F.C. Council Overrules Historic Group Decision on Old Barn
By a 5-2 vote Monday, the Falls Church City Council overruled a ruling by the City’s Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) to protect a dilapidated mostly destroyed remnant of a late 19th century barn whose preservation stood in the way of the new home construction on Fowler Street. The HARB decision from last June was against a petition from Karen Morrison, daughter of the late F.C. realtor Merelyn Kaye.
The puzzling decision by the HARB board, led by architect Charles Moore and sustained by a recommendation from the City’s Planning Staff, was overturned following a presentation led by former Falls Church Mayor Brian O’Connor at a Council work session last month and it was voted on this Monday based on a motion from Council member Caroline Lian and seconded by Councilman Phil Duncan, with Letty Hardi, Debbie Schantz-Hiscott and Marybeth Connelly voted in favor, and David Snyder and David Tarter against.
F.C. Council Unanimous Allowing Non-F.C. Voters on Boards
The F.C. Council voted 7-0 to seek a change in the City’s charter from the Virginia General Assembly that would permit non-residents of Falls Church to be appointed to volunteer City boards and commissions. The only requirement now is that they be at least 18 years of age.
Beyer Announces Run For Another Term
U.S. Rep. Don Beyer of Falls Church and Northern Virginia issued the following statement last week announcing that he will seek reelection to a sixth term as U.S. Representative for Virginia’s 8th Congressional District:
“I am seeking reelection to Congress to carry forward our work on building a stronger and more equitable economy, to be the most powerful voice and vote against climate change that I can, and to fight for my Northern Virginia constituents. I will also do all I can in 2024 to help retake the majority in the House, elect Hakeem Jeffries Speaker, and prevent would-be dictator Donald Trump from getting anywhere near the White House ever again.
“There is so much work ahead of us, including delivering world class constituent services, passing new reforms to prevent gun violence, lowering costs for the American people, delivering guaranteed paid family and medical leave to every American worker, and much more. If elected to a sixth term I will strive to be the most effective advocate I can be for progress and positive results. I am humbled by the trust Northern Virginians have placed in me as their elected Representative since 2014, and it is my great honor to serve them.”
Kaine, Warner Hail DHS Extension Of Migrant Status
Wednesday, Dec. 13 — Today, Virginia’s U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine praised an announcement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that it will extend the re-registration period for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for migrants from countries including El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Sudan. The announcement follows a Warner-led letter to advocate for TPS for migrants from Sudan and a Kaine-led letter to advocate for TPS for migrants from El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. This move will extend the amount of time allotted for TPS recipients to re-register for the program and its benefits from 60-days to the full 18-month validity period for each country with a TPS designation.
“We are very encouraged by DHS’ move to extend the re-registration period for those needing to renew their TPS status. Virginia is home to tens of thousands of TPS recipients who play essential roles in their communities and serve as a key part of our economy. This needed extension will provide these individuals – who are unable to safely return to their countries of origin due to extreme circumstances – with the additional time they need to carefully navigate the re-registration process and ensure that they can retain their lawful status, continue to work legally, and avoid deportation,” said the senators.
Established by the U.S. Congress through the Immigration Act of 1990, TPS is a temporary, renewable program that provides relief from deportation and access to a work permit for foreign nationals from certain countries who are unable to return safely to their home country due to natural disasters, armed conflicts, or other extraordinary conditions.
Under this extension, the TPS re-registration periods are as follows:
- El Salvador: July 12, 2023, through March 9, 2025
- Honduras: November 6, 2023, through July 5, 2025
- Nepal: October 24, 2023, through June 24, 2025
- Nicaragua: November 6, 2023, through July 5, 2025
- Sudan: August 21, 2023, through April 19, 2025
- Haiti: January 26, 2023, through August 3, 2024