Dear Neighbor,

Today was the last day of the County's 2022-2023 Hypothermia Shelter Program.

I visited all of the sites in or near Braddock District this winter to meet with the non-profit partners, the churches serving as locations, and to enjoy a meal with the guests.

Each time I visit I'm inspired by the acts of service our community performs and the resilience of the guests working to overcome the challenges life has put in front of them.

I'd like to thank FACETS, our nonprofit partner, the houses of worship who hosted or partnered with a host, and the hundreds of volunteers for their continued participation and partnerships to operate these shelter sites.

If you're interested in volunteering, donating, or hosting a site during the 2023-2024 program, please contact FACETS or call(703) 352-5090 and ask for Mike Dykes or Dayatra Spalding.

Lake Accotink Public Comment Period Ends April 1

I previously shared that County staff has recommended that Lake Accotink not be dredged due to the $395 million cost to dredge and maintain the lake over the next 25 years. You can read more about this recommendation on the Lake Accotink story board. 

The public comment period on the staff recommendation is open until Saturday, April 1. After the comment period has closed, the Board of Supervisors will receive a briefing on the status of the project, the community feedback received, and the options to move forward, including the option to dredge the lake.

Many comments and questions have already been submitted by members of the public. Based on those received between February 15 and March 16 of this year, County staff has prepared a list of responses to the most Frequently Asked Questions. The FAQ document from the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is now available.

If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to respond to the community survey (which includes an option to submit a comment) or send a comment via email by next Saturday to ensure that your voice is heard.

Salary Increase for 2024-2028 Board of Supervisors

In last week's Advisory, I shared that the Board of Supervisors would hold a public hearing to consider an increase in the salary of the 2024-2027 Board. That hearing took place on Tuesday, March 21.

As I noted previously, Virginia law does not allow the current Board of Supervisors to raise its own salaries. The Board can only adjust compensation in an election year, and the change can only be applied to the next Board, sworn in after January 1.

The Board of Supervisors' salary was last increased eight years ago and had only been increased once in sixteen years. Since the last increase, cumulative inflation has been 25% and the average County employee increase has been 30%.

I've consistently said that any increase should address eight years of inflation, but should not be more than the average increase that County employees received during the same time period. Many of the speakers at the public hearing shared that view, and the feedback we received led to a vote for an increase far less than the range previously recommended by County staff -- $123,283 for District Supervisors and $138,283 for the Chairman, effective with the new Board of Supervisors taking office in January 2024.

I appreciate those who reached out to share their opinion on this issue and I hope you'll continue to engage on the many important decisions facing the community and the Board of Supervisors. 

Yours in service,

Supervisor James R. Walkinshaw

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

Continue reading below for more information on:

• 2023 Swimming Pool Stakeholder Meeting 
• Marian Homes Shredding Event
• Burke Centre Library Spring Book Sale
• One Dark Hour this Weekend
• New Braddock Citizen of the Month Nomination Form
• NVTC Seeking Transit Fellow
• West Springfield CAC April Community Engagement Meeting
• Intern in the Braddock District Office
• Nominations Open for 2023 Stephen A. McLaughlin Champions of Character Awards
• Free Mulch Available for County Residents
• Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at GMU

The Health Department will host an in-person 2023 Pool Stakeholder Meeting tomorrow, Friday, March 24 at 10:00 a.m. at 10777 Main Street, Fairfax, VA in Conference Room 310-A.

They will review any changes for the 2023 season as well as answer any questions about the Planning and Land Use System. Attendance usually consists of Pool Managers for guidance on pool operations.

Area non-profit Marian Homes will be hosting a shredding event at the Nativity Catholic Church (6500 Nativity Lane, Burke, VA) this Saturday, March 25 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Information about the shred can be found here. Donations to Marian Homes will be accepted.

Friends of the Burke Centre Library are hosting their Annual Book Sale until Sunday, March 26 at 3:00 p.m. The sale is open 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Browse their selection of books, DVDs, CDs, and more for all ages and interests. On Sunday, March 26, the Book Sale will provide bags to fill with products for $5. View more info here.

Fairfax County Park Authority is encouraging participation in the annual One Dark Hour event this Saturday, March 25 from 8:30-9:30 p.m.

To participate, simply turn off your outdoor lights then go out and look for stars. Encourage your neighbors and friends to participate. It takes 15 minutes for your eyes to adjust from a lighted area, so give yourself time to let the stars appear, you won’t be disappointed!

To learn more about the One Dark Hour and the dark skies initiative, visit the Dark Skies webpage. The site is a great resource for learning about light pollution and ways we can make changes to focus light when and where it is needed. As more people participate and experience what is possible, FCPA hopes to see a stronger demonstration of the power of collective action.

Do you know someone who lives in the Braddock District who exemplifies selflessness, displays a love for their community, has a passion for serving others, or volunteers their time to better the Braddock District?

Nominate them today to be recognized in Supervisor Walkinshaw's monthly newsletter, The Braddock Beacon.

Nomination deadline for April Citizen of the Month is Monday, March 27 at 11:59 p.m.

Contact the Braddock District Office if you have any questions.

The Northern Virginia Transportation Committee is seeking current or future students with an interest in the transit industry to gain valuable, real-world experience to apply to their Transit Fellow Program.

Based on the interests and experience of the applicant, they will have the opportunity to work closely with NVTC staff within one of their programs: WMATA, Commuter Choice, Transit Resource Center or Transit Technology – or with members of the Communications or Finance & Administration teams.

Applications received by 11:59 p.m. on March 31 will be prioritized. Submit application to opportunities@novatransit.org with the subject line "NVTC Transit Fellow Program." View more information here.

The West Springfield District Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will be hosting a Community Engagement Meeting on Tuesday, April 4, at 7:00 p.m.

These meetings offer the community a chance to communicate more effectively with officers of the Fairfax County Police Department. Jim Kirkpatrick from the Crime Solvers Program will be the guest speaker. He will be discussing Crime Solvers and how it helps the community.

The meeting will be held in person at the West Springfield District Station (6140 Rolling Road, Springfield, VA). Consider signing up for the West Springfield CAC newsletter by emailing wscacmailbox@gmail.com.

CAC meetings are generally held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. (except in July and August), and all ages are welcome to attend. If you have any questions, contact MPO Tony Capizzi at (703) 277-2363.

Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw is seeking an Intern for Summer 2023 to aid the Braddock District office. Rising college freshmen through Class of 2023 college graduates, or those between 18-23, are encouraged to apply.

Internship description and details on how to apply can be found here. If interested in applying, send resume (including two references and summer availability) to braddock@fairfaxcounty.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 7.

The awards program, founded in 2001, honors county youth, coaches and parents in each magisterial district for extraordinary service in pursuing victory with honor on and off the field of competition. Instituted by the Fairfax County Athletic Council, this program aims to support the tradition of amateur athletics in cultivating teamwork, leadership, good sportsmanship and community service. 

Nominations for this year's awards are due by August 1, 2023. To nominate an athlete, coach or parent, visit Stephen A. McLaughlin Fairfax County Champions of Character Awards.

Fairfax County operates a brush grinding operation which produces double-shredded wood mulch for residents.

The mulch is FREE, clean, and good quality. Wood mulch is usually available at the I-95 and I-66 locations. Visit the DPWES website for directions, hours, phone numbers and more.

I-95 Recycling and Disposal Center (9850 Furnace Road, Lorton, VA)

I-66 Recycling and Disposal Center (4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA)

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at George Mason University offers hundreds of stimulating educational, social, and cultural courses, clubs, trips, and events each year on topics of interest to adults 50 and older.

The 2023 Spring Term Session runs from March 27 - May 19. Classes are held at sites in Fairfax, Loudoun, and Reston. Visit OLLI's website to sample a class, register now for the Spring term, and pricing information.