Dear Neighbor,
This week's Board of Supervisors meeting was a busy one, stretching late into the evening. We heard testimony regarding a draft collective bargaining ordinance and deferred a vote on adoption until October 19, adopted the FY 2021 Budget Carryover Package, and awarded the A. Heath Onthank Award for Merit to five outstanding County employees. The Board also adopted the Countywide Strategic Plan. This plan sets a clear vision for the County, features 10 community outcome (priority) areas, and provides tools for measuring its success. This community-driven plan will serve as the framework to shape the future of Fairfax County. Thank you to everyone who participated in the development of the Strategic Plan!
We also held public hearings to discuss the creation of several small and local sanitary districts for communities requesting to receive County refuse/recycling/yard waste collection services, including one in the Braddock District. During the discussion with County staff, it became clear that due to the ongoing national shortage of licensed drivers, the County does not currently have the capacity to take on additional sanitary districts and provide quality service. The Board voted to defer the decision to approve new sanitary districts until the County Executive provides the Board with a plan to hire and retain new employees and provide the level of service that our County customers deserve.
Like many of you, I'm frustrated by the delayed or missed pickups experienced by those serviced by Fairfax County and those serviced by private haulers. I look forward to reviewing the County Executive's plan and will share the details when available.
Stuff the Bus
Our next Stuff the Bus Food Drive is this Saturday, October 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In Braddock, we will be collecting food at the following locations:
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Watch a Stuff the Bus Video Message From Supervisor Walkinshaw Above |
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Sadly, domestic violence is a public health emergency. According to the CDC, 1 in 4 women, and 1 in 10 men, will experience sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking. Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an opportunity for us to unite and raise awareness of violence in the community. I'm proud to serve as Chair of our Council to End Domestic Violence and throughout the month of October, I'll be sharing helpful information and resources in my newsletters and on my social media accounts. Learn more about this important topic by visiting the Department of Family Services website. If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence, please Make the Call to the 24-hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline at (703) 360-7273 |
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Read below for more information on:
- Tonight's Use of Force Study Meeting
- Stuff the Bus Food Drive this Saturday, October 9
- Submit Nominations for Best of Braddock
- National Faith and Blue Weekend
- Reminder that Drains are Just for Rain
- November Election Information
- Shirley Gate Road Extension Project Information
- Local Safeway Locations Offering Drive-Up Flu Clinics
- Medicare 101 Training
- Pozez JCC & Giant Pharmacy Vaccine Clinics at the J
- Free Community Shred Day Offered by NextMark Federal Credit Union
- Police Interaction Practice for Individual with Disabilities
- Saturday, October 23 is National Drug Take Back Day
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Tonight's Use of Force Study Meeting |
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The Board's Public Safety Committee Chair, Lee District Supervisor Rodney Lusk is hosting a discussion and public meeting tonight, Thursday, October 7, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the Use of Force Study that the County requested from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Hear directly from the researchers, ask questions, and provide feedback by tuning in. To participate:
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Stuff the Bus Food Drive this
Saturday, October 9
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According to the Feeding America Impact of Coronavirus on Food Insecurity projections (published March 29, 2021), the food insecurity rate in Fairfax County is 7.4%, up from 5.8% in 2019. That means about 86,716 people don't have access to sufficient food because of limited financial resources. Together, we can make sure that families in our community have warm and nutritious meals.
The next Stuff the Bus Food Drive will take place Saturday, October 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at:
Find a complete list of locations around the County to drop off your food donations, what to put on your shopping list to donate, and tips for donating safely on the Stuff the Bus website.
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Congressman Connolly, Supervisor Walkinshaw, and Local Scouts Collecting Food Donations |
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Submit Nominations for Best of Braddock |
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The Best of Braddock has been an annual event for residents to honor their neighbors who have shown remarkable community spirit. Each year, the Braddock District Council and the Braddock District Supervisor’s office join efforts to recognize those in the Braddock District who make our community a better place to live and work. Due to the pandemic, the annual Best of Braddock event was not held last year. It's coming back this year on Wednesday, December 8, as a virtual event. Please submit your nominations for the categories listed below:
- Young Person of the Year
- Organization Making a Difference in the Braddock District
- Neighborhood Beautification, Enhancement or Community-Building Effort
- Braddock District Citizen of the Year
Nominations should be submitted to [email protected] by close of business on Friday, October 29, 2021. A link to the December event will be posted closer to the event date. |
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National Faith and Blue Weekend |
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Faith & Blue was launched to facilitate safer, stronger, more just and unified communities by directly enabling local partnerships among law enforcement professionals, residents, businesses and community groups through the connections of local faith-based organizations. The initiative aims to re-calibrate police-community relations through solutions-focused, in-person, socially distanced and/or virtual activities that are organized jointly by faith-based or other community groups and law enforcement agencies. |
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Reminder: Drains are Just for Rain |
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VDOT works to maintain the flow of stormwater off the pavement and through the right-of-way of state-maintained roads. Maintaining drainage facilities is an important part of the mission of VDOT. Poor drainage and standing water can make vehicles hydroplane and cause premature pavement deterioration.
Below are some helpful tips that you can take to prevent unnecessary drainage issues as a private home owner:
- Avoid any activity that prevents the free flow of water, such as placing grass clippings, leaves and debris in an open channel, ditch, driveway pipe, or in any location that will block the free flow of stormwater runoff.
- Conduct activities on your property in a manner that prevents the discharge of pollutants, including pet waste and fertilizers, into the drainage system.
- Property owners are responsible for the maintenance of drainage facilities on their private property when the facilities are not part of a VDOT-owned drainage easement or a county or city easement. In these cases, property owners must take responsibility to keep stormwater free-flowing through their drainage facilities.
- Property owners may not obstruct the flow of stormwater to the detriment of another property owner.
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November Election Information |
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In Virginia there are three different ways to vote:
1- In-Person Early voting
2- Mail-In Absentee voting
3- In-Person voting on November 2, 2021, at your local polling place.
1) In Person Early Voting
Fairfax County is now offering In-Person Early Voting at numerous locations (please see list below). Information about early voting dates, times and locations can be found on the Fairfax Office of Elections website.
What You Need to Know:
Any registered Fairfax County voter may vote early at any Fairfax County early voting location.
Early in-person absentee voting is available for the November 2021 General & Special Elections at the following three locations through October 30:
Fairfax County Government Center
Mt. Vernon Governmental Center
North County Governmental Center
Hours of operation for Currently Open Early Voting Locations:
- Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday, October 23 and October, 30 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday, October 24 from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Monday-Friday from 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday October 23 and October 30 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday October 24 from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Additionally, 13 early voting locations will be open daily from October 21 through October 30:
Hours of Operations:
Monday-Friday 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday October 23 and October 30 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (All Locations)
Sunday October 24 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (All Locations)
1. Burke Centre Library - 5935 Freds Oak Rd, Burke 22015
2. Centreville Regional Library - 14200 St. Germain Dr, Centreville 20121
3. Franconia Governmental Center - 6121 Franconia Rd, Alexandria 22310
4. Gerry Hyland Government Center - 8350 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria 22309
5. Great Falls Library - 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls 22066
6. Herndon Fortnightly Library - 768 Center St, Herndon 20170
7. Mason Governmental Center - 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale 22003
8. McLean Governmental Center - 1437 Balls Hill Rd, McLean 22101
9. Providence Community Center - 3001 Vaden Dr, Fairfax 22031
10. Sully Governmental Center - 4900 Stonecroft Blvd, Chantilly 20151
11. Thomas Jefferson Library - 7415 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church 22042
12. Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library - 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church 22043
13. West Springfield Governmental Center - 6140 Rolling Rd, Springfield 22152
2) Voting Absentee By Mail
Visit the Vote by Mail page at the Fairfax Office of Elections website for complete details.
You can request a mail-in absentee ballot online or submit a paper Absentee Ballot Application. After the request is submitted, an Absentee Ballot will be mailed to the address you specify.
Paper:
1. Download, print, and complete--including your handwritten signature--a vote-by-mail application
-- OR --
2. Pick up a preprinted paper application at:
Submit your completed paper application using one of these methods:
· Mail: Fairfax County Office of Elections P.O. Box 10161, Fairfax, VA 22038
· Fax: 703-324-3725
· Hand deliver: Fairfax County Office of Elections, 12000 Government Center Pkwy, Suite 323, Fairfax, VA 22035
Completing your Absentee Ballot
The law requires that a witness must be present BEFORE opening your Absentee Ballot Envelope. Anyone over the age of 18 can serve as a witness.
- Open envelope – In front of your witness
- Mark your ballot using a black or blue pen. (Your witness should not watch how you vote)
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Follow the instructions on the ballot to record your votes: A) Use blue or black ink to fill in the ovals completely to mark your choices. B) If you do not wish to vote for any of the candidates in a contest or do not want to vote for an issue, skip that office or issue and leave the ovals blank.
- Vote only for the number of candidates allowed.
- If you make a mistake or lose your ballot, contact your general registrar’s office for more information.
- Once Completed, Sign and Seal your voted ballot inside envelope.
- Place your ballot inside the envelope and seal it.
- Write your full name.
- Write the address where you are registered to vote.
- You and your witness must sign the envelope.
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Fill in all spaces on the Statement of Absentee Voter on Envelope. You and your witness must both sign the envelope.
- Seal and return envelope
Returning your Absentee Ballot
Visit the Vote by Mail page at the Fairfax Office of Elections website for complete details. Ballots can be returned by mail, by commercial delivery, or at Drop Boxes.*
*Ballots must be postmarked on or before November 2.*
Ballot Drop-Off Boxes
Ballot drop-off boxes are available at all early voting locations when locations are open for voting. The drop boxes are for voted ballots which are secured in the envelope provided to the voter. All instructions in the absentee ballot must be followed.
Voted ballots may be dropped off outside the Government Center at an attended drop box during business hours. An accessible, secure drop box is installed outside the building, permitting voters to drop off their ballots 24/7.
Voted ballots may also be dropped off at any early voting site during hours of operation.
On Election Day, ballots may be brought to your regular polling place when the polls are open.
3) Voting on Election Day at Your Regular Polling Place
November 2, 2021, General and Special Elections:
- Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. If you are in line by 7:00 p.m., you will be able to vote.
Preparing to Vote
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Shirley Gate Road Extension
Project Information
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The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) held a Design Public Meeting on the Shirley Gate Road Extension Project. FCDOT presented Preliminary Design plans for the project and is seeking public input. Comments will be accepted through Friday, October 29, 2021.
A brief survey, along with presentation materials, is currently available:
In addition to the survey, stakeholders may submit comments via the following methods:
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Electronically - please use the Feedback Form.
- Via Mail: Shirley Gate Extension Project, FCDOT, 4050 Legato Road, Fairfax, VA 22033
- Via telephone: (703) 877-5607
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Local Safeway Locations
Offering Drive-Up Flu Shot Clinics
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Two Safeways in the Braddock District will offer Drive-Up Flu Shot Clinics. The Safeway located at 9525 Braddock Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22032 will be offering flu shots tomorrow, Friday, October 8 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Safeway located at 5727 Burke Center, Burke, Virginia 22015 will be offering flu shots Friday, October 15 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Flu shots are free with most insurance. There is no co-payment unless required by your insurance plan.
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Presented by the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) and Aging in Place, Online Medicare 101 training is for individuals and their care partners who will soon be eligible for Medicare or have Medicare and would like to learn more about it.
This event will take place on Friday, October 22, from 3:00 p.m. through 4:30 p.m. at the Kings Park Community Library.
This is a hybrid event. Please register using this link if you would like to attend online via Zoom. Zoom login/phone call-in information will be sent to all registered participants a day before the event. |
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Pozez JCC & Giant Pharmacy
Offering Multiple Vaccines
at the Pozez JCC
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The Pozez Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia (The J) will be offering a vaccine clinic in the upcoming weeks. They will be offering COVID-19 vaccines, but will also be offering many other vaccination types.
Rain or shine, on the following dates, Giant Pharmacy will be hosting a vaccine clinic in concert with the J:
- Wednesday, October 13, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday, October 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, November 10, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday, November 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The following vaccines will be available:
- COVID- 19 vaccine 1st and 2nd dose. Booster dose for those who are eligible. COVID-19 Vaccinations | Giant (giantfood.com) Pfizer-BioNTech age 12+; Moderna age 18+
- Regular Quadrivalent (4 strain), Flu, ages 5-65
- High Dose Quadrivalent (4 strain), Flu, age 65+
- Pneumonia vaccine - Prevnar-13, age 65+
- Pneumonia vaccine - Pneumovax-23, age 65+ (unless one has chronic illness such as diabetes, asthma, COPD, smoker, then they need it earlier)
- Shingles - Shingrix, age 50+ ( 2-shot series separated by 2-6 months)
- Hepatitis A Havrix, age 18+ (2 shot series separated by 6 months)
- Hepatitis B Engerix-b, age 18+ (3 shot series 0,1, then 6 months)
- T-dap - Boostrix, age 18+ (Booster every 10 years)
If the weather allows, tents will be set up outside in the West parking lot. If there is inclement weather the J will set up inside the facility. Please have your completed consent form, insurance card, and photo ID with you when you arrive.
Please Note: Medicare-B (65+) covers flu and pneumonia at no charge to patient
Cigna, Federal plan, Tricare, and Carefirst medical plans cover all the above vaccines at no charge to patient. Most Aetna plans cover vaccines. Most all other plans cover the flu vaccines at no charge.
Giant is also offering a discounted rate to those who don't have any insurance. Cost could be as low as $19.00 depending on the turnout. You can ask about this at the clinic. Questions? Please contact [email protected].
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Free Community Shred Day Offered by NextMark Federal Credit Union |
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This event is first come first serve. Once the truck is filled to capacity, the event will come to an end. To adhere to health and safety guidelines, please follow these instructions upon arrival.
- Enter the parking lot and follow traffic instructions to the Shred-it truck.
- When you arrive at the front of the line, we ask that you remain in your vehicle.
- Open your trunk and the Shred-it attendant will remove your items to shred.
- The attendant will return any plastic bags, or large boxes back to your trunk.
- If you must exit your vehicle, please maintain a 6-foot distance and wear a face mask.
Because the event is limited to a 3-hour window, no more than 3 boxes per person (approximate box size is 10″H x 18″W) are allowed. Plastic bags, bottles, cans, cannot be shredded. Please ensure these items are not mixed in with your paper items.
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Police Interaction Practice for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities |
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Years of data indicate that people with disabilities are more likely to encounter law enforcement and struggle to navigate that interaction.
The Arc of Northern Virginia is partnering with the Fairfax County Police Department and the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management again to offer an opportunity for people with disabilities and their loved ones to practice emergency situations. For this event, participants can engage in a practice police stop with real officers AND/OR a practice subject stop.
The event will take place on Saturday, October 23 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the following locations:
- In West Springfield at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 6942 Sydenstricker Rd, Springfield Va 22152
- At the Franconia Police Station, 6121 Franconia Rd Alexandria, VA 22310
- In Reston at Dogwood Elementary School, 12300 Glade Dr, Reston VA 20191
- In McLean at George Marshall High School, Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043 (Traffic Stops only)
- At the Mason Police Station, 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003 (Traffic Stops only)
- At the Fair Oaks Police Station, 12300 Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy, Fairfax, VA 22033 (Traffic Stops only)
- In the Mt. Vernon District at Walt Whitman Middle School, 2500 Parkers Ln, Alexandria, VA 22306 (Traffic Stops only)
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Saturday, October 23 is
National Drug Take Back Day
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This initiative, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), educates the community about the potential for abuse of prescription medications while providing a safe, convenient, and responsible means for disposing of unused and expired medication.
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