Letter to the Editor: Missing Hardison
We have lost a real advocate for keeping our youth safe and drug free. Cliff Hardison was a member of the board of directors for the Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County, and he was committed to working with youth and the community in efforts to discourage and prevent underage alcohol and binge drinking, and marijuana and prescription drug abuse. His West Potomac High School was among the first to have students join our UPC Youth Council, and his leadership and support will be greatly missed. Our UPC board will be considering an appropriate way to honor Cliff’s memory.
Letter to the Editor: Reunion’s Success
The Fort Hunt High School Alumni Association is extremely proud of our alumni, former teachers and administrators and parents for their enthusiastic participation in the school's 50th Anniversary Celebration. Two solid years of planning ensured a great event, but luck had something to do with it as well. Our 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. event had a thunderstorm at 5:12 p.m., after most had left. The success of the three-day, 10 location event is the result of dozens of volunteers and their hard work. Special thanks go to Terry Alers, Patti Miller, Harriet Singleton, Lisa McDonald, Tom Harvey, Jocelyn Folsom, Jim Erb, Jim Carmalt, Bob Suggs, John Harris and dozens of other volunteers and sponsors. The Fort Hunt High School Alumni Association
Editorial: Enjoy Tax Holiday, Donate School Supplies
Good timing to help those in need.
It is debatable whether recurring tax holidays for different seasonal needs are good policy. But since this weekend is Virginia’s tax holiday on school supplies and clothing, it makes sense to take advantage of the savings, and to spread the wealth around. The savings are more significant this year with the new sales tax increases in effect as of July 1.
Letter to the Editor: Promote Healthy Eating, Not Supplements
I echo Del. Scott Surovell’s call for Governor McDonnell’s resignation in his July 13 Dixie Pig blog http://scottsurovell.blogspot.com/2013/07/its-time-to-move-on-governor-mcdonnell.html#more. However, I come to my conclusion from the perspective as a dietitian and diabetes educator. I practice my trade using research-based evidence and recommend that people eat healthy to manage and prevent disease by choosing and preparing real foods, not by taking supplements.
Letter to the Editor: Complete Easy Solutions
What in the world are our elected representatives doing talking about another $1M study to figure out what to do about Route 1 traffic between the Beltway and Fort Belvoir? During the past 20 years, Senator Puller has sponsored at least two $1M studies about what to do to improve the traffice on Route 1. So far more than $4 million has been spent on studies. There are immediate, much less costly solutions that this money could be used for.
To the Editor: Investigation Not Complete
On July 13, Del. Scott Surovell (D-44th District) posted his views on his blog regarding recent allegations concerning Governor Robert McDonnell. Delegate Surovell called upon the Governor to resign at this time and opined that he didn't want anyone to interpret his previous silence as acquiescence to alleged actions on the part of the Governor. In so doing, he quoted state Sen. Chap Petersen although not revealing that Senator Petersen is his law partner.
To the Editor: Preserving Neighborhoods
Highlighted in Mr. Pope's article [“Extend the Yellow Liine?” The Gazette, July 11] on the transit study for the Route 1 corridor is Jayna Reeder's comment that “... we moved away from the city, so we don't have to have big buildings around our neighborhood.” Ms. Reeder, the big buildings are there: Home Depot, Costco, Aldi, etc. Supervisor McKay, in the article's online version, commented that there are ways to develop transit that “... don't detonate a community and don't turn it into Tysons Corner.” The community has already detonated, Mr. McKay. There is no community to speak of along the corridor itself, because you can't interact very much with your fellow man unless you're out of your car.
To the Editor: Police Oversight Board: When?
The Virginia Citizens Coalition for Police Accountability, Inc. is a statewide pro-police citizens advocacy group with its primary goal being to make Virginia a better and safer place for all its citizens. In Fairfax County, the CCPA has proposed that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors appoint a Citizen Complaint Oversight Board to investigate citizen allegations of police abuse, misconduct, negligence and civil rights violations and report its findings and recommendations to the Chief of Police.
Editorial: Share Wisdom With Newcomers and Others
The Connection's Newcomers and Community Guide publishes in late August.
Our Insider's Edition Newcomers and Community Guides, will publish the last week of August. What tips do you have for someone getting to know your community? We're hoping to share the places, activities, events, organizations and volunteer opportunities your neighbors might not know about. What great places and activities do you want your new neighbors to know about? Events that should not be missed? Organizations that do a great job? Places to volunteer? Tips for navigating your PTA or your school’s front office? We'd love to have your photos to go along with your suggestions.
Letter: Climate Change
An Existential Threat
To the Editor: It would be difficult to overstate the importance of the president’s bold new plan to cope with climate change, through maximum use of his executive authority to by-pass GOP obstructionism.
Editorial: More Than Disclosure Needed for Virginia
Time for limits on campaign contributions as well.
At least until after November’s election, most candidates in Virginia seem to think that there should be some reform to Virginia’s campaign finance and disclosure rules. At least it seems likely that most will support expanding disclosure rules to require disclosure of gifts to immediate family members as well as candidates/officials.
Letter to the Editor: Ready For Flight
As of the date of publication, the two osprey chicks in the Little Hunting Creek OspreyCam nest are over 50 days old. As reported by the Georgian Bay Osprey Society (http://www.gbosprey.ca/About.html), osprey chicks typically begin flying at 50-60 days, so we are about to witness their first aerial efforts.
Commentary: Much To Cherish This Fourth of July
Two-hundred thirty-seven years ago, Thomas Jefferson put down his pen and sent the Declaration of Independence to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. It was a steamy July day and after two days of debate and edits they emerged with the document we hold so dear and celebrate this week. A philosophical treatise and declaration to King George, it begins “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Commentary: Distracted Driving Can Be Reckless
On July 1, a new Virginia Law goes into effect makes it clear that writing or reading emails or text messages is now a primary offense for which a driver may be stopped. The law also makes clear that if someone is convicted of reckless driving and texting/emailing while driving, there is a mandatory minimum fine of $250.
Letter to the Editor: Unsatisfactory Response
Thank you for your reply to my letter of June 3; although I must say your reply, if anything, gives me even more concern than I felt before, and I didn’t think that was possible. You say in your reply that “In response to a march 29, 2011, Board Item to establish a review process for the Fairfax County Police Department, the county’s Internal Audit Office issed a report” and that I could look up the report on the county’s website.