Fairfax County Wants You
County launches "Transportation Dialogues" to get feedback on public’s priorities.
Not since 1987 — when today’s 40-something motorists were newly-minted drivers — has Fairfax County seen any new revenue stream for its traffic-choked roadways or relief for the region’s chronic gridlock.
Stacey Kincaid Elected County’s First Female Sheriff
Kincaid, a Vienna resident, pledges commitment to diversity, department’s employees and community outreach programs.
Democrat Stacey Kincaid, a 26-year-veteran of the sheriff’s department, made local history Tuesday by becoming Fairfax County’s first female sheriff.
Paying Attention to the Pros
High School coaches, players share opinions on Redskins’ Meriweather.
Washington Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather has received penalties, fines and a suspension for illegal hits.
Battleground? Not Exactly
Competitive state races gave voters more choices, but they stick with incumbents over challengers.
Every two years, Virginia holds all of its statewide elections.
Editorial: Be Part of Children’s Connection
Call for student artwork and writing; deadline Dec. 6.
During the last week of each year, The Connection devotes its entire issue to the creativity of local students and children.
Classified Advertising, October 30, 2013
Read the latest ads here!
Clinton, McAuliffe Come to Herndon
Former President Bill Clinton and gubernatorial hopeful Terry McAuliffe came to Herndon Middle School for an Oct. 28 election event. Clinton is spending several days in Virginia campaigning with McAuliffe.
Letter: Strongly Opposed to Cutting Food Aid
Last week, Elizabeth Berry wrote a letter expressing concern over a bill passed by the House of Representatives that would cut food aid for nearly 3.8 million people, and asked that I oppose this legislation. I strongly oppose it. The cuts recommended by the House would eliminate free school meals for 280,000 children and aggravate an already difficult situation for many families in Virginia struggling to put food on the table. We must protect nutrition assistance programs because it’s our responsibility to ensure the neediest among us have access to food when times are hardest.
Editorial: Vote Nov. 5 or Before
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
For voters in Virginia, it is hard to overstate how important it is to go out and vote next week. All Virginia voters will see statewide races for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, plus one delegate race. In addition, there are a few local races in Alexandria and Arlington, a bond question in Fairfax County and a referendum question about the housing authority in Arlington.
Column: Excuse Me, Pardon Me, Excuse Me…
If it wasn’t a coincidence, it was the next thing to being one. What it was, was the hiccups; occurring after chemotherapy infusion number one and again after chemotherapy number two. The first episode lasted only a few days and annoyed my wife, Dina, way more than it annoyed me. The first hiccuping episode was fairly constant; however it was not exhausting – and I wasn’t having any trouble sleeping because of them. Nor was I making any disturbing sounds or having any difficulty breathing – when caught in mid-hiccup, and/or eating because of the herky-jerky movements/spasms of my diaphragm. In general, it was a fairly benign effect. In the big picture, it didn’t seem particularly important that it was the hiccups I was having, so I never called my oncologist. It was the hiccups after all. It might as well have been a skinned knee. Jeez. And sure enough, within a couple of days, I was “hiccuped out.”
Sheriff’s Race Heats Up
Kincaid, Wolfe trade barbs over guns, vandalism.
Like many of her neighbors, Vienna resident Jane Li said she didn’t know Fairfax County had a sheriff’s department until a few weeks ago.
Voters to Decide on $250 Million Bond
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Fairfax County voters will be asked to approve a $250 million school bond. If approved, the schools plan to use the money to:
Making Voters Feel Welcome, No Matter Their Language
County election officials have stepped up outreach efforts and volunteer recruitment efforts.
“I was touched with the Korean community’s efforts to help us translate materials and provide volunteers. … And so we're trying to encourage other pockets. My next target is Vietnamese. We’ve also printed recruitment brochures in Farsi, Arabic, Chinese Korean, French, and Spanish.” — Cameron Quinn, Fairfax County’s chief elections officer
Potomac Marlins 'Swim Pink'
Volunteers and swimmers from the Potomac Marlins gathered at the Lee District Recreation Center in their “Swim Pink” attire for their fundraiser meet, the PVS October Open Saturday, Oct. 19. The Potomac Marlins conduct this annual fundraiser to raise funds for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, a nonprofit working to put an end to breast cancer.
Week in Fairfax
Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, Nov. 3, at 2 a.m. So before bedtime Saturday night, set back the time on all those clocks, watches and electronic devices one hour.
Letter: Vote ‘Yes’ on the School Bond
I am writing to help inspire your readers to vote “yes” on the 2013-2014 Fairfax County School bond referendum on Nov. 5th. If you vote yes you are supporting prudent reinvestment of money back into our world class school system that helps attract new businesses to Fairfax County, one of the best places to live and work in the U.S. Delaying capital improvements will result in a lower quality education to a growing student population. Our children deserve to have excellent facilities, resources and a highly educated and talented staff so they can be successful through college and in their working years.
Letter: Taking Exception
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.” That sage advice from four-term Democrat Sen. Moynihan trumps the quote from Santayana with which Rep. Gerry Connolly opened his tendentious Oct. 24 piece in the Connection. “The Damage Is Already Done,” your headline for Connolly’s bile-filled essay better describes his tenure on our county’s Board of Supervisors and in Congress.
Letter: School Bond Referendum—a Critical Yes
I am writing to encourage all Fairfax County residents to vote “yes” on the school bond referendum appearing on the Nov. 5 ballot. These critical bonds are the primary funding source for the construction and renovation of our schools as well as an essential investment in the heart of our community.
Local Mom Wins $2,529 for Twins’ Education
A local mother of 16-year-old twins has won $2,529 for her children’s college education from the Virginia529 College Savings Plan (Virginia529). Diane Alejandro of Fairfax received the prize for entering Virginia529’s “Turning Dreams into Reality” contest that was part of September’s College Savings Month celebrations.
Teen Safe Driving Program Visits Inova
Representatives from the Ford Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) program managed by the Ford Motor Company Fund, Ford’s philanthropic arm, stopped by Inova Children's Hospital on Wednesday, Oct. 2 to highlight with leadership and staff some of the main causes of car crashes involving teenagers, including inexperience and distracted driving. Those in attendance also got to hear personal stories from those that work in the trauma unit who regularly witness the outcomes of these types of crashes.