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A Note from Andres
Good evening, and welcome to the first edition of the Mason Matters, your bi-weekly digital newsletter for all the latest updates from the Mason District.
If we haven't been introduced, I'm Andres Jimenez, your newly elected Mason District Supervisor. I’m a Girl Dad and proud husband who has called this community my home for the last 12 years. My professional career started in climate and environmental protection, eventually pivoting toward public service at the local, federal and nonprofit levels.
This year will be one of change for our community. Mason District flourished under nearly three decades of representation by Supervisor Penny Gross, and I hope to continue that legacy of service following her retirement. To her and her amazing staff, I want to extend a huge thank you for all that you’ve done for our community. Your service is greatly appreciated.
One of my priorities as Supervisor is to tell the story of Mason District as the cultural hub of Fairfax County. This newsletter is one way I plan to do so. In it, you’ll find “Destination: Mason” a section dedicated to sharing some of the stories and successes of the people who work so hard to make Mason District such a diverse, dynamic community. We’ll also highlight important info for small businesses, economic development projects, and family-focused community news.
Below you’ll also find an introduction to my amazing team, who officially started last week and already hit the ground running. You’re likely to see them out and about at various community events, so please feel free to reach out and introduce yourself.
My office exists to serve you. Please don’t hesitate to contact me directly if I can ever be of assistance. You can email me at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov, or call my office at 703-256-7717. Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news.
Thank you, and I look forward to working with you to make Mason District the best community in Virginia!
My best,
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 Andres Jimenez
Mason District Supervisor
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Meet your Mason Team!
Amir Abu-El-Hawa – Chief of Staff
Amir is a Fairfax County native who grew up in the Mason District and is a proud alum of FCPS – GO ATOMS! Amir spent the last four years in Chairman Jeff McKay’s office where he gained invaluable experience in County functions and administration. A strong believer in working to provide everyone an equal opportunity to succeed and reach their full potential, One Fairfax is at the core of his ethos. Excited to be back in the community that helped shape so much of who he is, Amir looks forward to serving and working alongside our District and its residents. Amir still lives in the County with his wife Sarah and their two boys Abraham and Elijah.
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Chris Delta – Professional Staff
Chris was born and raised in western Pennsylvania. After college, she moved to D.C. and began a career in office administration in the private sector, working approximately 25 years for several law firms and REITS. After opening an events-planning business, Chris returned to office administration, this time in the public sector as the office manager at Mary Riley Styles Public Library in Falls Church. She later worked as the legislative aide for Del. Kaye Kory and then as an aide to former Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross. As a member of Supervisor Jimenez’s staff, she is the liaison for various issue areas including the Health Department, Human Services, the Arts, Libraries, Utilities, and Office Records.
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Olivia Logan – Professional Staff
Olivia was born in Little Rock, Arkansas and moved to the D.C. area back in 2015. Olivia has a background in campaigns and nonprofits, and she has worked alongside many influential policy makers, strategists, and thought leaders to find creative solutions to complex problems. She graduated with a degree in Psychology of Human Behavior and a minor in Political Science and Sociology from University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas. Olivia and her Border Collie, Murphy, reside in the DMV.
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Eleanor Roy – Communications Director
Eleanor was born and raised in central Florida but has called Virginia home for the last decade. Eleanor – or “Elroy” as she’s known to friends – grew up in a newspaper family and spent her childhood in newsrooms watching national headlines unfold in real time. After college, she started her own career in newspapers covering crime, breaking news, and courts. She went on to work in event management and winemaking at a Virginia vineyard, later jumping into political campaign management for races across Central and Southwest Virginia. She and her soon-to-be husband reside in Mason District with their Border Collie.
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Ervin Uriarte – Professional Staff
Ervin, a Fairfax County native, is a staffer for the Mason District Supervisor, specializing in land use. Ervin leverages his deep community roots to shape responsible development policies. Committed to transparency, he engages with residents and collaborates with county departments to ensure public input in all aspects of the land use process in Mason District. Beyond his role, Ervin advocates for green spaces, affordable housing, and improved transportation, embodying a passion for a vibrant and inclusive Fairfax County.
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Join Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez for an Open House! Meet your new Supervisor and connect with local community groups and your neighbors. This is a family-friendly event. Please RSVP for headcount purposes.
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 Calling all small businesses:
Calling all small businesses: Fairfax County’s newest initiative to help small businesses will accept applications later this month. The THRIVE program provides consulting services to small businesses to help them grow and continue post-pandemic recovery. The application window opens January 16 and will remain open until the last 500 slots are filled, or until April 30. Additional information is available on the Department of Economic Initiatives’ website.
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Vendors & exhibitors needed:
Vendors and exhibitors needed: Fairfax County Park Authority’s 2024 Earth Day Festival is accepting applications for vendors and exhibitors to participate in this the largest Earth Day celebration in Fairfax County. Applications available on the Park Authority’s website.
Calling all high school student artists:
Calling call area high school student artists: The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) is joining with the Community Engagement Campaign’s regional water utilities to hold its third annual Source Water Protection Art Contest.
Local student artists, grades 9 – 12 can submit their art or short video which captures the importance of protecting our local water sources for a chance to win a prize. Learn more at COG’s website. The application deadline is January 31.
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Interested in serving on a Board, Authority, or Commission (BAC)?
Topics range from athletics and health care to ending domestic violence and development. Learn more at the here and send a resume to mason@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Looking for something to do this weekend?
Looking for something to do this weekend? Think local! Check the Made in Fairfax Directory for local small businesses around you. The Made in Fairfax Directory provides an opportunity for residents and supporters to connect directly with Fairfax County makers. Eligible small-scale production businesses located in Fairfax County can apply for a listing through this form.
Need a meeting space?
We might have room at the Mason District Government Center! Building renovations at 6507 Columbia Pike in Annandale are anticipated to begin this year, but a construction schedule is not finalized yet. Until then, we’ll accept applications beginning February 2 to reserve public meeting rooms for the second quarter of 2024. If you’d like to reserve a public meeting room in April, May, or June of this year, email your application to mason@fairfaxcounty.gov on or after February 2. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Questions can be emailed to Chris Delta at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov or by calling 703-256-7717.
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Weather
This week’s flooding and wind reminds us to stay vigilant in monitoring weather conditions. Luckily, Fairfax County created the Emergency Information blog for residents to access resources easily during emergencies. You can sign up for emergency alerts here. Fairfax County’s Guide to Snow webpage features lots of helpful information, including a live snow plow tracker, forecast details, and guides for shoveling show and using salt.
If you or someone you know is at risk of hypothermia, they may qualify for the county’s Hypothermia Prevention Program. The program is ongoing through March 31. If you see someone who is unsheltered ad you think they are at risk of hypothermia, call the county’s non-emergency Police phone number at 703-691-2131.
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Power outages are likely to occur during inclement weather. To report an outage, call 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357) or visit dominionenergy.com/outages. REMEMBER: Never approach a downed power line.
Fairfax County Police Bulletins:
- FREE car seat inspections will be available this Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Fairfax County Police Department’s Mason District station (located at the Mason District Government Center, 6507 Columbia Pike in Annandale). A NHTSA-certified Child Passenger Safety Technician can inspect your child’s car seat and ensure it is installed correctly. No appointment necessary. Child car seats are inspected on a first-come, first-served basis, with the last car seat inspections beginning at 12:00 p.m. For more information, contact the Mason District Station at 703-256-8035, press zero for the front desk.
- Mason District Station Hosts Community CAC Meeting – Join the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting on at 7 p.m. February. The meeting will be held at Thomas Jefferson Library located at 7415 Arlington Blvd. in Falls Church. CAC meetings are open to ALL residents in the Mason Police District to enhance communication between the police department and the public by offering community members the chance to speak directly with their local officers. For more information, contact MPO Stacy Sassano at fcpdmasoncpo@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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- Attention Homeowners and Contractors: Virginia Adopts the 2021 Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC)
- The updated administrative provisions included in the 2021 USBC will be effective on January 18, 2024. These administrative provisions amend the technical standards of the International Code Council’s building standards for use in Virginia. From January 18, 2024, until January 17, 2025, building permit applicants may choose to use the technical provisions of either the 2018 or 2021 USBC. Mixing technical provisions between the two editions of the code is prohibited. Beginning January 18, 2025, all new building permit applications and construction must meet the 2021 USBC requirements. This deadline includes updating “Masterfiles” to reflect the 2021 USBC. Developers leverage “Masterfiles” to facilitate permitting for similar architectural designs, mostly for new home construction. Developers must update all existing, approved Masterfile plans to the 2021 USBC and receive county approval prior to January 18, 2025, to avoid delays in permit processing.
- What does this mean for you? If you have any upcoming home improvement projects or new buildings that require building permits from Fairfax County Land Development Services (LDS), ensure that you are using the correct edition of the building code by following the guidelines above. There is a one-year grace period between January 18, 2024, and January 17, 2025, wherein you can choose to either use the 2018 or the 2021 USBC provisions for your project. The one-year grace period allows projects that were in the design and permitting phase under the 2018 USBC to continue through that process under the code edition that was in place when the project started. Avoid mixing provisions between the 2018 and 2021 USBC, as that is not allowed.
- To read more see the LDS technical bulletin 12-07, “Adoption of the 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.”
- Sign up for tax deadline reminders! Fairfax County’s Tax Administration offers a signup to receive e-alerts for tax deadlines. Taxpayers also can look up their among due and view payment plans. Be proactive and make sure you don’t miss a payment deadline! Visit the Tax Administration’s website for more information.
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Civilian Police Oversight Discussion
Fairfax County is co-hosting a virtual panel discussion with several other Virginia localities about civilian police oversight. The State of Civilian Oversight in Virginia will be moderated by the Executive Director of the National Association of Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement and will feature Auditors and Directors from Fairfax County, Alexandria, Arlington, and Charlottesville. Register via Zoom.
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Naturally Latinos Conference
The 5th Naturally Latinos Conference is only a few days away! This multi-media experience will provide virtual and in-person dialogue, presentations and performances focused on the needs and interests of the D.C. region and the national and international Latine environmental professionals, environmental justice advocates, educators, and nature enthusiasts. Supervisor Jimenez will be one of the featured speakers. Learn more and register here.
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Election Day Volunteers Needed
The Fairfax County Office of Elections is looking for community members to serve as election officers for the March 5 Presidential Primary election. Bilingual officers who speak Korean and Vietnamese are particularly needed. There is a $250 payment. Learn more and apply at the Office of Elections’ website.
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