New Traffic Pattern in Old Town
<bt>Drivers will now be able to turn into Old Town Fairfax during non-rush hours. Southbound traffic on Chain Bridge Road will be allowed to turn left from the left lane onto Main Street every day, except between 4 and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information, call 703-385-7846.
<sh>Candidate Finances in the 37th District
<bt>In the month of October, John Mason (R) raised $84,639.85 while David Bulova (D) raised $81,653.74. Libertarian Scott McPherson raised $925 in loans and contributions this period, and Independent Green Dan Haugh did not raise any money.
The latest report brings Mason’s total funds raised to nearly $345,000, and Bulova’s to just over $360,000, with $84,642.97 on hand for Mason and $57,020.88 on hand for Bulova. McPherson has raised a total of $4,569, with $1,313 on hand.
Mason’s top three campaign donations in the month of October came from Preston Bryant for Delegate ($10,000), The Leadership PAC ($5,000), and Oakton resident James Hazel of Angler Companies, Inc. ($5,000). Bulova’s top three donors this filing period were One Virginia PAC ($30,000), House Democratic Caucus ($5,059), and Suzann Matthews of McLean ($5,000). McPherson's largest donations this period came from Falls Church high school teacher Stephen Dabasch ($250) and from wife Charlotte McPherson ($200).
The biggest spending items for the candidates this month were: $13,887.73 on direct mailing materials by Mason, a $7,662 donation to the House Democratic Caucus by Bulova, and $760 spent on road signs for McPherson.
<sh>Campaign Finances in the 41st District
<bt>In the last week before the Nov. 8 election, Dave Marsden (D) outraised Michael Golden (R) with $175,679.26 to Golden's $151,546.16 during the month of October. Marsden's total funds raised are $431,760.63, with $87,751.80 on hand, while Golden has raised $399,617.76, with $62,564.97 on hand.
The candidates' biggest single expenditures this period were television advertisements. Marsden spent $80,000 on TV ads handled by D.C.-based Squier, Knapp & Dunn Communications, Inc. Golden spent $50,042 on his ad, handled by OnMessage, Inc. in Alexandria.
Marsden's top three contributions this period came from Leadership for Virginia ($25,000), One Virginia PAC ($15,000), and the House Democratic Caucus ($3,944). For Golden, the top three contributors this period were Virginia Conservative Action PAC ($10,000), Virginia Automobile & Truck Dealers PAC ($5,000), and the Virginia Club for Growth PAC ($5,000).
<sh>Tax Relief Workshop, Nov. 9
<bt>Supervisor Linda Q. Smyth (D-Providence) presents a workshop on real estate tax relief for Providence District seniors, Wednesday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at 8739 Lee Highway, Fairfax.
Representatives from Fairfax County's Department of Tax Administration will be available to help seniors determine if they are eligible for tax relief and show them how to apply. Last month, The Board of Supervisors expanded the Real Estate Tax Relief Program for the Elderly and Disabled, increasing eligibility requirements. The change is retroactive to the entire tax year 2005. Applicants who have already been certified for exemption need not reapply.
For more on the workshop, call Tania Hossain at 703-560-6946, TTY 711. For more about real estate tax relief, call 703-222-8234, TTY 703-222-7594. Relief applications are at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dta/pdf_files/2005taxrelief.pdf.
<sh>Board Volunteers Sought
<bt>The City of Fairfax has a variety of openings on advisory boards and commissions. Applicants must be registered voters, and letters of interest are due by Nov. 28 to City Clerk Melanie Burrell. Call 703-385-7935.
* The Board of Architectural Review has one vacancy for a city business owner. This board hears requests for new construction, alteration or significant landscaping in the Historic, Transition and Architectural Control Districts, among other duties, and meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
* The Commission on the Arts has one vacancy. This commission encourages and provides opportunities for artistic expression, and meets the third Tuesday of each month.
* The Commission for Women has two vacancies. This commission identifies and advocates for the needs of women, is open to both men and women, and meets the third Tuesday of each month.
<sh>Workshop for Katrina Responders
<bt>The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, Fairfax County government and Fairfax Families Care are sponsor "After Katrina Workshop: A Toolkit for Responding to Trauma," on Wednesday, Nov. 9, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., in the first floor conference room of Fairfax County's Regional Human Services Office, 6245 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church.
Helen Fitzgerald, a grief specialist and author of books and articles on personal loss, grieving and mourning, will be on hand, with other local caregivers, to address common ways people of all ages react to trauma, strategies for coping with grief and loss, symptoms of traumatic stress, approaches to help others cope, how to transition into a new job or school, stress management for caregivers and host families, and much more.
Free child care will be provided on site by Fairfax County. To register, call the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board Alcohol and Drug Training Line by Monday, Nov. 7, at 703-934-8753, TTY 711. For more information, contact Dr. Jim Stratoudakis at 703-324-7020, TTY 711, or james.stratoudakis@fairfaxcounty.gov.