Sept. 30, 2020
Dear Neighbors,
At the end of the first week of early voting on Friday (9/25), the county's Office of Elections reported that 7,760 votes were cast in person at the Fairfax County Government Center. This is an almost 300% increase compared to 2016! While there is a lot of interest and excitement around this election, there has also been some confusion. There have been some recent changes by the General Assembly and our proximity to D.C. and Maryland also makes the tsunami of voting information hard to sort out. Through this newsletter and my social media platforms, Twitter and Facebook, my office will strive to get you the information you need to know. We've received questions regarding dropping off mail-in ballots. If you prefer to drop off your absentee by mail ballot, instead of using the U.S. Postal Service, there are now two places (pictured) to drop off your ballot at the Fairfax County Government Center,12000 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax: - A secure ballot box available 24/7 located outside the Government Center.
- A ballot box staffed by an election officer inside the Government Center available during voting hours.
Absentee ballot boxes (“drop boxes”) will also be available at the satellite locations, including North County Government Center, beginning Oct. 14. More information can be found in the links below. Respectfully, Walter |
| |
Today's COVID-19 Updates (Sept. 30) |
|
New Pandemic Metrics Dashboard The Virginia Department of Health has launched a new Pandemic Metrics Dashboard that shows a visualization of COVID-19 community transmission by region. Updated weekly, this dashboard will show data trends for COVID-19 in specific communities and where the COVID-19 virus is spreading. It will also be used to assist communities in determining additional mitigation measures. Learn more.
Current Number of Cases in the Fairfax Health District - Daily reported case information for the Fairfax Health District: here and scroll down to get to ZIP Code data.
- Daily reported case information throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia: here and ZIP Code data look for Data Download bar.
COVID-19 Case Information Chart (as of publication on Sept. 30) |
|
Board of Supervisors Update |
|
The busy fall schedule for the Board of Supervisors continues with a full agenda we went through yesterday, Sept. 29 and another coming up on Oct. 6 (begins at 2 p.m.). Below is a summary of some of the key actions that were taken yesterday and you can also watch the meeting here. - Following a public hearing, the Board approved the Fiscal Year 2020 carryover, which is the allocation of unspent dollars from the previous year's budget. In Virginia, localities are required to balance their budgets annually. Most importantly, we set aside $15.19 million to our Coronavirus Pandemic Reserve in the General Fund. The reserve is funding set aside to accommodate the unknowns we are facing with COVID and is currently totaled at $25.03 million. You can review the carryover package here.
- The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the implementation of improvements by VDOT at the intersection of Fox Mill Road and Pinecrest Road. The intersection currently experiences significant delays during peak periods of the day, resulting in unsafe conditions and 38 traffic accidents over the past five years. I am very happy to see VDOT move forward with this important project.
- A public hearing was authorized for Oct. 20 for the Board of Supervisors approval of the lease of county-owned property to Sigora Solar for the installation, operation and maintenance of solar photovoltaic panels for the purpose of on-site electric generation at eight county locations, including the North County Government Center and the Reston Community Center (RCC). This is an exciting opportunity for the county and I am very pleased that the building that includes my offices and the RCC are both included in the proposed list.
- Regarding the $10 million bond funds for a new Reston Regional Library, approved by voters in 2012: the Board approved a resolution requesting the Circuit Court to order an extension of time for issuance of County General Obligation Bonds. These library bond funds are proposed to be used in concert with the larger County redevelopment plan referred to as Reston Town Center North where Reston Regional Library is currently located. This proposal calls for the replacement of the library, North County Human Services Center, Embry Rucker Shelter, and creation of community space, open space, and common infrastructure as part of the overall master plan to reconfigure and provide integrated redevelopment of approximately 50 acres currently owned by Fairfax County and Inova. There is some flexibility with the use of the Library Bond funding so that the $10 million remains earmarked and available for the new Reston Regional Library.
|
|
The Fairfax County Health Department is strongly encouraging everyone (over the age of six months) to get a flu shot this year. With the COVID-19 pandemic still impacting our community and flu season now starting, it’s more important than ever that everyone do their part to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses. Flu shots will reduce symptoms that might be confused with those of COVID-19. And preventing and reducing the number of illnesses, hospitalizations, and intensive care unit admissions from flu will also help alleviate stress on the health care system.
Flu vaccine is available at pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and grocery stores. Most health insurance plans cover flu shots for free.
There are also opportunities to get flu shots through our Health Department:
For children and adults at the following locations by appointment only. To make an appointment, call 703-246-7100, TTY 711. Learn more. Herndon-Reston District Office — 1850 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston Joseph Willard Health Center — 3750 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax Mount Vernon District Office — 8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria
For adults 50+ by appointment at select county senior centers. To make an appointment, call 703-246-6010, TTY 711, Learn more. Oct. 6, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Herndon Senior Center, 873 Grace St., Herndon (also available Oct. 8 & 9)
Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lincolnia Senior Center, 4710 N. Chambliss St., Alexandria (also available Oct. 21 & 22)
Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Original Mt. Vernon High School, 8333 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria (also available Oct. 28 & 29)
Little River Glen Senior Center, 4001 Barker Ct., Fairfax (also available Nov. 4 & 5)
Nov. 9, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lewinsville Senior Center, 1613 Great Falls St., McLean (also available Nov. 10 & 12)
|
|
Land Use and Transportation |
|
Reston Comprehensive Plan Study Task Force Meeting is Tonight, Wednesday, Sept. 30 To learn more about the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study and the task force, please visit the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study web page. You can also watch the five meetings held to date here. The next scheduled meeting is tonight, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 7 to 9 p.m. Details and the agenda will be found here. The meeting will be hosted on the Webex platform. Use this link to attend and participate in the meeting. You will be prompted to register with your email address and ZIP code before logging into meeting. If you prefer to listen to the meeting on your phone, you may call 1-408-418-9388 and use access code: 173 779 5719. This is also the number to use if accessing TTY 711. (Please note each meeting has a unique link and call-in information.) You will also be able to watch a live stream of the meeting on YouTube Live.
zMOD Video Now Available A new video provides a 20-minute overview of the zMOD project to update the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance. The video is also posted on the zMOD webpage. |
|
Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan Task Force Meeting Tonight |
|
The Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan Task Force will meet electronically via WebEx tonight, Sept. 30, 6 to 9 p.m. Meeting participants are asked to sign on at 5:30 p.m. to allow time for camera and mic testing. You can watch the meeting using this WebEx link. For audio only, please call 1-408-418-9388 and enter code 173 538 7058. Meeting agenda. |
|
Fire and Rescue Department Awards I had the honor of attending the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department's annual awards on Oct. 25 at the Public Safety Headquarters. We are very fortunate in Fairfax County and Hunter Mill District to have a nationally recognized Fire and Rescue Department as exemplified by this year's nine award winners. Pictured here is 2020 Operational Volunteer of the Year awardee Stephanie Feinberg, an emergency medical technician, with Chief John Butler and myself.
National Night Out on Tuesday, Oct. 6 The popular National Night Out event with the Fairfax County Police Department will look different this year, due to the pandemic, but there are still many ways for you and your neighbors to participate. Ten neighborhoods in the Reston Police District have signed up to be National Night Out participants and you can still sign up here. Ideas on how you can participate on Oct. 6 include: - Organizing a socially distant neighborhood gathering with neighbors.
- Coordinate a Lights On campaign so everyone has their porch lights turned on.
- Promote a 9 p.m. check your property event - everyone locks their car and house doors, brings in valuables and leaves a light on outside.
To promote National Night Out safely, Reston District Station officers will travel parade style with their police cruisers through several of our communities to wave to neighbors on the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 6.
"The Fairfax County Police Department has a longstanding practice of participating in National Night Out, which is intended to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood cohesion. Our officers value these relationships that we have formed over the decades and want to continue to expand upon them despite the complications that have been present in 2020. We hope our community members join us and their neighbors in this proud tradition with the alternatives that we have proposed to ensure safe social distancing while embracing our joint goal of encouraging a safe and welcome community for all," said Captain Thea Pirnat, Commander, Reston District Police Station. |
|
Sign Up for Fairfax Alerts In the event of any kind of emergency affecting our community, whether it be a hurricane, a big snowstorm or a large traffic closure, you need to get timely information. I encourage everyone to sign up for Fairfax Alerts to get emergency updates from the county on your phone. It only takes a few minutes!
Small Business Grant Program Expands Businesses Eligible to Apply The Rebuild! VA Grant Fund is a program to help small businesses and nonprofits whose normal operations were disrupted by COVID-19. Expanded business sectors are now eligible to apply, including small hotels and bed and breakfast lodging facilities, along with film industry companies supporting production in the commonwealth. Learn more.
Virtual Job Fair Oct. 8
Virtual Center for Active Adults Adds Programing The county's Virtual Center for Active Adults enriches the lives of adults while combatting isolation. You can connect with your peers, engage in a variety of activities and discover useful resources. Join live, interactive programs and engage with other adults. Learn more.
Donations Needed to Support Nonprofits Who Help Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Local nonprofits have been working diligently to serve the needs of residents and families experiencing homelessness and are requesting donations for clothing, food and other household items. Learn more. |
|
Stay Informed and In Touch |
|
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn 703-478-0283, TTY 711 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
