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NEW TAX RELIEF DEADLINE
APRIL 1 3/7/14
Both the Town of Vienna and Fairfax
County offer real estate tax relief for low-income homeowners who are 65 years
old and over, or permanently and totally disabled. To qualify, the following
requirements must be met:
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Total household income of $72,000 or less. This amount excludes
$6,500 of income of relatives, other than the spouse, who reside in the household.
Also excluded is $7,500 of any income received by a disabled homeowner. 100%
tax relief is given for total combined income of $52,000 or less, 50% tax
relief between $52,001 and $62,000, and 25% tax relief between $62,001 and
$72,000.
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Total combined assets
of no more than $340,000. This amount excludes the value of the residence, up
to one acre of land, and household furnishings. |
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Disabled persons applying
for the first time must show evidence of disability. |
In addition to real estate tax
relief, Fairfax County provides rental grants and relief from personal property
tax for one automobile per household. Applications for 2014 for all programs
are due April 1. This date may be extended to December 31 of this year for
first-time filers or if hardship conditions exist which, through no fault
of the applicant, prohibit applying by April 1. For more information and to
obtain Town application forms, call (703) 255-6325. For County applications,
call (703) 222-8234. Applications and information can also be found at Vienna
and Fairfax web sites.
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Vienna Mayor Jane Seeman Dies
2/23/14
Mayor Jane Seeman was diagnosed last year with lung cancer, and had put up
a valiant fight since. While she vowed to serve as long as able, she recently
indicated she would not run in this year's election.
Seeman, a resident of Vienna since 1968, was appointed to the Town Council
in 1996 to fill the term of her late husband Rodger Seeman. She was elected
to the council in '97 and '99, and then served six consecutive terms as mayor.
Her current 7th term would have ended this May.
Seeman loved her town, and it was reciprocal. She chaired the bi-monthly
meetings with a no-nonsense style of attention to detail, a keen insight and
ability to get to the bottom of complex issues, and a warmth that connected
with everyone who brought their business before the Council. She will be truly
missed.
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Monday Town Council Meeting, Vice Mayor Carey Sienicki:
Good Evening. Before we
begin... to my right, you will notice an empty chair, draped with sash and
a flower. It is with heavy hearts that we must report that our beloved colleague
and Mayor, M. Jane Seeman, passed away yesterday, February 23, 2014, after
a courageous year-long battle with lung cancer. We first extend our deepest
sympathies to the Colbert and Seeman families, for the passing of their beloved
mother and grandmother. Mayor Seeman has left us all with the legacy of how
to be a model citizen, through her leadership, education and service to community
with a caring compassion to others.
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Over her nearly half a century in Vienna, she has left a positive impact on
this town through her selfless commitment to creating a better, more vibrant
community. Her loving hand and infectious smile has embellished many places
within our Town, in the schools, libraries and organizations where she taught
and volunteered much of her time, but most especially, in Vienna's gardens and
public spaces such as the Town Green, Maple Avenue, Community Center, and Town
Hall. Jane has truly left this world a better place and we are privileged to
have known such a wonderful person who will live forever within the heart of
Vienna. At this moment we ask you pause for a moment of silence in her honor
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Friday, Feb 28
A pleasant sunny, but cool day. The huge chapel of the Presbyterian Church
was barely enough to accomodate the mourners who turned out to say farewell
to Mayor Jane Seeman. The story of her remarkable life was told best by her
family members, who described it in terms of sharing, commitment, fun, achievement,
and love.
"She left too early," her son said. "But then, she did more
than could be expected in ten lifetimes."
The flags stood at half mast as Jane rode past what she considered one of
her best accomplishments, the Vienna Town Green. Thoughtfully, a dozen buses
were provided to take her friends to her burial service in Oakton's Flint
Hill Cemetery. Else, the procession would have been miles long.
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NEW Notes from Fairfax
2/27/14
The following actions were taken at the Regular Supervisory Session 2/25/14
Action 1: The Board approved the 2014 Forest Pest Management Suppression
Program. The program monitors, treats, and protects the County's trees from
gypsy moths, fall cankerworm, Emerald Ash Borer, Thousand Canker Disease,
Sudden Oak Death Disease, Hemlock Wooly Adelgid, and Asian Longhorned beetle.
Action 2: The Board approved the 2014 Disease Carrying Insects Program
that educates residents and combats insects transmitting West Nile virus,
Lyme disease and other tick-born disease, and other disease-transmitting insets.
Action 3: The Board approved awarding federal HOME Investment Partnership
Program Community Housing Development Organization funds totaling $1,374,641,
to three County nonprofit organizations for the acquisition and preservation
of affordable rental housing for low-income households.
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New Another Bus Routing
Meeting Held 2/20/14
Local area residents met Thursday at the Westbriar Elementary
School to hear Fairfax County Department of Transportation's rational behind
the selection of exact routing of the new Connector 432 bus service. The bus
operation will begin on the same day as the Silver Line Metro begins service
between Reston and Washington DC.
Basically, the route known as Alignment 7 was selected on
the basis of Service to Old Courthouse and Beulah Road residents, avoidance
of competition with the Metro 2T on Maple Avenue, and no infrastructure expenses
for bus operations. Also, it penetrated most deeply into the community and
provided the optimal ridership potential of all of the ten options studied.
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A number of improvement along the route is planned to enhance
walkability and safety. About fifty residents turned out.
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NEW
TOWN COUNCIL
CANDIDATE FILING DEADLINE Vienna, VA
Tuesday,
March 4, is the filing deadline for candidates in the May 6 Vienna Town Council
election. This year, voters will elect Mayor and three Town Council members
for two-year terms beginning July 1. Candidates for office must meet certain
qualifications and are required to file specific documents in order to qualify
to appear on the ballot. The information packet for candidates is available
on the State Board of Election's Web site, www.sbe.virginia.gov. For more
information, call 1-800-552-9745 and ask for the Election Services Division.
NEW
BOYS WORKSHOP: AWAKENING THE INNER LEADER, MARCH 22
Vienna Parks and RecreationŐs Club Phoenix Teen Center, 120 Cherry Street
SE, will host a free program for boys ages 11 through 15 on Saturday, March
22, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. called Boys Workshop: Awakening the Inner Leader.
This program is intended to help young boys develop a strong self-image, support
the growth of positive self-esteem and strengthen basic life skills. Several
speakers will participate in the program, including Coach Mark "Pudge"
Gjormand and Vienna Police Department officers, and will discuss a variety
of topics including working as team players, how to be successful in relationships
and making positive choices. The program is free; however, registration is
required. Register by contacting Tammy Funk at (703) 255-5736
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New Fish Rodeo
2/23/14
Vienna Family Fishing Rodeo, a new event, will take place on Saturday,
March 29, at the newly restored Wolftrap Creek in Wildwood Park, 700 block
of Follin Lane SE.
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Participants will fish Wolftrap Creek, which will be stocked with hundreds
of trout just for the occasion!
Volunteers will be on hand to provide instruction, stream edulp teach participants
how tocation and fish cleaning demonstrations. If you would like to help,
contact CathySalgado
The Fishing Rodeo is free and open to Town residents only. Tickets are required
and will be available first come, first serve beginning Saturday, March 15,
at 9 a.m. at the Vienna Community Center. Limit of 6 tickets per household.
Bring ID as proof of residency. Participants should bring fishing rod, bucket,
plastic bag and ice. Bait will be supplied. Three 1-hour fishing time slots
are available: 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. This event is made possible by
a partnership with the Vienna Parks and Recreation Department, Fairfax County
Storm Water Division, Fairfax County Public Works and Environmental Services,
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and Navy Federal Credit Union.
For more information, (703) 255-6360.
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| I Won $200,000! 2/6/14
By Leon
I was still in bed reading the morning paper over a cup of coffee. The phone
rang, and it was Mr. Williams calling to congratulate me for winning a drawing
of a pool of people that always paid their bills on time. Mr. Williams said
he was calling from Las Vegas, although the Caller ID was showing a number
in Jamaica. The breezy Carribean accent said the Caller ID was correct.
He said there is a team of five prize presenters who are staying at a motel
in Falls Church, and would be over at noon to present me with the $200,000
cashier's check. After the presentation, they would accompany me to my bank
to assist me in depositing it into my account. In the meantime, I needed to
take care of one little detail. "Do you have a pencil and paper?"
he asked. I said I did.
I must clear the legal formalities of the prize with the U.S. Government
by going to the CVS Pharmacy and purchasing a Green Dot MoneyPak Card in the
amount of $500. I was not to discuss the purchase with anyone at CVS. "This
is your business only," he cautioned. I was to call him when I returned
on his private cell phone at 1-876-329-4394, which was different than that
showing on the Caller ID. He made me read back the instructions. "When
you have the card and make the call, I will dispatch the team to turn over
the certified check."
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I called the Vienna Police non-emergency number 703-255-6366 and gave a quick
summary. "It's a scam," the dispatcher said. "I know, but I
wonder if you want to nail the guys when they show up?" She said she
would send over an officer.
The officer arrived in five minutes and gave a run-down on this operation.
The pretext is often a huge prize, but sometimes it is a call from someone
posing as a family member who is in jail and needs to be bailed out. The target
is older people who might not be thinking as clearly as when they were young.
The use of a Green Dot card is the medium of choice because it cannot be traced.
CVS, Walmart, and other stores have racks of these pre-paid cards. In many
respects, it is a perfect crime.
The officer said it would be a waste of time to wait for someone to show
up to get the card from me, because it would be too risky for the scam artist.
Invariably, there will be a "change of plans", and the victim will
be instructed to mail the card, or to read the numbers over the phone. Once
Mr. Willams has the numbers, he has $500.
CVS Manager, Mr. Chau, says that every day Vienna people come in to buy the
$500 cards. "We always ask them why they are buying it," he said.
"If they talk about a prize, or bail for a relative, we set them straight."
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cards are activated on line when you purchase them. Security numbers on the
card are revealed when you scratch off a coating, just like a lotto ticket.
When you have the numbers, even if you don't have the card, you have control
of the money. |
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FAIRFAX COUNTY ADOPTS
PARK PROGRAM 1/30/14
The Fairfax County Park
Authority Board adopted a new Natural Resource Management Plan on Jan. 29.
The Park Authority owns over 23,000 acres, most of it undeveloped. Residents
expect and rely on natural areas to provide recreational opportunities as
well as environmental services and benefits. This plan spells out how agency
staff and partners are to protect, restore and manage the natural treasures
entrusted to their care.
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The Plan also provides
direction to staff to incorporate natural resource management into all Park
Authority functions and requires that we inventory, plan, protect, manage,
educate and build partnerships to ensure proper stewardship in support of
the agency mission. The Park Authority Board approved the first agency wide
Natural Resource Management Plan on January 14, 2004.
To read the plan, Click HERE.
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2/8/14
Wildwood Park's pools are thin sheets of ice as we have been feeling some
Arctic air from Canada. But the days are growing longer, and spring will be
here soon.
Click the picture to roll back the calandar to the dedication of the Wolftrap
Creek's improvement program.
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Westbriar is Growing
1/6/14
Westbriar Civic Association will soon have a new member. The house at 301 Niblick
Drive SE was demolished today to make room for two new homes, which will have
addresses of 301 and 303. When they are finished and occupied, Westbriar membership
will grow from 435 to 436. We are not only the oldest continually active civic
association, but also the largest in Vienna.
Our zoning regulations allow subdividing lots which are at least one half acre.
This house was among the first eighteen Westbriar houses which were built in
1955. Most of the lots in Westbriar Zones A and B are in the half-acre size,
so we can expect to see more such subdividing in the future.
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Some Notes from Town Hall 1/14/14
TOWN BUDGET RECEIVES AWARD For the 20th
consecutive year, the Town of Vienna has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation
Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United
States and Canada. This award, for the fiscal year 2013-2014 budget, is the
highest form of recognition for governmental budgeting. In order to receive
the award, a jurisdiction must satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for
effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well
a government's budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations
guide and a communications device.
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FY 2013 FINANCIAL REPORT AVAILABLE The Town of Vienna's Comprehensive
Annual Financial Report for fiscal year 2012-2013 is now available here.
Hard copies may be reviewed in the Finance Department at Town Hall or purchased
for $5 each. The report summarizes the Town's financial position and the results
of operations of the various funds and account groups. It also includes the
auditor's report for FY 2013, information on internal controls for managing
and safeguarding funds, and selected financial and demographic information covering
the last ten fiscal years. For more information, call the Finance Department
at (703) 255-6322.
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New
Deputy Police Chief Takes Office
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Vienna Chief of Police
Jim Morris has announced the appointment of Daniel Janickey as the new Deputy
Chief of Police. He will succeed Captain Mike Miller, who retired on October
1, 2013, after serving 29 years with the Vienna Police Department.
Janickey was selected
from among 103 candidates. "Dan has over 24 years of local law enforcement
experience and brings with him a very diverse resume of accomplishments,"
said Chief Morris. "He will be a great addition to the Town of Vienna
Police department and the community."
Commenting on Chief Morris'
selection, Town Manager Mercury Payton said, "The selection for Deputy
Chief is indicative of the Town's commitment to excellent service. I expect
that Dan will immediately assist the Chief in advancing the goals for the
department."
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Janickey began with the
Fairfax County Police Department in 1989 as a police officer and has held
several positions during his career with the department, most recently serving
as Commander of the McLean District station. He has held several leadership
roles within the County's police department including positions in hostage
negotiations, special operations, incident support services and peer support,
and internal affairs. Janickey also held the position of Assistant Commander
of the Franconia District station and has previously worked out of Sully District
and the Mason District stations. Janickey holds a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal
Justice from Bluefield College in Bluefield, Virginia and completed the Executive
Leadership certificate program at American University in Washington, DC. He
holds several professional certifications including leadership, hostage negotiations,
emergency management, crisis intervention, interrogation, public speaking
and investigations.
Janickey will assume his
official duties with the Town of Vienna on January 21, 2014.
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Lights, Sound, Action! 12/3/13
Church Street Stroll offically brings the
Yule Season to Vienna.
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Well over a thousand hardy folks braved the crisp temperatures
to join the fun last night as the Mayor lighted the Town's Christmas Tree,
ushering in the Holiday Season.
The original Presbyterian Church looks down
at the newly-lighted tree.
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But nobody seemed cold, thanks to a bottomless supply of hot chocolate served
up by Cathy Salgado and her crew from the Town's Department of Parks and Recreation.
The Church Street Stroll is a long-
standing and immensely popular Vienna program.
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The night seemed to be owned by the young
set. Infants in strollers, toddlers perched on Daddy's shoulders, and the
elementary-agers easily made up half the crowd. The early evening program
is bedtime-friendly.
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Music was served up on a portable band shell parked at the
trail.
Here, the class from Wolftrap Elementary School belt out a
few favorites.
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Trains were a big draw as the caboose, decked out in bows
and boughs welcomed a steady flow of visitors.
Meanwhile the Northern Virginia Model Railroaders
showed off their awesome handiwork at the historic train station.
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The marshmellow roasting pit was a popular
spot on Church Street.
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Wolftrap
Creek Project Finished 11/2/13
No more workers' cars
are along Follin Lane near the Navy Federal Credit Union, and no more yellow
machines are in the woods. The project that began last March is finished,
and the wildlife is settling in again after what, to them, must have been
stressful.
The Wildwood Park, which
stretches from Our Lady of Good Council to the W&OD Trail has a different
look and feel now. Previously rain storms would have overflowed the banks
and made the woods a swamp. It also caused problems for nearby residences.
The streambed has been reinforced, and made into a series of cascading pools.
It is pretty, and the improvement of the trails will make the woods an enjoyable
hike for dog walkers and nature lovers. It is the only year-round flowing
stream that touches the Westbriar boundaries.
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The renewed creek looks great surrounded by the blazing fall colors. |
Wolftrap Creek is spring
fed, and drains an area of about two square miles to the south east of OLGC.
The beginning of the creek could be considered the woods surrounding the end
of Byrd Road, although most of the waterflow during storms is now runoff from
all the roofs, sidewalks, driveways and new roads built over the last three
decades. The source area is in essence completely developed at this point.
Rain is concentrated, and water rises fast and higher than the days when the
area was all woods.
From Wildwood Park, the
Wolftrap crosses Echols Street, runs behind Fresh Market, and crosses Maple
at Wendy's. At Creek Crossing Road, it joins forces with a minor branch that
flows across the golf course. By now, the flow has doubled during storms.
By the time the creek passes under Old Courthouse Road, it is capable of flooding
the road and causing nightmares for commuters.
The Wolftrap crosses under
the Dulles Access Road and meanders through the woods behind the Wolftrap
Filene Center. At that point it joins up with the Old Courthouse Spring Branch
coming from Tysons, doubling again in size. A mile later, it joins the main
channel, Difficult Run, which heads to the Potomac River a mile downstream
from Great Falls.
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Town Hall Meetings Now on Live TV
10/29/13
Vienna residents no longer have to go to the twice-per-month Town Council
Meetings to see what is happening in the Vienna government. You can now
see it all on Cox 38.27 or Verizon FIOS 27.
For many years, Vienna Town Meeting videos have been available a day or
two later on the Vienna website. But the single camera was stationary in
the center of the room's ceiling, and showed only the back of the speaker
as he or she addressed the Council members. Now, there are several cameras,
and the proceedings are covered professionally by panning, and zooming to
the person speaking at the moment.
It turns out that the first member of the public to address the Town Council
on the new televised system was from the Westbriar Civic Association. Click
HERE, about 4 minutes in.
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9/25/13
Do You Have a Plan?
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Fairfax County Chairman Sharon
Bulova thought a while before posting this link on her Facebook page, since
the subject matter is something many people don't want to think about. But
with VA Tech, Sandy Hook, Ft Hood, Navy Yard, and now, Nairobi, she thought
the greater good was to see it.
This
video, produced by the Houston Police, could save your life.
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Vienna VA
Fairfax County
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Hunter Mill District
Cathy Hudgins
E-blast
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Luminaria
Instructions
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Do you have an interest in singing?
The Vienna Choral Society would like
to meet you!
www.viennachoralsociety.org
season tickets currently available!
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Pure Pasty
Click photo to learn about something deliciously different
The un-burger
Buttery, Flakey, Dreamy
Ready for really fine dining?
...more than coffee
LadiesÉCome learn about football from the author
of Football 101 and local football Coach Casey Samson. Sample some great tailgate
foods prepared by Chef Patrick Bazin. Topics include:
Rules of Football
Myths and reality about football
Why do people love RGIII but dislike Albert Haynesworth.
Football terminology cheat sheet
Is football safe for kids?
________
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Cafe Renaissance
... for that special occasion
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A great read ...
... by a local author
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