Sept. 8, 2021
Neighbors,
This coming Saturday, Sept. 11, we will commemorate the 20 year anniversary of one of the worst days in our country's history. It was a national tragedy felt globally that brought grief to our own neighborhoods when county residents lost their lives at the Pentagon. Anxiety was the mental health pandemic of the day as we watched and listened to the news, not sure of what would happen next and worried about our children and loved ones.
But Saturday also marks the anniversary of our resilience as a community, as well as the bravery and compassion demonstrated by our county public safety personnel that day. We are also grateful to our many friends and neighbors in the military who responded and continue to keep us safe.
To honor those who were lost, as well as our first responders and military who were called to serve, there are several events being held Saturday in Hunter Mill District and countywide. I will be attending several and I encourage you to take this opportunity to participate if you can.
9 a.m. – Patriot's Day Ceremony in Vienna
Dyer-Gunnell American Legion Post 180 20th Anniversary Patriot's Day Ceremony, Freeman House Lawn, 131 Church St. NE
2 p.m. – Online Fairfax County Ceremony
All Day – VolunteerFest 9/11 Day of Service
Volunteer Fairfax is coordinating opportunities countywide to provide your skills, time and donations during Saturday's day of service. Examples include in-person and at-home opportunities, such as:
- Participate in Marshall Road Elementary courtyard beautification in Vienna.
- Make welcome greeting cards for Shelter House in Reston.
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Label storm drains to protect our watershed near Lewinsville Rd. in McLean.
- Assemble celebration boxes for Cornerstones 50th Anniversary celebration.
- Sign up for the county's Office of Emergency Management's seminar and build your own emergency kit.
Also this Saturday is a more familiar service activity:
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Stuff the Bus Food Drive in Reston
North County Governmental Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston
Drop off your non-perishable food donations (suggested items are here, scroll down for list) at the Fastran bus located in the parking lot. Your much needed donations will benefit CHO. (Please note that Patrick Henry Library will not be a donation location on Saturday.)
You may also consider making a blood donation, or contacting your faith community for information on services or activities.
My sincere hope is that by remembering our resilience and perseverance from 20 years ago, we will find hope and courage to rise to the occasion as we battle the pandemic.
Respectfully,
Walter
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COVID-19 Updates (Sept. 8) |
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Review recommendations from the Health Department for both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents.
Update on COVID-19 Investigations and Guidance for Parents of School-aged Children
Weekly COVID-19 Case/Vaccine Information Chart:
(Data not available for Labor Day holiday on Sept.6)
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Data resources:
Current Number of Cases in the Fairfax Health District
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Daily reported case information for the Fairfax Health District: here
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Daily reported case information throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia: here
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Plastic Bag Tax Public Hearing Sept. 14 |
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The Board of Supervisors is considering adopting a new five-cent tax on disposable plastic bags provided to consumers at grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations in the county. The purpose of the tax is to curb our collective use of disposable plastic bags, and to reduce the amount of plastic waste in our local waterways and the damage it causes.
A public hearing about this proposed tax ordinance is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 14, 4:30 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center. County residents and stakeholders are encouraged to submit written testimony or to sign up to testify in person before noon on Sept.14. More information on testifying at the public hearing is available online or by calling 703-324-3151 TTY 711. Residents are welcome to share questions and concerns about the bag tax with the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination via email. |
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Land Use and Transportation |
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Help Develop a Roadmap for Better Walkways, Bikeways and Trails in Fairfax County: Virtual Meetings Sept. 13 and 15
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation received feedback from residents on the ActiveFairfax Transportation Plan earlier this year. Read the summary report here. The next step is to receive input from residents on the draft framework, vision statement, goals and objectives during virtual meetings scheduled for Sept. 13 and 15. You can also provide written comments by Sept. 19 Last week, my staff and I spent some time reviewing the draft and it is encouraging to see the opportunities to make connections and remove barriers for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Virtual Town Hall Meetings to Review the Connector Bus Service Plan for Centreville, Chantilly, Vienna and Tysons, Sept. 30 and Oct. 7, 7 p.m.
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation has developed a draft preferred plan for the bus service in the Fairfax Connector bus service in the Centreville-Chantilly-Vienna-Tysons (CCVT) area. The proposed plan includes all connections throughout the area with a specific focus on access to community amenities, jobs, vital services and the larger transit system covering the National Capital Region. The goals for this process include enhanced mobility for all, better access to destinations, improved travel times and schedule reliability, as well as more effective transit operations. Two virtual town halls have been scheduled and I encourage you to attend:
- Sept. 30 and Oct. 7
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WebEx Link
- Event number (access code): 179 482 0704
- Event password: SEiPuTPW283 (73478879 from phones)
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To join by phone: Toll-free 1-844-621-3956,1794820704#73478879#
Reston Data Visualization Project Adds New Urban Parks Activity Hub
The Urban Parks Activity Hub of the Reston Data Visualization project is now online allowing users to access the latest information on urban parks and athletic fields associated with redevelopment in the Reston Transit Station Areas (TSAs).
Reston Comprehensive Plan Study Task Force Meetings Return
After its August break, the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study Task Force has additional meetings scheduled for September and October. Information on watching the next two meetings is below. To learn more about the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study and the task force, visit the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study webpage. Meeting details and agendas will be found here. You can watch live streams of the meetings on YouTube Live, as well as the video archive of all past task force meetings.
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Monday Sept. 13, 7 p.m. 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 listen to the meeting on your phone, you may call 1-844-621-3956 and use access code: 179 881 3209. This is also the number to use if accessing TTY 711. (Please note that each meeting has a unique link and call-in information).
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Monday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m. 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 listen to the meeting on your phone, you may call 1-844-621-3956 and use access code: 179642 4537. This is also the number to use if accessing TTY 711. (Please note that each meeting has a unique link and call-in information).
Hunter Mill Land Use Committee Virtual Meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m.
Discussion on PCA 81-C-111.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 1-844-621-3956 and use Access Code:179 311 5348. This is also the number to use if accessing TTY 711. For information, contact Jose Delcid, 703-478-0283.
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Safety Tips to Reduce Theft
The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) encourages all residents to follow these tips to help reduce thefts, deter burglars and prevent auto theft:
- Lock car doors at all times
- Park in a well-lit area
- Remove valuables from your car
- Do not leave car keys, house keys or garage door openers inside your car
- If you have to leave something in your car, hide it from view
- Lock doors to your home
- Keep garage doors closed
Report suspicious activity to the FCPD non-emergency line at 703-691-2131.
Information Session on Volunteer Emergency Team, Sept. 9, 7 p.m.
Join the county's Office of Emergency Management and Volunteer Fairfax for an information session about the Volunteer Emergency Team (VET) tomorrow night. Learn how you can help before, during, and after an emergency or disaster.
New Scotts Run Fire Station Grand Opening, Sept. 18
A grand opening ceremony will be held on Saturday, Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. at the site of the new Scotts Run Fire Station, 1775 Old Meadow Lane, McLean. Residents are welcome to attend.
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Summer May be Ending But the Farmers Markets are Going Strong
The Park Authority Farmers Markets are open through the fall, including the Reston Famers Market at Lake Anne Plaza. I was there on Saturday and it was great to see neighbors and the bounty of produce from our local farms.
Let Your Dog Enjoy a Plunge at the Water Mine: Dog Daze Returns Sept. 12
The Water Mine at Lake Fairfax Park is going to the dogs on Sunday, Sept. 12 when Dog Daze returns, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. More information.
The county's integrated Deer Management Program reduces and stabilizes the white-tailed deer populations to minimize safety and health hazards and other impacts related to an overabundance of deer. These impacts include deer-vehicle collisions, potential spread of diseases, and environmental damage attributed to deer that can impact the ecosystem.
Early Voting Begins Sept. 17 for Nov. 2 General Election
In-person early voting for the Nov. 2 General Election begins at three locations in the county starting Friday, Sept. 17, including the North County Governmental Center, Reston; Fairfax County Government Center in Fairfax, and the Mount Vernon Governmental Center, Alexandria. Additional early voting locations will open Oct. 21.
Learn More About Redistricting
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Stay Informed and In Touch |
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Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn
703-478-0283, TTY 711
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