Gerald A. "Jerry" Fill
Free Lance Reporter, Connection Newspapers: 2009 to Present
B.S. Kent State University
M.P.A. The Maxwell School for Citizenship & Public Affairs, Syracuse University
Senior Analyst: U.S. Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Executive Office of the President
Deputy Associate Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Special Assistant, Director of Enforcement, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); U.S. Department of Justice
Member, Vice Chair: Fairfax County School Board
Member, Virginia State Board of Health
Elected, Virginia State Delegate, Virginia General Assembly
Member, Vice Chair, Health Systems Agency of Northern Virginia; Chair, Certificate of Need Committee
Recent Stories
Authority Renames Park’s Visitors Center for Hoffman
In recogniton of Norma Hoffman’s commitment to environmental protection.
The Fairfax County Park Authority has decided to name the Huntley Meadows Park Visitor’s Center after Norma Hoffman fro her long-time commitment to the park.
Cox Narrows Digital Divide
New program offers low cost internet service to disadvantaged families.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by about 100 people on Monday, June 3, at the Murraygate Village Community Center located near the Hybla Valley Shopping Center off of Richmond Highway, Cox Cable executives from Fairfax County, Northern Virginia, and their national offices, announced the launch of Connect2Compete Virginia, a national non-profit program to provide broadband internet access in their homes to families with children (K-12) who participate in the national free school lunch program by offering discounted high speed internet service.
Roads and Veterans
Puller reviews her legislative priorities.
Reflecting back on the past General Assembly session, state Sen. Linda “Toddy” Puller (D-36) said over the Memorial Day weekend that the “passage of transportation legislation was the most important funding bill in 27 years; not since former Gov. Gerald Baliles’ transportation legislation was enacted has there been a transportation bill more important. … We very much needed an infusion of cash for both maintenance and new construction and this legislative package will provide it.”
Working To Help Ex-Offenders
Local probation office reintegrates ex-offenders into community.
As a longstanding observer of criminal behavior trends Lisa Stapleton, a 21-year veteran of the state Department of Corrections and, since 2007, chief of Probation and Parole of Alexandria, said, “80 percent of our adult offenders on probation have committed crimes because they have at one time or another been involved in substance abuse violations … and I would also say that we are much more aware that the source of problems for many offenders entering into criminal behavior are untreated or unresolved mental health issues.
Bridging Students’ Digital Divide
WPHS hosts community outreach event.
This past Monday evening, May 19, Fairfax County Public Schools conducted the first of 10 community outreach sessions countywide intended to engage interested parents, community leaders and others in helping the school system to develop a vision and plan for the future of digital learning in the Fairfax county public school system.
Aerial Spraying Program Criticized
County targets canker worm moth.
Despite concerns voiced by residents and the Audubon Society, Fairfax County conducted aerial and ground spraying on Monday, April 22, using the pesticide Bacillus thuringienisis (Bt) to kill the canker worm moth in six areas of the Mount Vernon Magisterial District, including the Hollin Hall and Paul Spring Parkway area in the Fort Hunt neighborhood.
Picking Up 474 Bags of Trash
Friends of Little Hunting Creek help clean up local waterway.
For the 11th year, Friends of Little Hunting Creek, led by its president Betsy Martin, and a group of 191 volunteers, picked up 474 bags of trash and recyclables, 43 tires, 19 shopping carts and other items such as sofas, traffic cones, air conditioner, bed springs, bike, kitchen sink, and more.
Meet New SFDC Executive Director
Edythe Frankel Kelleher appointed last month.
Edythe Frankel Kelleher, recently appointed executive director of the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation, may be the first true “homegrown” executive director in a long line of staff director’s appointed in the past several years by the SFDC. Previous executive directors lived outside of Fairfax County.
Local Author Writes First Novel
Stephen D. Hayes, a Belle Haven resident since 1976, has written a fictionalized story that combines his love of sailing with his wartime experiences gained while serving for two years in the U.S. Navy in the Vietnam war.
The Forces That Shape Mount Vernon
Transit study to relieve Route 1 corridor traffic gridlock; boundary studies to relieve overcrowded schools.
The decision several years ago by the federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) to massively expand the Fort Belvoir military base on Route 1 near Woodlawn Plantation will continue to be felt by the Mount Vernon community in many ways and for years to come.