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Senior Living Page 9 A new maple tree is planted at the Old Forestville School- house where the two white oaks previously stood. Classifieds, Page 10 Classifieds, v Planting for Opinion, Page 4 What Are The Future You Grateful for in 2020? News, Page 8 Viewpoints, Page 4 Requested in home 11-26-20 home in Requested Time sensitive material. material. sensitive Time Attention Postmaster: Postmaster: Attention ECR WSS ECR Communities Customer Postal permit #322 permit Easton, MD Easton, Discuss ‘495 NEXT’ PAID U.S. Postage U.S. News, Page 3 STD PRSRT Photo contributed Photo November 25 - December 1, 2020 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com 2 v Great Falls Connection v November 25 - December 1, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News Express Lanes May Link to American Legion Memorial Bridge By Mike Salmon Accord to create a new, unified Capital Beltway, The Connection replace the aging American Legion Bridge and re- lieve congestion at one of the country’s worst traffic ust when it seemed like the interstate net- chokepoints, according to the VDOT website. work in Northern Virginia was completely In the road building process, the plans are pre- outfitted with the toll lane options, trans- sented to the public and meetings are held to gather Jportation officials have etched out anoth- feedback. One such meeting was recently held on er project to stretch the 495 Express Lanes to the Nov. 18, via a VDOT live feed, and it was attended American Legion Memorial Bridge on the northern by VDOT engineers, elected officials and residents side of the Capital Beltway. of the McLean area. VDOT laid out the data from The proposed project, they are calling “495 the traffic studies to support the need for the lane NEXT,” includes extending the 495 Express Lanes extension, and the sound wall improvements to ac- by approximately three miles from the I-495 and company it. Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville) Dulles Toll Road interchange to the George Wash- wondered why there weren’t more sound walls at ington Memorial Parkway in the vicinity of the the George Washington Parkway, and was told the American Legion Bridge. It is a joint project from National Park Service was against it. “Just because the Virginia Department of Transportation and the they don’t want it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t build Department of Rail and Public Transportation. it,” Foust said. In that corridor, plans include replacing existing Another element they looked at was the pos- bridges, adding bike and pedestrian trails, replac- sibility of a transit option to Tysons Corner, with ing existing noise walls and construct new walls the Fairfax County Department of Transportation where needed and installing stormwater manage- advocating for that option. “The county is strong- ment facilities. By doing this, it will reduce conges- ly supporting a transit option,” said director Tom tion, VDOT says, provide additional travel choices Biesiadny. and improve reliability. Currently, a motorist on the existing 495 Express Lanes heading north- THE OPPOSITION spoke out too. One commenter bound hits the end of the express lanes just north claimed the website was not up to date, had the of the Dulles Toll Road, and has to merge back into wrong maps, and the studies were “just empty traffic, and it can be problematic. This extension is words,” she claimed. Another person, “Debbie But- designed to eliminate that. ler,” wanted to know what Maryland’s plans were to connect the lanes. INTERCHANGES at Old Dominion Drive, George- At the end of the meeting, the VDOT project town Pike, Live Oak Drive and the George Wash- manager Michelle Holland promised to follow up ington Memorial Parkway will be rebuilt as part of on all items that were discussed during the online it. Maryland is looking into implementing express meeting. lanes, and these are proposed to include the Amer- Right now the timeframe for the project is loose- ican Legion Bridge which could link to the 495 Ex- ly established, with the construction starting in Map by the Virginia Department of Transportation press Lanes with this extension. In November 2019, 2021 and the project being completed in 2024. For The “495 NEXT” project limits. Governor Ralph Northam (D-VA) and Governor more information, go to http://495northernexten- Larry Hogan (R-MD) signed the Capital Beltway sion.org Great Falls Resident Wins a Nationally-prestigious Mitchell Scholarship reat Falls resident and Har- largest open organization on campus, set- their educational priorities and justice vard University graduate Kiran ting and executing policy for a 24/7 com- initiatives. His father is an Iraq War vet- GHampton was awarded a na- mercial radio station with a large share of eran and Kiran wrote “The last four gen- tionally-prestigious George J. Mitchell the Boston market. Hampton and his team erations of my family joined the army Scholarship. He will spend the 2021- grew WHRB administratively and financial- and … were both victims and agents of 2022 academic year studying at Queen’s ly while significantly increasing its mem- the white American imperial will.” His University Belfast in Northern Ireland. bership and improving the quality of its academic interest is in administrative Hampton was selected from a national broadcasting. Hampton is proficient in Ara- and economic institutions, “in particu- applicant pool of 453, the most ever in bic, was a Harvard Crimson Editorial Board lar, in the sliding schema of regulation, the program’s history. His bio is pasted Editor, and tutored students for the citizen- by which private organizations and the below (with link to his photo) for easy ship exam. He interned for the Democratic state enforce economic and social rules reference. Caucus of the House of Representatives and with maniacal harshness against the Hampton recently graduated from was a ghostwriter/speechwriter for a Dem- poor and flexible permissiveness against Harvard with High Honors in History ocratic candidate for Fairfax County Com- the powerful.” Hampton has been ad- and Literature. As the President of Har- monwealth’s Attorney. At present he works Courtesy photo mitted to Harvard Law. He will study vard Radio Broadcasting, he ran the with the Fairfax County NAACP, supporting Kiran Hampton Economics at Queen’s University Belfast. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Great Falls Connection v November 25 - December 1, 2020 v 3 Opinion Great Falls www.ConnectionNewspapers.com An independent, locally owned weekly What are you grateful for on Thanksgiving 2020? newspaper delivered to homes and businesses. By Mercia Hobson/The Connection Published by Jeff McKay, Chairman, Fairfax County Local Media Connection LLC Board of Supervisors “In 2020 I’m grateful for the residents of 1606 King Street Fairfax County, who have shown so much Even in these difficult times, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 compassion and empathy during these with the pandemic, unemploy- Free digital edition delivered to difficult times. We are lucky to live in Fairfax ment, and all the economic challenges, we still have a lot to your email box. Go to County and part of that is because of the connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe people who live here. A lot has changed be thankful for. First and fore- since I first took office at the beginning of most, I am thankful for a loving year, but care for the community wasn’t and supportive wife, daughter, NEWS DEPARTMENT: one of those changes. Residents stepped circle of family and friends. I am [email protected] thankful for a truly caring commu- up to support their neighbors and so many Kemal Kurspahic volunteered their time this year. 2020 has been challenging, but I have nity; whose members work hard Editor ❖ 703-778-9414 so much hope for the future.” to do their part in maintaining our [email protected] special village of Great Falls. I am Photo contributed Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville) thankful for all of the front liners, Mercia Hobson ”In a year when all aspects of our lives Mike Kearney of Great Falls who bravely put themselves at risk Community Reporter have been turned upside down by an invisi- to keep the rest of us safe, cared [email protected] ble virus, I count my blessings. for and fed. I am thankful for the educators who are tirelessly and Ken Moore I am thankful to be working with my creatively finding ways to teach our children amidst enormous challeng- Contributing Writer outstanding colleagues on the Board, some es. I am thankful for all the support community members have given to [email protected] of whom barely had time to settle in, as we my business and community endeavors over the last 40 years and the lead the County through a pandemic with staff and volunteers that I have had the privilege of working with. I am ADVERTISING: serious public health and economic conse- thankful for God keeping an eye on me and my family. He has thrown For advertising information quences. me a few curveballs over the last two years but has given me the priv- [email protected] I am grateful to our health care providers, ilege to stay in the game! I would like to finish with this: We have to 703-778-9431 our non-profit and faith-based partners, remain strong, with a can-do attitude, like the little train engine pulling and our amazing County staff who stepped up to meet the challenges all the train cars up the mountain saying, “I think I can, I think I can, I Salome Howard-Gaibler Display Advertising caused by COVID-19. I especially appreciate our police, fire fighters, think I can,” until finally the train reaches the top with a sigh of relief. 703-415-5394 mental health therapists, and all those County employees who risk their We may yet be in for a crazy ride down the other side of the mountain, [email protected] own health by providing services directly to our residents.