Tomorrow, my office, along with Melwood and Building Momentum, will be hosting the grand opening of the Workforce Innovation Skills Hub (W.I.S.H.). Join me and our partners between 12 pm - 3:30 pm to learn more about the free training and employment opportunities offered. Classes begin on October 17th! Talk to our career advisors and register for classes before they fill up. | |
If you earn less than $20 per hour or are unemployed, stop by the W.I.S.H. tomorrow between 12 pm-3:30 pm to learn more about free job training and hiring opportunities. There will also be activities for the entire family, including free food trucks.
The W.I.S.H. is located inside the Hybla Valley Community Center, 7950 Audubon Ave, Alexandria.
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If you cannot attend the grand opening, here is an article written by Erika Christ of "On The Move," where I discuss the W.I.S.H. in depth along with the partnerships we have in place:
New workforce training center in Hybla Valley set to open Oct. 8
By Erika Christ, On The Move
https://onthemove.town.news/g/mount-vernon-va/n/125655/new-workforce-training-center-hybla-valley-set-open-oct-8
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Also, next weekend, my office is partnering with George Mason University to host a S.T.E.A.M Fest. Bring your friends and family to enjoy over 40 FREE Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics activities for K-12 students!
Register for the FREE event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/steam-fest-tickets-419897594007.
Register to volunteer (Training will be provided): https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WXP8MJ3
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Please contact my office if we can assist you. | |
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Email: leedist@fairfaxcounty.gov (My team is working on an updated email)
Phone 703-971-6262
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- Supervisor Lusk in the Community
- Supervisor Lusk in the News
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#TakeAMoment Fairfax County Launch
- Upcoming Community Conversations with FCPS Superintendent Reid
- Fall Harvest Festival at Kingstowne Farmers Market
- Trunk or Treat!
- Early voting is Now Available
- SSPA Process Has Begun
- Community Open House for Amendments on Station Names
- Trunk or Treat!
- Major Blue and Yellow Line Construction
- Plan Ahead: PLUS & Land Use Legacy System Outage October 21-31
- Community Feedback on Affordable Housing Policy
- COVID-19 Resources
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Supervisor Lusk in the Community | |
Making new friends while reading during story time at the Healthy Together Fairfax Event last weekend. | |
Thank you to the organizers and participants of last weekend's #HealthyTogetherFairfax event at the Lee District Rec Center! It was great to catch up with so many community leaders from Fairfax Health, POP Health, GrandInvolve, and Audubon Naturalist Society. | |
Thank you to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for giving me a tour of the Geospatial Center! They are instrumental in managing the Army’s capability to process, view, transmit, and store geospatial imagery information with Intel Systems and the Geospatial Intelligence Workstation. | |
It was an honor to present a proclamation celebrating Monticello Woods during their annual Ice Cream Social. | |
I enjoyed the festivities at the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at the Hybla Valley Community Center! | |
Supervisor Lusk in the News | |
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Crime Prevention and Business Safety in Mount Vernon
By David Griffin of Mt. Vernon Lee Chamber of Commerce
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2022/sep/15/crime-prevention-and-business-safety-mount-vernon/
"Supervisor Rodney Lusk, chair of the Board of Supervisors Public Safety Committee, discussed what Fairfax County is doing to help businesses combat recent increases in crime. Image courtesy of the Mount Vernon Lee Chamber of Commerce."
Built for WWII veterans, Jefferson Manor neighborhood celebrates 75th anniversary this weekend
By Matt Blitz of FFX Now
https://www.ffxnow.com/2022/09/30/built-for-wwii-veterans-jefferson-manor-neighborhood-celebrates-75th-anniversary-this-weekend/
“I always enjoy speaking with Jefferson Manor residents, including hearing their updates on the famous beer fairy and their annual block party,” Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk said. “The Jefferson Manor neighborhood is well known for its tradition of citizen participation and creating an inclusive environment. Also, the community’s efforts to revitalize the surrounding area have been vital in ensuring that this area is not only a bustling transportation hub but an excellent place to raise a family.”
Some Richmond Highway BRT stations may be renamed
By Erika Christ of On The MoVe
https://onthemove.town.news/g/mount-vernon-va/n/124317/some-richmond-highway-brt-stations-may-be-renamed
"The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is reconsidering the names of several future Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stations."
"During a Sept. 28 meeting of the BRT Executive Committee, FCDOT officials said some members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and Richmond Highway community members had shown interest in renaming certain stations to align with community identity and foster community ownership.”
"Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk, whose district includes part of Hybla Valley, said the prospect of switching up the current Hybla Valley and Gum Springs station names “makes some sense,” barring confirmation of any controversial historical connections."
"Renaming the station at the intersection of Sherwood Hall and Richmond Highway would make the new Hybla Valley stop closer to the Hybla Valley Community Center, observed Lusk, though he acknowledged it was largely the call of Mount Vernon District residents as to where Gum Springs officially begins and ends."
“I am open to the potential for the renaming of stations but look forward to hearing from the community, first through the survey and public outreach process, before making any determinations,” said Lusk."
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Did you know there were 6,745 crashes in Fairfax County between 2017-2020? One too many.
Fairfax County has launched a new countywide campaign, #TakeAMoment to help eliminate traffic-related deaths and injuries.
Whether you are walking, biking, or driving, keep in mind that safety is a two-way street and is everyone’s job. Every year, the number of pedestrian and bicycle-related fatalities and injuries continues to rise at an unacceptable rate. As an ongoing commitment to the safety of all residents, Fairfax County launched a multifaceted countywide campaign, “Take a Moment” to eliminate traffic-related deaths and injuries.
For more information, including tips for pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, safety messages for every season, and additional safety resources, please visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/pedestrian-biketraffic-safety
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Upcoming Community Conversations with FCPS Superintendent Reid | |
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Dr. Michelle Reid is hosting Community Conversations across the division to get to know our communities. Events will be held at the high school in each pyramid through November unless otherwise noted below. Each Community Conversation will be held in person, allowing Dr. Reid an opportunity to better connect with participants.
Additional Community Conversations by High School Pyramid in the Franconia District
Tuesday, October 25 - 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
West Springfield High School (Register)
- Cardinal Forest Elementary School
- Hunt Valley Elementary School
- Irving Middle School
- Keene Mill Elementary School
- Orange Hunt Elementary School
- Rolling Valley Elementary School
- West Springfield Elementary School
- West Springfield High School
Thursday, October 27 - 6:30-7:30 p.m.
West Potomac High School (Register)
- Belle View Elementary School
- Bryant Alternative High School
- Bucknell Elementary School
- Fort Hunt Elementary School
- Groveton Elementary School
- Hollin Meadows Elementary School
- Hybla Valley Elementary School
- Pulley Center
- Sandburg Middle School
- Stratford Landing Elementary School
- Quander Road School
- West Potomac High School and Academy
- Waynewood ES
Thursday, November 10 - 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
John R. Lewis High School (Register)
- Crestwood Elementary School
- Forestdale Elementary School
- Garfield Elementary School
- Key Center
- Key Middle School
- Lewis High School
- Lynbrook Elementary School
- Saratoga Elementary School
- Springfield Estates Elementary School
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Fall Harvest Festival at Kingstowne Farmers Market | |
Next Friday, October 14, Fairfax County is hosting a Fall Harvest Festival at the Kingstowne Farmers Market from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. There will be live music, hot cider, children's pumpkin painting, and a trivia wheel with prizes! | |
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Decorate your car for the Trunk or Treat Drive!
The details for the Mount Vernon event are as follows:
- Date: October 26, 2022
- Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
- Location: Hybla Valley Community Center
7950 Audubon Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia 22306
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Registration for Trunks: email katie.watts@fairfaxcounty.gov
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Set up/Trunk Decoration Time: Starting at 5:00 PM on October 12th.
- Miscellaneous: Please bring candy/items to hand out to the trick or treaters.
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Early Voting Now Available | |
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Early voting is underway for the congressional midterm elections
Voting in the November 8, 2022 General Election starts on Friday, September 23rd at the Registrar’s Office at the Fairfax County Government Center, Mount Vernon Government Center, and North County Government Center. Starting Thursday, October 27th, voting will be available at 13 additional locations, including the Franconia Governmental Center.
Any registered voter can cast their ballot at any early voting site. The last day to vote early is Saturday, Nov. 5, at 5 p.m.
Details: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/early-voting-begins-sept-23-nov-8-congressional-midterm-elections?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social
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The County’s Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) process has officially begun and nominations for site-specific land use changes are now being accepted! Detailed instructions on how to submit a nomination are provided in the 2022-2023 SSPA Nominator Guide, which includes an overview of the process and timeline, how to research Comprehensive Plan information, the nomination submission requirements, and review criteria. The Nominator Guide can be accessed on the SSPA website, along with the following information on the 2022-2023 Countywide SSPA process:
Resources on how to participate in the process
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Community Open House for Amendments on Station Names | |
A next step in refining the plan for Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and in response to community ideas about better ways to reflect station location and community character, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is revisiting station names for three of the nine BRT stations. An open house event will be held October 12, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., at the Hybla Valley Community Center, 7950 Audubon Avenue in Alexandria. The open house will give attendees an opportunity to share ideas about what they think the station names should be. The three stations are:
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Station #2 (Cross streets: N Kings Hwy / S Kings Hwy; Currently named "Penn Daw")
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Station #5 (Cross streets: Boswell Ave / Fordson Rd; Currently named "Hybla Valley")
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Station #6 (Cross street: Sherwood Hall Ln; Currently named "Gum Springs")
More Information: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/richmond-hwy-brt
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Major Blue and Yellow Line Construction | |
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Metro is extending the closure of six stations south of Reagan National Airport due to unexpected site conditions and remediation efforts for the future Potomac Yard Station. The announcement today comes three weeks before stations were scheduled to reopen to give our customers time to plan their trips accordingly.
Work to tie-in new tracks to the station, which was slated to conclude on Saturday, Oct. 22, will now end on Saturday, Nov. 5. Free shuttle bus service will continue to be available to customers through the extension following the same pattern that our customers are using today. The Metroway - Potomac Yard line will continue to be free, and parking fees at Franconia-Springfield, Huntington, and Van Dorn St stations will continue to be waived.
More Details: https://wmata.com/initiatives/plans/Major-Blue-and-Yellow-Line-Construction/index.cfm
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Plan Ahead: PLUS & Land Use Legacy System
Outage October 21-31
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Fairfax County is converting all of its land use permitting, plan review, inspections, and complaint systems to the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) on Oct. 31. During the transition, all online application and review systems, including PLUS, FIDO, ProjectDox and PAWS will be unavailable, beginning Friday, Oct. 21, at 4:30 p.m. until Monday, Oct. 31. | |
Community Feedback on Affordable Housing Policy | |
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Community feedback is requested on the County’s proposed Affordable Housing Preservation Comprehensive Plan policy, which would help preserve existing affordable rental housing throughout the County. The proposed policy seeks one-for-one replacement of existing affordable units in locations where redevelopment occurs.
To learn more about the proposed policy, join a virtual Open House on Wednesday, Oct. 12 from 9 – 10 a.m. Information and links to the Open House meetings, the proposed policy, and how to submit feedback through a comment form are available on the plan amendment webpage. Comments on the proposed policy may be submitted until 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 28, 2022.
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Fairfax County COVID-19 Resources | |
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Rodney L. Lusk
Franconia District Supervisor
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