|
|
|
The Monthly Newsletter from Chairman Sharon Bulova |
|
|
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova
|
|
Tell me what you think!
Do you have questions, concerns, or ideas for the County? Contact my office now!
703.324.2321 TTY 711
[email protected]
  
|
|
|
|
Greetings,
Another election has come and gone. As you receive this post-election edition of the Bulova Byline, the Registrar and staff of the Electoral Board are hard at work addressing some issues concerning absentee ballots that were identified. For the latest on this, and the results from Statewide, House of Delegates, and Fairfax County races, visit see the Virginia State Board of Elections website.
Thank you to everyone who exercised their right, privilege and responsibility to vote on Tuesday. Thanks especially to all of the Election Officers and volunteers who spent a very long day supporting the electoral process. Compared to last year, when voters waited hours in the cold to cast their ballots, voting at the polls this year went much more smoothly. It was an off-year election and the turnout was lower than last year. Some changes, recommended by the Bi-partisan Election Process Improvement Commission, were implemented that helped move things along.
For me, every election is exciting.
I don't remember the first time I actually voted. I do, however, remember the first election that drew me into the political process. In the Life magazine photo below, I am twelve years old and enthralled by the Kennedy-Nixon race. It was fall of 1960. I remember it as though it was yesterday, driving to the Pikesville, Maryland Armory with my dad and sister, Marmie, hoping to get a glimpse of John F. Kennedy as he arrived for a fundraiser. We joined a cheering crowd that gathered around his car as it entered the parking lot.
 | |
Photo credit: Life Magazine 1960 |
Most of the crowd dispersed once Kennedy disappeared into a small building to prepare for his speech. My dad, Marmie and I followed a few remaining people to a screened window that opened to a sparsely furnished room. All of a sudden, as we were peering through the window, a door opened opposite us and the candidate himself, flanked by photographers, walked into the room. He smiled at us and we touched his hand through the screen.
The highlight of the experience were photos that appeared in The Baltimore Sun the next morning and in the October 1960 edition of Life magazine a week or so later. I was hooked - hooked on the excitement and drama of campaigns. I was also forever shaped by John F. Kennedy, especially his message to "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." His emphasis on fitness and physical exercise motivates me to this day!
In the United States, we take pride in the peaceful transition of power. Whichever side of the political aisle we are on, it is important that we pull together once the dust has settled from the campaign trail for the good of our community.
Sincerely,
Sharon Bulova
Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Listening Tour is coming to a school near you! Join FCPS Superintendent Karen K. Garza as she invites community members to share their thoughts and ask questions about the school system.
Superintendent Garza hopes to gain feedback that will be used to develop a Portrait of a Graduate - a framework for a long-range strategic plan for FCPS. Winter dates will be announced in early January. Please register at http://www.fcps.edu/news/listening.shtml
Fall dates are as follows:
November 9th, 10 a.m.: Kilmer Middle School, 8100 Wolftrap Road, Vienna, with Providence District School Board member Patty Reed.
November 25th, 6:30 p.m.: Rocky Run Middle School, 4400 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly, with Sully District School Board member Kathy Smith.
December 7th, 10 a.m.: Cooper Middle School, 977 Balls Hill Road, McLean, with Dranesville District School Board member Janie Strauss. |
Hypothermia Prevention Program |
Fairfax County has six year-round emergency shelters for individuals and families who are homeless. These shelters are operated by community nonprofit organizations under contract with the county. In addition, the Hypothermia Prevention Program operates throughout the county during the winter to provide additional safe, warm space for homeless individuals at night.
The Hypothermia Prevention Program's successful public-private partnerships serve the critical needs of chronically homeless persons and is a key component in the larger regional effort to prevent and end homelessness. In the winter of 2012-2013, there were no hypothermia related deaths reported and many of the 1,078 persons assisted were moved directly into permanent housing. In fact, we saw a 12 percent reduction in the count of people in our region who are homeless in just one year.
This year, our partners will open their shelters to "no turn-away" status starting November 1st based on freezing temperatures:
- FACETS
- Volunteers of America, Chesapeake Bailey's Crossroads
- Cornerstones' Embry Rucker Community Shelter
- New Hope Housing
- Friends of Falls Church Homeless shelter in partnership with New Hope Housing
Please use the following link for more information on the Hypothermia Prevention Program: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/homeless/hypothermia-prevention/
Families with children who need shelter should contact Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880 between the hours of 8:00am and 4:30pm. After business hours, families with children in need of shelter should go directly to the nearest family shelter. For more information on our shelters, please visit the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness site: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/factsheets/emershelter.htm
*If you see someone at night who is unsheltered and you think could be at risk of hypothermia, call the county's non-emergency phone line at 703-691-2131, TTY 711.
|
Countywide Dialogue on Transportation |
 Through a series of forums, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is seeking to gain your input concerning transportation projects.
In May 2013, House Bill (HB) 2313 provided new funding for regional and local transportation projects focusing on roadways, transit, bikes and pedestrians. To better prioritize the needs of Fairfax County, FCDOT needs your insight as to how to best utilize the funding.
Through November 18th residents can offer in-person feedback at the meetings as well as through an online survey. Meetings will consist of a presentation, a question-and-answer session, and the opportunity to speak with County staff.
Meeting dates are as follows:
Tuesday, November 12th at 7 p.m.
Fairfax County Government Center
Conference Rooms 2/3
12000 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
Transit available via: Fairfax Connector routes 605, 621, 623
Wednesday, November 13th at 7 p.m.
Forest Edge Elementary School
1501 Becontree Lane
Reston, VA 20190
Transit accessible via: Fairfax Connector routes 552, RIBS 1, RIBS 3
For more information about the Countywide Dialogue on Transportation or to take the online survey, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/cdot/.
|
|
|
Office of the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors
 | |
Staff member Diana Trinh with Intern Extraordinaire Bridget Geiger. |
The Fairfax County Office of the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors accepts applications for unpaid interns year-round. We are looking for college-level students interested in government and politics that are enthusiastic, hard-working and reliable.
What better way to attain first-hand work experience in local government than within Virginia's largest county! Interns will assist with constituent service work such as drafting letters, answering phone calls, issue research, and other tasks as needed. Full or part-time internships with some scheduling flexibility are available. Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to Internship Program Director Diana Trinh, at [email protected] with the subject line "Internship Application."
Deadline for Spring Semester: December 10
Sully Historic Site Internship
Sully Historic Site is pleased to announce their newly established Margaret C. Peck Youth Internship Program. This paid nine-month internship is being offered to junior level students at Herndon, Chantilly and Westfield high schools. Students who are in good standing and have an interest in history are highly encouraged to apply. From April through December 2014 participants will gain experience in museum operations, public speaking, historic object collections, event programming, and museum store and visitor center operations.
Applications will be accepted beginning in December 2013. Candidates must provide a completed application, written essay, and teacher recommendations by January 31, 2014 for panel review. |
|
|
November 11th - 16th: From early November through
early March, the Pavilion floor is transformed into a gleaming ice skating rink. Admission: $9 per adult; $7 for children under 12; $5 per skate rental.
Visit Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights from November 15th - January 5th to experience over 500,000 LED lights and displays that bring Meadowlark Botanical Gardens to life!
 | |
Bull Run Festival of Lights |
Bull Run Festival of Lights
November 20th - January 5th: The Bull Run Festival of Lights celebrates the winter holiday season each
year with over 130,000 visitors and a light display you won't forget! Bull Run Festival of Lights is located just off of Interstate 66 in Centreville, on Rt. 29 (Lee Highway), just 3 miles from historic Manassas Battlefield Park.
2013 National Veterans Day Salute Free Concert
November 11th (in Washington D.C.): This event will honor and give thanks to our Armed Forces, Veterans and their families for their service on Veterans Day.
 | |
Mount Vernon Grounds |
Until December 31th: Mount Vernon's "National Treasure Tour" takes you on a tour of the Mount Vernon grounds, highlighting locations featured in the popular National Treasure: Book of Secrets movie. Daily times: 11:30am - 4pm. Admission: $5 per tour, in addition to regular Estate admission: adults, $17.00; children ages 6-11, $8; and children 5 and under are free.
For a complete list of County events, see the Visit Fairfax Calendar of Events and the Park Authority's Calendar.
|
|
|
