In the Braddock District, Supervisor Sharon Bulova (D) said she wants to focus on revitalizing some of the older communities in 2007. In the past, efforts have been focused on revitalizing commercial districts throughout the county, she said, but the aging residential communities shouldn't be overlooked. Bulova wants to empower the homeowners with some tools, such as low-interest loans or architectural guidelines, to encourage "sprucing up," she said.
Older communities may not have covenants or by-laws anymore, so helping establish homeowners associations or other organizational bodies could really benefit the residents in those older communities, she said.
"I could do sort of a pilot in my district and work with older communities," said Bulova.
Bulova said she hopes to fine-tune the plans and eventually get all county districts involved in implementing similar projects.
The Little River Glen Senior Center on Olley Lane and the Little River Turnpike expanded in 2006 with the opening of the Braddock Glen assisted living facility next door. Braddock Glen's capacity is 60 residents, but the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is set to begin plans for Olley Glen, a 90-unit independent living community, in 2007. Bulova said she'll begin to conduct community meetings about what is proposed for the site. Olley Glen will be a part of the Little River Glen senior complex and would house "essentially more independent apartments for seniors of moderate incomes," said Bulova.
All 140 seats in the General Assembly are up for grabs in 2007. It is also an election year for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board, the Commonwealth's Attorney, Sheriff, Commissioner of the Revenue, Treasurer, Clerk of Circuit Court and Soil and Water Directors.
Bulova is running to retain her seat in November, and J. Chapman "Chap" Petersen — a former Democratic state delegate — is running for Republican Jeannemarie Devolites Davis' seat in the 34th District of the State Senate. Northern Virginian Democrats did well in the 2006 election, but Devolites Davis' husband, U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-11), was able to hold onto his seat.
The Burke Centre Conservancy is conducting its board of trustees and cluster committee member election in March. All seven trustee seats are up for grabs each year. The election ballots must be cast in the Conservancy offices by noon, Saturday, March 3. Five of the trustees represent each of the five neighborhoods in Burke Centre — the Woods, Oaks, Landings, Commons and Ponds — and the two remaining seats are for at-large members. Anyone who wants to run for the volunteer positions can call the Conservancy office at 703-978-2928, or visit burkecentre.org.