Holiday Message From CFGF

On behalf of the Board of CFGF, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude and thanks to our members and supporters for their continued dedication, which has been instrumental to the success of our organization.  It is a great privilege to collaborate with each of you in service to both our membership and the Great Falls community.  We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

As this holiday season approaches, this CFGF Newsletter highlights major activities from late October and November.  There will be no December Membership Meeting due to seasonal schedules, but any urgent updates will be shared as needed.

Cordially,

John Halacy, President Manny Dacoba, Vice President

CFGF Issues 2026 Legislative Scorecard and Priorities

Citizens For Great Falls released its 2026 legislative priorities ahead of the Virginia Legislative Session "Pre-filing period," which started on Monday, November 17. Their scorecard highlights key topics they want the General Assembly to address. This document was also shared with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, who discussed their own legislative program at their regular meeting on November 18.

There may be chances to travel to Richmond to join committee hearings and submit comments or testimony. The prefiling period for state legislation began on November 17, 2025. The schedule for the 2026 Session will be set by Joint Rules and voted on the first day of the 2026 Session, January 14, 2026.

To view the full CFGF Legislative Scorecard and Priorities document, visit: CFGF Legislative Scorecard and Priorities 2026

CFGF Submits Comments on Policy Plan Amendment
(Plan Amendment 2022-CW-2CP)

Following previous submissions to the Fairfax County Planning Commission, as well as testimony provided by CFGF’s Jennifer Falcone, CFGF President John Halacy submitted further comments to the Board of Supervisors regarding the Policy Plan Amendment to the County-wide Comprehensive Plan.  These comments were submitted prior to the public hearing on the Amendment held on November 18. At that meeting, the Board of Supervisors postponed their decision on Plan Amendment 2022-CW-2CP to December 9, 2025.  This postponement will facilitate additional consideration of public feedback and ensure a comprehensive review of the amendment process.  The purpose of the amendment is to update the Countywide Policy Plan to reflect recent policies and initiatives.

The Policy Plan outlines the goals, policies, and objectives set by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors regarding various aspects of community planning, including:

• Land Use: Strategies for sustainably managing growth and development.
• Transportation: Policies to enhance mobility and connectivity within the county.
• Housing: Guidelines to ensure diverse and affordable housing options.
• Environment: Initiatives aimed at protecting natural resources and promoting sustainability

Read the CFGF's comments here: CFGF Comments for BOS re Policy Plan Amendment to Comprehensive Plan

Correspondence Sent to School Board Rep. Robin Lady

CFGF President John Halacy, representing Citizens For Great Falls, sent a letter to Dranesville School Board Representative Robyn Lady on Oct. 30, highlighting important concerns about local school policies governing boundary policy that could have a major impact on the community. Although previously assured there would be no boundary changes affecting our community, recent remarks about possible adjustments have unsettled some residents.  To address this, Halacy proposed several priorities to uphold trust, establish clear decision criteria, and ensure the data used by the Board and Administration is fully transparent and accessible.

The main priorities include:

• Clarifying Boundary Policies: Update policies to clearly explain boundaries, what could prompt changes, and how information will be shared so families in affected areas are kept informed.
• Enhancing Capacity Planning: Manage growth by proactively planning for new housing, transfers, and program placements, making sure resources keep pace with Fairfax County's development.
• Prioritizing Student Safety: Make safety a top priority through swift communication about incidents, given recent reports of increasing safety concerns in the area.

Read the CFGF's correspondence here: CFGF Correspondence to School Board Rep. Robyn Lady

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