Week of October 17, 2021

Dear Friend , As a follow-up to our October 7th message on delayed yard waste collection, the County announced that as a temporary measure, residents can place small amounts of yard waste in their trash as space allows. Yard waste that does not fit in with trash should be set out separately. More information on temporary changes to yard waste collection can be found further down the newsletter and in the following link: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/publicworks/news/temporary-change-separate-yard-waste-collection-requirements Also, starting today, Thursday, October 21st, the Franconia Governmental Center, Gerry Hyland Government Center, and eleven other early voting locations are now open for in-person early voting! Early voting hours are between 12 PM to 7 PM on weekdays. For voters with an absentee ballot, there is a drop-off box here at the Franconia Governmental Center available during voting hours. Early voting ends on Saturday, October 30th. More information: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/early-voting Additional information and updates from my office can be found further down this newsletter. Please contact my office if you have any questions: Email: leedist@fairfaxcounty.gov or phone 703-971-6262. Best wishes,

Rodney L. Lusk Lee District Supervisor

Yard Waste Collection

Due to ongoing labor shortages, you may be experiencing delays in the collection of yard waste. As a temporary measure to address this issue, residents who have small amounts of yard waste should place it in the container with their trash as space allows. Yard waste that does not fit in with trash should be set out separately. Yard waste may not be collected on regular collection days, so residents are asked to leave their bagged yard waste at the curb until it is collected. Residents have several options during the delay in services, including: Managing yard waste on-site. Leave grass clippings on your lawn to fertilize grass and conserve water. Backyard composting. Mulching leaves and adding to compost. Deferring landscaping until service resumes. Placing yard waste at the curb to be collected as trash. As a friendly reminder, Fairfax County prohibits the use of plastic bags for yard waste. Reusable containers like old trash cans are a great way to manage yard waste – especially branches and twigs. Paper yard waste bags are designed to withstand the elements and are great for all types of yard waste.  Below is information on where to get updates from Solid Waste: Customers can view updates on our Recycling and Trash Customers webpage. They can receive email updates by subscribing to Fairfax County Trash Collection E-Updates. They can also send an email to DPWESSWMPTrashCS@fairfaxcounty.gov. The Customer Service telephone number is 703-802-3322. Customers with private haulers can send an email to DPWESSWMPTrashmail@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-324-5230.” Additional information: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/publicworks/recycling-trash/county-collection-customers/notices

Early Voting Now Available at Franconia Governmental

Early voting is now available at the Franconia Governmental Center (6121 Franconia Road)! Early voting stations will be open from Noon to 7 PM on weekdays. Every early voting site will be open on Saturday, Oct. 23 and 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, Oct. 24 from 1 to 5 p.m. Have you made your plan to vote? Here is a link to the early voting locations that will be available daily from October 21st through October 30th: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/early-voting

🎃Celebrating Halloween While Protecting Your Health👻 While COVID-19 cases are slowly declining, families are wondering if it’s OK to celebrate Halloween this year. The short answer is yes, but with precautions. While trick-or-treaters under 12 aren’t eligible for vaccines yet, this fun tradition can be done safely if families keep activities outdoors, wear a cloth or surgical mask (don’t rely on a costume mask to protect you), avoid crowded doorsteps, and wash hands before eating candy.

More information: https://fairfaxcountyemergency.wpcomstaging.com/2021/10/21/celebrating-halloween-while-protecting-your-health/

In the Community

Supervisor Lusk met with educators to discuss early childhood development and received a tour of Frog Pond Preschool.

Groundbreaking at the Residences at Oakwood. This 150-unit apartment community will serve low and moderate-income adults ages 62+ at the intersection of Oakwood Road and South Van Dorn Street in the Lee District.

Supervisor Lusk receiving a tour of Huntley Meadows Park with Fairfax County Park Authority.

In Case You Missed It

Board Matter Recap: Here is this week's "Board Matter Recap," a short video summarizing the 9 to 12 hour long Board of Supervisors Meeting. The video covers my board matters around: ✅ (00:00) Rezoning to Bolster Economic Development ✅ (1:49) Improving Predesterian Safety (Sidewalks and Trails)

Third and Final Lee District Renaming Town Hall: Did you miss our final Lee District Renaming Town Hall last week? Here is the entire recorded meeting.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, October 23rd, 3pm-5pm Practice Police Interactions Sessions The Arc of Northern Virginia is partnering again with the Fairfax County Police Department and the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management to offer an opportunity for people with disabilities and their loved ones to practice emergency situations. For this event, participants can engage in a practice police stop with real officers AND/OR a practice subject stop. Register here: https://thearcofnova.org/events/practice-police-interactions/?fbclid=IwAR3O2DHSmK4gbsO3lODAw-u9JOZLgv5LWFCJpv_hgyTnXSTJHUJ9tVqN2-o Monday, October 25th, 6:30pm: Richmond Highway BRT Virtual Community Meeting on Right-of-Way Acquisition Process.   This meeting will focus on the process in general and will not address questions about specific properties. Join Online: https://fairfax.webex.com/fairfax/onstage/g.php?MTID=e081b0c79060ae187516c7e6557a5db2f  Join by Phone: 1-844-621-3956; Access Code: 2340 960 9307

Fairfax County Resources

Important Dates: Early Vote ends Saturday, October 30th Election Day Tuesday, November 2nd Veterans Day, November 11th  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, 8am-4:30pm. Follow the Fairfax County Government and Health Department Facebook Page Follow @fairfaxcounty and @fairfaxhealth on Twitter. For regular updates, continue to follow the following trusted sources: Fairfax County Health Department’s COVID-19 Homepage Virginia Department of Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Rodney L. Lusk Lee District Supervisor

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