Dear Friend ,
I hope you and your families had a joyful and safe new year! As I focus on the work for the upcoming year, I took one final look back and am pleased by the continued progress we made on behalf of Lee District. As we go forward into 2022, I remain committed to serving you and being your advocate within the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
The video below provides a brief 2-minute summary of my second year as your Lee District Supervisor:
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Please contact my office if we can assist you:
Email: leedist@fairfaxcounty.gov
Phone 703-971-6262
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- Year-End Wrap-up Breakdown
- Five-cent Plastic Bag Tax Now in Effect in Fairfax County
- AARP Community Event
- Signs Part ll Zoning Ordinance Amendment
- Airport Noise Policy Plan Amendment Airport Noise Ordinance
- Osher Lifelong Learning Insitute at George Mason University
- In Design: Telegraph Road at Hayfield Road in Fairfax County
- Supervisor Lusk in the Community
- New COVID-19 Vaccination Opportunities & Additional Testing Sites
- COVID-19 County Resources
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2021 Year End Wrap-Up Breakdown |
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Food Donated
Since the pandemic began, I prioritized assisting residents and families dealing with food insecurity. In 2021, we provided over 2 million pounds of food to Lee District and other local families in need.
Constituent Services
If you need assistance with a County department, program, or don't know whom to refer your inquiry to, my office is happy to assist you. Phone or email
Constituent Request Sent to VDOT
While the State of Virginia maintains a majority of streets in Fairfax County, my office can assist with referring your case to the correct VDOT representative. Generally, if a road has a route number associated with it (e.g., Fairfax County Parkway - State Route 286), it is maintained by VDOT. Call their Highway Help Line at 1-800-367-ROAD, TTY 1-800-432-1843, or place a work request online.
Also, many private roads are maintained by businesses, apartment/condo complexes, homeowner/civic associations, or residents.
For assistance in determining public or private responsibility for a road, please contact the DPWES Maintenance and Stormwater Management Division at 703-877-2800
HOA & Civic Association Meetings
If you would like Supervisor Lusk to attend one of your HOA, Civic Association, or community meetings, please contact my office: 703-971-6262 or Leedistbos@fairfaxcounty.gov
22 Board Matters Passed
This past year I introduced Board Matters that will improve the hiring process for emergency responders, hire more CDL drivers to improve waste collection and improve safety in school zones by installing speed cameras.
Approved an Executive Director Position for the Police Review Panel
The nine-member Police Civilian Review Panel’s mission is to enhance police legitimacy and to build and maintain trust between the citizens of Fairfax County, the Board of Supervisors, and the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) by reviewing certain FCPD investigations to ensure the accuracy, completeness, thoroughness, objectivity, and impartiality of the investigation. It is appointed by, and reports directly to, the Board of Supervisors. The Panel is governed both by the bylaws approved by the Board of Supervisors and a code of ethics adopted by the Panel.
Townhall Meetings
or on my Facebook
John Lewis High-School Leadership Program Approved
I'm honored to represent a community that supported and made possible the dedication of John R.Lewis High School. I'm so thankful to those who recognized that symbols matter and fought for change.
Empowered Mobile Home Residents & Advocated for Affordable Housing
Last year, I held 11 community meetings with mobile home residents and recruited five new manufactured housing task force members.
Litter Task Force Final Report Produced
In September of 2020, my Board Matter passed that created a special task force focused on preventing and mitigating litter in Fairfax County. The task forced studied the causes of litter in Fairfax County, evaluated our current policies and procedures, and investigated neighboring or similar jurisdictions to Fairfax County for proven solutions, including the plastic bag ordinance.
Successfully Launched a Police Traffic Stop Simulation Program
Springfield Town Center Vaccination Site
Free Covid-19 Vaccines continue to be available Saturdays and Sundays at the Springfield Town Center at the Lower level between Macy's and Dick's Sporting Goods Walk-ins are accepted between 12 pm-2:30 pm, and appointments can be made between 3 pm-6 pm.
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♻ Five-cent Plastic Bag Tax Now in Effect in Fairfax County ♻
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Effective last Saturday, disposable plastic bags provided at grocery stores, convenience stores, and drugstores in Fairfax County are subject to a five-cent tax. Similar to a fee, only customers who use the provided plastic bags are the ones who would pay the tax.
To avoid the tax, you may use personal reusable shopping bags or refuse a plastic bag. Paper bags are not subject to the five-cent tax, although certain retailers may have their own fees for paper bags.
The purpose of the tax is to curb our collective use of disposable plastic bags, to reduce the amount of plastic waste in our local waterways, roadways, and open spaces and the damage it causes. Plastic pollution is a serious problem for ecological and health reasons. Plastics do not biodegrade like wood or other natural materials. Instead, plastic materials photodegrade, breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces but never fully disappearing. Pieces of plastic, both large and very, very small, can wreak havoc on our natural resources and can find their way into our food and water.
Revenue from the tax will be allocated toward:
♻ Environmental cleanup programs
♻ Pollution and litter mitigation programs
♻ Educational programs on environmental waste reduction
♻ Provision of reusable bags to recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) benefits
The plastic bag tax includes several exceptions, including:
- Durable plastic bags with handles that are specifically designed and manufactured for multiple reuse and that are at least four millimeters thick;
- Plastic bags that are solely used to wrap, contain, or package ice cream, meat, fish, poultry, produce, unwrapped bulk food items, or perishable food items in order to avoid damage or contamination;
- Plastic bags used to carry dry cleaning or prescription drugs
- Multiple plastic bags sold in packages and intended for use as garbage, pet waste, or leaf removal bags (although the county now only accepts paper yard waste bags
The tax is being administered and enforced by the state Department of Taxation in the same manner as the Retail Sales and Use Tax. For questions about administration or enforcement, please contact Virginia Tax at (804) 367-8031.
For any additional questions, please email
fairfaxplasticbagtax@fairfaxcounty.gov
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Community Post: If you are taking care of a family member or loved one, the AARP can help you plan and prepare for the future in this caregiving program. No matter where you are in the journey of family caregiving – just beginning to anticipate a need, helping to coordinate a big move, or taking care of a family member full-time – having a good framework to help guide both you and your loved one will make the process easier. During this one-hour session, AARP will share a framework to help you make plans to care for friends, family members, or loved ones. You will have the opportunity to connect with other family caregivers, exchange tips and advice, and learn about resources available to you and your loved ones.
This event is a free virtual webinar designed to help individuals plan family caregiving.
Saturday, January 22, 2022 @ 11:00 AM
The webinar is free but registration is required.
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Signs Part ll Zoning Ordinance Amendment
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Interested in learning more about the current sign regulations and sharing how these regulations should be amended? Join county staff to learn about the regulations and enforcement of complaints, and to provide ideas for the county’s review of these regulations.
Virtual community information sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, January 18th at 12:00 p.m. and Thursday, January 28th at 7 p.m. More information about the upcoming sign meetings is included on the Sign Regulations Phase II webpage. Please contact the Zoning Administration Division at 703-324-1314, TTY 711, or by email with any questions, feedback, and requests for reasonable accommodations.
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Airport Noise Policy Plan Amendment |
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Saturday January 29, 2022:
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Osher Lifelong Learning Insitute at George Mason University |
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University (OLLI Mason) offers a robust level of class offerings and recruits a wonderful set of teachers from all walks of life, including George Mason University, OLLI membership, and outside experts.
Despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, OLLI Mason thrived as an organization. In 2021, we continued to program and deliver over 500 classes on a broad spectrum of subjects. Over 20 clubs continued to meet online, giving members the ability to stay connected. We plan to resume field trips and in-person classes during our spring term (March 28—May 20).
Currently, OLLI Mason membership is available to new members at an incredible value. We are offering a $300 special promotion rate for those who purchase an annual membership during our winter 2022 term (January 24—February 18), so act now! Curious about our class offerings or want more information about our organization? At no cost to you, please visit our OLLI George Mason University YouTube channel. You can view a sample of our recent, fantastic class offerings. You can find more information about OLLI Mason on our website or by emailing our administrator at olli@gmu.edu.
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In Design: Telegraph Road at Hayfield Road in Fairfax County |
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A virtual public information meeting will be held Wednesday, Jan. 26 (in case an alternate date is needed, the meeting will be held Monday, Feb. 7) at 7 p.m.
This project will add a second northbound through lane on Telegraph Road (Route 611) at the Hayfield Road (Route 635) intersection.
Other improvements include:
- Reconfiguring southbound Telegraph Road just beyond Hayfield Road by converting the existing on-road parking to a second through lane.
- Converting the eastbound Hayfield Road through lane to a shared left-turn through lane
At the intersection, Telegraph Road averages up to 21,000 vehicles a day and Hayfield Road averages up to 10,000 based on 2019 data.
Estimated Costs
Preliminary Engineering - $1.1 million
Right of Way Acquisition and Utility Relocation - $738,000
Construction - $3 million
Total - $4.9 million
This project is financed with state and Fairfax County funding.
Benefits
This project aims to reduce congestion and improve safety and operations in the area of Telegraph Road and Hayfield Road.
Major Milestones
Virtual Public Information Meeting - Jan. 26, 2022
Begin Right of Way Acquisition - Spring 2023
Begin Construction - Winter 2024/25
To participate without registering in listen-only mode, call 877-309-2074 (use access code 972-478-139). The project team will make a short presentation beginning at 7 p.m. and answer questions for about an hour after the presentation. In case an alternate date is needed, the meeting will be held Thursday, Sept. 9.
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I joined parents and Groveton Elementary School staff to welcome the new Harrison Lane crossing guard. Thank you for keeping our students and pedestrians safe! |
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In Case You Missed It: New COVID-19 Vaccination Opportunities for Teens and Children & Additional Testing Sites |
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At a time when COVID-19 cases are surging throughout the United States, there are now expanded vaccination opportunities for teens and children effective last week. Following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Virginia Department of Health, the Fairfax County Health Department immediately adopts the following recommendations:
- individuals ages 12–17 years should get a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine booster dose five months after finishing their two-dose primary series;
- individuals ages 18 years and older should get any COVID-19 Vaccine booster dose five months, rather than six months, after finishing their two-dose primary series of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine; and
- 5–11-year-old vaccine recipients who are moderately or severely immunocompromised are eligible to receive a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine 28 days after the second dose.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is the only vaccine that has been authorized for use in children and adolescents, ages 5 years and older, and the only vaccine with a booster interval of five months after completion of the initial two-dose series. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen are authorized only for persons 18 years of age and older.
Also, on Jan. 7, the CDC announced that individuals 18 years and older who received the primary 2-dose series of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, may now receive their booster dose 5 months after completing the initial series.
New COVID-19 Testing Site at the Fairfax County Government center
The Fairfax County Health Department today announced that a Virginia Department of Health Community Testing Center (CTC) will open on Saturday, Jan. 15, to provide free Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing by appointment for COVID-19. The site, set up in a large tent, will be in parking lot B of the Fairfax County Government Center. Parking lot B is located on the southwest corner of the Government Center complex.
This is not a drive-in event so attendees will need to park and enter the tent.
Appointments typically become available 24 hours in advance. If you do not see openings, check back frequently as appointments are added regularly.
More information: https://fairfaxcountyemergency.wpcomstaging.com/2022/01/14/virginia-department-of-health-opens-covid-19-community-testing-center-in-fairfax-health-district-jan-15/?fbclid=IwAR0-5c1lJyvGe3pZzO2tktgHDpaFTkDavvBB_ZKy2mbCfBCv6zd9n2oBHII
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Fairfax County COVID-19 Resources |
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COVID-19:
Contact our Health Department COVID-19 Call Center during business hours Monday-Friday at 703-267-3511.
Text FFXCOVID to 888777 to receive updates from Fairfax County about COVID-19; text FFXCOVIDESP to 888777 for updates in Spanish.
Email questions or concerns to ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov. This email account will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8 am-4:30 pm.
For regular updates, continue to follow the following trusted sources:
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Rodney L. Lusk
Lee District Supervisor
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