The Town of Vienna is gearing up for its election in a few months.
Recently, the filing deadline passed for people looking to run for the Town Council. Tysons Reporter has information below on who the candidates are, when debates are scheduled and how to ask questions.
Mayoral Candidates
Three councilmembers are vying for Mayor Laurie DiRocco’s seat.
DiRocco, who has been the town’s mayor since 2014, announced in December that she will not seek re-election.
Linda Colbert has been on the council since 2014 and has previously served on the Transportation Safety Commission and Hunter Mill Transportation Advisory Council, according to her town bio.
“I am running for Mayor of Vienna to advocate for Vienna residents, to preserve our neighborhoods, and to improve our commercial areas to create a more vibrant and economically viable main street that our residents will use with pride,” according to a statement on her Facebook page.
Pasha Majdi is running on a platform to “keep [Vienna] a small town.”
He was first elected to the council in 2014 after serving on the Town Business Liaison Committee, according to his town bio.
“Vienna should be an independent, green oasis that is a sharp contrast to Tysons, not a housing district for Tysons,” he said in his campaign announcement.
Howard Springsteen is also running on a platform to maintain the “small-town feel” of Vienna.
Springsteen was first elected to the Town Council in 2009 and has served on the Transportation Safety Commission for eight years, according to his town bio.
“I have a reputation for getting things done and focusing on residents’ concerns and issues,” Springsteen said. “I think Vienna should be determined by taxpaying residents and not non-tax paying developers.”
The terms for both Majdi and Colbert expire in June this year, while Springsteen’s term expires in June 2021.
Vienna Town Council Candidates
Depending on the mayoral election, either two or three council seats will be open.
Vienna Town Councilmember Douglas Noble, who has been on the council since 2016, plans to retire after his current term ends on June 30. (The terms for councilmembers Nisha Patel and Steve Potter expire in 2021.)
Voters will be able to pick no more than three of the seven candidates running to be councilmembers, according to the Fairfax County Department of Elections.
The candidates are:
- Chuck Anderson, a former member of Vienna’s Planning Commission
- Ray Brill, Jr., a former U.S. Air Force pilot, pastor, lawyer and congressional aide
- Roy Baldwin, an attorney who chairs Vienna’s Board of Architectural Review
- David Patariu, an attorney who is a member of Vienna’s Planning Commission
- Chris Wright, the vice president of sales at Datastrong
- Ed Somers, a member of Vienna’s Transportation Safety Commission
- Andrea Kristin Dahl
Meet the Candidates
Ahead of the election on May 5, several candidate forums will give locals opportunities to hear the candidates debate and answer questions from residents.
Unless canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus, here are the scheduled forums, according to the Vienna Business Association (VBA):
- NEVCA Candidates Forum: April 2 at 7 p.m. at the Community Center Auditorium
- NARFE Candidates Forum: April 14 at 1 p.m. at the Community Center Auditorium
- VBA Mayoral Forum: April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department
- Mayoral Forum: April 21 at 7 p.m. at the Cunningham Park Elementary School
Tysons Reporter will also reach out to the candidates for Q&As that will be published this spring ahead of the election.
If you have a question you would like the Tysons Reporter team to consider asking, please let us know in the comments below or on our social media pages.
Images via Town of Vienna
People impacted by the Orange Line closures this summer will have the option to use free shuttle buses.
Beginning May 27, the Vienna, Dunn Loring and East Falls Church stations will be closed through Sept. 7 (Reminder: On March 15, some or all of the parking options will be closed at the Metro stations in the Falls Church and Vienna area.)
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced today (Friday) the routes for the free buses that will replace trains at the affected stations.
Riders can use an online tool to find recommended travel alternatives.
While the Silver Line won’t be closed, WMATA officials have said that the stations from McLean to Wiehle-Reston East will also be affected.
The summer work will include updating slip-resistant tiles, LED lighting, adding new large digital displays and building new shelters on the platforms.
“West Falls Church Station will remain open and serve as the western terminus of the Orange Line,” according to Metro. “Trains will continue to pass through East Falls Church Station while it is closed to minimize service impacts outside the construction area.”
Map via WMATA
Two lawsuits against the Town of Vienna have been resolved now that Sunrise Senior Living’s plans are moving forward to occupy a different Maple Avenue location.
Steven Briglia, the town’s attorney, told the Town Council on Monday (March 9) that “soon the ink will be dry on both.”
The first lawsuit involved a Vienna couple suing town officials for approving the rezoning for a mixed-use development at 380 Maple Avenue.
“The parties have agreed it can be dismissed with prejudice,” he said. “It has been removed from the court docket.”
The mixed-use development site is now being considered for a Sunrise Senior Living Facility.
After the Town Council killed Sunrise’s original plans to bring a facility at the corner of Maple Avenue and Center Street, Sunrise sued Vienna officials for $30 million.
Sunrise then proposed to take over the 380 Maple Avenue spot and its plans have been moving forward with the town.
Briglia said that on Friday (March 6) that the Sunrise has agreed to drop the case.
“They are very happy with locating to 380 [Maple Avenue] and to move forward on that,” he said, adding that the non-suit “will remove the cloud on that property.”
Happy Friday! Here are the latest stories about the Tysons area that the Tysons Reporter team has been reading:
Inova Announced New Hospital Visitor Policy — “Inova Health System announced changes… effective at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 12. The health system changed the policy ‘to protect the health and safety of our patients, their families and staff from the spread of COVID-19.’ The restrictions apply even to visitors who are healthy.” [Patch]
Vienna Officials Praise Low Rate for Bond Sale — “Vienna officials on March 10 issued $34.5 million in general-obligation bonds that will pay for public improvements, including a new police station. The town accepted an interest-rate bid of 1.86 percent from J.P. Morgan Securities, as well as a $3.1 million premium, which is a bonus offered by the investment firm to the town.” [Inside NoVa]
Little League Suspend Activities — The McLean Little League is suspending all activities, while the Vienna Little League “has suspended all activities through April 6, 2020.” [Twitter, Facebook]
Immigrants Contribute Billions to NoVa Economy — “A new report on the impact of immigrants in Northern Virginia found they are injecting $57.7 billion into the local economy — accounting for more than a quarter of the region’s $224.9 billion gross domestic product.” [Inside NoVa]
There is no higher priority than the health and wellness of our guests, employees, retailers, and communities. That’s why we are monitoring the current situation of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and taking protective actions. To learn more, visit https://t.co/Wup8vbctAP
— Tysons Corner Center (@ShopTysons) March 10, 2020
The Town of Vienna’s newest public art piece is a familiar message to Virginians.
A “LOVE” sign is now greeting people at the entrance along the W&OD Trail to Northside Park, the town tweeted on Tuesday.
Like the “LOVE” sign that traveled around Fairfax County last year before finding a permanent home in Lorton, the Vienna sign is spreading the “Virginia is for lovers” slogan.
The metal tube letters were donated by a “kind local couple,” the tweet said, adding a shout out to the Vienna Public Art Commission’s Mark Stahl for the installation.
Image via Town of Vienna/Twitter
Vienna police are urging people to send in tips for their investigation of a burglary at a local gun store on Maple Avenue.
Deputy Chief of Police Dan Janickey told the Vienna Town Council last night that detectives are working “nonstop” on the case.
Janickey said that police showed up at the Vienna Arsenal (386 Maple Ave E.) right around when the store’s owner was checking on an alarm that sounded around 6 a.m. last Monday (March 2).
“We responded and found a forced entry into a second-story window where they were able to gain entry and steal approximately 25 guns,” he said.
The police department received some “useful information” through NextDoor, Janickey said, urging people to reach out to the police department if they have any information.
Janickey said that the police department is working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the store’s owner to determine what types and models of guns were stolen.
The Vienna Arsenal has alarm and camera systems, along with metal bars on its windows, he said.
People with any information about the case are asked to contact Detective Leroux at 703-255-6322 or email him at [email protected].
Image via Town of Vienna
Major work underway to revamp I-66 underway may soon extend to a bridge and road on the border of Vienna.
Plans to demolish and rebuild Cedar Lane’s bridge over I-66 and the Metro tracks are a part of the Virginia Department of Transportation’s multi-year Transform 66 project.
Susan Shaw, VDOT, and Nancy Smith with FAM provided the Town Council an update on the bridge project last night (Monday).
While nothing has been finalized yet, the bridge will likely get demolished and rebuilt this summer to take advantage of the Orange Line Metro shutdown, they said.
“We’re still having this dialogue so a final decision isn’t made,” Shaw said.
Currently, the lack of a right-hand shoulder on I-66 is creating safety concerns, Smith said.
VDOT is currently looking at move forward with single-phase construction, which would last for six months, Smith told the council, adding that three-phase construction that would last at least 28 months is also an option.
“It would allow us to take full advantage of WMATA’s shutdown,” she said, adding that the goal is to demolish and rebuild the bridge as quickly as possible.
The single-phase construction would require a detour for drivers and pedestrians for the entire six months, Smith said, noting that this option would have fewer impacts on I-66.
Smith said that an analysis of a six-month closure of the bridge found that two-thirds of the traffic on is cut-through traffic between the City of Fairfax and Tysons, while one-third of the traffic is local.
The analysis suggested that drivers would find alternative routes, with local traffic shifting to Nutley Street and Gallows Road.
Smith said that a different detour would be in place for the roughly 40 pedestrians and 20 bicyclists who currently use the bridge every day.
Smith said that the two Fairfax Connector routes that use the bridge would need to be rerouted for a six-month closure.
The bridge is just one of several projects in the area, including:
- work on new Vaden Drive bridge
- construction of new Gallows Road bridge
- work on pedestrian and shared-use path along Nutley Street
“Obviously, Cedar Lane construction won’t happen in a vacuum,” Smith said. “There’s a lot of other construction happening on the corridor simultaneously.”
Work is set to start on the Cedar Lane Bridge in May, Smith said. The new bridge would aim to open by mid-November.
Once the bridge is closed for construction, Smith said that commuters can expect congestion to increase.
People interested in learning more about the single-phase construction can expect a meeting at Thoreau Middle School in late March, Smith said.
Image (1) via Google Maps, image (2) and maps via Town of Vienna
Vienna officials want residents to nominate volunteers for upcoming awards.
Nominations for individuals are due March 30, while nominations for the 2020 Carole Wolfand Award, which celebrates a local business, are due March 9.
The Town Business Liaison Committee will select the finalist for the 2020 Carole Wolfand Award, according to the nomination form.
“Show your appreciation for the Town of Vienna’s hometown heroes by nominating one or more individuals or groups to be recognized,” the town said in a press release.
The awardees will be recognized at the annual Mayor’s Volunteer Reception at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, according to the press release.
Guests at the newly opened Bear Branch Tavern in Vienna have the chance to check out artwork from a Falls Church-based artist.
The restaurant at 133 Maple Ave E. began serving guests in late February, according to David Barr, who designed three individual works of art that now adorn the walls of the restaurant.
Each work is based on local history and helps to encompass the personality of Vienna, Barr said, adding that he worked with Chris Lefbom, one of the eatery’s owners, on the project.
One mural stretches 18 feet across a wall to tell the story of the Battle of Vienna, which took place in 1861 between Union and Confederate troops, Barr said.
The inspiration for the mural came from a square vintage sketch that Leftbom presented to Barr.
Leftbom said he wanted it to look like “something you would find in someone’s closet,” according to Barr. “They wanted it to look weathered.”
Barr took artistic license to add a “pop of color” and expand the scene.
Two other smaller works include a pop-style collage that fits Barr’s signature style but still managed to include historically important aspects of the town, such as the Freeman Store and the Vienna railroad, he said.
One work features old signage from a 1957 Texaco station. “I gravitated toward old signage because I always love working with texts,” Barr said.
The second painting highlights the Freeman Store, which still stands today and serves as the headquarters for Historic Vienna, Inc. People can visit to learn about the area and shop at the gift shop, the museum’s website said.
People who want to check out the artwork for themselves and grab a bite to eat can visit Bear Branch Tavern. A full menu can be found online a well.
Photos courtesy David Barr
Updated at 12:10 p.m. — Normal service has resumed at the Vienna Metro station as of noon, Metro tweeted.
A man has been struck by a train at the Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metro station.
Firefighters from Fairfax and Arlington counties are currently on scene after the man was struck around 9 a.m.
The man appears to have intentionally “placed himself in the path of the train,” according to Metro Transit Police. He is reportedly deceased.
Riders should expect delays on the Orange line. Train service has been suspended between the West Falls Church and Vienna Metro stations, Metro tweeted.
Shuttle buses are now available at:
- West Falls Church: bus bay B for service toward Vienna
- Vienna: bus bay Q for service toward New Carrollton
- Dunn Loring-Merrifield: bus bay F for service in both directions
Orange Line Metrobus alternatives:
At Vienna – 29N to King St (BL, YL).
At Dunn Loring – 1B to Ballston (OR, SV), 2A to East Falls Church (OR, SV) & Ballston (OR, SV) and 2B to Vienna (OR).
At West Falls Church – 3T to East Falls Church (OR) & 28A to Tysons Corner (SV). #wmata— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) March 9, 2020
Vienna: MTPD and @ffxfirerescue have responded to a person struck by train. Unfortunately, this is a "recovery" operation, as opposed to a rescue. Camera review shows adult male intentionally placed himself in the path of the train. Rail service temp suspended WFC-Vienna. #wmata
— Metro Transit Police (@MetroTransitPD) March 9, 2020
UPDATED: Orange Line Delay: Train service suspended btwn West Falls Church & Vienna due to a person struck by a train at Vienna. Shuttle buses requested.
— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) March 9, 2020
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of self-harm, call 911 or the Department of Human Services’ emergency services line at 703-228-5160. CrisisLink also has a 24-hour crisis hotline at 703-527-4077 or 800-SUICIDE, or text 703-940-0888.
