Dear Neighbor,
Spring is around the corner! That means more hours of sunlight are coming because daylight savings time begins this Sunday, March 12th. Here's your reminder to set your clocks ahead by one hour. And while you're at it, change your smoke detector batteries too!
I want to thank all who tuned in to the third session of my Older Adults Roundtable. If you missed it, you can access the recording on my Facebook or on Channel 16.
In honor of Women's History Month, I want to take a moment to recognize the contributions of the many women who fought to get us where we are today. I also want to thank our fierce women employees and leaders of the County who work tirelessly to provide quality services to our residents. We need to inspire, encourage, and support women everywhere and continue to fight for equal rights.
Lastly, I am hosting the Providence District Budget Town Hall on Thursday, March 16th from 5:30PM to 7PM to discuss the County Executive's proposed FY24 budget. The majority of the budget is allocated towards supporting our current employees and the recruitment of new employees. As the Board continues to evaluate and work on the budget, your input is critical. I hope you will participate and provide your feedback. Details on the town hall can be found below.
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You can read about the following Providence District updates:
- Women's History Month
- Ways to Give Back
- Board Meeting Highlights
- Green Corner
- Keeping it Cool Grant
- Land Use and Transportation Updates
- Upcoming Events
With gratitude,
Supervisor Dalia Palchik
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The Board presented a proclamation designating March 2023 as Women's History Month in Fairfax County to the Commission for Women and the Department of Family Services. Every year since 1987, this month is a special time to celebrate women's contribution to history, culture, and society.
In honor of Women's History Month, I want to highlight a number of women leaders in our county.
- Reasa Currier, Director, Animal Shelter
- Rebecca Makeley, Director, Cable & Consumer Services
- Nicole Rawlings, Director, Civil Service Commission
- Jill Cooper, Director, Clerk Services
- Rebecca Moudry, Director, Economic Initiatives
- Claudia Arko, Director, Government Relations
- Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu, Director, Health Department
- Catherine Schafrik, Director, Human Resources
- Sharon Pribadi, Director, Internal Audit
- Jessica Hudson, Director, Public Libraries
- Betsy May-Salazar, Executive Director, McLean Community Center
- Jai Cole, Executive Director, Park Authority
- Tracy Strunk, Director, Planning and Development
- Lee Ann Pender, Director, Procurement and Material Management
- Leila Gordon, Executive Director, Reston Community Center
- Stacey Kincaid, Sheriff
We have come a long way and there's a lot more left to be done. Equally as important as recognizing our history, it is also vital that we support and encourage women's further growth and progress.
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Grow veggies, herbs, and/or fruits to donate as part of Hands on Harvests' (HOH) Grow a Row program. HOH can supply soil test kits, seeds, and plants. You can either take your donation to a pantry near you or leave the donation at a drop-off host site. Report your donation with the Fresh Food Connect app or by filling out our online form.
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Supporting the People of Türkiye
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The recent earthquakes in Türkiye have had a devastating impact on the community in that region. More than 30,000 people have died and millions have been displaced due to the damage caused by the earthquakes and aftershocks.
The biggest need right now is shelter and food. A contribution of $45 will help purchase a 30-pound package of food that will be distributed to those in need.
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Recognizing Ilia Malinin.
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At Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting, we were thrilled to recognize Marshall High School senior Ilia "quadg0d" Malinin for his spintacular achievements in both national and international ice-skating competitions.
I presented the following Board matters:
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Additionally, the Board took the following actions:
- Authorized a public hearing on April 11 at 3PM to consider an ordinance to amend and re-adopt County code section relating to sewer availability charges, service charges, base charges, and hauled wastewater charges.
- Authorized a public hearing on March 21 at 4:30PM to consider salary adjustments for Chairman and Board members of the newly elected Board to be seated on January 1, 2024.
- Following public hearing, the proposed ordinance to amend and re-adopt County code sections relating to election precincts and polling places was adopted. In Providence, the following changes will apply:
- Tysons precinct be divided to create Jones Branch precinct.
- Polling place for Tysons precinct be moved to The PARC at Tysons (8508 Leesburg Pike).
- Oak Marr precinct be renamed Oaktree Crossing.
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The Northern Virginia Regional Commission created a solar map for the geographic area of Northern Virginia. This map has been created to demonstrate to homeowners and business owners how much solar energy can be generated by the rooftop of their home and/or business. The map is the first of its kind in Northern Virginia.
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Invasive Plant Removal Sessions
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Did you know that invasive plants are a huge threat to local wildlife, including migrating birds? Help out these creatures by volunteering to remove invasive plants and restore their habitat!
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The Keeping It Cool Grant Program will provide $400,000 in grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 to support cold storage infrastructure and equipment needs of food businesses and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations providing food-related goods and services in the Washington D.C. region. Application closes March 31st.
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Land Use and Transportation Updates
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Metro Budget Public Hearing
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Planning Commission Workshops for SSPA Nominations
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Community meetings for the county’s SSPA (Site-Specific Plan Amendment) nominations have wrapped up and the next step is Planning Commission Workshops.
The Planning Commission Workshop for Providence district nominations will be on Thursday, March 23rd at 7:30PM at the Fairfax County Government Center where staff will share an overview of the SSPA process, the trends seen in the nominations, and staff recommendations for each nomination. The public can join in person or attend by phone.
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The Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development will hold a community meeting for residents to learn more about the Pan Am Shopping Center Project on Thursday, March 30th from 7PM to 9PM at the Pan Am Shopping Center (3069 Nutley Street).
Fairfax County is working on a long-range planning project with the potential to create a mixed-use community and add residential uses to the Pan Am Shopping Center. The land use change being considered consist of proposed changes to the Comprehensive Plan. The proposed change would keep some of the existing retail uses and add a residential component to the existing shopping center, as well as new park spaces for new residents and the surrounding neighborhoods.
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West Falls Church Quarterly Public Meeting
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The next Quarterly Community Construction Meeting will be held virtually on April 27th at 7pm. The best way to connect with the developers is through their website's "Contact Us" section.
They continue to hold biweekly meetings with Meridian High School, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, and the City of Falls Church to mitigate impacts on school operations.
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School Board Approves Plan to Address School Traffic and Pedestrian Safety
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School Board Member Frisch's Remarks.
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The Fairfax County School Board unanimously approved a proposal directing Superintendent Michelle Reid to develop an annually updated School Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Assessment Program. The effort was sponsored by school board members Karl Frisch (Providence District) and Stella Pekarsky (Sully District).
The school board’s action will create an annually updated School Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Assessment Program from the Department of Facilities and Transportation Services that mirrors the Capital Improvement Program’s (CIP) method for addressing capacity deficits.
The new program will include a menu of potential mitigation strategies, an equitable queue of schools with the most pressing needs, implementation timelines, and an update on pending, current, and recently completed remediation projects.
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McLean Community Engagement Meeting
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The McLean District Police Station will host a community engagement meeting today, March 9, 7PM at 1437 Balls Hill Rd. This is an opportunity to discuss issues and concerns with the Commanders of McLean District Police Station that are affecting your community and current crime trends. Consumer Affairs will have a presentation on Scams and Frauds. Learn the most common scams and how to recognize them, so you do not become their next victim.
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Neighborhood and Community Services Open Hire Event
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The Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) is holding an Open Hire event on Saturday, March 14th from 5PM to 7PM at the Pennino Building (12011 Government Center Parkway) Room 206.
Available positions throughout the county include:
- Community-based Programs and Services – Recreation Leader II and III
- School Age Child Care – Day Care Center Teacher I
- Therapeutic Recreation Services – Therapeutic Recreation Leader, Unit Leader and Director
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Providence District Budget Town Hall
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I am hosting a Budget Town Hall on March 16 at 5:30PM with School Board Member Karl Frisch, CFO Christina Jackson, FCPS Executive Director of Budget Services Alice Wigington, and the Providence District Council to discuss the proposed FY24 Budget and collect community feedback.
How to Watch:
Submit your questions and comments:
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The McLean District Police Station will hold a car seat inspection on Saturday, March 18th & 25th from 9AM to 1PM at the McLean Station (1437 Balls Hill Rd).
It is on a first come first serve basis. Please have your car seat installed so that the inspection can be done. If you have any questions, contact the McLean Station at 703-556-7750 ext. 0.
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Tysons Community Alliance Family Bike Ride
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The Tysons Community Alliance will host a family bicycle ride on April 2nd from 8AM to 11AM as part of D.C.’s annual celebration of its cherry trees at the Tidal Basin. The bicycle ride will start in the Tysons Corner Center Plaza, where there will also be arts and crafts and other family-friendly activities.
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Bike to Work Day registration is now open! Providence Community Center will be hosting its first pit stop this year on May 19th from 7Am to 9AM.
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The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OllI) at Mason offers hundreds of stimulating educational, social, and cultural courses, clubs, trips, and events each year on topics of interest to adults 50 and older. Classes are held at sites in Fairfax, Loudoun, and Reston.
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My office took a break last week and supported a small business for a quick team-building activity at Cyber Racoon Escape Room. I'm glad to report that we were able to solve the puzzles and escape (although it took us about two minutes longer than the allowed time).
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We want to hear from you! Please reach out to us with questions, comments or just to say hello. Please feel free to email us with events you would like to be included in my newsletter.
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