Sept. 16, 2020
Dear Neighbors,
Yesterday, Sept. 15, the Board of Supervisors returned to the Government Center's Board Auditorium with COVID-19 sa fety measures in place. I was very happy to be back with my Board colleagues conducting the business of our local government. We had a very full agenda –here are summaries of some of the key actions taken at the meeting. You can watch the meeting here.
Prohibition of Weapons in County Buildings, Parks and at Special Events There were more than 80 speakers and many hours of discussion before the Board voted to prohibit weapons in county buildings, parks and special events at our meeting last night. This has been on our legislative agenda for 20+ years and this year the General Assembly enabled us to move forward. It truly was an historic action by the Board and the right thing to do for our residents and county employees. Learn more.
Civil War Monuments/Memorials Following a June 23 Joint Board Matter by myself and Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik, an engaged conversation and more than 20 speakers, the Board of Supervisors voted to remove three publicly owned Civil War memorials located at the Fairfax County Judicial Complex. I was proud to be a part of this action, which essentially reversed actions by the Board of Supervisors in 1900 and is a step toward our goal of a more just, unified Fairfax County. Learn more.
RISE Grant Program The Board of Supervisors voted to approve up to an additional $12 million to expand funding for the Fairfax Relief Initiative to Support Employers (RISE) grant program to further assist small businesses and nonprofits affected by the pandemic. The additional funding will bring the total program funding to $58 million and allow for all remaining qualified businesses who applied for RISE grants to receive funding. This funding will come from the county’s portion of federal CARES Act funds. Learn more.
Other Significant Actions: - Employment Discrimination: The Board approved the prohibition of discrimination in private employment based on sexual orientation, gender identity and veteran status.
- Fairfax County Public School Funding: The Board approved the allocation of $20.1 million of CARES Act funding for FCPS's response to COVID-19.
- Fairfax Peak: The Board authorized a public hearing for an interim agreement between the county and Alpine-X to build an indoor ski facility on the Lorton landfill. The public hearing will be held on Oct. 6.
- McLean-Capitol One Hall Station: The Board approved requesting that the Metro Board re-name the McLean Metro station to McLean-Capitol One Hall Station. This will serve to promote a public performing arts center that will be opened on the Capitol One campus.
Respectfully, Walter |
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Today's COVID-19 Updates (Sept. 16) |
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Current Number of Cases in the Fairfax Health District - Daily reported case information for the Fairfax Health District: here and scroll down to get to ZIP Code data.
- Daily reported case information throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia: here and ZIP Code data look for Data Download bar.
COVID-19 Case Information Chart (as of publication on Sept. 16) |
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Early Voting Begins Friday at Fairfax County Government Center |
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Early Voting Beginning this Friday, Sept. 18, any registered voter in Fairfax County can vote early in person at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Early voting is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Check the link above for details on Saturday hours. Social distancing and other public health measures will be in place and please remember to wear your mask.
Beginning Oct. 14, the county will open 14 satellite voting locations, including at the North County Government Center from 1 to 7 p.m. and Saturday hours will also be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please note that voting hours are different at the Fairfax County Government Center and the satellite locations. Check your satellite voting location's dates and hours before you head out to vote.
When you go to vote, please thank our election officers (poll workers) for their service! Elections are a lot of work and will be even more so this year while the pandemic continues.
Mail-in Voting Due to a new state law, you can absentee vote without needing a reason or excuse — but you still have to apply to absentee vote by mail. If you plan to vote by mail, you should apply now due to the anticipated large number of applications. Fairfax County election officials strongly recommend you apply well before the Friday, Oct. 23 deadline since mail delivery could be slower, according to the U.S. Postal Service. The fastest and most secure way to apply is online on the Virginia Department of Elections website. You’ll also be able to track the status of your application, as well as when your ballot is mailed to you. Your Virginia driver’s license number is needed to apply online, along with the last four digits of your Social Security number. Voters should be aware that they won’t begin to receive their ballots by mail until after Friday, Sept. 18.
Reston Library Hosts Virtual and In-Person Election-Related Events Virtual Events: - Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.: Make a Plan to Vote with the League of Women Voters Fairfax Area. Register
- Sept. 23 at 7 p.m.: Know your Voting Rights with the ACLU of Virginia. Register
In-Person Events: - Ongoing: Staff are available to answer questions on voter registration, absentee mail-in ballot requests and more at Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Dr. in Reston. All voter forms are available in English, Spanish, Korean and Vietnamese.
- Tuesday, Sept. 22 to Saturday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Representatives from the League of Women Voters will be available to answer questions about registering to vote.
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Drug Take-Back Boxes are Back! Drug take-back boxes at the county's eight police stations reopened on Monday, Sept. 14! Accepted items include prescription medication (schedule II-V controlled and non-controlled), prescription ointments, over-the-counter medications and medications for pets. Prohibited items include needles (sharps), liquids of any kind, illegal drugs, non-prescription ointments and lotions, aerosol cans and inhalers. Our district police stations are open 24/7 so you can drop off medications at your convenience.
Reston Community Heroes Art Contest The Reston District Police Station, in partnership with Reston Hospital, Reston Community Center and Cornerstones, is hosting a Reston Community Heroes Art Contest for children, pre-K through 8th grade. The deadline to submit artwork is Oct. 6. Learn more. |
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Land Use and Transportation |
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Reston Comprehensive Plan Study Task Force Meeting Held on Sept. 14. Approximately 60 residents and county staff participated in the Sept. 14 meeting. You can watch the meeting here, as well as all five meetings to date here. To learn more about the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study and the task force, please visit the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study web page. The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 30, 7 to 9 p.m. Details and the agenda will be found here.
Wiehle Avenue Crossing Study Group Virtual Meeting, Sept. 17, 7 p.m. Wiehle Pedestrian Crossing Study Group virtual meeting is Thursday, Sept. 17, 7 to 9 p.m. 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 1-408-418-9388 and use Access Code:173 748 0400. This is also the number to use if accessing TTY 711. Learn/Comment on zMOD at the Joint Reston Planning & Zoning and Hunter Mill Land Use Committee Virtual Meeting, Sept. 21, 7:30 p.m. County staff will present the Zoning Ordinance Modernization (zMOD) Consolidated Draft. The draft represents a consolidation of the previously released installments, with revisions shown in the document’s attachments made based on feedback received throughout the process and additional work by staff. 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 1-408-418-9388 and use Access Code:129 033 8635. This is also the number to use if accessing TTY 711. Learn more. |
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Focus Group for Older Adults Regarding COVID-19 |
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The Fairfax Area Agency on Aging is hosting a virtual focus group on Friday, Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. to assist with the development of a COVID-19 Response Plan for Older Adults, as requested by the Board of Supervisors. The discussion will focus on social isolation and technology. To participate on Zoom, use https://zoom.us/j/93505784712 Password: POAGroup2! You can also call in using conference call number 703-324-1800, Participant Passcode: 035658. For assistance or additional details email: |
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Stuff the Bus Returns Sept. 26 Thank you to everyone who participated in the Sept. 12 Stuff the Bus. Your donations are critical to helping our neighbors who need food assistance during this pandemic. If you missed it, there is one more Stuff the Bus scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26. Fastran buses will be parked at 21 locations countywide, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., In Hunter Mill District you can donate at the North County Government Center in Reston and Patrick Henry Library in Vienna. Learn more.
FCPS Providing Meals to All Students Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is providing all students a healthy breakfast and lunch at no cost through Dec. 31. The goal is to provide every student in FCPS daily access to a healthy breakfast and lunch during this pandemic. The grab and go meals are offered at several school sites and along bus routes throughout the county. Learn more.
Video: Hurricane Myths vs. Facts In this video, the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management sets the record straight so everyone knows the real facts vs. myths about hurricanes. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, with the peak occurring between mid-August and late October. Learn more.
Food Assistance Available from Cornerstones Families and individuals in need of food assistance and support are welcome to visit Cornerstones Food Pantry at 11484 Washington Plaza West, Suite 120, in Reston. Call: 571-323-1400. Cornerstones Food Pantry's hours are: - Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- 1st Saturday of each month: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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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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