<sh>New Board Sworn In
<bt>The new Fairfax County School Board members took the oath of office Dec. 17 and will have their first meeting Jan. 8, beginning at 7 p.m., at Luther Jackson Middle School.
The board features six incumbents and six new members, five of which are serving for the first time. At-large member Ilryong Moon is returning after losing his re-election bid in 1999.
<sh>Bulova Elected Board's Vice Chairman
<bt>Supervisor Sharon Bulova (D-Braddock) became vice chairman of the Board of Supervisors Jan. 5, taking over from Supervisor Gerry Hyland (D-Mount Vernon), who held the post under former Chairman Katherine Hanley (D). Bulova was elected by her colleagues on the Board after she was nominated by Hyland.
Bulova, a 16-year veteran of the Board, said she was looking forward to taking on a leadership position on the Board.
"It's an opportunity to stretch and do something new and have an opportunity to play a new and different role on the Board," she said.
The vice chairman runs Board meeting whenever the chairman is away and represents the Board at meetings if the chairman is not available.
The vice chairman also performs "any other duties she is assigned," said Bulova. This means that the vice chairman works largely at the discretion of the chairman.
"I want to make myself as helpful as possible to [Board chairman] Gerry [Connolly]," she said. "We really haven't had a discussion of any particular project, but he knows that I'm there and available and willing to do anything he needs."
Bulova said she's been interested in seeking the vice chairman's position for several years.
Bulova's colleagues said her election is a reflection of her leadership abilities.
"She has been an uncontested supervisor in her district and has been well respected," said Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill).
<sh>Correction
<bt>In the article "Dance Teacher Stresses Life's Lessons," (Connection Newspapers, Nov. 27-Dec. 3) the military rank was mislabeled. Richardson was a colonel in the U.S. Army and not a lieutenant colonel. In the article, Richardson's quote saying that men are better dancers than women, was misinterpreted. He said that women picked up dancing with a greater ease. Also, Richardson's annual party is at The Landings community center on Sunday, Dec. 7, and not The Oaks community center.
<sh>Lusk Named Planning Commissioner
<bt>Supervisor Dana Kauffman (D-Lee) appointed Rodney Lusk to replace Jack Kelso as the Lee District planning commissioner. Kelso is moving out of the area.
Lusk, whose term as an at-large member of the Fairfax County Park Authority has just expired, is the manager of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority's Capital Attraction Program. Lusk previously served as a land use aide for Chairman Gerald E. Connolly (D) when he was the Providence District supervisor.
The Planning Commission's next meeting is on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 8:15 p.m., in the Board Auditorium of the Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway.
<sh>DWI Checkpoint Snares 2
<bt>Fairfax County Police conducted a sobriety checkpoint in the West Springfield District on Wednesday, Dec. 31, between 11 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. Approximately 1,000 cars passed through the checkpoint located in the northbound lanes of the Fairfax County Parkway near Huntsman Boulevard. Two motorists were arrested for driving while intoxicated.
<sh>Town Hall Meeting
<bt>State Sen. Toddy Puller (D-36th) and Del. Mark Sickles (D-43rd) are hosting a town meeting to discuss Gov. Warner's two-year budget proposal, his tax reform initiative and other issues facing the 2004 Virginia General Assembly. The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Franconia Government Center. Gov. Warner's deputy policy director Bill Murray will also be on hand to discuss the proposed budget.