Legislators Head to Richmond, Address Upcoming Session
Proposed bills and priorities include ethics reform and ABC Transformation.
As the General Assembly convenes on Jan. 8, several delegates from Fairfax County have written bills that tackle some of the issues they believe are important to Virginians. Del. Dave Albo (R-42) proposed a bill that would get rid of the Alcoholic Beverage Commission’s three person board and would replace them with five citizens with business experience who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state legislature. Members of the current three-person board make six-digit salaries and are appointed by the governor. Albo’s plan would make the position part time and would pay 50 dollars per day.
Debate Over Residential Studio Units Continues
Housing advocates, Fairfax County supervisors, area residents address affordable housing.
Fairfax County residents have yet to agree on the specifics of residential studio units and are continuing the debate on several aspects of the proposed amendment. As of Jan. 6, the Planning Commission proposed amendment defines residential studios as efficiency units that make up a multiple-family residential building, or part of a building, in which 80 percent of the units must be for those who do not make more than 60 percent of the median income of the area. In the Washington, D.C. area, that is $45,000.
Problem-solving on 2014 Agenda
I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with my Board colleagues and Braddock residents on a number of important issues. Here are some of the key issues that will affect Fairfax County residents in 2014.
‘Mr. Mac’ Nominated for Grammy Award
Glen McCarthy vying for first-ever music-educator honor.
Glen McCarthy played trumpet in high school; but when his parents gave him a guitar for graduation, it changed the trajectory of his life. He’s played guitar in bands ever since then – yet what’s defined him most, he says, is being a guitar teacher.
Field Trip Grant Program Exposes Children to Nature
Grant brings local elementary and middle schools to Hemlock Overlook Regional Park in Clifton.
The Dominion Foundation’s grant of $10,000 to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority will allow for children from local elementary and middle schools to attend field trips at Hemlock Overlook Regional Park in Clifton as part of the Field Trip Grant Program.
Supervisor Looks at Year Ahead
Q&A with Supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock District).
Braddock District Supervisor John Cook, left, thinks that education funding should be a top priority for Virginia legislators this section.
Wrapping up Joy for Christmas
Students, Scouts, police brighten holiday at Hanley Shelter.
The children living in the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter may not have many possessions; but on Christmas Day, they had presents. The gifts were donated by a variety of groups, including the Fair Oaks District Police Station and Chantilly High’s photography students.
What More Could FBI Want?
Virginia leaders tout merits of Springfield site for FBI HQ relocation.
A high-ranking delegation of Virginia politicians gathered in Springfield Tuesday morning in a renewed effort to convince the Federal Bureau of Investigation to relocate its headquarters to a warehouse site in Springfield. The move in the high-stakes, highly competitive regional competition comes after site selection guidelines eliminated almost all other Northern Virginia locations.
Food Assistance Cuts Affecting Locals
Cuts to the food stamp program are hitting local beneficiaries and food banks.
Melinda Anderson, 50, of Alexandria is feeling the extra pinch to her federally-subsidized food budget. "I have had to eat less and hit up more food banks in the area just to survive," she said while collecting her monthly food allotment from the Fairfax-based food-bank Food for Others. "I’m visiting three [food banks] a month now."
Gift Baskets from Great Harvest
Local business in Burke offers last-minute gift ideas.
At Great Harvest Bread Company in Burke, customers can eat a freshly made bakery sandwich and complete some last-minute holiday shopping at the same time. The local bread and other baked-goods company, which also has a location in Lorton, provides a variety of gift baskets and products like baked goods and tea towels for a last-minute holiday shopper on any budget.
Small Business Saturday: Different Shops, Different Turnouts
The Bike Lane in Springfield and The Picket Fence in Burke experienced two versions of the national event.
Following the controversial additional shopping hours on Thanksgiving, the typical fray on Black Friday, and the online melee of Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday is positioned in a highly competitive shopping storm.
Every Tweet Counts
How Republican Brian Schoeneman earned wrath of his party by making sure every vote counted in county.
On the morning of Nov. 6, the day after the general election, it appeared that Republican Mark Obenshain had eked out a razor-thin victory over Democrat Mark Herring to become Virginia’s next Attorney General. Like most hotly-contested political battles, the close race generated even closer scrutiny.
Weichert, Realtors’ Burke/Fairfax Station Office Recognizes Top Associate
Sales Associate Youssef Zeroual of the Burke/Fairfax Station office was individually recognized for his exceptional industry success during the month of October, as announced by Bruce L. Green, regional vice president of Weichert, Realtors.
Giving Presents to Homeless Animals
The holidays will be a little brighter for shelter pets, thanks to the efforts of Felicia Norman, owner of Walking The Dogs (www.walkingdogsva.com), a local dog walking and pet sitting company. Norman's daughter, Maggie, is pictured above with Delilah, who is looking for her forever home, at the Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA) in Aldie, Va. Walking The Dogs joined forces with the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters for the third annual "Presents 4 Pets" campaign. Norman raised more than $4,000 in donations and products for the benefit of FOHA during National Animal Shelter Appreciation week, Nov. 3-9.
Pathway Homes Sponsors Walk To End Homelessness
Roger Brown, a Navy veteran, ended up homeless when he lost his job. After sleeping on cots at shelters, "couch surfing," and often spending the night on the street, Brown found his way to Pathway Homes, a non-profit organization that provides housing and support services to over 400 adults with mental illness throughout Fairfax County.