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Dear Friends,
August is almost over, although our summer remains a hot one! Hopefully, you have had the opportunity to stay cool and enjoy some of the many recreational activities and vast opportunities for cultural enrichment in the Mount Vernon District. I hope you agree that Mount Vernon is one of the best places in the County to live. The
Workhouse Arts Center
in Lorton is one of the many attractions in our community to enjoy!
My number one priority is always to engage deeply and frequently with the people of Mount Vernon, and provide timely outstanding constituent service as we continue to build the ideal community to live and thrive. We are here to make a difference for each and every resident and to get things done. My staff and I have extended office hours on Thursdays and the second Saturday of each month at the Lorton Library and the Mount Vernon District Office. We will respond to your communications within two business days or less, advise you of your staff contact and connect you with the County or community resources you need. As always, I welcome your concerns and compliments. Walk-ins and appointments welcomed. Come meet our whole team at our upcoming Open House on September 26, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
My priorities for my first year as Supervisor have been to better fund and support our schools, accelerate Richmond Highway’s revitalization, increase jobs and economic opportunities, improve our roads and provide more transit options, ensure our public safety, and continue to strengthen our quality of life. We have been making progress with each of them. I will be providing updates on each of these priorities in future newsletters.
Respectfully yours in public service,
Dan Storck
Supervisor, Mount Vernon District
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
Mount Vernon Governmental Center 2511 Parkers Lane Mount Vernon, VA 22306-3273
703-780-7518 (TTY 711) 703-780-1491 (fax)
Office Hours Monday - Wednesday, Friday: 8:30 am - 5 pm Thursday: 8:30 am - 7:30 pm
Second Saturday Each Month. For September at the M
V District Office only:
12:00 p.m. - 2 p.m. Walk-ins and by appointment
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Pokémon Go with Supervisor Storck
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Join Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck on August 31 for Pokémon GO at the Workhouse Arts Center, 9518 Workhouse Way in Lorton. The family-friendly event will be held from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Come tour the Workhouse Art Galleries, learn Pokemon Trainers safety tips, and enjoy free ice cream. This is a collaborative effort with the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD), Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, and Workhouse Arts Center.
Event Highlights
:
- Fairfax County Police will be providing Pokémon Trainers safety tips at the Crime Prevention Tent
- Fairfax County Fire Department will be on site with a ladder and fire truck!
- Tour 12 art galleries at the Workhouse Arts Center, visit with local artists, and see the exciting new exhibit "Clay International" in building W-16
- Enter a raffle to win cool prizes
- FREE ICE CREAM!
For more information, see the
Workhouse Events Calendar
or
view the flyer
. Learn more about the Mount Vernon District
here
. Watch the
Pokémon GO safety video
, created by the FCPD. Like Supervisor Storck on Facebook:
click here
.
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Quander Road Outfall Restoration
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Where is one of the largest hollow spaces in Fairfax County?
The Quander Road Outfall Restoration in Mount Vernon District Park will stabilize a massive erosion gulley that is 20 feet deep, more than 50 feet wide and 200 feet long. For more information on the project that started on August 8, and is expected to be completed by Winter 2017. Visit
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/stormwater/projects/quander_road.htm
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Deer Management Program Info Meetings
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On Tuesday, August 16, 7 p.m., a public meeting was held at the Mount Vernon District Government Center on Parkers Lane to provide an overview of the County’s Deer Management program and to answer questions.
Approximately 35 individuals attended the meeting.
The principal speaker was Kathryn Edwards, PhD, the County Wildlife Management Specialist and Sergeant Earit Powell of County Animal Control. Dr. Edwards' presentation focused on Fairfax County efforts to reduce the deer herd on County property, especially its parks, since 1998 when the Board of Supervisors ordered the culling. Since then over 6,000 deer have been harvested. Last year, about 2/3 were taken by volunteer bow hunters working under County supervision.
Fairfax County conducts deer management efforts each year to control the deer population on public parklands. Management actions reflect a variety of interests: protecting human health and safety, reducing environmental damage, conserving biodiversity and maintaining healthy deer herds. The County utilizes three control tools as approved by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries:
To request adding other public areas to future deer management sites, contact our office.
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The 2nd Annual Alexandria 9/11 Heroes Run will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2016, at 9:00 am (opening ceremony at 8:30 am) at Carl Sandburg Middle School, 8428 Fort Hunt Rd. The Mission of the 9/11 Heroes Run Alexandria is to “
execute an annual community event that brings together the Fort Hunt neighborhoods to remember and honor those who serve and protect
.”
The 9/11 Heroes Run is a 5K race series held each September across the United States and overseas, with support of local communities and the Travis Manion Foundation (
www.travismanion.org
). Its purpose is to bring communities together to remember the sacrifices of our military and first responders, honor them and raise funds to provide needed support for them. In 2015, more than 50,000 participants in 57 communities signed up to run, volunteer, donate, and cheer; but most of all, to HONOR.
Last year’s race in Mount Vernon had over 1,500 participants! The Travis Manion Foundation is named for Travis Manion, a Marine Corps 1st Lieutenant who grew up until age ten in the Mount Vernon/Fort Hunt/Alexandria area, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, was known for his leadership, character and courage and lived by the motto, “If Not Me, Then Who …” Travis was killed in Iraq in 2007, while bravely assisting two of his fellow Marines to safety during an ambush.
We hope that you will attend this fun, memorable, community event, right here in our own Northern Virginia community. Our Mount Vernon staff looks forward to seeing you there!
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Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Early Childhood Education
A child's early years are essential in developing a foundation for school success. FCPS works hard to provide programs and services that prepare young children and parents who need extra guidance and support to be ready to start kindergarten feeling confident and ready to learn. Some of the programs that FCPS offers include:
- Child Find helps to identify children with potential special needs in order to provide early intervention and special education services. Program Manager: Lisa Schumacher, Phone: 703-317-1400, For Spanish:703-317-1450
- Early Childhood Special Education provides instruction to address specific needs on a child's Individualized Education Program (IEP). contact Denise Forrest, coordinator, at 571-423-4121 or dbforrest@fcps.edu
- Early Head Start offers resources to expectant mothers and parents of toddlers who meet income requirements.
- FECEP/Head Start is for children 3-4 years old whose parents meet income requirements. https://www.fcps.edu/registration/early-childhood-prek/fecep-head-start
FCPS Back-to-School Nights 2016-17 (Region 3 or 4): https://www.fcps.edu/news/back-school-nights-2016-17-region-3 (or "-region-4")
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Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue Facility
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On July 27, I toured the County's Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) facility in Lorton with Lt. Mark Plunkett. It is truly an amazing "disaster site" providing collapsed buildings, "blown-up" structures and a helicopter "crash" into a building. The facility trains area firefighters and military personnel to be experts in rescuing victims nationally and internationally. The County's USAR team is recognized worldwide "as a premier leader in for the provision of training in catastrophic event mitigation, readiness, and response and recovery techniques."
For more information on USAR and their activities, please visit: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/vataskforce1/
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Supervisor Storck Ride-Along
with Mount Vernon NPU
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On August 18, I participated in my first Neighborhood Patrol Unit ride
-
along, and second Fairfax County Police ride-along. The ride
-
along was a chance to experience the community engagement that
’
s possible when you have officers who are patrolling on bicycles. We encountered a number of community issues during the four-hour patrol (8 p.m. to midnight) including stopping to render aid to an unconscious male and later a drug compromised female in the middle of the street. I’ll continue to do ride-alongs to help me better engage with Police and our residents.
"Neighborhood Patrol Units (NPU) have been in place for roughly 25 years
," said Captain Shawn Martin, FCPD. "Historically, they have always been a bicycle patrol, working in neighborhoods throughout the district. However, as demands have changed, so have their duties. While, they still focus on neighborhood issues, they have become more of an anti-crime unit. Bicycle patrols are now simply one of the tools they employ to keep neighborhoods safe. They ride frequently, and try to visit a majority of the neighborhoods along the Route 1 corridor."
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Women Retain Command at U.S. Army's
Fort Belvoir
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On August 11, Colonel Angie Holbrook received the garrison flag from Davis D. Tindoll Jr., director of the Army’s Atlantic Region Installation Management Command, as she takes command of Fort Belvoir’s Garrison. Command Sgt. Maj. Billie Jo Boersma also became the garrison’s new command sergeant major during the ceremony, which was on Fort Belvoir. This is the first time in Fort Belvoir history that the Post is being lead by two women. Welcome to Col. Angie Holbrook & CSM Billie Jo Boersma!
Holbrook assumed command from Col. Michelle D. Mitchell; while Boersma assumed responsibility from Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Guillory. Davis D. Tindoll Jr., director of the Army’s Installation Management Command Atlantic Region,hosted the ceremony. Holbrook, who served two combat tours in Iraq, is a native of Little Rock, AR, and a graduate of Texas Christian University in 1991 with a degree in journalism. Fort Belvoir has grown significantly over the last decade since the implementation of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) action of 2005 and is now home to 51,752 workers.
Col. Holbrook is the 4th female to hold the position of Garrison Commander.
Other female commanders include:
- Brigadier General Evelyn "Pat" Foote - 1987-1989
- Brigadier General Clara Adams-Ender - 1991-1993
- Colonel Michelle Mitchell - 2014-2016
- Colonel Angie Holbrook - 2016-present
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2016 Ms. Virginia Senior America Pageant
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Mount Vernon district resident Betty Ann Graves places first runner-up in the 2016 Ms. Virginia Senior America Pageant. Betty Ann Crews Graves, originally from Bluefield, West VA, graduated from Bluefield State College and was a Masters candidate at Pepperdine University of California. Betty has taught schools in six states prior to retiring and she continues to substitute teach for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).
Betty volunteers and advocates for seniors and is an
AMVET
member which supports wounded and hospitalized veterans. She has been a Fairfax County Election Officer for 20 elections for which she has been awarded a certificate of merit. Also, a league bowler with a 2014 senior Olympics gold medal score that broke a 30 year record. Betty Graves has two sons, a daughter, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
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Hundreds Register for 2016 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics!
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Registration is open for the 2016 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics (NVSO) which runs September 10-21 at 25 locations throughout the county – including the Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road. The cost is just $12 and covers multiple events. More than 50 events are open to adults 50+ years of age (as of December 31, 2016) living in a sponsoring jurisdiction. Events are track and field, swimming, golf, miniature golf, ten pin bowling, cycling, eight ball pool, tennis, pickleball, volleyball, Wii bowling, table tennis, badminton, cornhole, bocce, horseshoes, duplicate bridge, dominoes, scrabble and much more. Among the 50+ events are four new ones including a spelling bee, orienteering, rummikub and Sudoku. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded after each event.
For details and registration options, go to
www.nvso.us
. You can't miss the interview with Jim MacKenzie, chairman of the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics, on Fairfax 50+ Podcast. He discusses the history of the games and what to look forward to in September. NSVO is sponsored by the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church and the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Fauquier and Prince William. Additional sponsors are Jim Koons Automotive Companies, Ashby Ponds, Greenspring Retirement Community, Goodwin House Incorporated, The Virginian, Westminster at Lake Ridge and Sonus Arlington Hearing Center.
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Voter Registration
- Voter Registration & Update
- Absentee Ballot Applications
- Voter Photo ID processing
September 3, 2016, 10 am to 2 pm, Sherwood Hall Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane
Staff from the Fairfax County Office of Elections will be available for assistance.
Registration deadline: October 17
Register online: www.vote.virginia.gov or go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections
Email: voting@fairfaxcounty.gov
Phone: 703-222-0776; TTY: 711
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Serve Your Community! Vacancies on Boards, Authorities and Commissions
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The Board of Supervisors has several boards, authorities, commissions, and committees that provide an excellent opportunity for civic education and engagement. Each Board member has a representative on the committees. Current vacancies for the Mount Vernon District are:
- Affordable Dwelling Unit Advisory Board
- Airports Advisory Committee
- Barbara Varon Volunteer Award Selection Committee
- Child Care Advisory Council
- Community Action Advisory Board
- Oversight Committee on Drinking and Driving
- Police Officers Retirement System Board of Trustees
Volunteering on these committees increases citizen participation in our district. If you are interested in serving on a county board, authority, commission, or committee (BAC), please provide a current résumé to
Donna.Slaymaker@fairfaxcounty.gov
. For more information, please download the
brochure
for a brief guide to BACs.
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On Thursday, August 25, 7 p.m., the Fairfax County Health Department and my office hosted a Zika Town Hall Meeting at the Mount Vernon District Government Center. As of August 25, 2016, 69 cases of Zika virus have been found in Virginia, all contracted through international travel. 36 of those cases are in the Northern Virginia area. Only one in five people with the virus show symptoms.
Friday, September 9 at 8:00 p.m., Monday, September 12 at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 17 at 10:00 a.m.
Check out our great resources the County has put together for prevention and control here. More information can be also be found on the County website: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd/westnile/zika-virus.htm.
The Fairfax County Health Department’s Disease Carrying Insects Program works to minimize the threat of mosquito-borne diseases through active mosquito surveillance, control activities and community education.
Control mosquitoes in your yard:
- Eliminate standing water. The most effective way to control the Asian tiger mosquito is to tip and toss standing water from artificial containers like tires, buckets, flower pots, corrugated drain pipes, tarps, toys, etc. Discard containers or place indoors.
- Treat standing water with a larvicide if it cannot be eliminated. If you can’t get rid of the water, treat it with a mosquito-specific, environmentally-friendly product such as Mosquito Dunks®, which are available at hardware stores and garden centers.
- If mosquitoes are biting, consider treating your yard with an insecticide. Used carefully and according to label instructions, an insecticide can help control biting mosquitoes. Pay attention to bushy green plants, ivy, other ground-covering plants and bamboo, which are hiding places for mosquitoes.
- Organize a neighborhood clean-up. Get rid of litter and debris, discard old tires and manage vegetation that mosquitoes may be using as hiding places.
Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites:
- Wear an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535.
- Dress to protect.
- Keep mosquitoes out of your home.
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Workhouse Arts Center Special Event: Fine Arts Festival
September 10-11
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