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Addressing Panhandling in Our Community:
Yesterday, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved my motion to have staff to draft an ordinance that would prohibit "curb to curb" engagement with cars while in medians or intersections. While there are some who panhandle because they need to, many more take advantage of the generosity of our residents through panhandling rings. This is a public safety and community issue we need to address.
Fairfax County's Response to Recent Flooding: The record-breaking rainstorm on the morning of Monday, July 8, 2019 was felt countywide as we experienced flooded roads, homes, businesses, public facilities and motorists stranded in their vehicles. At yesterday's Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board declared a local emergency to allow residents and businesses to file damage reports so that the county can further evaluate whether it will pursue federal disaster aid. The Office of Emergency Management has asked residents and businesses to file damage reports and notify the county of damage as a result of the storm. The Board has approved temporarily waiving all fees related to building permits, including trades, for all repairs to correct damages arising from and directly associated with the July 8. 2019, weather event. See below for more information.
Glass Recycle Bin Now Available at West Springfield Office: As readers of my last
newsletter know, glass must be collected separately in order to be recycled. We now have a glass-only recycle bin at my office on Rolling Road. The large purple bin is located in the rear parking lot that exits onto Bauer Drive and is under 24-hour surveillance. You can also drop off glass at the I-66 transfer station in Fairfax and the I-95 landfill facility in Lorton. See below for more details.
Summer Concert Series Update:
Our first concert was a great success with over 450 residents enjoying the Randy Thompson Band at Burke Lake Park. See below for the upcoming concert dates as well as inclement weather information.
Other Happenings:
- National Night Out - August 6, 2019 - Clyde Luther Links to Freedom Golf Tournament - October 1, 2019
- Used Smart Phones Needed for Domestic Violence Shelter - Information below |
Addressing Panhandling in Our Community
Yesterday the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved my motion, presented jointly with Supervisor
John Cook, asking County staff to draft an ordinance that would prohibit "curb to curb" engagement with cars while in medians or intersections. Other Virginia jurisdictions including the City of Winchester, Clarke County, and Frederick County, have adopted similar ordinances in response to the public safety issue of panhandling in roadways. Other jurisdictions have put up signs in medians that discourage residents from giving to panhandlers and includes the local human services hotline number.
While there are some who panhandle because they need to, many more take advantage of the generosity of our residents through panhandling rings. Investigation into these rings has proven that many panhandlers in the County are coming from outside the County and even outside of the state, attracted by the wealth and generosity of Fairfax County residents.
Although homelessness in Fairfax County has significantly decreased over the last ten years, for the past two years there has been a noticeable increase in panhandling on medians and intersections throughout the County. In 2017 alone, the Fairfax County Police department received over 2,100 calls related to this activity and many more calls have been received by our district offices. These calls detailed traffic issues, concerns about panhandler safety, and fears about a suspicious person at an intersection.
However, there are no absolutes in panhandling - many are from outside of our area and organized, but others are truly in need. The truth is that County taxpayers are already giving to help those in need through their tax dollars. The Board has consistently committed a significant portion of the County budget to providing services for those residents who are down on their luck. The County devotes over $490 million dollars of the taxpayer-funded budget to Human Services. I always encourage residents to direct panhandlers to these County resources including shelters, food banks, health, transportation, and job matching services, instead of giving small amounts of money. Giving cash to panhandlers disincentivizes them from going to take advantage of those services which would help them get off the streets for the long term. It is vitally important that we connect those in need with the right services and disincentivize panhandling.
This is not the first time I have proposed solutions to panhandling. In 2017, I proposed a program called "There's a Better Way," which has been successful in other jurisdictions nationally and was originally implemented in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I brought this idea before the Board and shared it with constituents in my
newsletter from December 2017
This program focuses on connecting people in need with jobs as the primary tool for getting them back on their feet. Fairfax City recently adopted this program which provides dignity through work and has been successful getting panhandlers the help they need. I hope Fairfax County will adopt the program soon.
The ordinance I proposed yesterday would restrict everything "curb to curb," but would not affect engagement on sidewalks. Advertising for charity car washes, for example, would not be prohibited by this ordinance provided they are on the sidewalks and not entering the roadway and engaging motorists. The Board discussed concern about no longer allowing our firefighters to raise money during their annual "Fill the Boot" campaign for muscular dystrophy. This is a great cause and our firefighters raise significant funds to address this horrible disease and work to find a cure. The draft ordinance will come before the Board for discussion at the September 17th Public Safety Committee meeting. At that time, we will discuss the details of the ordinance as well as alternative solutions for our firefighters to raise money for muscular dystrophy. The next step would be the advertisement of a public hearing where residents can weigh in and then ultimately, the Board would vote on the ordinance.
If you are looking for a way to help those in need in your community, I encourage you to not give money to individuals panhandling. Instead, I recommend that you:
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Email
Office
(703) 451-8873
Website
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Wednesday Nights
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
July 17, 2019
The Reagan Years
July 24, 2019
The Woodshedders
July 31, 2019
The English Channel
August 7, 2019
The Colin Thompson Band
August 14, 2019
The Johnny Artis Band
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Slow Down Signs
Our next batch of signs have arrived at our West Springfield Office!
Come by during office hours if you'd like one for your neighborhood.
*Limit 2 signs per individual
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Fairfax County's Response to Recent Flooding
The record-breaking rainstorm on the morning of Monday, July 8,
 2019 was felt countywide as we experienced flooded roads, homes, businesses, public facilities and motorists stranded in their vehicles. It has been reported that this storm generated the heaviest one-hour total rainfall since at least 1936. At yesterday's Board meeting, the Board declared a local emergency allowing residents
and businesses to file damage reports so that the County can further evaluate whether we will pursue federal disaster aid. The Office of Emergency Management has asked residents and businesses to file damage reports and notify the County of damage as a result of the storm.
The Board also approved temporarily waiving all fees related to building permits, including trades, for all repairs to correct damages arising from and directly associated with the July 8, 2019, weather event. This temporary waiver of fees, for a period not to exceed 90 days from the date of the declaration of local emergency, does not remove the requirement for adherence to all federal, state, and local building codes. This buffer is meant to give those seeking repairs for damages the time to work with insurance companies.
Fortunately, no one was severely injured or killed during the storm, and we have our first responders and the Office of Emergency Management to thank for their efforts. There were numerous emergency responses and swift water rescues, and some roads remain closed due to damage caused by this storm. In light of the damages to personal property, as noted above, the Office of Emergency Management has asked residents and businesses to file damage reports so that the county can evaluate whether we will pursue federal disaster aid. At present time, Arlington County and the City of Falls Church have already declared a State of Emergency.
If you experienced damage, please report your damages to the Fairfax County Disaster Damage Database by following the link below:
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Glass Recycle Bin Now Available at West Springfield Office
As readers of my last
newsletter
know, glass must be collected separately to be recycled. We now have a glass-only recycle bin at my office on Rolling Road. The large purple bin is located in the rear parking lot that exits onto Bauer Drive and is under 24-hour surveillance.
All glass bottles and jars are acceptable and food residue should be rinsed out before placing glass in the bins. Items that are not accepted include: Food, plastic bags, lamps or light bulbs, ceramics, porcelain, mirrors, windows, and glass sheets.
Alternatively, you can also continue to bring glass to purple drop-off centers at I-66 transfer station on West Ox Road in Fairfax and the I-95 landfill complex on Furnace Road in Lorton.
For more information, visit the Department of Public Works website below:
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Summer Concert Series Update
Our first free concert in the park was a great success with over 450 residents enjoying the Randy Thompson Band at Burke Lake Park. We also highlighted the musical talent of our local high school students as Eva Torres from South County High School performed as the opening act. Our partners 2 Silos Brewing, La Gringa Truck, and Peterson's Ice Cream were a major hit and we look forward to having them at the remainder of the shows.
Tonight, we will be hosting "The Reagan Years," an 80's cover band with a great following in the DMV area. For those concerned about the heat, there are plenty of shady areas to sit near the stage and my office staff will have free bottled water at the entrance.
Here are the upcoming concert dates as well as inclement weather information:
July 17, 2019 
The Reagan Years
July 24, 2019
The Woodshedders
July 31, 2019
The English Channel
August 7, 2019
The Colin Thompson Band
August 14, 2019
The Johnny Artis Band
Rain Cancelations:
For last minute performance cancellations due to inclement weather, call the hotline at 703-324-SHOW (7469) one hour prior to the program start time.
We look forward to seeing you at Burke Lake Park on Wednesday nights at 7PM!
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Other Happenings
National Night Out - August 6, 2019
National Night Out (NNO) is only a few weeks away! For those who are not familiar, NNO is an a
nnual neighborhood-based crime and drug prevention event which gives residents an opportunity to show neighborhood spirit, strengthen partnerships with local Police Departments, and demonstrate neighborhood commitment to fight crime. NNO is observed in thousands of communities in all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world.
We're excited to see our awesome neighborhoods and local businesses come together on Wednesday, August 6, 2019 for a night full of fun games, tasty food, and great company.
Have questions? Reach out to your HOA, or find your station and get a Crime Prevention Officer's contact info here:
http://ow.ly/lyTo30p2Kok
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Clyde Luther Links to Freedom Golf Tournament - October 7, 2019
This fall, the Springfield Golf and Country Club will be hosting one of their premier events to support Links to Freedom, a nationally recognized rehabilitative golf program for wounded, ill, and injured military service members and their families. I am looking forward to being the honorary starter for this event and seeing former Washington Capitals greats Peter Bondra and Rod Langway, who will be playing in the event.
The tournament is aptly named for a local golf legend, Clyde Luther. Luther was an Air Force Veteran, past president of the Springfield Golf Country Club, an inaugural member of the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame, the NCAA Division 1 Head Rules Official for ten-plus years and the Head Rules Official for the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Virginia State Golf Association Junior Match Play trophy is also named in his honor.
Registration is now open. Please follow the link below for more information on registration and event details:
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Used Smart Phones Need for Domestic Violence Shelter
The Artemis House Region I Domestic Violence Shelter opened earlier this year in southern Fairfax County. Recently, a need was identified for smart phones for shelter residents. As a result, all County Board offices are collecting used smart phone donations. We have set an initial goal of 110 smart phones for the 90 beds in Fairfax County, with an extra 20 back up phones. This need is strictly for smart phones as they have the ability to access the internet and provide safety capabilities, was as older flip phones do not.
The donated smart phones will go directly to Shelter House, who will ensure the phones are wiped clean of personal data and made ready for shelter residents' personal use. With our engaged and caring community, we know we can reach this target in a matter of weeks. Please drop your donations off at the West Springfield Government Center whenever you can!
Fairfax County Services
Mental illness, substance use disorders and intellectual disabilities
Contact: Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB). Provides services for people with mental illness, substance use disorders and intellectual disabilities.
Entry and Referrals: 703-383-8500, TTY 711
Emergency Services: 703-573-5679, TTY 711
Victims of domestic violence
Contact: Fairfax County Domestic Violence Hotline/Helpline. 24-hour hotline and helpline for victims of domestic violence to provide information and referrals for shelter, counseling services and treatment.
Call 703-360-7273, TTY 711
Chronic health conditions, prescriptions and dental and eye care
Contact: Fairfax County Homeless Healthcare Program ensures that homeless residents receive care for chronic health conditions, prescriptions are refilled and arrangements for dental and eye care are provided.
Call 703-246-2411, TTY 711
Emergency food, shelter, clothing, transportation, health care and dental services, job training, job search and legal assistance
Contact: Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning provides information and referrals for emergency food, shelter, clothing, transportation, health care and dental services, job training, job search and legal assistance.
Call 703-222-0880, TTY 711
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