The New Year is ringing in many changes to our community including the passing of the baton of local government leadership from my friend and mentor, Gerry Hyland, to me. I am truly thankful and humbled by the opportunity to continue my public service as your new Mount Vernon District Supervisor. I am also thankful for Gerry’s almost 40 years of community service and the indelible improvements that he has brought to Mount Vernon.

Over the past year of visiting your homes, meeting in your neighborhoods and speaking with you in the community, I have heard very clearly the many issues and concerns that you would like for me to tackle in the New Year: better funding and support of our schools, faster Route 1 corridor revitalization, increasing jobs and economic opportunities, improving roads and transportation options, ensuring public safety and so much more. My Mount Vernon District Team and I have hit the ground running and are already working to move our District and these initiatives forward.

As an entrepreneur and small business owner, I bring a new energy and practical, outcomes-focused solutions to local government. As part of that effort, my team and I have collaborated to develop “best practices” performance standards to serve you better. These include responding to your communications within a day, advising you of the person working to address your issue or concern and resolving it as soon as possible. My office is always available as your first phone call to access county services or to answer your questions about local government. Additionally, we will be utilizing modern technology to connect and communicate with you including immediate keep-in-touch type messages, regular articles like this one, a monthly newsletter, and a variety of social media to engage and inform you.

Beginning this week, our office will have evening hours every Thursday until 7:30 p.m. and Saturday hours on the second Saturday of each month. This Saturday, Jan. 9 from 10 a.m. – noon at Lorton Library and from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. at the Mount Vernon District Supervisors Office will be the first of those hours. Additionally, you can always reach me at:

2511 Parkers Lane, Mount Vernon, Virginia 22306

mtvernon@fairfaxcounty.gov

Phone: 703.780.7518

FAX: 703.780.1491

TTY: 711

Hours of Operation Mondays-Fridays from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Extended Hours on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Second Saturday of the Month at Lorton Library 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Supervisor’s Office

The initial Mount Vernon District team includes Brett Kenney, Christine Morin, and Donna Slaymaker with a communications position to oversee print and electronic constituent outreach yet to be filled. Brett served as Supervisor Gerry Hyland’s chief aide for the last 11 years, he is a lifelong resident of the Mount Vernon District, has a Master of Public Administration degree from George Mason University, and is a decorated combat veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Christine will serve as a senior staff aide who will handle issues in Lorton, Mason Neck, Newington, and the Springfield area. She has seven years of experience in local government, is a former Lady Fairfax and a Merit Award Recipient of the Fairfax Federation and Washington Post, and holds a Business Management Degree from Virginia Tech. Donna Slaymaker will be greeting you as the office receptionist and scheduler. She is also a lifelong resident of the Mount Vernon District, has many years of experience in the insurance industry and dealing with difficult situations and is a graduate of Mount Vernon High School.

Soon my office will announce the date of the Annual Mount Vernon Town Hall meeting. I look forward to seeing and talking with you soon.