Once again the members of the Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department rose to the occasion assisting or making more than two-dozen water rescues. Headlines may not have made reference to OWL, but I can tell you that the citizens, other fire departments, the police department and local politicians all took note of the services you provided Thursday night.

On September 11 2001, within moments of the worst attacks on U.S. soil, the members of this great department left their jobs, said good-by to their families, stopped what they were doing and headed for our three stations. Every fire truck, ambulance and special piece was staffed and on the road. Our units were sent north to backfill other fire and rescue stations. Eventually, through continued station transfers and dispatches, some units end up at the Pentagon. Once again our members performed admirably to say the least, no matter what their role was that fateful day.


Prince William County had a very busy weekend with several major events going on all over the County, including the 150th Commemoration of the Battle of First Manassas/Bull Run, Youth for Tomorrow Fundraising Event at Old Dominion Speedway, Virginia State Senior Little League Championships at Veterans Park and Aquapoloosa on the Potomac River.

In anticipation of heightened call volume, OWL VFD off duty fire fighters and EMS came in to help staff additional apparatus. In addition to the normal apparatus that was staffed, OWL VFD staff two additional ambulances and boats 502 and 512.


In 2007, as I was campaigning to be your locally elected representative on the Board of County Supervisors, I brought a ferry to Woodbridge from Boston to promote the use of a commuter ferry service up the Potomac River. During this time, we conducted several runs and were able to complete the Quantico to Navy Yard run in under 55 minutes one-way, giving us hope that a commuter ferry option was feasible as another viable transit alternative to help alleviate gridlock on our roads. I also brought a ferry here in 2009 and replicated the service time for a series of origin/destination pairs.


On Thursday, March 24, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) officials will hold a public hearing about the proposed North Woodbridge Interchange at Route 1 and Route 123.  This public hearing will be the first opportunity for the community to review the new proposal and provide feedback to VDOT officials. I encourage all Woodbridge residents to attend the public hearing from 5:00 to 8 pm. at Botts Fire Hall, located at 1306 F Street, Woodbridge.

To date, funding has not been available to proceed with the North Woodbridge Interchange project. However, money will be allocated to fund at least phase I of the interchange in the Governor’s transportation package that recently passed the General Assembly.  I am very excited about the beginning of this important project after decades of planning and promises.