Our Community in Fairfax County, Virginia

Mason Matters!  From time to time, Supervisor Gross issues the Mason Matters! e-newsletter, which contains useful information like the two following items.  If you have not already subscribed to her electronic newsletter, you may do so by sending Penny an email, including your name and address, to MasonBOSInfo@fairfaxcounty.gov with the subject line "Subscribe".

Fairfax County Bike Pages  Whether an experienced or novice cyclist, the Fairfax County Bike Pages is a wonderful resource for all bikers.  To access important and useful information about biking, visit the Fairfax County Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/bike/.  Learn about Fairfax County's Bike Program, current bike laws, bike safety tips, Bike and Ride commuting, bike trails, and even view an electronic version of the new Fairfax County Bike Map - all with a few clicks of the mouse.

• For more information, call the Fairfax County Bicycle Program Information line at 703-324-BIKE (2453), or e-mail your question or comment using the on-line contact form, available through the above Website.

Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross attended our last civic association meeting and answered a number of questions raised by Westlawn residents.

Westlawn Shopping Center.  In September, the county Board adopted Bill Page's proposed amendment to the Area Plan Review, which now allows him to proceed to make a rezoning request.  His first step is to develop a specific architectural plan and meet with representatives of local civic associations to gauge our reaction and make modifications to the plan as needed.  Bill Page understands that he needs support from a large majority of the residents in the local communities before he asks the county to approve his rezoning request.

Several Westlawn residents have expressed a keen interest in seeing that the shopping center is redeveloped in a manner that is most beneficial to our interests.  We have attended previous meetings sponsored by Bill Page, and we will continue to work with him at future meetings.

Route 50 Overpass at Seven Corners Shopping Center.  The county has identified funds and designed plans for this pedestrian overpass, which will prevent the dangerous and sometimes deadly game of pedestrians taking shortcuts to cross Route 50 to and from the shopping center.  The improvements include fencing to prevent pedestrian cut-through, similar to what was constructed on Route 50 across from Loehmann's Plaza.  The work should be completed next summer.

Illegal Immigrants.  If the Fairfax County police arrest someone who cannot prove who they are, the police will notify U.S. Immigration authorities.  However, the county will not enforce federal law—that is the job of federal authorities.  In addition, the process of deporting illegal immigrants is expensive and time-consuming, and the county is not in a position to take on this added responsibility even if it were the county's responsibility, which it is not.

Cyclist Death.  On 2 October at 5:15 a.m. a Westlawn resident riding a bicycle with no visible lights or reflectors chose to cross at one of the crosswalks at the intersection of Route 50 and Annandale Road.  The light was red for the cyclist but green for the car that hit the cyclist, who died from the collision.

This tragic accident highlights the dangerous situations that confront drivers and pedestrians every day.  Pedestrians also have to recognize the danger of crossing roads and walking on roads. 

I nearly ran over a pedestrian one dark, overcast night when he crossed in the middle of a side street wearing dark clothes and talking on a cell phone.  At least he was wearing white tennis shoes—he didn't notice me until I came to a sudden stop just a few feet away.

• Do you cross four-lane roads in the middle of the block, or at a crosswalk that says "Don't Walk?"
• If there are no sidewalks, do you walk on the side facing traffic?
• Do you wear clothing with light or reflective colors when walking or jogging at dawn or dusk, or at night, or in the rain?

Remember what we learned as children: stop, look both ways (several times), listen, cross at the crosswalk when it says "Walk," wear white at night.  More pedestrians are dying on Fairfax County roads this year than last, but we can change that statistic.

Shut It Down – Nationwide, more than 15,000 teens have died since 1999 as a result of drinking and then getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle; countless others have paid the price for those tragic decisions.  Take a stand, and make the call.  By reporting a party where underage drinking is going to be taking place, you may be saving the life of a friend, a loved one, a parent, or even yourself.  Make a statement this graduating season, it's your call: 703-246-2333.  It's a decision that we all can live with.  For immediate response dial 911.  (Shut It Down is a county-wide police initiative to help with reducing underage drinking parties in homes during prom and graduation season.  It is a 90 day pilot program that, if successful, would be reinstituted in the fall.)

The Fairfax County Emergency Information Line and the Community Emergency Alert Network (CEAN) – Be in the know.  Fairfax County provides valuable and current information to residents during inclement weather and emergencies.  Callers can obtain information about service changes, government office closures and other pertinent instructions through the Fairfax County Emergency Information Line: 703-817-7771, TTY 711.  Staff is available to answer calls during normal government business hours (M-F, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) with extended hours during emergency events.  At other times, callers can access recorded information or leave a message to have their call returned the next business day.

Residents can also receive important information through the Fairfax County Community Emergency Alert Network (CEAN).  CEAN will deliver emergency alerts, notifications and updates during a major crisis or emergency.  Messages will be delivered to any cell phones, e-mail accounts, text pagers, wireless PDAs or satellite phones that you register.  When an incident or emergency occurs, the CEAN will provide real-time updates, instructions on where to go, protective actions that need to be taken and other important information.  To sign up with the CEAN, visit the web at: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cean.

Receive Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerry Connolly’s Electronic Newsletter – Chairman Gerry Connolly has an Electronic Newsletter, emailed out periodically.  If you wish to subscribe to his newsletter, please go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/gov/bos/chair/chairmans_report.htm.

Receive News and Updates by E-Mail – To receive information and updates about Mason District by e-mail, please send your e-mail address to mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.

For district calendar of public meetings and other information, go to the Mason District Web site at: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/gov/bos/md/homepage.htm.