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County News
Council issues drought watch
As unusually dry conditions persist throughout the region, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments put a drought watch into effect last week.
A drought watch is the second level of COG's four-stage regional drought response plan used to monitor water levels and respond to drought conditions throughout the year. COG's drought coordination committee is asking residents and businesses to conserve water and help reduce demand on the region's water supply systems.
Regional officials emphasized that even though there is an adequate supply of water in the Potomac River and backup reservoirs, several smaller systems are experiencing more significant problems, according to a release from the drought committee. Implementing voluntary water conservation across the region at this time will help complement the stricter restrictions already in place in the smaller systems and help ensure that water supplies remain adequate.
"Even though in the fall the demand for water typically declines, we want to emphasize and encourage the public to continue to practice outdoor and indoor water conservation measures," said committee chair and Fairfax County Executive Tony Griffin.
"Limiting the watering of lawns, plants and shrubs, using a broom instead of a hose to clean sidewalks and driveways, repairing leaking toilets and faucets, reducing shower length to under 5 minutes, turning off water while brushing your teeth, and washing full loads in dish and clothes washers are all simple ways to save water. We urge everyone to follow these commonsense guidelines."
The flow in the Potomac River, while low, remains at a level about twice that of current water supply demands. Special water supply reservoirs constructed in the early 1980s to provide water during droughts are full and unlikely to be needed.
A detailed list of wise water tips can be found at www.wisewateruse.com.
Nicole Brown's sister to speak on domestic violence
Denise Brown, sister of Nicole Brown Simpson and chair of the Nicole Brown Foundation, will speak at a gala in Northern Virginia to help raise money for a foundation that helps women and children escape domestic violence.
The Time to Fly Foundation is hosting its sixth annual Fallfest gala on Saturday, Oct. 27, at Grace Covenant Church and Conference Center, 4600 Brookfield Corporate Drive in Chantilly. Time to Fly is a grassroots, faith-based nonprofit in Northern Virginia providing direct training services to women and children from Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
Founded in 2001, the organization is primarily driven by trained volunteers. The mission is to help individuals regain their self-worth, break the domestic violence generational cycle and strengthen the family unit from the damaging effects of domestic abuse.
For details about the gala or sponsorship opportunities, call 703-531-1085 or visit www.timetofly.org.
State agencies seek to prevent driving deaths
More than 900 people are killed on Virginia’s highways each year, according to state officials – an average of nearly three per day.
The Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia State Police and Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles are now joining forces to improve traffic safety in Virginia. As part of the newly formed multi-agency partnership, the three agencies are aligning their efforts to significantly reduce the number of deaths on Virginia’s highways and working collaboratively to address some of the most significant risk factors for highway fatalities. They are also reaching out to partners from the nonprofit and private sectors to join in the challenge to cut by 100 the number of deaths on Virginia highways by 2010.
“This partnership represents our renewed commitment to work together and our eagerness to join with safety partners across the state in reducing traffic fatalities,” D.B. Smit, DMV commissioner, said in a release. “We want to remind citizens that traffic crashes are caused by the way we drive, and our efforts will continue to educate Virginians about critical safety lessons.”
VDOT Commissioner David S. Ekern added, “There are many things our three agencies can do to improve safety from the engineering, enforcement and education standpoint. Still, there is no more effective tool available to prevent crashes and reduce the risk of injury or death if a crash occurs than changing driver behavior. We must remind everyone in Virginia that they are responsible for their safety each time they turn the key.”
Wolf calls for 'telework week'
U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10th) last week called for the creation of a “National Telework Week” as part of his ongoing effort to promote telework in both the public and private sectors.
In a letter to President Bush asking for the designation, Wolf emphasized that telework should be a regular part of the 21st-century workplace. He said a National Telework Week would provide the opportunity to encourage more employers to consider telework for their employees.
“The best part of telework is that it improves the quality of life for all,” Wolf wrote. “Telework reduces traffic congestion and air pollution. It reduces gas consumption and our dependency on foreign oil. Telework is good for families – working parents have flexibility to meet everyday demands. Telework provides people with disabilities greater job opportunities. Telework helps fill our nation's labor market shortage. It is also a good way for retirees to pick up part-time work.”
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