Full Disclosure? Forms Plagued By Lack of Information, Absence of Oversight
Fairfax County goes so far as to redact disclosure documents.
Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is in hot water for taking gifts without disclosing them, and legislators are talking about increasing disclosure requirements for family members. But here in Northern Virginia, personal financial disclosure forms are often incomplete and inconsistent.
Navy Yard Shootings Hit Close to Home
Four Fairfax County victims killed in Washington Navy Yard rampage.
“Marty was a kind and caring man. He had such a sweet spirit and was in every way a man that lived his life to honor Christ.” —Pastor Steve Holley of Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield
Springfield Area Roundups
Key Center is introducing two new classes during the 2013-14 school year to help students expand knowledge of their surroundings. Passport to Adventure will offer students the opportunity to become educated travelers. In an effort to learn about different countries, students will research specific travel destinations, including history, culture, famous people and events, and current events in each country. Classes will learn about famous and historical landmarks and experience aspects of each country’s music, food, and art. Also new is My Class, a course designed to strengthen students’ social skills while enhancing peer relations; encouraging self-management; and increasing academic, compliance, and assertion skills.
Lee High Graduate Helps Make Coast Guard Rescue
Former Springfield resident Lt. Brian Ward piloted a helicopter as part of a “textbook” response.
On Friday afternoon, Sept. 6, a garbled mayday call from a commercial fishing vessel roughly 40 miles off Cape Mendocino, Calif., meant Coast Guard Lt. Brian Ward would get a rare chance at a major rescue. The excitement for his four-man helicopter team was palpable. These cases only come along about once a month. But with extensive training on his side, Ward, a 2000 Robert E. Lee High School graduate, kept a cool head and executed a textbook, successful rescue mission as aircraft commander.
Car Show at Edison High
Junior class holds fundraiser with games, booths, bagpiper.
Edison High School’s junior class held a car show and community sale last Saturday, Sept. 14, as a fundraiser. The event brought out the community for games, booth vendors selling books and jewelry, inflatables and even a bagpiper.
Local Business Leaders Spotlight Opportunities for UK Companies
Fairfax County EDA organizes Sept. 26 seminar in London.
Fairfax County’s Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) officials announced Tuesday, Sept. 17, that local executives will speak at a London seminar to spotlight opportunities for British companies interested in homeland security business opportunities in the United States.
Robberies in Area May Be Linked; Suspects Sought
Police are investigating a series of robberies that have taken place over recent weeks. The most recent robbery took place on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at around 1 p.m. Two men entered the convenience store at 6550 Edsall Road, approached the clerk with items as if to pay, assaulted the cashier, took money and fled.
North Springfield Volunteers, Dignitaries at Tree Planting
Vivian Watts, Sharon Bulova, and John Cook & BSA T-990. Also attending are VDOT representatives at the tree and shrub planting along the Beltway Wall on Leesville Blvd. and Joplin Street in north Springfield. Norma Heck, president of NSCA, is on Sharon Bulova's left, and in front of John Cook. Vivian Watts is to the right of Sharon Bulova.
Obituary: Arthur Woodrow Beveridge, 70, Springfield Musician, Dies
Art Beveridge, a popular musician from Springfield, died Aug. 7, at the age of 70. He died at Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, where three weeks earlier doctors had performed a 6X bypass operation in a heroic effort to revive his failing heart. His wife, son, brother and several close friends were present when he passed.
Full Disclosure?
Forms plagued by a lack of information, absence of oversight; redacted documents.
Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is in hot water for taking gifts without disclosing them, and legislators are talking about increasing disclosure requirements for family members. But here in Northern Virginia, personal financial disclosure forms are often incomplete and inconsistent. Some elected officials choose to disclose a great deal of information while others disclose very little. Fairfax County officials have decided to redact information that's supposed to be part of the public record. And nobody is reviewing the forms to make sure they are accurate.
‘Beltway 1’ Goes to Georgia
Youth golfers of Springfield, Fairfax win PGA Jr. Golf League Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship.
Ten boys ages 7 to 13 representing four Northern Virginia area golf clubs (Army Navy Country Club, Springfield Country Club, Country Club of Fairfax, and Mount Vernon Country Club) defeated similar all-star teams from Chattanooga, Tenn., Louisville, Ky., and Chesapeake, Va. to win the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship of the PGA Jr. Golf League. The team comprises TJ Repczynski, Kyle Cardenas, David Stanford, Michael Stanford and Graham Kalan representing Army Navy Country Club; Logan Schwartz and Mason Jones representing Springfield Country Club; Wesley Duffy and Josh Dizinno representing Mount Vernon Country Club; and Noah Blocher representing the Country Club of Fairfax. “Beltway 1,” as the team is known, now moves on to the National Championships to be held at TPC Sugarloaf in Georgia where they will compete against regional winners from Chicago, New England, Texas, California and the Southeast.
A New Beginning for Fairfax County Public Libraries?
Library trustees vote to discard beta plan in favor of more public outreach sessions.
On Wall Street, a “beta” test refers to assessing the risk, volatility and expected return of a particular portfolio. If Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) officials had a crystal ball to assess the volatility of its planned beta tests this fall, it’s likely they may have steered clear of the project that became a quagmire of epic proportions.
What’s Wrong With This Picture?
County suspends discarding of library books.
Just when Sam Clay, Fairfax County’s Public Library director, thought FCPL’s public image couldn’t get any worse, Supervisor Linda Smyth (D-Providence) released photos of bins filled to the brim with discarded library books.
Fit Club, Not 'Fight Club'
Some call it back-to-school stress. Others call it a seasonal rush. Either way, early fall is filling up Springfield gyms like TITLE Boxing Club with moms and children ready to punch one of the 58 heavy bags the center houses. Opened in October of last year, TITLE Boxing Club Springfield is attracting members who strive to participate in a challenging, high impact and motivational workout. (No sparring, says co-owner Kate Carski: "It's a fit club, not a fight club.")
Chili Cook-off Winners Announced
Greenspring recently hosted its first Chili Cook-off. The top resident recipe winners were announced and culinary team recipes from around the community were judged. Greenspring resident Clint Lambert and Chef Eric Phipps took home the “Best in Show” titles. Both recipes will be entered into the 2014 DC101 Chili Cook-Off. As a special surprise, Angie Goff from NBC Washington helped Greenspring announce the winners. Now a weekend anchor for News4Today, Goff worked as a production intern at Greenspring in 2001.