Gunston Revolution
Report by Floyd Harrison, Publisher
The management of Gunston Hall, Lorton’s own claim to U.S. history, is under great turmoil and scrutiny so that sweeping change is in the wind. If you go there to visit, about all you notice is how quiet it is but that is the symptom of what many call mismanagement going back years. Here’s a little background and the forecast.
The conflict, which noticeably started with Director David Reese’s firing of the head of the Educational function in a way that was deemed unjust by some, has gotten quite nasty, with residents and volunteers calling for Reese’s removal, to Reese threatening to sue the State, to First Regent Wylie Raab firing the Board of Advisors, and finally, to a legislative meeting to reign in the unchecked powers of management at Gunston Hall. Actually, the discontent started years before over Reese’s management method. Basically, handing control of a State Educational facility to a selection of Colonial Dames has not been an effective idea. There’s no motivation for growth.
As bad as it looks for David Reese, he is not alone in unpopular decisions. First Regent Wylie Raab told Lorton Valley Star that David Reese has done a good job of effecting the vision of the Board of Regents. In so saying, she accepted full responsibility for the attitudes that govern Gunston Hall. There was also a Board of Advisors made up of prominent Lorton Citizens, who when they demonstrated objection by 11 of the 15 of them asking for her resignation this Spring, were summarily fired and disbanded.
Neither, Reese, Raab or most of the Regents are from Virginia. Rich, powerful, out of state people are dictating operation of a State facility and running rough-shod over the State, Mason Neck, Gunston Hall and it’s employees, while doing a good job of building a case against themselves for abuse.
Under this control, the visitation of Gunston Hall has declined dramatically in the past few years. All that remains is local school tours making up half of the yearly traffic. The e-mails to secure wide area school summer trips never went out this Spring. While Mount Vernon built a threshing barn, Gunston Hall tore their barn down. While Mount Vernon installed invisible fences and got rescue hounds to protect the crops and animals, Gunston Hall got rid of the Farm Manager and the historic breeds of farm animals. The Senior Center used to bus over to have lunch at the now terminated catering operation.
It seems they are happy to keep a quiet museum with few exceptional activities to be bothered with and few out buildings or fences to be maintained. Oh, sure, Reese likes the kite festival. It seems that they don’t want to work for support, they’d rather just have it handed to them with the prestige. If they run it down any more, it won’t carry prestige. But, being fair, according to Raab, Director Reese has done a good job of administering the Regent’s failed policies and has never had a chance to direct under a more aggressive business growth policy at Gunston Hall.
Concerned citizens who showed up at the Town Hall meeting with the State Secretary of Education, Gerard Robinson from the Governor’s office must feel that it accomplished nothing and that all has gone quiet but that’s not true. Virginian’s want their historic site back in control of Virginians. Reese will not sue the State because it would reveal much that that he would have to contest. But, also the Governor will not actually fire Reese this year because of feared legal conflict with unclear founding documents. A few responsible citizens continue to work the problem, however.
There was a recent meeting of Lorton citizens, and State legislators. They have a plan in principle. Legislation is being drafted By Toddy Puller and Dave Albo to better define the governing structure of Gunston Hall to make clear that the governor has sole authority to determine who the executive director is. Further, it will delineate the responsibilities of the Board of Regents, the Board of Visitors and the Board of Advisors. This will effectively limit the powers of the Regents and reinstate the fired Board of Advisors by statute, defining it’s membership so that the Regents can’t simply do away with the irritation. The details are not released but, Of course, this would not become law until next year but the Gunston rulers will be able to see the hand writing on the wall just as King Belshazzar did. (Daniel)
The comfortable cosy absolute power to keep things quiet and low maintenance over there may be near an end. The museum mentality has not been effective or popular. The educational function is curtailed. Meanwhile, the Museum Shop maintains operation on low visitation. That can be visited without admission to the historic site and is a convenient gift source for Mason Neck, Lorton. It really is a nice little shop. Residents should stop over to browse a unique selection, learn about Lorton’s founding statesman, author of the Virginia Bill of Rights and scholar behind the national Bill of Rights, and to see for themselves how this site does not boom like Mount Vernon. Next year should be different.
Meadowood Scoping Meeting, Different
By Floyd Harrison, Publisher
The horse boarding citizens and the who’s who of Lorton met at the Laurel Hill Golf Club house to discuss the future of Meadowood Recreation area and specifically the maintenance of the public horse boarding barn there. This was yet another scoping meeting and no plan was presented as some had hoped. In fact, the new Meadowood manager for Bureau of Land Management, E. Lynn Burket, refused to hint at any decisions until all of the comments can be gathered.
Supervisor Gerry Highland and Elynn as she is called, presided over the meeting June 28, which was orderly with a few emotional moments. Gerry said that he is comfortable that we are heading in a good direction. Elynn apologized for the Bureau’s past failures resulting in a lack of trust. She wants ideas, suggestions and questions from the Lorton Community. She said, if you comment that you like something or not to say why. When the meeting began to degenerate into a discussion about contract versus concession, Marvin Miller, as he is recognized for doing, put the meeting back on track reminding the assembly what question they were to there for.
Elynn went on to enumerate the areas in which the evaluation of the present stable barn shows deficiency and yet are correctable. She trumpets the cause of safety and the requirement for a new fire sprinkler system. Following on the safety theme is what she calls a ‘rats nest’ electrical system. Of course, you don’t usually see so much of an electrical system; Pretty isn’t an issue. Rusted BX cable is replacable. Everyone knows about the roof that’s been leaking and that the boarding fees were increased two years ago to cover that. Ventilation is not up to par with standard facilities but the boarders aren’t complaining about that.
Another issue, BLM insists is ADA standards, but Simple Changes Therapeutic Riding has been serving a disabled clientele for six years. It never will be a place that non-amblitory citizens should hang out. There’s more to it than just riding. You have to be, not strong, but agile to handle and care for a horse. Clients must be assisted into the saddle. An ADA bathroom would be a comforting addition as the current accommodation is a handicapped porta potty which is even more uncomfortable than the barn.
The stable barn is 34 years old, the last ten has been in BLM care. However, in just the last year, three separate engineering evaluations have been done so that the safety deficiencies are in full view and BLM must deal with them. There is money to upgrade the building but they aren’t rushing to make the repairs. The expressed concern is that some of the posts will need to be replaced limiting the future service life of the building. A few posts can be replaced giving the structure a shot at another decade of use. This would be more than enough time to plan, fund and construct a modern facility in which a properly ventilated stable is separate from a simple covered show arena of proper Dressage scale.
However, by not making the repairs and not accepting new boarders, BLM is turning down fourteen thousand dollars a month, about 160 thousand dollars a year just for stalls while the public subsidizes operation costs. Meanwhile the operation contractor, Allison Mills and a riding lesson business languish for lack of business.
So, public comment is wanted and needed about future use of the 800 acres of public recreation area and about the horse stable barn for private boarded horses as well as for the non-profit Therapeutic Riding program. Some turned in comments at the meeting but comments are invited by Friday, July 29. Ideas, suggestions, comments, or questions can be in a card or letter to E. Lynn Burkett, Lower Potomac Field Station, Bureau of Land Management, 10406 Gunston Road, Lorton, VA 22079 or by E-mail to <es_meadowood@es.blm.gov>, with the subject line: BARN
Handouts at the door were a sheet defining the points of discussion, an explanation of the NEPA process, (environmental red tape) and a reprint of the legislative amendment establishing the land swap that put BLM in control of Ed Lynch’s Meadowood Farm. The problem is, as even Elynn said herself, BLM doesn’t want to be in the domestic horse business. Their emphasis is land and mustang adoptions. It seems that perhaps the Park Service which operates, through a concession agreement Rock Creek Equestrian Center, would have been a better candidate for care of the Meadowood land because they are more about people and not so much about land.
Steve Abernathy of the Army Old Guard Casson Platoon which has used Meadowood and shows on occasions of wild horse adoptions, spoke up saying that he hopes private boarders at Meadowood can get a solution from BLM but if negotiations with BLM fell through that they were interested in taking over the Meadowood equestrian facility. Apparently, they were one of the contenders for the land ten years ago when the land swap was first negotiated and now wait for BLM’s operation to fail which was not a comforting thought for the boarders as the Army would not accommodate private boarders.
The meeting was well attended with over 150 guests signed in but many accompanying those did not sign in plus all the experts and government aids. The number was probably over 200.
Supervisor Hyland wrapped up the meeting by summarizing the views of the vast majority of people in the room: Keep Meadowood open, restoring the boarding facility - with a healthy mix of boarding, lessons and therapeutic riding result one way or the other. It is a service and a venue that the community wants and values and it brings needed jobs and revenue to Lorton. No, one expressed opposition to the continuation of private boarding. The discussion was mostly only about how to achieve that given the current situation and budget.
Then a small meeting after the announced meeting to patch-up relations with Supervisor Hyland, the barn manager, a representative for the boarders, and the principles of Simple Changes Therapeutic Riding was held.
As they used to say: “Keep those cards and letters coming in boys and girls.”
Legion Auxiliary Completes Walk for Breast Cancer
by Jen Donohue and Marv Rodney
Eleven members of Lorton American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Unit 162 participated in the 9th annual Washington, D.C. Avon Walk for Breast Cancer April 30 – May 1. This year’s event raised over five million dollars to advance access for care and to find a cure for Breast Cancer. There were over 2,200 participants from 47 states, including 215 survivors. The ALA Unit 162 participation culminated a year of fund raising events both at the Post Home and local restaurants, raising $25,000.00. The Unit’s members have raised a total of $89,000.00 the past five years to help and support finding a cure. Although the names and faces on the team change, their goal remains the same: “Let’s Find the Cure” using the motto, “In It to End It.” Upon their return from the 39+ miles walk, Post 162 Commander Sam Ramseur presented the team with an elaborate plaque in recognition of their participation, dedication, determination, and drive in support of this most important endeavor.
The following Unit members walked in this year’s event: Kerri Owens, Jen Donohue, Kelly Owens, Debi Douglas, Sandy Haynes, Alba Ocasio-Mooney, Tammy Clark, Christie Waddell McLaughlin, Tabitha Yaksima, Gina Barrington and Vickie Pickering, Team Captain.
If you are interested in joining the Unit 162 Legion Ladies Avon Walk next year, please contact Unit President Jen Donohue or Unit 162 PR Officer Vickie Pickering at the Post Home (703-690-1107).
Lorton American Legion Auxiliary Unit 162 Continues Tradition
By Marv Rodney, American Legion Department PR Chair
The women of Lorton American Legion Auxiliary Unit 162 sponsored a luncheon for Veterans living at the Armed Forces Retirement Home – Washington (formerly the Veterans Old Soldiers and Airmen’s Home) on Wednesday, May 18, at the Post 162 home facility. Over 50 members of the Armed Forces Retirement Home attended the luncheon and were treated to an outstanding early Memorial Day celebration of an outstanding lunch along with an elaborate spread of desserts.
Post 162 Sons of the American Legion (SAL) member Napoleon “Shaq” Hendrix III provided a mixture of background music, karaoke, and dancing with music ranging from the 40’s and 50’s into the 80’s as the Veterans enjoyed the luncheon, did a little dancing, and use the opportunity to mingle with today’s Veterans. Auxiliary Unit 162 member Karen Donias surprised and pleased the attendees with her striking rendition of “Some Where Over the Rainbow.”
As always, this luncheon provided a golden opportunity for our American Legion family to thank the visiting Veterans for their military service and share stories and memories. It was a great event for a very deserving and appreciative group of our Nation’s finest!
The ALA Unit 162 sponsors lunches or dinners for our aging Veterans three times a year (one held around St. Patrick’s Day and the other around Thanksgiving) and has been involved in this Veterans support activity for over 37 years – a significant achievement! They are to be commended for their dedication and service to our Veterans and to our Country.
LCAC Food Service Building Dedicated
The new food building at LCAC, which was made possible thanks to private dollars, will make service better and easier for volunteers who will not miss the eleven steps and head banging beam to the old basement.
LCAC and the South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, Vulcan Materials and numerous county and state officials joined with the community to celebrate the dedication of the new food pantry. The 2,000 SF, one-story modular structure streamlines the entire food collection and distribution process due to all the food being on the same level. The walk-in refrigerator/freezer allows for ample storage of meats, vegetables and other perishables. This is an enormous improvement over the prior food pantry arrangement, where old freezers and limited space contributed to food loss due to spoilage.
On Wednesday, May 11, 2011, Newly elected LCAC President Lynn Swogger welcomed the crowd of one hundred guests and then turned the podium over to LCAC Vice-President Marvin Miller, who acknowledged the numerous individuals that made this project possible, including: the Lynch family, who generously donated $250,000; Sandra Fedorshik for her tireless hours as a volunteer project manager; Michael Romans, who moved and installed the food pantry shelving as his Eagle Scout project; numerous Fairfax County officials; Jess Brindisi with Vulcan Materials; LCAC staff; and countless volunteers.
Steve Rorke, LCAC Executive Director, discussed the importance of the new pantry given that demand has increased by 67% since 2006. Rorke then introduced Mt. Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland, who spoke to the value of nonprofit organizations like LCAC and the huge impact this new building will have on the organization’s ability to effectively, efficiently and safely serve those in need. Virginia State Senator Toddy Puller, Virginia Delegate David Albo and Scott Price, Director of Constituent Services in Northern Virginia for Senator Mark R. Warner shared their congratulations and appreciation for the important role that LCAC plays in the community as well as the value of volunteers. Conrad Mehan of EnviroSolutions, Inc, speaking as a representative of the South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, expressed the important role that LCAC plays in enhancing the quality of life in southeast Fairfax County.
In addition to dedicating the new food pantry, LCAC celebrated its amazing volunteer corps that enables the organization to thrive. Kathy Noone ,LCAC Director of Human Resources, expressed the agency’s deep appreciation for all the generosity of time and talent from volunteers.
Thanks to Vulcan Materials, the crowd enjoyed a delicious buffet picnic lunch catered by American Bar-B-Que. Dessert included chocolate chip cookies donated by Great Harvest Bread Company and a large sheet cake. Attendees also had the opportunity to tour both LCAC’s main office and the new building to see first-hand how the food distribution program operates.
Eagle Scout helps LCAC get new food pantry up and ready!
By Andrea Cochrane Tracey
It has been a long process; however, as the saying goes, “Good things come to those who wait.” The arrival of the modular components of LCAC’s new food pantry building in January generated much excitement yet also required immense amounts of patience while waiting for a myriad of details to fall into place. Trenches were excavated, electrical conduit buried, new electrical panels installed as well as a new connection to the power pole, a new walk-in refrigerator/freezer was constructed on-site, stairs built and concrete pathways poured. Once all those building components were addressed – shelving needed to be installed and food moved into the new space.
Michael Romans, a sophomore at Lake Braddock High School, played a critical role in this last piece. For his Eagle Scout project, he wanted to build something and build he did! He worked with LCAC staff to iron out the logistics of getting the food shelving to LCAC, assembling it and moving food from the old pantry to the new one. Michael, his fellow scouts from Troop 1518, family and friends all pitched in to implement this herculean effort. Over the course of three long days during Spring Break, Michael and his team picked-up 60 boxes of shelving (weighing 190 pounds each!) at Costco, loaded them into the LCAC box truck, unloaded all the boxes, assembled the shelving at the new building, and then moved thousands of pounds of food from the existing pantry space and an off-site storage space to the proper location in the new pantry. Up to 15 people worked with Michael to complete the task at hand. The transformation was incredible!
All the ingredients are finally in place and LCAC has fulfilled a long-term organizational goal: a new food pantry building! Since this accomplishment would not have been possible without the community, LCAC and the South Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce invite the public to join them on Wednesday, May 11 to dedicate the new building and celebrate the organization’s incredible volunteer corps! Join Mt. Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland and other community leaders as we celebrate this amazing milestone! Remarks begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. followed by a buffet picnic lunch, sponsored by Vulcan Materials and catered by American Bar-B-Que. Please RSVP to LCAC by calling 703-339-5161, ext. 16 or via email: andrea@lortonaction.org. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be moved inside to the Lorton Library and attendees can then tour the new facility.
LCAC extends special thanks to the private donor for their immense generosity which enabled the organization to enhance its capacity for serving clients and to do so more efficiently and safely. LCAC also wishes to acknowledge and thank Sandra Fedorshik for her tireless efforts to see the project through to completion. Thank you to everyone who also helped bring this project to fruition including: Supervisor Gerry Hyland, Fairfax County, LCAC Board of Directors, Mobile Modular, OTJ Architects, LCAC staff and numerous volunteers.
To learn more about LCAC, visit www.lortonaction.org or call 703-339-5161.
Back-to-School 2011:
LCAC pleased to announce
partnership with Kids-R-First
LCAC is joining numerous other nonprofit human service organizations in Fairfax County in an exciting new partnership with Kids R First to put high quality supplies and sturdy back packs in the hands of students who would not otherwise have them. This is different from the system they have conducted for many years.
Kids R First is a nonprofit community organization that focuses on providing top quality school supplies to students in need. Kids R First has a well-established relationship with two major retailers, Office Depot and Walmart, which enables them to buy top quality school supplies in bulk at significantly reduced prices. This means that for every $1 donated to LCAC’s Back-to-School drive, LCAC will be able to purchase $4 in name brand, top-quality supplies. Kids R First has successfully collaborated with other human service nonprofit organizations in western Fairfax County for several years with fantastic results! We are excited to be part of the pilot project in the county’s southeast area along with United Community Ministries and Koinonia.
For the 2011 Back-to-School outreach, LCAC will be buying school supplies utilizing Kids R First buying power. The community’s role in this outreach is vital to its success. Instead of supplies, we ask that you donate $10 and a sturdy, non-gender back-pack. Want to do more? Consider a $20 donation along with a back-pack which will enable LCAC to provide supplies and funds towards Payless Shoes gift cards.
Children do not want to be left-out; they want to have what their peers have. Also, it is embarrassing for a student to be in the classroom and not have the supplies needed to participate in class. This embarrassment may undermine self-esteem and impact classroom behavior. Teachers observe that students fall behind in school work and make excuses when they don’t have the supplies they need.
LCAC is collaborating with the local schools to determine the necessary supplies. Concurrently, LCAC is working with our clients to determine who is in need of supplies for the upcoming school year. Beginning with the 2012/2013 school year, our goal is to expand the provision of supplies beyond our clients and include children in the free-and-reduced lunch program. Our ultimate goal is to provide supplies to all students in the free-and-reduced lunch program at the schools in our community.
Volunteers are needed to assist with numerous tasks, including sorting supplies and packing back packs. Interested in volunteering with the Back-to-School program? Please contact Kathy Noone at kathy@lortonaction.org. If you wish to send a donation to support the 2011 Back-to-School drive, please mail a check made payable to LCAC at PO Box 154, Lorton, VA 22199-0154, or you may make a donation through our website, www.lortonaction.org, by clicking the “Donate Now” button on the home page. Please note “BTS” on the check or in the “notes” field for online donations.
For additional information about LCAC and the Back-to-School outreach, please contact Andrea Cochrane Tracey at 703-339-5161, ext. 16 or andrea@lortonaction.org
Gunston School Opens Forest Trail
Many partners helped make the ribbon cutting ceremony April 9, a success for the Gunston Elementary School/Bureau of Land Management Trail Opening. BLM contributed the design, materials and volunteers. The school principal, Tonya Cox, worked with Jennifer Dameron, PTA President, to organize the day’s activities. Fairfax County Public Schools supported
the effort as well, including asking a representative to attend the ceremony. David Collyer, Fairfax County Lions Club, brought the tent and refreshments with coffee donated by Lion Dave Saville, Owner of American BBQ.
Children attending the ceremony could hardly wait to cross the new bridge and explore the forested loop trail. Once the ribbon was cut, they were on their way to exploring this wonderful resource in the school’s backyard. Principal Cox said, “The new trail will support studies in the Standards of Learning Curriculum.”
Digging Meadowood
Lorton residents live in very, historically significant area for many reasons, and the archaeology dig site at Meadowood is one more.
Marshal of France, Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau (1725 – 1807) was a French nobleman and soldier who participated in the American Revolutionary War as the commander-in-chief of the French Expeditionary Force which came to help the American Continental Army and camped on Mason Neck.
Knowing generally that Rochambeau’s troops were in the area, it may be expected the remnants of his encampment would be found. We understand that the archaeologists would be willing to talk with visitors if they set up a time with Jeff McClusker first.
While there, maybe visitors should take a short walk to see the Trice homestead location; and walk Meadowood’s trails and enjoy those wonderful natural areas.
Dr. Douglas Comer, owner of Cultural Site Resource Management, is familiar with the French troop activity in the area so it is no surprise that the Bureau of Land Management – Eastern States, has contracted with him to begin an archaeology investigation. Already, site samples include pearlware, pewter, redware, creamware, cobalt blue glass, rhyolite and quartz minerals, most dating back to the 18th century or before.
As Principle Investigator for this project, Dr. Comer plans for his team to expand their Shovel Test Plots (STPs) at Meadowood in search of a definite location for French troop encampment. He commented that they know the French were here, but pinpointing their exact historical location will take some time.
The foundation remnant of the Trice House is further evidence of area historic treasures. So much history yet to be uncovered! The public is welcome to visit and view historic sites on public lands; however, metal detecting and collecting artifacts are not permitted.
Restoring Shad to the Potomac River
A Presentation, Restoring Shad to the Potomac River, hosted by The Friends of Dyke Marsh is Cosponsored by the Potomac Conservancy, Izaak Walton League-Virginia Division, Friends of the Potomac River Refuges and the Elizabeth Hartwell Environmental Education Fund.
Restoring Shad to the Potomac River is to be presented by Jim Cummins of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin Wednesday, May 18, 7:30 p.m., at Huntley Meadows Park Visitors’ Center, 3701 Lockheed Boulevard, Alexandria, free to all. Call 703-768-2525 Directions: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/
Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve is a 485-acre tidal freshwater marsh on the Potomac River one mile south of Old Town Alexandria, administered by the National Park Service and part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The Friends of Dyke Marsh is a 30-year old conservation advocacy organization. Visit Friends of Dyke Marsh website: www.fodm.org
Proposed Increase in Minimum Street Width
County staff are proposing a change to the minimum width requirement for new streets, making the standard a minimum of 36 feet wide. This minimum width allows parking on both sides of the street while providing space for emergency access and operations. This proposal differs from the Virginia Department of Transportation’s standard of a minimum of 29 feet or less in some instances.
On May 5, at 8:15 p.m., the Fairfax County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed standard. Following this hearing, the commission will make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors, which is scheduled to hold a public hearing on June 7 at 4 p.m.
If approved, the new street width standard would become part of the county’s Public Facilities Manual. This manual sets out the county’s rules for commercial and residential development. If not adopted, the county will follow the VDOT standard.
WMATA Bus Yard in Newington
The planning commission voted tonight regarding the proposed Metro bus garage on Cinder Bed Road. There we two votes - one for each of the types of approvals that were being sought (special exception and 2232). For both votes, Earl Flanagan voted to oppose the proposed development, Janet Hall abstained because she missed the public hearing, and the rest of the attending commissioners voted to support the proposed development. Tim Sergeant was absent.
Why did they vote as they did? At least in part,
- VDOT and FCDOT claimed that the intersection of Backlick Road and the Parkway is fine - there are no traffic issues. (Yes, you read that right. We know the reality.)
- Staff claimed that all criteria have been met. (This can be challenged, and the county attorney probably does not believe this can be asserted at this time.)
- "It's for the greater good." ("Great, it's not in my district.")
Earl Flanagan made a motion that was voted down to defer the vote for an interpretation that was needed from the county attorney.
What's next?
The application will go to the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors’ public hearing on this issue is scheduled for Tuesday, February 8, 2011 beginning at 3:30 p.m. All Board meetings are broadcast live and rebroadcast on a later date on Channel 16.
The county attorney will presumably continue researching the legal issues so that the legal opinion can be provided to the Board of Supervisors before it votes. To defeat this, a good turn out from the community will be needed at the public hearing.
Hartwell Appointment
Mason Neck native Rob Hartwell has accepted the Governor’s appointment to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin completing a term until February 28, 2013.
“The citizens of the Commonwealth will undoubtedly benefit from your commitment to share your time and talents in public service.” writes Commonwealth Secretary Janet Polarek.
Rob has been instrumental in aligning policy on issues of energy, the environment and natural resources at the state and federal levels. He is a past president and board member of Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority; a past vice president of the Friends of the Potomac River Refuges; Chairman, Potomac Foundation’s Liz Hartwell Environmental Education Fund which organizes our Eagle Festival and the twenty year list goes on.
His mother’s name is on our Mason Neck State Park Visitor Center for causing the Mason Neck Federal Refuge to be established first to protect the Bald Eagle. You go Rob.
McHugh Honored for 20 Years at Gunston Hall
By Charlotte Knipling,
Denise McHugh was honored by the 100-strong Gunston Hall Docent Association for her 20 years of service to Gunston Hall as Education Coordinator on January 3, 2011. Since her arrival, school tours have expanded from one basic tour for fourth graders to tours such as First Look and Growing Up at Gunston Hall for younger audiences to George Mason tours, Plantation Life Tours, Winter on the Plantation tours, and tours for high school students as well. In addition, twice yearly Colonial Days featuring living history and many hands-on activities such as writing with quill pens, guessing mystery objects, playing skittles and hoops, learning dance and deportment, attract several hundred students. Under Denise’s leadership, an Outreach Program was started, bringing George Mason and 18th C. life into the classroom. Denise is well known and respected by teachers throughout the area and beyond, and initiated a teacher workshop and a partnership program with Gunston Elementary School. Thanks to Denise’s hard work and tireless devotion to Gunston Hall, more and more children are learning about George Mason and his plantation. The Outreach Program and school visitation account for about half of the yearly visitation at Gunston Hall. She worked exceptionally long hours and her programs brought much additional income to the Plantation. Huzzah and thank you, Denise!
McHugh RIFed at Gunston Hall
by Floyd Harrison, publisher
Incredibly, ironically, Friday afternoon, Jan 21, just a couple weeks after being honored for long service, Denise McHugh the Education Coordinator at Gunston Hall was given notice of reduction in force by director David Reese owing to State funding cuts. Her position ends immediately but she will receive severance pay.
Controversy Over RIF at Gunston Hall .Blogspot.update
A New Food Building for LCAC!
Thanks to an incredibly generous private donation of $250,000 and after years of planning and patience, LCAC is exhilarated that a new food pantry building is taking shape next to its main office behind the Lorton Library. After 26 years of operating the LCAC food pantry out of the basement, hallway and one room of the LCAC offices, a modular building was installed which will accommodate all food operations! A dedication event will be held this Spring where the community can join the organization in celebrating this major milestone.
The 2,000 SF, one-story modular structure was fabricated by Mobile Modular based upon architectural plans prepared by OTJ Architects, who generously donated their services. There is still a lot of work to prepare the building for food distribution; however LCAC expects the space to become operational in February.
With an increase of 60% in requests for emergency assistance over the last two years, the timing of the new structure couldn’t be better. The benefits of the new building include:
• Improved food storage, particularly for refrigerated items, which will minimize the food loss currently experienced due to insufficient storage.
• Streamline the food distribution process for clients.
• Improve work place conditions and safety for staff, volunteers and clients. Currently, staff and volunteers traverse narrow stairs to the basement with low head clearance.
• Allow secured storage of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food that the agency is required to store in a separate, dedicated and secure area.
To learn more about LCAC, visit www.lortonaction.org or call 703-339-5161.
BLM Proposed Plan Reduces Space for Private Boarding
(Jan, 2011)
The equestrian function of Meadowood Recreation Management Area is at risk because of some undocumented drive to reduce the number of private horses. This would deconstruct the business model of the facility which uses boarding to cover core costs so that pubic services such as riding lessons, trail rides and therapeutic riding can operate effectively and efficiently. It would also detract from the Lorton economy. Boarders at Meadowod spend between $1.5 and $2.1 million per year on board, goods and services, mostly n the Lorton area. Public comment is needed now to save Meadowood as we know it.
A recent plan to raze the current Meadowood, Mason Neck stable with a capacity of about 48 horses and replace it with a new paddock and scaled down rink and capacity of only 20 horses caused such a stir that it has been publicly withdrawn. That number would essentially leave only the public function horses with no support from any private boarders, whose fees pay for maintenance of the rings and grounds for both public programs. Still, BLM insists that a new plan will be forthcoming in January, yet a reasonable justification of need for replacing the current facility has not been presented.
Less than two years ago, it was determined that the barn’s trusses could not only upport a new roof but a new sprinkler system as well. In the mean time, it has been devalued citing repairable deficiencies which there is money for. A new roof is estimated to cost between $200K and $300K and the maintenance fund is over $875K. Boarders feel that the current facility is actually safer than area competing facilities and are happy to pay the premium fees. They just want it to stay as it is.
One possible course of action according to BLM published purpose is to increase the number of horses for public and private functions. But, either way, more boarders means more support for the daily operation of barn and horse maintenance services. It actually could be profitable in the sense of a commercial business if the government would follow that approach. Wouldn’t we all want public functions paid for commercially rather than by tax burden?
At this time, several critical offices in the path of authority for Meadowood operation are vacant or about to be vacant. It is difficult to know where the direction to reduce the number of boarders is coming from and it seems that the bureau’s left hand isn’t coordinated with the right hand. The boarders aren’t getting good information about the fate planned for them and don’t know who they are really talking to. It’s like a ship which has lost it’s rudder on a moonless night.
The activity at Meadowood, as it is, easily provides an estimated two million dollars to the greater Lorton economy. Boarders and employees buy food, gas, supplies and services locally. Bloom alone would notice the reduced sales of fruits and vegetables bought for horse treats like apples and carrots. It’s like the horses have a big office party every day. If the activity were only public not private, not only would most of the horse owners have to move out of the area to find boarding but the facility operations employees be greatly reduced as well. Costs for Simple Changes Therapeutic Riding might increase signifcantly to cover additional staffing which might spell it’s demise representing even more currency lost to the Lorton Economy not to mention a needed service. BLM procedures have not been considerate of Lorton economy. Instead of open bidding to purchase contracts for the planned conversion, they went through the Fish and Wildlife Service to a pre-approved vendor list which is not local businesses and which action was not shared publicly or with the current boarders. Indeed, boarders learned of BLM’s plan to rebuild the barn at the September Friends of Meadowood meeting where BLM announced that they would be awarding a contract to do so in October. That the new barn was planned to be less than half the size of hte existing barn was learned only after a person with close personal connections in BLM told boarders of the planned 20 stall facility. Boarders learned of their immenant evication just weeks before the contract would have been awarded. If not for the Friends of Meadowood meeting, boarders would not have been warned of their likely eviction. The boarders don’t know where the direction is coming from. Statement of policy isn’t clear but there are all kinds of hints that the private boarders are not favored. A couple of owners have been harassed about their presence and available pasture is being reduced by reclaiming forest through tree plantings supported by well intentioned activists.
To save their horses homes, owners scrambled to contact every local representative they could. The Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland’s office was supportive and responsive sending County inspectors to assure that the facility was safe and viable so that any new plan will hopefully not be justified by a need to demolish the current stable.
The National Park Service, also under the Department of Interior, operates Rock Creek facility which is a good model for the kind of profitable operation that Meadowood could be. Somehow, the BLM hierarchy in Virginia doesn’t get it. Much of the conversation has focused on evaluating the current facility as a potential show grounds. Actually, the current facility was Ed Lynches horse farm not intended to be a public show place. It would need bleachers and a competition size rink and it would require that much of the property’s natural areas be converted to trailer parking, warm up and jumping rings, and other basic facilities. It would also mean that the facility would be vacant most days, like he Fairfax County operated Frying Pan Park.
There is certainly space for improvement at Meadowood but to say that a solid, functioning barn should be demolished to build a show grounds seems to be quite a jump in logic. As it is, the biggest audience the Meadowood barn can handle is a troop of Brownies for a Day of the Horse celebration. The planned, small facility would not be profitable or increase public activity. So, what will the revised plan look like; It remains to be seen?
Public comment is needed at this time from all stakeholders, whether public or private horse owner, horse care employee, or activist concerned with the local economy, or tax payer believing that the facility and operation should be managed as for profit. Otherwise, January could set a negative precedent for Lorton and it’s horses and owners which would be more crippling than a repeat blizzard because the effect would continue. Horses need love too.
Make your comments to the BLM Eastern States office,
7450 Boston Boulevard
Springfield, VA 22153
At least E-mail comments to:
Diane_Hendry@blm.gov
Editorial:
BLM Should Reconsider Plan
By Floyd Harrison, Publisher (Jan, 2011)
It would be a million dollar loss for the Lorton economy if BLM plans omit the private boarding from their proposal to renovate Meadowood Recreation Area on Mason Neck. Construction planing should cease until the Bureau regains composure and fills some of the many vacant positions in their regional hierarchy.
It seems as if the government bureau has lost its head and the hierarchy is in tatters. Obscure plans recently quashed, and vaguely justified, disregard profitability and needed public services. There is no good represented by a plan to tear down the perfectly adequate barn to build a smaller facility which would not have capacity to board the private horses and not support expanded public services.
The boarding fees support the operation of the facility including care of the horses used in the public services. Without the private horses, public services would come at a cost to the government. Funding for maintenance of the existing structure is there already but that cannot be used legally for building show facilities or even a new barn. Why does someone in BLM want to upset the cart? This is not the time anyway.
Construction planners should cease and desist until the community is heard and the economy gets a breather. They should go ahead and do the maintenance and not waste the building. In any case, reducing the facility doesn’t make sense. What is needed is a larger facility to support real public service programs. The rink is a little too small to properly practice a Dressage routine and the observation seating is very limited.
A profitable plan would include an additional larger under roof building with a competition size rink, bleachers to accommodate a real horse show and new paddocks for the public service horses leaving public and private functions isolated.
The government mandate is not to make a profit but that doesn’t have to mean operating at a loss. There just doesn’t seem to be any good sense used in the direction of Meadowood.
This is not a criticism of the fine people who operate the facility on a day to day basis. Boarders appreciate, for the most part, the quality of the facility and service rendered there and they want to stay there the way it is. Improvements are only a dream.
When funds for capital improvements are available, a larger building, not a smaller one, capable of hosting grand public events should be planned. This would pay dividends in a bolstered greater Lorton economy and more attention to wild horse and burro adoptions. The BLM could then truly celebrate the Day of the Horse for our Living Mustang Legends which is their own verbiage.
Greater Lorton citizens with any interest in the benefits of this hundred acre public recreational park should write a letter to the BLM and express interest in saving the private boarding so that the operation there remains profitable and growing.
I appeal to everyone with any interest in the economy of our community to speak up now to tell BLM to rescind any plan which reduces the facility at the Meadowood equestrian location.
BLM Notice of Public Scoping Meeting
BLM Notice of Public Scoping Meeting
To gather input for a Project Plan and Environmental Assessment on Equestrian Facility Replacement, Equestrian Activities and Site Improvements at the Meadowood Recreation Area on Mason Neck in Fairfax County (Dec 2010)
The United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management-Eastern States Lower Potomac Field Station and the Office of Fairfax County Supervisor Jerry Hyland are holding a public meeting to gather input on:
• Plans to replace the 34 year old 46 stall barn/arena building in the administrative compound at the Meadowood Recreation Area;
• Public use and equestrian activities at the site.
The purpose of the project is to replace this structure with a facility that will provide for better public access to the Meadowood Recreation Area, provide for improved opportunities for the general public to participate in equestrian activities, and have less watershed impact. The project is scheduled for completion by September 30, 2011.
At this meeting, the Bureau of Land Management will provide information on it’s proposed action, discuss alternatives, and seek comments from the public on how to best manage and use these federal recreation facilities.
The meeting is open to the public, and will be held on Tuesday November 16, 2010 from 7:30 to 9:00 PM
in the cafeteria of South County High School 8501 Silverbrook Rd. Lorton, VA 22079
CRC Closed
Due to Fairfax County cutbacks, funds to Lorton Community Action Center for support of the Community Resource Center have been lost in the amount of $140,000 dollars for the coming year according to Lions liason Marvin Miller.
LCAC is already strained trying to support three times as many families during the last year of economic turn down with less funds. The Community Resource Center has closed.
The Mason Neck Lions Club had worked in partnership with the LCRC Youth Center for the past 10 years. The Lions sponsored volunteer community service projects in the Lorton area for the LCRC youth. Numerous community service projects were completed: such as; Graffiti Removal; Park Cleanup; Storm Drain Marking and Education; Stream Cleanup; and Tree Planting. Such projects are designed to instill a stewardship for the environment and support for their community among the youngsters.
Lion Joe Chudzik, responsible for these programs questions whether there is any other feasible approach to reach the youth in Lorton.
Meteorite Hits Lorton Doctors
A meteorite blasted through the roof and ceiling of a Lorton doctors office Monday evening January 18 sounding like a small explosion and filling an exam room with debris, dempling the cement floor through carpet which impact shattered the rock.
The tennis ball sized space rock weighed 308 grams or about two thirds of a pound with all of the pieces assembled. It was of grey composition with an almost black scorched slightly glazed fusion crust classified as a condrite.
The doctors office was the Williamburg Square Family Practice at 9500 Richmond Highway of Dr. Marc Gallini and Dr. Frank Ciampi.
It was quiet, a little after 5:30 pm Dr. Ciampi was doing charts when, suddenly, bang. Dr. Ciampi said it was so loud that he thought a book case had toppled and went to look. He found debris scattered from the exam room out into the hallway. Inside the exam room near where he would sit with patients was a hole in the ceiling and a dent in the floor. It looked and sounded like a small explosion.
No one expected a meteorite and it took them a while to realize what had really happened. A late cancellation meant that there was no one in the exam room. The roof has been repaired. The exam room is cleaned and the object was given up to the Smithsonian Museum for confirmation. Now there’s only the memory and the dent in the floor.
Companions to the extra terrestrial visitor may be found within a couple of miles of the location so Lorton neighbors should all walk their open spaces and look for more black rocks which traveling at 230mph would either plant themselves in the moist ground or make an obvious dent in pavement with a scatter pattern. Avoid Meteorite hunters which will come from across the country trying to profit from any pieces found. If you find a meteorite on your property, it’s yours. Please call your Lorton Valley Star at 571-274-7389.
Such an event is rarely reported. This is only the fourth reported hit in Virginia in over a hundred years however many more probably fall on open space unnoticed. Update: A search of the web indicates that the Lorton Meteorite twilight fireball was apparently seen in a few states where it is reported that the office is dentists.
Lorton To Have New Shopping Center With Wegman's
Plans are approved for construction of Hilltop Village Center, a new mixed use shopping center at Beulah Street and Telegraph Road with a Wegman’s within about three years.
This will be an integrated, mixed-use, pedestrian friendly development promoting retail and employment opportunities with office space and two banks. Piney Run Active Adult Community will be developed nearby all within walking distance of a Hilltop Golf Club.
Construction of A new baseball field will be complimented by an adult soccer field, practice field, tot lot, and pavillion will follow the opening of the grocery store.
New Charity Catalog For Lorton
There is America’s Charities listing and the metro area’s Catalogue for Philanthropy but now there is Lorton’s own Charity Catalog at http://lorton.net/Charities/Catalog.html
The purpose, as with all Lorton Valley Star Communications publications is to maintain and strengthen resources in greater Lorton. Even Charities here spend here. We advocate, that residents, save gas and live green, participate in Lorton, Trade in Lorton, Give in Lorton and Volunteer in Lorton. All other listings invite our resources out of the local economy. Charity begins at home.
This Charities Catalog is on a new web site titled Lorton Virginia Usa at: http://lorton.net/
This site will hold all of the permanent information about greater Lorton, some of which was previously on http://LortonValleyStar.com
which will now only have current dated information which can age and get pushed off the page. This is to be easier for readers to find.
So, enjoy the fruits of long winter storm days and test out the new site and new page. It’s just a start. The only qualification for listing is that the charity organization operates in and serves Lorton. Suggestions for additional organizations are welcome.
Lorton Loses Citizen to Fatal Crash
Franconia District Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred around 4:50 a.m. Thursday, December 24. The victim, Robert D. Nolen, 22, of 9220 Lee Massey Drive, Lorton was a front seat passenger in a 2009 Chevy Malibu that was traveling westbound on the Franconia-Springfield Parkway near Frontier Drive. Police believe the driver was traveling in excess of the posted speed limit when he struck a snow bank on the shoulder of the road, vaulted over a jersey barrier, struck a dump truck and came to rest on the driver's side. The victim was ejected and died on the scene of the crash.
The driver of the crash was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Police charged the driver, Christopher T. Figueroa, 23, of Newark, New Jersey, with involuntary manslaughter. Police believe that alcohol and speed were factors in the crash.
Crash Reconstruction Detectives responded to the scene and are continuing to investigate the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org <http://www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org/> or text "TIP187" plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.
Honoring Suffragette’s Workhouse
Sentence
by Floyd Harrison, Publisher
On a pleasant sunny Sunday, Fall, November 15, ninety-one years since the nineteenth amendment was ratified, The Daughters of the American Revolution National Society and the Workhouse artists gathered for a ceremony to dedicate a brass marker honoring the Suffragists.
The ceremony presented by DAR, complete with color guard in the tent on the courtyard at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center, remembered the deadly torture at the D.C. Corrections Workhouse, currently the Lorton Arts Workhouse center. Sharon Mason, Executive director of the Lorton Arts Foundation, accepted the marker.
Suffragettes is the name given to the women, members of the National Woman’s Party founded by Alice Paul, who demonstrated at the White House for woman’s suffrage, basically the right to vote. As time went on and tensions escalated, a group were arrested for ‘unlawful assembly’ and brought to the D.C. Correctional Facility, the equivalent of D.C.’s state pen, Occoquan facility in Lorton. The actual buildings that housed them were located on the grounds of what is today the Fairfax County Griffen Water plant across Ox Road from today’s Workhouse Art Center. They were brought over and tortured in the Workhouse cell block building W-2 where the marker is fixed.
Daughters of the American Revolution are ladies who trace their lineage back in American History and represent woman’s rights and the struggle for equality to this very day. A Woman’s Suffrage Museum is planned for the site and a temporary museum is located in Building W-9. Though it’s not happy history, the lesson is important and the result has been beneficial to the country.
Book marks were given out as momentos of the occasion of the dedication of the marker. Keys represent freedom from unjust incarceration. The program contains acknowledgements, the text of the marker, and the American Creed. The prison finally closed December 2005.
Lorton Road Project
The Lorton Road project involves the widening of the existing two-lane roadway to a four-lane roadway with median, shared use path and on-road bike lanes. The project limit for Lorton Road is from Route 123 to Silverbrook Road; the project limit Furnace Road is from Route 123 to Lorton Road. The intermediate design is complete and plans are ready for presentation to the community. For more information, call 703-877-5740.
Lorton Resident Plans Charity Walk Across U.S
John Goff of Lorton, will be walking from New York City to Los Angeles in an effort to raise money for a non-profit organization called ‘Charity: Water’, whose goal it is to bring clean water solutions to Africa and India. My journey will take me eight to nine months and will span more than 3,500 miles and across 13 states. Visit his website at www.iwalkforh2o.com to read more about John’s Walk for Water or e-mail aacwip@gmail.com.
Measles Vaccine Required by VA
The recent exposures to measles in the Washington, DC metropolitan area highlight the importance of reviewing immunization records and getting vaccinated against the measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases as appropriate. It is especially important for infants and toddlers in our community to receive their immunizations on time.
Parents are encouraged to review immunization requirements and to visit their physicians or a county clinic before the last minute rush just before school begins.
• State law requires students to be excluded from school if they have not complied with immunization requirements. Parents who are registering children for kindergarten in Fairfax County Public Schools must have up-to-date shot records.
• Students entering 6th grade are required to have a Tdap booster shot. Students who do not meet the requirement by the first day of school will be excluded. Fairfax County Public Schools tracks compliance for this state requirement.
For information about immunizations requirements and clinic locations and hours visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/HD or call (703) 246-2411.
NVCC Reaches Baby Boomers
Move over 18-year-old high school students. There’s a new student on campus, and she might be your mom. A new survey by the Plus 50 Initiative at the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) finds that community colleges are reaching out to students over the age of 50 and planning to expand programs for them.
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) participated in the survey, and the results were not surprising. Eighty-four percent of the 204 community colleges participating in the survey reported that their institutions offer programs for students over the age of 50. Ninety-three percent of these colleges perceive a demand for this type of programming – predominantly from people age 50 and up in their community, but from business and community organizations as well.
Many community colleges reported that they plan to expand their offerings for plus 50 students. Seventy percent of colleges offering enrichment courses for Plus 50 students said that they plan to expand their offerings. Half of the 14 percent that do not currently have enrichment offerings for baby boomers plan to add them in the future.
At NOVA, our Plus 50 program will focus on the baby boomer generation in areas of workforce training, career development, personal enrichment and volunteering. More specifically, our workshops and courses will address:
• Challenges and difficulties one may be feeling in their personal and professional life and how to effectively manage stress.
• Making second career choices and upgrading workplace skills.
• Multigenerational workplace issues: boomers, generation X and GenNext
• Dealing with personal journeys and discoveries aimed at participants who are at a crossroads in their life or simply wondering what’s next in life for them.
• Facing retirement living and the complexities of choosing, living and working in a retirement community.
Cover special education concerns, health concerns and concerns at home with other siblings and present coping strategies.
NOVA will be hosting a Plus 50 Ageless Learning Resource Symposium on Tuesday, May 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at our Alexandria Campus, 3001 N. Beauregard St. for anyone interested in networking and learning more about our program and course offerings.
For more information about NOVA’s Plus 50 program, please go to http://www.nvcc.edu/alexandria/plus50/ or call Keith Wynn at (703) 845-6326.
For an executive summary and a full report detailing the survey’s results, please go to http://plus50.aacc.nche.edu.
Schmidt “To Go the Extra Mile” for People with Disabilities
Lorton, a student at Virginia Tech, majoring in Building Construction, will be meeting 90 other Pi Kappa Phi’s from universities across the country and embarking on a 64 day “Journey of Hope.” The Journey of Hope is a 3,900 mile cross-country cycling trek that raises funds and awareness on behalf of people with disabilities.
The team members are all members of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and are joining forces to pave the road for a better understanding of people with disabilities. From the west coast to Washington, D.C., the Journey of Hope team will be cycling from city to city, bringing the message Push America in a unique and inspiring way.
Matt and the rest of the Journey of Hope 2009 team will be making dozens of presentations in communities across the nation, helping others to understand the issues facing those with disabilities. After cycling and average of 75 miles each day, the team will take part in many special events, often meeting with those for whom they’re riding.
The Journey of Hope is a project of Push America, which was founded by Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity in 1977 with the mission to build leaders of tomorrow by serving people with disabilities today. Its members have raised more than $8 million for Push America since its establishment.
In addition to raising awareness, the Journey of Hope will raise more than $400,000 for future projects and programs of Push America. Matt is committed to raising a minimum of $5,000 on behalf of Push America and people with disabilities.
Anyone interested in “Going the Extra Mile” by making a tax-deductible donation to Push America on behalf of Matt Schmidt should contact him at <mattschmidt@vt.edu>, or learn more information about Matt and his ride at https://secure.pushamerica.org/events
/profile.cfm?rID=1158971&ridecode=joh2009
Day of The Horse Celebration
The National Day of the Horse was cause for celebration enjoyed by horses and people who love them at Meadowood Stable. This was the second such event here since the day, December 13, was declared by the Untied States Senate.
It was a frigid morning in the stable but the atmosphere was warm. Hot coffee, hot chocolate, donuts and friendships were shared and enjoyed. Of course it was just fine for the horses and riders who enjoyed their warming performances. After all, if you’re sitting on 1200 pounds of horse flesh that is working you’ll be glad it isn’t a warm day.
The observance was filled with demonstrations of horse breeds and riding disciplines including Jumping, Dressage, Endurance, and Driving. The event calls attention to the beautiful Arabian horse, Re-trained race horses, Mustangs and the Gaited Kentucky Mt. Horse. The latter, almost anyone would recognize as a strikingly pretty animal. Simple Changes gave a demonstration of Therapeutic Riding.
It was given a patriotic opening and shared with a local Girl Scouts Brownie troop 2480 from the Fort Belvoir service unit 53-5 who thereby met their requirements for the equestrian badges.
According to the proclamation, S.Res.452ATS, The National Day of the Horse is recognition of the importance of horses to the security, economy, recreation, and heritage of the United States. The resolution states that the horse is an important part of the culture of the United States and includes the Congressional Horse Caucus estimate that the horse industry contributes much more than $100,000,000,000 each year to the economy. It makes the point that because of increasing pressure from modern society, wild and domestic horses rely on humans for adequate food, water, and shelter.
In our downturned economy, just when everything else needs rescuing, the greater Lorton community is reminded about the bigger animals which may escape notice. Horses are intelligent and have real personalities. They love attention, willingly learn, and have definite attitudes. They, just like us, need a little kindness and understanding. It’s spooky what those huge heads seem to understand. They quietly observe us just as keenly as our dogs do.
Anyway, the equine residents seemed to understand that the day was about them. Only excited whinnies where heard and they cooperated marvelously. And the doggies played and even the resident stable cat observed the celebratory gathering.
Pleasure Riding Comes To Lorton
Horse riders can register before October is out for a pleasure ride at Laurel Hill Equestrian Center to benefit construction of a top-notch public equestrian riding facility there with rings, barns, trails and riding programs there. The ride on the site of the old D.C. Correctional Facility Dairy, organized by the Northern Virginia Coalition of Equestrian Organizations is to be held, rain or shine, on the morning of November 8.
The judged ride course includes twelve obstacles over rolling grass terrain through trees and crossing streams. Registration opens at 7:00 am and the first rider will set out at 8:00 am.
Visit http://nvceo.tripod.com/ge.html for registration information and forms available in .pdf format.
Significant progress is being made toward development of new features at Laurel Hill Park. The Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Park Foundation signed an agreement to cooperate with the non-profit group Fairfax 4 Horses to develop plans for a new Equestrian Center at the former Dairy Farm site. F4H is currently conducting a fund raising campaign and providing their expertise in the facility planning efforts.
Fairfax 4 Horses is working to ensure that all Fairfax County residents have access to affordable public riding lessons at county park facilities within a reasonable distance oaf where they live. Current focus is raising funds to build a barn and indoor arena at Laurel Hill Park in Lorton. For more information on Fairfax4Horses, visit www.fairfax4horses.org. This event benefits Fairfax 4 Horses “Laurel Hill Public Equestrian Center Fund”, a 501c3 Tax Deductible organization. Find out more by visiting http://fairfax4horses.org/
Another Tax Whammy…
County Claims Power To Create
Community Taxing Authorities
Supervisor McKay moved adoption of the Ordinance to permit the County to assume the power to consider petitions for the creation of community development authorities. Supervisor Gross and Supervisor Hudgins jointly seconded the motion and it carried by unanimous vote, Supervisor Bulova, Supervisor Foust, Supervisor Frey, Supervisor Gross, Supervisor Herrity, Board Summary -58- September 8, 2008
Supervisor Hudgins, Supervisor Hyland,
Barbara A. Byron, Director, Office of Community Revitalization and Reinvestment, presented the staff report.
Chairman Connolly noted that without this action, the Board did not have the authority to accept a petition and act on it. Ms. Byron stated that letters of support had been received from the Community Revitalization and Reinvestment Advisory Group (CRRAG) and G-7 which is representative of the seven revitalization districts and areas in the County. She added that several representatives of CRRAG were present and Chairman Connolly asked that they stand and be recognized.
Discussion ensued concerning the taxation authority of the CDAs with input from James V. McGettrick, Assistant County Attorney. Chairman Connolly noted the Supreme Court ruling on HB 3202 and Supervisor Foust asked unanimous consent that the Board direct the County Attorney to provide guidance on taxation authority. Without objection, it was so ordered.
The public hearing included testimony by one speaker, The action was in referencne to specific revitalization districts but nothing was said that precludes any neighborhood from falling under a local taxing authority.
A CDA is a flexible tool that can address a broad range of infrastructure needs, as well as services, and can cover varied areas such as a single shopping mall, a mixed-use development or a downtown redevelopment area. A petition to the Board of Supervisors to establish a CDA must come from a majority (51 percent) of landowners within a proposed area; the CDA is then governed by board appointees. Either land area or assessed value can be used to determine the 51 percent. A CDA can be funded through special taxes or special assessments negotiated with the owners of property within the district.
Petitions for a CDA will be evaluated against “16 Principles for Public Investment in Support of Commercial Redevelopment,” which were adopted by the Board of Supervisors on July 21 to advance revitalization and reinvestment opportunities within the county. The board will hold a public hearing on any petition submitted to establish a CDA.
The 16 principles were developed by Fairfax County in collaboration with the Community Revitalization and Reinvestment Advisory Group. The advisory group was established by the Board of Supervisors in March 2007; its membership includes community, business and county government representatives. The principles respond to the county’s changing development climate. By 2030, Fairfax County is projected to add 245,000 jobs and 290,000 new residents.
The 16 principles are available at http://www.fcrevit.org/
|
