May 13, 2020

Dear Neighbor,

Testifying before a Senate Committee yesterday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease official in the United States said that reopening too early could lead to “avoidable death and suffering” and could paradoxically, “set you back on the road to economic recovery” by triggering new outbreaks. I know that’s not what any of us want to hear. But it is the truth.

Unfortunately, Northern Virginia does not yet meet the criteria for reopening laid out in President Trump’s Opening up America Again plan or Governor Northam’s Forward Virginia plan. Both plans, developed by public health professionals like Dr. Fauci, call for, among other things, a downward trajectory of positive tests as a percent of total tests over a period of 14 days. While we have seen some positive signs in our local data , we have not yet come close to meeting that metric.

That’s why Governor Northam allowed Northern Virginia localities to delay entering “Phase One” of his plan to ease restrictions until May 28 so that we have more time to meet the health metrics laid out in his plan. You can read the Governor’s full announcement here . 

I know that this additional time adds to the hardships facing our families and small businesses. But the only way to solve our economic crisis is to solve the health crisis. Our citizens are smart and they know the data. Until it is clear that the virus is under control, our businesses won’t have the customers they need to survive. 

I am proud to report that yesterday the Board of Supervisors voted to create a $25 million grant program to support our local small businesses and non-profits. This program is designed to fill the gap for businesses that have had trouble accessing various federal loan and support programs. More details on the program are below.

Finally, as I announced last night, we are very excited to be hosting a Stuff the Bus food drive at the Braddock District Office, the Pinn Community Center, and the Fairfax County Government Center this Saturday and next Tuesday. If you’re headed to the grocery store, please grab some extra non-perishable items to help us support ECHO’s efforts to feed our neighbors during this crisis.

Continue reading for more information on:

  • Small Business Grant Program
  • Governor Northam's COVID-19 Updates
  • Grocery & Pharmacy Pick Up for Seniors
  • Community Food Drives
  • Pandemic EBT Program
  • Return of Purple Bin Glass Recycling
  • Upcoming Primary Elections
  • Summer Concert Series Information
  • Metro Updates
  • Environmental Excellence Nominations
Yours in Service,
Supervisor James Walkinshaw
Small Business Grant Program
Yesterday, May 12, the Board of Supervisors voted to create the Fairfax Relief Initiative to Support Employers (Fairfax RISE) — a new $25 million grant program to assist small businesses and nonprofits affected by COVID-19. The program will be funded using federal CARES Act funds provided to the county. 

The program’s primary purpose is to provide immediate relief to small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Fairfax County hopes to help small businesses and organizations remain in business through the COVID-19 emergency and address gaps that may exist among complementary programs.  

Fairfax RISE will offer grants to qualified businesses or nonprofits that will not have to be repaid. It also specifically establishes a minimum allocation of 30% of the program’s total dollars — or $7.5 million — toward awards for minority–, veteran– and women- owned businesses.  

The grant application process is expected to begin in early June.

Click here to learn more.
Governor Northam COVID-19 Updates
From the Office of Governor Ralph Northam:

Executive Order 61, issued on May 8, 2020, and effective at 12:00 a.m., May 15, 2020, eased certain restrictions imposed under Second Amended Executive Order 53 and Executive Order 55 (both Orders are collectively referred to as Phase Zero). Executive Order 61 sets out the Commonwealth of Virginia’s path into Phase One.

On May 9, 2020, officials from the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William, and the Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park, as well as the Towns of Dumfries, Herndon, Leesburg, and Vienna (Northern Virginia Region) requested to remain in Phase Zero.

Therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article V of the Constitution of Virginia, by § 44-146.17 of the Code of Virginia, by any other applicable law, and in furtherance of Executive Order 51, and by virtue of the authority vested in the State Health Commissioner pursuant to §§ 32.1-13, 32.1-20, and 35.1-10 of the Code of Virginia, I grant the Northern Virginia Region’s request to remain in Phase Zero.

Click here to read the full press release.
Grocery Pick-up for Senior Adults
In response to the increasing needs of COVID-19, Fairfax County Health Department Neighbor to Neighbor Program has launched a grocery shopping and pharmacy pick-up service for county residents age 60+ who need this service.

To Request Shopping and Pharmacy Pick-Up
Contact
Fairfax County Aging, Disability & Caregiver Resource Line
703-324-7948

Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N) Shopping and Pharmacy Pick-up Program is provided in partnership with Fairfax Fire and Rescue and the Department of Family Service.

Service is provided free by vetted and background checked volunteers and will be provided to private residences. Financial assistance is available to those who are eligible. The service will not be provided to long term care retirement communities, assisted living, nursing homes, group homes or other facilities.
Community Food Drives
On Saturday, May 16 and Tuesday, May 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Fastran buses will be parked in 21 locations throughout Fairfax County to collect food donations. In Braddock, we will be at the following locations.

  • Braddock District Supervisor's Office (9002 Burke Lake Rd. Burke, VA)

  • David R. Pinn Community Center (10225 Zion Dr. Fairfax, VA)

  • Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Govt. Center Pkwy Fairfax, VA)

I'll be visiting all three locations and hope to see you there. We need thousands of pounds of food to keep our neighbors from going hungry.

Click here to see the complete list of locations to drop off your food donations, what to put on your shopping list to donate, and tips for donating safely at Stuff the Bus.

If you are unable to donate in person but want to contribute, click here to visit Volunteer Fairfax’s Donation Page to connect with and donate to nonprofits serving our community.
A non-perishable food drop off w/social distancing guidelines in place.
 
Food drop off locations at:

  • St. Mary of Sorrows located at 222 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, VA 22032 on May 15, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
 
Pandemic EBT
In our last advisory, we announced the approval of new funds available through a Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits program. This is a clarification to that update.

For families with school-age children who are facing food insecurity, there will be new funds available through a Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits program. Click here to learn more about the P-EBT Program.

P-EBT benefits will be distributed to families of students participating in the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FRM) program, but not to those already participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program. In other words, families are not eligible for both SNAP and P-EBT benefits.

If a family is not receiving SNAP and they were not on the list supplied by the school system to the Virginia Department of Family Services the family could apply for the Free and Reduced Lunch program . If the family applies for Free and Reduced Cost lunch, then if there are subsequent submissions from the school system, they will be included.

If the family is experiencing food insecurity and need food now, they can apply for food assistance through the SNAP program by visiting the CommonHelp website.
Purple Glass Recycling Containers
Collection of glass dropped off at purple, glass-only containers resumed Monday, May 11, 2020. If the container is full, please do not leave glass outside the bin as the trucks removing and replacing the bins do not have the ability to collect loose glass.

Containers are reset at locations throughout Fairfax County. Click here to see Northern Virginia Glass Recover Map.

Residents can also bring glass to containers at the I-66 transfer station and I-95 landfill complex, or glass can be placed in the trash.
Upcoming Elections
JUNE 23, 2020 PRIMARY ELECTIONS

On Election Day Polls Are Open From 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

GENERAL INFORMATION


CANDIDATES

Republican Primary Election - Member, United States Senate
  • Daniel M. Gade
  • Thomas A. Specialle II
  • Alissa A. Baldwin
 
Democratic Primary Election - Member, United States House of Representatives, 11th Congressional District
  • Gerald E. "Gerry" Connolly
  • Zainab M. Mohsini

NOTE: Due to COVID-19, all voters are eligible and strongly encouraged to vote absentee. When requesting a mail in ballot, people can use 2A as the reason for the request.  Click here to request a ballot.

You can also access printable applications here. Additionally, the courts have determined that the witness signature is not required if you have concerns that it would require your coming into contact with others under during the pandemic.
Fairfax County Needs Election Officers for June 23 Primary Election

Fairfax County needs at least 200 election officers for the June 23 primary election for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

The deadline to apply is Friday, May 15 , and election officers must be registered to vote in Virginia.
Fairfax County Park Authority Updates
The following is a memo from Fairfax County Park Authority Director, Kirk Kincannon addressed to The Board of Supervisors on May 11, 2020.

"Due to continuing COVID-19 concerns, the Park Authority plans to cancel June performances of the Summer Entertainment Series.

Contract requirements and touring schedules require decisions to be made now. Given the uncertainty about the current situation and restrictions on the size of public gatherings, we believe it is prudent to delay the summer concert season. A reassessment for the July and August performances will be made later.

The decision to cancel June performances is consistent with an increasing number of local jurisdictions and major performance venues across the region. Wolf Trap recently canceled its performances through June. The Town of Vienna, Town of Herndon, Town of Leesburg, and City of Fairfax have canceled shows through June. Some larger performing and cultural groups have stated that they will be unable to maintain social distancing on performance stages.

We will share concert information and updates with the public via our website, through OPA’s communication platforms, via an Information Release, and social media. We will notify the public regarding the upcoming concert cancellations, followed later this summer by appropriate updates. With that in mind, we respectfully ask your discretion and patience, and request you wait to share this information until we can make the official public announcement.

For information contact the FCPA Public Information Office at (703) 324-8662."
Reston, Mount Vernon and Burke Farmers Markets to reopen .

Reston Farmers Market at Lake Anne Shopping Center will reopen Saturdays, beginning May 9 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Mount Vernon/McCutcheon Farmers Market will reopen Wednesdays, beginning May 13 from 8 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Burke Farmers Market at the Burke VRE station will reopen Saturdays, beginning May 16 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Click here to learn more.
Metro Updates
In a press release released yesterday, May 12, Metro said the following:

Federal relief funding of more than $767 million is helping Metro close out the current fiscal year with a balanced budget, following an unprecedented drop in fare revenue due to the pandemic crisis response. For the coming fiscal year, the CARES Act funding will also enable Metro to cover increased expenses driven by enhanced safety measures and manage the risk of lower than anticipated jurisdictional subsidies due to covid-constrained budgets.

“We are fortunate to have supporting jurisdictions and a congressional delegation that both understand and advocate for Metro’s role in the region’s mobility and economy, especially during a crisis,” said Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld. “Thanks to CARES relief funding, we have been able to keep people working and continue to move essential workers as safely as possible during an unprecedented crisis.”

Click here to read the full press release.
Environmental Excellence Awards
Environmental Excellence Awards Call for Nominations Is Now Open

Each year, the Fairfax County Environmental Excellence Awards recognize individuals, organizations, businesses and county employees who:

  • Advance or support the county’s environmental goals and policy statements

  • Dedicate personal time and expertise beyond normal fiscal or civic responsibilities

  • Demonstrate leadership as a role model for others

The 2020 call for nominations is now open. Nominations will be accepted until June 1, 2020. If you know of an individual or organization deserving of recognition for their accomplishments between June 1, 2019 and May 31, 2020, please consider nominating them. Awardees will be celebrated at a ceremony in the Fall of 2020 and will be profiled on the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination website. More information and nomination forms are available here . If you have questions about the awards or the nomination process, email EQAC@fairfaxcounty.gov or call (703) 324-7136 TTY 711.
Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram