Neighbors,
It’s finally starting to feel like
summer IS here! And, seniors have
finally graduated virtually from their respective schools.
A big shout out to all the 2020 grads! You made it, even with
all the challenges thrown at you this year! You not only missed out on your spring semester, senior skip day, the
comradery that goes along with graduating, commencement activities, graduation parties and beach week, but now you’re
looking for employment at the most unstable time in your lives.
YIKES!! You are
clearly strong, resilient and have learned to persevere. The strength that you have shown will
help us all successfully pivot to the future!
While it is a relief to see
COVID-19 cases decreasing in Northern Virginia, even as we
increase testing, we must all still
remain vigilant. It is due to our individual attention to precautions -
face masks and social distancing - that we are
flattening the curve and we must keep it that way to
prevent a second wave. Our move into
Phase 3 will provide
economic relief to many, as non-essential businesses open and
permitted capacity increases at restaurants and fitness centers, to name a few. I know I will enjoy the
opportunity to get out more, but please remember
our fate is in our own hands!
We have
all been
rising to new challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. And, Look Out! We have
another crisis gaining on us –
climate change! – requiring even greater urgency! While the pandemic has had
many terrible effects on our communities world-wide, the
climate change crisis we are facing
will be far worse. Catastrophic, some would say. Existential, others would say. Many of us stood at this same
environmental change juncture ten years ago, recognizing that urgent action was needed and
prepared to make real change. Then, the
great recession hit, and these
efforts widely slowed, even in Fairfax.
Enter COVID-19, bringing pain, loss and
great financial uncertainty, impacting our efforts again. However, COVID-19 has also shown us that our governments can
pivot quickly when necessary and it is
critical we do so now.
COVID-19 has also taught us to
listen to the scientists. While it is likely to take a
year or more to mitigate the COVID-19 dangers,
climate change will take decades …
and we are already behind the curve. The projections for illness and death are
far greater for climate related events than COVID-19. We know that
acting sooner would have
significantly reduced the COVID-19 death toll. A
May 2020 study by Columbia University epidemiologists estimated that
if extreme social distancing measures had been implemented
just seven days earlier, the United States could have
prevented 36,000 deaths through early May, or about
40% of the death toll at that time. If we had
listened to the scientists 10 years ago, the climate changes we are experiencing would be
less and mitigation easier.
Here in Fairfax, we are
accelerating our initiatives, including: Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Planning (CECAP), an updated Sustainability Development Policy with a
NET Zero carbon emissions building energy target by 2031, a Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Plan, purchasing more
electric and hybrid vehicles, conducting energy efficiency upgrades in lower-income homes,
Solarize Fairfax and County-wide solar installations. Approach
reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with the same urgency we now do COVID-19 can
truly flatten this curve, too!
We also know that, just like COVID-19,
environmental stressors disproportionately impact our most vulnerable populations.
Environmental justice is critical to the health of our residents and communities.
Now is not the time to retreat from the great strides we have begun making. We
cannot afford to lose another year in our fight against climate change,
let alone another ten.
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Respectfully yours in public service,
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Dan Storck
Supervisor, Mount Vernon District
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
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You never know who will stop by to visit the MVD Government Center. Today's visit by this healthy female turkey was a fun surprise!
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Thank you to everyone who joined us for the
Beyond the Walls March for Justice on June 9, organized by
Pastor Brian Brown and his youth church. It was a powerful demonstration of
strength and solidarity that our community came together with one voice to
embrace justice and equality for all! I am heartened by so many coming together
peacefully to promote change and understanding. We are standing on the
edge of history and with a multitude of peaceful demonstrations here and around the world. I am particularly
inspired by the many high school students organizing rallies in their neighborhoods. It is often our young people who
spark the most change and these young leaders are embracing it and charging forward.
They will lead us on!
A
special thank you to Pastor Brown and his
Beyond the Walls Youth Church, and to
Neal Kramer for allowing marchers to congregate on his property on Richmond Highway!
Read my full message to the community...
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South County Site Specific Plan Amendment Process Restarts Virtually
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Screening Phase Begins for 8 Land Use Proposals in Mount Vernon District
As part of the South County Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) process,
eight land use proposals (nominations)
to amend the Comprehensive Plan for sites in the Mount Vernon District will be screened by the
Mount Vernon SSPA Task Force
. SSPA is the
process that allows anyone to propose changes
to the Comprehensive Plan, which guides
land use and development decisions
in the County.
The public is invited to attend all Task Force Meetings
, where nominations will be discussed individually. The first virtual Task Force Meeting is
Tuesday, July 28 at 6:00 p.m.
Additional meeting information, including
virtual meeting details
will be posted to the
SSPA webpage
.
To submit a public comment, please email
MtVernon@FairfaxCounty.gov
by Monday, September 14
, so it can be included for distribution at the
final Task Force meeting on Tuesday, September 15
.
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I am thrilled to announce that we have
two very exciting groundbreakings this month! Both represent
significant County investments in affordable housing on the Richmond Highway Corridor. Later this month, we will break ground on
The Arden by Wesley Housing. This new multifamily property will feature
126 units of affordable housing one block from the Huntington Metro. Visit the
project webpage for
more information on the project.
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Then on
July 31 at 11 a.m., I invite you to join me for the
North Hill Groundbreaking. Thirty years in the making, the North Hill development will convert
33 unimproved acres to
216 affordable multifamily apartments, 63 affordable senior independent living apartments, 175 market rate townhomes and a
12-acre public park. To read more about this exciting project, get
updates on the groundbreaking plans and watch the post-event video, visit the
project's webpage.
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Summer Opportunities for Kids
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Camp Fairfax
Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) will be providing an
abbreviated summer program
for
rising first- through sixth-grade
children of working families from
Monday, July 13 through Friday, August 7
. The program, Camp Fairfax, will be at
18 locations
across the county, including 7 NCS Community Centers and 11 Fairfax County Public Schools. This
full-day program
will run from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day, featuring
exciting opportunities
in outdoor adventures, performing arts, sports & recreation, visual arts, science exploration and creative writing.
Current CDC health and safety guidelines will be implemented
. Registration begins
Monday, July 6
; space is limited.
Learn more
..
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NCS Connects Summer: A Virtual Journey!
NCS is offering its first virtual summer program for youth and teens:
NCS Connects Summer: A Virtual Journey!
This new
four-week
Virtual Summer Camp will be offered via
our website
, each weekday from
July 6 to July 31
. For
grades 1 to 6
, camp will run from
9 a.m. to noon
; for
grades 7 to 12
, it will run from
1 to 4 p.m
. During camp, participants will develop
valuable life skills
and make
positive social connections
through a combination of live, pre-recorded, and self-guided activities across five categories, including arts and crafts, STEAM and more.
Register today
by contacting your
local
Teen
or
Community Center
. Alternatively, you may
download the registration packet
and drop off at your local center or email to
Maria.Franco-Nativi@fairfaxcounty.gov
. For more information,
read the parent welcome letter
.
NOTE:
Community Centers
will
only be open
for the modified youth program,
Camp Fairfax
. There will be
no weekend hours
during this four-week program.
Huntington and Pinn
, as well
all community sites
, will remain
closed due to limited ability
to provide appropriate social distancing.
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Upcoming In-Person & Virtual Events
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Plans for Original Mount Vernon High School
Renovating and reusing the existing structure that once was the
Mount Vernon High School moved closer to Phase I recently when Supervisor Dan Storck organized a
virtual meeting with the community and designers to discuss the plan and
listen to ideas.
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Local Parks Lure Vacation Campers
Saturday, June 20, marked the
official start of summer and traditionally, with the end school, the
start of vacation season for many area residents. Though making
safe vacation choices during the Covid-19 pandemic is challenging,
area parks are ready to welcome vacationers with
fresh air and de-stressing camping opportunities.
Three parks in the regional park authority system, Algonkian in Sterling/Potomac Falls, Bull Run in western Fairfax County, and
Pohick Bay on the Mason Neck peninsula, have
multiple levels of camping experiences available.
Read more in the Connection...
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'This is What America is All About': Church Food Truck & Veterans Feed Thousands in Need
For the past month, I’ve done a
series of stories along Richmond Highway in Alexandria. This corridor has been among the
hardest hit by the pandemic. While driving along Route 1, a
long line of customers waiting at a
small food truck in an otherwise empty church parking lot caught my eye. The
folks waiting for their meals told me the cook’s specialty, catfish, is the
best they’ve ever tasted. So, I chatted with the
cook: Deacon James Myers. What he told me
inspired this story.
Read more on WJLA...
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Huntley Meadows Visitors Urged To Be Respectful Of Wildlife
Visitors are reminded to
follow rules about the
boardwalk, bicycles and more at the wildlife-rich park. The Fairfax County Park Authority is asking visitors to be
mindful of wildlife and other people at Huntley Meadows Park. The
park is open, but the visitor center and restrooms are closed.
Read more on the Patch...
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VRE Takes Additional Steps to Protect Passenger Health and Safety
The Virginia Railway Express’ (VRE) implements a
new overnight cleaning regimen and
webpage detailing train utilization rates will better
protect the health and safety of passengers. These steps complement other measures – such as decals on railcar seats and
platforms that indicate proper social distancing – undertaken by VRE in recent weeks.
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VDOT and DRPT Seek Commuter Input through Statewide Survey
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), in partnership with the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), has launched the
Virginia Commuter Survey, a statewide effort to
gauge COVID-19 impacts to commuting around the Commonwealth. Anyone that
works or lives in Virginia is invited to participate.
This is the first in a
series of surveys planned over the next several months. The data will be collected and analyzed by state agencies to
assess and determine modifications to
transit needs and infrastructure.
Survey results will help the state better understand
how commuting practices have changed and support ways to
identify short- and long-term opportunities and improvements during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
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FCDOT Requests Feedback on Proposed Update to Title VI Policies
Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) invites you to
provide feedback on the
proposed update of its Title VI program. Title VI policies
ensure equitable distribution of transit service changes and as part of the update process the
public is encouraged to give input on:
- Proposed Major Service Changes – Service changes that are significant enough to require special analysis that ensure the proposed changes will not have discriminatory effects on minority or low-income areas
- Disparate Impacts – Service changes that have discriminatory effects on minority areas
- Disproportionate Burdens – Service changes that have discriminatory effects on low income areas.
Disparate Impacts and Disproportionate Burdens are determined by
comparing minority and low-income percentages of the population with non-minority and non-low-income percentages of the
population affected by the proposed changes in the County.
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Apply for the Cooling Assistance Program
Are you in need of a
little help to keep cool this summer? Apply for the Cooling Assistance Program for
low income households. To be eligible,
at least one household member must be: 60 or older, 5 or younger, or disabled according to Social Security, Medicaid or 100% Veteran’s Administration
Cooling assistance can help with:
- Payment of electric bills to operate cooling equipment
- Payment of security deposits for electricity to operate cooling equipment, only for accounts in danger of being disconnected
- Repair of a central air conditioning system, heat pump, ceiling fan, attic fan or whole house fan
- Purchase of a whole-house fan, including ceiling or attic fans when there is no other working cooling equipment in the home
- Purchase and installation of one window unit air conditioner for households when there is no other working cooling equipment in the home.
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TEAM MVD is in the House!
While our offices
remain open to assist you, during COVID-19 we suggest that you
call our office in advance of coming to visit. This way we can
ensure we have what you are looking for, are able to
provide the service you need or
schedule an appointment with the Supervisor or a staff member. Often,
we can save you a trip! You can contact us at
mtvernon@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-780-7518.
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Free Digital Resources for Understanding and Dismantling Racial Injustice Now
Demand — and therefore wait time — for
materials on race and racism have increased significantly in recent weeks as
readers seek out books to help them u
nderstand racial injustice and learn what they can do to
dismantle it. This article
highlights resources you can access right now and share with others.
Read more...
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General Order 602: Police & Immigration Status Policy Changes
The
Fairfax County Police Department recently codified their
practices regarding detention of immigrants based on citizenship status. The new General Order also provides for
acceptance of additional forms of identification. For anyone questioned by a Fairfax County Police officer, if you have an
questions or lack of understanding regarding the encounter, you can
immediately ask the officer to summon the Supervisor on Duty and that officer will come to assist. To learn more and
share this information, click on the flyer to the left (in
English and Espanol).
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The Virginia Ready Initiative (VA Ready)
VA Ready launched a program to
provide stipends for
unemployed Virginians to attend community college programs in an effort to
find new jobs and overcome
coronavirus-related economic hardships. VA Ready and its 20 Virginia business partners will
provide $1,000 incentives for motivated, out-of-work Virginians to
re-skill for high-demand jobs by attending short-term community college programs. Participants would also be
offered the opportunity to interview with participating Virginia companies.
Learn more...
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At-Home Version of Popular Stream Critter Cube Lab Now Available
Want to
explore a local stream from the
comfort of your own home? Well, now you can! With school-aged children out of the classroom,
County ecologists within the
Watershed Education and Outreach (WEO) section of the Stormwater Planning Division have
had to get creative. In an effort to continue to
inspire students to become environmental stewards and connect them to their local watershed, ecologists have converted their
award-winning Stream Critter Cub Lab into a free program that can be done anywhere—
no classroom or stream required!
Learn more...
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Public Libraries to Begin Phased Reopening
The
Fairfax County Public Library is gearing up for a
limited service reopening of library branches. Beginning
Monday, July 13, all library branches will be available for
"express" services. Library patrons will be able to once again
use their local branches, but with some modifications in place, including:
- Express services are focused on grab-and-go style activities, so daily visits are limited to 30 minutes.
- Each branch will have a capacity limit to support social distancing.
- Library users may browse the shelves, use a computer, and pick up holds.
- The library will continue to offer virtual programs, with only limited in-person programs provided.
- Social distancing features will include plexiglas shields at customer service desks, social distancing floor stickers, every other public PC disabled, and some furniture removed from the public floor or moved to support six feet of distance between users.
- Returned library materials will continue to be quarantined for 72 hours.
- Meeting rooms will continue to be unavailable as the spaces are housing furniture removed from the public floor as well as quarantined library materials.
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RECenters Begin Phased Reopening
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Important Safety Information
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Destructive Tree Pest Kills Trees
The
Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) is an
invasive, exotic insect that most likely arrived in the United States on packing material from Asia. It is one of the
most destructive insects known to exist in several areas of the country but
not in Fairfax County yet.
Learn more...
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2020 Solarize Fairfax is Back!
It’s
Solarize season
in Fairfax County! Get a
free assessment
to see if solar is right for your
home or business
and then take advantage of
discounts on your solar purchase
. You can also receive a
full home energy assessment
, completely FREE. Interested in
electric vehicle charging
? You can bundle some chargers with your solar purchase for
additional savings
. Let this be your summer of solar!
Join a virtual information session
and
visit the website (includes an informative video)!
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Nominations Open for Friends of Trees Awards
Individuals or organizations may be nominated for various
tree related projects or programs. The individuals or organizations must have
demonstrated outstanding conservation-based actions in preserving, protecting or planting trees. The following types of projects or programs
may be nominated:
- Preservation
- Education
- Planting
- Maintenance
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Latest COVID-19 News Links
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NOTE:
Only those topics that are
new since my last newsletter
are updated below. For
information sent in previous emails
visit our website
.
If you know someone who
would like to
sign up for my newsletter
, they can do so
here
.
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Phase 3
Key changes:
- Non-essential businesses, restaurants, and beverage services may fully reopen. Congregating in bars is now prohibited.
- Entertainment venues may open at 50% capacity.
- Gatherings of up to 250 people will be allowed.
- Childcare facilities may open.
- All open facilities must continue to maintain physical distancing practices and enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices.
- Teleworking is still strongly encouraged.
- Face masks are still required.
Park Authority
The Park Authority has launched a
series of group outdoor fitness classes seven days a week.
- Choose from workouts such as Boot Camp, Aerobics, Cycle Spin, Zumba, Tai Chi, PiYo, Yoga, Pilates, H.I.I.T., BODYCOMBAT and Fitness for Seniors.
- These are not free drop in classes. You must register in advance.
- Learn more...
The Park Authority is offering
virtual summer camps. Registration is now open.
To register, search for category of activity: "camps" in
Parktakes online.
RECenters will begin a
phased reopening in July. I will share more details when they become available. Check the operating status of all
Park Authority facilities...
Inova Update
As the number of
COVID-19 positive hospital inpatients continues to decline and Northern Virginia begins “Phase Three” this week, Inova will enter our
first phase of less restrictive visitation guidance. This
visitor guidance is available on our
visitation webpage. More information regarding our efforts to
keep patients safe during this period can be found at our
Safe@Inova page. All
Inova COVID-19 related resources...
Inova continues to
screen all visitors for symptoms of COVID-19 and
requires universal masking while inside an Inova facility.
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Mount Vernon District Staff (clockwise):
Donna Slaymaker, Nick Rinehart,
Christine Morin,
Sally Kidalov,
Supervisor Dan Storck,
Camela Speer, Volunteer Shirley Short,
Abdul Shaban,
Diego Rodriguez Cabrera
.
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June 2020 Activities:
- Phone calls: 723
- Meetings: 232
Stay Connected:
Mount Vernon Governmental Center
2511 Parkers Lane
Mount Vernon, VA 22306
703-780-7518 (TTY 711) 703-780-1491 (fax)
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Office Hours
Monday - Wednesday, Friday:
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Second Saturday Each Month (except August)
MV District Office: 9 a.m.
- 3 p.m.
Walk-ins and by appointment
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Boards, Authorities and Commissions
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Help
serve your community by serving on a Fairfax County Board, Authority or Commission (BAC). Please ask your friends, neighbors and community members if they are willing to help serve Fairfax County.
Young Adults Council
The Young Adults Council serves advise the County Government by
contributing young adults’ experiences, knowledge and solutions to
County issues. I will consider issues including but not limited to
affordable housing, cost of living, young adult talent retention and attraction,
civic engagement, County reputation and brand, and other matters as they pertain to young adults living and working in the County. Two (2) year term.
Citizen Corps Council
The Citizen Corps Council meets the fourth Thursday of every odd month. The council serves to
coordinate preparedness initiatives across the county through internal and external volunteer programs such as,
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS),
Neighborhood Watch, and Fire Corps. Two (2) year term.
There are
several At-Large positions available as of February 2020 on County BACs.
- Affordable Dwelling Unit Advisory Board (Engineer/Architect Rep)
- Affordable Dwelling Unit Advisory Board (Lending Institution Rep)
- Alcohol Safety Action Program Local Policy Board (ASAP)
- Athletic Council (Women’s Sports Alternate Rep)
- Board of Building and Fire Prevention Code Appeals (Design Professional)
- Civil Service Commission
- Engineering Standard Review Committee
- History Commission (Historian)
- Human Rights Commission
- Road Viewer Board
- Tenant Landlord Commission (3 openings - Landlord Member & 2 Tenant Members)
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, or learn more on the
County website. You can also
check out the
County's Volunteer Management System
for information on these and
other volunteer opportunities near you.
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Mount Vernon District Office | 703-780-7518
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