During last year’s campaign when I was knocking on doors in the Jefferson Manor neighborhood in Fairfax, residents of every political stripe all complained about the crumbling, dilapidated streets and sidewalks in their neighborhood, and they demanded action. Tom Rickert, who at the time was the president of the Jefferson Manor Citizens Association, got me up to speed on the issue and walked me around to some of the worst effected streets, which reminded me of parts of post-war Sarajevo. Since then, I have been working to deliver on the remaining phases of the Jefferson Manor Public Improvement Project, and I want to share some recent developments.

As Jefferson Manor residents know, Phase I (Farmington Drive, Farnsworth Drive, and part of Edgehill Drive) and Phase II-A (Jefferson Drive and part of Monticello Road) of the project were completed some time ago. However, the fact that some residents have benefited from new sidewalks and streets and others continue to live with crumbling curbs and roads only highlights the disparity among neighbors who pay the same taxes and deserve the same service from their government.

The good news is that Phase II-B, which covers improvements to Fort Drive, is now fully funded, and we can expect to see that work begin in 2007.

Unfortunately, Phase III (Edgehill Court, Albermarle Drive, part of Edgehill Drive, and part of Fairhaven Avenue) and Phase IV (Williamsburg Road, part of Monticello Road, and part of Fairhaven Avenue) have been on hold for some time because of the estimated $17 million price tag.

After meeting with Supervisor Dana Kauffman and Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer individually to discuss this issue, it became clear that the three of us would need to meet together to work out a solution. That meeting finally happened on July 5. Given the $17 million price tag and the General Assembly’s continued failure to address Virginia’s statewide transportation funding crisis, the three of us decided that we would make progress more quickly by breaking down Phases III and Phase IV into sub-phases that would be easier to fund. (This approach has already worked for Phase II of the project.) Additionally, Secretary Homer offered to have the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) use their “pavement index” to rate the streets and therefore give us the empirical data necessary to compete for state money. Following the meeting, I personally drove Secretary Homer through Jefferson Manor so he could see the disrepair firsthand. (We also visiting Huntington so he could see the flood devastation firsthand.)

In the three weeks since that meeting, Fairfax County staff has efficiently provided a detailed breakdown of the remaining work so we can begin to develop sub-phases. We still await the results of VDOT’s pavement index survey, but I expect that data very soon. Once we have all of the necessary information, we hope to be able to present more concrete options that will result in more streets being completed more quickly.

Many thanks to Tom Rickert and others from the community who initially brought this to my attention and who correctly refuse to let the issue die. I am acutely aware of how long it is taking to deliver necessary improvements that are literally decades overdue, and I will continue to push for progress.

David, Shayna, and Caleb marked America’s 230th birthday today with friends, neighbors, and constituents at local community celebrations in Alexandria and Mount Vernon.

“We’re lucky to have neighborhoods with such a strong sense of community where all kinds of families can get together and celebrate an old-fashioned, small-town Fourth of July,” said David. “Looking around and seeing people from all different ethnic, religious, and national backgrounds coming together to celebrate as a community really makes me proud to be an American.”

At the annual Rosemont July 4th community picnic on the grounds of Maury Elementary School in Alexandria, David joined other elected officials on the reviewing stand as local Cub Scouts, Webelos, and Boy Scouts presented the colors and led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Later in the afternoon, David and family spent some time at the annual Hollin Hills Fourth of July community picnic in Mount Vernon part of the 45th district. In addition to enjoying to company of his Fairfax constituents, David competed with Caleb in the egg toss, and David, Shayna, and Caleb won second place in the “alligator swamp race” contest.

RICHMOND — The Virginia League of Conservation Voters (VALCV) today announced that Delegate David Englin (D-45) has been named a “Legislative Hero” for his work on environmental issues during his freshman General Assembly session this year.

“Our Legislative Heroes show special dedication to conservation priorities,” said Lisa Guthrie, Executive Director of the Virginia League. “These legislators deserve a special show of support for their hard work and dedication to environment.”

“I’m proud to vote strong with Virginia’s advocates for conservation and environmental protection,” said Englin. “I want my son to be able to breathe clean air, drink clean water, eat the fish he catches, and grow up healthy and strong in a world free from the threat of global warming and destructive climate change. Policies that protect clean air and clean water, conserve natural resources and habitats, and promote clean, renewable energy sources are critical investments in the future health and safety of our communities and our country.”

VALCV delivered the good news through the release of the 7th Edition of the Legislative Conservation Scorecard announcing the conservation voting records of state legislators. This publication rates individual legislators on a series of important conservation votes cast during the 2006 General Assembly session. It also presents a total of each legislator’s conservation votes from 2000 when VALCV was formed through the 2006 session with the percentage of “right” votes on conservation issues.

“The Virginia League of Conservation Voters is committed to providing an accountability tool for environmentally concerned voters in the form of an annual Legislative Conservation Scorecard,” said Guthrie.

“I have always been personally committed to the conservation and the environment, but this demonstrates that my commitment extends beyond my personal choices to the policies I support and fight for on behalf of my constituents and my community,” said Englin. “It’s easy to talk the talk on ‘mom and apple pie’ issues like clean air and clean water and conservation. I appreciate the conservation community recognizing that I try hard to walk the walk.”

The Virginia League of Conservation Voters serves as the nonpartisan political action arm of the state’s conservation community. Its mission is to preserve and enhance the quality of life of all Virginians by making conservation a top priority with Virginia’s elected officials, political candidates, and voters.

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Despite the sweltering heat, David spent several hours yesterday knocking on doors and talking with constituents, listening to their concerns and sharing information about the services his office can provide.

“There’s just no substitute for meeting people on their doorsteps and talking with them face to face about the issues affecting them and their families,” said David, who spent the evening meeting with residents in one of Alexandria’s public housing neighborhoods. “The range of issues facing families in this particular neighborhood presents a real challenge, and I appreciate the opportunity to work with them to make life a little better.”

Constituents can contact David here at anytime for a variety of services.

FEMA today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for Virginia to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding during the period of June 23 to July 6, 2006.

“Unfortunately, this does nothing to help individuals whose homes and property were damaged by the floods,” said David. “This aid will help our local governments, but FEMA has yet to issue a declaration that will make individuals eligible for financial assistance to help rebuild their homes and their lives. I will continue to work with Governor Kaine and his staff to urge FEMA to help our friends and neighbors.”

Based on today’s declaration, Federal funding is available to state agencies and to eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms and flooding in the City of Alexandria and Fairfax and Arlington Counties.

Click here for more information about today’s FEMA declaration.

David and his family joined members of the flooded Huntington community yesterday for a special picnic to celebrate the neighborhood’s resiliency and rebuilding efforts, as well as all the hard work the community volunteers and Fairfax County staff have given over the past two weeks. The picnic was organized by Mount Vernon Supervisor Gerry Hyland and the Fairfax County Department of Community and Recreation Services. David took the opportunity to personally thank fire fighters, law enforcement officers, county employees, and volunteers who have been working so hard to help Huntington residents get back on their feet.

“It’s a real tribute to Gerry Hyland’s leadership and to the hard work of so many of our Fairfax County employees that residents continue to express their gratitude for their local government’s outstanding response to this crisis,” said David.

On Thursday, David brought Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer to view the flood site, and he continues to work with the Governor’s staff to push the Federal Government to declare an emergency and give Huntington residents access to aide from FEMA.

David and his family joined thousands of Alexandrians and visitors today to celebrate the City of Alexandria’s 257th birthday and America’s 230th birthday.

After Alexandria’s Town Crier announced the official opening of the annual celebration, David joined other elected officials as Mayor Bill Euille presented the Parks and Recreation Commission’s Outstanding Community Service Awards.

Following the awards presentation, David helped cut and serve the city’s birthday cakes.

The grand finale of the evening was a fireworks display accompanied by music from Maestro Kim Allen Kluge and the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra.

A relief fund has been set up to assist the victims of the Huntington flood. Contributions should be sent to:

Huntington Relief Fund c/o UCM
7511 Fordson Road
Alexandria, VA 22306-2225

Checks should be payable to “United Community Ministries” and you should put “Huntington Disaster Relief” on the memo line.

“Thanks again to everyone in our community who has pitched in to assist our nieghbors in Huntington,” said David. “I hope people will give generously to the relief fund to help people rebuild their lives.”