Politics

Mount Vernon: Storck Launches Supervisor Campaign

Currently serving his third term as a member of the Fairfax County School Board, Dan Storck kicked off his campaign to replace a retiring Gerry Hyland (D) as the next Mount Vernon District supervisor.

Mount Vernon: Police Searching for Suspects in Huntington-area Homicide.

Fairfax County Police found 64-year-old Santos Rafael Zelaya inside a residence with multiple gunshot wounds, according to a department release.

Selling Alexandria's City Hall

A costly repair bill for City Hall creates discussion of potential public/private partnership.

Facing a $53 million heating ventilation and air conditioning price tag for City Hall, some on the City Council have begun questioning the wisdom of continuing to operate in City Hall. At a City Council Work Session on March 17, discussion became heated after Mayor William Euille said he had his own ideas for the future of the building and referred to the City Hall property as “a pot of gold.”

Alexandria: Compromise on Waterfront Barging

After a long tug-of-war between local residents and waterfront property developer EYA, acting City Manager Mark Jinks announced an agreement with EYA to use barging instead of trucking to transport materials to and from the South Robinson Terminal development.

Arlington Courtroom Drama

Public Defenders protest pay inequality with Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

“You have a right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.”

Springfield Holds Budget Meeting

Education, Superintendent salary, retirement dominate heated debate.

Fairfax County Executive Ed Long and Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) met with Springfield residents at the lobby of the West Springfield District Police Station on Wednesday, March 18 to discuss the county’s proposed budget. About 25 people gathered at the impromptu meeting place due to a scheduling conflict with another group for the meeting room.

News Briefs for the Week of March 25

News Briefs

Brief: Quintanilla Sentenced To Serve 21 Years

On March 19, in the Alexandria Circuit Court, Jose M. Quintanilla, 44, was sentenced on one count of forcible sodomy, two counts of aggravated sexual battery, three counts of production of child pornography, two counts of possession of child pornography and two counts of indecent liberties with a minor.

Alexandria: Negotiation for Budget Funds

Schools and city clash over continued budget gap.

The deadline for proposing a tax rate increase for fiscal year 2016 passed on March 17 without any update from the city, meaning the funding in the current budget is all of the funding that will be available. For Alexandria police officers and city employees, that means a pay increase and additional career opportunities inside their departments. For Alexandria public schools, who were hoping a last minute decision to raise the tax rate might be enough to cover the $3 million gap between the school’s budget and the city manager’s proposed budget, the news means budget discussions between now and May are going to be tense.

Alexandria: Fighting Fires Without Firefighters

Fire Station 210: No firefighters until 2016?

Fire Station 210 is one of the newest and nicest buildings around the Van Dorn Metro area. It is full three-story building with four operation bays and a training tower. Except it doesn’t have any firefighters. Currently the facility is staffed by emergency medical technicians. Acting City Manager Mark Jinks said that, while the original plan was to have the facility be fully staffed by the end of 2015, “that process could be pushed back to the end of 2016.”

Centreville: ‘A Way for Something Good'

Emotional beginning for Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission.

While several other members of the recently created Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission stated their general intent to listen and learn and help, Salvatore Culosi had a more specific request. “My son would still be alive today,” Culosi said, “but for 2006 Fairfax County policies to routinely use SWAT and aggressive procedures against citizens certified to be low risk.”

Arlington’s Uninsured

Lack of expansion taints Affordable Care Act anniversary.

National and Virginia leadership’s planned celebration of the five-year anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act quickly became a discussion of the program’s outreach failings and concerns following Virginia legislature’s decisions not to expand the program. Federal and state officials met at the Arlington Mills Community Center on Monday, March 23, for for a round table discussion led by Sylvia Burwell, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Gov. Terry McAuliffe, and U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8). Much of the panel’s conversation centered around

Herrity To Run Again for Springfield Supervisor

Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) chose to align himself with the luck of the Irish, using his annual St. Patrick’s Day get together at the Springfield Golf and Country Club to announce his bid to seek re-election to represent the Springfield District.

First Meeting Scheduled for Ad Hoc Police Commission

With endorsement, albeit non-unanimous, from the Board of Supervisors, the ad hoc commission organized by Board Chairman Sharon Bulova to review Fairfax County Police Department practices will hold its first meeting March 23.

Connolly's ‘Holiest Day of the Year’

For 20 years Gerry Connolly has hosted an annual St. Patrick’s Day event. What started in his home has now become one of the biggest fundraising events in Northern Virginia. As John Wittman from Fairfax Station said, “Throw in some great Irish fare and I’m there!”

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