Issue 36
Friday, October 16, 2020
Prince William County
Dear Neighbors,

Both sides of the political spectrum are saying that this is the most important election of our lives. What I know, is that this is shaping up to be one of the biggest elections of our times and voter turnout is predicted to be historically high. Our lead article starts with some gee-whiz numbers in PWC for this election. The good news is our county and its Office of Elections are prepared.

The BOCS recently allocated an additional $1 million, from CARES Act funds, to the Office of Elections. Extra precautions include adequate PPE, availability of hand sanitizer, frequent sanitizing of touched surfaces and the enforcement of social distancing which requires additional staffing. In addition, the higher turnout leads to greater costs associated with COVID-19 safely precautions.

This year the Office of Elections added five additional early in person voting locations for the last two weeks (details below). In addition, they brought on additional personnel and volunteers to handle the high number of absentee ballot requests.

Recently our office heard from a man whose parents live in our county and the parents had neighbors who were struggling to find voting resources in Spanish. We reached out to the Office of Elections and I'm happy to report that the Office of Elections' PWCVotes.org website now has a Spanish version, as does my ChairWheeler website!

These are just a few of the things we have put in place to set you up for success. So if you have already cast your vote, thank you! If you haven't voted yet, make your plan now, knowing we are ready for you.

In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
Voting
Gee-Whiz PWC Numbers
Voters:
  • 266,000+ Total Registered Voters
  • 16,000+ Newly Registered in 2020
Voting:
  • 68,000+ Total Who Have Already Voted
  • 38,000+ Have Voted In Person
  • 97,000+ Requested An Absentee Ballot
  • 29,000+ Have Returned An Absentee Ballot
More Opportunities
Starting Monday, October 19, through Saturday, October 31, PWC will have five additional locations and expand hours (to 7:00 pm M-Th and to 5:00 pm Sat) for early in person voting.
Monday, October 19 Through Saturday, October 31
Hours:
  • Monday through Thursday 8:30 am to 7:00 pm
  • Friday and Saturday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Locations:
  • Haymarket Gainesville Library, 14870 Lightner Road
  • Office of Elections, 9250 Lee Avenue, Suite 1
  • DMV Woodbridge, 2731 Caton Hill Road 
  • McCoart Administration Building, 1 County Complex
  • Ferlazzo Building, 15941 Donald Curtis Dr. 
  • Piney Branch Elementary School, 8301 Linton Hall Road
  • Colgan High School, 13833 Dumfries Road
  • Dumfries Town Hall, 101 S. Main Street
Absentee Ballots
All early in person voting locations have a secure drop-off box available during their voting hours to deposit your absentee ballot.
COVID-19
Return To Learn
PWC Schools have updated their phased-in plans for students to return for in-person learning. The specifics are delineated by grade level and go into affect with a staggered approach starting November 10.
PWC School Pre-K Through Third-Grade
Students who indicated an in-person preference (or did not select a preference) will be phased in under a 50/50 model, attending two alternating days per week (T/Th or W/F assigned by household). Mondays remain virtual for all students. The tentative starting dates by grade are:
  • Pre-K and kindergarten - November 10
  • First-grade - December 1
  • Second-grade and third-grade - January 12

Fourth-Grade Through 12th-Grade
Students in grades 4 through 12 will remain virtual while the county remains at moderate risk. The phased-in plan allows the return of students in some career and technical education classes on Mondays beginning November 16. Program details will be communicated by the school/program.
More Help
 The BOCS allocated an additional $1 million from the county's second round of federal CARES Act funds to the Human Services Alliance of Greater Prince William (The Alliance). Subsequently, grants have been given to 12 qualified nonprofits across the County. To date, the Alliance has distributed between $50,000 to $150,000 to 26 nonprofits for COVID-19 relief for housing and utility assistance, access to health care appointments and medication, employment assistance, childcare costs, and other critical unmet needs.
Making It Simpler
The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, has released a simpler loan forgiveness application for Paycheck Protection Program loans of $50,000 or less. Under the program, created by the federal CARES Act, loans may be forgiven if borrowers use the proceeds to maintain their payrolls and pay other specified expenses.
BOCS
Upcoming Meeting
The BOCS will meet 
Tuesday, October 20 at
2:00 pm and 7:30 pm

For Public Comment Time options visit 
SpeakUp! Prince William.
Advance sign-up is required by
5:00 pm on Monday, October 19.
Upcoming Events
Young Adult Program
PWC Public Libraries is offering a free virtual livestream program for grades 6 - 12 on Saturday, October 17 from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. NAMI: Ending The Silence focuses on breaking down the stigma of mental illness. Learn about the warning signs of a possible mental health condition and what to do for yourself, friends, and family. Hear the story of a young adult in recovery from a mental illness. Parents are welcome. Registrants will receive a link to the program the day of the event.
Speaking of our Public Libraries, check out their YouTube Channel. It is teaming with content and constantly being updated. Their Events webpage also has a wide variety of daily virtual offerings for all ages.
Someone Say Cookout?
PWC Parks and Recreation did! Saturday, October 24 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, SplashDown Waterpark's community outreach is co-hosting the drive-thru style cookout. Wave at Digger the Dolphin as you pick up a free to-go lunch, a 2020 souvenir mug, and other goodies (while supplies last).
Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Saturday, October 24 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, PWC and Manassas City Police Departments are partnering with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and community groups to provide a safe and legal way to dispose of unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter solid-dosage medications (i.e. tablets and capsules). Collection sites are Novant Health UVA Health System's Prince William Medical Center and Haymarket Medical Center, and Sentara Lake Ridge.
These items cannot be collected:
  • Injectables, syringes, needles and EpiPens (contact PWC Solid Waste Management for information on recommendations)
  • Intravenous solutions
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Compressed cylinders or aerosols (e.g., asthma inhalers)
  • Iodine-containing medications
  • Thermometers
  • Alcohol & illicit drugs
Hometown Heroes
"Pulling" For The Athletes
The PWC Police Department is asking the public to join them in their annual “Plane Pull” for Virginia’s Special Olympics. In previous years they have participated in the 747 airplane pull at Dulles International Airport. This year, the event is being held virtually through video submissions. All donations will go to the athletes of the Special Olympics with Intellectual Disabilities.
“We have been participating for a number of years in this event, we have been pretty successful in the past, so we’re hoping this year to continue that trend and mostly though our goal is just to raise money for the Special Olympics.”
Renee Carr
Public Information Officer, Prince William County Police Department
Acknowledgement
In Issue 35 an article featured the rich history our county has with Native American people. We also put a spotlight on Monday, October 12 as the day to honor and celebrate Native Americans’ lives and commemorate their rich history and culture. For the first time in Virginia's history, Governor Ralph Northam proclaimed Monday, October 12, 2020 Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Virginia is home to 11 state-recognized Indian tribes. Later this month, Virginia will open Machicomoco State Park, the Commonwealth’s first state park devoted to interpreting the experiences and history of Virginia’s Indian tribes and the Algonquin nation.
Ann B. Wheeler was elected Chair At-Large of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors during the 2019 General Election and assumed office on January 1, 2020. Prince William County is located 25 miles south of Washington, D.C., and is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s second-most populous county with approximately 470,000 residents.