In June, the lead Echo article discussed the large number of split voting precincts resulting from the recent state senate redistricting that divided many precincts between two senate districts. In an effort to reduce the number of these "split" precincts, Fairfax County has redrawn some precinct boundaries to reduce the number of splits. The new precinct boundaries took effect September 1st and will apply to the November election.
Both Virginia Hills and Wilton precincts were split, with parts of each in the 30th and 36th Senate districts. The County has eliminated Wilton Precinct, and its voters will become part of either Virginia Hills Precinct or Mount Eagle Precinct.
This means that Virginia Hills residents who formerly voted in the Wilton Precinct will now vote in the Virginia Hills Precinct at the Virginia Hills Admin Center. The Virginia Hills Precinct will also gain the Kings Landing neighborhood just off Memorial Street.
Virginia Hills will remain a split precinct, with residents voting for state senator in either the 30th District or the 36th District. This split and the larger number of voters in the precinct may cause longer wait times to vote, and voters should plan accordingly. It will help election officials speed things along if the voter knows his or her state senate district when coming to the poll book table.
The new voter card received this summer is still correct for voters who have always voted in Virginia Hills. Voters switched into the precinct from Wilton will be getting new voter cards before November.
The following are the unofficial results from the Democratic and Republican Primaries on August 23. Official results are not available until 30 days after the election. Residents of Virginia Hills voted either in the Virginia Hills or Wilton precincts.
| Va Hills | Wilton | |
|---|---|---|
| Ebbin | 10 | 35 |
| Garvey | 23 | 17 |
| Krupicka | 13 | 8 |
| Va Hills | Wilton | |
|---|---|---|
| Frederick* | 15 | 11 |
| Munoz | 3 | 17 |
| Va Hills | Wilton | |
|---|---|---|
| Cooper* | 21 | 16 |
| Kammerer | 20 | 10 |
As a result of these primaries, Democrat Adam Ebbin will oppose Republican Tim McGhee in the 30th District and Republican Jeff Frederick will oppose incumbent Democrat Toddy Puller in the 36th District on November 8th. Republican Bill Cooper will oppose incumbent Democrat Stan Berry for sheriff.
* indicates County-wide or District-wide winner
The summer is coming to an end, which means one thing; the beginning of a new fiscal year for the Virginia Hills Citizens Association (VHCA) is at hand. It also means that VHCA will launch its annual membership drive. Many people ask what good is the VHCA? I often point out that it is only as good as its members.
Currently, there is a very dedicated, but small group that has devoted time and energy to get us to where we are. Just imagine what we can do if we all participate? The benefits of joining are threefold:
Now please do not read that participation means devoting a boat load of resources to include money and time. We are not asking that. Like you, all of us have work, family, and many other commitments. Instead I suggest that you look at participation as being a spectrum of options. It could be just attending our meetings and participating in our group discussions. It could be volunteering to lead a social event (i.e. I would like to have a family movie night, but lack the volunteers to make this viable). It could be helping in fixing the Virginia Hills sign on Telegraph Road. Or there are those who are discussing the idea of a Neighborhood Watch. It could even be to help deliver this very Echo that you are now reading. All of these things require leadership and volunteers to make them possible. I hope that you will join us this year in some capacity and help us make this a community that we can continue to proud of and love.
– President Ralph Zecca
The Kingstowne Area Artists Association will exhibit and sell its work on Saturday, October 1st, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM and on Sunday, October 2nd, from 12:00 to 5:00 PM at the Snyder Center at 6450 South Van Dorn Street. The event is free and open to the public. Work in a variety of media will be shown, including acrylics, oils, watercolors, mixed media, pastels, photography, pen and ink, and digital media. Refreshments will be served. For directions to the Snyder Center, please go to www.kingstowne.org.
Many homeowners have been confused by the rules for pickup of yard waste and brush. Here's the explanation from the County collections guidelines.
To be picked up with the trash, yard waste (leaves, weeds, grass clippings) must be in a separate container or in clear plastic bags and should be set a bit away from regular trash. Limbs and branches must be tied together in bundles no longer than 4 feet. Bundles, bags, or containers may not weigh more than 50 lbs.
Yard waste that doesn't follow this rule, primarily large amounts of brush, will only be picked up as a special collection. To schedule a special collection, call 703-802-3322 or go on line to the DPWES web page at https://specialpickup.fairfaxcounty.gov/.
Under the rules for special collections, limbs may be no longer than 6 feet and no more than 6 inches in diameter. The pile of brush may be no more than 12 cubic yards, or about 5' by 6' by 10'. Root balls and stumps may not be present. Do not mix lumber with brush and limbs. If your pile of brush exceeds 12 cubic feet, you will be charged under the MegaBulk program, designed for large collections to include disposal of whole trees. Minimum charge for MegaBulk is $60.
Several residents have recently asked about their obligation to maintain the sidewalk in front of their home. It is the homeowner's responsibility to sweep the sidewalk, shovel snow off the walk within 24 hours after snow has stopped falling, and prune shrubbery and ground cover so that the full sidewalk is clear. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the concrete of which the sidewalk is built.
If a homeowner fails to keep trees or shrubs pruned back so that pedestrians cannot use the walk or drivers cannot see, this creates a safety hazard. VDOT's maintenance supervisor will give the homeowner a certain number of days to address the complaint before sending out a crew to do the work at the homeowner's expense. Having VDOT do the work is not a desirable option as their crews are more interested in safety than aesthetics or the health of the plants in question.
Sidewalks are key to the "walkability" of any community with busy streets. And the ability to walk in a community is a key factor in its quality of life. While Virginia Hills generally has good sidewalks, it is up to each resident to keep the sidewalk clear for their neighbors to walk on.
Some homeowners looking at survey maps of their properties may notice that an easement to a small section of the property is held by "The Alexandria Water Company." A search reveals no current company by that name, and even a search on the internet isn't helpful. Who is the Alexandria Water Company?
A recent bulletin to customers of Fairfax Water provides the answer. There was an Alexandria Water Company; it built the Upper Occoquan Dam in the late 1950s. Fairfax Water purchased the company in 1967.
As a result, Fairfax Water now holds those easements. The Echo knows of no plans by Fairfax Water to use those easements to do any construction in Virginia Hills, but would have the right to use them. It wouldn't be a good idea to build an addition to your house on that or any easement.
As your local elected official, I take sidewalk level issues seriously and make a point to spend time in our neighborhoods. While I often tour my district with the police, it's usually daytime, in a police cruiser. Recently, I hopped on a police mountain bike and peddled for miles with the Mount Vernon bike team on a 9:00 PM to midnight ride-along (the Mount Vernon station serves a good part of Lee District).
The ride-along included much of the Route One corridor, focusing on neighborhoods where residents requested additional police presence or where there were numerous calls for service. That's why it's important for you to call the police if you see or hear something worrisome in your neighborhood — police resources are allocated partly by calls for service. The ride-along included patrolling shopping centers and neighborhoods; clearly the bike team knows every inch of our district. With a sidewalk-level perspective and the flexibility and mobility of a bicycle, the team can do things that police in cars cannot. It's one of the reasons why our police officers are on a first name basis with many of our residents - good ones and bad ones. The officers know how to get to every corridor neighborhood — by trail, sidewalk, woods, or what have you.
During the ride-along, we approached a seemingly innocent parked car and found it held individuals high on PCP. The officers knew one of the miscreants by name — a criminal frequent flyer. This stop resulted in three arrests and valuable intelligence for our war on illegal drugs.
Overall, Fairfax County and Lee District are very safe — among the safest communities in the entire country. As we patrolled, residents waved, wished us a good evening, and were happy to see officers out of their cars and on the sidewalk.
Safe streets don't happen by accident and this ride-along has renewed my appreciation for our public safety forces and their dedication and commitment. We are fortunate to have these men and women. And that's why I've insisted that our budget reductions spare our public safety forces as much as possible.