December 6 – 12, 2007
Flip-Flop Lands Petersen in Byrne Camp
Just-elected Democratic State Senator-elect Chap Petersen threw his support to former U.S. Congressman Leslie Byrne this week in Byrne’s early push to secure her party’s nomination to run in the 11th Congressional District of Greater Falls Church, currently held by Rep. Tom Davis, next year. Petersen had just days before been videotaped making remarks supporting one of Byrne’s Democratic rivals, Iraq War veteran Doug Denneny, that has cropped up on YouTube. Meanwhile, Denneny announced that his candidacy has won the support of fellow Iraq War veteran Congressman Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania. Many political insiders also expect Fairfax County Board Chair Gerry Connolly to seek the Democratic nod for the seat.
Corrected F.C. Federal $ Allocations
Falls Church City officials corrected some numbers it provided last week that were used in a News-Press report on the allocation of federal funds. The corrected version shows that the Falls Church City Council at its Nov. 26 meeting allocated $83,332 in Community Development Block Grant funds and $47,577 in HOME program funds to six local organizations. Other than administration, three programs – all housing related – received full funding. The City's Housing and Human Services First Time Homebuyer Assistance was awarded $45,000, A-HOME Homeownership Counseling got its full request of $10,000, and RPJ Volunteer Home Repair was awarded all of the $4,000 it requested. But Homestretch's Ives House Transitional Housing for Women got only $8,750 of its $27,500 request, Mt. Daniel's Family Literacy program got $2,000 of its $4,100 request and the Fairfax/Falls Church Community Services Council got $2,000 of its $3,000 request. The City's Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program got $35,682 of its $47,577 HOME fund request and $7,332.56 of its $15,000 CDBG request. Homestretch's Transitional Housing for Homeless Families got $11,895 of its $30,000 HOME request.
Inova Appeals for ‘Adopt a Family’ $
The Inova Juniper Program serving over 500 men, women, families and children living with and affected by HIV and AIDS in the Northern Virginia region, is appealing to the public to support its Holiday 2007 “Adopt a Family” program. Falls Church’s Nancy Gauchey, who coordinates the program, will either provide a “needs list” that donors can use to purchase as many gifts as they wish, or donors can give money to the program, which will purchase the gifts. The Juniper program is built on an interdisciplinary model, with services provided by a team including infectious disease physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, licensed clinical social workers, health educators and clinical support staff. Since its inception eight years ago, the program has had not a single case of transmission of HIV from a pregnant mom to an infant. Those wishing to contribute can call Ms. Gauchey at (703) 321-2674.
