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Friday, December 20, 2024

Dear Friend,

This past weekend, my office distributed 1,000 boxes of food at four locations in Alexandria and Springfield. Volunteers from United Community, De Lune Corp, and my office assembled the boxes on Friday, filling them with non-perishable goods, eggs, yogurt, and chicken, donated by De Lune Corp Sharing the Love Initiative.

Thank you, volunteers.

On Saturday and Sunday, volunteers from United Community, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Opportunity Neighborhoods - Mount Vernon, Hayfield Secondary School, and others gave out food at Hybla Valley Community Center, Gerry Hyland Government Center, Springfield Resource Center, and St. Mark's Lutheran Church. Volunteers from Fairfax County CERT directed traffic at the drive-up distributions. My office will hold another food distribution event in early 2025. While the need for resources is great, Franconia District residents, businesses, and nonprofits never fail to show up for one another.

Take a look back at a few examples.

Second Story backpack giveaway.

Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue coat giveaway.

Wegmans Alexandria partners with ECHO.

I hope this holiday season brings joy and safety to you and your family. It has been a year of many great accomplishments in Franconia, and I am excited to share the highlights with you in the Franconia Year in Review in the near future. I also look forward to seeing you at the annual Open House at the Franconia Governmental Center. The date will be shared in a future edition of the Lusk Report and on social media.

My office will be closed on Tuesday, December 24, Wednesday, December 25, and Wednesday, January 1.

It is both an honor and a privilege for me 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

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Crime Solvers Pinnacle Awards Luncheon - December 12

The Fairfax County Crime Solvers Pinnacle Awards were given to detectives for their dedication to solving cases. I was grateful to attend and celebrate their accomplishments. I want to especially extend my congratulations to the detective from the Franconia District Police Station.

Inova Franconia-Springfield Hospital Site Visit - December 13

If you've driven past the Inova Franconia-Springfield Hospital construction site lately, you've seen the impressive amount of progress accomplished since the summer. The parking garage has been dug out and retaining walls are being built. There has also been 70,000 cubic yards of concrete poured.

Toy Drive at Penn Daw Fire Station - December 16

Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue organized a toy drive for elementary school students in Gum Springs and neighboring communities in South County. Volunteers were paired with a child to help them pick out a new favorite toy. I was very happy to participate.

Franconia District Police Station Holiday Party - December 17

(Left to right) Assistant Commander Andrew Smuck, CAC Chair Kim Barber, Commander Marisa Kuhar

Thank you to the Franconia District Police Station for including my office in your holiday celebration.

Toy Drop Off at Springfield Resource Center - December 19

One of the best parts of my job as Supervisor is getting to know you in your community. I would like to attend your next homeowner, civic, or citizen association meeting to share information and hear what's important to you. If there is a community association meeting or event you would like me to attend, please contact my office at 703-971-6262.

Click on the image to view the flyer.

January 7: Virtual community meeting on Franconia Triangle Comprehensive Plan Amendment (Zoom)

Meeting ID: 892 0802 4831

Passcode: 171589

January 8: Planning Commission Public Hearing on Special Events and Food Trucks Zoning Ordinance amendment (Learn more)

January 13: Franconia District Land Use Committee meeting (Zoom)

January 13: 2025 Countywide Site-Specific Plan Amendment Nomination period begins (Learn more)

January 14: Public hearing on Pink River, LLC. SE 2024-FR-00021 (Staff report)

Visit Fairfax partnered with the Made in Fairfax initiative on a uniquely local 2024 Holiday Gift Guide that features a number of small business artisans (and some additional attractions) as a way to drive economic impact through tourism and holiday retail sales. View the gift guide.

Transurban’s 495, 95 and 395 Express Lanes Adopts "Elane."

Did you know that you can "adopt" an animal on the Franconia District Park carousel? A $5,000 gift to the Fairfax County Park Foundation enables the donor to name and adopt a special Chesapeake Bay-themed feature, such as a deer, whooping crane, and coyote. Learn more.

Fairfax Connector

Fairfax Connector will operate on a modified schedule due to the Christmas Day and New Year's Day holidays. On Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, and Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, Connector buses will run on a Sunday service schedule. Connector buses on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve will operate regular weekday service. 

• Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024 (Christmas Eve): Regular Service
• Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024 (Christmas Day): Sunday Service
• Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024 (New Year’s Eve): Regular Service
• Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 (New Year’s Day): Sunday Service

Trash & Recycling

Please be advised that there will be NO trash and recycling collection on Wednesday, December 25, 2024 (Christmas Day). If you use a private collector, please contact your hauler.

The trash/recycling collection schedule has been adjusted for these service days:

• Regular Collection Day: Wednesday, Dec. 25, rescheduled for Thurs., December 26
• Regular Collection Day: Thurs., December 26, rescheduled for Fri., December 27
• Regular Collection Day: Fri., December 27, rescheduled for Sat., December 28

Metro

Please take note of upcoming Metro station closures starting December 20, as part of a major construction project to improve tracks and signaling. During this period, free shuttle buses will replace trains in between affected stations.

• Dec. 20-26: Farragut West, McPherson Square, and the lower level (Blue, Orange, Silver service) at Metro Center will be closed.
• Dec. 27-30: Farragut West, McPherson Square; lower level (Blue, Orange, Silver service) at Metro Center, Federal Triangle, and Smithsonian; and the lower level of L'Enfant Plaza (Blue, Orange, Silver service) will also be closed.
• Dec. 31: All stations reopen.

Holiday Items That Should Be Recycled Curbside

• Most wrapping papers
• Cardboard boxes
• Paper boxes

Holiday Items That Should NOT Be Recycled Curbside

• Strands of Christmas lights and broken Christmas tree bulbs/lights (they break machinery; bring lights to electronics recycling at the I-66 Transfer Station in Fairfax or the I-95 Complex in Lorton)
• Tinsel (contains plastic)
• Plastic bags, film, and bubble wrap (Did you know that most grocery stores have a container for film plastic to be recycled? This includes plastic bags, overwrap, dry cleaning bags, bubble wrap, and more!)
• Metallic or foil wrapping paper
• Wrapping paper that is coated or has glitter
• Bows, ribbons and tags
• Stockings, ugly holiday sweaters, and other clothing can be donated
• Glass bottles and jars can be recycled at the purple can club bin

Christmas Tree Disposal

Natural Christmas trees will be collected from January 6 to 17, 2025 for recycling. Lights, decorations, and stands must be removed to ensure collection. After January 17, please schedule a brush Special Pickup to have the natural Christmas tree removed.

WRAP’s SoberRide has helped to ensure greater Washington, DC residents have a safe way home on high-risk holidays since 1991.

WRAP’s 2024 Holiday SoberRide code will be valid from 10:00 p.m. Friday, December 13, 2024, until 4:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Three different codes will be released at 9:00 p.m. on December 13, 20 and 31. Limited quantities available. Download the Lyft app and enter the code in the app’s ‘Payment’ tab under the ‘Add Lyft Pass’ option for up to $15 off one ride home in the Washington D.C. coverage area. Learn more.

If you have a Christmas tree in your home, please take note of these safety tips from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department:

• Throw away any light strands with frayed or pinched wires.
• Turn off all holiday lights before going to bed or leaving your home.
• If you have a real tree water it everyday. A dry tree can burn very hot and very fast.
• Consider using battery-operated flameless candles.

8-week Paid Construction Trades Career Pathway Program

January 27 - March 21, 2025

Click on the image to view the flyer.

The Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) lends out much more than books. Learn more about the Library of Things.

Artwork: Most of FCPL’s art collection consists of high-quality art prints and giclee prints on paper, but some posters and canvas prints are also included. Use for staging a house you are selling, to change up the look of a room without expense, create a background for virtual meetings, or because family is coming to visit and the walls of your new apartments are still empty!

Binoculars: Borrow them for a closer look at anything, including birds, sports, your roof, or the moon.

Board Games: Try a new-to-you game before buying it. This collection includes classics like chess and newer favorites like Just One and Codenames.

Conserve (Energy) Kits: Borrow this compilations of tools and consumable items to better seal the "envelope" of your home and understand how various appliances and devices use energy.

Light Pollution Monitoring Kits: Use the kit to contribute data from your neighborhood that can be used to analyze light pollution in your community. 

Meters: Borrow meters that measure air quality, moisture, radon levels, carbon monoxide levels, temperature, and more.

Onboard Diagnostic Code Readers: Use these readers to learn what your car’s self-diagnostic code means.

Nature Backpacks: Initially provided in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Library of Virginia, Virginia State Parks, and the Science Museum of Virginia, these backpacks include tools of naturalists, educational materials, and a free pass to any of the Virginia State Parks.

Thermal Cameras: Borrow a thermal camera to identify leaky outlets, drafty doors and windows, missing insulation, and more. 

In addition to the Library of Things, several FCPL branches have Memory Depots. Visit an FCPL Memory Depot to convert old media into current formats. Digitize photos, slides, videocassettes, cassette tapes and records.

At the meeting of the Housing Committee in late November, the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) presented updates on the progress of the Manufactured Housing Task Force (MHTF) Recommendations. Community outreach and engagement within Manufactured Housing Communities (MHCs) has been active. Residents are encouraged apply to be a community representative at the upcoming Manufactured Housing Roundtables in early 2025. Representatives from all 8 MHCs will fill 22 seats designated for residents and property owners/managers will fill 3 seats. The application to be a community representative will be posted in the coming week.

Additionally, a survey will be sent out early January to collect feedback from all 8 MHCs. The Manufactured Housing Website, expected to go live at the end of the month, will be a resource for residents with information on permits, titles, emergency services, One Fairfax and Trust Policy, and other laws and regulations.

The Safety & Security Dashboard is the fifth dashboard now published to support the implementation of the Countywide Strategic Plan. There will be a dashboard for each of the 10 Community Outcome Areas. 

The dashboard is designed to:

• inform residents and stakeholders, 
• monitor progress over time, 
• identify any demographic or geographic disparities among residents, and
• guide community leaders, practitioners, and advocates in making data-driven decisions. 

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) released its fiscal year 2024 annual report. Explore the report.

Highlights include:

DPWES has been working with an interdisciplinary team of County staff, United States Geological Survey (USGS) staff, and a team of consulting engineers, scientists, and professionals (referred to as the Accotink team) to support the smaller Lake Accotink Preservation Study as requested in the Preservation of Lake Accotink Joint Board Matter (Board Matter), presented and approved by the Board on January 23, 2024.

Status of the concurrent efforts are summarized below:

1.     Sedimentation Study: USGS installed a new gage downstream of Lake Accotink to monitor and estimate how much sediment is flowing out of the lake. Currently, there are two existing monitoring gages upstream of Lake Accotink where data are recorded for analysis to estimate sediment inflow to the lake. Additionally, USGS has begun field work to monitor bank erosion and deposition along Accotink Creek upstream of the lake. Moreover, the Accotink team is updating the Accotink Creek hydraulic model and developing a sediment transport model and a Lake Accotink model and progressing as planned using historic data from USGS monitoring gages.

2.     Lake Accotink Dam Assessment: Fairfax County Park Authority has finalized the scope of work, with support from DPWES, and issued a task order to its consultant team for the condition assessment of the Lake Accotink Dam. The consultant team has completed the  assessment of the earthen portion of the dam. The Park Authority is in the process of finalizing a contract to remove the debris from the sluice gates to allow for the lowering of the water level to evaluate the concrete structure of the dam. The work is expected to begin after the new year.

3.     Preservation Feasibility Study: The Accotink team has finalized the draft preservation feasibility study scope and issued the draft scope for public review as part of an online survey to receive feedback on the planned study scope. The online survey ended on October 30. The Accotink team is currently reviewing the survey results and comments to identify scope changes recommended by the public.

4.     Outreach/Engagement: The Accotink team finalized the scope of work and budget and issued a task order to an outside consultant to support a robust and inclusive outreach and engagement plan needed for the smaller Lake Accotink preservation feasibility study. Subsequently, the Accotink team developed an online survey, survey promotion materials and a web page to launch the survey. The team continues to work on the community engagement plan for the preservation study. This plan will incorporate survey responses to guide the process of sharing information with the public and collecting feedback throughout the project. The survey ended October 30^th with over1,500 participants and 1,370 comments received. The Accotink team is reviewing and analyzing the results which will be shared with the public when the analysis is completed.

Public comments received from the online survey will be considered in revising the draft scope of the feasibility study and future community engagement efforts. 

Students from across the Fairfax County area are challenged to develop an innovative device or app that will have a positive impact in the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, or caregivers. The event challenges students to develop innovative technological solutions that can help people live independently and make the world more user-friendly. Initial proposals are due Friday, January 3. Learn more and apply.

The application period for the Fall 2024 Charge Up Fairfax program closed on November 17. Charge Up Fairfax supports community associations with the installation of Level 2 EV charging stations for common area parking spaces that are accessible to residents and their guests. Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC) has accepted four new community associations into the program, including Windsor Park in the Franconia District. This is the first community from Franconia to apply for the program.

Vacancies – Volunteer Your Time and Knowledge



Consider serving your community as a representative on a Board, Authority or Commission. I encourage you to send a statement of interest and your resume to franconia@fairfaxcounty.gov. 

The following opportunities exist to serve the Franconia Community:

• Advisory Social Services Board 
• Barbara Varon Volunteer Award Selection Committee
• Continuum of Care Committee
• Coordinating Council on Aging and Adults with Disabilities (CCAAD)
• Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) 
• History Commission

December 20: Application deadline for TalentUp Fairfax (Learn more)

December 20: Deadline to provide comment on ActiveFairfax Transportation Plan (Take the survey)

December 31: Deadline to participate in Fairfax Regional Artist Survey (Take the survey)