September 25, 2020

Dear Neighbor,

This is it! Tomorrow, September 26, is our final Stuff the Bus food drive of the year. Thanks to your amazing outpouring of support we collected more than 6500 pounds of food on September 12! But now we need to finish strong.

As the weather cools and the leaves begin to fall, thousands in our community are wondering how they will feed their families this winter. The shelves at local food pantries like ECHO are running low and it's our job to fill them. See below for the information you need to make a donation tomorrow!

Unfortunately some of our neighborhoods have seen a recent increase in thefts from vehicles. My office has been in close contact with the West Springfield Police Station and they are working diligently on these cases. We've included in this Advisory an update from our West Springfield District Captain Eli Cory.

The most important thing to remember is to lock your car doors and not leave keys or valuables in the car. Also, please call the non-emergency number at (703) 691-2131 to report any thefts.

Finally, a reminder that personal property taxes are due October 5. We've included payment information below, including online, phone, and mail options that allow you to make your payment from the comfort of home.

Continue reading for more information on:

  • Final Stuff the Bus Food Drive
  • Message from Police Captain Eli Cory
  • Upcoming Suicide Prevention Forum
  • How to Vote Safely
  • Personal Property Tax Deadline October 5
  • Upcoming Virtual Job Fair
  • Flu Shot Clinics for Seniors
  • Learn About the Village Concept
  • GMU's COVID Prevention Efforts and Dashboard
  • NVCC Fall Series
  • Historic Oak Hill Day Goes Virtual
Yours in Service,
Stuff the Bus Tomorrow
On Saturday, September 26, Fastran buses will again be parked at 21 locations from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to collect food donations. Buses will be located in less-frequented lots throughout the county, including many Board of Supervisors’ offices and the Fairfax County Government Center, to allow donors to comply with social distancing recommendations.

In the Braddock District, buses will be located at:

  • the Braddock District office at 9002 Burke Lake Road Burke, VA
  • the Government Center at 12000 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax, VA
  • the Oaks Community Center at 5708 Oak Leather Dr. Burke, VA.

For more information, including donation sites, a list of most-wanted items and information about donating virtually, visit the Stuff the Bus website.
Message from West Springfield Police Captain Eli Cory
Hello Braddock District Community, it is almost October. Fall has been thrust upon us, and Halloween is right around the corner. October is also National Crime Prevention Month. There has been an increase in people stealing cars, and stealing from cars, in the past couple months. The officers and detectives at the West Springfield Station are working diligently on those cases, and I am working on trying to decrease the number of those cases. 

I want to remind everyone to please lock their car, do not leave keys or other valuables in your car, and always “See something, Say something”. You may also consider joining a Neighborhood Watch, or sharing information with your neighbors about things you see. Contact the police at (703) 691-2131 to report suspicious activity, or other non-emergency events and 911 for an emergency. 

If you have any crime prevention questions, contact PFC Tony Capizzi, at Anthony.capizzi@fairfaxcounty.gov or (703) 277-2363. Thank you and have a safe 2020. 
Upcoming Suicide Prevention Forum
Sadly, on average, one person dies by suicide every seven hours in Virginia. It is the tenth leading cause of all deaths in the United States. A new national study of U.S. adults found that 81% believe suicide prevention should be a national priority and 52% are more open to talking about mental health as a result of COVID-19.

Join the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia (SPAN) in a conversation on how to strengthen emotional well-being and resilience in these unprecedented times.

This event is being held in recognition of September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and Older Virginians Mental Health Month.
Upcoming Election Information
General Information

  • September 18 - October 31: Absentee in-person/early voting began at the Office of Elections, 12000 Government Center Pkwy., Fairfax, VA. All absentee applications and voter registration forms must be approved and will be processed in the order of receipt.

  • October 12: Office of Elections/Absentee Voting Closed for Columbus Day

  • October 13: Voter Registration Deadline. In-person: 5:00 p.m., online: 11:59 p.m.


  • October 23: Deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail, 5:00 p.m.

  • October 31: Final day for absentee in-person/early voting, 5:00 p.m.

  • November 3: Election Day. You regular polling place will be open from 6:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. Check the Citizen Portal to find out your polling place and confirm your voter registration status.

Returned Ballots:

  • November 3: Deadline to hand deliver absentee ballots to Office of Elections is 7:00 p.m.

  • November 6: Deadline for mailed absentee ballots to be received by Office of Elections is 12 p.m. (noon). Ballots must be postmarked no later than November 3.

Returning an Absentee Ballot
The Virginia General Assembly has approved the use of drop boxes at precincts and satellite locations as well as the Office of the General Registrar (Office of Elections).

During the dates and times that the Office of Elections is open, voters can return their ballot to the Office of Elections. During the dates and times that the satellite locations are open for absentee person/early voting, voters can return their ballot to the satellite locations. On Election Day, November 3, from 6:00 am – 7:00 pm, voters can return their ballot to their regular polling place.

Currently, there is a drop box at the Office of Elections inside the building at 12000 Government Center Parkway. You don't have to wait in line to drop off your completed and sealed absentee ballot.


Important Notice
Only when the Office of Elections or absentee in person/early voting satellite locations are open can a voter return their ballot to those locations’ drop box.

For information on the Virginia Constitutional amendments and the 4 bond questions about Public Libraries, Parks, Transportation and Health & Human Services, please visit the elections website.

Article II. Franchise and Officers. Section 6. Apportionment. Section 6-A. Virginia Redistricting Commission 1 Ballot Question


Constitutional Amendments on your ballot

Question 1:
Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to establish a redistricting commission, consisting of eight members of the General Assembly and eight citizens of the Commonwealth, that is responsible for drawing the congressional and state legislative districts that will be subsequently voted on, but not changed by, the General Assembly and enacted without the Governor’s involvement and to give the responsibility of drawing districts to the Supreme Court of Virginia if the redistricting commission fails to draw districts or the General Assembly fails to enact districts by certain deadlines?

Question 2:
Should an automobile or pickup truck that is owned and used primarily by or for a veteran of the United States armed forces or the Virginia National Guard who has a one hundred percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability be free from state and local taxation?


Bond Ballot Questions
There are four bond questions on the Nov. 3, 2020, general election ballot, and voters will be asked to vote YES or NO on each of these questions.

1)Public Library Bond
Bonds to raise $90,000,000 to build, renovate, equip, and purchase land for library facilities.

2)Transportation Bond
A bond in the amount of $160,000,000 for the purpose of financing Fairfax County's share, under the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Compact.

3)Health and Human Services Bond
A bond in the amount of $79,000,000 for the purpose of providing funds to improve community health & human services facilities and if necessary to acquire additional land.

4)Park Bond
A bond in the amount of $112,000,000 to finance the Fairfax County Park Authority's to preserve open-space land, and to develop and improve existing parks and park facilities; and to finance Fairfax County's contribution to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority.
Personal Property Tax Deadline
The Personal Property Tax Deadline is October 5, 2020. With a variety of payment options, you don't need to go to the Fairfax County Government Center to pay (expect long lines if you do).

You can avoid long lines and pay your taxes by:

  • Using MyFairfax Secure Portal.
  • MyFairfax an ongoing, county-wide initiative to provide you with faster and easier access to all of your county information in a secure environment.

  • Phone
  • If using VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express, call (703) 222-6740, TTY 711 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

  • Mail
  • Make checks made payable to "County of Fairfax".
  • Use envelope provided with your bill or mail to: Department of Tax Administration, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 223 Fairfax, VA 22035
  • Do NOT send cash.
  • Payment must be postmarked on or before the due date to be considered on time.

  • Droping off your payment at any of the following drop off box locations:
  • Government Center - 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA
  • The Following Fairfax County Library locations:
  • Reston - 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston
  • Sherwood - 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria
  • George Mason - 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale
  • Dolly Madison - 1244 Oak Ridge Avenue, McLean
  • Oakton - 10304 Lynnhaven Place, Oakton
  • Burke Centre - 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke

  • Automatic Installments
  • Prepay real estate and vehicle taxes through automatic installments debited electronically from your bank account.
  • For more information, refer to the Automated Payment Program - Frequently Asked Questions page, or contact DTA's office.
Watch this video for detailed information on the variety of payment options.
Upcoming Virtual Job Fair
Amazon, Walmart and Wegmans are among more than 20 companies in Northern Virginia that will be seeking candidates for thousands of open positions at the October 8 Hiring and Reskilling Virtual Career Fair. The event is the third in a series of virtual career fairs presented by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA), and open to anyone looking for job and/or reskilling opportunities.
 
In addition to Amazon, Walmart and Wegmans, companies and organizations seeking candidates for jobs and/or job training programs during the event include Cox Communications, Fairbrook Hotels, George Mason University’s Continuing and Professional Education Division, Marymount University, Navy Federal Credit Union, the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association, Revature, Securitas and Smoothstack.

The Hiring and Reskilling Virtual Career Fair will welcome job seekers of all backgrounds, especially those unemployed due to COVID-19. The open positions will span a variety of industries, and not all require a college degree – including store clerks, construction, program managers, information security analysts and more. For those interested in training programs, there will be organizations that train and place candidates in lucrative tech careers in a matter of months at no cost to participants. The virtual career fair is open to all industries and levels of experience.

Participation is free of charge and you must register to attend.
Flu Shot Clinics For Senior Citizens
Each year the flu causes millions of illnesses in the United States, and people age 65 and older account for the majority of flu hospitalizations and deaths. An annual flu vaccine is the best way to reduce your risk of getting sick.

To help protect older adults in our community, the Fairfax County Health Department and Department of Neighborhood and Community Services are offering flu vaccination clinics at select Senior Centers.

This service begins on October 6 and is available to residents 50 and older by appointment only (see dates below).

October 6, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Herndon Senior Center, 873 Grace St., Herndon
(times also available October 8 and 9)

October 19, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Lincolnia Senior Center, 4710 N. Chambliss St., Alexandria
(times also available Oct. 21 & 22)

October 26, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Original Mt. Vernon High School, 8333 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria
(times also available Oct. 28 & 29)

November 2, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Little River Glen Senior Center, 4001 Barker Ct., Fairfax
(times also available Nov. 4 & 5)

November 9, 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Lewinsville Senior Center, 1613 Great Falls St., McLean
(times also available Nov. 10 & 12)

For your safety, appointments are limited, and face masks and temperature checks will be required. Don’t wait – take control of your health this season and get a flu vaccine!

To make your appointment, call (703) 246-6010, TTY 711. Learn more about the flu season on Fairfax County Health Department's website.

*Pneumonia vaccine also available. Must be requested when making your appointment.
Learn About the Village Concept
Fairfax County's Neighbor to Neighbor program is hosting two upcoming informational meetings in concert with local community organizations. These meetings are intended to help senior citizens learn about the benefits of the Village Concept.

Village and neighbor to neighbor (N2N) programs involve neighbors joining together to form a volunteer group that offers support and access to services for their older neighbors.

Make sure to tune into these events by using the information found on the graphics below.
GMU COVID-19 Cases
George Mason University is monitoring a variety of COVID-19 indicators that will help curb the spread of the virus within the university and make effective decisions should conditions change.

Follow the Mason Dashboard to stay informed.
NVCC Fall Series
Northern Virginia Community College Annandale Campus' Lyceum Committee has changed the line-up for their virtual Fall 2020 Semester Lunch and Learn Justice and Equity Series via Zoom on Thursdays and added a discussion about the Virginia ballot question to amend the constitution to create a redistricting commission on Thursday, October 1 at 12:30 p.m. NVCC invites you to participate.

Registration is required in advance for this presentation and registration information can be found on the Lyceum Committee blog. A confirmation e-mail will then be sent containing the Zoom link to join the presentation.
Take a Virtual Tour of Historic Oak Hill
In 2004, Seville Homes, the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed to a historic and conservation easement to preserve the privately-owned home and property, including its 200-year-old boxwoods. 

Since the property was saved, the community has been invited to visit the manse each year for home tours and outdoor displays celebrating local history and the environment. This year, the pandemic has made it difficult, if not impossible, to invite the public to the grounds. So, residents, historians and government staff have banded together to develop a virtual tour of Oak Hill to keep the tradition alive. 

The video is being produced by Channel 16 and will debut this fall. The house will not be open as previously planned on September 26, 2020. Information about the site and the debut of the virtual tour can be found online.
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