Dear West Springfield Neighbor / Friend,
I suppose I should give footnote or endnote credit to the sources of the following, but you by now know that I ain’t smart to write this myself. I hope you also subscribe to Supervisor Herrity’s “Herrity Report” and to Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Jeff McKay’s reports especially for up to date information about COVIG – 19.
Rolling Road Widening Project – has not been delayed (as of yet) according the Project Engineer. Right of Way Appraisers are currently preparing appraisal reports for property owners and should start negotiations soon. That ought to be interesting how they will negotiate and stay at a distance.
COVID-19 Drives County Budget Adjustments – Our District Supervisor, Pat Herrity reports that the Board of Supervisors (BOS) is considering the elimination of all of the non-pandemic related new spending in the original draft budget. Spending reductions and focusing resources on the pandemic response are also under consideration. A revised budget will be available to the public on 7 April.
Pat Herrity asked the County Executive to do the following in the revised budget:
- to cut the new positions and over $100M in new spending in the advertised budget
- to delay infrastructure projects, except road construction, where possible including the police body camera program which has a significant price tag
- to review and refocus the tens of millions in the Consolidated Community Funding Pool on support to nonprofits that are responding to the pandemic
- to refocus and increase support to our non-profits that are providing basic needs like food, utilities and rent for those impacted by the pandemic
- to not balance the FY21 budget using reserves - save them for, if, and when truly needed
On 7 April, you will be able to view the adjusted FY 2021 advertised budget as well as provide comments via mailed written testimony, online written testimony, phone, video testimony, and in-person testimony while maintaining social distancing orders. If you have comments about the budget now, you can share them with the entire Board by emailing ClerktotheBOS@fairfaxcounty.gov .
Governor’s Executive Order - On Monday, Governor Northam issued Executive Order 55 (you can read here) which included additional restrictions on residents' movements. The Order 55 contains additional restrictions on residents' movement and additional mandatory closures, all of which will continue through 10 June, unless rescinded or amended by another order. Violation of some of the restrictions are punishable as a class 1 misdemeanor. Be warned, beware!
Federal Paycheck Protection Program - According to the Treasury Department, the program provides small businesses and non-profits (up to 500 employees) with funds to pay up to eight weeks payroll cost and other expenditures. You can find the program overview here, application here, information for lenders here, and information for borrowers here.
Fairfax County Animal Shelter - Adoptions have been paused while the shelter staff determine how to proceed safely. Other programs and services have been paused as well. Read more.
Eminent Domain Legal / Rolling Road Project – Are we (CAWSV) backing another legal firm instead of the first one we included in the enews? Short answer is NO – we are not, but do want all to know that there are options, especially for those 57 RR homes who will have that roadbed move closer to their front doors. One of the lawyers (Mike Coughlin, 703/680-4664 of Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh PC) we mentioned offered his time to come to us to discuss how you could prepare for the property acquisition team. The other (Kevin DeTurris, 703/293-7235 of Blankingship & Keith) offered to take a portion of the difference between what VDOT would offer you and what they got from them as their fees. Both expressed their interest in investing in us and that in our minds should be worth mentioning in our enews.
Mortgage Forbearance – submitted by Sharon Kline (Ontario Street) is when a mortgage servicer/lender agrees to temporarily reduce or pause payments for a borrower, usually during a hardship. The borrower is responsible for contacting the servicer/lender to work out the terms of a forbearance agreement. It is important for borrowers to know they are required to pay back any reduced or paused payment amounts. Additionally, interest typically continues to accrue on the reduced or paused amount until it is repaid. Repayment options may vary depending on servicer/lender. Some common choices are:
- Pay everything back at once (one lump sum).
- When payments resume, make the regular monthly payment plus a portion of the total unpaid amount until it is paid back.
- Add or move the paused payments to the end of the loan term, extending the loan’s maturity date.
- Apply the total unpaid amount to the loan balance and modify (re-amortize) the loan.
Sharon is a loan officer with Allied First Bank and happy to help answer your questions. She is at 703/615-1313 or skline@alliedfirst.com.
2020 Graduates – Kathy Ciro wonders if we, as a community, could do something for all the young people in our community who are graduating. She is trying to think of something that respects the stay at home order but still lets them know we are proud of their accomplishments. Maybe a car parade where they could go through WSV and we could have people outside with cow bells, signs, pots & pans...whatever? Perhaps this could be planned for some time in June, after the Governor's stay-at-home order is lifted. Kathy said she would be happy to spearhead this effort if it's something you think is a good idea and if you have a graduate who will participate if this thing takes flight. Please respond to Kathy (klciro@msn.com) and cc me (john.t.cooley@verizon.net).
Donations Needed – Susan Burkhalter is sewing masks as part of the Million Mask Challenge (the folks running this are drumming up folks who sew to make washable masks to deliver to hospitals/health care workers in need of masks). Susan has ordered supplies and cut up old clothing to make them, but knows that her supplies will eventually run out If any of you has extras of the following lying around, - please consider donating to the effort via Susan:
- 100% tightly-woven cotton (or cotton/blend) cloth - T-shirts work as a good inner layer, but a top layer of something like batik, broadcloth, hypoallergenic pillowcases, 400+ count sheets, etc. is best (easier and faster to sew). Even denim works, but we have to take breathability into account too.
- 1/4 or 1/8 inch elastic - hard to find these days. Sold out everywhere.
- 20 or 22 gauge floral wire or jewelry wire (for adjusting mask across the bridge of nose)
- HEPA 1900 filter paper or HEPA vacuum cleaner bag - These are optional materials that can be cut up to slide into the filter pocket of the masks that I am making. These masks are big enough to fit over an N95 mask, but they also can be used alone. If they are used alone, one can slide a piece of this disposable filter paper into the pocket for extra protection.
- 3/8 inch wide (or so) grosgrain ribbon or shoestring or something similar that is non-slippery. When elastic runs out, Susan will make ties. Each mask needs about one yard of ribbon for ties. She will make fabric ties if/when she has nothing else, but it's obviously faster to have pre-made/manufactured ties.
If you happen to be taking a stroll by my house (6818 Ontario Street), feel free to drop the supplies on my front lawn. If you'd prefer that I pick it up, feel free to e-mail me: ted_burkhalter@yahoo.com.
By the way, if you are in need of these masks, you can request them for your facility online at https://millionmaskchallenge.com Frontline healthcare providers are the priority, then other organizations.
Where’d They Go? Anybody know what became of the Edmonton Court Dance Troupe?
The Phantom Trash Truck – Republic swears that we did not see one of their trucks driving and looking for yard debris yesterday. They and most trash haulers have suspended yard debris collection due to the virus, but one of their crews apparently did not get the memo. You can put a small amount of yard debris in with your household trash, but it and your household trash must be in the toter and not on top of it or in bags beside it, etc.
Thanks to those willing to help others. Several of you donated buttons to help Stacie Koehle save her ears by attaching masks to a button on health care providers’ headband instead of snapping the elastic behind ears.
Let us know if or when you are close to being out of essential items – we should be able to help provide for each other. We can ask for help without mentioning names to protect my dignity. Please do what the experts say we should do to stay healthy.
John Cooley, CAWSV