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Message from Supervisor McKay

Last year, our county budget was a wake up call to many of us who saw Fairfax as a land of plenty with quality of life for all.  Slowly, we came to understand that we, too, were subject to the strong financial headwinds battering the national and state economies. 

The county executive’s proposed budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1 reflects our new reality—one that is likely to continue for some time.  Between the proposed budget’s release and its adoption on April 27, my colleagues and I will be listening to constituents and working to fine tune the budget to align it as closely as possible with citizen priorities and economic reality.  It will be a challenge to maintain our quality of life and our school system while reducing services and turning our backs on programs that might be wonderful but unaffordable.  I will be participating in these budget deliberations believing that there are some government responsibilities that are not negotiable.  Public safety and basic human services are more important than ever during this economic downturn. 

At first read, this budget makes the best of a difficult situation.  I am pleased that it recognizes the importance of zoning enforcement to our neighborhoods.  Bringing together staff from different agencies into a centralized department of code enforcement (including the Strike Team) will let us respond to enforcement issues more quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively.  The budget also recognizes that we cannot use homeowners as a bottomless piggy bank for programs that we cannot afford.  While the county executive’s proposed budget has a property tax rate of $1.09, because of declining property values, the average homeowner’s bill will be $48 less than last year’s.  This budget also recognizes the need to find revenue sources other than homeowners and I note that my suggestion last year to reinstitute the vehicle registration fee has been included.  The $33 fee is estimated to raise $27 million a year . 

Schools are the Board of Supervisors’ priority and that’s reflected in this budget with almost 54 percent of the General Fund.  It may be possible to increase the school transfer but it’s too early to make that call as we wait for more information about the impact of the state budget on K-12. 

Right now, I am concerned by the proposed elimination of middle school SROs (school resource officers )—these police officers have made impressive inroads into eliminating gang activity in our schools. Eliminating them would cost us much more in the long run.

Our challenge is to find new ways of doing things: better and more efficient ways to stretch our revenue dollars, more partnerships with non-profits and the private sector, and diversified revenue sources to take the pressure off our homeowners.

You can find more detailed information on the county budget at
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/2010/county-executive-budget-proposal-fy2011.htm

Lee District This Weekend

Delegate Sickles Town Hall Meeting

Saturday, January 30th  10:00 am to noon
Snyder Center
  6450 S Van Dorn St., Alexandria, VA 22315
  map, click here

Delegate Mark Sickles will be holding a town hall meeting in the 43rd district to discuss ongoing state issues, the budget, and the winter legislative session. Guests joining him will be State Senator George Barker and Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay.

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Lee District Open House

Saturday, January 30th, 1-3 pm
Franconia Governmental Center
6121 Franconia Rd
Alexandria, VA 22310
  map: http://tinyurl.com/franconia-gc

Come meet Supervisor Jeff McKay and his Lee District Staff. Also enjoy the annual Springfield Art Guild Show. Light refreshments will be served.

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LeeDems Volunteer Appreciation Party

Sunday, January 31st 4-6 pm
Thompson Center
6090 Kingstowne Village Parkway
Alexandria, VA 22315
map: http://tinyurl.com/thompson-center

Join Lee District Democrats for a volunteer thank you and appreciation party for all the hard work done over the last year. Food, fun, Dems. This is not a fundraiser.

 

Delegate Sickles Town Hall Meeting

Saturday, January 30th  10:00 am to noon
Snyder Center
  6450 S Van Dorn St., Alexandria, VA 22315
  map, click here

Delegate Mark Sickles will be holding a town hall meeting in the 43rd district to discuss ongoing state issues, the budget, and the winter legislative session.

Guests joining him will be State Senator George Barker and Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay.

Congressman Connolly on Fiscal Discipline

Congressman Gerry Connolly recently appeared on Comcast Local Edition to talk about fiscal discipline and the need for this Congress to take meaningful steps to address the federal deficit.

Senator Puller, Delegate Surovell Town Hall Meeting

Senator Puller (D-36) and Delegate Surovell (D-44) are holding a Town Meeting at the Fairfax County Mount Vernon Governmental Center and will discuss legislative activities in Richmond. The 2010 Session of the General Assembly began January 13. Everyone is invited to attend the Town Meeting to share your views and concerns and ask questions.

Date: Saturday, January 23, 2010
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Mount Vernon Governmental Center (2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria, VA 22306; map, click here).

16th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Fete

Since my first run for Providence District Supervisor in 1995, I have hosted an annual St. Patrick’s Day Fete. The event has grown from a small gathering of friends at my home, to one of the highlights of the Democratic political season.

Congressman Gerry Connolly’s 16th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Fete

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Kena Temple
9001 Arlington Boulevard
Fairfax, VA 22031
  map: http://tinyurl.com/kena-ffx

Tickets start at $40 each. Click here to purchase tickets.

For questions or to RSVP and pay at the door, email patrick@gerryconnolly.com.

Supervisor McKay – 2009 in Review

• County Budget
• Transportation
• South Van Dorn Street and Telegraph Road Improvements
• Mortgage Fraud Investigation
• Parks, Recreation, Environment
• Huntley Meadows Wetlands
• Sidewalks
• Shop Local Year-Round
• New Parking Regulations
• Walking to School
• Walking Town Meetings
• Lee District Open House 
• Snow Removal Update

Click here to read all about these important topics.

Del. Sickles Holiday Reception

You are cordially invited to a holiday reception at the home of Delegate Mark Sickles. Celebrate the winter season and the start of a brand new year.

Sunday, December 13th 2-4 pm
5933 Embry Spring Lane
Alexandria, VA 22315
  map, click here

- please park on Hampton Knoll Drive -

Holiday desserts will be served. Please RSVP  by December 5th: 703-922-6449, Sickles2009@gmail.com.

Lee Delegates Sweep Post Endorsements

Lee District is represented by four House of Delegates districts: 39th, 43rd, 44th and 45th. The Washington Post made endorsements for each race, and it’s a clean sweep for the Democrats!

39th, incumbent Vivian Watts
Of her challengers: “None is the equal of Ms. Watts, a former state secretary of transportation.”

43rd, incumbent Mark Sickles
“A savvy, productive lawmaker.”

44th, open seat Scott Surovell
“An energetic, creative-minded lawyer who knows state and local issues in depth. He’s clearly the best choice for this open seat.”

45th, incumbent David Englin
“Is in a cakewalk against a former Bush administration appointee whose knowledge and experience regarding state and local issues are tissue-thin.”

44th House of Delegates Candidate Debates

Come support Democrat Scott Surovell at the upcoming debates:

• Thursday, October 15
  7 pm at the Hollin Hall Senior Center (1500 Shenandoah Road, Alexandria, VA 22308; map, click here)
• Tuesday, October 20
  7:30 pm at the Stratford Landing Citizen’s Association Forum, Stratford Landing Elementary School (8484 Riverside Rd, Alexandria, VA 22308; map, click here)
• Wednesday, October 21
  7:30 pm at the Memorial Heights Citizen’s Assocaition Forum, Bryant Adult Education Center (2709 Popkins Ln, Alexandria, VA 22306; map, click here)

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