Gerhard Honored as Officer of Month
As the Sully District Police Station’s crime-prevention officer, PFC Tara Gerhard normally knows in advance who’ll be honored as the station’s Officer of the Month at Citizens Advisory Committee meetings. But until the Jan. 8 meeting began, that name was kept under wraps. That’s because the person honored last Wednesday was she.
Chantilly Robotics Student Testifies Before Congress
Explains why it’s a valuable STEM program.
Chantilly High senior Brian Morris, CEO of Chantilly Robotics Team 612, testified in Washington, D.C., last Thursday, Jan. 9. He spoke before the Committee on Science, Space and Technology, Subcommittee on Research and Technology, of the U.S. House of Representatives.
1/15/14 Roundups
The editor presents short roundups from the week of 1/15/14.
1/15/14 Roundup
The editor presents short roundups from the week of 1/15/14.
Roundups
Crime Solvers Needs Help
Fairfax County Crime Solvers is seeking the public’s help in identifying whoever broke into a construction building and trailers in Chantilly and stole at least $15,000 in copper wire and caused about $60,000 in damage to the structures.
Board of Supervisors OKs Roundabout
It’s a go for the controversial roundabout planned for construction at the Braddock/Pleasant Valley roads intersection next to Cox Farms in Centreville. Tuesday morning, Jan. 14, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors endorsed Supervisor Michael R. Frey’s (R-Sully) motion of “no opposition” to it, by an 8-2 vote.
Residents Warned of Scam
Residents, beware. There’s a new scam happening in the local area and PFC Tara Gerhard, crime prevention officer with the Sully District Police Station, wants people to know about it.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
The Chantilly Pyramid Minority Student Achievement Committee (CPMSAC) held its 20th annual Martin Luther King Festival, Jan. 12, at Westfield High.
From Late Night Comedy to Your Bedroom
Why the General Assembly matters more in Virginia than most states.
The Virginia General Assembly began its annual session last week on Jan. 8. The actions of the Virginia General Assembly matter more to localities than it would in many other states. In Virginia, localities have only the power specifically granted by the General Assembly, the Dillon rule. So, for example, Montgomery County and Prince Georges County in Maryland recently voted to increase the minimum wage in those localities. They didn’t need permission from Maryland General Assembly to do so. Arlington and Alexandria might be inclined to follow suit (the District government also voted to increase the minimum wage) but do not have that power.
In Case Someone Is Wondering
I don’t mind being alive, really I don’t. Occasionally though, I receive well-intended inquiries – electronic and otherwise, from people (who know my cancer story) who are sort of wondering if perhaps I’m not. When people haven’t heard from me in a while – and this is a category of people with whom I don’t have regular/recurring interactions, but rather a group of people who reach out and attempt to touch me (figuratively speaking) every three or four months or so – there is a presumption on their part that my silence (so far as they know) is not in fact golden, but rather ominous, as in the cancer might have won and yours truly didn’t. And when I respond, their pleasure/relief at my not having succumbed to the disease is quite positive, generally speaking. Their honesty and joy in learning that I’m still alive is both rewarding and gratifying. Rewarding in that they care and gratifying in that I must be doing something right which enables me to sustain myself through a very difficult set of medical circumstances: stage IV, non-small cell lung cancer, the terminal kind (is there any other kind?).
Let Sun Shine on Virginia’s Financial Disclosure Laws
State legislators turn attention to ethics in wake of McDonnell gift scandal.
As members of the Virginia General Assembly convene for the first time since last February, legislators are stampeding to introduce ethics legislation in response to the gift scandal which engulfed then Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R). The revelations last spring about numerous undisclosed gifts and purported loans from businessman Jonnie Williams to McDonnell — including a $6,500 Rolex watch engraved to the "71st Governor of Virginia" and $35,000 in gifts and catering for his daughters’ weddings — shined a spotlight on Virginia’s porous financial disclosure laws.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
The Chantilly Pyramid Minority Student Achievement Committee (CPMSAC) held its 20th annual Martin Luther King Festival, Jan. 12, at Westfield High.
Classified Advertising January 8, 2014
Read the latest ads here!
‘Mr. Mac’ Nominated for Grammy Award
Glen McCarthy played trumpet in high school; but when his parents gave him a guitar for graduation, it changed the trajectory of his life. He’s played guitar in bands ever since then — yet what’s defined him most, he says, is being a guitar teacher.
Roundups for 1/8/14
Roundups for 1/8/14
Student History Buffs Wanted for Internship
Juniors in good standing at Chantilly and Westfield high schools and who are interested in history may apply for the newly established Margaret C. Peck Youth Internship program, sponsored by the Sully Foundation, Ltd. This paid, nine-month internship runs from April through December 2014.
Two Fires in Same Night
Local firefighters had their hands full, Saturday, Dec. 28, battling two residential fires in western Centreville on the same night. Both happened between 7 and 8 p.m.
Music Educator Award Details and Prizes
This award was established to recognize current educators (kindergarten through college, public and private schools) who’ve made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools.
Celebrating Legacy of Martin Luther King
For 20 years now, the Chantilly Pyramid Minority Student Achievement (CPMSAC) Committee has celebrated the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
Letter: Improving Mental Health Services
The following open letter was addressed to the state senators and delegates representing Fairfax County.