August 27, 2020

Dear Neighbor,

The right to vote is a fundamental and sacred American right. As the November election approaches, I want to assure you that Fairfax County is doing everything possible to ensure that every registered voter can exercise that right safely. Sadly, recent actions by the U.S. Postmaster General have slowed mail delivery and raised questions about USPS's commitment to delivering mailed ballots in a timely fashion. Under pressure from Congress, the Postmaster General has committed to suspending his delivery cuts and re-prioritizing the delivery of mailed ballots. But given the uncertainty, it's more important than ever to be prepared with a plan to vote.

I will continue to share information as the election approaches and update you with any changes. But here is the most up-to-date information.

What's new this year?


  • Mail in ballots that are postmarked by Election Day will be accepted and counted. They must however, be received by the Office of Elections at 12pm on the Friday immediately following the election.

Can I still vote in person?

  • All voting precincts will be open from 6am-7pm on Election Day, November 3. You can find your polling location here.

  • Before Election Day, 15 locations will be open across the County to vote early.

  • Voting at the Fairfax County Government Center will begin September 18 and the other 14 locations will open October 14. Learn more here.

  • The Office of Elections is currently hiring poll workers. They will be provided PPE to ensure the protection of poll workers and voters. You can apply here.  

  • Curbside voting will be available for those with a disability or over the age of 65.

What mail options will be available?

  • You can apply to vote by mail here. Ballots will be mailed beginning September 18. When returning via mail, be sure to allow sufficient time to return your ballot.

  • Given the uncertainty surrounding USPS service, many of you have asked whether there will be ballot drop boxes. Existing Virginia law allows ballots to be dropped off with the General Registrar of a jurisdiction. That means you can drop off a ballot inside the Office of Elections at the Fairfax County Government Center or to an Assistant Registrar at a satellite location when that location is open. I am optimistic that the General Assembly will pass legislation this month allowing the use of ballot drop boxes around the county and will keep you informed as that process develops.

Continue reading for more information on:

-Supporting Return to School Program
-West Springfield Police CAC Community Meeting
-CECAP Public Engagement Meetings
-George Mason University Master Plan Process
-Stuff the Bus Food Drive
-Long Branch Stream Valley Park Project Meeting
-Fairfax Connector Updates
-Outdoor Flu Shot Clinics
-Heads up and Talk up Parent/Child Group Meetings
-St. Lucy Project Food Drive
-Battle of Ox Hill Commemoration
Supervisor James Walkinshaw

P.S. Forward this message to your neighbors in Braddock District! Residents can click here or email braddock@fairfaxcounty.gov to subscribe to the monthly Braddock Beacon newsletter and Advisories like this.
Supporting Return to School (SRS)
Supporting Return to School (SRS) is a new Fairfax County program developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and this year’s virtual return to school. The program will provide full-day on-site programming for children in Kindergarten through sixth grade, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The SRS program, located in 37 Fairfax County Public Schools, will serve children of families residing in Fairfax County or the City of Fairfax. A sliding fee scale will be available for income eligible families. Each classroom will have a group of no more than 10 children who will stay together each day, along with consistent staff to support their online learning and in-person connections. Current CDC health and safety guidelines will be implemented.

Enrollment for the SRS program begins August 24, 2020. Space is limited and we will accept enrollment on a limited basis. Limited transportation may be available. Additional information on fees and enrollment, including an online registration option, will be available or you may call (703) 449-8989.  
West Springfield Police CAC Community Meeting
The West Springfield Police CAC Community Engagement Meeting on September 1, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. will feature Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw as their guest speaker. This will be a virtual meeting and will be an ideal time to "meet" some of our local police officers and other community members who are concerned and involved with community safety in partnership with the police department. 

There will be time to ask questions and answers for both Supervisor Walkinshaw and the police. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate.  

This meeting will be held on Zoom, with 885762 as the password and you can either call in or participate online. 

You can also dial in by telephone at:
USA 636 651 3141
USA 877 402 9753 (US Toll Free)
Conference code: 404496

Topic: West Springfield CAC Community Engagement Meeting
Time: Sep 1, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

  


Meeting ID: 955 6246 6257
Password: 885762

Password: 885762
CECAP Public Engagement Begins Tonight
Fairfax County is developing a community-driven plan to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, and we need your help! The Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) is a climate mitigation plan developed by Fairfax County residents and stakeholders. While decisions about the plan will ultimately be made by a Task Force composed of several dozen representatives of community organizations, local businesses, and associations, the Task Force needs the input of county residents and workers to inform their conversation.

Join one of three virtual public meetings and take the CECAP public survey to share your opinions and suggestions. Your input will be considered by the CECAP Task Force as they make decisions about climate change mitigation goals, strategies, and actions we can take in the years to come. The County needs to hear your thoughts!

The public virtual meeting dates and times are below; use this link for more information to access the sessions:

  • Thursday, August 27, 2020: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 
  • Tuesday, September 1, 2020: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 
  • Wednesday, September 2, 2020: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
George Mason University Master Plan
This summer, work has continued on the master planning process that will shape the future of George Mason University. You are invited to participate in Mason’s second Master Plan Engagement Session from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 3. This virtual meeting is open to the community via Webex.

During the session, the GMU team will provide a summary of the analysis that has been completed since the June engagement session, including the survey results on how their three primary campuses are used. As always, they hope to have an active discussion to hear your thoughts and answer any questions. Your interest and participation have already made this process richer.
The master plan will serve as a decision-making framework for how they will use GMU campuses and physical space to advance Mason's mission. More information about the master plan and the work to date can be found on the master plan site. 
Your input is essential to developing a master plan that captures the best thinking, aspirations and needs of our community.
Stuff the Bus Food Drive Returns
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a dramatic rise in the demand for food from area nonprofits. To help meet this demand, the frequency of Stuff the Bus food drives is increasing. In May, drives were held on two days at 21 locations throughout the county and the response was immense, with 33.6 tons of food collected for area nonprofits.

On Saturday, September 12 and Saturday, September 26, Fastran buses will again be parked at 21 locations from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to collect food donations. Buses will be located in less-frequented lots throughout the county, including many Board of Supervisors’ offices and the Fairfax County Government Center, to allow donors to comply with social distancing recommendations.

In the Braddock District, buses will be located at the Braddock District office at 9002 Burke Lake Road Burke, VA 22015, the Government Center at 12000 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax, VA 22035, and another location to be determined at a later date.

For more information, including donation sites, a list of most-wanted items and information about donating virtually, visit the Stuff the Bus website.
Long Branch Stream Valley Park Project Public Meeting
The Fairfax County Park Authority will hold a virtual information meeting regarding the proposed Long Branch Stream Valley Trail Maintenance project on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will provide a community update on this project, which includes reconstruction of approximately 5,200 feet of trail in Long Branch Stream Valley Park. The purpose of the meeting is to provide information regarding the trail project, hear community input and answer questions.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this will be held as a virtual meeting using Zoom and can be accessed with the password LBSVTP!910; or you may listen in by calling (602) 333-0032 and entering access code 719976. Speakers are asked to sign up in advance via Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov or may pose written questions via the Zoom chat feature during the meeting. Speakers are limited to three minutes each.

We hope that you will share this information with others who may be interested in your community. For more information regarding this meeting contact the Public Information Office at (703) 324-8662 or via email at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Fairfax Connector Returns
Fairfax Connector, the largest local bus system in the Commonwealth of Virginia, will resume full service on all routes starting Saturday, August 29, 2020. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Fairfax Connector maintained approximately 70 percent of its service to ensure customers dependent on transit had access to essential jobs and vital services and could practice social distancing on Fairfax Connector buses.


Learn how operators and passengers are being protected and on enhanced services routes by reading the full press release.
Upcoming Outdoor Flu Clinics
Twinbrook Safeway is having an outdoor flu clinic on Saturday, August 29 from 11:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. They will have both the regular flu shot and the 65+ flu shot available. They will also have an outdoor clinic on October 9 from 2:00 p.m. through 6:00 p.m.

In addition, the Safeway in Burke is holding their outdoor flu clinic on September 9 from 12:00 p.m. through 5:00 p.m., September 25 from 2:00 p.m. through 6:00 p.m., and on October 17 from 12:00 p.m. through 5:00 p.m. 

The outdoor flu clinic is free with most insurance plans. If you are uninsured and cannot afford a flu shot, please contact the Fairfax County Health Department for assistance.
Heads Up and Talk It Out Virtual Groups
Heads Up is for teens between the ages of 14-17 who are working through emotional, mental health or substance use challenges.

Talk It Out provides support, education and resources to their parents and guardians.

Both programs utilize the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration's Eight Dimensions of Wellness model: emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical, environmental, financial, occupational, social, and emotional. Each dimension takes into account not only physical health, but all the factors that contribute to a person’s overall wellness, which can affect overall quality of life.

CSB is now providing these confidential sessions concurrently online via Zoom for Telehealth each Thursday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. For more information or to get the access code to join the groups, contact Anna Davis (703-383-8404) or David Edelman (703-481-4008).
St. Lucy Project Food Drive
A no contact food drive for the St. Lucy Project will take place Friday, August 28, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church, 5222 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, VA 22032.

Participants will drive up to the St. Lucy truck, open their windows and drop the plastic bags (plastic only) with nonperishable items (no glass) into a large box and drive off. Catholic Charities staff will take care of the food after the event and distribute it to those in need.

Visit St. Mary of Sorrow's website for additional information.
Battle of Ox Hill Virtual Commemoration
A virtual commemoration of Fairfax County's only major Civil War engagement, the Battle of Chantilly (Ox Hill) is in full swing. Be sure to check out the videos discussing different elements of the battle!
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