Yesterday, Sept. 15, the Board of Supervisors returned to the Government Center's Board Auditorium with COVID-19 safety measures in place. I was very happy to be back with my Board colleagues conducting the business of our local government. We had a very full agenda –here are summaries of some of the key actions taken at the meeting. You can watch the meeting here.

There were more than 80 speakers and many hours of discussion before the Board voted to prohibit weapons in county buildings, parks and special events at our meeting last night. This has been on our legislative agenda for 20+ years and this year the General Assembly enabled us to move forward. It truly was an historic action by the Board and the right thing to do for our residents and county employees. Learn more.

Following a June 23 Joint Board Matter by myself and Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik, an engaged conversation and more than 20 speakers, the Board of Supervisors voted to remove three publicly owned Civil War memorials located at the Fairfax County Judicial Complex. I was proud to be a part of this action, which essentially reversed actions by the Board of Supervisors in 1900 and is a step toward our goal of a more just, unified Fairfax County. Learn more.

The Board of Supervisors voted to approve up to an additional $12 million to expand funding for the Fairfax Relief Initiative to Support Employers (RISE) grant program to further assist small businesses and nonprofits affected by the pandemic. The additional funding will bring the total program funding to $58 million and allow for all remaining qualified businesses who applied for RISE grants to receive funding. This funding will come from the county’s portion of federal CARES Act funds. Learn more.

If you have questions about the Board of Supervisors actions, please email my office at huntermill@fairfaxcounty.gov

Walter

Beginning this Friday, Sept. 18, any registered voter in Fairfax County can vote early in person at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Early voting is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Check the link above for details on Saturday hours. Social distancing and other public health measures will be in place and please remember to wear your mask.

Beginning Oct. 14, the county will open 14 satellite voting locations, including at the North County Government Center from 1 to 7 p.m. and Saturday hours will also be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please note that voting hours are different at the Fairfax County Government Center and the satellite locations. Check your satellite voting location's dates and hours before you head out to vote.

When you go to vote, please thank our election officers (poll workers) for their service! Elections are a lot of work and will be even more so this year while the pandemic continues.

Due to a new state law, you can absentee vote without needing a reason or excuse — but you still have to apply to absentee vote by mail. If you plan to vote by mail, you should apply now due to the anticipated large number of applications. Fairfax County election officials strongly recommend you apply well before the Friday, Oct. 23 deadline since mail delivery could be slower, according to the U.S. Postal Service. The fastest and most secure way to apply is online on the Virginia Department of Elections website. You’ll also be able to track the status of your application, as well as when your ballot is mailed to you. Your Virginia driver’s license number is needed to apply online, along with the last four digits of your Social Security number. Voters should be aware that they won’t begin to receive their ballots by mail until after Friday, Sept. 18.

If you have questions about these events, you can contact the Reston Library at librr@fairfaxcounty.gov

Learn more.

The Reston District Police Station, in partnership with Reston Hospital, Reston Community Center and Cornerstones, is hosting a Reston Community Heroes Art Contest for children, pre-K through 8th grade. The deadline to submit artwork is Oct. 6. Learn more.

Approximately 60 residents and county staff participated in the Sept. 14 meeting. You can watch the meeting here, as well as all five meetings to date here. To learn more about the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study and the task force, please visit the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study web page. The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 30, 7 to 9 p.m. Details and the agenda will be found here.

Wiehle Pedestrian Crossing Study Group virtual meeting is Thursday, Sept. 17, 7 to 9 p.m. The meeting is hosted on the Webex platform – use this link to attend and participate in the meeting. You will be prompted to register with your email address and ZIP code before logging into meeting. If you prefer to only listen to the meeting, you may call 1-408-418-9388 and use Access Code:173 748 0400. This is also the number to use if accessing TTY 711.

County staff will present the Zoning Ordinance Modernization (zMOD) Consolidated Draft. The draft represents a consolidation of the previously released installments, with revisions shown in the document’s attachments made based on feedback received throughout the process and additional work by staff. The meeting is hosted on the Webex platform – use this link to attend and participate in the meeting. You will be prompted to register with your email address and ZIP code before logging into meeting. If you prefer to only listen to the meeting, you may call 1-408-418-9388 and use Access Code:129 033 8635. This is also the number to use if accessing TTY 711. Learn more. 

The Fairfax Area Agency on Aging is hosting a virtual focus group on Friday, Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. to assist with the development of a COVID-19 Response Plan for Older Adults, as requested by the Board of Supervisors. The discussion will focus on social isolation and technology. To participate on Zoom, use https://zoom.us/j/93505784712  Password: POAGroup2! You can also call in using conference call number 703-324-1800, Participant Passcode: 035658. For assistance or additional details email:

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Sept. 12 Stuff the Bus. Your donations are critical to helping our neighbors who need food assistance during this pandemic. If you missed it, there is one more Stuff the Bus scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26. Fastran buses will be parked at 21 locations countywide, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., In Hunter Mill District you can donate at the North County Government Center in Reston and Patrick Henry Library in Vienna. Learn more.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is providing all students a healthy breakfast and lunch at no cost through Dec. 31. The goal is to provide every student in FCPS daily access to a healthy breakfast and lunch during this pandemic. The grab and go meals are offered at several school sites and along bus routes throughout the county. Learn more.

In this video, the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management sets the record straight so everyone knows the real facts vs. myths about hurricanes. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, with the peak occurring between mid-August and late October. Learn more.

Families and individuals in need of food assistance and support are welcome to visit Cornerstones Food Pantry at 11484 Washington Plaza West, Suite 120, in Reston. Call: 571-323-1400. Cornerstones Food Pantry's hours are: