Page, 6 Follow on Twitter: @LFSConnection on Twitter: Follow The Fairfax County Park Authority has created an atmosphere of entertainment and joy for the community with Springfield Nights concert series at Burke Lake Park. Classifieds, Page 10 Classifieds, v Entertainment, Page 8 v Springfield Nights Concerts Return to Burke Lake Opinion, Page 4 News, Page 2 More Fixes for I-95 Could Happen Soon News, Page 3 Requested in home 7-19-19 home in Requested Trash Collection Staffing material. sensitive Time Attention Postmaster: Postmaster: Attention ECR WSS ECR is Tight, Resulting in Customer Postal permit #322 permit Easton, MD Easton, PAID Cutbacks of Service Postage U.S. News, Page 3 STD PRSRT Photo by Khuyen Dinh/The Connection by Khuyen Photo July 18-24, 2019 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com News Photo by Mike Salmon/The Connection Photo by Khuyen Dinh/The Connection On the lawn at Burke Lake, the concert series is a relaxing way to wrap Families bring their children to enjoy the ‘Summer Entertainment Series: up a summer day. Springfield Nights.’ Springfield Nights Concerts Return to Burke Lake pringfield Nights returns for the blankets and lawn chairs to relax with visor, supporters of Springfield Nights, Upcoming concerts schedule: summer season with free musical friends and family. Fairfax County Park Authority, Fairfax JULY performances on Wednesday eve- The Burke Lake Park Amphitheater hosted County Park Foundation, and contributions S 24 — The Woodshedders (Roots Rock) nings at Burke Lake Park ranging 123 Andr s for a concert of children’s songs from the following sponsors: Cox Commu- 31 — The English Channel (Rock&Roll) from bluegrass and pop to rock and R&B. on June 22. The Saturday morning perfor- nications, 495/95 Express Lanes, Dominion There’s also a children’s entertainment se- mances take place from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Energy, Sheehy Auto Stores, NOVEC, AUGUST ries on Saturday mornings. Enjoy the Burke Springfield Nights is presented in part- Anonymous, Great American Restaurants, 7 — The Colin Thompson Band (Blues Rock) Lake Park setting and bring a picnic meal, nership with the Springfield District Super- Metro Walk & Run, and Mosquito Hunters. 14 — The Johnny Artis Band (Blues, Rock&Roll) 2 ❖ Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton Connection ❖ July 18-24, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Lorton/Fairfax Station/Clifton Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic News 703-778-9414 or [email protected] I-95 Corridor More Fixes for I-95 Could Happen Soon Improvement Study Virginia officials holding a series of meetings this month to hear ideas. Meetings THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2019 By Mike Salmon 6–8 p.m. The Connection South County Middle School 8700 Laurel Crest Drive Lorton hen driving on I-95 anytime TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2019 of the day, it could seem like James Monroe High School rush hour. That’s when ideas 2300 Washington Avenue W Fredericksburg, VA 22401 come to many drivers on what to do to fix this thoroughfare, and now 6–8 p.m. the officials want to hear those ideas as part THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2019 of a corridor improvement study that is be- Virginia State University Multipurpose Center 20809 2nd Avenue ing conducted with the Commonwealth Petersburg, VA 23803 Transportation Board, the Virginia Depart- 5–7 p.m. ment of Transportation, the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment and According to LeGrand a number of po- the Department of Rail and Public Trans- tential focus areas in and around Fairfax, portation. Whether it’s a new turn lane, exit including Occoquan and approaches to the ramp or even a launch pad for the helicop- Springfield Interchange are recognized in ter backpacks that someone is developing the study. The study team will evaluate and in their garage to get out of gridlock, offi- consider not only potential capital improve- cials want to hear about it. ments, but also operational upgrades to the “The study team is currently in the prob- highway and parallel, major routes that lem identification stage, which includes I-95 needs help and officials are listening. connect to I-95. Multimodal options will be gathering data and starting public engage- considered. ment to learn drivers’ and residents’ indi- ered, so this is the driver’s chance to be that interchange adopted, and the There are three meetings planned this vidual experiences,” said Lindsay LeGrand, heard. Occoquan River. Then came the 95 Express month to look at the options available, the Assistant Director of Communications The Springfield District has had its share lanes, a tolled lane plan where another lane where drivers, residents and other stake- at the VDOT Central Office in Richmond. of I-95 projects in the last 20 years, start- was added to the HOV lanes and vehicles holders can learn more and provide feed- “The team will gauge whether public expe- ing with the rebuild of the Springfield In- with one or two occupants paid a toll to back in person, by email or by taking an riences validate the initial data collected on terchange where I-395, I-495 and I-95 meet. use the lanes but carpools with three or online survey at crash frequency and severity, delays and The ribbon was cut for that project in the more occupants could ride for free. Many va95corridor.metroquest.com. The first incident-related delays,” she said. The team summer of 2007. The fourth lane project ramps and access lanes were added as part comment period will end Aug. 21. Addi- is also interested in any potential solutions started shortly after that, adding another of these projects but at certain times there tional comment opportunities will be avail- members of the public may want consid- lane between “the mixing bowl,” a name is still gridlock. able throughout the study period. Trash Collection Staffing is Tight, Resulting in Cutbacks of Service Occasionally cans go untouched on trash day. Program is aware of the national driver short- Photo by Mike Salmon/The Connection age,” said Matthew Kaiser, the information officer for the Fairfax County Department of By Mike Salmon Public Works and Environmental Services. The Connection The county is running advertisements for heavy equipment operators, i.e. trash truck et’s face it, it might not be a dream drivers, and they’ve even gone as far as mak- Ljob, riding on the back of a truck, ing a video to attract applicants. jumping off, throwing in more trash, “Endless opportunities here with the with the smell plus possibility of flies, mag- county,” said the person in the video. The gots, rodents, and other surprises. There are message they are promoting includes great nicer jobs, and lately the labor force num- pay and benefits, a family friendly atmo- bers have been showing a shortage of trash sphere and the room for advancement. collection workers. It’s having an impact on The driver shortage has not impacted the trash collection schedules. county collection schedules, but Kaiser is Some are cutting back from two days a aware of private collection companies that week to one, and the residents are feeling have reduced their collection frequency. the crunch. They are still meeting code requirements According to the National Waste & Recy- though, Kaiser said. Companies that fail to cling Association located in Arlington, the meet the requirements are handled through solid waste industry directly employs about enforcement actions. 420,000 people as of early 2018 with a to- Some county supervisors’ offices have tal payroll of more than $21 billion. Bran- heard from their constituents about missed don Wright, the communications represen- trash pick-ups, possibly the result of staff- tative for NWRA noted the staffing short- In Fairfax County, private collection companies pick up trash and recy- ing. In Mount Vernon, this occurred a few ages for the industry. “The labor market is cling for ninety percent of residents and businesses while the county times in June but they haven’t heard any tight in our industry,” he said. There is a trash service is only responsible for 10 percent. complaints since then. driver and mechanic shortage “felt by a In Springfield, the issues were with number of companies,” he said. percent of residents and businesses while collection company or pay via their Home houses that were under contract with Re- In Fairfax County, private collection com- the county trash service is only responsible Owner Association fees. public Trash Services. Republic has not re- panies pick up trash and recycling for ninety for 10 percent. Residents are billed by the “The (county) Solid Waste Management turned any messages about this issue. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton Connection ❖ July 18-24, 2019 ❖ 3 Fairfax Station, Opinion Lorton & Clifton www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Human Trafficking Supply and Demand @LFSCConnection An independent, locally owned weekly By Bill Woolf newspaper delivered to the supply of victims for human traffickers and like Jeffrey Epstein exist. Our awareness of homes and businesses. Executive Director, Just Ask Trafficking the demand for them. Our best weapon? Hu- them is the first step toward defeating them. Published by Prevention Foundation. man trafficking awareness and prevention is As awareness grows for potential victims, Local Media Connection LLC the most effective and least expensive method awareness grows for prospective clients of 1606 King Street he recent news about Jeffrey to reduce and ultimately eliminate the supply human traffickers. 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