Dear Neighbor,

This week's Board Meeting was our first of the year, and it was a busy one. I was proud to support Chairman McKay's resolution supporting Fairfax County Public Schools in their decision to continue requiring masks in schools while COVID-19 case counts are high. The decision to follow the guidance and recommendations of the CDC, Northern Virginia's Health Directors, and the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics will keep students, teachers, and staff safe while helping us defeat the Omicron variant in our community.

We also approved a letter to be sent to Governor Youngkin asking him to develop metrics in concert with local health directors and school districts to determine when mask requirements can safely be lifted.

We also congratulated and recognized Dave Rohrer, Former Police Chief and Deputy County Executive, for his 40+ years of outstanding service to Fairfax County. Dave is an example of the nobility of public service and his career has made Fairfax County a safer and better place!

I've heard from many Braddock residents regarding their concerns with running Bamboo and its effect on our local environment. I'm glad to report the Board authorized the advertisement of a public hearing to consider amendments to the Fairfax County Code to require property owners to contain running bamboo on their properties and to establish civil penalties for the failure to do so. The public hearing to consider the adoption of the ordinance will be held on Tuesday, February 22, at 3:30 p.m.

If you would like to provide testimony for this upcoming public hearing, please sign up in advance. Learn more on how to share your thoughts on Fairfax County's website.

As we've learned recently, winter weather forecasts aren't always accurate. But we've had our fair share of winter weather in 2022 and forecasters predict possible snow this weekend. I'd like to remind you that you can monitor the latest forecasts by signing up for severe weather alerts from Fairfax Alerts.

As always before winter weather, I recommend reviewing Fairfax County's Snow Guide for a compiled list of weather resources.

If you know someone who is currently exposed to the harsh winter weather, please share with them the Fairfax County Hypothermia Prevention Program. The program offers a warm bed, a safe environment, and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No one should have to sleep outside. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1.

Continue reading below for more information on:

Supervisor James Walkinshaw

Some of Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors districts could be getting new names. The Redistricting Advisory Committee is currently considering the names and will make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. Learn more and offer your input.

The West Springfield District Community Advisory Committee will be hosting a Community Engagement Meeting on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. These meetings help to enhance communication between the residents and the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD). It also offers residents a chance to dialogue with the officers of the West Springfield Station.

The meeting speaker will be a representative of the FCPD Victim Services Division. The topic will be "How Victim Services helps and supports the victims of crime in the county". The meeting will be held via Zoom, can be found below.

This is a free program, and all ages are welcome to attend. The meetings are generally held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. (except for July and August).

If you have any questions, contact PFC Tony Capizzi at (703) 277-2363.

Join using this meeting link.

Password: 119455

The public comment period for Metro's Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget is officially open, and Metro's Board of Directors wants the public’s input. Metro is encouraging the public to share feedback before the comment period ends at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 15.

The FY23 budget focuses on providing safe, reliable and affordable transit service to the region. The budget takes into account the planned launch of Metrorail service to six new Silver Line stations, expanding Metro access to Dulles Airport and beyond, and the opening of Potomac Yard Station on the Yellow and Blue lines.

The budget proposals also include a number of service improvements on Metrobus and Metrorail, fare changes to provide better value to riders, and a $2.3 billion capital budget to continue aggressive construction and rehabilitation projects that are foundational for safe and reliable service.

A summary of key proposals can be found on WMATA's website, with full information about the proposals and ways to provide feedback available on WMATA's website.

Note: Due to the ongoing 7000-series railcar investigation, Metro customers can expect reduced rail service levels in early 2022. Service improvements would go into effect after 7000-series railcars return to service. Updates can be found here.

The next clean up event for Americana Drive has been scheduled for President’s Day, Monday, February 21, from 10:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. The sign in tent and supplies will be at the corner of Patriot & Americana Drive as usual. It is a requirement of VDOT that all participants must sign in. Students requiring community service hours will also have to sign out so we can track the hours.

Please sign up to participate.

All travel lanes of I-66 West are planned to be closed west of Stringfellow Road in Centreville nightly this weekend through next week, January 28 to February 1, to allow for installation of bridge beams for a new ramp from the future I-66 Express Lanes. Westbound I-66 traffic will be detoured using a new collector-distributor lane, Route 28, and Westfields Boulevard. This work is part of the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project.

Drivers traveling on I-66 West during this time should expect delays and consider using alternate routes.

All work is weather-dependent and may be rescheduled if inclement conditions occur.

I-66 West from west of Stringfellow Road to Route 28

The Fairfax Area Agency on Aging and the Fairfax Caregiver Seminar Consortium are pleased to announce their 2022 Caregiver Webinar Series. The webinar series are designed to support family caregivers of older adults and/or adults with a disability.

The first webinar begins Wednesday, February 9, 2022, from 12:00 p.m. through 1:00 p.m. Learn more about the webinars by visiting the Fairfax County website.

Speakers include experts in law, care management, finances and community resources. The webinars are easily accessed through your computer or telephone.

Please join Fairfax County to get helpful information and resources. All are welcome.

Webinars are usually recorded, so if you are unable to join us live,

please register and a recording will be sent to you if available.

The County would appreciate hearing from you if you have attended any of the

seminars in the past and whether the seminars were helpful. Email your comments to Caregiver@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Join a virtual public meeting with staff from the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination to learn about proposed strategies to address climate adaptation and resilience. Share your thoughts and feedback with the Resilient Fairfax team. Ask questions and discuss the issues most important to you with resilience experts from the county and the team of consultants supporting Resilient Fairfax.

This meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday, February 1, at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom to allow county residents to participate safely from the comfort of their homes or a location of their choosing. The meeting will be offered in English but requests for meeting content to be presented in other languages will be accepted via email until Tuesday, January 25.

Register to attend the public meeting using this link. Once you register, you will receive an email with information about joining the meeting.

Did you get a pandemic pooch this past year? Then you should know that every dog four months or older must be licensed with Fairfax County.

Get your annual dog license or renew it by Tuesday, February 1. The fee is $10 per dog, except for service dogs which are given licenses for free.

After you submit your license application or renewal, you’ll be mailed a tag for your dog’s collar.

If you are getting a license for the first time, you must provide a current rabies vaccination certificate. When renewing, proof of vaccination isn’t required unless the certificate has expired.

Learn more about getting your dog license or renewing the license by visiting Fairfax County Government's website.

Join Fairfax County Villages in celebrating the 20-year anniversary of the Village Movement and the positive impact Villages are having on the experience of aging. On Tuesday, February 15, 2022, Villages are being recognized on National Village Day. From its beginnings in 2002 to a thriving network today of more than 300 nonprofit community-based Villages across the country, the Village model is now established as a cost-effective, sustainable solution for healthy, vibrant aging – a milestone worthy of celebration!

For more information on the Fairfax County Villages, including how to start one in your neighborhood, contact Villages@fairfaxcounty.gov or (703) 246-8962.