Special Message from the President

Much of my work for the Park this spring has been at the computer, on the phone, and at meetings. The Board of Supervisors adopted a budget for FY2010 which includes giving the the Park Authority back $825,848 - to cover 11 positions at Riverbend Park, Lake Accotink, Lake Fairfax, and Burke Lake. In my opinion, this was a knee jerk response to the Park Authority's proposal to charge gate fees at these parks and the public disapproval thereof. Nonetheless, we are thankful to get this money. The BOS also restored the position at Green Spring Gardens Park that oversees the Garden Plots, Farmer's Markets, and Master Gardeners programs. This is good news! The bad news is that the Administrative Assistant positions at all the RMD sites will be abolished and there will be less money for seasonals and other merit positions.

My daughter Madalena and I spoke on April 1 at the budget hearings. We were there to hear the PA Board Chairman, William Bouie, speak and ask the BOS not to abolish the Administrative Assistant positions. Madalena and I used our 3 minutes to make this same request and to share with the Board members how important we think that Environmental Education and Resource Management is in Fairfax County for the present community and our future.

I followed up with letters to Sharon Bulova, chairman of the Board of Supervisors and Lee District representative, Jeff McKay.

It is my feeling at this point that the BOS believes that they have done their part by giving the Park Authority a position and some money back. Now, we must work with the Park Authority to make sure that the Resource Management Division receives the support that it requires to do its job which is "To identify, preserve and interpret the cultural, natural, and horticultural resources of Fairfax County and the Fairfax County Park Authority; to encourage the enjoyment, understanding, and appreciation of these resources by citizens and visitors; to contribute positively to the sense of community and quality of life in Fairfax County, and to provide leadership, both within the Park Authority and in the community, in protecting and maintaining the county's heritage; to maintain museum accreditation and the highest professional standards of stewardship and interpretation"

On April 30, three FOHMP board members (Connie Carpender, Marianne Mooney, and I) attended one of the "Listening Forums", hosted by John Dargle,Jr., the Director of the Park Authority. These forums advertise the following: "Input on how the Park Authority can best meet the community's needs is invited. Staff will use the gathered information to guide decisions regarding the organization and the agency's service delivery." Our concerns about the Resource Management Division were by and far the dominant topic at this forum. Mr. Dargle was a gracious host and he did listen. Some questions were answered. Many of our questions seem to be tied to decisions that may be made at the Park Authority Board Meeting on May 13. One question that I am eager to hear the answer to is: How many positions will be filled with the $825,848 and how many of those will be at Riverbend Park? When the Administrative Assistants found out that their positions were being abolished, they were offered positions at Headquarters - I'd like to know what they are needed to do at Headquarters that is more important than what they were doing at the sites. I did find out from Mr. Dargle that as a Friends group, we can help supplement salaries at HMP in the next year.

As members, you have been a part of my efforts this spring. Everything I presented and asked for I did as a representative of FOHMP and the Federation of Friends Groups. Thank you for your support and for your efforts in contacting BOS representatives and PA Board Members. I'm going to ask that you follow up with your representatives after May 13. We need to keep a pulse on what decisions are being made. Listening Forums with Mr. Dargle will be held on June 11 at Audrey Moore RECenter and on July 30 at South Run RECenter at 7pm. I strongly encourage you to attend the Listening Forum to be held at Huntley Meadows Park on September 17, 7pm. Just remember that John Dargle,Jr. says, "I work for you." Let's hold him to that.

Kathi McNeil