An announcement Tuesday morning from the Trump Administration that it will be ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration policy has elicited spirited response from Virginia’s Democratic delegation in Congress.
DACA, implemented by President Barack Obama in 2012, allows nearly 800,000 undocumented immigrants living in the United States to apply for renewable two-year visas. It is available to individuals who arrived in the United States before the year 2007 who were under the age of 16 at the time of arrival and under the age of 31 at the time of implementation.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions made the announcement Tuesday morning on behalf of the Administration. Afterward, both of Virginia’s senators released statements of outrage on their Twitter accounts. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) says the decision is “heartless.”
Ending DACA is a heartless decision that breaks the President's promise to kids who were brought here through no fault of their own
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) September 5, 2017
Rescinding DACA forces #DREAMers back into the shadows & puts them in danger of being deported from the country they love & know as home
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) September 5, 2017
In the wake of the President’s heartless decision to end DACA, Congress must immediately pass the bipartisan DREAM Act to protect #DREAMers
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) September 5, 2017
The DREAM (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) Act has been introduced several times in Congress in recent years. The current version was introduced in July by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). It would institute a multi-phase process for qualifying alien minors (so-called “DREAMers”) in the United States that would first grant conditional residency and, upon meeting further qualifications, permanent residency.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), in his statement, said DACA is a “promise” that has allowed children of undocumented immigrants to “realize their full potential.”
This is a disgrace. Ending #DACA means going back on our word to nearly 800k #DREAMers who've known no other home than America. #DefendDACA pic.twitter.com/nEmpaMe8gM
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) September 5, 2017
In a statement released following Sessions’ remarks, President Donald Trump said DACA has “helped spur a humanitarian crisis — the massive surge of unaccompanied minors from Central America including, in some cases, young people who would become members of violent gangs throughout our country, such as MS-13.”
The decades-long failure of Washington, D.C. to enforce federal immigration law has had both predictable and tragic consequences: lower wages and higher unemployment for American workers, substantial burdens on local schools and hospitals, the illicit entry of dangerous drugs and criminal cartels, and many billions of dollars a year in costs paid for by U.S. taxpayers. Yet few in Washington expressed any compassion for the millions of Americans victimized by this unfair system. Before we ask what is fair to illegal immigrants, we must also ask what is fair to American families, students, taxpayers, and jobseekers.
Looking to improve conditions it sees as hazardous for pedestrians and bicyclists, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation is considering options for altering a crossing of the Fairfax County Parkway Trail in the area of the Dulles Toll Road.
At the location in question, the trail crosses the eastbound on-ramp for the Dulles Toll Road. FCDOT, as part of its Reston Metrorail Access Group (RMAG) II improvements project, says that is a problem spot. In its analysis, FCDOT has presented two options for making the crossing safer: making at-grade improvements including a signalized crosswalk, or constructing a pedestrian/bicycle bridge over the ramp.
The options have a huge difference in cost. The at-grade improvements would cost about $633,000 to implement, according to FCDOT, while the cost of the bridge would near $7 million.
“Cost estimates consider construction mobilization, clearing and grubbing, earthwork, pavement, incidentals, drainage, erosion [and] sediment control, maintenance of traffic, and bridge construction,” the FCDOT report reads. “Engineering design cost and construction engineering inspection cost are also included in each cost estimate.”
A community meeting to discuss the options has been slated for Thursday, Sept. 14, from 6:30-8 p.m. in the cafeteria of Dogwood Elementary School (12300 Glade Drive).
Comments on the project can also be made online, by writing the FCDOT Bicycle Program at 4050 Legato Road, Suite 4050, Fairfax, VA 22033; or by calling 703-877-5600. Comments will be collected through Friday, Sept. 29.
County Water Rescue Team Coming Home — The 14 members of Fairfax County’s Task Force 1 water rescue crew are on their way home after helping flood rescue efforts in the Houston area following Hurricane Harvey. The team is expected to arrive home later this afternoon. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]
SLHS Football Shuts Out Falls Church — The Seahawks improved to 2-0 on the season last Friday with a big 42-0 win over the Falls Church Jaguars. Statistical leaders included QB Devin Miles (9-13, 193 yards, 3 TDs), RB Spencer Alston (2 carries, 49 yards; 4 catches, 145 yards, 3 TDs), RB Albert Mensah (13 carries, 153 yards), DB Joseph Dagbe (8 tackles) and LB Chris Logan (2 sacks). The Seahawks next play Friday night at Oakton. [South Lakes Athletics]
FCPD Again Reminds of Vehicle Thefts — Due to an increase in cases of thefts from vehicles in the county, the Fairfax County Police Department is continuing to remind residents to lock their doors and to not leave valuables in plain sight. [Fairfax County Police Department/Twitter]
Back to School Nights This Week — South Lakes High School’s parent orientation night from 6:30-8:30 p.m. tonight, and parents of seniors will have an information night at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Meanwhile, Parents of Herndon High students are invited to attend the HHS back-to-school night from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, with pre-event activities will beginning at 5:30 p.m. [South Lakes High School/Herndon High School]
Reston Woman Re-Appointed to State Nursing Board — Louise E. Hershkowitz, a retired certified registered nurse anesthetist, has been named by Gov. Terry McAuliffe to another term on the state’s Board of Nursing. She was first added to the board in 2013 by then-Gov. Robert McDonnell. [Richmond Times-Dispatch]
Enjoy the Holiday Today! — Remember, many facilities including Fairfax County government offices are closed today. [Fairfax County]
Labor Day Festival On Tap — The annual Herndon Labor Day Festival on the Town Green (777 Lynn St.), from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., will feature Virginia wine tastings, craft beers, live music, a craft show, food vendors, lawn games and more. [Reston Now]
Sunday Morning Gas Leak Disrupts Neighborhood — Fairfax County hazmat units reported to the area of Glade Drive and Marginella Drive at about 9:45 a.m. Sunday for a gas leak. The road was shut down while repair work was done. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue/Instagram]
Deon King Joins Browns’ Practice Squad — The South Lakes High School alumnus was released by the Cleveland Browns during their last wave of roster cuts Saturday; however, he was signed to the team’s practice squad the following day. [Cleveland Browns]
The Lake Anne Jazz & Blues Festival has gone off for 10 years without a hitch, but the 11th time isn’t so lucky.
Lake Anne Plaza has announced that the festival, which was scheduled for Saturday from 1-9 p.m., is being canceled due to rain in the forecast.
According to the Lake Anne Plaza Facebook page:
JAZZ FESTIVAL CANCELLED TOMORROW: Due to declining weather conditions we’ve made the very painful decision to cancel the Jazz & Blues Festival for 2017. This has been a tough decision to arrive at but in the end we think this is the best thing to do. We did look at the possibility of shifting the event to Sunday but the logistics of that are not surmountable both in terms of permit limitations, (ABC Licenses, County Permits, Fire Marshall, etc.) equipment rental and musician schedules.
This is only the 1st time in 11 years that we’ve actually canceled the festival so the Labor Day weekend has been good to us. I know we’re all disappointed. Thank you for your support- we’ll look forward to the planning of the 2018 festival.
The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang says there will be possible downpours Friday evening, followed by showers and isolated storms Saturday.
(This article was updated at 4:35 p.m. after confirmation of Wedell’s resignation was received from Sherri Hebert.)
With about eight months remaining in his term, Reston Association At-Large Director Ray Wedell has resigned from the Board.
In a statement provided to Reston Now, Wedell spells out the reasons for his decision; however, his statement does not give an effective date of the resignation. Reston Association Board President Sherri Hebert said she contacted Hebert to confirm his decision and was told his resignation is effective immediately.
The often-outspoken Wedell has been at odds with other Board members throughout his tenure and, recently, he found himself at odds with fellow Restonians over comments he made regarding the future Hook Road Recreation Area project. This controversy came to a head at a public meeting Tuesday night that at times turned ugly.
Wedell was elected to the Board in 2015. His full statement of resignation, as submitted to Reston Now, can be read below:
During a community meeting earlier this week (video) on a future Hook Road Recreation Area capital project, residents provided their thoughts on what should — and should not — be done at the park.
Hook Road Recreation Area was selected by RA’s Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee as the pilot project for “full-facility enhancement” after multiple facilities were evaluated in 2016. The idea is to take a facility that has pieces of replacement work in the plans in the capital reserve study and, instead, consider comprehensive work to upgrade the facility all at once.
Tuesday’s meeting was a kickoff to the project, sharing information with the community and beginning the process of gathering input. In between tense moments at the meeting, many residents of the community said they appreciated the effort Reston Association is undertaking to engage the community from the very start of the process.
“We all know, living in Reston, things change,” said John Pinkman, of Rescue Reston. “Things have to improve if we want to keep our property values as high as they are, [so] I really encourage this process.”
Dan Pennington, president of the Orchard Green Cluster Association, asked for clarification on what has been identified by Reston Association staff as “aging components” of the park that require attention. Garrett Skinner, RA’s capital projects director, said everything at the park falls into that category.
“Nothing has been replaced — in terms of the tennis court, the ballfields, the multipurpose court — since 1975,” Skinner said. “Many of these features are all kind of due for rehab around the same time, and this will be a good opportunity to look at everything as one facility instead of the previous methodology for us, [which was] just to fix little things as they’re needed.”
Concerns about parking and restroom facilities at the park are among those that have been brought up in one way or another regarding the project. Upgrades to facilities including the baseball field have also been mentioned by community members.
At Tuesday’s meeting, design consultant Dewberry was introduced to members, and its representatives shared information about the studies that have been done so far and how community input will be used as the project continues to be studied and eventually decided upon. A representative of PRAC also shared information, as did Skinner.
The question was raised of whether the fact that $50,000 has already been allocated from the Repair & Replacement Reserve Fund to develop plans for Hook Road means a “very large” project is being envisioned.
“What you saw tonight from Dewberry, all of that work, that’s where we allocated that $50,000 — all the data gathering, all the community input, all the research they’re doing,” said Sherri Hebert, president of RA’s Board of Directors. “There is no design [yet]. It could be anything from a small little thing to whatever the community wants. There’s nothing out there yet.”
Saying the current RA board is “very conservative” when funds are concerned, Hebert said a large-scale project is not anticipated.
“What will be different this year is an iterative process between the Working Group … and the Board,” Hebert said. “It’s not going to come back with this big project. … Nothing will be a surprise with the community.”
The Hook Road Working Group will be tasked with making a proposal to the RA Board on the project’s scope early next year. Applications for the group are currently being accepted, and interviews will take place in October.
North Point Village Center will celebrate the arrival of fall and the football season next weekend with a special event featuring a Washington Redskins great.
Two-time Super Bowl champion Dexter Manley will participate in the Fall Kick-Off event at the plaza Saturday, Sept. 9. The former All-Pro defensive end will meet fans at Glory Days Grill (1400 North Point Village Center) from noon to 2 p.m. that day.
The plaza’s celebration, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will also feature carnival games, roaming characters for kids, a DJ playing music, a moon bounce and more. The event also advertises “great savings, free food, prizes [and] giveaways.”
Video from last year’s event, which featured an appearance by former Redskins running back Clinton Portis, is available on property manager Lerner’s YouTube channel.
For more information about this and other events at North Point Village Center, check its website.
Image from 2016 event via Lerner/YouTube
Plans to tear down the former Burger King at North Point Village Center and replace it with a Chick-fil-A appear to be moving forward.
Fairfax County earlier this week processed a permit application for demolition of the former Burger King restaurant at 1494 North Point Village Center. The demolition must be done to make room for the new Chick-fil-A, which will be more than 1 1/2 times the size of the current building on the site.
The new Chick-fil-A was approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in March 2016. It will be the second Chick-fil-A in Reston, along with the existing location at 12160 Sunset Hills Road, about 2 1/2 miles away. Another chicken restaurant, Boston Market, sits next to the North Point site.
We have reached out to North Point property manager Lerner Retail for more details about when the demolition process will begin and how long it will take. We will provide that information when it is made available.
Dominion Rates Going Down as of Today –The net impact of the changes for the monthly bill for the typical Dominion Energy residential customer is a decrease of 1.1 percent, lowering the typical bill from $117.20 to $115.65, which is 30 cents lower than in February 2015. [Dominion Energy]
Bechtel Selected to Complete Georgia Nuclear Plant Expansion — Bechtel has been chosen by Georgia Power to complete construction of a two-reactor expansion of a nuclear power plant near Augusta, Georgia. These will be the first new units built in the U.S. in the last three decades. [Markets Insider]
King, Browns Finish Preseason Undefeated — Deon King, a South Lakes High School graduate, recorded one tackle Thursday night as the Cleveland Browns shut out the Chicago Bears, 25-0. The Browns finish the preseason with a 4-0 record. In the four games, King recorded nine tackles (including seven solo) and a fumble recovery. ESPN’s roster projection has him making the cut and being part of the 53-man regular-season squad. [ESPN]
Fairfax Crew Making Rescues in Flooded Texas — Fairfax Fire and Rescue provided an update Thursday of its efforts to help with rescue operations in flood-ravaged southeast Texas. They have helped save six people and two pets from flooded areas, and they have also assisted an owner with accessing and retrieving three more pets. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]
Last Day to Get Comments In on BikeShare Locations — Comments on plans for 10 new Captial BikeShare stations in Reston, including nine south of the Dulles Toll Road, must be in by close of business today. [Fairfax County Department of Transportation]
Crime reports provided by Fairfax County Police Department in the month of August, plotted in the interactive map above, show a wide variety of incidents through the Reston District Station. Use the icon in the top left corner of the map to toggle the types of crimes displayed.
In total, FCPD’s August reports included the following breakdown of criminal incidents in the area:
- 64 larcenies
- 4 stolen vehicles
- 3 assault incidents
- 1 burglary
- 1 destruction of property/discharge of weapon (vehicle break-ins on Vantage Hill Road)
The 64 larcenies marks a continued trend, as the number increases from 61 in July. In both May and June, the number was below 50.
The three assaults listed in August crime reports included an attempted sexual assault near Tall Oaks Village Center, an attempted robbery in Hunters Woods Village Center, and an incident where three men were attacked by a group on South Lakes Drive.
The four reported stolen vehicles equals the total from the past three months combined. (There was one in May, two in June and one in July.) Two were within the Reston community; the other two were in the Herndon and Vienna areas.
Anyone with information about any of these crimes should call 703-691-2131 or 1-866-411-TIPS(8477), or text “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES(274637).
The Reston District Station of FCPD covers Reston, Great Falls and portions of Herndon and Vienna.
Fairfax County’s police reports are not comprehensive lists of every police event in the stated time frame. Addresses shown indicate blocks and not specific locations, unless otherwise noted. This data was compiled using the reports released by police between Aug. 1 and Aug. 31, meaning some of the incidents occurred in late July.
Rescue Reston is continuing its effort to ensure any future action at Reston National Golf Course maintains its status as nearly 170 acres of open space.
The grassroots organization has been working for more than five years to preserve the golf course. Its efforts to block a sale of the property for residential development resulted in a temporary victory in 2016. However, the property’s owners continue to show interest in what they view as “by-right residential development” on the site.
In a letter emailed today to representatives of property owners Northwestern Mutual and investment advisory firm ARA Newmark, as well as delivered by hand to RN Golf Management LLC, Rescue Reston urges them to remember the desires of the community.
Rumor has it that you are encouraging speculative development of the Reston National Golf Course property, including that, through litigation, one might be able to build upwards of 4,000 units on this land.
Northwestern Mutual and ARA Newmark personnel responsible for this should be ashamed to be willing to put Fairfax County taxpayers through years of litigation to defend the very definite land use designation of Open Space at the property located at 11875 Sunrise Valley Drive and 2018 Soapstone Drive, Reston, Virginia.
We direct your attention to your PR statement regarding strengthening local communities at northwesternmutual.com/about-us/what-we-believe. If Northwestern Mutual, the majority partner of RN Golf Management LLC, which is the owner of the property at Reston National Golf Course, truly believes its own statement, then NWM must stop.
Reston is a Planned Residential Community. You can read the short version of what that means at http://bit.ly/PRC-Districts.
We request that NWM consider a tax efficient strategy which will preserve the golf course as open space involving the donation of the land to the Reston Association or a conservation group, or the creation of a perpetual conservation easement. Andrea Reese, Sr. Land Conservation Specialist at the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust stands ready to explore this option with you. She can be reached at 703-354-5093.
Rescue Reston’s correspondence also refers back to a letter it penned in May reminding ARA Newmark of the group’s commitment to defending the property and of the property’s approved zoning uses and land use limitations.
Earlier this year, ARA Landmark sent out information indicating that by-right residential development would soon be available at the golf course. The price was designated as “TBD by Market.” A report by real-estate news website GlobeSt.com estimated its selling price might be more than $25 million — and that a developer could make up to $200 million from the property.
In April, Fairfax County Superintendent Cathy Hudgins reminded constituents that any attempt to redevelop the property would require a lengthy list of rulings, including “an amendment to the Reston Master Plan which is part of the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan, as well as obtaining both Development Plan Amendment approval and Planned Residential Community Plan approval from the Board of Supervisors.”
Free Concert Tonight at Lake Anne — The “Take A Break” concert series at Lake Anne Plaza will continue tonight with the Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet, providing an unofficial kickoff for this weekend’s Lake Anne Jazz & Blues Festival. [Lake Anne Plaza]
Restonians Take Part in Cycling Event for Cancer Research — Reston residents Peter Stevenson and Ed Shanahan both participated in the recent Pan-Mass Challenge bike-a-thon, a Boston-area fundraiser that raised for $40 million for cancer research. [Connection Newspapers]
Yoga at Reston Station Tonight — Beloved Yoga will host Yoga on the Plaza tonight from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Reston Station, outside the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station. Parking validation for the free event will be provided through ParkX. [Reston Station]
Police Captain Visits School — Earlier this week, Capt. Ron Manzo of the Fairfax County Police Department’s Reston District Station stopped by McNair Elementary School in Herndon to wish everyone a good first week of school. [Fairfax County Police Department/Twitter]
Cybersecurity Firm Raises $26M, Building International Sales — LookingGlass Cyber Solutions Inc. is a Reston-based firm that specializes in threat-detection monitoring. Its clients include private companies and government agencies. It moved into a 20,000-square-foot office at 10740 Parkridge Blvd. in March. [Washington Business Journal]
The community is invited to Café Montmarte (1625 Washington Plaza, at Lake Anne) tonight from 5:30-7 p.m. for a fundraiser to benefit aid to Hurricane Harvey victims.
According to Mark Griffin, program chair for the Rotary Club of Reston, the event will raise money for Disaster Aid USA.
“[Disaster Aid USA] has a very good track record of giving money directly to the beneficiaries,” Griffin said in a Facebook video.
The Rotary Club will be asking for a $20 donation from each attendee, Griffin said. That will include one free drink and appetizers, he said.
Disaster Aid USA is a Rotarian-operated project, and it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity. According to its executive director, Kenneth “Larry” Agee, the organization has crews currently in Texas and Louisiana helping the cause.
“Money for supplies and equipment are needed ASAP to purchase and rent more equipment; water pumps, pressure washers, demolition equipment, cleaning supplies including spray to prohibit mold, tools for removal of wet wall board, insulation and other water-damaged building materials,” Agee said Monday.
The Rotary Club of Reston hosts its monthly networking event on the final Wednesday of each month at Café Montmartre.
The first community meeting to discuss a future project at Hook Road Recreation Area provided members a chance to learn about the process and share information about how their voices will be heard.
It was far from run of the mill, though, as the Tuesday evening event was dotted with angry voices and flaring tempers — and even an appearance from the Fairfax County Police Department.
The meeting was the kickoff of what will be a several-month project to determine what, if anything, should be done to enhance the facilities at the park in North Reston. Design consultant Dewberry was introduced to members, and its representatives shared information about the studies that have been done so far and how community input will be used as the project continues to be studied and eventually decided upon.
Many of the more than 100 members in attendance, however, expressed their dismay with Ray Wedell — the At-Large member of the Reston Association Board of Directors who recently shared his personal thoughts on the project in a five-page statement. In the statement, Wedell said amenities such as the baseball field at the park do not need upgrades, and that consideration should be given to removing the tennis and basketball facilities altogether.
Sherri Hebert, president of the RA Board, made a point at the start of the meeting to mention that Wedell’s opinions in no way represent anything that is being considered by the Board as a whole.
“I did receive several emails, and I know the RA Board did as well … regarding a letter [from Wedell],” Hebert said. “I just want to say that was Ray’s comments and Ray’s perspective; that did not represent the Reston Board or RA.”
Presentations were provided by Elaine Killoran of RA’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and by Garrett Skinner, RA’s director of capital projects, on how the process of determining what will be done at the park will proceed. Members are being encouraged to apply to be part of the Hook Road Working Group, which will be appointed in October and will be asked to give a report to the Board in February.
In December, the Board authorized the allocation of $50,000 from the Repair & Replacement Reserve Fund for the purpose of developing design concept plans related to the Hook Road project. The Board voted at its July meeting to form the working group.
Future community work sessions and roundtable events on the project have been tentatively scheduled for Oct. 4, 10 and 24.
