Budget Public Hearings Begin Tomorrow - If you are concerned about the advertised real estate tax – which means a tax bill increase of 9.5 percent on the average homeowner, 11.5 percent in the Springfield District and much higher for many -  I strongly encourage you to sign up to testify at the budget public hearings this week. The hearings begin tomorrow, April 12^th and run through Thursday, April 14^th. This is your opportunity to tell the entire Board how tax increases affect you and your family. As I’ve shared with you in past newsletters, I am working to substantially lower the tax rate, but I am only one vote. The rest of my colleagues need to hear from you.

Testifying is as simple as sharing how the tax rate affects you and your family. You can testify in person, via phone, pre-recorded video, or by submitting written testimony to the Clerk to the Board. To sign up and for instructions on submitting testimony, visit the County website here. Submitting video testimony is a great way to testify if you are unable to attend the hearings. Please note that video testimony is due by 9 a.m. the day before the public hearing and you must still sign up with the Clerk before submitting your video. For more information see details on how to submit testimony here.

For more of my thoughts on this budget please see my previous newsletters on this year’s advertised budget from February and March. I look forward to hearing from you on the tax rate and the County budget. 

Sully Virtual CAC Meeting on April 13^th

Next Wednesday the 13^th, the Sully District Community Advisory Commission (CAC) will host their next virtual meeting from 7pm until 8pm. You can follow this Zoom link to join the meeting: https://bit.ly/sullycac21.

Repaving and Restriping Meeting Scheduled for April 19^th

As part of its maintenance program, VDOT repaves hundreds of roads in Fairfax County each year. FCDOT and VDOT collaborate during the repaving and restriping process to efficiently implement the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan that seeks to improve traffic safety and provide transportation options to people around the County. Paving work begins this month and concludes in November.

·        Join the Online Meeting

·        Dial In: 571-429-5982; Phone Conference ID: 652 144 956

Please see here for the proposed paving plans for this year’s cycle. Unfortunately, they have been reduced due to the cost of fuel, competition with the extensive paving on the I-66 project (slated to open in early December this year) and materials and labor costs and shortages.

·        Old Keene Mill Road: FCDOT and VDOT are proposing to narrow the travel lanes to a 11ft and widen the existing shoulder between Rolling Road and Greeley Blvd. In areas where no shoulder is present, the median will be widened to improve the safety of crossing pedestrians. I have been advocating for paving the shoulders of Old Keene Mill Road for pedestrian and bike access for years but staff has not included in this year’s plan. I am not convinced the proposed striping plan accomplishes much and would like hear from you.

·        Autumn Willow Drive at Stringfellow Park: Location would require some parking restrictions to provide sufficient visibility of the crosswalk.

·        Fair Lakes Boulevard at Sedgehurst Drive

The Reunion Music Society & the NOVA Symphony Orchestra’s Spring Together Concert at Richard J. Ernst Community Cultural Center for April 24^th

The Reunion Music Society and NOVA present “Spring Together”, a concert performed by the NOVA Symphony Orchestra. It will be located at Richard J. Ernst Community Cultural Center on April 24^th starting at 4pm. For more information, visit www.NOVASymphony.org.

Fire Drill 5k at Burke Lake Park for May 1^st

Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue is hosting the Fire Drill 5k and Fun Run on May 1^st at Burke Lake Park. Come show support to our first responders by clicking here for registration information and more.

July 13^th- August 24^th

Remember the 90s TV show about the highly intelligent, spunky teenager? Well meet Blossom, our super smart and very spunky young pup! She's got brains, she's got beauty, and she's got energy for days. She already knows some basic commands and listens well--she just needs some additional training to put some polish on what she knows. She loves to be outside, exploring anything and everything, and would make a most excellent adventure buddy. If you would like to meet Blossom, click here to arrange a visit.