Board of Supervisors Urges Action on John Geer Shooting Investigation
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors decided they’ve exercised enough patience with U.S. Attorney Dana Boente’s office. Now more than 13 months after Fairfax County police shot and killed John Geer, standing unarmed in the doorway of his Springfield home, Board chairman Sharon Bulova addressed the silence and stagnance from Boente.
Crashing the Parties
Marc Harrold, Libertarian; Joe Galdo, Green, run for Congress.
Marc Harrold is a self-professed creature of habit. He’s been going to the same bars and restaurants near his Fairfax home for years, where the close friends he’s made there say his great sense of humor and diverse intelligence help him “hold court” and converse easily with anyone, on any subject.
Changes in Store
‘Transformative’ new Springfield Town Center to open Oct. 17.
Lee District supervisor Jeff McKay has been preparing for Friday’s Springfield Town Center ribbon cutting since he was a kid. “As someone who’s spent my entire life here,” said McKay, “I’ve been acutely aware of the decline over the years.”
Foot Action
Burke schools participate in National Walk to School Day
The “kiss and ride” lane of cars dropping off students was noticeably sparse at Cherry Run Elementary School. Principal Mark Bibbee said they average between 70 and 80 cars a day. On National Walk to School Day, Oct. 8, he counted just 25. His students and parents were pounding the pavement.
Seeing Red and Blue with Connolly
Colleagues say Gerry Connolly’s vision central to productivity.
Gerry Connolly doesn’t have 20/20 vision. His round wire-framed spectacles and cropped salt-and-pepper mustache have long accessorized his look, whether sporting a black pinstripe suit or a billowy navy University of Virginia windbreaker
Bio and Q&A with Gerry Connolly
Q: What do you think are your top three accomplishments in office? A: * The Silver Line. I wasn’t alone, but I'm very proud of my championship of the Silver Line and the fact that it's up and running and succeeding. It took 19 years to sort of get people to reimagine it and get it built. It was a long, tough struggle.
Pounding the Pavement
First annual 5K raises awareness of teen driving safety.
Robin Wallin of Alexandria has been training for this day at Cameron Run Regional Park for three months. She and sister-in-law Carolyn Wiser of Baltimore used a seat-to-5K app on their smartphones to prepare for the Oct. 4 race, encouraging each other through Facebook messaging.
New Packard Center Honors Suffragists in Occoquan
The characteristically humble Jean Packard allowed just a little egotism at the idea of seeing her name on a new center at Occoquan Regional Park.
Gone Girls Next Door
PSA roll-out marks one-year anniversary of “Just Ask” project.
On a sunny afternoon, a police officer pulls over a young male driver. There’s an innocent-looking, girl-next-door type in the back seat of the car. The driver responds to the officer’s basic questions with cold indifference. When questioned, the girl in the back says she’s fine. Maybe she betrays a hint of unease.
‘A New Day Has Dawned’
Same sex marriage goes forward in Virginia.
At 10:01 a.m. on Oct. 6, Cathy Baskin of Ravensworth Baptist Church in Annandale received her usual New York Times set of alerts. “I read it 15 times,” said Baskin. “This can’t be true.”
Suzanne Scholte Fighting for Recognition in 11th District
Suzanne Scholte knows she has her work cut out for her. “This isn’t a race anybody's thinking is worth looking at,” she said at a meet and greet event in Montclair last weekend. “I think it was described as ‘Quixotic.’”
Herrity Calls for Heroin Problem Update
“Heroin is here, it’s on our doorstep, it’s in our communities and it often goes unnoticed,” said supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield). Citing a 163 percent rise in heroin overdoses in Northern Virginia between 2011 and 2013, Herrity proposed a successful motion to the Board of Supervisors last week, asserting the County Executive report back to the board on just how bad the heroin problems in Fairfax County are and how they could be dealt with.
No One Injured in Burke Nursery Fire
Smoldering burlap ignited decorative dried corn stalks.
In nearly 40 years, there’s never been a fire at the family-owned Burke Nursery and Garden Centre. That is, until last Monday, Sept. 22. Owner Hope Schmid said they received a delivery of dried corn stalks about 11 a.m. that morning. By 3 p.m., the stalks had lit up, along with the large wooden lean in which they were being stored.
Board of Supervisors Approves 50+ Community Action Plan
Vote is “the beginning, not the end” for Herrity.
Supervisor Pat Herrity’s so-called “Silver Tsunami” population in Fairfax County isn’t getting any younger. The data haven’t changed: the amount of people over 50 should increase by 40 percent between 2005 and 2030, and those 70 and older should shoot up 80 percent in the same period.
Supervisors Break Ground on New Public Safety Headquarters
The Fairfax County Police and Fire Departments are getting a new home. On Tuesday, Sept. 16, Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova and Supervisor John Cook broke ground on what will be a $142 million, eight-story headquarters.
Thou Hast it Now: Robinson Speech and Drama
New teacher replaces 33-year veteran.
Megan Thrift’s classroom has over 30 doors to lock at the end of the day. There are dressing rooms, a black box theater, main stage entrances and a vault full of stockpiled stage pieces and props from decades of shows. Perhaps there’s one for each year her predecessor Chip Rome served as theater director at Robinson Secondary School.
New Analysis of Accotink Creek Underway
Department of Environmental Quality resumes project after EPA lawsuit.
When Meghan Walker paddles a canoe upstream from Lake Accotink looking for garbage, not much surprises her anymore. “The sky’s the limit for odd trash,” she said. “A big find last time was a wheel and tire -- still attached. That’s impressive.”
Deer Archery Program Enters Sixth Season
Continued overabundance brings bow-hunters back to parks.
Even at 72, the animated Disney classic “Bambi” can still soften the hardest hearts when it comes to appreciating the innocence and natural beauty of deer. But the reality in Fairfax County is that an unnaturally high density of Bambis and mothers of Bambi is an ongoing threat to biodiversity and road safety.
Board of Supervisors Approves 2014 Budget Carryover Package
FCPS full-day Mondays at discussion forefront.
When students at the 142 public elementary schools around Fairfax County stayed there the full day on Monday -- the first time in about four decades -- they likely weren’t worried about the cost. That’s between the school board and board of supervisors. Grown-up stuff.
‘Recession Ripple Persists’ at Realtors’ Summit
Private sector job growth key to strengthening regional economy, housing demand.
“There’s no question the primary economic driver of this region has always been Uncle Sam,” said David Versal, senior research associate at the George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis. “That said, we’re not Detroit.”
New Principal Starts at West Springfield
Michael Mukai brings “champion” philosophy from Robinson.
Earlier this summer, West Springfield High School needed a principal... and a head custodian. Michael Mukai, who started on the first day of school as permanent relief for interim Principal Becky Brandt, said the two positions are more similar than different.
Taking On the ‘Silver Tsunami’
Herrity to present 50+ Plan to Board of Supervisors next week.
“It’s here,” said Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield). “We’re already living in it.” Between 2005 and 2030, the number of individuals 50 and older is projected to grow by 40 percent in Fairfax County and the number 70 and older is projected to grow by 80 percent. Herrity attributes the changes to both the aging of Baby Boomers, and the general increase in life expectancy.
Cook Kicks off Anti-Speeding Campaign
Police demonstration introduces “Slow Down: You live here. We live here.”
The speed limit sign in your neighborhood may be smarter than you think. To kick off Supervisor John C Cook’s anti-speeding campaign on Thursday, Aug. 28, Fairfax County police officers flexed the muscles of eight new radar signs they’ve purchased for the county.
School Sights
First day at Lake Braddock Secondary School.
“I’m excited to see friends. And to have Mr. Waiss as a teacher. He’s supposed to be like me, so I’m excited to meet him. We’re waiting for friends, and tired.”
Face Paint, Pony Show at Burke Centre Festival This Weekend
Festival enters its 37th year.
Burke Centre Festival coordinator Jeannie Winslow is downright calm when estimating attendance this year. “Police guestimate we had 10,000 over the whole weekend last year,” she said. “Maybe we’ll get a few thousand more.”
$12 Million Suit Against Fairfax County Police
2013 shooting victim’s family seeks damages in wrongful death case.
The year-long silence surrounding the police shooting of John Geer has been broken — but not by Fairfax County Police or the U.S. Department of Justice. John Geer was shot to death by Fairfax County Police on Aug. 29, 2013.
Top Issues to Follow in Burke
According to Supervisor John C. Cook (R-Braddock District).
Speeding in neighborhoods is a chronic issue; most offenders are local residents. Which is why John C. Cook (R-Braddock District) is launching a new anti-speeding initiative in neighborhoods that will include provocative signs with slogans such as “Slow Down, We Live Here”, as well as speed monitors on the side of the road that will be similar, yet much smaller than those used on larger roadways by the police.
Samantha Bird Wins Gold in Ulman Cancer Fund Triathlon
Iron Girl all-female race took place in Ellicott City, Md.
Finishing more than 10 seconds ahead of her closest competitor, Burke resident Samantha Bird was the overall champion at the Iron Girl all-female sprint triathlon held in Ellicott City, Md. on Aug. 17.
Accotink Church Reverend Prepared to Perform Same-Sex Marriage
Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael was part of statewide effort.
“I would expect most people wouldn’t want to get married on the spot by a minister they don’t even know,” said Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, minister of Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church in Burke. Sammler-Michael, himself from Fairfax, was one of 30 clergymen around Northern Virginia and 60 across the state that had been organized and planned to be present at local courthouses on Thursday, Aug. 21.
FCPS Inducts 1,200 New Teachers
“Great Beginnings” program at South County High School prepares new and transferring teachers for their first week.
As summer vacation in Fairfax County winds down, the hallways and classrooms at South County High school are already buzzing. Beginning Aug. 18, roughly 1,200 new and returning teachers — as well as those new to the school system — took part in a week-long induction program called “Great Beginnings: The Next Generation.”
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