Will the Next Attorney General Defend Constitutional Ban on Gay Marriage?
Republican says he will defend amendment; Democrat is not so sure.
Virginia's next attorney general will have to stand in a courtroom and make a decision about whether or not the commonwealth's constitutional ban on marriage should be defended. Republican candidate Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-26) has been clear about his support for the amendment and his intention to provide a vigorous defense of marriage. Democratic candidate Sen. Mark Herring (D-33), on the other hand, has yet to take a position on whether or not he will defend the amendment.
Business Notes
Dr. Kathleen Phillips joins the veterinarian team at the Pet Medical Center of Springfield. Phillips received a Bachelor of Science in microbiology from the University of Rochester and graduated from Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001.
Bulletin Board
Friday/Aug. 9 Shabbat Service. 7:30 p.m. at Temple Beth Torah, 4212 C-Technology Court, Chantilly. The service will be held in the new building. All community members are welcome. Call 703-217-8938 or visit www.BethTorah.net.
The Median Has No Message
Political signs banished from roadsides as campaign season heats up.
Some people call them flowers of democracy. Others call them weeds of political pollution. Whatever one thinks of the campaign signs and placards that appear along the roads of Fairfax County, expect to see a lot fewer of them. Last month, county officials launched a new program in which nonviolent inmates at the county jail hit the streets four days a week to remove illegal signs. With apologies to Marshall McLuhan, the message is no longer in the median. Anger and resentment has been rising over the issue of roadside political signs for years, and campaigns frequently go to war with each other to see which side can plant or steal or deface the largest number of placards. Unlike Prince William County, which had an agreement with the Virginia Department of Transportation that allows the local government to collect the signs and fine violators, Fairfax was caught in a bind. Part of the Virginia code made it illegal for the county to remove the signs in Fairfax County until after an election.
Creating Jobs, Helping Community
CLRC workers learn new skills building garden boxes for sale.
Guided by summer intern Tori Jameson, 13 workers at the Centreville Labor Resource Center have learned how to build raised, garden boxes. The project was part of their continual education learning new skills and is hoped to yield both funds and jobs for the center.
Fine Tuning Songwriting Skills
Chantilly teen attends Grammy Camp in California.
This fall, junior Jason Saitta will be one of the leads in Chantilly High’s musical, “Evita.” But his summer was also none too shabby.
‘Read – A Need You Can Feed’
Church members read with London Towne Elementary students.
London Towne Elementary’s summer reading program was called, “Read — A Need You Can Feed.” And that need was met in two ways. When children came to brush up their reading skills, they were fed literally, getting to enjoy treats such as pizza, hot dogs, chips, juice and pudding. Their minds were also fed, as volunteers from Centreville Presbyterian Church (CPC) came to school and read stories with them.
‘My Crew Chief and Medic Saved Lives’
Vietnam veterans also share their stories.
Each year, Rocky Run Middle School invites veterans to participate in its annual World War II day. This year, it extended an invitation to veterans of more recent wars, as well, and they, too, enjoyed imparting their knowledge and reminiscences to the students.
Veterans Share Their Stories
Rocky Run Middle holds annual WWII Day.
A veteran of three wars, Russell O’Connell helped protect Gen. George Patton. Elmer Smith flew President Roosevelt to the “Big Three” meeting with Stalin and Churchill. And Ruth Erno was a Navy communications officer. They were among the more than 80 veterans who participated in June in Rocky Run Middle School’s annual World War II Day. It’s hosted each year by the seventh-grade class and organized by history teacher Jamie Sawatzky.
Roundups
Free Carseat Inspections Certified technicians from the Sully District Police Station will perform free, child safety carseat inspections Thursday, Aug. 15, from 5-8:30 p.m., at the station, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. No appointment is necessary. But residents should install the child safety seats themselves so technicians may properly inspect and adjust them, as needed. However, because of time constraints, only the first 35 vehicles arriving on each date will be inspected. That way, inspectors may have enough time to properly instruct the caregiver on the correct use of the child seat. Call 703-814-7000, ext. 5140, to confirm dates and times.
Crime Report
INDECENT EXPOSURE, 5500 block of Sequoia Farms Drive, July 19, 6:40 p.m. Two girls, ages 12 and 15, were walking at approximately 8:20 in the morning when they saw a man sitting in a car. The man was exposing himself. BURGLARY, 5000 block of Oakcrest Drive, July 12, 5:30 p.m. A resident reported someone entered the home and stole several items to include jewelry. Forced entry was made through a rear door.
New County Police Chief Named
Supervisors appoint Lt. Col. Edwin C. Roessler Jr.
Effective Tuesday morning Aug. 6, a Centreville resident, Lt. Col. Edwin C. Roessler Jr., became Fairfax County’s new chief of police. He was appointed July 30 by the county Board of Supervisors.
Candidates Agree on Amendment for Voting Rights, Disagree on Executive Order
Restoration of civil rights on the agenda for next governor.
Should nonviolent felons have their right to vote automatically restored? What exactly is a nonviolent felony? What kind of process can be considered automatic?
Local Youth Re-enact Historic Pioneer Trek
More than 200 teenagers and adult advisors from the Centreville Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — which includes Centreville, Manassas, Gainesville, Warrenton and surrounding areas — re-enacted the trek of 19th-century Mormon pioneers during a three-day youth conference, July 18-20, at the Marriott Ranch in Hume, Va.
Guarding Against Identity Theft and Fraud
Police advise residents how to protect themselves.
With identity theft and fraud being such a major concern these days, police Investigator Tom Polhemus and Det. Mike Deane recently presented some ways local residents can protect themselves from becoming victims.
Centre View Business Notes
Pennoni Associates elected President and CEO Tony Bartolomeo, PE, as a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Editorial: Protect Children, Animals in Hot Summer Weather
In light of recent incidents around the region, Fairfax County is reminding people of dangers involving children and hot cars. The combination of summer heat and humidity can mean life-threatening conditions for children left in vehicles or other unsuitable environments, even for short time periods. Here’s advice from the Kids and Cars organization:
Editorial: Identity Tips
Review Credit Reports and Avoid Ripoffs
Fairfax County police offer the following tips regarding identity theft and fraud: * Review credit reports annually; Experian: Fraud/credit history, 888-397-3742; Trans Union: Fraud, 800-680-7289; Credit history, 800-888-4213; Equifax: Fraud, 800-525-6285; Credit report, 800-685-1111. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com. * Opt out of receiving pre-approved, credit-card applications by calling 888-567-8688. * Monitor credit cards and bank accounts online for early fraud detection. * Don’t mail bills from home; use electronic banking, if possible. * Victims of identity theft should get a police report and secure a seven-year fraud alert or a credit freeze. * People 70 and older should contact the credit bureaus and obtain a credit freeze, even if they’re not currently identity-theft victims. * Never wire money to strangers online; these requests are scams.
Centre View Bulletin
Open House. 6 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Labor Resource Center, 5956 Centreville Crest Lane. See the raised garden-box project and speak with staff and interns about CLRC’s events and projects. Refreshments available in the mornings. Visit www.centrevillelrc.org.
Opinion: 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.