I want to thank all of my supporters who came out to my Campaign Kick-Off event last week.  I was happy to see so many new faces, as well as those who have worked with me from the beginning.  Good food, good friends, and a good time was had by everyone.
 
This Spring, as always, I have been traveling around the district talking with residents about their concerns and issues.  This issue highlights some of those concerns:  gang violence, Centreville Road construction, and unemployed workers.  In addition, I am also giving an update on the Dulles Metrorail.  I'm always happy to hear from residents of the 86th district, so please don't hesitate to contact me with your concerns.  As I visit your community, please continue to share your concerns, views, and ideas with me.
 
After speaking with many residents of Sterling, it is clear that people would like more information about what steps have been taken to stop criminal gangs.  I have assembled a Town Hall meeting where elected officials can discuss federal, state and local efforts, and hear back from the community.  Congressman Frank Wolf, Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott York and Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio along with representatives of the Gang Response Intervention Team (GRIT) will join me in this frank discussion about gangs.  I encourage the public to attend this meeting to discover what is being done to discourage gangs from settling in this area and to hear first hand their ideas.
 
WHEN:    Wednesday, July 1st 2009
TIME:      7:00 - 8:30 pm
WHERE:  Park View High School Auditorium
              400 West Laurel Avenue
              Sterling, VA
 
I look forward to seeing you there.
 
Many residents are impacted by the widening of Centreville Road from 2 lanes to 6 lanes; therefore, I contacted VDOT for an update which I would like to share the information with you.  Needless to say, Mother Nature and her rain storms have hampered construction.  The contractor is currently behind about 7% due to the weather, but hopes to catch up within the next few weeks as weather improves.   The good news is that the southbound lanes should get paved within the next two months and the existing traffic switched to these new lanes to allow construction of the proposed northbound lanes.  It is their goal for the widening to be complete by April 2010.
 
Virginia will join forces with Microsoft in an innovative public-private partnership to provide FREE technology training to displaced workers.  Through the Microsoft Elevate America program, the software and technology giant will work with the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) to distribute 11,250 vouchers for technology training and certification.  Elevate America also provides a wide variety of other free resources on its website including basic skills training and career resources to find internships and jobs.  Office locations and additional information about obtaining the vouchers are available online at www.vccs.edu/workforce and to learn more about Elevate America, visit www.microsoft.com/elevateamerica.
 
The major construction throughout Tysons Corner is a sign of the progress being made on the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project.  When complete, the new Metrorail line will connect the entire Dulles Corridor and serve Tysons Corner, Reston, Herndon, Sterling, Dulles and Route 772 in Loudoun.  It will bring with it major changes in transportation options for the metropolitan area, such as a 'no transfer' ride completed in two phases.  Phase one will include five stations from East Falls Church to Wiehle Avenue with four stations in Tysons Corner and the fifth at Wiehle Avenue.  Its completion is expected in 2013.  The second phase which is not under construction yet (to be finished in 2016), will add six stations from Wiehle Avenue to Route 722 in Loudoun County.  Currently, construction is taking place in the Tysons area where utilities are being relocated.  For more information on this project, visit www.dullesmetro.com.
 
 
This past week, I've had the honor of presenting Virginia flags to a Rachel Carson Middle School student who won the Virginia Geography contest and a Boy Scout who has become an Eagle Scout.  I attended the Sterling Ruritan Outstanding Student Awards & Scholarships dinner and congratulated students from Park View High School, Sterling Middle School, as well as a number of Elementary Schools.  I've also attended a community Emergency Preparedness Event, made a speech at the Engineers and Surveyors Institute, and made opening remarks at the Relay for Life at Herndon High School.  
 
As summer begins, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all of our graduates and wish them success in their future endeavors.  On Wednesday, I attended the Herndon High School graduation and as I watched the graduates accept their diplomas, I was reminded of my graduation many years ago from Herndon High School and the dreams I had.  Best of luck to all the graduates!
 
Sincerely,