June 18, 2020

Dear Neighbor,

Earlier this week, the Board of Supervisor's Public Safety Committee met to review our Police Department's use of force policies, body-worn camera program, and the equity impacts of law enforcement and criminal justice policies and practices. Click here to see the presentation on use of force and the body-worn camera program and click here to see the presentation from our Chief Equity Officer.

I used my time to stress the importance of diversifying our Police Department, avoiding a disproportionate implementation of upcoming marijuana decriminalization, and aligning our Department's General Orders with our training to minimize the use of force. I also thanked officers from our local West Springfield station for the professionalism they showed in ensuring citizens could safely express their first amendment rights during several large protests in the Braddock and Springfield districts. Click here to watch video of the meeting.

Led by Supervisor Rodney Lusk, the Chairman of our Public Safety Committee, the Board will be conducting extensive community outreach to solicit feedback on ways we can improve our policies. From my perspective, this moment provides an opportunity to build on the Diversion First model spearheaded by my predecessor, Supervisor John Cook, to reduce the role of our law enforcement and criminal justice systems in dealing with individuals with mental illness, disabilities, or substance abuse issues.

In the category of good news, our collective COVID-19 mitigation efforts are working. Even as testing has increased, we have had fewer than 100 positive test cases in six of the last seven days. Yesterday, we had 51 positive test cases. While continuing to encourage social distancing, mask wearing, and enhanced cleaning practices, we are focused on expanding contact tracing efforts to prevent a resurgence of the virus. While we have made progress, it is important that we remain vigilant to protect our most vulnerable and prevent a resurgence. You can learn more here.

Finally, mosquito season is here and we have mosquito dunks to help your family fight the bite! To protect your health and the health of our staff we will be leaving the dunks in a box on the picnic table outside of the Braddock District Office. We do a have a limited supply and ask that you show courtesy for your neighbors by only taking two.

Continue reading for more information on:

Yours in service,

Supervisor James Walkinshaw

Fairfax Water is nearing completion of the University Tank construction project. Several neighborhoods near the tank will receive welcomed increases in water pressure. Some customers, however, may experience pressure greater than 80 pounds per square inch (PSI). These customers are encouraged to install a pressure reducing valve (PRV) and Fairfax Water will cover the cost. Fairfax Water will send a letter to all residents expected to see water pressure increases greater than 80 PSI.

Click  here  to see areas expected to see an increase over 80 PSI and a sample letter residents will receive. 

JUNE 23, 2020 PRIMARY ELECTIONS

On Election Day, Polls Will Be Open From 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

GENERAL INFORMATION

CANDIDATES

Republican Primary Election - Member, United States Senate

Democratic Primary Election - Member, United States House of Representatives, 11th Congressional District

Fairfax County Public Schools' counselors, psychologists and social workers available during summer .

Any FCPS parent may schedule a 30-minute phone consultation with a school psychologist or school social worker, for either themselves or their middle or high school student. Consultations provide an opportunity for parents to receive guidance on how to support their child’s emotional well-being during time away from school. Student consultations will provide support and strategies to students who may be experiencing difficulties with anxiety, mood, behavior, peer or family interactions during this unprecedented and challenging time.   Click here to schedule a phone consultation.

Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services' unveils new Virtual Center for Active Adults 

Although Fairfax County’s  Senior  and  Community  Centers are closed indefinitely due to the COVID-19, adults can still stay connected with NCS’ new  Virtual Center for Active Adults . The  Virtual Center  was created with the goal of enriching the lives of adults in Fairfax County and combatting isolation. Adults can visit the site to connect with their peers, engage in a variety of activities and discover useful resources. Click here to visit the Virtual Center for Active Adults.

We are happy to announce that Mosquito Dunks® are available on the picnic table outside our office at 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke, Virginia 22015.

Dunks are useful if you cannot get rid of standing water -- which are breeding grounds for mosquitos. Follow label instructions when applying.

Please be considerate and limit yourself to two Mosquito Dunk packs per household.

Click here to learn how to fight the bite.

Fairfax County Public Library will begin offering Saturday curbside pickup on June 27, from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. in addition to the current Monday - Friday schedule.

FCPL's curbside services are completely contactless.

At no point will you physically interact with the library staff helping you. Other steps FCPL is taking during curbside pickup for the safety of staff and patrons includes:

Click here to learn more.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at 5 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 state of emergency, this is a virtual meeting. You can tune in at the  Park Authority’s Virtual Meeting site  or listen by calling 855-925-2801 and entering the access code: 8081.

If you wish to provide comments, you can do so by emailing your question to  [email protected] . Please note PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE PAB in the subject line to better identify the emails. You may also send written comments to 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 927, Fairfax, VA 22035, or contact the Public Information Office at (703) 324-8662.

The final PAB Agenda will be posted online, along with the Board items, at the Park Authority’s  Board and Committee Meetings site .

Please send an email to  [email protected] , or call 703-324-8662, if you have any questions or need additional information.

The Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals has an opening for one member. The appointment is effective until June 14, 2025. Board of Zoning Appeals members are appointed for staggered, five-year terms. Applicants must be residents of Fairfax County and serve as private citizens, not as county employees.

Interested candidates must apply by Tuesday, June 30, 2020, to the Fairfax Circuit Court, which appoints the BZA’s seven members. Send resumes to Chief Judge Bruce D. White, Fairfax Circuit Court, 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030.

Braddock Elementary School is seeking community volunteers to help distribute food and books. See the following for volunteer opportunities, dates, and times:

Contact Jakelin Lake at (703) 508-7774 or email  [email protected] for additional information.

The Patriot District Boy Scouts will be hosting a no-contact food drive on Saturday, June 20 from 1 p.m. through 4 p.m. at West Baptist Church ( 8200 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA 22152). All donations will benefit ECHO's Food Pantry.

Message From The Patriot District Boy Scouts:

"ECHO needs your help collecting non-perishable food in non-breakable containers (no glass jars please) and personal care items such as toothpaste and toothbrushes.

Food collected from scout families and local residents will be done in a manner to meet social distancing recommendations. Donors and scouts are encouraged to wear masks and gloves. Donations can be deposited on the pavement in front of the drop off area or volunteers will take the boxes/bags from the car.

How do you help?

Scouts who live in your neighborhood may be picking up donations from doorsteps, mailboxes, or drop boxes in your neighborhood. Look for flyers in your paper boxes, emails or messages on community pages. If you have not seen anything from scouts in your neighborhood, you may bring your donations to the drop off location listed above on June 20th.

If you still want to help with a food donation but cannot on June 20, please email [email protected] and they can make arrangements."