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Dear Mason District Residents,
This edition of Mason Matters comes at a difficult time for our community. We are mourning the tragic loss of Dr. Cerina Wanzer Fairfax and death of former Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax. This is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts are with their children, loved ones, and all those impacted.
Moments like this remind us how important it is to look out for one another and to take seriously the challenges that too many in our community face in silence. Fairfax County offers a range of trusted, accessible resources for those experiencing domestic violence, mental health crises, or thoughts of harming oneself or others. If you or someone you know needs support, I strongly encourage you to connect with these services—they are here to help, and no one should navigate these situations alone.
In this edition of Mason Matters, you’ll find information on how to access these resources, along with updates on community events, initiatives, and opportunities to stay engaged.
Please take care of yourselves and each other.
Please reach out to my office at Mason@fairfaxcounty.gov or by phone at our main phone line 703-256-7717 if we can be of service.
Sincerely,
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Andres Jimenez
Mason District Supervisor
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Around the District with Supervisor Jimenez | | Community Shredding Event | | |
Thank you to Justice High School for hosting
More than 50 residents stopped by our shredding event last Saturday at Justice High School, and we were glad to offer this important service to the community.
Thank you to our hosts for making it possible! Our next shredding event will take place this fall—keep an eye on our social media and newsletter for updates as we get closer.
| | NVAR Legislative Reception | | | | |
Engaging with Northern Virginia’s real estate leaders
I was pleased to attend the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors annual legislative reception last week, joining realtors and elected officials from across the region. NVAR represents more than 13,000 members and plays a key role in supporting the real estate industry through advocacy, education, networking, and professional development. It was a great opportunity to connect on shared priorities and hear directly from those working in our local housing market every day.
| | Meeting with Springfield District Officers | | |
Strengthening partnerships to support community safety
I met with officers from the Springfield District Police Station which serves a portion of Mason District to discuss local safety concerns, challenges, and ongoing community needs.
While their coverage area within Mason is small, their work plays an important role in supporting our residents.
These conversations help ensure we maintain strong communication with the service members who are on the front lines of keeping our community safe.
| | Thank You for Your Input on the FY27 Budget | | |
Residents shared feedback during this week’s public hearings
Thank you to everyone who participated in the FY27 budget public hearings this past Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. We heard from nearly 200 residents across the three days, with community members sharing thoughtful feedback on priorities, programs, and services that matter most.
Your input is a critical part of the budget process, and we appreciate the time and engagement of all who participated as we work toward a final budget that reflects our community’s needs.
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Explore Careers and Support for Job Seekers
Looking for career opportunities or guidance navigating the job market? Fairfax County and our partners are hosting upcoming events to help job seekers connect with resources and employers.
These events and resources are great opportunities to explore career pathways, get guidance, and connect with local employers.
We encourage residents to take advantage of these upcoming events in our area:
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Join the Fairfax County Department of Human Resources-Employment Division at the “How to Apply for Fairfax County Jobs” virtual information session on Thursday, April 23rd from 10AM - 11:30AM. Learn about the county’s job application and hiring process and get practical tips to make your application stand out. More info here.
- Fairfax County is hosting a hiring event designed to connect county departments and agencies with talented candidates interested in public service careers. In preparation, the Department of Human Resources will offer a virtual information session on April 29, 2026, providing an overview of the county’s job application and hiring process, along with helpful guidance for applicants. Register via Zoom to learn more and get ready to take the next step in your career.
- The English Empowerment Center (EEC) is hosting a Career and Opportunities Fair on May 6th, 2026, from 4PM - 8PM at the James Lee Community Center. This is a great opportunity to connect with local residents and internationally trained professionals seeking employment opportunities or community resources.
For more information on job fairs, career programs, and workforce resources in Fairfax County, visit: Fairfax County Job Fairs and Resources
These events are great opportunities to explore career pathways, get guidance, and connect with local employers.
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Capital Bikeshare Expands to Mason District
Capital Bikeshare is continuing to grow in Fairfax County, with expansion into Mason District expected this May. In 2025 alone, riders took nearly 40,000 trips, and stations are now located at every Metrorail stop in the county. With thousands of bikes—including e-bikes—available across Northern Virginia, D.C., and Maryland, it’s never been easier to get around.
Capital Bike share is an innovative mode of transportation that allows users to make trips using publicly available bikes. It consists of a fleet of specially designed, sturdy and durable bikes that are locked into a network of docking stations throughout the service area. The bikes can be unlocked from one station and returned to any other station in the system, making bike share ideal for short, one-way trips.
The Bikeshare for All program offers discounted memberships for just $5 per year, making biking more accessible for qualifying residents. As new bike lanes come to Mason District, drivers are encouraged to review bike lane safety and sharing guidelines to learn about safe driving habits with bikers.
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Ongoing Special Election
A statewide special election will take place on April 21, 2026, giving Virginia voters the opportunity to decide whether to amend the state constitution as proposed in House Bill 1384. All registered voters in Virginia are eligible to participate.
Tomorrow (Saturday, April 18th) is the last day to vote early at any early voting location in the county. The Mason District Governmental Center will offer early voting until 7 p.m. this evening, and from 9 a.m. - 5p.m. tomorrow.
Please note that parking at the Mason District Governmental Center is extremely limited due to ongoing construction, and voters may wish to consider another early voting location.
To find your election day polling location, please visit: Virginia Dept. of Elections: Polling Place Lookup
To learn more about what will appear on your ballot, review the official voter guide from the Fairfax County Office of Elections.
| | | Transportation and Infrastructure | |
2026 VDOT Repaving Project Map Now Available
The Virginia Department of Transportation has released its 2026 repaving project status map, allowing residents to track paving projects across the region in real time.
Using the interactive map, residents can view the status of specific road segments:
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Scheduled: Work is planned, but has not yet started
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In Progress: Paving is currently underway
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Completed: Work has been finished
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Rescheduled: Paving has been deferred to a future year
Residents can explore the map and check the status of roads in their area here: 2026 Pavement Project Status Application
For additional details or questions about specific projects, please contact VDOT directly.
| | Emergency Services Information | | | | |
Mason District Poetry Contest | | |
Share your voice and reflect on America’s 250th
In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the Mason District Arts Council is inviting adults and high school students to submit original poetry for an upcoming contest. This initiative is part of a larger series of community art events designed to reflect on the ideas of the American Revolution through creative expression.
Open to anyone connected to Fairfax County, selected winners will read their work at events this June. Submissions are due by May 9, 2026—learn more at masondistrictpoetry.org.
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Walk and Win Challenge
From April 1–30, join the countywide Walk & Win Challenge by walking one of nine Fairfax County loops—or create your own route—and submit your walk to earn chances to win weekly prizes.
Don’t forget: participants must submit at least one photo or screenshot of their walk per week to be eligible to win prizes, and submissions reset weekly—so keep walking and uploading all month long.
| | Don’t Miss the Spring Book Sale | | |
George Mason Friends Spring Book Sale (April 22-April 26)
George Mason Friends will host their ever popular, semi-annual book sale from Wednesday evening, April 22 through Sunday, April 26 at the George Mason Regional Library (7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale).
The sale features high-quality used books, CDs and DVDs in various categories. Proceeds support Fairfax County Public Library’s Summer Reading Program, Library Foundation scholarships, Fall for the Book Festival, and programs/equipment at George Mason Regional Library. More details at georgemasonfriends.blogspot.com.
| | Opportunities to Learn and Engage | | Sustainability Programs: Trees & Seedlings | | |
Free Trees for Fairfax County Residents and Community Organizations
Community-based organizations can apply to receive professionally grown, landscape-quality, regionally native trees (1.5–2.0 inches in caliper, 8–10 feet tall, 130–150 pounds each) for planting on private property. All community organizations are encouraged to apply.
Learn More about Tree Distribution for Community Organizations
Fairfax County residents can also sign up to receive up to two free trees shipped directly to their homes through a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation. Participants can choose from species selected for our local environment, and each shipment includes tree shelters and stakes to support healthy establishment. Supplies are limited and available on a first come, first served basis — claim your free trees and help grow Fairfax County’s tree canopy.
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Annual Native Seedling Sale
The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District is accepting orders for our 2026 Annual Native Seedling Sale Program, through which we provide native trees and shrubs to Fairfax County residents at low cost.
All seedlings are native to Virginia and were chosen with advice from our friends at the Fairfax County Urban Forestry Management Division and Virginia Department of Forestry.
Sale proceeds help to support the stewardship and engagement programs offered by NVSWCD that also support Fairfax County’s Environmental Vision, including those that engage the Fairfax County community in additional local reforestation efforts, volunteer stream monitoring, our local Envirothon high school competition, storm drain marking and education, Green Breakfasts, and others.
For questions, email: conservationdistrict@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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YARD WATCH: Lesser Celandine (Ficara verna)
Lesser Celandine is native to Asia, Africa and Europe and was brought to the US in the mid to late 1800’s as an ornamental plant. It has since escaped gardens and is an invasive plant in at least 31 states in the US. Lesser celandine is one of the first plants to bloom along with the native spring ephemerals. It spreads quickly and creates extensive dense mats, crowding out native plants.
Here is a video describing the identification and detrimental effects of lesser celandine. It prefers moist or wet habitats and often covers entire streambanks. It spreads both by bulbils present at the base of each leaf and by tubers in the ground. The bulbils detach easily and can be carried by streams. Additional information on lesser celandine can be found here.
Control of lesser celandine is very problematic. Manual removal by digging is only possible for a small clump or two that shows up in your yard or streambank on a private property. Care must be taken to remove all bulbils and tubers to prevent further spread. Mowing is not recommended as tubers could get left behind in the soil and the bulbils can detach and spread. Chemical treatment is preferred, however, there is usually only a 2-week window after blooming for herbicide application over a wide area.
Brought to you by Fairfax Invasive Removal Alliance
| | Youth Leadership Opportunities | | | | |
FY 2027 Budget: Share Your Feedback | | |
Help Shape Fairfax County’s Budget
The Board of Supervisors is reviewing the FY 2027 Advertised Budget—and your feedback will help shape the final decisions before adoption in May.
Fairfax County’s FY27 Advertised Budget outlines priorities for funding critical services like schools, public safety, transportation, housing, and community programs. As part of the budget process, the Board of Supervisors is considering possible adjustments, and community input is an important part of that discussion.
| | Fairfax County Arts Participation Survey | | |
What Arts Experiences Do You Want to See?
Arts and culture are vital to our community. Help Fairfax County design, deliver, and communicate about the kinds of performances, exhibits, events, classes and other arts experiences you want to enjoy. This survey includes demographic questions, but your responses are anonymous. Thank you in advance for taking the time to respond.
Take the survey now: Fairfax County Arts Participation Survey - PublicInput
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Remove Invasive Species & Save Our Trees | | |
Only YOU can save our trees!
All are invited to participate in a “Fairfax PRISM Extravaganza,” March 12 - April 21, when people across Fairfax County will come together to rescue trees from invasive vines.
Our trees are increasingly being smothered and strangled by invasive vines and crowded out by aggressive non-native plants. To combat this growing threat, a new collaboration of public and private organizations has organized Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM — a community-wide initiative with the motto: “Only YOU can save our trees.”
Launch events are planned throughout the county, giving participants hands-on opportunities to learn about invasive plants and help rescue trees in their own communities. Those events are listed at FairfaxPRISM.org, where you can also learn about other ways to help or to get help with this work. Registration is required for the tree rescue events because of limited parking in some locations.
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Website: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/mason
Email: Mason@fairfaxcounty.gov
Phone: 703-256-7717
Mason Governmental Center (6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003)
Our office is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm
Fairfax County does not discuss individuals’ personal information unless authorized or required to do so by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act or other law. Any e-mail or other correspondence sent to a member of the Board of Supervisors, or any other public official and/or employee of Fairfax County may be subject to disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
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