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TextNews to Use Podcast Transcript: Dec. 30, 2008
Hello and welcome to the Fairfax County News to Use podcast for December
30, 2008. Coming up, learn about the county’s scheduled Furlough Day
on January 2, plan now for the impacts of Inauguration Day here in the
capital region, and get information on the county’s free tax preparation
services for low-income households.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a furlough day without
pay for Fairfax County Government employees on Friday, Jan. 2, which will
affect county services. The furlough is a result of the projected revenue
shortfall for the current fiscal year (Fiscal Year 2009, which began July
1 and ends June 30, 2009). Employees who work in 24/7 mission-essential
public safety and nonpublic safety positions are exempted due to the
nature of the work. County government, courts, libraries and parks are
among the offices that will be closed. The Fairfax Connector will
operate regular weekday service, and sanitary districts with trash and
recycling collection on Friday will receive service as scheduled.
Additionally, disposal facilities at I-66 Transfer Station and I-95
Landfill Complex will also be open.
Inauguration Day is just three weeks away, on Tuesday, January 20, and
local residents are being urged to take common-sense steps to prepare.
Even residents who will not be attending the inauguration should plan on
being affected by the events, according to Fairfax County Executive
Anthony Griffin. Crowds, traffic and delays will be among the
factors county residents must consider. Area officials urge
residents to telework or carpool on Inauguration Day, because of the
anticipated high traffic volume and limited parking. Some roads,
bridges and highways may be closed temporarily, and mass transit systems
will be extremely crowded. Residents who plan on attending the events
should also be prepared for long delays and large crowds, and should be
aware that cell phone service may be limited according to some wireless
companies. Stay informed by visiting www.inauguration.dc.gov, where
you can also sign up for real-time alerts through the D.C. Alerts
system.
Individuals and families who earned less than $42,000 in 2008 can get
free help filing their tax returns through the Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance Program. Fairfax County’s Department of Family services
is leading the Northern Virginia effort to mobilize public agencies,
businesses, libraries, faith and community-based groups to operate the
tax assistance program. Last year families throughout Northern
Virginia received more than $2 million in federal refunds through the
program, known locally as the Northern Virginia CASH Campaign—Creating
Assets, Savings and Hope. Individuals and families seeking tax
preparation assistance should bring photo identification, social security
cards, wage and earning statements, a copy of last year’s federal and
state returns, and other documentation. For more information, and a
list of the necessary items, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs.
That’s all for this News to Use podcast. Thanks for listening. For more
information about the topics in this podcast and for continuous news
updates, visit
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news. You may also call 703-FAIRFAX, that’s
703-324-7329, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. News to Use is
produced by the Fairfax County, Virginia, government
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