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It is with deep sadness that Fairfax County announces the passing of former Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland, who died peacefully on Sunday morning, Jan. 19.

Hyland was a beloved community member who served for more than three decades as a dedicated advocate and visionary leader. He was well known for his puns, sharp legal mind and inquisitions from the dais, and for his pivotal role in saving Inova Mount Vernon Hospital among many accomplishments. As a leader who truly listened, he inspired countless individuals through his unwavering commitment to public service.

A Community Celebration of Life will be held Friday, March 28, at 10:30 am at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 8710 Mount Vernon Highway, with a reception to follow.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay reflected on Hyland’s passing, stating, “Gerry Hyland was a tireless advocate, a compassionate leader and a dear friend to many. His vision and dedication to our community have left an enduring legacy that will continue to benefit Fairfax County for generations to come.”

McKay emphasized Hyland’s dedication to his constituents, noting his service with countless regional, statewide and national organizations. He was particularly passionate about providing services to the county’s most vulnerable residents, revitalizing the Richmond Highway Corridor and preserving the many historical properties within his district.

From 1988 to 2015, Hyland championed numerous initiatives that left a lasting impact on the county and its residents. He was instrumental in the closure of the county's I-95 landfill, ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations. His efforts to keep Inova Mount Vernon Hospital open preserved critical health care services for the community. Additionally, he played a key role in transforming Lorton into the vibrant and thriving area it is today.

During his tenure, Hyland also served terms as chairman of the Virginia Railway Express and president of the Virginia Association of Counties. He was a board member of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the Inova Health Care Services Board. He also served as chairman of the Fairfax County Human Rights Commission and was a retired colonel in the U.S. Air Force.

In recognition of his remarkable contributions, the South County Center was renamed the Gerry W. Hyland Government Center in 2019, a testament to his enduring legacy.

Mount Vernon Supervisor Dan Storck, who succeeded Hyland, called him a community pillar and a true patriot as well as a friend and mentor. “He was committed to doing things right for the right reasons and challenged us all to be our best selves,” Storck said.

To celebrate his life and legacy, the community is invited to honor Hyland at the 38th Annual Mount Vernon Town Hall Meeting on Feb. 8, an event he founded and cherished.

As a master of puns, Hyland left a lasting impression with his humor. At his final Board of Supervisors meeting, he shared one last pun that perfectly encapsulated his wit: “There once was a supervisor who told ten puns to his colleagues to get them to laugh, but no pun in ten did.”

Fairfax County extends its deepest condolences to the Hyland family and all who were touched by his leadership, generosity and friendship.

At its meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 14, the Board of Supervisors appointed Jennifer L. Miller as deputy county executive, effective Monday, Feb. 24. Miller will oversee key public agencies responsible for public works, transportation, land development, environmental initiatives and economic development. She succeeds Rachel Flynn, who retired in July.

Miller brings a distinguished career in military and public service, with extensive experience in leadership, strategic planning and policy development. Most recently, she served as director of staff for the secretary of the Air Force at the Pentagon, managing the day-to-day operations of the 600,000-person Department of the Air Force. As the senior career civilian, Miller guided strategy and operations across all areas of the department.

Previously, Miller served as acting assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and energy from 2020 to 2022, overseeing nine million acres of real estate, military construction, environmental cleanup and energy programs at more than 150 worldwide installations. She also spearheaded initiatives improving military family quality of life, leading to legislative changes and community enhancements nationwide. From 2015 to 2020, as deputy assistant secretary for installations, she managed housing privatization, basing decisions and public-private partnerships, transforming the Air Force Community Partnership Program into a high-performing enterprise. Before that, she served as deputy general counsel for Installations, Environment and Energy. A veteran, she retired from the Army Reserves after 24 years of service in a variety of roles, including in the Special Operations community in Afghanistan.

Miller holds a bachelor’s in politics, philosophy and economics from Claremont McKenna College and both a Juris Doctor and an MBA from Seattle University. She has received numerous honors, including the Distinguished Presidential Rank Award and the Bronze Star Medal.

Miller’s appointment is expected to bring strategic vision, leadership and a commitment to innovation and operational excellence. Her expertise will guide key initiatives aimed at improving public works, transportation, land use planning and environmental sustainability.

At its Dec. 3 meeting, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors celebrated the outstanding achievements of several Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) championship teams and student-athletes who took the top slots in Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 6 competition.

Teams honored:

• Robinson Secondary School
  • Cheerleading - Earning their fourth state title in the past six years with precision and athleticism.
  • Girls Cross Country - Took the state title thanks to outstanding performances and a strong team dynamic.
• Langley High School
  • Girls Volleyball - Captured the VHSL Class 6 state championship with a dominant season and exceptional teamwork.
  • Golf - Claimed the VHSL Class 6 state championship, continuing their legacy as one of the state’s premier programs with their 11th state title since 2005.

Individuals recognized:

• Tristan Thurneysen, Chantilly High School - Capping his senior year with district, region and state titles.
• Owen Love, Thomas A. Edison High School - Winning his second consecutive individual golf state championship, solidifying his status as a top competitor.

This recognition highlighted the hard work, dedication and excellence of the students and coaches. FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid attended the recognition and spoke about the achievements of these student-athletes, along with members of the Board of Supervisors. 

Fairfax County has earned the top score possible, a grade of 100, on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2024 Municipal Equality Index (MEI). The MEI is a nationwide evaluation of how inclusive the county’s laws, policies and services are of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. 

"Our score, which has risen steadily over the past few years, is a reflection of the important work we continue to do under our county's One Fairfax policy," said County Executive Bryan Hill. "It's also the direct result of our dedicated staff's efforts to make Fairfax County a welcoming place to work, live and learn. I am proud of what we have all accomplished together as a team."

A Deep Dive Into the Score

The MEI awards points in five categories: Non-discrimination Laws, Municipality as Employer, Municipal Services, Law Enforcement and Leadership on LGBTQ+ Equality. Each category has room for base points, as well as what HRC deems “flex points” in each area. Fairfax County scored a 93 across all categories along with an additional 13 flex points to achieve the final 100 (maximum) grade. Additionally, our area got full available base points in the Non-discrimination Laws, Municipality as Employer and Law Enforcement categories. 

About the Municipality Equality Index

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Municipality Equality Index examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies and services are in cities and towns across the country. The MEI provides a public snapshot of how committed a given city or town is to LGBTQ+ equality and a framework for leaders around the country with impactful steps they can take to protect their LGBTQ+ residents and staff. The 2024 MEI is the 12th annual edition and rates a total of 506 municipalities on 49 different criteria from every state in the nation.

Eric Carzon has been appointed director of Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL), effective Monday, Nov. 4. Carzon brings over 27 years of experience in library management, having most recently served as regional manager for Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL). He succeeds Jessica Hudson, who left the position earlier this year.

In his role at MCPL, Carzon oversaw various leadership positions, including business manager and branch manager, before advancing to regional manager. He played a significant role in launching MCPL’s first Library of Things Music in 2018, a project that expanded access to diverse resources. Additionally, he contributed to numerous capital projects aimed at enhancing library services and facilities across the region.

Carzon has been a leader on several initiatives that received national recognition. Notable among these is the Library Refresh Capital Improvements Program, which focused on modernizing library spaces to better serve community needs. He also helped establish a successful partnership with KIDMuseum, which provided innovative educational programs for local youth. 

Carzon holds master’s degrees in library information science and public management from the University of Maryland at College Park. He is actively involved in professional organizations, including the American Library Association and the Public Library Association.

For more information about FCPL, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library.
 

Fairfax County has been identified as a national leader in using federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) to promote equity. The county ranked in the top 20 of 170 cities and counties evaluated for their commitment to racial and economic equity, according to a new study by the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy at The New School.

 The ARPA, SLFRF provided $130 billion in flexible funding for local governments to support COVID-19 relief and transformative investments, focusing on communities of color, Tribal communities and low-income populations disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Fairfax County's strong performance aligns with the principles outlined in its One Fairfax policy, which emphasizes the importance of racial and social equity in public decision-making.

Fairfax County received $222 million in ARPA, SLFRF funding.  Significant equity-focused investments highlighted in the study include the PIVOT Business Recovery Grant Program and the Non-Profit Sustainability Grant program, which helped mitigate the negative economic impacts experienced by small businesses and the county’s non-profit safety net providers; and a rent relief program for households experiencing a negative financial impact due to the pandemic.  

Fairfax County’s approach scored particularly high for including an explicit racial and economic equity focus to its investments, implementing strategies with high potential to impact equity, and emphasizing transparency and accountability in its efforts.

 “Our commitment to equity has guided our use of ARPA funds, ensuring that we prioritize the needs of our most vulnerable communities,” said Jeffrey McKay, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. “This recognition reflects our ongoing efforts to build a more inclusive and resilient future for all residents.”

The One Fairfax policy provides a framework for promoting equity across all publicly delivered services and guides the county’s investments to enhance opportunities for all residents. This includes initiatives in community and economic development, housing, workforce development, education and health services—areas critical to achieving long-term equity goals.

The Institute’s assessment examined six dimensions of equitable public investment: overall equity focus, application of equity tools, community engagement, equitable labor practices, breadth of equity investments and investment transparency. Fairfax County's ARPA, SLFRF investments reflect a commitment to these principles, leveraging equity tools to ensure meaningful community involvement and addressing systemic barriers.

The full findings of the Budget Equity Project can be found in the report “Advancing Equity with the American Rescue Plan’s Local Recovery Funds,” which includes a comprehensive database of assessments and case studies.
 

Toni Zollicoffer has been appointed chief equity officer for Fairfax County, effective Monday, Sept. 30. This role is a key component in advancing the One Fairfax policy, a racial and social equity initiative adopted by the Board of Supervisors to ensure that equity is at the core of all public policies and services. Zollicoffer succeeds Karla Bruce, the county’s first chief equity officer, who retires next week.

Zollicoffer has been with the Fairfax County Department of Family Services as the director of Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS) since May 2018, and brings over 25 years of leadership experience dedicated to improving outcomes for populations disproportionately affected in areas such as housing access, interpersonal violence and mental health to this new position. Her work has also been instrumental in embedding racial and social justice into the county’s violence interruption and prevention strategies, ensuring equitable outcomes for all residents.

As chief equity officer, Zollicoffer will lead the county's efforts to address disparities and promote fairness across all public policies and services. The One Fairfax policy aims to ensure that every resident, regardless of their background or circumstances, can fully participate in the county’s economic, social and cultural life.

“Toni’s exceptional track record in advancing equity and her deep understanding of community needs make her the ideal choice for this role. Her leadership will be crucial in continuing to move the One Fairfax policy forward and ensuring greater equity and inclusion in our community,” noted County Executive Bryan Hill. "I am happy for the overlap with Ms. Bruce, who has been one of my closest thought partners during the past seven years."

In her new role, Zollicoffer will oversee the integration of equity principles into the county’s policies and programs, collaborate with community stakeholders and provide guidance on addressing barriers to opportunity. She will also play a key role in the One Fairfax Community Roundtable, which supports the county’s commitment to equity by bringing together diverse voices to inform and shape policy.

Prior to her role with DSVS, Zollicoffer served as deputy director of victim services for the Executive Office of the Mayor in Washington, DC, and held senior positions at So Others Might Eat (SOME), Inc. Her education includes a certificate of advanced graduate studies and a master’s in clinical community counseling from Johns Hopkins University. She is also a licensed professional counselor and has been recognized for her work in social justice and community health.

Patrick M. Blanch will be presented with his official commission as a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge on  Friday, Sept. 20, at 4 p.m. at the Fairfax County Courthouse, Courtroom 5J, 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax. The public is invited to attend the investiture ceremony.

At the ceremony, the Honorable Scott Surovell of the Virginia Senate will present Blanch with his official commission, and Judge Todd G. Petit of the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court will ceremoniously administer his oath. Blanch previously took his oath of office on April 1, 2024.

Prior to joining the Circuit Court in April, Blanch served as a substitute judge for the district courts of Fairfax County. He practiced law for 17 years at Blanch & Hart PLLC and its precursors, focusing on criminal defense, appellate litigation and providing court-appointed and pro bono legal representation to low-income members of the Fairfax County community. Blanch began his legal career as an assistant public defender at the Fairfax County Office of the Public Defender.

Blanch earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from Millersville University of Pennsylvania and his Juris Doctor from the George Washington University School of Law.

For more information or reasonable ADA accommodations, contact Kim Callahan, Fairfax County Circuit Court, at 703-246-4166, TTY 711.

On Saturday, Aug. 17, at 10 a.m., members of the community are invited to once again march over Veterans Bridge in the heart of the Springfield Commercial Revitalization District for a celebration at the American Legion end of the bridge. The event will feature music, food, community groups, local businesses and fun. 

The Bridge Walk continues the tradition of renewing the Army/Community Covenant signing that began in 2009. The covenant is an affirmation of support by state and local communities composed of active, guard and reservist service members and their families. This year’s event will feature the introduction of the new Fort Belvoir garrison commander to the community.
 
The Bridge Walk is an annual community building event that began to mark the installation of new lighting on Veteran’s Bridge in central Springfield. Veterans Bridge (also known as the Amherst Avenue Bridge) crosses over Old Keene Mill Road and links both sides of Springfield’s Commercial Revitalization District. The bridge is a gateway to central Springfield. With its acorn lights, wide sidewalks, pedestrian stairway and attractive façade, it symbolizes the community’s vision for a revitalized Springfield and is an attractive gateway to the central business district.

For more information, contact the Board of Supervisors Franconia District Office at franconia@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-971-6262. 

Below are some questions and answers related to the July public hearings that have been rescheduled.

What happened?

Due to a staff procedural error, all public hearings that were held at the July 16, 2024, Board of Supervisors meeting must be reheard on Sept. 10, 2024. In addition, public hearings scheduled for the July 30, 2024, Board of Supervisors meeting are rescheduled to Sept. 10, as noted on the draft agenda, except for two hearings that are postponed to later dates.

We apologize to anyone impacted by this error and any inconvenience that it may have caused.

Who prepares the ads and notices for the Board’s public hearings?

County staff.

Does the Board have any role in this?

No.

When were Board members notified of the problem?

Monday, July 29, in the evening.

What is being done so that this does not happen again?

We will conduct a complete review of our public hearing advertisement process so that it does not happen again.

How will I know what time the rescheduled public hearings will occur?

Public hearings will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 10.

The public hearing on the Zoning Ordinance amendment on data centers is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

Who can testify and how do I sign up to provide testimony?

Members of the public can testify at any of the public hearings on Sept. 10 in person, by phone or by submitting video testimony. Sign up here.

To have a video shown during the testimony portion of the Sept. 10 public hearing, sign up for the speakers list and choose "Pre-recorded YouTube Video" for form of testimony, then submit your video no later than 9 a.m. the day prior to the public hearing. 

What if I testified on July 16?

Any testimony that was provided on or before July 16, 2024, will be included as part of the record for Board consideration, but all persons are invited to testify on Sept. 10.

Members of the public can:

• Add themselves to the speakers list for a public hearing on Sept. 10.
• As an alternative to appearing in person at the Sept. 10 hearing, submit a YouTube video to be shown at the Sept. 10 meeting, either using the July 16 YouTube video of themselves testifying, if accessible, or a different YouTube video.

What if I previously submitted written comments?

Written comments/testimony that has been provided will be included as part of the record for the Board. The public is invited to submit further written comments/testimony.

Has the Board made any decisions yet about data centers?

It is important to note that the Board of Supervisors has not acted on the Zoning Ordinance amendment nor on the issue of whether any pending site plans would be subject to any new regulations.

Furthermore, as part of the unanimously approved deferral motion on July 30, the Board also put applicants and the community on notice that any site plan accepted after July 16 is at the applicant’s own risk regarding application of the new regulations, regardless of how the Board addresses site plans accepted on or before July 16.

More information

Members of the community who would like additional information on the Sept. 10 Board of Supervisors public hearings can email clerktothebos@fairfaxcounty.gov.