Imagining a Transformed Springfield
Executive Director of Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce shares her thoughts on 2014.
Last year may have been a big year for Springfield, but according to Nancy-jo Manney, the executive director of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, 2014 will be even better.
Fairfax County Launches Sex Trafficking Prevention Campaign
Sex trafficking education materials also added to school curriculum.
In order to raise awareness to the fact that sex trafficking can happen anywhere, even in Fairfax County, a new prevention campaign and website raising awareness of this issue launched on Jan. 13.
From Late Night Comedy to Your Bedroom
Why the General Assembly matters more in Virginia than most states.
The Virginia General Assembly began its annual session last week on Jan. 8. The actions of the Virginia General Assembly matter more to localities than it would in many other states. In Virginia, localities have only the power specifically granted by the General Assembly, the Dillon rule. So, for example, Montgomery County and Prince Georges County in Maryland recently voted to increase the minimum wage in those localities. They didn’t need permission from Maryland General Assembly to do so. Arlington and Alexandria might be inclined to follow suit (the District government also voted to increase the minimum wage) but do not have that power.
Let Sun Shine on Virginia’s Financial Disclosure Laws
State legislators turn attention to ethics in wake of McDonnell gift scandal.
As members of the Virginia General Assembly convene for the first time since last February, legislators are stampeding to introduce ethics legislation in response to the gift scandal which engulfed then Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R). The revelations last spring about numerous undisclosed gifts and purported loans from businessman Jonnie Williams to McDonnell — including a $6,500 Rolex watch engraved to the "71st Governor of Virginia" and $35,000 in gifts and catering for his daughters’ weddings — shined a spotlight on Virginia’s porous financial disclosure laws.
Suspicious Death in Springfield
Serena Hansken-Vierimaa, 41, was found dead in her home on New Year’s Day.
Serena Hansken-Vierimaa, 41, of Springfield was found dead by police responding to reports of shots fired in a home on the 7100 block of Healy Drive on New Year’s Day. According to a report released by the Fairfax County Police Department Public Information Office, officers attempted to call the home several times and knocked on the door, but were unable to gain access until 9 p.m.
Long-time Springfield Resident Shares His Story of Flying
Raymond Gilbert, who served in World War II, will turn 90 later this month.
As long-time Springfield resident Raymond Gilbert prepares to turn 90 years old on Jan. 23, he will continue working on his autobiography and reflect on his time in World War II and as a value engineer for the Department of Defense.
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.
Supervisors Make Predictions for 2014
Q&A with Supervisors Pat Herrity (R- Springfield) and Jeffrey McKay (D-Lee).
Q: What were some successes of 2013? A: Transportation updates. The Fairfax County Parkway will have interstate level traffic in the next 10 years, if not already. We need to work on the long-term solution. I was able to get the Board of Supervisors to pass the requested corridor improvement study. We’ve got the study underway for the Pope’s Head Road interchange on the parkway, and those are both really big things. I also asked the Board to take a look at Braddock Road and changing it into a primary road.
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.
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."
Robert Werth of Springfield Takes Reins of National Transportation Organization
Robert M. Werth, of Springfield, a leader in accessible transportation for more than three decades, has taken the helm of the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association (TLPA) as its new president.
Making Runners, Walkers Happy
Last-minute holiday gift ideas at local business in Springfield.
Metro Run and Walk in Springfield, a locally owned and family-operated store, has a variety of gifts available for runners and walkers at a discounted price, starting with the 13 Days of Christmas sale on Dec. 13.
Jean Landreville Named New Executive Director at Greenspring
Jean Landreville has been named the new Executive Director at Greenspring, an Erickson Living retirement community in Springfield. She joined Erickson Living in 2005 and has 18 years of experience in the senior housing and health care industries.
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