Dear Neighbor,

Last week I shared with you the devastating news that staff will present at meetings this week, a new recommendation that Lake Accotink not be dredged due to the $395 million cost to dredge and maintain the Lake over the next 25 years. That recommendation will be shared at tonight's virtual meeting and during an in-person meeting tomorrow. Details are below.

I want to be clear that what I shared last week and what you will hear at the meetings this week is a staff recommendation. This is not a decision that would be made without providing you, the community, the chance to ask questions and share feedback.

There will, of course, be an opportunity for members of the community to ask questions at this week's meetings. After the meetings, there will be a community survey and a public comment period that will run until April 1. Staff will also prepare a Frequently Asked Questions document with answers to the most common questions that will be posted on the project website.

After that public comment period, the Board of Supervisors will get a full briefing on the status of the project, a summary of the community feedback received during the comment period, and the options to move forward, including the option to move forward with dredging.

I represent Lake Accotink and the communities surrounding it. I'll work to ensure that your voices are heard and that the Board understands how important this Lake is to our community. But as I outlined last week, we are facing a very difficult set of facts. I hope to see you tonight.

Lake Accotink Meetings

Virtual Meeting: Wednesday, February 15 at 7:00 p.m. To access the public meeting, visit the County's Public Works site and click on the meeting link.

In-Person Meeting: Thursday, February 16 at 7:00 p.m. at Kings Glen Elementary School (5401 Danbury Forest Dr, Springfield, VA).

Yours in service,

Supervisor James Walkinshaw

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Continue reading below for more information on:



• Presidents' Day Clean-Ups
• Speed Camera Pilot Program
• SNAP Benefit Changes
• Black History Month Celebration
• 12th Annual Stuff the Bus
• Older Adults
• Soil & Water Scholarship Opportunity
• Tax Scam Warning
• WMATA Budget Comment Period
• Girl Scout Cookie Season

The Fairfax County Restoration Project (FCRP) will be hosting a Clean Up event along Americana Drive on Presidents' Day (Monday, February 20) from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Trash bags and other cleanup items will be provided.

If you're interested in volunteering, you can sign up on FCRP's website.

Additionally, the Kings Park West Civic Association’s next community clean-up is taking place Monday, February 20, from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at Crooked Creek Park, meeting on Commonwealth Boulevard.

This past Friday, the County's six-month school zone speed camera pilot program began the first phase of implementation. The program was approved in December 2021 to improve pedestrian safety and save lives. After the pilot phase, an additional 80 cameras will be placed in school and work zones between FY 2024 and 2025.

Eight cameras were placed in school zones around the County, including one at Irving Middle School and West Springfield High School. No citations will be issued for the first 30 days; drivers caught after 30 days will face fines for every 10 mph over the speed limit.

You can read more about the pilot program and about speed cameras in the County.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government passed a law to temporarily increase the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to support families. Recently, the federal government changed the law and the temporary increase to the SNAP benefits will end tomorrow, February 16, 2023. 

Beginning in March, all SNAP benefits will return to normal amounts, without the added supplement.

• The Virginia Department of Social Services has created a temporary information line. Please call: 1 (855) 635-4370.
• If you need food now, call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning: (703) 222-0880.
• For more food resources, visit the online Human Service Resource Guide and search “food.”

If you receive SNAP, you may also be eligible for Medicaid, TANF, Energy Assistance, Child Care Assistance and more. Apply online or by phone at

1 (833) 522-5582.

Black History Month Celebration

Stuff the Bus began in 2011 in response to a critical need to help restock the shelves of local food pantries after the holidays. This collaborative program is a partnership between Fairfax County Government and local nonprofits.

Now in its 12th year, Stuff the Bus continues to support food assistance efforts for families and households. Stuff the Bus has collected more than 220 tons of food to feed people experiencing food insecurity in Fairfax County since its inception.

This Saturday is the last day for collection!

• February 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Cardinal Forest Giant (8320 Old Keene Mill Rd. Springfield, VA)

For more information, visit the Stuff the Bus page. 

Older Adults Roundtable Series

The third session of the Older Adults Roundtable series will be hosted by Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik on Monday, February 27 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

The discussion will be focused on affordability and aging in Fairfax County and will cover the various affordable housing options, accessibility of those options, tax relief benefits, challenges that are faced by older adults as they age in place, and resources that can be used when tackling those challenges.

This event will be streamed live on Channel 16 and on Supervisor Palchik’s Facebook page. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Volunteer with Older Adults

Volunteer Solutions connects people with meaningful opportunities to support older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers. Volunteers provide support in one-on-one or group settings.

Learn more by exploring volunteer opportunities.

If you have questions, reach out to [email protected] or (703)324-5406 TTY 711.

The Educational Foundation of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts annually offers four $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors or college freshmen. The scholarships support studies related to natural resource conservation. Applications must arrive at Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District's office by April 1, 2023.

More information on criteria and the application can be found on NVSWCD's website.

It has recently come to the attention of the Department of Tax Administration (DTA) that fraudulent letters disguised as being sent from law enforcement or DTA have been delivered to residents in the last few weeks.

DTA has issued a warning about this scam and encourages residents who have received this letter to report it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service by calling 1 (877) 876-2455 or making a report on the USPIS website.

On January 26, the WMATA Board authorized public hearings on the proposed FY 2024 Operating Budget and the FY 2024-2029 Capital Budget.

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) submitted a Board Action Item titled, “Approval of Comments on Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Proposed FY 2024 Operating and FY 2024-2029 Capital Improvement Program,” for consideration by the Board on February 21. The Board Item includes a draft letter from the Board to be submitted to the WMATA Board as they debate the details of the budgets.

The comment period will end in March 2023. If you have any questions regarding this item, please reach out FCDOT.

Girl Scout Cookie Season is here!

Did you know that the Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world?

When you buy Girl Scout cookies, you're creating opportunities for Girl Scouts to learn, grow, and thrive. From learning how to interact with customers to creating budgets and taking orders, the Girl Scout Cookie Program teaches Girl Scouts invaluable skills that they’ll need to succeed throughout their lives.

You can use this site to find local sales to support troops in the area!