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Dear Neighbor,
I'm excited to share that at this week's meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved the creation of the Fairfax County Veterans and Military Families Commission, which originated from my Joint Board Matter with Chairman McKay at our January 23 Board Meeting.
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I look forward to service members, veterans, and military families having their own County Commission to share what programs are working for them, what gaps can be filled, and how we can best support those who have served our nation in uniform. I'm eager to work with this group, see the proposals they create, and support their initiatives.
The Commission's appointed members will be approved at the Board Meeting on April 30 and begin meeting in the summer. The Commission's 20 members will serve three-year terms and be made up of nominees from various organizations that interact with veterans and military families, including:
- Fairfax County Public Schools
- American Legion
- Fort Belvoir Army Base Installation
- Veterans Treatment Docket
- Department of Family Services
- Fairfax County Office to Prevent and End Homelessness
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
- Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development
- Fairfax County Community Services Board
- And more
The full resolution and bylaws can be viewed here.
Elevated Fire Risk
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The National Weather Service warns elevated fire weather conditions are expected until 8:00 p.m. this evening across Virginia.
Yesterday, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue responded to 26 outside fires in addition to 6 structure fires since Monday. The community may also experience smokey conditions due to brush fires outside of Fairfax County.
- Please be cautious if handling open flames or equipment that creates sparks.
- Dispose of cigarette butts, matches, and other flammable items in appropriate containers.
- Keep vehicles off dry grass and obey local burn bans (the Virginia 4 PM Burn Ban is in effect; open burning is not allowed before 4 p.m. if within 300 feet of woods or dry grass). Most dry grasses, dead leaves, and other tree litter could easily ignite and spread fire quickly.
For more information about current and recent wildfires, visit the Virginia Department of Forestry's Wildfire map. Stay aware of extreme weather alerts and more by subscribing to Fairfax Alerts.
Public Safety
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Last week I had the opportunity to visit the County's McConnell Public Safety and Transportation Operations Center (PSTOC). There, under one roof, multiple agencies and departments such as the County and State Police Departments, Fire & Rescue Department, VDOT, and more are ready to respond to any kind of incident. The PSTOC also houses the County's Emergency Operations Center. I viewed the Police Department's Forensics Lab and listened in as one of our dedicated 911 call-takers fielded calls.
The hard work and cooperation of these agencies helps keep Fairfax County the safest jurisdiction of its size in America. This status was reaffirmed in the recently-released Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA)’s Year-End Crime Report.
In coordination with the MCCA release, the Fairfax County Police Department issued its own Year Year End 2023 Crime Report 2023 Crime Report. The report focuses on serious offense categories, along with additional data on vehicle and pedestrian incidents.
I’m proud of the efforts of our Police Department in addressing issues of crime in our community, from tracking down dangerous offenders to partnering with retailers to address shoplifting. But building trust and partnering with the community is the key to maintaining our status as the safest jurisdiction of our size in the nation.
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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. | |
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Continue reading below for more information on:
- Gains, Gaps & Goals
- Lights Out Fairfax
- Braddock District Council's March Meeting
- Spring Break Petting Zoo at Kings Park Library
- Upcoming Hiring Opportunities
- Menstrual Supplies Drive
- Comment on Visualize 2050
- NVSWCD College Scholarships
- Community Advisory Committee Community Engagement Meeting
- Share Your Thoughts on Affordable Homeownership Program Changes
- Tax Season Resources
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Join the Fairfax County Department of Family Services (DFS) for "Gains, Gaps & Goals: The Status of Women and Girls in Fairfax County," a presentation from the University of Virginia on the status of women and girls in Fairfax County tomorrow (Friday, March 22) from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax).
The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion, audience Q&A, and networking with light refreshments after the event. The event will also be live-streamed on Channel 16. Learn more about the event on DFS' website.
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The Fairfax County Park Authority invites you to participate in Lights Out Fairfax this Saturday, March 23, from 8:30 - 9:30 p.m.
As light pollution has grown over the years, it has dimmed the starry skies over the County, impacting our environment. You can help counteract these effects this Saturday evening by turning off all outdoor lights for one hour.
Enlist the help of your family, friends, and neighbors to enjoy the darkness and the beauty of the stars. While it may take several minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness, the starry spectacle will make it worth your while.
To learn more about the impacts of light pollution, visit FCPA's website.
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Braddock District Council's
March Meeting
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The Braddock District Council (BDC)'s next meeting is Tuesday, March 26, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in Braddock Hall (9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke).
This month's meeting will feature a speaker from the Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC) discussing energy-saving programs for homeowners and communities.
For more details or the meeting agenda, check out the BDC website.
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Spring Break Petting Zoo
at Kings Park Library
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Enjoy quality time meeting animals from Bar C Ranch on Wednesday, March 27, from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Kings Park Library (9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke).
This is an outdoor event taking place on the back lawn of the library building. No registration required for this event.
Should there be inclement weather, the petting zoo will take place indoors with smaller animals and space will be limited.
This event is cosponsored by the Friends of the Kings Park Library, find our more on the Library website.
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Upcoming Hiring Opportunities | |
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V3 Workforce Summit
Whether you are a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified company or are interested in becoming one, please join the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) at the V3 Workforce Summit on Thursday, March 28, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the INOVA Conference Center (8100 Innovation Park Drive, Fairfax).
Here are 5 great reasons to attend this non-to-miss event:
- Gain Competitive Edge in Talent Acquisition: The V3 Workforce Summit offers unique insights into tapping into the veteran workforce – a pool of individuals who are exceptionally skilled, educated, and diverse. By attending, companies can learn how to stand out in a competitive job market by effectively attracting top-tier talent.
- Learn Inclusive Hiring Strategies: The summit will provide practical guidance on creating an inclusive workplace culture that appeals to veterans. Companies can discover how to leverage veterans’ unique skills and experiences, enhancing their overall workforce diversity and strength.
- Access Expert Knowledge and Best Practices: Industry experts at the summit will share valuable strategies for marketing job opportunities to veterans and executing recruitment processes that position your company as an attractive employer for military talent.
- Optimize Hiring and Retention Processes: Learn how to refine your hiring process to not only attract but also retain veteran talent. The summit will offer strategies for establishing employment initiatives that encourage veterans to stay and grow within your organization.
- Network and Collaborate with Like-Minded Businesses: The summit is an excellent opportunity for both V3-certified companies and those aspiring to certification to network, share experiences, and collaborate on best practices in veteran employment, fostering a community of businesses committed to supporting the veteran workforce.
Contact Roderick Williams (Program Manager, Military and Diversity Outreach, Talent Program at the FCEDA) if you have questions. He can be reached at (571) 536-4688 or [email protected].
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The Braddock District Office has joined Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik in supporting a Countywide Menstrual Supplies Drive until March 29. There is still a week left to donate!
The Braddock District Office is a collection site for unopened cups, liners, pads, and tampons to donate to the Annandale United Methodist Church’s Mission Center.
You can drop off these items in the boxes (photo on right) outside of the door to the Braddock District Office (9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke). You can drop off supplies Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. or enter through the Kings Park Library side on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
More information (including additional donation sites) is available on Supervisor Palchik's page.
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Comment on Visualize 2050 | |
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The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments is seeking public feedback through March 30 on the Visualize 2050 National Capital Region Transportation Plan before the TPB conducts an Air Quality Conformity Analysis of proposed, regionally significant roadway and transit projects, the next step in the planning process.
All major transportation projects must be in the TPB plan to receive federal funding and approvals, from the planned I-495 interchange improvements near the proposed new FBI headquarters in Greenbelt, Maryland, to the expansion of bus lanes along Georgia Avenue in the District of Columbia and the US Route 1 Bus Rapid Transit project in Fairfax County, Virginia.
For the first time, the TPB is adopting a "zero-based budgeting" approach for this plan update. Under this strategy, previously approved projects were required to be resubmitted by their respective jurisdictions, excluding those already significantly underway.
Learn more about the plan and access the public comment form/maps.
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NVSWCD College Scholarships | |
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The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (NVSWCD) is currently accepting college scholarship applications until April 1.
Fairfax County high school seniors or college freshmen are eligible to receive a $1,000 Future Conservation Leaders Scholarship from NVSWCD. This scholarship supports students studying in the field of natural resource conservation and is focused on investing in the talented youth of Fairfax County.
NVSWCD’s Future Conservation Leaders Scholarship award winner will also be submitted to the VASWCD Educational Foundation committee for review and may be eligible to receive one of four $2,000 state-wide scholarships.
If you need an application sent tvia U.S. mail or in an alternative format, email NVSWCD or call (703) 324-1460 | TTY 711.
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Community Advisory Committee Community Engagement Meeting | |
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The West Springfield District Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will host a Community Engagement Meeting on Tuesday, April 2, at 7:00 p.m. at the West Springfield District Station (6140 Rolling Road, Springfield).
These meetings offer the community a chance to dialogue and communicate more effectively with officers of the Fairfax County Police Department.
April's guest speaker will be from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department's Fire Investigations Section.
Sign up for the West Springfield CAC newsletter by emailing [email protected]. CAC meetings are generally held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m., and all ages are welcome to attend. If you have any questions, contact MPO Tony Capizzi at (703) 277-2363.
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Share Your Thoughts on Affordable Homeownership Program Changes | |
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Fairfax County is reviewing potential updates to the Workforce Dwelling Unit (WDU) Homeownership program to enhance affordable homeownership opportunities for residents. The WDU program is designed to support those with low to moderate incomes and is crucial as home prices in our area continue to outpace income growth.
This initiative aligns with our commitment to equitable housing, giving opportunities for more families to afford homes in new residential developments. It is a key component of our adherence to the Countywide Strategic Plan and the principles of the One Fairfax policy, promoting equity and inclusivity across all communities.
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Tax Relief Workshop
Staff from the Department of Tax Administration (DTA) are holding Tax Relief Workshops through March and April to assist with filling out the 2024 tax relief application form, as well as answer questions.
The Braddock District Tax Relief Workshop will be held at Braddock Hall (9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke) on Tuesday, March 26 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
To ensure DTA is assisting individuals promptly, workshops will utilize appointment scheduling. To request an appointment, call (703) 324-3747 or email [email protected].
For more information, or to view other workshop dates and locations, visit DTA's website.
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Free Tax Preparation Help Available until April 15
Tax season is officially underway — and so too is free tax preparation assistance by the AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide program.
Fairfax County is partnering with the nonprofit to provide eight county facilities where residents can get no-cost help filling out their federal and state taxes through April 15.
Tax-Aide volunteers are trained and IRS-certified every year, according to AARP. At every location, volunteers can help you prepare your federal and Virginia state tax returns, and some locations can also assist you with District of Columbia and Maryland taxes. Find a Tax Aide near you.
Tax aides can help you with most — but not all — tax returns, including returns with:
- Wages, interest, dividends, capital gains or losses, pensions and Social Security benefits
- Self-employment income with limits
- Qualified business income deduction with limits
- 1099 income
- IRA contributions
- Health savings accounts
However, volunteers can’t help with complicated tax returns that involve a small business with employees, rental income or alternative minimum tax.
Before you visit an assistance location, check what kinds of tax returns the program can and can’t prepare.
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Do Taxes Yourself
If you want to do your taxes yourself, the federal and state governments offer free online tax preparation and filing for people within certain income limits.
Learn more:
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Real Estate Assessments
2024 real estate assessments are available. Homeowners should have received a copy in the mail, or you can find your assessment online. The Department of Tax Administration has developed a useful tool for residents to see how their neighborhoods’ home values have changed from last year to this year. Click here to view the map.
It's important to note that Virginia law requires homes to be assessed at fair market value, which is not set by the Board. On average, due to higher mortgage rates and slower sales, assessments went up countywide by just 2.86%; in the Braddock District, the average increase was 2.52%. By comparison, one year ago the increases were 6.97% and 7.04%, respectively.
If you'd like to learn more about how the assessments are calculated, you can visit the Department of Tax Administration (DTA)'s page.
If you believe that your real estate is incorrectly assessed, you can file an appeal through DTA.
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