May 10, 2023

Neighbors,

There are several reasons why my office began Tour de Hunter Mill three years ago, including encouraging folks to get out of their cars (less traffic, good for environment), exploring the roads and trails in Hunter Mill District, enjoying the physical and mental health benefits of biking and most of all, to have fun!

Last Sunday's event was all that and more. We had more than 130 participants who gathered at Reston Community Center in Hunters Woods to take one of three routes. Two of the routes included a stop at the beautiful Frying Pan Farm Park. Thank you to Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay for joining me on the ride (photo). A huge thanks to the Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling (FABB), Reston Bike Club, the Reston District Police Station, Reston Community Center, our other partner organizations, and my staff, especially Jillian Smith, for making this a great event. See for yourself with this video:

I hope you will consider joining us next year! You should also check out Bike to Work Day on May 19, including the 2023 Bike to Work Day Challenge sponsored by the Dulles Area Transportation Association.

More Resources:

• Bike and Pedestrian Safety
• Fairfax County Bike Map
• Bike Rooms (Metro Stations)
• Commuting by Bike

Regards,

Walter

Early voting is underway for the June 20 Democratic primary election. 

Three locations will be open for early voting on weekdays:

• Fairfax County Government Center: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Mount Vernon Governmental Center: 1 to 7 p.m.
• North County Governmental Center: 1 to 7 p.m.

These three sites will be the only places available for early voting until June 10, when an additional 13 sites will open. Learn more. The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Note: Elections for FCPS school board members and the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District directors do not have primaries. If you are interested in the endorsements/endorsement process by your favorite political party be sure to check with them. Links to the two largest political parties:

• Fairfax Democrats
• Fairfax Republicans

The Board of Supervisors met yesterday, Tuesday, May 9. You can review the Board Package and watch the meeting. Below are several highlights from the meeting:

• The Board joined me in recognizing the James Madison High School Girls Basketball Team on winning their fourth consecutive Virginia 6A State Championship (photo)
• Board of Supervisors Adopts FY 2024 Budget
• Board of Supervisors Approves 10% Personal Property Tax Relief

My Board Matters

• Recognition of Larry Butler's 40 Year Career with the Reston Association
• Use of the Fairfax County Health Care Advisory Board by the Town of Vienna

zMOD Readopted

Following a public hearing, the Board readopted the Modernized Zoning Ordinance (zMOD), originally adopted in 2021 and subsequently amended over the next two years. This action comes after the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that the virtual meeting adoption method used in 2021 was invalid. Several issues raised by residents during the public hearing testimony will be discussed further with me and forwarded to county staff for consideration as part of the ongoing zoning ordinance amendment work plan. Learn more.

Reston Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Virtual Meeting, Monday, May 15, 7:30 p.m.

The Reston P&Z meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m. Use this link to attend and participate. You may also call in and listen to the meeting, dial 571-429-5982 and use conference call ID: 471 766 282#. For more information email Shruti Nallappa or call 703-478-5123

Hunter Mill Land Use Committee Virtual Meeting: Tuesday, May 16, 7:30 p.m.

The Hunter Mill Land Use Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m. Use this link to attend and participate. You may also call in and listen to the meeting, dial 571-429-5982 and use conference call ID: 964 626 354#. For more information email Shruti Nallappa or call 703-478-5123

Join The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department

Fairfax County's Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) is seeking applicants for several open positions. Our Fire and Rescue Department is a premier all-hazards Fire and Rescue Department providing basic life support (BLS) and advanced life support (ALS), emergency medical, fire suppression, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, water rescue, life safety education, fire prevention, and arson investigation services.  These are great opportunities to serve your community! Learn more.

Reston District Station Supports Bike Safety at Tour de Hunter Mill

As noted at the top of the newsletter, the officers from the Reston District Station were an important partner in making sure we had a safe Tour de Hunter Mill event on Sunday morning. They checked on riders along the way and made sure everyone had a safe crossing at several intersections. Thank you officers!

Town Council Election Update

Due to a change in Virginia law, Town Council elections are no longer held in May; they’ll be on the November General Election ballot instead. All seven seats will be on the ballot rather than the staggered two-year terms in the past. More info: http://viennava.gov/run.

Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Ends May 11

The federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency that has been in place since early 2020 will end tomorrow, May 11. The Public Health Emergency is ending because of the progress made in addressing COVID-19. It does not mean that the virus that causes COVID-19 is no longer a threat. Learn more.

May 15 Community Meeting – The Dangers of Fentanyl in Our Community

Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust and School Board Member Elaine Tholen are hosting a community meeting on Monday, May 15, 6:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School Auditorium, 901 Locust St. Herndon. The meeting will include a presentation on the dangers of fentanyl, followed by training on what to do in case of an overdose and how to administer naloxone (Narcan). You can also take home free naloxone. For more information, contact the Dranesville District Office.

Mental Health Support Virtual Town Hall May 21

Recovery Program Solutions of Virginia (RPSV), a nonprofit that operates five free Recovery Centers and weekly virtual support groups in Northern Virginia is hosting a free virtual Town Hall "Free Alternatives That Complement Traditional Mental Health and Substance Use Care" on Sunday, May 21 at 3 p.m. Learn more.

Mental Health Resources

Mental Health Matters--Resources, Trainings and Videos 

Volunteers and Donations Needed

How to Help Your Neighbors in Hunter Mill District

Mark Your Calendar for Hunter Mill Melodies Summer Entertainment Series

You know summer is just around the corner when the county's Park Authority

announces the free Summer Entertainment Series. I'm looking forward to enjoying the Hunter Mill Melodies series at Frying Pan Farm Park - see you there! Learn more.

Park Foundation Awarded Grant Funding for Mobile Nature Centers

The Fairfax County Park Foundation was recently awarded a $34,000 grant from the Environment Fund, a component of the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia's Permanent Fund for Northern Virginia. The grant will help fund the Fairfax County Park Authority’s (FCPA) new Wonder Wagon Mobile Nature Center to bring environmental and nature programs to underserved, underrepresented communities and SACC programs at Title 1 schools in Fairfax County. This is in addition to the $114,500 I requested, and the Board approved as part of our adopted FY 2024 Budget, effective July 1. Learn more.

Reston Association Parks & Recreation Community Survey Now Open  

The 2023 Reston Association Parks and Recreation Community Survey is now open for RA members to provide input into the development of RA’s next 10-year Parks and Recreation Plan. The survey is available in both English and Spanish and both property owners and renters in Reston are encouraged to take the survey. This important community survey will be open through June 30 and RA members can participate by either taking the online survey or using tablet-based stations available at community events, courts and pools through June 30. If you have any questions about the survey, email RA-DIRENVREC@reston.org. Click Here for the Survey.