For its first issue of 2015, the Connection asked various local leaders what are the most significant issues and/or events facing the City of Fairfax in the coming year.
Scott Silverthorne
“As mayor, my job is to enhance our community's quality of life, wherever possible. Our City enjoys a vibrant and historical downtown, strong business and residential communities and an exciting variety of arts, cultural and recreational opportunities unparalleled in the Washington, D.C., area. We also have one of the nation’s premier universities, George Mason University, adjacent to our community.
The City of Fairfax has also experienced tremendous progress over the past decade. We have invested in a new community center, new public library, a renovated and expanded City Hall, new police station, four public schools and purchased an additional 56 acres of open space. All of these, combined with an unprecedented private-sector interest in our historic downtown and the redevelopment of Fairfax Boulevard, make this one of the most exciting times in our City’s history.
We must keep up our momentum. In particular, a renewed focus on our residential neighborhoods and building an even stronger sense of community is my focus over the next year. Most people tell me they discovered the City of Fairfax by accident. However, once they moved here, they say they wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
I want to build on that sense of pride in our community – stronger civic associations, even better collaboration between City Hall and neighborhood leadership, and building more community engagement in public policy decisions facing the City.”
--Scott Silverthorne, mayor
Michael McCarty
2015 will bring lots of excitement for the entire community and region as we open a new civic park called Old Town Square, which features an interactive water fountain. Old Town Square and the historic downtown will be the host to many events.
They’ll begin with Chocolate Lovers Festival on Feb. 7 and 8 and continue with the launch of the 30th annual Spotlight of the Arts in March and April. We will also formally open Old Town Square on April 18, and the Rock the Block Series will start May 22.
One of our newest and most unique events will be the Derby-Q, a BBQ, Blues, Bourbon and Brews festival on Saturday, May 2, featuring a live broadcast of the Kentucky Derby.
The City will also be center stage for the 2015 World Police and Fire Games, the largest international sporting event in the world, with the Cycling Criterium on Sunday, June 28 and the Fireman’s Muster on July 4.
We will obviously have our traditional, large and small events throughout the year that are beloved by all. Information on these exciting events and all City activities may be found on www.fairfaxva.gov or on the new City app, TGIFairfax.
--Michael McCarty, Parks and Recreation director
Carl Pardiny
The men and women of the City of Fairfax Police Department are committed to serving our community and, as the Chief of Police, I am proud of our longstanding tradition of excellence.
In the coming New Year, the police department will be using Twitter and Facebook to enhance traditional means of communication with the public. Additionally and among other yet-to-be announced initiatives, I am pleased to announce that we will be hosting our second annual “Kids Safety Saturday” during the fall. This successful event brings the children and families of our community to the police department where topics such as bicycle, pedestrian and skateboard safety are addressed in a fun, picnic-like environment.
Community outreach meetings will be scheduled with representatives from the City’s diverse homeowner and civic associations, as well as with members of the City’s business and professional communities. During these meetings, we hope to discuss police performance, crime prevention and other topics of interest or concern.
In 2014, the police department experienced a large number of retirements, many from our top leadership positions. While these retirements have opened new opportunities for many of our members, the police department will face the challenge of filling multiple vacancies in our Patrol ranks.
Attaining increased diversity among our members is a high priority of our recruiting strategy, and we will continue our efforts to hire top-quality candidates with diverse backgrounds. When it is possible and when staffing allows, it is my hope to rejuvenate our Community Bicycle Patrol program which will place police officers on mountain bikes in our parks, business districts and neighborhoods.
Continued advancements in technology provide us with opportunities to enhance our delivery of police services. Hence, the department will be exploring and implementing the use of body-worn cameras to complement the camera systems already mounted in our patrol vehicles.
The police department’s top priorities in 2015 continue to include keeping our roadways, neighborhoods, businesses and schools safe, while maintaining direct and inclusive partnerships with our community through a variety of community-outreach and community-policing initiatives.
--Carl Pardiny, police chief
John MacPherson
Finding transitional housing for the homeless, in a setting similar to a dormitory, where it is easy to provide support services, is important. Getting housing first is the best way to stabilize individuals so they can work on their issues like mental health and addictions, but it is difficult and expensive to provide services to those who are housed in apartments scattered all over the area.
Changing the way we deal with the mentally ill is also a major need that goes beyond the local level. Right now, the only way to get someone help is for them to be arrested. People who are clearly exhibiting symptoms of mental illness should not have to be arrested in order to get help. Intervention needs to be available before someone hurts themselves or someone else.
--John MacPherson, executive director, The Lamb Center