|
The end of January marks the end of my term as Chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG). Having worked closely with COG for many years, it was an honor to share in such accomplishments as the launch of Talent Capital, DMV Monitor, Regional Crime Dashboard, and DMVMoves Plan.
COG unites federal, state, and local officials, and partners in the private and nonprofit sectors, on issues that matter to everyone who lives, works, and plays in the region. I encourage you to watch a short recap video, featuring highlights from the past year.
| | Talent Capital was launched in October 2025, only 12 hours prior to the government shutdown, in response to reductions in the federal and contractor workforce. Powered by AI, Talent Capital job matches are tailored not just to past roles, but also to skills, career stage, aspirations, and location, while trainings and credentials are highlighted to boost career transitions. | | |
Launch of Talent Capital (credit Chris Ferenzi)
The DMV Monitor, in partnership with The Brookings Institution, has been tracking changes in the Metropolitan Washington economy since January 2025. The data and set of analyses highlight the economic and social effects of federal restructuring and other policies.
The COG Regional Crime Dashboard is the first unified, near real-time dashboard for DC, Maryland, and Virginia that aggregates and displays recent crime data from 24 local jurisdictions. The dashboard is a publicly available resource for police officials, government, business, and nonprofit leaders, the media, and area residents to access data and better understand crime trends in the region.
| | |
Year-to-date calculation uses data 45 days ago as current date to allow for data lag
DMVMoves is a joint initiative by COG and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to develop a unified vision and sustainable funding model for public transit in our region. The final plan was adopted and can be found here.
| | |
DMVMoves regional transit tour
I will remain a member of COG after the new Board of Directors is appointed. I look forward to continuing this important work together in 2026.
| | It is both an honor and a privilege for me to serve as your representative on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. | | |
Rodney L. Lusk
Franconia District Supervisor
| | One of the best parts of my job as Supervisor is getting to know you in your communities. I would like to attend your next homeowner, civic, or citizen association meeting to share information and hear what's important to you. If there is a community association meeting or event you would like me to attend, please contact my office at 703-971-6262. | | If this email was forwarded to you, consider signing up for my email list to receive newsletters and other important announcements. | | Special Election for HD-17 | | |
Special Election for Member of House of Delegates 17th District
January 20, 2026
Special election for a member of the House of Delegates 17th District to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of the Honorable Mark D. Sickles. Only registered residents of Virginia House of Delegates 17th District are eligible to vote in this election.
- Deadline to register: January 13
- Deadline to apply for an absentee by-mail ballot: January 9
- Early In-person Voting: January 10 - January 17
Early Voting Locations through January 17
Franconia Governmental Center
Monday – Friday: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday (Jan. 10, Jan. 17): 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Fairfax County Government Center
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday (Jan. 10, Jan. 17): 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
| | TSRC West Potomac Visit - January 8 | | I had the pleasure of speaking with students at TSRC West Potomac about my experience working in Fairfax County, the role of local government, and career opportunities after graduation. | | Help Inform Potential Changes to Accessory Living Units (ALUs) | | |
The County is exploring potential changes to Accessory Living Units (ALUs) and inviting the community to participate in the process. On January 20 and 21, virtual community meetings will be held to discuss the potential changes that could be made to the Zoning Ordinance regulations for ALUs. Each meeting will include the same content. The different dates and times are offered to provide flexibility for attendees. No registration is required.
Save the date to join one of the following community meetings:
- Tuesday, January 20, at 12:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 21, at 7:00 p.m.
As directed by the Board of Supervisors in its Zoning Ordinance work program, county staff has begun researching potential changes to the Zoning Ordinance that would revise the current regulations for ALUs. These revisions may include changes to permissions, size limitations, minimum lot size requirements, occupancy, and other related standards. Visit the County website to get meeting details and see additional project information.
Public hearings on this Zoning Ordinance amendment have not been scheduled.
If you cannot attend the meetings, recordings will be available afterwards. If you have any questions or comments, email casey.judge@fairfaxcounty.gov or carmen.bishop@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-324-1314.
| | Click to expand and view links | | |
Interested in an entry-level position in healthcare, hospitality, trade careers or exploring entrepreneurship? The Discover Your Path Expo is for you!
This career and resource fair is open to all ages, but there will be special activities for youth and young adults ages 14-24.
At the Expo, you can:
- Connect with employers and resources.
- Enjoy workshops and speaker panels.
- Register for free GED, SAT, ACT and GMAT prep classes.
- Win door prizes and giveaways, including a $100 Gift Card (Must be ages 14-24 and be present to win.)
When: January 10, 2026, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Thomas Edison High School
Admission is free. Register to attend.
| | FCPD Launches First Traffic Safety Initiative of 2026 | | |
The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) is launching its first traffic safety initiative of the year with a renewed focus on enforcement, education, and community awareness. January begins with targeted impaired driving enforcement following the New Year holiday period. While celebrations may continue into the early weeks of the year, impaired driving remains a serious concern that places everyone on the road at risk.
Officers will be focused on identifying and stopping impaired drivers, removing dangerous behavior from our roadways, and reinforcing the message that driving under the influence is never acceptable. These efforts are designed not only to deter impaired driving but also to prevent tragic outcomes before they occur.
| | |
January 19 through January 26 marks National Passenger Safety Week, an important opportunity to highlight the role passengers and peers play in keeping roads safe. This initiative promotes safe driving by encouraging passengers to speak up when they observe reckless or dangerous behavior. Whether it is excessive speed, distracted driving, or impairment, passengers have the power to influence decisions that can prevent crashes. Parents are encouraged to talk with their children and teens about the importance of speaking up. A simple reminder or refusal to ride with an unsafe driver can make a life-saving difference.
Traffic safety is a shared responsibility. Law enforcement plays a critical role through enforcement and education, but lasting change happens when the community is engaged and informed.
| | |
The Crisis Assistance Program is designed to help households overcome energy emergencies that cannot be met by other resources. An energy emergency is determined when a household has no heat or is in imminent danger of being without heat.
Crisis Assistance offers assistance with one or more of the following:
- Payment of primary heat source utility bills.
- Payment of security deposits for primary heat utility.
- Purchase of primary home heating fuel when the fuel supply is low.
- Repair of inoperable or unsafe heating equipment.
- Replacement of heating equipment for homeowners only (when repair is not possible).
- Provision of supplemental heating equipment/maintenance.
Applications are open through March 16, 2026. Learn more.
| | FCPS Adult & Community Education | | |
Get the skills you need to advance your career in the trades! Learn on your own schedule with flexible career training programs that combine expert instruction with Virtual Reality (VR) headsets for "hands-on" realistic simulations and practice.
From Die Setting to Welding, there are 15 new manufacturing and skilled trade VR courses available from FCPS Adult & Community Education to give you an immersive learning experience that bridges the gap between flexible, online learning and real-world training. Learn more.
| | January is National Mentoring Month | | |
Through mentoring, BeFriend-A-Child hopes to reduce some of the child abuse and neglect "risk factors" - social isolation, lack of support, and family stress; and to enhance various "protective factors" - positive self-esteem, good social skills, hobbies, interests, and good peer relationships.
By connecting at-risk youth with professionally supported, caring adult mentors, BeFriend-A-Child strives to create a community where children feel more confident and motivated to make informed, responsible life choices and become productive, involved members of the community.
After volunteers apply and are accepted as mentors, training is provided to prepare them for various aspects of child development. Mentors must be able to make a two-year commitment, spending at least eight hours every month with their mentee and participating in group outings at least once per quarter. Male applicants and bilingual English-Spanish speakers are highly encouraged to apply.
For more information, contact a BeFriend-A-Child coordinator by email or call 703-324-7072.
| | Read & Feed Library Food Drive | | |
Throughout the months of January and February, Fairfax County Public Library is collecting donations of food at all branches during regular hours. Non-profits cannot accept homemade items, opened items, food that is not labeled, cooked food, glass containers or expired items.
Locations in the Franconia District:
Koinonia Community Services is accepting donations at John Marshall Library.
- Specific Requests: Cooking oil, Flour, Masa, Sugar, Mayonnaise, Pancake mix & syrup, Salad dressing, Instant potatoes
Rising Hope Mission Church is accepting donations at Kingstowne Library.
- Specific Requests: Canned Tuna, Canned Chicken, Canned Salmon, Canned Beans, Easy-open soup cans, Canned vegetables, Pasta
Thank you in advance for your generosity.
| | |
The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) will host a free hiring event on January 22, 2026, at Capital One Hall, bringing together more than 40 employers and thousands of open roles across a wide range of industries.
The event is designed to support professionals at all stages of their careers, including former federal workers and contractors navigating career transitions, as well as students, veterans, and experienced professionals seeking new opportunities in Northern Virginia.
The hiring event will feature employers from across the region’s innovation economy, including organizations working in information technology, cybersecurity, engineering, aerospace, healthcare technology, artificial intelligence, data analytics, renewable energy, and professional services. In addition to employer engagement, attendees will have access to free professional headshots provided by on-site photographers.
Recruiters from companies such as Systems Planning and Analysis (SPA), Peraton, Amentum, CACI, Somatus, Xcelerate Solutions, and others will be on site to discuss open roles, hiring needs, and career pathways. Cleared professionals are encouraged to attend, and all backgrounds are welcome.
Registration is encouraged but not required. Learn more.
| | S Van Dorn St STARS Study Workshop | | |
The South Van Dorn Street STARS Study has been assessing potential safety, operational, transit and bicycle/pedestrian improvements along the two-and-a-half mile stretch of South Van Dorn Street (Route 613) between Telegraph Road (Route 611) and the Alexandria city limits, and three-quarters of a mile of Franconia Road (Route 644) between Grovedale Drive and South Van Dorn Street.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is hosting a public workshop on the study at Edison High School (5801 Franconia Road) on January 14, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
The preferred alternatives that will be detailed at the open house are for the following locations within the study corridor:
- South Van Dorn Street and I-95/I-495 (Capital Beltway) ramps.
- South Van Dorn Street and Crown Royal Drive.
- South Van Dorn Street and Franconia Road.
- Franconia Road and Beulah Street.
- South Van Dorn Street and Kingstowne Boulevard.
- South Van Dorn Street and Telegraph Road.
- Multimodal improvements throughout the South Van Dorn Street corridor and along Franconia Road between Grovedale Drive and South Van Dorn Street.
Alternatives can be found here.
| | |
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy of service and community, Fairfax County Department of Transportation is hosting a Trail Clean Up Challenge this MLK Day! Visit a trail near you and help Fairfax County be a cleaner place to walk, bike, and roll!
How to Participate:
- Sign-up for event
- Gather a team or go solo and clean up a trail and sidewalk near you or anywhere around Fairfax County.
-
Take a picture of your clean-up efforts (before and after shots encouraged!) and email Andrew.Sheldon@fairfaxcounty.gov for a chance to win a prize!
A lot of great prizes!
- Cinemark movie tickets
- Meadowlark Botanical Gardens tickets
- Coffee for two from Peet's Coffee
- Bike tune-ups from The Bike Lane
- Free annual bike share membership ($95 value)
| | Truth in Voice, Truth in Service | | |
The annual "Truth in Voice, Truth in Service" event, held in honor of National Day of Racial Healing, promotes unity through youth engagement and community service activities. This is a free event for students in grades 7-12.
The event will feature:
- Day of Service Community Projects
- Youth Dialogues
- Snacks
- Door Prizes
- Live Music
- Resource Tables
When: January 24, 2026, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Jim Scott Community Center
| | What's Happening at the WISH | |
| Is the content of this email relevant to you? | | | | | | |
