The most recent update of Reston’s draft comprehensive plan got a kudos from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors earlier this week.
At a land use policy committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday), board members said the latest version of the plan — which has been under the pen for nearly two years — averts the prescriptive policy language put in place by a community task force that created the first draft of the new plan roughly two years ago.
An official staff report is expected next month, followed by a June 14 Fairfax County Planning Commission public hearing and a board public hearing on July 11.
As discussed last month by the planning commission, the latest version by county staff focuses on supporting guidance in existing county policies, avoiding language that could be seen as establishing new policies.
New planning principles of equity, community health and economic development were consolidated into a chapter on the “new town” of Reston instead of getting separate chapters.
Franconia Supervisor Supervisor Rodney Lusk said he was particularly pleased with the guidance on economic development for Reston, which says support for housing, businesses, education and access to Metro’s Silver Line stations is key to maintaining the area’s “unique community and business climate.”
But Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust said he was unsure if there was anything particularly unique about Reston that warranted guidance.
“I’m not sure why Reston feels like it has to take a position on that. It doesn’t seem to be anything particularly unique,” Foust said.
He added that economic development guidance for a particular area could open up other area plans to similar updates when the guidance should simply be applied countywide.
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, who initiated the review and held dozens of meetings with the community task force, said he wouldn’t support the new plan if he didn’t feel it was an improvement over Reston’s current plan.
Alcorn also asked staff to create a chart that depicts significant issues and concerns.
“Overall, I want to make sure we balance this in the right way, because I don’t want to dumb down Reston’s comprehensive plan,” Alcorn said.
County staff noted that they tightened up language in the task force’s version of the plan.
Providence District Supervisor Dahlia Palchik said she was pleased the new plan is now “going in the right direction.”
“This is in a much better place,” she said.
Herndon Centre’s Escape Room Herndon has officially outgrown its space.
The business, which will remain at its current location, is creating a new room called Raven’s Nest Escape Room a few doors down from its current location (492 Elden Street).
“We just couldn’t bring ourselves to retire any of our current rooms so we decided instead that its a good time to expand,” said Omer Aru, a representative for the company.
Typically, the business retires its existing rooms to make space for others.
Raven’s Nest will feature two large game rooms for 10-plus players and a themed party room for birthday parties with cake.
“Raven’s Nest will feature all the same thrilling gameplay you’ve come to expect from ERH but with new and exciting twists,” Aru said.
It’s expected to open sometime this fall — possibly on Oct. 1. Aru stressed that opening date is an estimate.
Current rooms include the 8-bit escape, maritime mutiny, magician’s workshop, and the grave robber’s dilemma.
Going forward, all Fairfax County Public Schools workers will be required to undergo regular background checks and notify the school system of any arrests while they’re employed.
The expanded background check policies will be implemented after an investigation last year found “systemic gaps” in the hiring process, FCPS announced yesterday (Tuesday).
The independent investigation was prompted by the discovery that former Glasgow Middle School counselor Darren Thornton had remained employed for months after he was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor in Chesterfield County.
Effective since March 12, the new regulation is part of a “continuing effort to provide safe schools and workplaces for all students and staff,” FCPS said.
All employees, including temporary, hourly and substitute staff, will be reviewed through the National Sex Offender Registry, starting this month. This summer, anyone hired before August 2006 will also need to make an appointment where their fingerprints can be scanned for review by the Virginia State Police and FBI.
Employees hired between Aug. 1, 2006 and July 1, 2022 already have digital fingerprint scans on file, so those will be automatically resubmitted, FCPS says.
All employees are now required to disclose to the FCPS Office of Equity and Employee Relations (EER) any arrests for felonies, misdemeanors or other “acts that impact a person’s ability to work” that occurred after they were hired.
FCPS says its Department of Human Resources will start submitting all employees for criminal record background checks “periodically to monitor for unreported criminal record activity.”
“Additional types of background checks may also be used for periodic monitoring,” FCPS said. “Not every arrest would lead to action; however, a barrier crime, felony or a crime that impacts a person’s ability to work may have cause for dismissal.”
FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid told families on Aug. 18 that Thornton had been fired after officials were notified of his March 11 conviction and sentencing, which called for supervised probation in place of a suspended five-year jail sentence.
Thornton was originally arrested in November 2020, but Chesterfield police later said their emails alerting FCPS to the sex crime charge bounced back. The 50-year-old Mechanicsville resident was arrested for a second time in a separate sting operation on June 9, 2022.
After he was terminated by FCPS, Virginia State Police arrested Thornton for failing to provide complete and accurate information to the state’s sex offender registry.
In addition to indicating that it will require regular background checks, the Fairfax County School Board said following the independent investigation in September that it will make changes to its processes for verifying licensure, documenting employee leave and dismissing workers convicted of certain crimes.
David Walrod, president of the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers, expressed support for the new background check policies, stating that the Thornton case showed the limits of relying solely on law enforcement for notification of crimes by employees.
“Ensuring that employees have a clean criminal record at the start their career is important but ensuring that employees maintain clean criminal records is an important part of ensuring the safety of our students and staff,” Walrod said in a statement. “I commend the district for taking this step, and I am glad to see that Dr. Reid has taken decisive steps to ensure this happens.”
Spurred by the Thornton case, the General Assembly passed a law last month requiring all public school divisions in Virginia to designate a contact for law enforcement and courts who will manage reports related to any school employee arrests or convictions for felonies. Sponsored by state Sen. Scott Surovell, the measure will take effect on July 1.
Narcan Distributed at FCPS Opioid Town Hall — “At Woodson High School on Monday night, health officials, educators, and police addressed the issue at a town hall…Additionally, families were trained in how to use Narcan, and then dozens lined up outside the town hall to receive their own doses.” [DC News Now]
New Plan to Reduce Helicopter Noise Announced — “Helicopters will fly at higher altitudes and flight paths over Northern Virginia will soon be altered to reduce helicopter noise, US Representative Don Beyer announced Tuesday alongside representatives from the federal government, the aeronautics industry, and elected officials from Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church, and Fairfax.” [Washingtonian]
Special Grand Jury Sought for Tysons Police Shooting — “Carl Crews, an attorney for the family of Timothy McCree Johnson, said he was informed Tuesday by Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano that a judge had approved the prosecutor’s request to empanel the special grand jury.” Last week, a grand jury declined to indict the officer who allegedly fired the shots that killed Johnson. [Associated Press/WTOP]
School Zone Speed Cameras Now Issuing Citations — “On April 10th the County started issuing citations to drivers going 10mph and over the limit in the selected areas. Prior to this, drivers violating the speed limit in these locations only received a warning. Over 1200 warnings were issued between February and April 10th.” [Jeff McKay newsletter]
FCPD Welcomes Most Rookies in a Decade — “This week, Chief Kevin Davis welcomed 56 candidates starting their first day at the FCPD Academy. Session 84 is the largest academy class in almost 10 years and one of the most diverse classes ever.” The department is working with George Mason University on a long-term study to understand how officers adapt over their careers. [FCPD]
Del. Seibold Reflects on First Legislative Session — “Del. Holly Seibold (D-Oakton-Vienna) accumulated a pretty good batting average in her rookie season, at least when it comes to getting bills enacted into law.” The General Assembly unanimously passed and Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed two of her five submitted bills — one letting courts appoint an interpreter for speech-impaired and deaf individuals and another dealing with the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities. [Gazette Leader]
Reston Cybersecurity Company Acquired — “Just about eight months after the Baltimore-based ZeroFox went public on the Nasdaq with a valuation of over $1 billion, the cloud-based security and analytics product suite provider has announced its acquisition of LookingGlass Cyber Solutions in a deal comprising 9.4 million shares of stock, convertible debt and cash.” [Technical.ly]
Vienna Farmers Market to Return Next Week — “The Vienna Optimists’ Farmers Market will make its springtime return to the Vienna Community Center on Saturday, May 6 from 8 a.m. to noon. Now in its 16th season, the market…will feature about two dozen local vendors, accompanied by lively music from local performers.” [Gazette Leader]
It’s Wednesday — Light rain. Increasing cloudiness. Mild. High of 66 and low of 43. Sunrise at 6:17 am and sunset at 7:55 pm. [Weather.gov]
The primary for Fairfax County commonwealth’s attorney may be the most cutthroat race on the ballot in a year when local voters will also choose representatives on the Board of Supervisors, school board and General Assembly.
On Friday (April 21), Democratic incumbent Steve Descano and challenger Ed Nuttall appeared together on WAMU’s “The Politics Hour,” the weekly radio show hosted by Kojo Nnamdi and Tom Sherwood, and the conversation got spicy.
At one point, Descano accused Nuttall of associating with “MAGA, antisemitic conspiracy theorists.” Nuttall responded by calling Descano “a liar” and “incompetent.”
There was also considerable back-and-forth about each other’s work backgrounds, current crime rates, office morale, management styles, and political affiliations.
In between arguments and personal attacks, though, the candidates managed to work in some policy debate, disagreeing on how the commonwealth’s attorney’s office (CA’s office) should handle cases involving police officers, where to allocate county funding, and how to best support victims of violent crimes.
Descano and Nuttle did find common ground on some issues. Both agreed they wouldn’t prosecute residents for getting an abortion or purchasing the pill mifepristone if those health care options were ever limited or outright banned.
The two also praised the Board of Supervisors for its continued funding of the top county prosecutor’s office over the last two budget cycles, though they diverged on how exactly the money should be used.
But the agreements were overshadowed by discord and name-calling from the two Democratic candidates.
One of the main areas of conversation was how the CA’s office works with victims of violent crimes. On his campaign website, Nuttall pledges to hire a “victim services liaison” if elected to ensure victims’ concerns are heard — a part of the job that he says Descano has “mismanaged.”
“There are zero communications between the victim services department and the police department and Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office,” Nuttall said. “They don’t get along. They don’t communicate. He doesn’t return their phone calls. He doesn’t return emails.”
When asked if he believes Descano is doing this purposefully, Nuttall said it’s more about not knowing how to do the job.
“I think he doesn’t know how to handle crime. I think he mismanages the office. I think he’s incompetent,” the challenger said.
Descano countered that he’s made the office more professional with more hires, while improving its electronic database. He’s focused on diversion programs, which he says have made community members safer and more trusting of the legal system. Descano also highlighted a bond data dashboard released last year as evidence of his office’s transparency.
“What we’ve done is…made [the office] run more efficiently, made it run better, made it run better for victims,” Descano said. “One thing that really bothers me about this race is that Ed Nuttall…is being the Republican that he is and has taken Republican talking points and, quite frankly disgustingly, is using victims in a way that is pretty gross.”
Nuttall accused Descano of creating so much disharmony between his office and the Fairfax County Police Department that dozens of officers have left the force, leaving the department understaffed and overwhelmed. He also said a number of prosecutors have departed due to Descano’s management style.
Descano disputed that assertion, noting that the FCPD has the largest recruiting class in more than a decade. He said his office staff has “doubled” with only a 6% vacancy rate. In addition, the office’s casework is greater.
“We are one of the few Commonwealth Attorney’s offices in the entire Commonwealth that handles both felony and misdemeanor crimes,” Descano said.
Nuttall said many of those hires were “non-legal, essentially political positions,” including several social media people.
“What he’s done is instead of using those resources for prosecuting violent felonies, he’s lost violent felonies on discovery violations,” Nuttall said. “He’s lost important cases. He’s retraumatized victims by failing to provide the essential services that he needs.”
Police shootings also came up, including the Feb. 22 fatal shooting of Timothy Johnson outside Tysons Corner Center. Last week, a grand jury opted not to indict the officer accused of firing the fatal shot. Descano said, in his mind, it remains “an open case” and is looking for a path forward, while Nuttall said he would stand by the decision the grand jury made.
In December, Descano announced he would seek reelection after his narrow 2019 victory. Two months later, Nuttall, a former county prosecutor turned private defense lawyer, declared he would challenge Descano in the Democratic primary.
The “Politics Hour” conversation showcased the vitriol between the two campaigns. Descano accused his challenger of seeking support from “MAGA, antisemitic conspiracy theorists” after Nuttall appears to have welcomed a donation from someone who was spouting antisemitic rhetoric.
Nuttall denied that the incident played out as described, saying he asked for a donation prior to the person’s offensive remarks and postings.
“I am not antisemitic. I am not MAGA,” Nuttall said. “I am not a Republican.”
The Democratic primary will be held on June 20, with early voting set to begin May 5.
The massive renovation of Lake Thoreau’s pool is likely to be completed by late August or early September.
Reston Association spokesperson Mike Leone told FFXnow that the renovation is on track to finish later in the summer. If it’s completed by early September, RA’s Board of Directors will determine if the pool will reopen this year, since only a few weeks would remain in the pool season.
“It is a timing issue,” Leone wrote in a statement.
So far, the project is roughly 65% complete, according to a recent Reston Today video, which is produced by RA.
The new, roughly $3.5 million facility will include a pool with six lap lanes, a ramp to provide ADA access, a redesigned deck, a larger 25-space parking lot, an overlook with a pollinator garden, and expanded bathhouses, which have been moved away from the spa.
The pool has been closed since 2020 and was scheduled to break ground two falls ago. In the latest update to the RA board, staff reported that the pool was roughly one month behind schedule.
Chris Schumaker, RA’s capital projects director, said work on ADA-compliant areas is underway. An ADA ramp will lead to the main area, and the future elevated deck will extend from the edge of the pool and overlook the lake area.
Schumaker also said an issue with the retaining wall prompted a relocation of the new spa — a move that allowed the area to become ADA-accessible and cover a larger footprint.
“Due to retaining wall issues on the site, we had to relocate the spa,” Schumaker said.
The bathhouse has also been fully gutted, leading towards the 400-square-foot addition’s completion. It will also include a family bathroom.
In the fifth and last phase of RA’s pool season, only three pools are open from Sept. 5 through Sept. 24.
A developer that filed a plan for a new Reston Regional Library and affordable housing in the Reston Town Center North area is challenging Fairfax County’s handling of its procurement process in court.
The complaint, filed by Reston Civic Core LLC late last year, is being litigated even after developer Foulger-Pratt withdrew its offer of a public-private partnership for the same area — a move that leaves no immediate option for the redevelopment.
Foulger-Pratt offered an unsolicited proposal in October 2021 under the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act to redevelop two properties with up to 350 affordable apartments and a new library on land owned by the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
The county and FCHRA declined to comment, given that the issue is under active litigation.
“As a matter of policy, we don’t comment on matters in litigation,” said Linda Hoffman, a county spokeswoman.
In addition to retaining 30 units at Bowman Towne Court, Norton Scott’s plan called for 324 affordable housing units and a new library on mostly county-owned property next to the Bowman Towne Center property. It also included a public plaza, homeless shelter, performing arts amenities, and above-ground parking for the Hunter Mill District Supervisor’s Office and the police department.
The complaint formally alleges that the county violated Dillon’s rule and urges the county to accept its application for consideration. It also calls on the court to cancel the interim agreement with Foulger-Pratt — which has since been canned.
The county issued a call for competing proposals — as required by law. Norton Scott’s competing plan was rejected.
The county moved to sign an interim agreement with Foulger-Pratt in July, but the agreement was voided in February. Foulger-Pratt cited “significantly higher construction costs and recent interest rate hikes” as the primary reasons for scrapping the proposal.
Norton Scott argues that the because the proposal publicly posted by the county had 74 of 188 pages fully redacted, it barred the developer from developing an understanding of its competition.
“As a result of the heavily-redacted proposal, it was impossible for potential offers to gain a clear understanding of what the county sought when it invited competing proposals of the project,” the complaint says. “The lack of transparency runs counter to the principles of open competition and access to information that are at the foundation of public procurements.”
The developer also alleges that the county did not not formally reject its proposal and instead “determined that the proposal will not be accepted for detailed review,” according to legal documents.
“Under the PPEA, after accepting the proposal or consideration, the county was without authority to reverse course and not accept the proposal for consideration,” the complaint states.
At a later point, the county then stated the proposal was “ineligible for review.”
A task force with various stakeholders is currently examining key issues in Reston Town Center North.
Chelsea Rao, a senior vice president with Norton Scott, said it seems that the development’s team solution is not being considered at all.
“It seems silly that there is a task force looking for a solution that is not considering the option we have proposed,” Rao said.
The case is currently in the discovery phase.
County’s Last Bed Bath & Beyond to Close — After three Fairfax County locations closed earlier this year, Bed Bath & Beyond’s recent bankruptcy filing means the last holdout in Bailey’s Crossroads will soon follow suit. With all 360 remaining stores shuttering by June 30, sales after tomorrow (Wednesday) will be final, and stores will stop accepting gift cards on May 8. [Annandale Today]
Motorcyclist Dies in Crash on I-66 — “A 29-year-old motorcyclist died late Friday night after a crash on Interstate 66 in Fairfax County, Virginia State Police say. Jeffrey R. Armstrong, of Sterling, was driving a 2006 Suzuki GSX east on I-66 near mile marker 50 at around 11:25 p.m. Friday when police said the cycle rear ended a 2003 Honda Odyssey, ejecting him from the bike.” [WTOP]
Former FCPD Officer in Taser Incident Hired in Minneapolis — “A former Fairfax County police officer, who was charged with assault in June 2020 after bodycam video showed him arriving and quickly firing his Taser at a disoriented Black man, is now under investigation by the Minnesota police department that hired him.” [FOX5]
New Guidance Issued on Covid Vaccines — “On April 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced simplified COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.” As of Friday (April 21), Virginia has implemented the new rules allowing “individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness to receive an optional additional dose of the updated (bivalent) mRNA vaccine.” [Fairfax County Health Department]
Virginia Driver’s Licenses Get New, More Secure Design — “New driver’s license and ID card designs are rolling out in Virginia starting today, the Commonwealth’s Department of Motor Vehicles announced Monday. The design features the Richmond Capitol building’s rotunda dome, an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly (the state insect), and an American Dogwood (the state flower).” [DCist]
Sen. Warner Discusses Issues Affecting Korean American Community — “In a meeting with the Korean community in Annandale April 22, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) spoke about issues ranging from the need to support local businesses to the reunification of Korea. Warner said he supports initiatives to help small businesses gain access to capital, increased investments in education and affordable housing, and efforts to crack down on hate crimes against Asians.” [Annandale Today]
Virginia Resumes Grading Schools on Absenteeism — “During the pandemic, the state suspended using a school’s chronic absenteeism rate as a factor in measuring school performance. But this week, the Virginia Board of Education shot down a proposal to extend that suspension to the 2022-2023 school year, meaning that for the first time since classrooms went virtual, attendance will be considered in school accreditation.” [The Washington Post]
Reston Library to Hold Book Sale This Week — “This is our largest one, typically held twice a year at Reston Regional. We offer 35-40,000 items, in over 20 categories. There are NO children’s books at these sales.” After a preview tomorrow, the sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday (April 30). [Friends of Reston Regional Library]
It’s Tuesday — Broken clouds. Cool. High of 61 and low of 41. Sunrise at 6:18 am and sunset at 7:54 pm. [Weather.gov]
Reston Hospital Center collected the most drugs during the Fairfax County Police Department’s annual national prescription drug take back day on Saturday (April 22).
The hospital’s location, one of eight drop-off sites, collected a whopping 226 pounds — far more than the 127 pounds collected by the second-place sites: West Springfield and Fair Oaks.
The FCPD partners with the Drug Enforcement Administration every year to collect expired and unused over-the-counter and prescription drugs from community members through drop-off sites across the county. This year, a total of 761 pounds were collected.
A breakdown of collections by each drop-off site is available below:
- Sully: 83 pounds
- Mount Vernon: 35 pounds
- McLean: 42 pounds
- Mason: 80 pounds
- Franconia: 41 pounds
- West Springfield: 127 pounds
- Fair Oaks: 127 pounds
“This important initiative addresses vital safety and public health issues,” the FCPD said. “Unused or expired over the counter or prescription medicine left unsecured can be prone to misuse and may contribute to overdoses and accidental poisonings.”
Drug take-back boxes are available around the year at each police station. Accepted items include prescription medication (schedule II-V controlled and non-controlled), prescription ointments, over-the-counter medications, and medications for pets.
Prohibited items include needles (sharps), liquids of any kind, illegal drugs, non-prescription ointments and lotions, aerosol cans, and inhalers, according to the police department.
A 12.5% salary increase for police officers will be under discussion later this week for inclusion in Fairfax County’s upcoming budget.
Other items under consideration in the mark-up package include more money for ArtsFairfax, funding for girls’ softball facilities, and establishing a self-help resource center in the Fairfax Courthouse library.
In many years, shifting revenue, expense, and administrative cost estimates enable adjustments to the advertised budget presented in February, opening up funding for some initially unaddressed items.
County Executive Bryan Hill left about $90.2 million in unallocated funds in the fiscal year 2024 advertised budget, but with adjustments, that has now risen to $110.4 million.
As a result, supervisors are able to submit items to be considered at a pre-markup discussion by the Board of Supervisors’ budget policy committee on Friday (April 28) and a mark-up session with the full board on May 2.
Seven items were submitted for the mark-up package, totaling about $26.5 million.
The biggest ask, by far, is a 12.5% salary increase for police officers at rank of second lieutenant and below from Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity. The raises would cost $26.2 million and come in addition to the 2% market rate adjustment increase already in the budget.
“Budgets should be about priorities and public safety is a priority. We are short about 200 officers; we have had to disband many of our specialty units to staff patrol, and changed shifts which have had a negative impact on our current officers,” Herrity told FFXnow. “It is past time to address a staffing shortage we have seen coming for many years. We can address the public staffing crisis without increasing the tax burden on our residents.”
He added that he’s “very optimistic” the board will approve at least some level of salary increase, if not the full 12.5%.
Last year, the county gave raises to certain public safety workers as part of the mark-up package, but it was a step increase and cost the county $6.1 million.
Herrity also is proposing to reduce supervisor office support budgets by $1.1 million, the same amount it was increased by in last year’s budget.
“This is a microcosm for the illogical spending in our County. Last year, no one answered my question about who proposed the $1.1 million increase for Board office budgets,” Herrity said. “We certainly do not need increased staff budgets, certainly not on top of the 38% salary increase. The money would be better spent focusing on improving access and customer service by county agencies as Board staff spend about 75% of their time helping residents with services.”
Also set to be considered is a proposal from Board Chairman Jeff McKay and Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw to provide $300,00 to reduce the “disparity between girls’ fastpitch softball and boys’ baseball facilities.”
In February, the two requested funding after a recent study revealed a widening gap in the quality and quantity of fields in the county available for softball compared to baseball. The supervisors asked for $1.7 million in one-time funding and a recurring cost of $300,000 for consideration in this year’s budget.
Other items that will be considered at the mark-up sessions in the coming weeks include:
- Expanding the Opportunity Neighborhoods initiative into Centreville at a cost of $413,000
- Establishing a self-help resource center within the law library at the Fairfax County Courthouse at a cost of $96,000
- An increase of $200,000 to ArtsFairfax for operating expenses
- Providing $350,000 to nonprofit projects that make home repairs and accessibility modifications so low and moderate-income households who are aging or disabled can stay in their homes
The 2024 fiscal year budget is set to be adopted on May 9.
An IT contractor headquartered in Reston’s South Lakes area has agreed to pay over $435,000 to settle a federal investigation that found racial discrimination in its hiring practices.
Intelligent Waves LLC allegedly engaged in “systemic hiring discrimination” against 14 Black applicants who sought work in Arizona and Nevada as test instrumentation technicians, the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced Friday (April 21).
The allegations were raised by a “routine” compliance investigation that took place between Nov. 5, 2019 and Aug. 31, 2021, according to a news release.
Investigators found violations of Executive Order 11246, which prohibits discrimination by federal contractors, by personnel at the company’s Reston headquarters (1801 Robert Fulton Drive, Suite 440) who were responsible for filling the technician positions.
“OFCCP identified a statistically significant disparity (equivalent to a shortfall of five (5)), not otherwise explained, in the hiring of Black Test Instrumentation Technician applicants on the basis of their race,” the office says in the compliance agreement.
The OFCCP also found that Intelligent Waves failed to preserve accurate employment records and implement an audit system to monitor the effectiveness of its affirmative action program during the investigation period, according to the agreement.
“Our settlement with Intelligent Waves reflects our commitment to preventing hiring discrimination and holding federal contractors accountable when they fail to ensure equal employment opportunity,” Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Mid-Atlantic Regional Director Sam Maiden said.
Launched in 2006, Intelligent Waves provides cybersecurity, data science, network & systems engineering and software development services. Its clients include the Air Force, NASA, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the General Services Administration, according to the labor department.
Per the compliance agreement, the company “neither admits nor denies” any violations of the federal government’s nondiscrimination rules.
According to Intelligent Waves, the discrimination allegations stem from “a single position and an incident that transpired almost three years ago, resulting from a record-keeping error when Intelligent Waves was a small business.”
The company says it hasn’t employed the people involved since 2022 and started “implementing measures” to ensure compliance with federal rules as soon as it became aware of the error.
“Intelligent Waves has a long history of providing an equitable and inclusive workplace for all employees, exceeding industry averages for diversity and veteran employment, and has maintained a strong anti-discrimination policy since its founding,” Intelligent Waves said in a statement, noting that it was listed among the D.C. area’s top corporate diversity employers last year by the Washington Business Journal.
However, as part of the settlement, Intelligent Waves has agreed to not only provide $435,368 in back pay and interest to the 14 affected individuals, but also give them priority for a job offer if there are future test instrumentation technician vacancies.
The contractor is also required to evaluate its hiring policies and procedures for the position and train employees involved in hiring on any changes.
All of the settlement funds must be distributed by Feb. 20, 2024, and the company must give the OFCCP a progress report on its hiring practices by April 1, 2024, per a timeline in the agreement. The office has a Class Member Locator with information for anyone who thinks they’re eligible for relief.
Photo via Cytonn Photography/Unsplash
Bijan Ghaisar’s Family to Settle Lawsuit Over Shooting — “The family of Bijan Ghaisar, shot dead by two U.S. Park Police officers as he slowly drove his Jeep Grand Cherokee away from them in 2017, agreed to settle their lawsuit against the agency for $5 million, according to a court filing Friday.” The agreement still needs to be approved by a judge. [The Washington Post]
Fatal Crash in Chantilly Under Investigation — “A 39-year-old man died in a car crash in Chantilly, Virginia Saturday morning after speeding away from a DWI checkpoint, according to Fairfax County Police. Around 1:15 a.m. officers responded to a two-car crash near the intersection of Lee Highway and Bull Run Post Office Road. Once on scene, they found a man, later identified as Ashton Robinson, who had been thrown from his car.” [WUSA9]
Scotts Run Fire Station Unveils Official Patch — “Introducing the official station patch of Station 44, Scott’s Run! The design captures a few of the area’s features, including the unique and still evolving skyline and a Metro train. It highlights all three apparatus assigned to the station, and includes an NFPA 704 placard representing membership in the Hazardous Materials Response Team.” [FCFRD/Facebook]
TV Behind Fire at Centreville Townhouse — Investigators have determined that a townhouse fire on April 19 in the 14600 block of Seasons Drive started in the living room after an “electrical event involving a flat panel television.” Four people and three dogs were displaced by the fire, which caused about $30,000 in property damages. [FCFRD]
Three Arrested for Retail Fraud in Tysons — “On March 23, our Tysons Urban Team (TUT) was alerted to multiple traveling organized retail theft groups performing fraudulent purchases and returns in a neighboring jurisdiction. The next day, TUT officers observed three men at Tysons Corner Center making fraudulent merchandise returns. The men were arrested with 5 fraudulent ID’s, 154 items of merchandise valued at $33k, and 35 gift cards valued at $20k.” [FCPD/Facebook]
Vienna Considers Lower Tax Rate — “A lower real estate tax rate is being considered in Vienna as a public hearing approaches on Monday, April 24. Town Manager Mercury Payton’s 2023-2024 budget proposal calls for reducing the rate from 20.5 cents per $100 of assessed value to 20.25 cents per $100 of assessed value…However, Town Council is considering an even lower rate than what was proposed — 19.5 cents per $100 of assessed value.” [Patch]
Virginia High School Athletes May Be Able to Make Money — “The Virginia High School League is moving toward allowing high school athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness.” An executive committee unanimously recommended a proposal in January that would let athletes make money by selling autographs, making personal appearances, and other means. The proposal is scheduled to get a second vote on May 3. [Inside NoVA]
Workhouse “LOVE” Sign Gets New Look — “The LOVEworks sign at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton has a fresh new look thanks to the meticulous work of fiber artist Marisela Rumberg. Rumberg, a native of Mexico and award-winning quilter who has had an art studio at the Workhouse since 2015, specializes in free-motion quilting and Zentangle — a form of abstract art based on structured patterns.” [On the MoVe]
It’s Monday — Afternoon clouds. Refreshingly cool. High of 60 and low of 42. Sunrise at 6:19 am and sunset at 7:53 pm. [Weather.gov]
O, muse, send me your cleverest rhymes, your liveliest verses and most starry-eyed odes to nightingales.
So says Fairfax County Public Library, as time ticks down on its second annual poetry contest.
Launched on April 1, in time with the start of National Poetry Month, the Poetic Musings competition invites anyone who lives, works or studies in the county to submit a poem for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card, a certificate and a moment in the limelight.
The contest was first held in 2022 as part of the library system’s year-long celebration of literacy, FCPL Director Jessica Hudson says.
“We were thrilled with the participation last year!” Hudson told FFXnow by email. “FCPL supports literacy in all its forms, including poetry, and plans to continue with some of its Year of Literacy initiatives, including the poetry contest.”
Where last year’s contest focused on the theme of love, the 2023 version is accepting one or two-page poems written in the specific styles of free verse, rhymes or odes. Two teen and adult winners will be chosen from each style by a panel of judges that includes 2022-2024 Fairfax County Poet Laureate Danielle Badra.
Participants must be at least 15 years old and a resident, worker or student in the county. The window for online submissions will close on May 7.
The winners will be announced on June 5 and get a celebration on June 29 at Burke Centre Library (5935 Freds Oak Road), where they’ll read their poems.
In addition to the poetry contest, Fairfax County has been marking National Poetry Month with video readings by professional poets, local elected officials and other community members.
ArtsFairfax also collaborated with the Fairfax County Park Authority to kick off Badra’s “Poetry in the Parks” initiative with an Arab-American Heritage Month poetry reading last Saturday (April 15). The event at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly drew around 50 attendees, including 12-15 people who stayed for a workshop after the readings, the local arts agency says.
Upcoming “Poetry in the Parks” events include a Pride Month poetry reading at Ellanor Lawrence Park on June 24 and a “Poetry Beneath the Stars” event on Aug. 19 at Turner Farm Park in Great Falls.
The Tephra Institute of Contemporary Arts (Tephra ICA) annual arts festival will return to Reston Town Center on May 20 through 21.
The event — formerly known as the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival — brings together more than 200 contemporary artists and artisans from around the country to present artwork in front of audiences.
This year, more than 200 artists from 32 states across the U.S. and Canada will take part in the event.
“This community event is an incredible opportunity to have direct contact with great contemporary artists and artisans,” Tephra ICA Associate Curator and Festival Director Hannah Barco said. “One doesn’t often get a chance to meet the artist while looking at their work, and that’s what this event is all about. Then when you decide to bring that work home, you’re not just making a purchase, you’re continuing a relationship with that artist.”
Hoesy Corona, a Baltimore-based queer Latino artist, will perform a site-specific artwork that explores the immigrant experience. It is presented by Reston Community Center.
This year’s festival will also feature the launch of Reston Town Center Association’s annual Reston Concerts on the Town series, which was canceled last year because the town center’s pavilion was undergoing renovations.
“There is something for everyone at the Tephra ICA Arts Festival. Artwork in more than 10 mediums, live performances, family friendly art activities, and more,” Jaynelle Hazard, executive director and curator of Tephra ICA, said in a statement. “This year, we’re thrilled for the addition of a free, public concert…The concert will take place on Saturday evening, and we look forward to welcoming new audiences to the event.”
Here’s the planned schedule of events for the festival:
Saturday, May 20
- Artist Booths: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Family Art Park: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Sponsored by Microsoft
- Hoesy Corona Performances: 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. | Presented by Reston Community Center
- Festival Cocktail Hour and Award Ceremony: 6:30 p.m. | Sponsored by the Hyatt
- Reston Concerts on the Town: Dance Candy! 7:30 p.m. | Presented by Reston Town Center Association
Sunday, May 21
- Artist Booths: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Family Art Park: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Hoesy Corona Performances: 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Reminder: County Libraries Closed Today — “All FCPL branches will be closed…Friday, April 21 for Staff Day so all FCPL employees can participate in professional development. Regular hours will resume Saturday, April 22.” [FCPL]
New Social Studies Standards Approved for Virginia Schools — “After more than eight months of debate, the Virginia Board of Education reached a compromise and approved new guidance for what students will learn in history and social studies classes from kindergarten through 12th grade…The standards will require, for the first time, that Virginia students to be taught about racism” [The Washington Post]
Pet Emergency Room Opens in Pimmit Hills — “Veterinary Emergency Group celebrated the grand opening of its first Virginia hospital in Falls Church this week. The new pet clinic at 7500 Leesburg Pike, Suite 11, offers emergency care in veterinary medicine, including surgeries, ultrasounds, x-rays and more.” [Inside NoVA]
Reston Contractor Joins Race to Design Lunar Rover — The IT and engineering company Leidos, which is headquartered at Reston Town Center, has partnered with NASCAR to design a Lunar Terrain Vehicle that could be deployed on the moon. After the Artemis I launch on Nov. 16, 2022, the company has submitted a bid to develop a landing system that will be “a critical component of NASA’s efforts to establish a sustainable presence on the moon.” [NASCAR]
Metro Unveils New Train Design Concepts — “New renderings of Metro’s 8000-series train cars show the transit agency is switching up the trains’ seating configuration, moving forward with the open gangway concept, and adding a touch of D.C. flair to the design.” The first of 256 ordered trains are projected to arrive in 2025. [DCist]
No Messing With Fawns This Spring, Police Warn — “Spring is here and with it the onset of fawning season. The Fairfax County Police Department is warning residents to leave the fawns alone for the welfare of the animals. Beginning May 1, the rehabilitation of fawns in Fairfax County is prohibited.” [WUSA9]
County Farmers Markets Aim to Produce No Waste — “Ringing in a new farmers market season at Mount Vernon with Supervisor Storck and FCPA Executive Director Jai Cole! This year, Fairfax County Park Authority is implementing zero waste at the markets by giving out compostable plastic and reusable canvas bags.” [FCPA/Facebook]
Halley Rise Developer Defaults on $161 Million Loan — “The mortgage, partially backed by seven Brookfield Properties-owned Class B office buildings, the majority in Rockville, was transferred to a special servicer on March 14…Brookfield has dozens of properties in the region, including huge mixed-use projects in D.C.’s The Yards and Reston’s Halley Rise.” [Washington Business Journal]
It’s Friday — Sunny. High of 88 and low of 58. Sunrise at 6:23 am and sunset at 7:51 pm. [Weather.gov]
