2.13.25

Dear Neighbor,

As Chairman of the Board of Supervisors’ Legislative Committee, each year I lead the effort to develop our Federal Legislative Strategy and Principles. This document guides the County’s advocacy in Washington and helps inform our Congressional Delegation of our key priorities, especially with respect to federal funding for key programs and infrastructure projects.

After the election of President Trump in November 2024, we recognized that the priorities of the previous Trump Administration and the proposals he espoused during the 2024 campaign posed a serious threat to Fairfax County’s economy and to many County residents, especially the more than 50,000 federal employees living in Fairfax County. We updated our Federal Legislative Strategy and Principles to oppose efforts to indiscriminately slash the size of the federal workforce, relocate federal agencies, and replace non-partisan civil servants with political replacements, and more.

While it was clear that President Trump intended to attack and denigrate those who choose to serve their country, the recklessness, cruelty, and chaos he has deployed against our friends and neighbors is stunning. Local governments’ ability to combat these actions is limited, but the Board of Supervisors will continue to speak out and partner with our Congressional Delegation to do everything in our power to protect Fairfax County and support our residents who serve our nation.

Each member of our Congressional Delegation has provided access to resources, including the opportunity for federal employees to anonymously report abuses of power, review employment rights/civil service law, and understand whistleblower protections. If you or someone you know is a federal employee, I encourage you to review and share those resources, and subscribe to your federal representatives’ newsletters to stay informed.

Senator Mark Warner

• Resources
• Newsletter

Senator Tim Kaine

• Resources
• Newsletter

Congressman Don Beyer

• Resources
• Newsletter

Congressman Gerry Connolly

• Resources
• Newsletter

Presidents' Day

Presidents' Day is this Monday, February 17. There are a few events that offer the opportunity to give back on this day of reflection.

• The Fairfax County Restoration Project (FCRP) will be hosting a Clean Up event along Americana Drive from 10:00 a.m. - 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.
• The Kings Park West Civic Association is hosting a community clean-up from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at Crooked Creek Park, meeting on Commonwealth Boulevard. Contact parks@kpwca.org for more information.

The Fairfax Connector will operate on a Holiday Weekday service schedule on Monday. Routes that operate Holiday Weekday Service:

• 101, 109, 151, 152, 159, 161, 162, 171, 301, 305, 306, 308, 310, 321, 322, 334, 340, 341, 350, 351, 352, 353, 371, 401, 402, 423, 427, 462, 463, 467, 507, 552, 553, 557, 558, 559, 574, 605, 610, 615, 622, 625, 630, 642, 651, 660, 662, 671, 672, 703, 721, 803, 901, 921, 924, 937, 950, 951, 952, 954, 983, RIBS 1, RIBS 2, RIBS 3, RIBS 4 and RIBS 5.
• Find more information about all Fairfax Connector holiday schedules on their website.

The Braddock District Office will be closed in observance of the holiday and re-open on Tuesday, February 18.

Yours in service,

Supervisor James R. Walkinshaw

Please share this newsletter with your friends and neighbors. If this email was forwarded to you, consider subscribing to receive Braddock District news and updates.

Continue reading below for more information on:

• Catch an FCPS Show This Weekend
• Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events + STOP THE BLEED Training
• Nominate an Outstanding Library Staffer
• Fairfax County's Black History Month Celebration
• Upcoming Reduced Fee Vaccine & Microchip Clinic
• Apply to be the School Board's Student Representative!
• Burke Volunteer Fire Department's Blood Drive

Catch an FCPS Show This Weekend

Cinderella (Lake Braddock Secondary School)

The prince is giving a ball! His Royal Highness, the heroic and charming Prince Christopher (or Topher, for short) has returned from university and soon will be crowned King! But there are problems: the kingdom (and its ruler) are both going through tough times.

On the advice of his counselors, he'll throw a magnificent party, and whichever girl he's dancing with at midnight will be his new bride. Meanwhile, a quiet and gentle young woman named Ella endures a life of neglect and mistreatment at the hands of her cruel and wicked stepmother - yet despite her unearned misfortunes, she manages to treat the people in her life with kindness, including a "crazy" old beggar woman named Marie. On the night of the Ball, while the stepfamily flounces away cackling at Ella's misfortunes, something truly impossible, something magical happens, and Ella is given a beautiful gown and a golden opportunity to make her dreams of attending the ball and speaking with the prince come true - so long as she is back by midnight!

Join Lake Braddock Theatre for one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's most famous and beloved musicals - great for families and audience members of all ages! The show runs February 13-15 at Lake Braddock Secondary School (9200 Burke Lake Road, Burke). More information, including tickets and showtimes, is available on Lake Braddock Theatre’s website.

Seussical: The Musical (Robinson Secondary School)

Experience a magical, musical extravaganza with all your favorite Dr. Seuss characters! The Cat in the Hat and Horton the Elephant take you on a journey from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the World of the Who’s—and a little boy with a big imagination proves that a person is a person, no matter how small.

The show runs February 14-22 at Robinson Secondary School (5035 Sideburn Road, Fairfax) with a sensory-friendly performance on February 20. More information, including tickets and showtimes, is available on the Rambunctious Theatre Company’s website.

Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events + STOP THE BLEED Training

Because an active violence event can take place anywhere in the world, the Fairfax County Police Department wants to make sure the community is prepared with how to respond.

This lecture, on Saturday, February 15, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., will help participants learn about attackers, disaster response, and how to prepare for and respond to being trapped in a building during an active violent event.

The training will include a review of past events, the steps law enforcement will take to assist and limit casualties and answer questions you may have. This training is open to anyone in the community, but some of the material may be disturbing.

There will also be a STOP THE BLEED training with this program. This training can be used anywhere to assist someone who has a severe bleeding emergency. Instructors will show the participants how to utilize direct pressure, wound packing, and tourniquets.

This training will be in person in the community room at the West Springfield Police District Station (6140 Rolling Road, Springfield). Due to the limited number of spots available, you must register for this class by emailing MPO Tony Capizzi or calling (703) 277- 2363.

Nominate an Outstanding

Library Staffer

Has a staff member at your local Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) branch gone out of their way to make your visit the very best it could be? Nominate them for an FCPL Staff Excellence Award! Nominations can be submitted online or at branches until Sunday, February 16.

Fairfax County's Black History Month Celebration

Fairfax County will host “Unite, Uplift, and Celebrate: A Black History Month Celebration” on Friday, February 21, at the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax) beginning at 5:00 p.m.

This year’s theme is “Building on a Legacy” and will feature local performances, interactive activities, discussions, and refreshments. 

Upcoming Reduced Fee

Vaccine & Microchip Clinic

As part of Fairfax County Animal Shelter's (FCAS) Pet Resource Center, Fairfax County residents have an opportunity to vaccinate and microchip their pets without the cost of a veterinary exam. All clinics are first-come first-served and are cash only.

The next clinic will be on Friday, February 21, from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the Lorton Campus (8875 Lorton Road, Lorton). Visit FCAS' website for more information and dates.

Apply to be the School Board's Student Representative!

Each year, FCPS students have the opportunity to apply for the position of the student representative to the School Board. The student representative is not a member of the School Board but serves in a nonvoting, advisory capacity, representing the interests of the students of Fairfax County Public Schools. For more information on this role, see FCPS Policy 1802. The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SAC) student delegates will vote to elect the representative to the School Board.

Eligible students are:

• Currently in grades 9, 10, and 11.
• A resident of Fairfax County or Fairfax City.
• A student in Fairfax County Public Schools.

Students do not need to be current members of SAC to apply. The first part of the application is due by Monday, February 24. Read more on FCPS' website.

Burke Volunteer Fire

Department's Blood Drive

The Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department will host a blood drive with INOVA on Thursday, February 27, from 1:00 - 5:30 p.m. at the Burke Volunteer Fire Station (9501 Old Burke Lake Road, Burke).

Donors will receive a stainless steel tumbler, while supplies last. Sign up today or call 1 (866) 256-6372 and use code 8509. For more information, email John Ronan.