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TextStory Ideas in Fairfax County Government
Office of Public Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935, FAX 703-324-2010
July 15, 2003
Story Ideas in Fairfax County Government
The Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs provides a summary of news briefs designed to inform the media about great story ideas in Fairfax County government. The following information gives the background on newsworthy stories as well as contact information. For additional questions on the Future Features service, contact the Office of Public Affairs at 703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935.
Environmentally Sound Transportation
The Fairfax County Department of Vehicle Services has purchased 27 Super
Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (gas/electric hybrid autos) for use in county
business. The fleet is expected to emit 6,000 pounds less pollution over
their lifetime than similarly sized gas-powered cars. In doing so, the
county expands its air quality efforts into a new technology area while
being environmentally friendly and reducing emissions. Each vehicle
recharges its own batteries through regenerative braking or with the
on-board generator so there is nothing to plug in. The cars use a
combination of an electric powered motor and gasoline engine that uses
regular gasoline. Mileage is 45 mpg on the highway and 52 mpg in town – a
reversal in what is the norm since the gasoline engine shuts off when the
car comes to a stop and can be powered by the electric motor when going
up to 15 mph. Brian Waymire of DVS states that, “These vehicles operate
like other cars and performance is comparable to other small, 4-cylinder
automobiles.” In addition, there is the added advantage of no HOV
restrictions with only one driver. DVS expects to purchase more hybrid
vehicles as current fleet vehicles reach retirement. For more
information, call Brian Waymire, Department of Vehicle Services,
703-324-3548, TTY 711.
Award Winning Program for County Youth
The goal of the Fairfax County Youth Leadership Program is to help high
school students gain an understanding and appreciation of how local
government impacts their everyday lives. Each year students are selected
from the 24 county public high schools based on standard measurements of
high school success and their interest in matters of government.
Seminars, workshops and presentations by county staff are joined with
interactive lessons and debates, cooperative learning experiences and
visits to county facilities. The National Association of Counties
recognized the program with a 2003 Achievement Award for being an
innovative program that contributes to and enhances county government in
the United States. Students participating this year include Emily Hueber,
West Potomac High School; Grace Milad and Rana Movahed, Westfield High
School; Nada Shawish, Madison High School; Jenny Keener, McLean High
School; Stefanie Lynch, Jeb Stuart High School; Tara McCluskey, West
Springfield High School; Laura Fresco and Saba Shahid, Robinson Secondary
High School; Brittany Vera, Lake Braddock High School; Megan Walker,
Herndon High School; Thomas Egeland Jr., Hayfield High School; Marianne
Brigola, Falls Church High School; Kristen Wasilko and Deborah Goodnight,
Langley High School; Michael Hagos, Robert E. Lee High School; Mary Leigh
Nugent and Joyce Meng, Thomas Jefferson High School; David Chang, South
Lakes High School; Ryhan Futuri, Edison High School; Pat McCafferty,
Centreville High School; Rebecca Schwartz, Fairfax High School; Diana
Nguyen, Annandale High School; Andrew Kirshak, Chantilly High School;
Justin Forsyth, Oakton High School; Malcolm Jones, Marshall High School;
Mindy Peng, Woodson High School; and Muhammad Haider, Mt. Vernon High
School. For more information, call Martha Reed, Department of Management
and Budget, 703-324-4062, TTY 711.
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