My team and I have spent the campaign explaining my vision for Mason District and talking to constituents to better understand their thoughts and needs. With a few days left until the primary election, June 20, we wanted to share my more matured plans for building a better Mason.

Transparency and community engagement

Our number one priority is to engage Mason District residents as an equal partner to ensure that the voices of all 117,839 residents are heard.

  • We will have regular meetings with civic, HOA, and community leaders.

  • We will open a community office in the Mason government office.

  • We will launch a MyMason website where all registered Mason residents can register, communicate, and engage with the community.

 

Metro extension to Mason District

Develop plans to extend Metro access to Mason District to make commuting for residents and workers more convenient and accessible. While Central Annandale is less than 10 minutes from Route 236, the 495 Express Lanes, and Route 29, there are many people who cannot or prefer not to commute via car. With direct access to the Metro system, Mason will further increase its viability as the community people want to work and live in.

 

Fully funding schools

We are committed to providing the best education by:

  • Providing funding to attract and retain top-tier teachers;

  • Encouraging the academic growth and development of our students; and

  • Providing opportunities for students to participate in extracurricular activities.

 

Affordable housing

With sky-high prices and a limited supply of housing, existing and future Mason District residents and workers can struggle to afford housing. Without affordable housing, residents are less likely to stay in Mason and employees are less likely to work here.

We have identified over 10 different garden-style apartments that are non-compliant with current housing regulations. Promoting the development of these units – particularly on land owned by the Board of Supervisors (e.g., the 35-acre Wedgewood Manor apartments) – can provide much needed affordable housing. The development of these housing sites will also go hand in hand with the creation of new community spaces.

 

Support the community

Mason District is the most diverse community in Fairfax County. Mason has benefited from this diversity in the variety of amazing local businesses in areas such as Annandale, Seven Corners, and Baileys Crossroads. Local businesses in these areas are not only frequented by residents but also by visitors to the DMV area. With the pandemic and economic slowdown, many small businesses are suffering. We want to support both diversity and local businesses. Successful local businesses, which in Mason are often intertwined with diverse owners, can support local community engagement.

We want to offer a Business Watch program to bring local businesses together to watch for theft and other dangerous activities. Promoting a safe business environment allows local businesses to provide the best products and services to residents and the ability to sponsor community events such as the Taste of Annandale.

 

Senior enrichment programs

Fairfax County operates one of the best community engagement departments known as Neighborhood Community Services (NCS). NCS operates 14 Senior Centers, and 2 are in Mason District.  With the increasing senior population in Mason, we need to review and expand current programs to ensure they remain engaged with the broader Mason community.

 

Childcare and early child development programs

The Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA), consisting of 27 local churches, and operates the ACCA Child Development Center. Its mission is to provide affordable, high-quality early education and developmentally appropriate care for children ages 3-months to 5-years in a safe, healthy, and diverse environment. We need to support and expand ACCA Child Development Center programs to ensure that all of our children have the ability to pursue a bright future.