Dear Dranesville Resident,

Welcome to the June 2015 edition of the Dranesville Dispatch.

In this issue we highlight the 2015 World Police and Fire Games, This week Fairfax County is honored to be hosting the Games which bring together almost ten thousand athletes from all around the world to compete in a large assortment of events.  All the Games' sporting events are free and open to the public. For further details, visit the Games' website at www.fairfax2015.com/schedule.

This issue of the Dispatch also includes an article that examines future budget challenges facing our County and our Schools as well as articles that discuss proposed changes to the County's noise ordinance and the upcoming reduction of water rates for former Falls Church Water customers.  See more on these and many other topics of interest to Dranesville residents in this issue. 

The Dranesville District has many dedicated, talented and accomplished individuals, as well as organizations that contribute to our community.  In this edition, I'm pleased to recognize several of them for their outstanding efforts and achievements.

Fairfax County offers many activities throughout the summer.  From farmers markets to free outdoor concerts and movies -- there is something for everyone.  I will keep you informed of these events through the Dranesville Happenings newsletter that is published each month by my office. I wish you and your families a safe and enjoyable summer season.

As always, I welcome your thoughts on how to best serve the Dranesville community.  Please feel free to contact my office with your suggestions and concerns.  It is an honor to serve you.

John Foust

Dranesville District Supervisor  

County Considers Changes to Noise Ordinance

We frequently hear that we live in an urbanizing area. However, this is only true in portions of the County, like Tysons and other transit oriented areas, where the County has planned to focus urban-like development. Most of the County remains established residential neighborhoods. It is the Board of Supervisors' position that those established neighborhoods should be protected from the adverse impacts of urbanization. The Board has made a commitment to ensure that urbanization does not cause existing residents to lose their right to quiet and peaceful enjoyment of their homes. That is why Supervisor Foust has worked to deliver sound walls and other noise abatement measures to lower noise pollution.

The Board of Supervisors is currently considering staff recommendations for modifications to the County's noise ordinance.  The proposed changes were initiated partly in response to a State Supreme Court decision which struck down portions of Virginia Beach's noise ordinance because it contained subjective noise standards. Concerns were raised that, as a result of that decision, portions of the existing Fairfax County ordinance could be challenged. The first draft of proposed changes from staff was presented to the Board of Supervisor's Development Process Committee in February 2014.  At that time, Supervisor Foust and other members of the Board directed staff to conduct a series of outreach meetings on the proposed changes. Since then, significant opposition to the proposed revised ordinance has been expressed.

In general, the proposed noise ordinance needs to focus more on protecting the rights of residents who are not making loud noises rather than granting new rights to those who are. Some of the specific concerns Supervisor Foust has expressed are:

• Because it is measured on a log rhythmic scale, every 10 decibel increase in noise is perceived as doubling the amount of noise. No compelling justification has been shown for increasing legally acceptable noise levels from the current 55 dBA to the proposed 60, 65 and 72 dBA limits.
• He does not support creating a special use classification called "Non Residential Use in Residential Districts" to allow more noise, around the clock, in some residential neighborhoods.
• The proposed ordinance does not provide for adequate rules and regulations for amplified noise at schools and recreation areas.
• For purposes of establishing allowable noise levels, the proposed ordinance includes all "mixed use areas" in the same category as "urban mixed use areas" like Tysons. Supervisor Foust believes higher noise levels may be appropriate in those urban areas, but those higher noise standards should not be applied in the typical mixed use areas in the County.
• There are also many technical issues with the proposed ordinance, including the critical definitions of "impulse noise" and "continuous noise," that should be resolved before any ordinance is adopted.

The Board of Supervisors conducted a public hearing on the proposed noise ordinance on May 12. There were more than thirty speakers at the hearing, all opposed to one or more aspects of the proposed ordinance.  After the hearing, a motion was adopted to defer decision on whether to approve or reject the proposed ordinance until the Board's meeting on June 23. Supervisor Foust's motion to extend this deferral until September to allow additional time to address and vet concerns was not accepted by the rest of the Board. However, the Board of Supervisors discussed the proposed ordinance again at a June 9 Development Process Committee meeting, and it was clear that there were many issues that still needed to be resolved. It was agreed that the Board would continue to work with staff and the community and that the Board's decision on the final version of the ordinance would be deferred until November.  

Taking Action to Address

Future Funding Challenges for the County and Schools

On April 28, the Board of Supervisors approved the County's Fiscal Year 2016 (FY 2016) budget, including a General Fund budget of $3.8 billion. The General Fund includes the budgets for police, fire and rescue, parks, libraries, human services and many other services and programs provided by the County. It also includes a transfer to Fairfax County Public Schools of $2.01 billion, nearly 53% of the total General Fund budget. The FY2016 transfer amount represented about 99.8% of what was requested by the School Board. 

Although it will not be adopted until April 2016, the Board of Supervisors and School Board are already working on the FY 2017 budget. Both the County and the school system will face significant fiscal challenges next year. Both have projected deficits, and both must figure out how they will eliminate those deficits and balance their FY2017 budgets. Due to a sluggish local economy, primarily caused by federal spending cutbacks and sequestration, new resources will be limited.

In the past, there has been very little discussion between the School Board and the Board of Supervisors about the transfer to the schools until after the County Executive issued the Advertised Budget in late February. By that time, it is very difficult to make any significant changes before the budget has to be adopted in April. To facilitate a more collaborative process, Supervisor Foust obtained Board approval for the discussion of the FY2017 school transfer to begin before the County Executive's advertised budget is released. In what is going to be a very challenging year, this will give both boards and the community more time to ensure that the needs of the County and the schools are fully considered before the advertised budget is released.

The Board of Supervisors will also address future fiscal challenges by conducting what is referred to as a Lines of Business (LOBs) review where the Board will work with County staff and the community to review all programs and services the County provides.  This review will help the Board identify efficiencies and consider strategic changes to reach intended outcomes. Most importantly, this comprehensive review process will help the Board ensure that the investments made through the budget are consistent with the community's needs and priorities. The Board of Supervisors invited the School Board members to participate in the County's process, and strongly encouraged the School Board to conduct a similar process for FCPS.

The Board of Supervisors consistently makes the school transfer its top funding priority. However, the County cannot solve all the challenges facing our school system solely with funds raised by taxing homeowners. The State continues to grossly underfund public education, which is a driving force in the County's budget challenges. While most legislators who represent Fairfax County are supportive of our school funding needs, we have a serious problem with a majority of legislators across the state who refuse to adequately fund public education, and who insist on using funding formulas that benefit their school districts at the expense of Fairfax County schools. Going forward, the Board of Supervisors is committed to working with the County's state legislative delegation and the School Board to convince the legislature that more resources should be returned to Fairfax County to help fund our schools.
 

Although the Board of Supervisors just adopted the FY2016 budget this past April, Supervisor Foust is already meeting with constituents to begin the discussion about the FY2017 budget. He expects to have constructive discussions with his Board, the School Board, and community members about the County and school budgets throughout the year. He looks forward to continuing to hear from you and to your participation in those discussions.

For more information about the FY2016 adopted budget or the on-going efforts to address the FY2017 budget challenges, contact Jane Edmondson in the office of Supervisor Foust at Jane.Edmondson@FairfaxCounty.gov. 

Former City of Falls Church Water Customers to See

Rate Reduction Effective July 1, 2015

Effective July 1, 2015, Fairfax Water will equalize water rates for customers previously served by the City of Falls Church Water. This equalization of rates was part of the agreement made when Fairfax Water, an independent utility, acquired Falls Church Water in January 2014. At that time, Fairfax Water agreed that within 2 years, it would lower the rates of former customers of Falls Church Water to match Fairfax Water rates. Fairfax Water is making good on that promise six months ahead of schedule. Fairfax Water announced that it was able to accelerate the rate adjustment as a result of efficiencies and economies of scale made possible by the merger.

Lower rates will take effect beginning with meter readings taken on or after July 1, 2015. At that time, all Fairfax Water customers will be on the same rate schedule which includes a commodity rate of $2.55 per 1,000 gallons. That is a savings of over 20% on the existing charge of $3.27 per 1,000 gallons for former customers of Falls Church.

Many of the County residents who were served by the City of Falls Church Water live in the Dranesville District. "For far too many years, Fairfax County residents served by the City of Falls Church paid too much for essential water services. I am pleased that our efforts to challenge this inequity have been successful and that we have achieved a fair result for those County residents. I am grateful to Fairfax Water for agreeing to purchase the Falls Church Water system and equalizing their rates. I also appreciate the residents and elected leaders of Falls Church for working with the County and Fairfax Water and agreeing to the purchase," said Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust.

Background of "Water War"

The so-called "water war" between Fairfax County and the City of Falls Church has a long history going back a number of decades. Approximately 100,000 Fairfax County residents received water from the City of Falls Church. They paid rates significantly higher than the rates charged by Fairfax Water to the County residents they served. Falls Church used the profit made on higher rates to support other services it provided to Falls Church residents. In January 2010, a state judge ruled that Falls Church's transfer of water utility profits to its General Fund was an unconstitutional tax on people who lived outside the boundaries of the City. After that ruling, Falls Church officials claimed that they had to raise rates significantly to establish new reserve funds and to expand the water system infrastructure to serve its new customers in Tysons. The City raised its rates 8% for fiscal year 2011 and announced plans to raise rates a total of 30% by 2016. Since most of the City's water customers lived in Fairfax County, most increased revenues would have come from Fairfax County residents.

Supervisor Foust, along with several of his colleagues on the Board, challenged the rate increase and asked the Fairfax County Consumer Protection Commission, with assistance from the Consumer Affairs branch of the Department of Cable and Consumer Services, to undertake a comprehensive review of the City's rate-making actions. Among a number of recommendations the Commission made was that Fairfax County fix the rates for all water customers in the County so that no resident pays more than the rate set by Fairfax Water unless Falls Church City or other municipal providers could justify higher rates.

In December 2011, the Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance requiring that, effective July 1, 2012, the City of Falls Church, the City of Fairfax and the towns of Vienna and Herndon must charge Fairfax County residents the same rates that Fairfax Water charges unless they could demonstrate that a higher rate is fair and reasonable based on their costs.

The passage of the ordinance led to additional legal proceedings with many starts and stops. With the assistance of the Board of Supervisors and a federal mediator, a settlement was reached in late 2012. Under the terms of the agreement, Fairfax Water agreed to purchase Falls Church Water for $40 million. In addition to the commitment to equalize the rates for former customers of Falls Church Water, that agreement included a commitment to adjust the City of Falls Church boundary to include several parcels in the City that were owned by the City but were located in Fairfax County. The acquisition was approved with a referendum passed by voters of the City of Falls Church in November 2013.

For more information, contact Jane Edmondson in the office of Supervisor Foust at Jane.Edmondson@FairfaxCounty.gov.  

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Adopts Strategic Plan

Prepared by Economic Advisory Commission

Chaired by Supervisor Foust 

"No community has a preordained right to prosperity.  Prosperity can only be achieved and sustained when a community's citizens, businesses, and government work in concert for everyone's benefit."  This is the theme of the County's recently updated "Strategic Plan to Facilitate the Economic Success of Fairfax County," adopted by the Board at its March 3 meeting.  The Plan was prepared by the Board of Supervisors' Economic Advisory Commission (EAC) which is chaired by Supervisor John Foust. The Plan includes some policies already being implemented by the County as well as offering many new ideas and action items, concentrating them all in a single strategic document.

A vibrant local economy is the foundation of a great community. The revenues generated by a strong local economy enable communities like Fairfax County to provide the infrastructure, schools, police, fire and rescue, libraries, parks, and many other programs and services that we all want for ourselves and our families. The lingering effects of the Great Recession and cutbacks in federal spending have had significant negative effects on the economy of the Washington region, and Fairfax County has not been spared. The Plan recognizes the need to strengthen, diversify and expand the County's economy. It sets out the following six goals to improve and sustain economic success:

• Further diversify our economy:  Be responsive to the effects of federal sequestration by embracing new business areas and identifying the County as a location for innovation and dynamic thinking.
• Create places where people want to be:  Be responsive to changing demographics and lifestyle preferences. Make the County attractive to younger workers and others by supporting the increasing preference for livable and walkable communities.
• Improve the speed, consistency, and predictability of the development review process:  Foster and facilitate a dynamic land development and entitlement process.
• Invest in natural and physical infrastructure: Continue to explore new and innovative technologies that make the County's infrastructure and public assets more efficient, environmentally effective and sustainable.
• Achieve economic success through education and social equity:  Engage all segments of the community regardless of income, education and attainment.  Link people to opportunities including education, workforce development, employment and affordable housing.
• Increase agility of County government:  Share responsibility for attracting business by establishing partnerships with private and nonprofit sectors.  Maintain an open dialog with residents and partners based on trust and transparency.

The Plan also includes dozens of action items that the County, working with its partners in the Economic Development Authority, the business community, civic groups, academia, non-profits, and regional partners are implementing to ensure the County's economic success. County staff will update the EAC on progress toward implementing the action items and achieving the goals of the Plan on at least a semi-annual basis.

The Economic Advisory Commission worked closely with County staff, led by Deputy County Executive Rob Stalzer.  Multiple outreach sessions were held to gather the input of more than 250 stakeholders representing the business community, civic leaders, local chambers of commerce, area colleges and universities, and residents. Their feedback provided guidance to the EAC on strategic areas to be targeted, the most effective strategies to take, and the priority of those strategies.  They also helped identify emerging trends or issues to follow as the plan is implemented.

According to Supervisor Foust, "This Plan is a blueprint to grow the County's economy.  It recognizes that the way to attract business to the County is to capitalize on and support our existing strengths, while being proactive and agile enough to make improvements where they are needed."

The Strategic Plan to Facilitate the Economic Success of Fairfax County can be viewed in its entirety online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/success/strategic-plan-facilitate-economic-success-2015.pdf. 

For more information contact Jane Edmondson in the office of Supervisor Foust at 703-356-0551 or by email at Jane.Edmondson@FairfaxCounty.gov. 

Dead Run Stream Valley Restoration 

Proposed for McLean Central Park 

Supervisor Foust Forms Task Force

In January 2001 the County conducted a baseline study to evaluate the condition of County streams. The study found that stream conditions throughout the County's 30 watersheds were in fair to very poor condition. Building on the recommendations from the study, the County initiated a process to develop watershed management plans for all the watersheds. The development of the watershed management plans included a stream physical assessment of over 800 miles of streams; community involvement; modeling of the creeks and streams; and the development of goals, objectives, and strategies for addressing watershed issues. Dead Run Stream, which partially runs through McLean Central Park, has been classified as one of the County's most degraded streams.

Some of the existing issues in our watersheds include flooding of property and roadways, excessive amounts of runoff, poor water quality, and degraded riparian and aquatic habitat. Much of the development in the watersheds occurred before storm water controls were required, allowing runoff from impervious surfaces such as roofs, roadways and sidewalks to flow directly into the streams in large quantities, often causing downstream flooding and stream deterioration, including instream erosion.

In 2008, County staff completed the Middle Potomac Watershed Plan for the Bull Neck Run, Scotts Run, Dead Run, Turkey Run and Pimmit Run Watersheds. The planning process included the participation and recommendations of a Watershed Steering Committee, which served as a liaison between their respective communities or organizations. A number of Dranesville residents were members of the Watershed Steering Committee and several public workshops were held to receive input from the community regarding the watershed issues and possible solutions. The project team used this information to help evaluate the watersheds and provide recommendations for addressing the issues.

The plan was developed in order to:

1. Restore and protect the County's streams, of which 80 percent are in "fair" to "very poor condition".

2. Meet state and federal water quality standards by identifying strategies to prevent and remove pollution.

3. Support Virginia's commitment to the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement to clean up the Chesapeake Bay.

4. Replace the currently outdated watershed management plans and incorporate the use of new technologies.

5. Take a comprehensive approach in addressing multiple regulations, commitments, and community needs.

In 2012, County staff recommended that a stream valley restoration project for Dead Run advance, and in August 2013, the County Board of Supervisors approved a contract with an engineer.

Since that time, DPWES staff has been working on preliminary designs and has held a number of community meetings; the last two included walking the stream. In addition, some of the adjacent neighbors recently met with Supervisor Foust and project staff.

The preliminary design includes the restoration of approximately 800 linear feet of stream. Staff propose to use a technique called natural channel design, which stabilizes stream banks, reduces sediment and nutrient loads, and restores vegetated stream buffers. Some heavy equipment would be needed for the work but the park would remain open during the project. Some trails may be closed during construction hours, however there will be temporary trails available during that time. A number of concerns have been raised at the various meetings including magnitude of the project scope, tree loss, disruption to users of the park (including wildlife), and impacts to adjacent properties.

In order to facilitate full community participation in the design of the project and to address the various concerns that have been raised, Supervisor Foust is assembling a Task Force. He has invited interested residents, members of the McLean Citizens Association Environmental and Parks Committee, the McLean Trees Foundation, County project staff, and Benjamin Wiles, Aide to Supervisor Foust. The Task Force will provide a mechanism for County staff and the people who love the park to work together to develop a plan that restores and protects the stream, reduces the flooding the homeowners experience on a regular basis and has the least amount of negative impact on the park.

Representative photograph of Dead Run Stream channel conditions.  

Examples of completed stream restoration projects in

McLean Central Park (left) and Fairfax County Government Center (right)

 Residents Enjoying Expansion & Renovations at

Spring Hill RECenter

Improvements Include New Gym and Fitness Center

Spring Hill RECenter users are now enjoying a new 2-story fitness center and a gymnasium with an elevated running track.  The gym features a single high school-sized basketball court with one volleyball and two basketball overlay courts. Locker rooms and showers have also been upgraded and five new family cabanas are now available.  The improvements were made possible when Supervisor Foust successfully increased the amount of the Park Authority's 2012 bond to include funds for the project.

For more information please contact Jane Edmondson in the office of Supervisor Foust at 703-356-0551 or email Jane.Edmondson@FairfaxCounty.gov. 

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova and Supervisor John Foust (center) join representatives from the Fairfax County Park Authority, McLean Youth Athletics, Park Authority staff and community leaders to celebrate the expansion and renovating of Spring Hill RECenter.

Great Falls Grange is Now Accessible to Disabled Residents

Recent improvements made by Fairfax County to the Great Falls Grange, have made it compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), allowing all residents, including those with physical disabilities and challenges, to access this historic building.    At the request of Supervisor Foust, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved carry-over funds in 2013 to fund this long-needed project.

Existing barriers were eliminated by the addition of a wheelchair lift, an ADA-compliant unisex bathroom, and associated electrical upgrades.  Exterior improvements made include changes to the parking areas and walking routes around the entrance of the building and enhancements to the park trail. 

The Grange is located at 9818 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls, VA.  For more information please contact Jane Edmondson in the office of Supervisor Foust at 703-356-0551 or email Jane.Edmondson@FairfaxCounty.gov.   

Celibrating ADA improvements to the Grange on March 7, were Supervisor Foust, other elected officials, County staff and members of the community.

Colvin Run Mill Site Restoration is Complete

What's old is new again at Colvin Run Mill in Great Falls.  The 200 year-old mill is back in operation and grinding once more, a tribute to the site's recently completed restoration. Colvin Run Mill is one of the few all-brick mills remaining in Virginia, and it represents the many water-powered mills that served Fairfax County in the 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

Restoration was accomplished in part through funding provided by the 2013 Partners in Preservation contest, sponsored by American Express via the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  The $75,000 grant, along with additional funding and support from the Friends of Colvin Run Mill, Park Bonds, and the Fairfax County Park Foundation, made the mill fully operational.

For more information about Colvin Run Mill visit online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/colvinrunmill.

Supervisor Foust joined other elected officials, park staff, volunteers and community leaders on April 19 to celebrate the restoration of Colvin Run Mill historic site. (Photo by the Friends of Colvin Run Mill)

Renovation and Expansion Planned for McLean Community Center

The McLean Community Center (MCC) will be undergoing a renovation and expansion in 2016. Plans for the project include a new conference room, addition of a 1,500-square-foot multipurpose room, and expansion of the theater lobby and administrative area.

The Center's Governing Board held four public meetings in March, April and May of this year to inform the community of the project plans. In coming months, the construction documents will be submitted to Fairfax County for authorization.  There will be additional public meetings in the future.

The project will be fully funded through reserves that the MCC has accumulated through the years.

For more information, please contact Jane Edmondson in the office of Supervisor Foust at Jane.Edmondson@FairfaxCounty.gov or Dennis Findley at dennisfindley@mcleancenter.org.   

 Upcoming Land Use Cases in Dranesville

The following land use applications are under review by Fairfax County. The review process includes public hearings before the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors:

SE 2014-DR-068

1988 Kirby Road, McLean

Proposed Special Exception to allow an assisted living facility on a 3.7 acre property zoned R-1 has been withdrawn.  

PS Holdings, LLC

SE 2014-DR-072

856 and 872 Dolley Madison Boulevard, McLean

Proposal to construct private school of general education on a 3.3 acre property zoned R-1 has been indefinitely deferred. 

Basheer/Edgemoore-Brooks, LLC

RZ 2014-DR-022

Approximately 600 Feet East of Springvale Road and North of Parkerhouse Drive

Applicant proposes to rezone a 51.9 acre property from the R-A zoning district to R-E Cluster (Residential Estate), at a density of .5 dwelling units/acre. The rezoning would permit 23 single-family detached homes and would be served by a public street.

Information including a map of the site, public hearing dates, and staff report can be found here. 

JLB Dulles Tech LLC & Fairfax County Park Authority

SEA 85-C -119

South side of Dulles Technology Drive approximately 450 feet east of its intersection with River Birch Road.

Applicant proposes to rezone 11.6 acres of land from office development to the PRM District in order to construct 460-unit multi-family building. 

Information including a map of the site, public hearing dates, and staff report can be found here.

Trinity Land, LLC Approved

SE 2014-DR-052

11801 Leesburg Pike, Herndon

At its June 2 meeting the Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to approve an application request to build 30 single family units utilizing a cluster development configuration under existing R-1 zoning designation. The 28.9 acre track is currently used as as a golf driving range.

The cluster development will allow for the preservation of nearly 9-acres of open space. In addition the applicant has agreed to numerous development conditions that provide substantial public benefit including removing all existing impervious area from environmentally sensitive areas of land on the site, provide a pedestrian trail connection through the site, completing a missing sidewalk link along Sugarland Road, and constructing a parking lane where parents can pull-off the road while waiting for school buses.

Information including a map of the site and staff report can be found here.

 Look for announcements of future community meetings relating to applications in the monthly Dranesville Happenings publication found at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dranesville/newsletters.htm.

For more information contact Ben Wiles in the office of Supervisor Foust at Benjamin.Wiles@FairfaxCounty.gov  or call 703-356-0551. 

June 26 - July 5: 

World Police and Fire Games Coming to Fairfax County

The 2015 World Police and Fire Games has come to Fairfax County (June 26 through July 5).   The Games are the second largest multi-sport event in the world, surpassed only by the Summer Olympic Games. The event draws more than 12,000 athletes from police, fire and other public safety agencies, who travel from 70 different countries to compete in 1,600 medal events across 40 sports.   The annual games are being held in our area this year, in Montreal in 2017 and in China in 2019.

Opening Ceremonies took place at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. and Closing Ceremonies will be held at Wolf Trap.   Of the sporting venues located across the National Capital Region, most are in Fairfax County. 

For information including schedules and volunteer opportunities, visit http://fairfax2015.com/.  

After-School Child Care 

The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in McLean has been serving local elementary school children and their parents over the past years by providing after-school care at the Redeemer Renaissance After-School Program.  Recently they were able to purchase a bus to help transport the children thanks in part to a grant from the McLean Community Foundation. 
 

The church provides after school programing to address the ongoing  lack of space in Fairfax County Public School's McLean-area School Age Child Care (SACC) programs. 

(left to right): McLean Community Foundation (MCF) Board Member Winnie Pizzano, Reedemer Renaissance After-School Director Roberta Pittmanm, MCF Board Member Joann Berkson and MCF President Amee Burgoyne .   (Photo credit:  Herndon Patch/Mary Ann Barton)

Langley High School's Girls Swim and Dive Team

for winning the VHSL 6 A State Swimming and Diving Championship

McLean High School Gymnastic Team

for winning the 2015 6A VHSL State Championship

Chairman Bulova and Supervisor Foust present proclamation to representatives and supporters of Fairfax County's LGBT community, including several McLean High School students.

June 2015 Proclaimed Fairfax County LGBT Pride Month

 Representatives of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community came before the Board of Supervisors to receive a proclamation.

2015 Dranesville District Lord and Lady Fairfax

Sarah Kirk and Robert Vickers were named 2015 Dranesville Lady and Lord Fairfax by Supervisor John Foust for demonstrating superior volunteer service.  Ms. Kirk and Mr. Vickers were recognized along with other District's Lords and Ladies at ceremonies held on May 12 and June 2. 

Sarah C. Kirk has been a champion of Turner Farm in Great Falls, a horsewoman, and an entrepreneur.  She created Turner Farm Events to raise funds to support the park through horse shows and other equestrian events.  Proceeds have paid for new jumps, poles and equipment for the park.  Ms. Kirk also founded the Becky Love Foundation to raise funds and awareness for mental health, last year raising more than $3,000 through the "Mothers 5K for Mental Heath" event.

Robert D. Vickers, Jr., Dranesville District member and Chairman of the Fairfax County Tree Commission, was recognized as a strong advocate for tree preservation.  He was the driving force behind the creation of the Fairfax County Celebrated Tree program.  He also greatly improved the annual County Tree Preservation and Planting awards process, and works closely with citizen groups in McLean, Great Falls and Herndon to preserve and protect the urban tree canopy for future generations.

Longfellow Middle School

for winning 1^st place in the Middle School Division at the

2015 Virginia Science Olympiad State Competition 

 Langley High School

for winning 1^st place in the High School Division at the

2015 Virginia Science Olympiad State Competition 
 

Lift Me Up!

on celebrating its 40th Anniversary.  Founded by Colleen Zanin, Lift Me Up! is dedicated to providing safe and effective instruction to children and adults with a variety of disabilities by combining the special presence of horses with the caring registered instructors.

William Bates, Principal of Herndon High School since 2009,

for being named Fairfax County Public Schools' Principal of the Year.

Mr. Bates was also a recipient of a Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award.

for winning the 2015 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service

Adult Volunteer Award for her dedication training service dogs.

 Allison Parrell,

for being named 2014-15 Elementary Band Director of the Year

by the Fairfax County Band Directors Association.  Ms. Parrell is the band director at Haycock Elementary School and Kent Gardens Elementary School. 

Conor Grammes of McLean High School, 

for winning the State Title for Wrestling for Group 6A at 152 pounds. 

Winners of the Tree Conservation Award for Tree Preservation

for their work at The Preserve at Scott's Run: 

Josh Marshall, Land Design Consultants 

Don Zimar, Zimar and Associates 

Frank Talbert, Stanley Martin Homes 
 

Winners of the 2015 National Scholarship Art and Writing Awards,

 sponsored by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers from Fairfax County Public Schools and the Dranesville District:

Molly Cooper of Langley High School,

Gold Medal for Digital Art, "Panda Utopia"

Shinae Choi of McLean High School

Silver Medal for Art Portfolio, "I Am My Experiences."

Rebekah Soliday of Herndon High School,

Silver Medal for Digital Art,

"Staggering Striping."
 

Photo credit:  Tin Nguyen/Fairfax County Times

Allison Maxwell, of Herndon High School

for placing fourth in the Regional Air Rifle Championship and for competing in February's National Air Rifle Championship.
 

Photo courtesy of Herndon High Athletics.

Jessica Keys, of Herndon High School

for capturing the Division 6 State Pole Vault Title in February.  Herndon's LeClare Beres finished as State Runner-Up in the Pole Vault. 
 

Herndon High School

for receiving the National "Kids at Hope" Best Overall Award for its celebration of "Kids at Hope Day".  The theme of Herndon's program was: "WE CONNECT - The Power of Aces".  The mission of Kids at Hope is to inspire, empower and transform schools, organizations serving youth and entire communities to create an environment and culture where all children experience success, NO EXCEPTIONS!
 

for winning Virginia State Champion in Swimming for the 2^nd consecutive year in the 100 meter backstroke, setting a new Herndon High record and an All American time.

Jennie Kim,

named 2015 Dranesville Community Spirit Scholar at Fairfax County's 2015 Celebrate Fairfax festivities.  Ms. Kim is the president and founder of Helping Hands Outreach, working with children with disabilities, deaf people, and the homeless.  

(Photo credit:  Connection Newspapers, May 20-26, 2015)

Winners of the McLean Citizens Association's Teen Character Awards,

awarded at McLean Day 2015:

Katherine Detter, McLean High School

Lauren Grohowski, Longfellow Middle School

Megan Grohowski, Longfellow Middle School

Audrey Morse, Longfellow Middle School

Veda Nagubandi, Langley High School

Jack Saunders, McLean High School

Joe Broom and Anna Venetianer, of Thomas Jefferson High School and McLean

for winning the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program -- 

two of 170 students, selected nationally out of 11,000 applications.

Steven Bloom,

named by Supervisor John Foust as 2015 Dranesville Community Champion for outstanding volunteer efforts benefitting Fairfax County, as:

• Member of the Fairfax County Human Services Council and Chair of its Budget Committee.
• Member of the Dranesville Budget Task Force.
• Member of the Fairfax County Community Action Advisory Board and three-term Chair.
• Head and assistant coach, and referee for McLean Youth Soccer.

Olivia McAulliffe, of McLean High School

for winning a 1st Place Award at the Virginia Distributive Education Association (DECA) Conference.

Meghan Percival, yearbook adviser at McLean High School,

for being honored with the Thomas Jefferson Award for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism Education by the Virginia Association of Journalism Teachers and Advisors.

Dranesville students honored by

Virginia Association of Journalism Teachers and Advisors:

Lama Al Rajih, McLean High School, Broadcast

Meryl Menezes, McLean High School, Caption Writing

Ingrid Morse, McLean High School, Editing

Eleanor Patrick, McLean High School, Editorial Cartoon

Bryan Chung, McLean High School, Editorial Cartoon

Ashwin Dasgupta, McLean High School, Editorial Writing

Melanie Pincus, McLean High School, News Writing

Christine Cheon, McLean High School, News Writing

Samantha Taherian, McLean High School, Photography 

McLean resident, Merrily Pierce, received the Outstanding Individual Friends of Trees Award from the Fairfax County Tree Commission, in recognition of her long -term efforts to preserve trees in McLean, particularly in well established residential neighborhoods.

McLean Community Center Governing Board

elected at the McLean Day festival for the 2015-2016 term: 

Adults, three-year terms: 

Merrily Pierce, Jennifer Rossman, and Laurelie B. Wallace 

Youth, one year term - Langley High School area: 

Quentin M. Levin 

Youth, one year term - McLean High School area:

Jenna Lebowitz  

At the new Board's first meeting on June 3, the Board elected its officers:

Paul Kohlenberger, Chair

Dennis Findley, Vice-chair

Laurelie Wallace, Secretary

Lathan Turner, Treasurer

 

Langley Women's Varsity Four (photo courtesy of team website)

 

 

 

 

 

Langley Women's Junior Varsity Eight (photo courtesy of team website)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Langley High School Women's Crew  

In May, the Langley Women's Varsity Four took 1^st place at the VASRA State Championship Regatta and 2^nd place in the nation at the SRAA Nationals Regatta.  The Langley Women's Junior Varsity Eight took 1^st in the VASRA State Championship Regatta.

 

McLean Varsity Lightweight 8+ (photo courtesy of team website).

McLean 2nd Varsity Heavyweight 4+ (photo courtesy of team website)