The Prince William County Service Authority is pleased to announce it has won the National Association of Clean Water Agencies’ Platinum Award for the second consecutive year.

In 2014, the Service Authority won its first platinum award, which is given to NACWA member utilities that have experienced no permit violations for five consecutive years. Located in Woodbridge, the H.L. Mooney Advanced Water Reclamation Facility treats up to 24 million gallons a day of wastewater from eastern Prince William County.

Each month, the Service Authority issues reports to the Commonwealth of Virginia, which runs the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System created by the Environmental Protection Agency. The system tracks everything from phosphorus and nitrogen limits to dissolved oxygen minimums, which can seriously impact aquatic life.

An overabundance of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus can cause an unhealthy buildup of algae growth in the Potomac River and, ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay. The water treated by the Mooney facility is discharged into Neabsco Creek, a tributary of the Potomac.

“We always strive to go above and beyond to meet all environmental regulations, which are some of the strictest in the nation,” said Service Authority General Manager Dean Dickey. “We are extremely proud of our hardworking staff at Mooney for this outstanding achievement.”

 “The Service Authority has a terrific track record when it comes to protecting the environment,” added Environmental Services and Water Reclamation Director Evelyn Mahieu. “To go six straight years without a single violation is a significant accomplishment and a splendid example of our commitment to environmental stewardship.”

One of Stafford’s most beautiful and most beloved parks is getting ready for a big party, and County officials invite everyone to blow out the candles on 40 years of fun, sun and service!

All Stafford citizens are invited to Curtis Memorial Park for its 40^th birthday celebration on Saturday, June 20, 2015. The 1970s-themed party will feature disco music, kids’ activities, and lots of opportunities to take a dip in the park’s Olympic-sized swimming pool and zero depth entry wading or tot pool. The first 100 guests will receive a free hot dog and birthday cake will be served. There will also be plenty of pool games, arts and crafts, a shark-themed moon bounce, and a visit by Jaws the Shark, in honor of the 1975 movie. The party starts at 1:00 p.m. and goes until 4:00 p.m.

“Almost everyone who has ever gone to Stafford County schools in the last 40 years has probably been to Curtis Park,” said Chairman of the Stafford Board of Supervisors Gary Snellings. “It has been host to many high school graduation celebrations, swim team practices, swim lessons, and family picnics. Curtis Park has served Stafford County long and well.”

Curtis Park opened in June 1975. Part of the land for the park – 100 acres – was donated to the County by the heirs of Jesse L.B. Curtis, who wanted his farmland used for recreational purposes. The family also offered the remaining 400 acres of their property to the county for the park; the land was purchased with a combination of county, state and federal funds.

In 2014, renovations to the Curtis Park pool were completed. New tiles were installed in the Olympic-size main pool and in the wading pool. Repairs to the deck surrounding both pools were also completed and a new handicapped access ramp was installed. In addition, many other “behind the scene” improvements were completed including new pool filters, pumps and valves to enhance the pool’s operation. The renovations, which cost $1.1 million, were paid for with funds from the voter-approved Parks and Bond Recreation Bond Referendum that was passed in 2009.  This year, improvements were made to the bath house that supports the pool to include new flooring, showers and other restroom amenities.

In addition to the pool, Curtis Park features multiple nature trails, tennis courts, a skateboarding park, volleyball court,  pavilions with picnic tables, electricity and adjacent restrooms, sports fields, fishing lake, 18-hole golf course, and a concessions stand. Curtis Park is open from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. during the summer. It is located at 58 Jesse Curtis Lane, Stafford, Virginia 22406.For more information, visitwww.staffordparks.com. 

Stafford County is pleased to announce that it has won two 2015 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo). Stafford won awards for its 350^th Anniversary Celebration in 2014 and for Fire and Rescue’s Advanced Life Support Pilot Program. The awards recognize innovative county government programs that modernize county government and increase services to residents.

“We are honored to be recognized at the national level for these two efforts,” said Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Gary Snellings, Hartwood District. “The 350^th award validates the hard work of the 350^th Blue Ribbon Committee, Stafford’s citizens and businesses, and our staff to celebrate a tremendous milestone for Stafford, and to also bring all facets of our community together for a worthy cause.” Mr. Snellings served as the Board’s liaison to the 350^th Blue Ribbon Committee.

Stafford’s 350^th Anniversary celebration won the NACo award in the category of Civics Education and Public Information. More than 40,000 citizens and visitors enjoyed the year-long celebration and its five signature events and numerous programs. Several initiatives of the 350^thAnniversary became permanent legacies that will be enjoyed for years to come: Celebration Stage at Pratt Park, Stafford’s first amphitheater; the African-American History Wall and the brick memorial garden at the Rowser Building; and the 350^th medallions gracing new public facilities that opened in 2014. 

In addition to this award, Stafford won for Fire and Rescue’s Advanced Life Support Pilot Program in the category of Emergency Management and Response. The program reduced response times and enhanced volunteer participation in the Brooke and Rock Hill areas of the county.

Supervisor Meg Bohmke, who represents the Falmouth District and is also chairman of the Board’s Public Safety Committee, praised Fire and Rescue staff for their innovative approach to meet the needs of Stafford’s citizens within a limited budget. “We were able to reduce our response times in these two areas, increase volunteer staffing, and provide more flexibility in how we staffed our vehicles to respond to emergency calls,” she said. “We will apply the lessons learned in this program countywide to ensure that we are providing the best services at the best value to our citizens.”

The National Association of Counties (NACo) is the only national organization that represents county governments in the United States.  Founded in 1935, NACo assists America’s 3,069 counties in pursuing excellence in public service.

Road work at the Pentagon Transit Center is expected to cause delays for all OmniRide services starting the week of June 15. OmniRide buses will serve the same Pentagon bus bays that are served today; however detours when traveling to and from the bays are expected to cause delays.

Because many OmniRide buses make double trips – serving a trip early during the rush hour and a second trip later during that same rush hour – all OmniRide passengers, even those who are not on buses that serve the Pentagon, may be impacted by the road work.

The road work at the Pentagon is scheduled to last for two months. Further updates will be sent as necessary.

The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics will be held on Thursday June 11.  Part of the routing calls for runners to carry the torch down Route 1 in Prince William County, which will cause rolling road closures.  Runners are expected to start in Arlington in the morning and to reach the Prince William County line at about 2:30 p.m. and to reach Quantico at about 4 p.m.

Passengers on early afternoon Prince William Metro Direct buses and OmniLink routes serving Woodbridge/Lake Ridge, Dumfries and Route 1 should expect delays.

Further information will be sent as necessary.

While there were distinguished honorees and guests at the event, the focus was on families in Saturday’s Family Value Award Ceremony in Centreville.

More than 400 attendees paid tribute to several local leaders. The Centreville Virginia Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regularly honors citizens and leaders in the community and government who work to protect and preserve the high place of the family in society.

Those honored on Saturday were Father Ramón Dominguez (of the Don Bosco Center, Youth Apostles), Pastor Barry White (of the Park Valley Church, Haymarket) and Virginia Delegate Tim Hugo.

“Each of these great leaders has in his own unique way worked to serve, bless and protect families in our area,” said Jon Dionne, President of the Centreville Virginia Stake.

Father Ramón Dominguez works with at-risk youth in Manassas. He is described as a beloved Priest who spends countless hours on the front lines of our society trying to help and encourage these youth through sports, academic assistance and mentoring. In addition to the Family Value Award presented to him by President Dionne, Manassas Mayor Hal Parrish also honored him with a mayoral citation commending him for his unfailing dedication and service to the youth in the Georgetown South area of Manassas.

Father Ramón, as he is affectionately known, was surprised at the podium when two young men whom he had helped to “get their lives in order” asked to speak a few words of tribute to their beloved friend and spiritual mentor. Father Dominguez, visibly moved, said: “I am not one who enjoys such attention, but I feel truly humbled today by this great honor.”

After accepting his award, Pastor Barry White spoke of his personal family experiences. Raising a family with all the idiosyncratic challenges of a typical home is something he relished. He and his wife are soon-to-be empty nesters and Pastor White noted each family has its own characteristics but talks of personally missing the “sheer chaos of having kids in the home.”

A congregant said he was initially attracted to the Park Valley Church because of the way Pastor White interacted with his family using such love and respect.

In his tribute to Pastor White, Prince William County Gainesville District Supervisor Pete Candland related how he came to know the Pastor when he worked to convince the VDOT management of the critical need to install a traffic light near the turn off to the new Park Valley Church needed because of the dozens of cars arriving for service there on Sundays. Evidence of his success at blessing and keeping families together is the sheer growth of his church. “Pastor White’s is one of the fastest growing churches in the county,” noted Candland.

In brief remarks Delegate Hugo expressed gratitude for being honored but said when he heard the kind words spoken to honor him that “they must be talking about someone else.”

In a video tribute, Prince William County Brentsville District Supervisor Jeanine Lawson lauded Delegate Hugo as a man who is a “real pillar in the community who is committed to family values,” and a man who has “lived up to that calling every day.”

In her tribute, Congresswoman Comstock spoke of her friendship with Delegate Tim Hugo. “Over the years we’d speak often by phone and I could always hear his children in the background,” she noted. “It was an early indication to me of his commitment to his own family.”

And Tim was “absolutely instrumental in passing legislation to help prevent human trafficking,” said Lawson.

The legislation raised the penalty for abducting any individual for the purposes of prostitution or abducting a minor for child pornography.

“Tim Hugo had the wisdom to see early on that human trafficking, especially of children, was not some issue relegated to far off places but one that affects us all, and is particularly detrimental to the place of the family,” added Lawson.

She noted how Hugo worked tirelessly to put in place the legislation that helped change the trajectory of this crime in our state.

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office held its annual awards ceremony on Thursday, May 21, 2015 to honor law enforcement personnel who have provided exemplary service to the community.

“Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to serve and protect the citizens of Stafford,” said Sheriff Charles Jett. “The awards ceremony is an opportunity to formally acknowledge their extraordinary efforts and show our appreciation for their hard work and dedication.”

Sheriff Charles Jett presented 50 honorees with awards for their actions and performance. The Meritorious Award was given for emergencies in which a Sheriff’s Office member demonstrated judgment, ingenuity or performance that clearly exceeds what is required and expected. The Commendation Award was given in the instances in which a Sheriff’s Office member demonstrated exemplary service. A Traffic Safety Award was given to two deputies for traffic safety prevention, education and enforcement. A Community Award was given to two citizens for their long time support of the Sheriff’s Office. A Unit Citation Award was given for overall excellence during a specific event or incident.

Individuals were selected by an Awards Committee consisting of personnel from the Operations, Criminal Investigations and Civil//Court Divisions and the Public Information Office. Individuals were nominated by other deputies or personnel of the Sheriff’s Office. The committee evaluated the nominations based on the following criteria: bravery and heroism; exemplary performance which directly resulted in the solution of a major crime or crimes, or apprehension of a particularly dangerous criminal; and exceptional performance. The committee forwarded all nominations that they recommend to the Sheriff for his review and action.

The following personnel received awards:

                                                                 AWARD RECEPIENTS 

Deputy First Class Walter O’Neal II is a recipient of the Traffic Safety Award for the Traffic Safety Unit for overall excellence in traffic safety and traffic safety education.

Deputy First Class Brandon Gates is a recipient of the Traffic Safety Award for Patrol Unit for his continuing work to help ensure that the roads in Stafford County are safe for motorists.

Chaplain Ron Thayer is a recipient of a Letter of Commendation for his many years of tireless service to the men and women of the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office.

Sergeant Brandon Morris, Master Deputy Thomas Grasso, Deputy Aaron Siegel and Deputy Brandon Boyle are recipients of a Letter of Commendation for their effort in arresting a career criminal.

Deputy First Class Gregory Haney is a recipient of a Meritorious Award for preventing a man from taking his own life.

Detective 1^st Sergeant Eric Quinn, Deputy First Class Elizabeth Smith, Detective Robert Parsons and Deputy Dominic Torrice are recipients of Meritorious Award and the Mary Washington Healthcare Save of Life Award for their efforts in saving a life using CPR and CPR and an AED.

Assistant Communications Supervisor Natalie Satuloff, Master Telecommunicator Karen Roy, Telecommunicator 1 Cristina Rios Moya and Telecommunicator Sarah Nicely received a Letter of Commendation for their combined quick team work that saved a life.

Deputy Joshua “Bo” Truslow is a recipient of a Letter of Commendation for his work in arresting two Breaking & Entering suspects as they committed their crime.

Sergeant Dimas Pinzon is a recipient of a Letter of Commendation for his efforts in catching individuals responsible for numerous larcenies from vehicles.

Deputy First Class Joseph Floirendo is a recipient of a Meritorious Award for the arrest of a wanted criminal. Sergeant Daniel Purcell is a recipient of a Letter of Commendation for his timely assistance with the arrest of a wanted criminal.

Deputy First Class Joseph Floirendo and Deputy Justin Powell received a Letter of Commendation for their efforts in solving numerous larcenies from vehicles.

ECC Training Coordinator Christopher Conley, Master Telecommunicator Angela McIlwain, Master Telecommunicator Andrea Mullen, Telecommunicator 1 Stacy Ober, Telecommunicator 1 James Rector, Master Telecommunicator Tammy Tolson and Telecommunicator 1 Theresa Waggy are awarded a unit Citation for their combined efforts in handling two bank robbery calls in addition to multiple additional calls within the same time period.

Deputy First Class Jason Kreider and Deputy Gregory Gabrielli are awarded a Letter of Commendation for arresting a violent felon.

Detective Sergeant Christopher Cameron, Detective First Class Robert Dembowski and Detective Barry Surles are awarded a Letter of Commendation for bringing a serial bank robber to justice.

Detective Sergeant Christopher Cameron and Detective Barry Surles are awarded a Letter of Commendation for their abilities in investigating and solving a robbery.

Deputy Justin White is a recipient of a Letter of Commendation for the arrest of a suspect linked to numerous break-ins along the Route 1 corridor.

Master Detective James Fouts is the recipient of a Letter of Commendation for his work in starting an investigation that led to the shutting down of an organized crime operation.