Please contact my office with any comments, questions, concerns or ideas. I look forward to hearing from you!
September 2019
Greetings,
I spent a good part of the Labor Day weekend purchasing and setting up a new personal iPhone.For this member of the Boomer generation, it was a traumatic experience.Since the dawn of cellular devices, my County phone has sufficed for most of my communication needs.With retirement just a few months away, this purchase felt like the first step towards a technological divorce. I will now have a private life, with the devices needed to live in the real world apart from the County.
Eager young men and women in the Apple Store stood patiently by my side and coached me through the hours-long process. So many decisions and choices!What would we do without Millennials? They are so smart.They also wanted to talk about national and local issues.Immigration, education, climate change.Arghhh!My head began to pound.
As I drove home cradling my brand new iPhone XS Max in my lap, I couldn't help but remember a time when this kind of technology was in its infancy.Long time Braddock District residents might remember several Town Meetings I hosted in 1997 called BRADDOCK 2000 - A MINISERIES.With the turn of the century approaching, the Miniseries felt very bold and futuristic.The meetings were held at Little Run Elementary School and were televised by Channel 16.I wonder if there is still footage somewhere deep within our Cable Division's archives.
One episode of the Miniseries dealt with demographics: projected shifts in our population as ethnic diversity increased and the Boomer bubble grew older.A second episode focused on technology.Attendees at the meeting were challenged to ponder how easy, instantaneous communication might change the way we interact with each other and our government.Would we lose the benefit for thoughtfulness that a slower pace of information exchange afforded us?Would civility be sacrificed for expediency?
Those emerging issues and questions, it turns out, have become a large part of many of the challenges we grapple with today.Change, even when you know it's coming, is hard.
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Keep up with what is happening in your community in this September issue of the Byline.
Sincerely,
Sharon Bulova Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
Shop with the Sheriff 2019
On August 21, the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office hosted its 28th annual Shop with the Sheriff event at the Target Department Store in Burke. Since 1992, the Sheriff's Office has celebrated the event by taking school-aged children residing in homeless family shelters on a back-to-school shopping spree. Through generous donations from local companies, 40 children were provided with backpacks and Target gift cards for shopping. Shop with the Sheriff provides an invaluable service to the community, ensuring that all children are prepared for the upcoming school year.
Body Worn Camera Study Results
At the July 9 Board of Supervisors' Public Safety Committee meeting, Police Chief Edwin C. Roessler Jr. and representatives of an American University research team presented a comprehensive study of the Police Department's body worn camera pilot project, which took place March 3 to September 1, 2018. The pilot included 203 body worn cameras distributed to trained officers at three district stations: Mason, Mount Vernon and Reston, as well as a sampling of motor squad officers and animal protection officers. The American University research team surveyed community members and police officers to determine what effect the cameras had on police activity and perceptions of police legitimacy in the community. In addition, they analyzed data regarding the number and nature of complaints against officers from this time period.
The study found widespread support among community members for the adoption of body worn cameras. Officers involved in the pilot study agreed that body worn cameras would increase the gathering of evidence and help settle potential complaints. Additionally, the presence of body worn cameras during police interactions had no effect on community satisfaction or behavior with FCPD. More details can be found on the FCPD police blog.
The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on the implementation of body worn cameras at the September 24 meeting.
Federal Disaster Assistance Available
The following information is provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance.
If you were impacted by the flash flooding July 6-8, there is federal disaster assistance available in the form of low-interest loans. Rates are as low as 1.938 percent for homeowners and renters, 4 percent for businesses of all sizes, and 2.75 percent for non-profit organizations, with terms up to 30 years. These loans cover replacement and repair of physical damages to your home or business, including fencing, decks, driveways, landscaping, insurance deductibles, and damaged personal items, including cars. If you've already begun repairs, you can still apply for a loan to cover your out-of-pocket expenses by using receipts and photos to document your claim. The application deadline for physical damages is October 7, 2019. Small businesses and non-profit organizations may also apply for economic injury disaster loans for working capital through May 7, 2020. Learn more at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/or call 800-659-2955 (800-877-8399 for the deaf and hard of hearing) or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Additional information can be found on the Fairfax County website homepage by clicking the link under Trending in Fairfax County - July 8 Floods: Disaster Recovery Resources, or by clicking here.
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Farewell to Christina!
Last month saw another bittersweet goodbye in our Chairman's office. Christina Fullmer started work in my Braddock District office in 2005 and became a Senior Staff Aide in 2009. As my Senior Aide, Christina was instrumental in planning events, maintaining constituent relations, and providing advice on County issues. In 2014 she received both a Fairfax County Park Service Awards Recognition and a Team Excellence Award for her role in the Government Center Farmers Market Planning Team. Christina is now working at the Environmental Defense Fund in D.C. as their new Political Affairs Manager. I will miss Christina greatly and wish her all the best in her next chapter!
Wishing Christina all the best!
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Workhouse Brewfest
On September 14, more than 30 Virginia craft breweries, artisan distilleries, and Virginia wineries will come together for the fourth annual Workhouse Brewfest! With live performances, food trucks, and access to 12 air-conditioned art galleries and 65 artist studios, this event has something for everyone, from the most knowledgeable beer enthusiasts to those new to the world of craft beer. More information and details about Brewfest can be found on the official event web site at
http://workhousebrewfest.org.
Northern Virginia Community College Launches MEC Mobile
The following information is from Northern Virginia Community College and can be read in full here.
On August 27, Northern Virginia Community College launched the Medical Education Campus Mobile Health Services on Wheels, a new program that brings health services to underserved communities. MEC Mobile enables NVCC students to positively impact the community through direct involvement with residents.
Northern Virginia Community College's Medical Education Campus hopes to maximize community service provided by the faculty, students, and staff by engaging directly with communities and providing education on health, wellness, and disease prevention. Goals include:
Providing compassionate health, wellness and disease prevention education to community partners.
Establishing community partnerships through interdisciplinary outreach opportunities.
Promoting student success through creative teaching-learning processes.
To encourage reflective clinical reasoning and decision-making skills in a community health model.
To promote awareness of various health careers and educational pathways for recruitment of diverse populations of prospective students.
Fairfax County will hold a third Public Information Meeting on the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 7 p.m. BRT is a high-quality public transportation system that operates much like rail service, but uses buses on a separate, dedicated transit way. The meeting will be held in the gymnasium at Bryant High School located at 2709 Popkins Lane in Alexandria. The meeting will feature an open house from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., with a presentation at 7 p.m. Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) staff and project consultants will provide updates on the BRT project (including the system design and potential property impacts), discuss next steps, answer questions and take public comments from the community related to the planning and design of the BRT system.
Richmond Highway BRT (Bus Rapid Transit)
MPAartfest 2019
Mark your calendars! MPAartfest 2019 returns for its 13th year to McLean Central Park on Sunday, October 6, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
During MPAartfest, McLean Central Park is transformed into a lively landscape of mini art galleries showcasing and offering for sale the work of juried artists from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. This FREE event features contemporary art, live music throughout the day from some of the DC-
area's best musical talents, a Children's Art Walk, hands-on art studio, STEAM experiences, food vendors, and much more.
MPAartfest 2019 is made possible with the help of the McLean Community Center, and our partnership with the Fairfax County Park Authority. For more information, please visit
mpaart.org/mpaartfest/.
Election Day | November 5, 2019
In Virginia, there is an election every year, and this year it will be held on Tuesday, November 5! Polls will be open countywide from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. This election will decide the Virginia Senate, House of Delegates, Soil and Water Directors, and seats on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board.
As a Fairfax County resident in Northern Virginia, many elected officials represent you at the federal, state and local levels of government. Check out some "fast facts" about who represents you locally:
Who Represents You in Fairfax County
Metro Reopening | Sept. 9
The following information is provided by Alexandria Living Magazine and the Washington Post.
After a summer of renovations, six Metro rail stations in Alexandria and Fairfax are expected to reopen September 9. These stations - Braddock Road, King Street, Eisenhower Ave., Van Dorn, Franconia-Springfield, and Huntington - have been closed since May 25 for a variety of repairs and improvements. Commuters can expect to find brighter lighting, operator-connected safety buttons, new platform
surveillance systems, USB charging ports, and a clearer public announcement system.
This shutdown is the first phase of a three-year plan to rebuild 20 outdoor Metro platforms. Similar shutdowns will occur next year and will affect eight Green and Orange line stations: Vienna, Dunn Loring, West Falls Church, East Falls Church, West Hyattsville, Prince George's Plaza, College Park, and Greenbelt. More details will be available this fall.
Out of the Darkness Walk | Oct. 5
The following information is provided by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
2018 AFSP Walk
Each year, suicide claims more lives than war, murder, and natural disasters combined. Yet suicide prevention doesn't receive anywhere near the funding as other leading causes of death. Let's change the conversation about mental health and put an end to this tragic loss of life. Sign up today for the 2019 Fairfax
Out of the Darkness Walk on October 5th.
Check-in and registration begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Veteran's Amphitheater, 10489 Armstrong Street, Fairfax VA. The opening ceremony starts at 12:00 p.m., with the walk beginning shortly thereafter.
Onlineregistration closes at noon (local time) the Friday before the walk. However, anyone who would like to participate can register in person at the walk from the time check-in begins until the walk starts. Registration is free and open to the public. Walk donations are accepted until December 31st.
The Venture into Volunteering Fair's objectives are to:
Increase engagement of older adult volunteers (50+) to meet identified community needs.
Expand organizational capacity by creating additional opportunities to leverage the skills and experience of the target population
Provide a "one stop shopping" experience to find a meaningful volunteer opportunity.
The fair features over 100 organizations in need of volunteers. Representatives will be available on-site to talk to attendees about their programs and volunteer opportunities.
You can support the community on site by:
Bringing non-perishable goods to donate to Food for Others.
Packing bags of food that school-age children who are food insecure will receive on Fridays.
Donating used eyeglasses and hearing aids to the Lions Club.
Donating blood to the American Red Cross (Call 1-800-RED CROSS to schedule appointment).
Donating children's dental hygiene supplies to the Children's Project Mobile Dental Van
The event is free and registration is not necessary. A simple event listing is available here. Find the link to the calendar description in the Hot Topics box.
What does the future of Fairfax County look like to you?
We're planning for the next 10-20 years of our community and we need to hear from you! What does your neighborhood look like in the future? Parks, libraries and other cultural opportunities? Our local environment? Transportation, including roads, bikes and mass transit?
Join us at an upcoming community meeting where you'll learn more about progress on the county's first-ever strategic plan. In the months since public feedback yielded nine areas of focus, teams have been working to further define and shape the future of our community in these areas:
Cultural and Recreational Opportunities
Economic Opportunity
Education and Lifelong Learning
Effective and Efficient Government
Health and Environment
Housing and Neighborhood Livability
Mobility and Transportation
Safety and Security
Self-Sufficiency for People with Vulnerabilities
Come hear about each area, then share your thoughts, insights, opinions and experiences that will be used to help further shape a countywide strategic plan. Multiple meetings will be held throughout the County at the following locations:
Monday, September 16, 2019
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM EDT
Lake Braddock Secondary School
9200 Old Burke Lake Road
Burke, VA 22015
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM EDT
Justice High School
3301 Peace Valley Lane
Falls Church, VA 22044
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM EDT
Chantilly High School
4201 Stringfellow Road
Chantilly, VA 20151
Thursday, September 19, 2019
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM EDT
South Lakes High School
Seahawks Drive
Reston, VA 20191
Monday, September 23, 2019
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM EDT
Gum Springs Community Center
8100 Fordson Road
Alexandria, VA 22306
Need assistance in order to attend? Arrangements for child care, transportation assistance, interpretation services and reasonable ADA accommodations can be made by calling Angela Jones at 703-324-5302, TTY 711, or by emailing Angela.Jones@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Arreglos para el cuidado de niños, asistencia de transporte, servicios de interprete, y acomodaciones razonables de la ley de Americanos con Discapacidad (ADA) pueden ser hechos llamando a Angela Jones al 703-324-5302, TTY 711, o mandando correo electrónico a Angela.Jones@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Stay "In the Know" as the planning process continues! Get the latest news about the strategic the plan and subscribe to email updates at fairfaxcounty.gov/strategicplan.
Fairfax County Farmers Markets
Fairfax County Farmers Markets are not just for the summer - many of them run long into the fall and winter! Visit the following locations to enjoy fresh produce and support local farmers:
Apple Store stood 
28th annual Shop with the Sheriff event at the Target Department Store in Burke. Since 1992, the Sheriff's Office has celebrated the event by taking school-aged children residing in homeless family shelters on a back-to-school shopping spree. Through generous donations from local companies, 40 children were provided with backpacks and Target gift cards for shopping. Shop with the Sheriff provides an invaluable service to the community, ensuring that all children are prepared for the upcoming school year. 
Community College and can be read in full 
area's best musical talents, a Children's Art Walk, hands-on art studio, STEAM experiences, food vendors, and much more.
surveillance systems, USB charging ports, and a clearer public announcement system.
