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.
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.
Greenspring Donates Turkeys to Area Families this Thanksgiving
On Friday, Nov. 22, residents and staff at Greenspring participated in the retirement community’s 11th Annual Turkey Trot, raising money to provide Thanksgiving turkeys to area families in need.
A Personal Journey
Where the past meets the present: Springfield resident returns to Vietnam, writes a book.
As Robert (Bob) L. Bob Tecklenberg got off the plane the familiar tropical heat and landscape triggered memories of long ago when he was just 19-years-old, and in Vietnam. He, like many other veterans, wanted to know what happened to the country and its people. Tecklenberg began his personal journey by going back to Vietnam twice, once in 2003 and then again in 2004.
Board of Supervisors Recognizes Greenspring for 15th Anniversary
On Tuesday, Nov. 19, Greenspring was recognized by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for 15 successful years in Fairfax County. Greenspring celebrated the community’s 15th anniversary on Nov. 17 and is now home to nearly 2000 residents and the workplace of nearly 1000 staff members.
Springfield Estates Girls Run Club Holds 5K Race
About forty-five fifth and sixth grade girls from Springfield Estates Elementary School participated in the Fall Girls Run Club 5K Race on Thursday, Nov. 21.
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