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PRSRT STD ❖ U.S. Postage Fairfax Station Laurel Hill PAID Elkton, MD PERMIT #31 Attention Postmaster: Time sensitive material. Requested in home 01-16-09 Clifton ❖ Lorton ❖ Lorton Valley ❖ Crosspointe Obama At GMU News, Page 3 President-elect Barack Obama talks about the economy during a meeting of mayors and governors at George Mason Univer- sity in Fairfax on Jan. 8. Classified, Page 16 Classified, ❖ Sports, Page 14 ❖ Calendar, Page 11 InovaInova HaltsHalts HealthplexHealthplex News,News, PagePage 33 CandidatesCandidates ConsiderConsider TaxesTaxes CountyCounty Line,Line, PagePage 88 Photo by Robbie Hammer/The Connection Photo Januarywww.ConnectionNewspapers.com 15-21, 2008 Volume XXIII, Number 2 Read us Fairfaxonline Station/Laurel at connectionnewspapers.com Hill Connection ❖ January 15-21, 2009 ❖ 1 2 ❖ Fairfax Station/Laurel Hill Connection ❖ January 15-21, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Laurel Hill/Fairfax Station/Clifton Connection Editor Michael O’Connell News 703-917-6440 or [email protected] Obama Calls for Bold Action In GMU speech pushing stimulus package, president-elect warns of ‘lingering recession.’ By Derek B. Johnson tion” soon or risk creating a recession that “could The Connection linger for years.” “We could lose a generation of potential and prom- n what was billed as a major speech on the ise as more young Americans are forced to forego national economy, President-elect of the United dreams of college or the chance to train for the jobs IStates Barack Obama took to the stage at the of the future,” said Obama. “And our nation could Center for the Arts at George Mason Univer- lose the competitive edge that has served as a foun- sity in Fairfax to outline some details of a proposed dation for our strength and our standing in the economic stimulus package that he hopes to pass world.” through Congress. “We start 2009 in the midst of a crisis unlike any THE PRESIDENT-elect unveiled some details of a Photo by Photo we have seen in our life- stimulus package he hopes time, a crisis that has only to see on his desk soon af- deepened over the last few “I think everybody agrees ter Inauguration. Dou- weeks,” said Obama. bling the production of al- Robbie Hammer The speech, given Thurs- it’s going to be near that ternative energy sources day, Jan 8, carried under- over the next three years tones of urgency as the in- trillion dollar figure.” and retrofitting three- coming president laid out a — Gov. Jim Doyle (D-Wi.) on Obama quarters of the nation’s series of sobering national current federal buildings economic stimulus package /The Connection statistics: nearly 2 million with increased energy ef- jobs lost, with 2.8 million ficiency were listed by more part-time workers in need of full-time work. Obama as a means to reducing energy costs and cre- The Institute for Supply Management has reported ating jobs that would put American workers at the that national manufacturing activity has hit a 28- forefront of a new industry. A goal to have the nation’s year-low. medical records computerized within five years was Businesses are having difficulty making payrolls, established as well as a promise of new computers, President-elect Barack Obama talks about the economy and more families are looking for ways to pay their technology and training for teachers to ensure that during a meeting of mayors and governors at George bills. Obama used those figures to urge the Demo- Mason University in Fairfax on Jan. 8. cratically-controlled Congress to take “dramatic ac- See Obama, Page 5 It’s Political Party Time Inova Puts Hold event as well. Democratic Party groups According to Jane Barker of the grassroots Demo- On Healthplex cratic Women of Clifton, that will be where many gear up for inauguration. members of her organization celebrate the occasion. Inova Mount Vernon’s projects, Rather than throw their own party, Barker said the By Derek B. Johnson organization was taking up the president-elect’s ap- nurse hiring to continue. The Connection peal for public service by participating in two com- munity-service projects. On Sunday, Jan. 18, the or- By Chuck Hagee n Tuesday, Jan. 20, Democrats will cap off ganization will host a cleanup of Clifton Road in The Connection Oa week’s worth of festivities by watching Clifton. The group has also partnered with Our Daily one of their own take the presidential oath Bread, a volunteer-based organization that assists ll Inova Health System capital projects, not already un- for the first time since 1996. Throughout Fairfax low-income residents by providing gift cards for lo- Ader way, have been put on indefinite hold — including County, various Democratic organizations are seek- cal grocery stores during the month of January. the long awaited Lorton Healthplex. That was the bad ing to ring in the new administration with their own “This is not just for our members, this is some- news delivered to the Southeast Health Planning Task Force on parties and get-togethers in the days leading up to thing that anybody can do: Democrat, Republican, Thursday night, Jan. 8, by Inova Mount Vernon Hospital CEO President-elect Barack Obama’s (D) swearing in. anybody whose concerned and wants to provide and IHS Senior Vice President Barbara Doyle. The Fairfax County Democratic Committee blue some service here,” said Barker. “When the economy starts to turn around we will reevaluate jeans inaugural ball has organized for Saturday, Jan. everything. All projects that were merely in the planning stage 17 at the Richard J. Ernst Community Cultural Cen- MEMBERS OF the Lee District Democrats will be are now on hold. Capital expenditures are frozen,” Doyle told ter at Northern Virginia Community College in throwing their own house parties, as well as attend- task force members meeting at the Mount Vernon Government Annandale that will represent one of the bigger ing a gala in conjunction with Obama’s campaign on Center. events occurring in the county. Dubbed “Denim and Sunday Jan. 18 at the State Theater in Falls Church. All projects already in the pipe line will continue. That in- Diamonds” according to the organization’s Web site, Steve Bunn, co-chair of the Lee District Democrats, cludes investments in IT and the hiring of more nurses. “We are the ball will have food, drinks, a live band and door said the reality of November’s electoral victory is still continuing to fill all our nursing vacancies,” Doyle said. prizes while a limited supply of Obama pictures and sinking in for many members. “If Inova had moved ahead with the healthplex two years ago, materials will be given out as well. Tickets costing “I think the mood is: we’re ecstatic but it’s almost as they promised and when it should have been done, it would $75 will buy entrance along with three drinks and unbelievable. As much as anybody worked over the See Lorton, Page 15 door prizes. The organization will also be collecting See Inauguration, Page 4 donated coats, jackets and dry canned food at the www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Fairfax Station/Laurel Hill Connection ❖ January 15-21, 2009 ❖ 3 News Chairman Candidates Make Case Herrity, Bulova speak and answer questions “illegal behaviors” such as overcrowding and zoning issues, but that diverting local at South County Federation meeting. police to do federal work would actually serve as more of a drain on county re- By Derek B. Johnson tee. Herrity, in his first term, pointed out sources. The Connection his business experience as chief financial “When we are asked to assist in immigra- officer for companies like Arrowhead Glo- by Photo tion issues we do, but what Fairfax County upervisors Pat Herrity (R-Spring- bal Solutions, Techmatics, Inc. and the did not do is go down the road that Prince field) and Sharon Bulova (D- Mikoh Corporation. William County did, which was to deputize Braddock), the two major party He also said that growing up as the son county police to do [U.S. Immigration and S B. Johnson Derek candidates in the upcoming special of Jack Herrity, who served 18 years on the Customs Enforcement’s] job.” election of a new chairman for the county Board of Supervisors, including 12 as chair- In response to a question, Herrity said he Board of Supervisors, made an appearance man, gave him a firsthand look at how the was realistic about addressing the county’s Tuesday, Jan. 13 to introduce themselves job works. budget woes, and that meant candidly dis- to members of the South “I got to watch Fairfax cussing the issue of tax increases. County Federation dur- County transform from “Contrary to what some people may think, ing their monthly meet- “Contrary to what a sleepy bedroom com- /The Connection I’m not a no-tax nut Republican,” said ing. munity to a thriving Herrity. “There’s no way you’re going to Herrity and Bulova some people may [area]. I learned a lot close a $650 million budget gap without are running to replace from that period with increasing taxes.” outgoing chairman think, I’m not a my dad,” he said. Mike Grogan, president of the South Gerry Connolly, who left Bulova touted her County Federation, posed a question to both the post after winning no-tax nut role in the creation of candidates. “There’s strong interest from the Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Spring- the 11th Congressional the Virginia Railway membership in getting a community police field) after a question and answer District seat. Republican.” Express, which she station. As chairman of the Board of Super- session with the South County Though both candi- — Supervisor Pat Herrity called “one of the fast- visors, would you support our efforts?” Federation.