COMSTOCK FOR DELEGATE BLOG
Friday, December 2, 2011
The Comstock Connection
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Dear Friend,
With
the Holiday Season upon us, I know that many of you are very busy. I
have had the opportunity to see many of you at events throughout the
34th District as I prepare to return to Richmond in early January for
the 2012 Legislative Session. I wanted to take the opportunity to
update you on issues and events I have been involved with.
As
you know, my office is always available to you and if you have a
question or concern, please email or call my office if we can assist in
any way. I can be reached directly at bcomstock@delegatecomstock.com,
which comes directly to me and my legislative assistant, Elise Marsh.
I am only budgeted for one staff member, so if you do not reach us
initially, please try again. Our district office phone number is 703-772-7168.
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McLean Winterfest Parade
I look forward to seeing many of you at the McLean Winterfest Parade
this weekend. This is "McLean's only community parade" and Peggy Fox,
from WUSA/Channel 9, will call the parade. This is a wonderful annual
tradition and a great opportunity to see many from our community.
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TONIGHT: Great Falls Christmas Tree Lighting
The 21st Annual Christmas
Tree Lighting will be held tonight on the Great Falls Village Green.
Festivities are ongoing throughout the day today, and the tree lighting
will take place from 6-8pm.
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Prepare for Winter Weather
 As winter approaches, it is time to once again prepare for winter weather. The Virginia
Department of Transportation (VDOT) provided us with some useful
information to share with you. VDOT is responsible for clearing snow and
ice on all state roads, which are marked by black and white route
number signs. In Northern Virginia, there are more than 17,000 lane
miles to clear when we have a storm. This year VDOT has a statewide
snow-removal budget of $126 million ($11 million more than last year),
of which $55 million has been allocated to Northern Virginia ($22
million more than last year).
VDOT Road Priorities are as follows:
- Interstates (I-66, I-95/395, I-495)
- High-Volume Routes (Routes 1, 7, 28, 29, 50, Fairfax County Parkway)
- Main thoroughfares in neighborhoods or developments
- Residential Streets
- Cul-de-sacs
Once 2 inches of
snow has accumulated on the roads, crews can begin plowing. Please note
that it is VDOT policy to start plowing once 2 inches have accumulated.
This year, trucks will be pre-positioned in subdivisions whenever a
forecast calls for 2 or more inches. In the past, trucks have not
deployed until after 2 inches had accumulated.
The main thoroughfares in subdivisions are repeatedly plowed
during a storm. Once the storm has stopped and these roads are clear,
crews will work to make residential streets and cul-de-sacs "passable." A
neighborhood street is considered passable when a path is drivable,
with caution, for an average passenger vehicle. The road will not be
cleared curb-to-curb or to bare pavement, and it may remain snow-packed,
uneven and rutted, especially following any refreeze. Chemicals are not
typically used in subdivisions, but crews will sand hills, curves, and
intersections as needed to provide traction. For most storms, one
snowplow pass, about 8-10 feet wide, is made.
VDOT Guidance:
- Stay off the roads, let the plows clear the snow, and be patient
- VDOT
does not remove snow from sidewalks (there has been additional
training for all plow drivers to not shovel onto fire hydrants, side
walks, driveways, etc)
- For an average 6 inch storm, VDOT's goal is to make 1 pass of all roads within 48 hours of the end of the storm
- VDOT tries not to deploy trucks during rush-hour
- Do not clear the last couple feet of your driveway until a plow has been through
- When shoveling your driveway, shovel the snow to the right as you face the road
- Avoid
parking on the street, but if you have to park on the street,
please park on the odd numbered side of the street to leave more
room for trucks to drive through
During
and after a storm, if you have a safety concern regarding a specific
roadway or situation, please feel free to report it to our office or
directly to VDOT:
My Office:
[email protected]
703-772-7168
In the event of a winter storm, I intend to post updates as I receive them on my website, www.delegatecomstock.com, and on Facebook and Twitter. I would also like to invite you to keep in touch and to send me information throughout a storm.
VDOT:
[email protected]
1-800-FOR-ROAD (1-800-367-7623)
Additional VDOT Resources:
- www.511virginia.org - Provides real-time updates on traffic incidents and road conditions
- Twitter
- Follow VaDOT and 511northernva for news and information on VDOT
projects and programs around the state and updates on traffic
incidents and road conditions
- www.facebook.com/virginiadot - learn about VDOT news and programs
- www.youtube.com/vdotweb - view videos on snow removal and several other topics
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Childhelp
Childhelp has teamed up with RESTAURANT.COM
to provide you DINNER4DONATIONS by matching anything you give
DOLLAR4DOLLAR up to $100. With the money you would spend at your
favorite restaurant anyway, you can help a child in need - dollar for
dollar. That means when you give to Childhelp, you will receive the
same amount in a gift certificate to one of the 19,000 participating
restaurants - DOLLAR4DOLLAR. Click http://www.restaurant.com/available.asp to see participating restaurants in your area.
To participate, donate
$25, $50, $75 or $100 to Childhelp and they will send you a Dining Code
(within 24 hours) via email that you can enter into our
Donations4Dinner - Dollar4Dollar website and download your Dining
Certificate for dinner in that same amount. Restaurant.com has limited
the matching to $100 but that doesn't mean you have to - if you're able
to give more. It could help pay for a child's meal for the entire
year!
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McLean Orchestra Christmas Around the World
Join
the McLean Orchestra for the Christmas Around the World concerts this
weekend. They are holding two concerts, Saturday, December 3 at 8pm or
Sunday, December 4 at 3pm. Both concerts will be held at Oakcrest
School in McLean (850 Balls Hill Road).
For a special treat, join the orchestra after the Sunday 3:00 p.m. concert at the new McLean 1910 Restaurant, which is
hosting a special dinner for McLean Orchestra guests. Anyone
attending Saturday night or Sunday's concert who brings their ticket
or stubs will receive 10% off all food orders. The restaurant is
extremely excited about participating in McLean Orchestra's 2011/12
"Soiree Series." To make reservations for the December 4th event, call
McLean 1910 at 703-356-1700.
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Governor McDonnell Launches "Opportunity to Help Others" Month
Today, Governor McDonnell launched the "Opportunity to Help Others" (OTHers) month in Richmond. OTHers
month recognizes the ongoing need for support of faith-based and
charitable organizations across the Commonwealth during the holidays.
For more information, visit the Governor's website.
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Save the Dates:
Please let us know of any other events in your community that you would like us to feature in our newsletters. |
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Sincerely,
Barbara Comstock |
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