The Fairfax County Department of Animal Sheltering (DAS) will likely assume the duties of the Animal Protection Police, starting this summer.
At a mark-up session last Tuesday (April 30), the Board of Supervisors indicated that it will implement the consolidation by transferring a position from the Fairfax County Police Department and creating a new chief animal control officer (ACO) as part of the fiscal year 2025 budget, which is scheduled to be formally adopted tomorrow (Tuesday).
However, Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity argued that eliminating animal protection police officers (APPOs) is not in the best interest of residents, echoing concerns raised by the county’s police union that the new arrangement might reduce officers’ benefits and impact both public safety and animal welfare.
“We still haven’t addressed what’s gonna happen with wildlife services,” Herrity said. “‘I will figure it out later’ is not good enough when you’re looking at a major restructuring like this. We heard overwhelming opposition from a very diverse group of our residents…from employee groups to HOAs, to wildlife rehabilitators to environmentalists. There’s been no cost impact analysis done.”
The county sees the creation of the ACO position as the first step in the planned consolidation, which will take 18 to 24 months to fully implement, according to the DAS budget. If it’s approved, most funding and positions will be included in next year’s proposed budget.
Herrity proposed amending the FY 2025 budget, which will take effect on July 1, to remove the position transfer, but the motion died without a vote after no one seconded it.
Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman argued that civilian animal control officers could handle the services provided by APPOs, freeing up police officers to focus on higher-priority calls.
“Most emergency calls from Animal Services in Fairfax County are not law enforcement matters,” Bierman said. “The majority of calls or requests for assistance…involve minor code violations.”
Staff have been instructed to provide additional information about the roles of DAS staff and police officers under this new structure and any changes in their approach to wildlife and other services.
Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said the board will focus on best practices regarding the new configuration moving forward.
“This is not an easy decision, but from what I have seen, the potential impact and improvements on our current offerings are excellent in many ways,” she said. But I think we could really use—as we’ve all agreed—some improvements in the way it’s communicated and structured, meeting our needs, wanting to continue to be the best, and looking at best practices.”
Reducing police involvement in animal control
County staff proposed in January that animal control officers, supervised by the DAS, take over the responsibilities of the animal protection police, including animal care and law enforcement.
They argued that since few animal service emergencies require police action, many tasks can be handled by trained civilians, reducing the need for police involvement in every situation.
“Most emergency calls for animal services in Fairfax County are not law enforcement matters,” DAS Director Reasa Currier told FFXnow in an email. “Most calls are requests for assistance with injured, ill, orphaned, or stray animals, or involve minor code violations.”
In 2016, Fairfax County divided animal care and control functions between the DAS and the police department, but the new system has been “ineffective” and led to “gaps in service,” Currier says.
Under the proposed changes, animal control officers would assume a role similar to that of the APPs, managing all service calls, including investigations of animal cruelty, execution of search warrants, and administering rabies vaccinations.
According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, ACOs must complete at least 120 hours (three weeks) of basic training, covering areas such as animal sciences, animal-related law and basic law enforcement.
Unlike animal protection officers, ACOs won’t train at the police academy, but the FCPD would still provide support for criminal investigations involving animals when needed, per the DAS website.
Difference in training and loss of benefits
During a budget public hearing last month, the Southern States Police Benevolent Association’s (SSPBA) Fairfax County chapter, the recognized union for FCPD officers, urged supervisors against consolidating the two services, citing concerns regarding employee equity and public safety.
Several members said their training at the police academy prepares them to handle a broader range of dangerous situations that ACOs may not be equipped to handle without similar training.
“I would never ask anyone to do this job without sending them to the police academy,” SSPBA member and APPO Kathleen Prucnal said at an April 16 meeting. “…I’m doing on that training every time I walked up to a door alone with a difficult job that had to be done. Every time I initiated contact with a known gang member. Every time I was alone on a dark highway putting a suffering animal out of its misery. The job takes a toll.”
Prucnal and others also raised concerns about a potential loss of benefits for any animal protection police officers who become ACOs instead of staying with the FCPD.
Although pay and retirement would remain unchanged, several members noted that police can get federal benefits typically available to first responders, including workers’ compensation, disability retirement, and state and federal health insurance.
“This proposal claims that no change in pay or retirement would happen, but what has not been discussed is the change of benefits for the traumatic scenes exposure to hazardous materials or protection and benefits my family should I be killed in the line of duty,” SSPBA member and APPO Taylor Naumoff said. “If I were to choose to become an ACO, I forgo the benefits provided to law enforcement officers and potentially leave my children without their mother and any assistance should the worst occur.”
SSPBA Fairfax County Vice President Siobhan Chase says the objections to the consolidation aren’t meant to diminish the work of ACOs in other jurisdictions, but the union believes animal control is more effective when handled by fully sworn law enforcement officers.
“The current proposal is built upon providing the new ACOs with the state minimum training (3 weeks) as a cost-saving measure,” Chase told FFXnow by email. “The link between domestic violence, animal cruelty, child abuse, and other interpersonal violence speaks to how this training is necessary for ACOs.”
The Washington Capitals will soon unveil a new sports facility in Northern Virginia — one likely to be much less controversial than the team owner’s failed push for an arena in Alexandria.
Installation of the inline skate rink donated by the D.C.-based professional hockey team to Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive) in Reston is expected to finish this week, according to the Fairfax County Park Authority.
The park authority and Capitals will celebrate the project’s completion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and free ball hockey clinic at the rink this Saturday (May 11) from 10 a.m. to noon.
Located next to Lake Fairfax Park’s campground, athletic fields and skate park, the 85-foot-by-185-foot rink is the first facility of its kind at a county park, FCPA spokesperson Benjamin Boxer says. It features player and penalty boxes, hockey goals, bleachers and “ample” lighting to support daytime and evening use.
Under construction since last June, the rink was built with sport floor tiles on an asphalt pad, making it “ideal for roller hockey and skating” and allowing for “easy maintenance and modular tile replacement,” according to the park authority.
“There is literally something for everyone in the Fairfax County park system,” Boxer told FFXnow by email. “This new inline skate rink is a first for the Park Authority and it opens up another recreational opportunity for residents to enjoy and continues our commitment to provide wide diversity in program and facility offerings to serve the interests and needs of a diverse community.”
The inline skate rink is the product of an ongoing partnership between Fairfax County and the Capitals that began in 2021, when Fairfax County Public Schools joined the NHL team’s Hockey School Program, according to Capitals Director of Youth Hockey Development Peter Robinson.
Offered in 1,601 local schools that collectively reach over 1 million students, the program provides floor hockey equipment, teacher training and a custom curriculum to physical education teachers in all FCPS elementary and middle schools.
“The Washington Capitals are dedicated to growing the game of hockey by providing access to the sport in all its forms,” Robinson said. “A portion of that growth strategy is investing in the off-ice game by building facilities and creating programming within the community.”
Robinson says the team “jumped” at the opportunity to expand its partnership with the county by collaborating on the ball/inline skate rink at Lake Fairfax Park.
Though the facility was donated by the Capitals, the park authority was responsible for preparing the site and supporting infrastructure. The project cost the county an estimated $1.9 million, which came from park bonds approved by voters in 2020.
“Over the past ten years the Washington Capitals, along with the NHL/NHLPA, have invested over $3.5 million in growing the game off the ice,” Robinson said by email. “This rink project is a part of that overall investment strategy, and we are excited to begin offering programming at the new rink starting this summer.”
The Capitals’ programming at the rink will begin this Saturday with the free hockey clinic, which is part of the team’s Try Hockey for Free program. Starting at 11 a.m., the clinic will give attendees a chance to practice their stickhandling, passing, shooting and small games.
Though the clinic is free, advance registration is required, since spots are limited. Community members don’t need to bring equipment or prior hockey experience to participate.
Details about future programs, including classes and summer clinics, will be posted on the Capitals’ youth hockey development website.
The Lake Fairfax inline skate rink will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The rink can be reserved for $75 per hour, but when not reserved, it’s open to the general public for free on a first-come, first-served basis, Boxer says.
Reston Association will kick off a summer of family-friendly outdoor movies later this month.
The first entry in the RA at the Movies series will be “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” at Browns Chapel Park on Saturday, May 18.
The theme is “Family Superhero Night” — moviegoers are encouraged to dress as the masked, pizza-loving mutant ninja turtles or another favorite superhero.
Theme nights are one way the association is building on the movie night experience, said RA communications director Cara O’Donnell. For example, a June 8 showing of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3” at Lake Newport’s soccer field is billed as a “Date Night.”
The summer series will shift from land to water in July with Dive-In Movies. First, swimmers can catch “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” on July 11 at Lake Newport Pool. Then, RA at the Movies will wrap for the year on Aug. 7 with a showing of “Kung Fu Panda 4” at Lake Audubon Pool.
Started more than 20 years ago, the swimming pool-based Dive-In Movies screenings have become a staple in Reston. RA introduced Movies in the Park during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was so popular the association decided to make it a part of the summer series, according to O’Donnell.
“Movies usually have anywhere from 100 to 500 people,” she said. “We try to provide selections so that a wide range of audiences can come and enjoy throughout the summer.”
Admission is $6 for RA members, $10 for nonmembers and free for children under 3. Guests can bring their own food, but there will also be items for sale. Shows could be canceled due to inclement weather.
Tickets can be purchased through RA’s registration website and by contacting [email protected] or 703-435-6571.
The full RA at the Movies schedule is below:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Saturday, May 18
Doors open: 7:45 p.m., show starts at 8:30 p.m.
Browns Chapel Park (1575 Browns Chapel Road)
Children are encouraged to dress up as their favorite superheroMy Big Fat Greek Wedding 3
Saturday, June 8
Doors open: 8 p.m., show starts 8:45 p.m.
Lake Newport Soccer Field (1550 Reston Parkway)Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Thursday, July 11
Doors open: 8 p.m., show starts at 8:45 p.m.
Lake Newport Pool (11601 Lake Newport Road)Kung Fu Panda 4
Wednesday, Aug. 7
Doors open: 8 p.m., show starts at 8:45 p.m.
Lake Audubon Pool (2070 Twin Branches Road)
Early Voting Underway for Congressional Races — Fairfax County opened three early voting sites on Friday (May 3) for the June 18 Democratic and Republican primaries, which will determine nominees for multiple House and Senate seats. “An additional 13 early voting sites open on June 8…The last day to vote early in person is June 15.” [Fairfax County, NBC4]
One Injured in Merrifield House Fire — “Fairfax County Fire and Rescue personel extinguished a fire late Thursday night at a two-story home in the Merrifield area. Initial reports said no one was injuried, but a department spokeswoman told Patch on Friday afternoon that one civilian was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.” [Patch]
Star Wars-Themed Drone to Land in Chantilly — “Coinciding with Star Wars Day, the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum announced that a new artifact — a new themed Boeing CV2 Cargo Air Vehicle — will go on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center…in May.” The aircraft was outfitted to resemble an X-wing Starfighter for Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge resort. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Dunkin’ Donuts Plans Store in Annandale — “The small building at 7025 Columbia Pike in Annandale undergoing renovations will house a Dunkin’ Donuts shop, according to a building permit posted on the structure. The building was formerly occupied by Annandale Florist but has been vacant since a fire in August 2022.” [Annandale Today]
Report Finds Gender Disparities in Fairfax County — “The report, ‘Gains, Gaps & Goals: The Status of Women and Girls in Fairfax County,’ explored how women and girls fare in economics, health and overall well-being, painting a picture of what one expert called, ‘the good, the bad, the ugly.'” Findings include a wage gap between male and female workers as well as “significant mental health disparities.” [WJLA]
New Student Rep Chosen for School Board — “Megan Sawant, a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology, has been elected by the countywide Student Advisory Council (SAC) to serve a one-year term as student representative to the Fairfax County School Board, beginning July 1.” [Gazette Leader]
Reston Community Center Celebrates 45 Years — “The Reston Community Center (RCC) is celebrating its 45th anniversary. In a recent episode of the ‘County Conversation’ podcast, Bev Cosham, chair of RCC’s Board of Governors, spoke about what makes RCC so special and highlights its 45th anniversary.” [Fairfax County Government/Twitter]
It’s Monday — Showers and thunderstorms are possible after 2pm, with patchy fog clearing by 10am. Expect mostly cloudy conditions with a high near 80. Monday night, the chance of rain continues, with a low around 65 and light winds. Precipitation chances are 40% in the day and 50% at night. [NWS]
Local morning commuters can save on gas and win a free t-shirt when Bike to Work Day returns to Fairfax County this month.
The 23rd annual Bike to Work Day is scheduled for Friday, May 17, offering residents across the D.C. area the opportunity to celebrate cycling. Fairfax County will host 27 designated pit stops, with additional stops organized by Commuter Connections, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) and local governments in the region.
Participants are encouraged to register and visit a pit stop by bike to receive a complimentary T-shirt in this year’s color (orange), along with snacks and door prizes. A total of 110 pit stops will be available throughout D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
Most pit stops will operate in the morning, with some offering afternoon hours. Commuter Connections, a regional network of transportation organizations, offers turn-by-turn directions for routes that would take cyclists on safe, bicycle-friendly paths and roads.
While Bike to Work Day is a free event, T-shirts are reserved for the first 16,000 registered participants. All registered participants will be eligible to win grand prizes, including bicycles, through raffle drawings.
Each pit stop will offer amenities, including complimentary snacks, beverages, swag bicycling information and raffle prizes. Cyclists can also join free Bike to Work Day convoys led by experienced volunteers.
Bike to Work Day will proceed rain or shine, though individual pit stops can make adjustments in extreme weather conditions. Participants are advised to bring rain gear and stay informed of updates from their pit stop manager.
A full list of pit stops in the Fairfax County area is below.
Annandale
Centreville/Chantilly
- Near Centreville High School (Clifton)
- Stringfellow Road (Chantilly)
- Sully Government Center (Chantilly)
Fairfax area
- Burke Centre VRE Station
- Fairfax County Government Center
- Fair Lakes Center
- Old Town Square (Fairfax City)
Falls Church area
Reston/Herndon
South County
- Fort Belvoir
- Sherwood Regional Library (Hybla Valley)
- Workhouse Arts Center (Lorton)
Springfield
- Metro Park at Walker Lane
- Saratoga Park & Ride (Newington)
- South Run RECenter
- West Springfield Government Center
Tysons/Vienna area
- Jim Scott Community Center (Oakton)
- MITRE Corporation (Tysons)
- Mosaic at Strawberry Park (Merrifield)
- Oakmont RECenter (Oakton)
- Town of Vienna
- Tysons Corner Center
The push to rename Reston’s Shadowood Recreation Area has reached a new phase with the launch of an online survey.
Reston Association announced on Wednesday (May 1) that it’s officially seeking community input on a possible name change for the swimming pool and tennis courts on Springwood Drive.
In addition to the survey, which asks respondents whether they support a renaming and what the new name should be if they do, RA will host a community input session on the topic at Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Drive) on May 13, starting at 6 p.m.
“Staff will collect all community input and provide recommendations to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and the Board of Directors,” RA said in a news release.
The survey is expected to remain open through May 17, according to RA Communications Director Cara O’Donnell. The parks and recreation committee’s next meeting is scheduled for May 29.
At a Board of Directors meeting in March, RA CEO Mac Cummins indicated that the goal is to implement a name change, if one is approved, in conjunction with Shadowood pool’s reopening. The facility finished a renovation in November and is expected to reopen on June 15 during RA’s summer pool season.
Residents first proposed renaming the Shadowood Recreation Area in 2009 and 2010, but insufficient signatures for a petition led the board of directors to vote against a change in 2011.
The issue resurfaced in December 2022, as advocates made the case that a different name would make it clearer that the recreational facilities are open to all RA members, not just Shadowood Condominium residents.
An RA work group floated the possibility of repurposing Shadowood and three other pools in 2021, citing their low usage and the association’s climbing maintanence and capital costs. RA’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee ultimately recommended a renovation instead, arguing that improved amenities might boost the pool’s usage.
Approved by the RA board in 2022, the renovation involved a reconfiguration of the main pool to add lap lanes, the conversion of a wading pool into a splash pad, and roof, deck, flooring and bathhouse repairs. A gas line has also been installed from South Lakes Drive to heat the pool.
School Bus Catches Fire in Reston — “#FairfaxsBravest are on scene of a school bus fire on SB Fairfax County Parkway at Fox Mill Road. The driver exited the bus prior to #FCFRD arrival. The bus was otherwise unoccupied. The fire is out.” [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/Twitter]
Record Heat Reported at Dulles Airport — “By 6 p.m. Thursday, the record for Thursday’s date was tied at Reagan National at 91 degrees…and the record was broken at Dulles International Airport when temperatures hit 91 degrees…The previous record for May 2 at Dulles was 88 degrees, and the average high in the region for this day of the year is 73 degrees.” [WTOP]
Task Force to Recommend Metro Funding Plan — “Setting up Metro with dedicated funding has been discussed for decades in the region but still hasn’t come to fruition. Now, WMATA and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments hope a regional task force can finally bring about an agreeable plan of action.” [WTOP]
Local Schools Get New Principals — “Daniels Run Elementary School Principal Chris Smith was named the new principal at Katherine Johnson Middle School on Thursday afternoon, according to a release from the City of Fairfax Schools.” Meanwhile, Holly Dowling, an administrator at Braddock Elementary School, will serve as principal of Bailey’s Upper Elementary School, starting May 13. [Patch, Annandale Today]
County Animal Shelter Waives Adoption Fees — “The shelter is partnering with the BISSELL Pet Foundation for the ‘Empty the Shelters’ adoption event. Thanks to the foundation’s generous support, the shelter will offer fee-waived adoptions for all pets…May 2 through 5 at both shelter locations.” [Fairfax County Animal Shelter]
Resources for Mental Health Awareness Month — “Mental Health Awareness Month, observed every year during the month of May, is an opportune time to fight stigma, provide support, increase awareness and remind individuals of the services and resources that exist to support the millions of people impacted by mental health issues.” [Fairfax County]
It’s Friday — Expect a mostly sunny day with highs around 79 degrees and an east wind of 9 to 11 mph. Moving into Friday night, there is a 30% chance of showers as clouds increase. Overnight lows will be near 54 degrees with east winds around 8 to 11 mph. [NWS]
The historic Ellmore Farmhouse at Frying Pan Farm Park has finished renovations and is now ready to offer programming for adults with disabilities.
The two-story farmhouse, which dates back to 1891, was restored and repurposed by ServiceSource, a national nonprofit that provides employment training and support resources to adults with disabilities.
It will serve as one of a dozen Long-Term Community Integration Services (LTCIS) program sites that ServiceSource operates in Virginia. The program offers people with “significant disabilities opportunities to build skills and pursue their interests,” according to a press release.
In addition to providing case management and therapy services, the program helps participants get involved in community activities based on their interests. At Ellmore Farmhouse, participants will oversee the daily operations of a new Blossom Daily Café and Bloom Gift Shop.
The cafe sells salads, sandwiches, drinks, and other light fare to park visitors, while the gift shop features hand-crafted items made by artisans with disabilities, according to ServiceSource.
“We’re excited about the Ellmore Farmhouse, because it offers such a variety of experiences to people in the LTCIS program,” ServiceSource Chief Operating Officer Ken Crum said in a press release. “The location in Frying Pan Farm Park provides the chance to tend a garden, interact with the animals on the farm, and serve as guides for tours of the house, in addition to participating in recreational activities, current events education, and expressive therapies.”
With the approval of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, ServiceSource secured a sublease for the farmhouse in February 2022 through the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Resident Curator Program.
Under the program, county properties can be leased long-term at no expense to tenants. In exchange, the resident curators are required to preserve the historic properties and promote them to the public. The cost of restoring the farmhouse was roughly $715,000, per a ServiceSource spokesperson.
ServiceSource and several stakeholders, including Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, Park Authority Board Member Bill Bouie and FCPA Director Jai Cole, attended a ribbon cutting on Wednesday (May 1) to mark the official opening of the center.
“I am excited that ServiceSource’s new program will bring something new to one of our most popular Fairfax County parks,” Alcorn said in a press release. “Now through Ellmore Farmhouse, people with disabilities will have wonderful new ways to experience this unique park and interact with others in our community. This is inclusion, and it is a wonderful example of our One Fairfax policy.”
This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.
By John V. Berry, Esq
Federal employees facing discrimination or retaliation cases must use specific processes in order to file their complaints. This article covers some of the basic issues involved in the federal employee Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) process. Please visit our webpage for more information.
Grounds for an EEO Claim
Federal employee EEO complaints can involve a range of discriminatory conduct by federal agencies. These can include discrimination on the basis of age, disability, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and national origin. In addition, EEO complaints can also involve a hostile work environment, sexual harassment and retaliation.
Sample EEO Complaints
Some of the more common EEO claims brought by federal employees are demonstrated in the following five hypothetical scenarios:
- Example A: Federal employee is sexually harassed at work by her supervisor. The supervisor then asks the federal employee on a date. When the federal employee refuses her supervisor’s advances, she is then proposed for a suspension by the same supervisor for alleged misconduct. The federal employee brings a claim for sexual harassment.
- Example B: Federal employee has previously filed an EEO complaint against his supervisor for discrimination. A year later, the federal employee discovers that his promotion was denied by this same supervisor because they were upset that the federal employee had filed the earlier EEO complaint. The federal employee brings a claim for retaliation.
- Example C: Federal employee takes sick leave related to treatment for heart disease. Upon the employee’s return, her supervisor gives the employee a bad performance evaluation for having bad performance. The federal employee claims disability discrimination.
- Example D: Federal employee takes sick leave due to a recent car accident and requires a lot of time out of the office for physical therapy. The federal employee is also unable to perform some of her duties as she recovers, including the lifting of boxes for a limited period of time. The federal employee asks her supervisor for modifications to her duties (a reasonable accommodation), but the supervisor refuses to modify the employee’s schedule without reason. The federal employee claims disability discrimination for her agency’s failure to accommodate her serious medical condition.
- Example E: 62-year-old federal employee is competing for a promotion to a GS-14 position. This federal employee competes against two other employees, both under the age of 40, for the same position. The 62-year-old federal employee is ultimately not selected for the position. The federal employee later discovers that the selecting official expressed concerns about the individual being 62 years old because they might retire sooner than the younger applicants. The 62-year-old federal employee claims age discrimination.
EEO Complaint Deadlines
Typically, a federal employee only has 45 days from the date of discrimination to contact an EEO counselor at the federal agency to initiate the informal EEO complaint process. If a complaint is not timely initiated, the federal employee may be time-barred from filing an EEO complaint. Timing can be extended in some unique cases, but it is critical to be aware of the time limits in filing EEO cases.
Potential EEO Remedies
There are a number of potential remedies for federal employee EEO violations. Remedies for illegal discrimination and retaliation caused by federal agencies involve several types of potential monetary relief, including lost back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees. Non-monetary remedies can include the clearing of negative performance records and disciplinary actions, transfers and promotions.
The EEO Process
Typically, once a federal employee initiates contact with an EEO counselor regarding an informal complaint, assuming there is no earlier resolution or settlement, the next steps include: (1) the filing of a formal EEO complaint, (2) the investigation of the EEO complaint, (3) either a request for a decision on the EEO complaint from the federal agency or a request for a full hearing before a federal administrative judge and (4) proceeding to a hearing on the merits. In our experience, many discrimination cases are settled with federal agencies during the EEOC hearing process prior to the hearing stage.
Additional EEO Information
Federal employees can find more detailed information about filing EEO complaints at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) website.
Contact Us
Our law firm represents and advises federal employees in EEO and other employment matters. If you need legal assistance regarding an EEO complaint or other employment matter, please contact our office at (703) 668-0070 or at www.berrylegal.com to schedule a consultation.
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
This sponsored column is written by the team at Arrowine & Cheese (4508 Cherry Hill Road in Arlington). Sign up for the email newsletter and receive exclusive discounts and offers. Experience Arrowine’s Tastings & Events. Have a question? Email [email protected].
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The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
A large residential development planned in Herndon will be allowed to use two access gates — at least for a few hours on weekdays, eventually.
Pomeroy Clark I, the land owner and developer, got Fairfax County’s approval late last month to amend its plans for One Sunrise Valley, which will deliver 1,093 housing units on about 44 acres of land near the Frying Pan Road and Sunrise Valley Drive intersection.
Asked by the developer to revise the plan after it was originally approved in 2019, the Fairfax County Planning Commission got hung up on one detail: whether to allow two gates that would restrict access to the development. Ultimately, the commission approved use of the gates under certain circumstances at a public hearing on April 24.
The approved application also asked for changes to the mix of housing planned at the development, including a replacement of 84 stacked townhouses with 69 triplex units in a block designated as Land Unit D.
At a January public hearing, county staff favored eliminating the gates, concerned that they would hamper the pedestrian experience and “impede circulation,” while also potentially making it difficult for trash collectors, delivery vehicles and others to navigate the site.
A representative for the developer argued the access gates are necessary to stop non-residents from parking at the site during drop-off and pick-up times for a new elementary school planned nearby.
Now, the developer has permission to include the gates — under the condition that they will only close them “on weekdays 1.5 hours before and after classes begin and 1.5 hours before and after school dismisses,” according to a staff memo.
The school in question doesn’t exist yet, though the Fairfax County School Board approved a transfer of the nearly 5.6-acre future site in February. There is no set timeline for its construction, Dranesville District Commissioner John Ulfelder said at the April 24 planning commission meeting.
Even as they approved the gates, commissioners acknowledged that enforcement would be a challenge.
“We have 10 years before a school is built,” Commission Chairman Phil Niedzielski-Eichner said. “It’s not going to sit there open for 10 years, it’ll get used, and it’ll do exactly what we don’t want to have happen, and that’s close off access and egress and so on and so forth. So, it is what it is.”
Former Franconia District Commissioner Dan Lagana, who resigned at the end of April, called enforcement on the gates “questionable” but said he supported the application.
Niedzielski-Eichner also reiterated support for the overall development.
“It’s a nice development, well thought through,” he said.
