The Cook Advisory: Governance Conference

Supervisor Cook Invites You to the Citizen Governance Conference on 

Saturday, May 5 at Frost Middle School

A community of engaged citizens has the potential for extraordinary accomplishments, and Supervisor Cook has remained committed to this goal through his Community Engagement Initiative. He believes this conference will be an enhancement of his earlier efforts.

The May 5th Citizen Governance Conference will be held at the Junior Achievement Finance Park on the campus of Frost Middle School and run from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. This Conference will provide people with the information and structure needed to help form and participate in a number of Advisory Committees that will work directly with Supervisor Cook and his office, advising on policy and helping create a long term vision for Braddock District.

The morning of the conference will provide attendees with the context and knowledge base to begin to see where their input is needed. It will include a presentation on the Braddock District's demographic characteristics, a review of the current comprehensive land use and transportation plans for Braddock, and a panel discussion made up of leaders of citizen committees in other districts, so that participants have the background needed to help design their own committees. The afternoon will be focused on five breakout sessions that will each cover a specific policy area: Land Use and Environmental Management, Transportation, Aging in Braddock, Education, and the Fairfax County Budget. The goal is that the individuals attending each breakout session may form the nucleus of a new citizen advisory committees in those particular policy areas.

While attendance for this event is not capped, the Braddock Office is asking that if you are interested in attending, please RSVP to braddock@ fairfaxcounty.gov to ensure enough lunches are provided. Additionally, for ease of planning, please indicate which breakout session you think you would like to participate in. Supervisor Cook would also like to thank the event's corporate sponsors, Wegmans and Saxbys, for their participation in making this event possible.

If you would like the Full Agenda for the conference you can view it on our website at Braddock District Website or if you would like to view the pdf version you may go to  Braddock District PDF.

Guinea Road Closures for Next Two Weekends

Weather permitting, on Friday, April 27 at 10:00 p.m. Flippo Construction will be implementing a detour of Guinea Road while they excavate and construct phase II abutments. All work will be completed by 5:00 a.m. Monday, April 30. 

Guinea Road will also be closed for the weekend of May 4, starting at 10:00 p.m. until May 7, ending at 5:00 a.m. On Friday May 4th at 10:00 p.m. the contractor (Flippo Construction) will be placing a detour of traffic from Guinea Road while they set the precast Conspan sections on Phase II abutments. All work will be completed by 5:00 a.m. Monday, May 7th.

Be Mindful of Your Surroundings

Warm weather is here. People are venturing outdoors for leisurely walks, invigorating exercise and taking advantage of Fairfax County's trails. Police encourage residents to be smart and take precautions when using trails, parks, paths and remote roadways in Fairfax County.

While Fairfax County has among the lowest number of violent crimes in the country, many outdoor crimes include indecent exposures, drug and narcotic offenses, trespassing, destruction of property and assault offenses. 

The police have safety in mind and officers proactively patrol the county's trails, roads and pathways every day, searching for suspicious activity. They are out on foot, in their police cars or riding bicycles through neighborhoods, local parks or shopping centers. Crime Prevention Officers also play a vital role by meeting with residents, merchants and shoppers; they share helpful personal safety tips and crime deterrence information.

You are encouraged to follow these essential safety tips:

• Try not to go out alone; if you do, make sure someone knows where you will be and when you expect to return.
• If possible, avoid using trails after dark.
• Do not use headphones at a high volume; make sure you can hear what's going on around you.
• Always look ahead and see what or who is around you. (Also if exercising, watch out for potholes, gates and other trail users and obey traffic signals.)
• Call 9-1-1 if you feel you are in imminent danger.
• Carry your cell phone with you at all times and pre-program 9-1-1 into your phone.*
• Call the non-emergency number if you see any suspicious activity.*
• Suspicious activity is any person, noise, car or event that that doesn't feel right to you.
• The non-emergency number in Fairfax County is: 703-691-2131. It might be beneficial to pre-program your local police's non-emergency number into your phone.
• Always lock your car doors and if driving to a trail or park, leave your valuables at home! If you do bring them, lock them in the trunk but beware of someone watching you do this.
• Valuables commonly stolen from parked vehicles include GPS units, laptop computers, blue tooth devices, CDs, purses/wallets.
• Remove any empty bags or briefcases from your vehicle to allay criminals' curiosities.
• Clean the GPS suction cup circle from your windshield.

*Do not hesitate to call the police. If you see something suspicious or are the victim of a crime (even if you are not hurt), the sooner you call the police, the more likely police can locate a suspect, individual or vehicle.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text "TIP187" plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

Mason Day 2012

FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012

3:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Fairfax Campus, Parking Lot L

(near Braddock Road/Patriot Center)

An annual tradition, Mason Day is a celebration for their campusband marks the end of a great year. Live music is always a mainstay at Mason Day. This year  they will welcome:

7:00 p.m. - Sub-Radio Standard  

8:00 p.m. - Electric Touch

9:00 p.m. Hot Chelle

Mason Day is free for all Students, Faculty, and Staff with Valid Student ID.

$15 for Community Members

$10 Children/Students with ID from other schools

Free - Children under 5