.  
• Children should only visit homes with porch lights on or active Halloween decorations.  
• Consider allergies to nuts and other allergens when giving and receiving candy. 

Good Shepard Housing Trunk or Treat, 2025

When driving or walking:  

• See and Be Seen.  
• Cross at intersections or corners, not between parked cars.  
• Slow down and stay alert in residential areas on Halloween night.  

For home decorations:  

• Keep Halloween decorations away from open flames and other heat sources. 
• Keep exits clear of decorations so escape routes stay open.  
• Ensure power cords and other tripping risks are not present outside.  

Want to see some spooky sights in the Franconia District?

Creepy Nights on Calamo, 7104 Calamo St. Springfield, VA

Creepy Nights on Calamo is back with new props and new scares.

Enjoy an animated lightshow and music at 7104 Calamo St. Visitors and trick-or-treaters will be able to walk through the graveyard display on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31 from 6:00PM to 10:00PM.

Learn more about Creepy Nights on Calamo here.

Visit Fairfax lists other Halloween houses in Fairfax County here.

It is both an honor and a privilege to serve as your representative on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Rodney L. Lusk

Franconia District Supervisor

Connecting with Franconia residents in our community is one of the most rewarding parts of serving as your Supervisor. I welcome invitations to attend your homeowners, civic, or community association meetings to provide updates, answer questions, and hear your priorities.

If you would like me to join an upcoming community meeting or neighborhood event, please contact my office at 703-971-6262 or Franconia@fairfaxcounty.gov.

If this email was forwarded to you, consider signing up for my email list to receive newsletters and other important announcements.

Remembrances and Recognitions at the October 27 BOS Meeting

Remembering Carl Sell

I was saddened to learn of the passing of long-time Franconia District resident Carl L. Sell Jr. at the age of 90. Carl was a dedicated public servant and was committed to the Franconia District. Carl was elected to be the Chairman of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board in 1974. In his 60 years of service, Carl was one of the original members of the Franconia District Land Use Committee. During his tenure as the Lee District Representative for the Planning Commission, he oversaw the development of Kingstowne, Island Creek, and the Franconia-Springfield Transportation Center. Carl was active in our sports community, volunteering as a baseball coach, serving as the Sports Information Director at George Mason University, and writing for the Washington Star. He was one of the founding members of the Franconia Museum, writing many publications and preserving the rich history of our district. Carl was especially dedicated to the Rose Hill community where he served as the president of the Rose Hill Civic Association until his passing. Carl will always be remembered for his dedication to the Franconia District, ensuring that his community's voices were heard and making decisions that created the home we all know and love today. Carl will be missed, but his legacy will remain engrained in our community and in the continuing work of my office.

The "Franconia Remembers" series authored by Carl Sell. On display at the Franconia Museum (7130 Silver Lake Blvd).

Celebrating Carl Sell's 90th Birthday, July 11, 2026.

A funeral service will be held for Carl L. Sell Jr. at Bush Hill Presbyterian Church (4916 Franconia Rd) on November 3, 2026 at 10 am with a graveside service afterwards at Mount Comfort Cemetery (6600 S Kings Hwy). 

Remembering Harry Glasgow's contribution to the Park Foundation

Harry Glasgow was posthumously awarded the Chairman’s Choice Award at the 2026 Elly Doyle Park Service Awards on October 24, 2026. Harry was a resident of the Franconia District and a devoted environmental steward and advocate for protecting our natural world. He served as a member of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board (2005-2012), Fairfax County Park Foundation Board (2013-2026), the Fairfax Chesapeake Bay Exceptions Committee (2003-2012), and the Fairfax County Tree Commission (chair since 2008). He was a member of Friends of Huntley Meadows Park (since 1990), multiple Fairfax County "Friends" groups and the Prince William Conservation Alliance (since 2009), and he chaired the Alliance Conservation Committee. He could often be found spending time in Huntley Meadows Park. His decades of service and dedication to our community made him beyond deserving of this award.  

Fairfax County History Commission's 2026 Annual Report

Subhi Mehdi, Fairfax County History Commission Chair

The Fairfax County History Commission presented their annual report detailing the advocacy, preservation, and education efforts they have engaged in throughout the year. Thank you to Franconia District members Jennifer Macpherson (Secretary of the Fairfax County History Commission), Todi Carnes, and Richard Dressner (former) and Russell Brooks for your hard work preserving our district and county’s rich history. 

View the annual report here.

Dr. Parham Jaberi appointed director of Fairfax County Health Department

The Board of Supervisors appointed Dr. Parham Jaberi to serve as the new Health Department director, effective November 14, 2026. Dr. Jaberi is currently the department’s deputy director for medical services and brings 20 years of executive leadership experience in local and state public health. Learn more about Dr. Jaberi here. 

Franconia-Springfield Public Health Center

6564 Loisdale Court in Springfield

The Franconia-Springfield Public Health Center offers a flexible space designed for families and is easily accessible to the Franconia-Springfield Metro station and several bus lines.

6564 Loisdale Court, Springfield VA

Services are available by appointment and during walk-in hours. For walk-in hours, please visit the Franconia-Springfield Public Health Center web page. To make an appointment for clinical services, please call 703-246-7100. For WIC services, call 703-246-5599.

To watch the full Board of Supervisors Meeting click here.

Upcoming This Weekend

Early Voting Ends October 31

The Franconia District Governmental Center

7130 Silver Lake Blvd

Friday, October 30: 1pm - 7pm

Saturday, October 31: 9am - 5pm

• View early voting wait lines here.

Election Day is November 3, 2026.

• Reminder: The Franconia Governmental Center is not an Election Day polling place.
• Find your polling place here.
• Learn more here.

October 31 - Saturday Stories for Halloween

Join Richard Byrd Library in the children's area for a Halloween story time designed for families with children ages birth to five. Costumes encouraged! No registration required. 

Event details:

• 10:30am - 11:00am
• Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St.

October 31- Open Season Workshop for Federal Employees

Federal employees and retirees, Open Season runs from November 9 to December 14. Congressman Walkinshaw is hosting his annual Open Season Workshop.

When: Saturday, October 31, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway

For more details, call (703) 256-3071.

In the Community

Groveton Elementary School’s 150th Anniversary – October 24  

Groveton Elementary School celebrated its 150th anniversary. This school has been an important part of the Franconia District since 1876. Students worked hard to research and present the rich history of their school. Thank you to Leo and Madison for being my tour guides. Thank you to Principal James Swoger and all the Groveton Elementary School staff for your continued support of our students.

Stephen A. McLaughlin Champions of Character Awards – October 26  

Franconia District awardees and Athletic Council Representative Bill Bright.

Every year the Athletic Council sponsors the Stephen A. McLaughlin Champions of Character Awards to honor youth, coaches and parents for extraordinary service in pursuing victory on and off the field of competition. Congratulations to the Franconia District winners. Your contributions to our community and your dedication to excellence is exemplary.

Franconia District awardees (pictured left to right):

• Coach Jamie Frogale
• Karoline Folk
• Roman Parada
• Shannon McLaughlin (not pictured)

Penn Daw Fire Station Coat Drive - October 28

Penn Daw Fire Station held their annual Coat Drive in partnership with Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue. Every year, over 1,500 coats and 300 sneakers are donated to those in need, benefiting over 45 schools, shelters and nonprofits who help our most vulnerable neighbors.

Kingstowne Residential Owners Corporation Annual Meeting – October 28  

I joined the Kingstowne Residential Owners Corporation (KROC) Annual Meeting to discuss the status of transportation projects, road safety initiatives, ALPR camera usage, the Franconia-Springfield Planning Study, and surrounding land use updates in the Franconia District. I appreciate the invitation from KROC to share updates within our district.

Anil and Anupama Sharma Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship - October 29

With and Director of Operations and Engagement at George Mason University’s Anil and Anupama Sharma Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Becky Howick, and State Senator Saddam Azlan Salim

I joined George Mason University to celebrate the naming of the Anil and Anupama Sharma Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Anil and Anupama Sharma have been long time supporters of innovation at George Mason University. Learn more about the Anil and Anupama Sharma Center here.

Meeting with the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations - October 29

I met with the Fairfax Federation of Citizens Associations to discuss early childhood education, ALPR technology, data centers, and renewable energy goals. Thank you to the Fairfax Federation of Citizens Associations for sharing your feedback with me.

Safety and Security

November 5:

Franconia District Fire Prevention & Crime Prevention Town Hall

Join my office, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, and Fairfax County Police Department to discuss fire and crime prevention in the Franconia District.

Over 1,000 Pounds Collected During National Drug Take Back Day

Fairfax County Police district stations partnered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other Fairfax County agencies for the 31st Annual National Drug Take Back Day. Across the county 1,071 pounds of expired or unused medications from community members were collected. Franconia Police Districts collected 73 pounds of expired or unused medications. Proper disposal helps prevent prescription drug misuse, accidental poisonings, and overdoses while reducing the risks associated with unsecured medications in the home. Learn more here.

October is Cybersecurity Month

Property Alert Notification System 

The Property Alert Notification System is a FREE e-alert service available through MyFairfax for Fairfax County and City of Fairfax property owners.

This Alert System is designed to help property owners stay informed and receive an email alert if any documents are filed on their real estate record with the court. By providing a timely alert, the system provides early detection of potential fraud, including unauthorized deed filings, or other suspicious activity involving real property records.

Learn more and sign up here.

Consumer Connection: Fairfax Circuit Court Scams

In this episode of Consumer Connection, host Susan Jones and Clerk of the Circuit Court for Fairfax County, Christopher J. Falcon, expose scams like fake jury calls and deed fraud. Plus, learn about other Circuit Court initiatives.

Click to watch.

FCPD Detectives Advise Community on Bank Jugging

Detectives are investigating several incidents of victims being targeted after visiting a bank or financial institution, known as bank jugging, and want to raise awareness in our community of how to avoid and stay safe.  

To protect oneself from becoming a victim of a bank jugging, the FCPD encourages community members to take precautions such as:

1. Be aware of your surroundings: Pay attention to anyone who may be observing your activities outside a bank or financial institution.
2. Conceal cash and bank-related items: Store cash in a discreet manner, such as in a purse or wallet, and avoid displaying bank bags or envelopes that may draw attention. Do not leave cash unattended in your vehicle. If you do, consider locking it in the glove box.
3. Vary your routine: Criminals often look for patterns, so it is advisable to change your habits regarding banking and cash withdrawals.
4. Secure your vehicle: Ensure that your vehicle is locked, windows are closed, and valuables are not visible, reducing the likelihood of becoming a target.
5. Report suspicious activity: If you notice someone acting suspiciously or believe you are being followed, report it to the police as soon as possible.

It is important to remember that jugging robberies can occur in different locations and circumstances, so remaining vigilant and taking appropriate safety measures is essential to minimize the risk of becoming a victim.

Learn more here.

Land Use

Plan Forward Draft Plan Accepting Public Comment

Draft Plan Text for the Housing element, Economic Development and Revitalization element, and the Chesapeake Bay Supplement is available for review and comment. The public is invited to review the recommended changes for the three components of the Policy Plan.

Attend a virtual community meeting:

Economic Development and Revitalization Element

• Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. 
• Virtual Meeting - MS Teams
• Call-in number: +1 571-429-5982
• Access code: 618 509 008#

Housing Element

• Monday, November 9, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
• Virtual Meeting - MS Teams
• Call-in number: +1 571-429-5982
• Access code: 447 946 768#

Chesapeake Bay Supplement 

• Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
• Virtual Meeting - MS Teams
• Call-in number: +1 571-429-5982
• Access code: 486 307 296#

Want to get involved?

• Share any comments to PlanForwardFFX@publicinput.com by Friday, December 18, 2026.
• Sign up to receive updates here.
• Learn more and find links to the community meetings on the project page.

Still in Progress: Grovedale Child Care Center

Rendering of Proposed Building

Planning and engineering for the Grovedale Child Care Center (6320 Grovedale Dr.) is still in progress. A site plan has been submitted for pre-construction review but may still be updated or changed.

• To be notified of the plan approval, email LDSsiteservices@fairfaxcounty.gov.
• To comment on the Site Plan, email LDSSDIDadmin@fairfaxcounty.gov.
• View the application here.

Updates on the Franconia-Springfield Planning Study

Click to watch the webinar.

The Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development along with their consultant SmithGroup and Brick & Story held a virtual community meeting on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, to provide the community a look at the final concept plan for the Franconia-Springfield Planning Study. This final concept included community feedback from past open houses, surveys, and community meetings. Community members were able to provide more feedback and ask questions about the concept. 

Next steps for the Franconia-Springfield Planning Study.

Zoning Applications in Progress

Click to enlarge

Winter Park Authority Class Registration

Registration for Winter Classes with the Fairfax County Park Authority is now open. Register before November 6 to save $8. View class information and registration here.

Adopt a Family Holiday Program Returns

The Adopt-a-Family Program was developed to help children and families who are in need of clothing, food and toys for the holidays. Every fall, the program begins taking donations to support families who are working with the Fairfax County Department of Family Services. The program matches generous donors with identified families to make their holidays more joyful. The 2026 Adopt-A-Family Holiday Program will use Roonga to connect donors with children and families in need.

Learn more about the program here.

Sign up to support a family here.

November 20 - AARP CAREversations

Over 59 million people become caregivers each year. AARP's CAREversations events help caregivers share information with one another and build relationships to help them navigate their caregiver journey. Caring for a friend, family member, or loved one? Take a break, connect with others, and get ready for what’s next in your caregiving journey.

• Friday, November 20 | 6:00PM–8:00PM
• Dave & Buster’s Springfield, Fun Room, 6655 Springfield Mall
• Learn more and register here.

Vietnam Veterans Oral History Project

Share Your Story

The Fairfax County History Commission is encouraging county residents to participate in an oral history program about Vietnam War veterans. Interviews will be conducted through early May 2027 and will become part of the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.

The Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress American Folklife Center was created by the United States Congress in 2000 to collect and preserve the firsthand remembrances of U.S. wartime veterans. Fairfax County residents will have the opportunity to add their voices to the existing national archive.

The History Commission is seeking both veterans to interview and student note-takers. Please contact the History Commission at queenofcheaptravel@gmail.com to participate.

Transportation

Progress Made on the BRT - October 27 BOS Meeting

Proposed Traffic Signals along the BRT

The BOS continued progress towards construction on the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. We approved an agreement with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for a joint maintenance and operations plan. Fairfax County will be largely responsible for maintaining the stormwater management facilities within the project area and most lighting and landscaping. VDOT will be responsible for most of the bridge infrastructure, general-purpose lanes, and signage. You can read the full agreement here.

Residential Traffic Administration Program

The BOS often approves traffic calming and safety measures as a part of the Residential Traffic Administration Program (RTAP). RTAP works directly with communities to decrease the impacts of traffic and enhance safety in area neighborhoods. The chart below describes how the RTAP process works.

click to enlarge and read more about RTAP.

More Hybrid Buses for the Fairfax Connector Fleet

On October 27, 2026, the BOS approved an agreement with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to purchase hybrid-electric replacement buses for the Fairfax Connector Fleet. Grant fundings from the Federal Transit Authority’s Low or No Emission Grant Program and a match from the county will be used to fund the replacement buses.  

November 16-19 Valley View Drive Daytime Closures

Alternate route shown in blue.

Weather permitting, Valley View Drive (Route 718) between Franconia Road (Route 644) and Scotch Drive (Route 3703) will be closed to through traffic Monday, Nov. 16, through Thursday, Nov. 19, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day for drainage pipe replacement, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Those needing to access properties along this portion of Valley View Drive will have access but will not be able to go beyond the point of pipe replacement in either direction. The pipe is located adjacent to the property at 6208 Valley View Drive.

Through traffic will be detoured via Franconia Road, Larkspur Drive (Route 3701), Marilyn Drive (Route 3702) and Scotch Drive back to Valley View Drive. Drivers are asked to follow posted detour signs.

You can get traffic, work zone and incident information online at 511.vdot.virginia.gov, via the free mobile 511Virginia app, or by calling 511 in Virginia anywhere anytime.

At Our Schools

Washington Commanders Nominate Lewis High School's Lucas Trejo

Lewis High School Football Coach Larry Choates and Lucas Trejo

The Washington Commanders have nominated senior Lucas Trejo, starting center of the Lewis High School varsity football team, for the 2026 NFL Latino Youth Honors. The award recognizes outstanding high school tackle and flag football athletes from around the country for their academic and athletic excellence. Each NFL team nominates one male student and one female student to be considered for the finalist positions. Lucas maintains a 3.7 GPA and serves as president of the Student Government Association and secretary for the Class of 2027. He’s a member of the FCPS Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council. He’s also involved in many student organizations. Congratulations Lucas.  

Learn more about the awards and Lucas's accomplishments here.

Fairfax County Public Schools Facility Improvements Survey



The FCPS Office of the Chief of Facilities Services and Capital Programs is inviting employees, families, and community members to participate in the Renovation Queue Survey.

The survey asks for feedback on the condition of school facilities, the ways buildings affect teaching and learning, and the factors FCPS should consider when prioritizing renovations. Participants can also share what would increase understanding of and transparency in renovation decisions, such as publicly available criteria, regular updates, community input opportunities, and facility-condition data.

Please take approximately 15 minutes to complete the survey and help inform the future of FCPS school facilities. Participation is voluntary, and all responses will be kept confidential. The survey will be open until October 31, 2026.

Workforce Development

Fall 2026 Business Pulse Survey Insights

Build Your Career: Construction and Trades Job Fair

Meet employers, learn about programs to help you get started, and kickstart your career in construction and trades!

Employers present will have vacancies for tradespeople, maintenance workers, technicians, operators, foremen, superintendents, estimators, project managers, CDL drivers, safety roles, laborers, and more (list subject to change). Learn more.

November 5, 1-4 p.m.

Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Pkwy)

Fairfax County Small Business Commission Reverse Tradeshow 

The Small Business Commission is hosting a free training and networking event with breakout sessions, keynote speakers, legacy business recognitions, and presentation of the Bea Malone Award.  

• Learn more and register here. 
• Thursday, November 12, 2026 
• 9:00AM to 3:00PM
• 12000 Government Center Pkwy

Ready to start, strengthen, or scale your business?

Join the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority and Fort Belvoir Army Community Service for a special edition of Entrepreneurship 101: From Idea to Expansion, celebrating the leadership, innovation and resilience of military spouses and veterans.

Whether you’re exploring a business idea or growing an established company, this FREE event offers practical guidance and resources to help you move forward. Open to military-connected entrepreneurs and the broader small business community.

Tuesday, November 10 | 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

University of Virginia - Northern Virginia Campus (8095 Innovation Park Drive)

Register.

Environment

Fall Vacuum Leaf Collection Begins October 31

Stay updated on Fall Vacuum Leaf Collection here.

Intro to Home Energy Efficiency - November 2



Cooler temperatures mean higher heating costs could be coming in the weeks ahead! Now is the time to take steps to reduce your energy costs, conserve resources and help out the environment at the same time.

The Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination will give you the facts on why, how and where to save energy and money this fall. Learn about the resources available to you and the things you can do, large and small, to make your home energy efficient. Experts from the OEEC will also introduce the Fairfax Energy Compass, a FREE resource to help your home feel more comfortable and use less energy! 

Proposed 2027 Park Authority Fee Schedule Open for Public Comment

Park fees support the operation and maintenance of Fairfax County’s park system, including rec centers, golf courses, nature centers, camps, classes, water parks, amusements, park programs and amenities.

The Park Authority Board considers fee adjustments on an annual basis, with the goal of balancing user impact with the financial stability of park programs and services. Pending adoption, the 2027 fee schedule will be effective starting Jan. 1, 2027.

The Park Authority invites community members to share their thoughts and comments by 5 p.m. on Friday, November 20, 2026.

You can submit your comments:

• Online via PublicInput
• By U.S. Mail to Park Authority Public Information Office, Attn: 2027 Fee Schedule Comments, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 927 Fairfax, VA 22035

Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd

Technology Updates

November 5 - PLUS Upcoming Down Time

The Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) will soon transition from county-managed infrastructure to vendor-hosted cloud services. The transition will improve system reliability, performance, and east the workload on county IT staff. The system will remain nearly identical for users with minor cosmetic updates.

Between Thursday, Nov. 5, from 5 p.m. to Monday, Nov. 9, at 7 a.m. PLUS will be completely unavailable, and no alternative system will be offered. Users will need to wait until the system is restored to complete their permitting or land use needs.

New Customer Portal Launching Soon

Fairfax County is getting a new homepage. The new Customer Portal will serve as a digital front door for residents, building on existing services and laying the foundation for more connected experiences. Check fairfaxcounty.gov for updates.

Numbers to Know

Police Non-Emergency Line: 703-691-2131

Dept of Code Compliance: 703-324-1300

Dept of Tax Administration: 703-222-8234

Report Road Hazards to VDOT: 800-367-7623 (FOR-ROAD)