Fairfax County renamed the Southgate Community Center the Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate in recognition of the many contributions Cathy made on keeping Fairfax County moving in the right direction of being open and inclusive. With Cathy is her son, daughter-in-law and her first grand baby! |
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- Commentary: Which Way Virginia?
- Latest Update on COVID-19
- Bulletin Board
- What Can I Do?
- Check your Calendar
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From reading previous columns that I have written or having heard me speak over the last year as well as hearing my message reinforced by others, you are aware that as an historian as well as an elected official I believe that the last two years in Virginia have been the most transformative in the Commonwealth’s history. I spend considerable time reading, writing, and teaching about our state’s history. It is a subject that obviously is of great importance and interest to me.
I could not be more pleased and excited than I am about being a part of the transformation that has occurred. No longer does present-day Virginia fit into a category of Old South or socially regressive. Consider what has happened in the General Assembly over the last two sessions as I have enumerated in previous columns.
Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment after decades of struggles to do so. We lifted barriers to abortion and asserted a woman’s right to choose. Jim Crow era laws that were among the most discriminatory in the South were repealed, and the Virginia Values Act prohibiting discrimination in housing and employment was passed. Important steps were taken to reduce the school to prison pipeline. Gun safety legislation was signed into law including my universal background checks bill.
Criminal justice reform continued to ensure that our laws were not racially discriminatory. We increased pay and training for our police to ensure that they can do their jobs fairly. The death penalty was abolished, and criminal defendants and civil litigants were granted an automatic right to appeal that exists in every other state. My bill that ended excessive fines and prison time for petit larceny passed. Criminal records for many nonviolent offenses will be expunged under a new law. And more. Details for both sessions are at https://lis.virginia.gov/.
None of these bills passed easily. Some passed by a single vote. Many bills that passed the House of Delegates did so with a 55 to 45 vote reflecting the partisan membership of the House. Governor Ralph Northam signed the bills into law as he had campaigned among legislators to get the bills passed. Although most of these bills had been debated for decades over their merit and political implications, it was the outcome of the 2019 elections that put progressive Democrats in control of the General Assembly to work with Governor Northam who had come into office in 2018 that brought about this transformation.
In many regards the election that is taking place now with early voting and election day on November 2 will decide if Virginia continues a common-sense approach to governing or slips back into a state where the rich get richer and the poor and minorities are subject to unfair discrimination. Election fraud or the “big lie” is not an issue. The choice is clear for Virginia voters for there are candidates for governor and the House of Delegates who would turn back our progress in their first year in office. Virginia has come too far to turn back now, but Virginia voters will make that determination at the ballot box!
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LATEST UPDATE on COVID-19 |
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CDC Expands COVID Booster Eligibility
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10th Annual Washington West Film Festival
October 21–25, 2021
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Washington West originated from the idea that a world class film festival could bring some of the best new films to greater Washington, DC, and could create inspiring stories rather than just watch them. Learn more and see the festival schedule at https://wwfilmfest.com
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Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, October 23 at Reston Hospital |
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The county's annual Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, October 23, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. In Hunter Mill District, a drive-through drop off location will be at Reston Hospital, 1850 Town Center Parkway in Reston at Pavilion 1, rear entrance. Drug take back programs are a safe method for disposing of prescription drugs and are organized and closely monitored by the Fairfax County Police Department. Safe disposal of unused or expired medications prevents drug abuse and misuse, accidental poisoning and protects the environment. Learn more including accepted items at Drug Take Back Day
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The money you give to BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE will help minority students and immigrant families break the cycle of poverty!
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Edu-Futuro has developed a research-based two-generation approach that ensures immigrant youth and families attain postsecondary goals, improve long-term financial stability, and strengthen interfamily cohesiveness. Join Edu-Futuro guests and stakeholders, including elected officials, school board members, and administrators from Fairfax, Arlington, and Prince William Counties, and the Cities of Alexandria and Roanoke, to celebrate the success of first-generation college-bound students and the wellbeing of immigrant and Latino families! Sponsorship opportunities and tickets are available at Edu-Futuro. |
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WHAT CAN I DO? CIVIC INVOLVEMENT |
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Voting Update for Nov. 2 Election |
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Sample Ballots Being Mailed to Registered Voters
The Fairfax County Office of Elections is mailing a sample ballot beginning this week to each of the county’s 727,000 registered voters.
The mailer also offers helpful information, including:
- Ways to request a mailed ballot
- Early voting locations and hours for those who choose to vote before Election Day
- Each voter’s assigned polling place on Election Day
Weekend Hours for Early In-Person Voting
Early voting on Saturdays will be available on October 23 and 30, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., as well as Sunday, October 24, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Before you head out to vote, please check locations, dates and hours here.
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Saturday, October 23, 10:00 a.m. to noon, 3rd Annual Fling Into Spring at the YMCA Fairfax County Reston. Cornhole Tournament where all proceeds go to the financial scholarship program. All ages are welcome to play and a first place trophy for the winning team! For more information or to register, email the YMCA Sports Director at ben.runyon@ymcadc.org.
Saturday, October 23, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., People With Disabilities Practice Police Interactions Event. The Arc of Northern Virginia is partnering with the Fairfax County Police Department and our Office of Emergency Management to offer an opportunity for people with disabilities and family or friends to practice emergency situations with officers. The Hunter Mill District event will be at Dogwood Elementary School, 12300 Glade Dr. in Reston. This event is open to anyone with any disability or general anxiety about police interactions, regardless of where they live. The event is free, but preregistration is required. Learn more and register.
Saturday, October 23, 8:00 p.m., Halloween House and Trick-or-Treat Trail at Walker Nature Center. See the Nature Center decked out for Halloween. Follow a candlelit trick-or-treat trail through the woods and solve animal mysteries along the way. Meet some real wildlife. This is not a haunted house or trail of terror. Children and adults are encouraged to wear non-scary costumes. Children must be at least 3 years old and accompanied by a registered adult at all times. Park on Glade Drive. Bring a flashlight and an umbrella in the event of rain. Learn more and purchase tickets at Trick-or-Treat Trail.
Sunday, October 24, 8:30 a.m., 2021 Walk to End Alzheimer's. At Reston Town Center Corner or Market and Discovery Streets, Reston. All funds raised through Walk to End Alzheimer's further the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association. Read more and register at Walk to End Alzheimer's.
Tuesday, October 26, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., Responding to Dementia Related Behaviors (Virtual). Registration is required and a Zoom link will be emailed a day before the event. As language is lost, some behaviors that people living with dementia to communicate and express their needs can present real challenges for caregivers to manage. Learn to decode behavioral messages, identify common triggers, and learn strategies to help manage some of the behavioral challenges of this disease. Learn more and register.
Wednesday, October 27, 7:00 p.m., 75th annual Vienna Halloween Parade. The theme for this year’s parade is "The Roaring Twenties." The 2021 Vienna Halloween Parade Grand Marshals are Rustic Love Vienna and the Vienna VA Foodies. Learn more at Halloween Parade.
Saturday, October 30, 3:15 p.m, Halloween Mystery at the Cabin, at Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls. Meet people of the past and discover their secrets to uncover the mysteries along the Potomac as we walk through the woods. A sweet treat will reward your success. The program runs from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m., 4:45 to 6:00 p.m., and 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. The cost is $10 per person. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. For more information, call 703-759-9018. Cost is $10.00 Register Online.
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