Supervisor Jimenez to highlight Mason District’s diversity
“We need to have a vision for Mason District,” and that vision is all about highlighting Mason District as the “cultural hub of Fairfax County,” Supervisor Andres Jimenez told a large crowd at an open house at the Mason Government Center on Feb. 2.
“We’re going to put a spotlight on all the amazing restaurants and businesses here,” Jimenez said. He plans to focus on Mason’s diversity; “that’s not something to shy away from; that’s something we need to embrace.”
“I can’t do this alone,” he said. “I need every single one of you helping me make sure that Mason District lives up to its potential, its promise, and to the values we hold.”
Related story: Supervisor Jimenez wants to make Mason District a cultural hub
Jimenez introduced his staff: Amir Abu-El-Hawa, chief of staff; Eleanor Roy, director of communications; and professional staff members Ervin Uriarte, Chris Delta, and Olivia Logan. Uriarte has served on the staff of former Mason Supervisor Penny Gross.
They’re all going to work on constituent services, Jimenez said, “to make sure Mason District is not just a place to drive by; that people will feel welcomed here.”
Penny Gross attended the open house, along with Board of Supervisors chair Jeffrey McKay; County Executive Bryan Hill; Police Chief Kevin Davis; Lt. Erin Weeks, the acting commander of the Mason Police District; MPO Stacy Sassano, crime prevention officer; PFC Michael Williams, community outreach officer; other county officials; and leaders and volunteers from community organizations.
The event featured free food from Taco Rock and Annandale High School’s culinary program.
“Being a supervisor is a 24/7, 365 days a year job,” McKay told the crowd. Jimenez agreed, noting that his first full meeting of the board went on for 17 hours.
He stepped away from his job as executive director of Green 2.0 “to focus on being the best supervisor I can be and giving 100 percent of my time.”
Related story: Jimenez forms an arts advisory committee
McKay had previously appointed Jimenez as an at-large member of the Planning Commission. “He understands the ins and outs of the county. He’s been invested in our community,” McKay said.
“Nothing is more important than local government,” McKay said. “This is a great place to live because our citizens are active, they care, and they appreciate local government.”
You would think they would have at least tried to reach out to the HOAs in the area to incleude the actual residents who vote, but as usual they ignored us. Too bad we have a new County supervisor who ignores his constituents.
Clearly some people voted for him, more likely those that live in rented space. Suspect that if no home owner association was there it could be a part of his focus on affordable housing policies that appears to conflict with improving existing home owners interests (doesn’t have to be win-loose but sadly that is the easiest approach most often taken in power, policies, and politics). Diversity is a strength when there is blending (melting pot) into one (E pluribus unum) community. Each has something unique to add and move the totality of us all forward. Diversity for diversity’s sake, with entitlement or victimization grievance points of view/actions is purely divisive politics.
You two are ridiculous. There were numerous representatives from HOAs and civic associations there. It was a packed house, and there was a lot of energy in the room. One of the real strengths of Andres I have noticed right off the bat is he is really good at bringing people together. It’s an exciting time to be a Mason resident.
“Clearly some people voted for him, more likely those that live in rented space”
Racist much?
Make Annandale livable again.
To Steve – As a long time renter I know those struggles. I’ve made no such statement or implication on race. However your view is clearly such.
To Longo – I’m glad you were there and clarified that HOA were in attendance. I did qualify my earlier comment with an “if” as some of the new supervisor’s campaign positions have seemed to me to have potential challenges. I’m hopeful for better leadership than before.
A January Annandale article included the following information: “Jimenez invites community members to an open house on Feb. 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Mason District Government Center, 6507 Columbia Pike. Residents will have a chance to meet the new supervisor and his staff and connect with local community groups. “I want to make sure residents feel welcome here,” he said. “We’re running at a very fast pace right now,” he said. He encourages residents to subscribe to his newsletter and follow him on social media, including X, Instagram, and Facebook. “We have lots of different ways for constituents to reach out to us.””
(His social media info were linked in the article.)
i am annandale born and raised. i want to get involved in jimenez’s initiatives. how do i do so?
By all means reach out to Andres at [email protected]. I’m sure he’d love to hear from you!
People don’t want to stop in an area that is run down and crime is rampant. Stressing art and food isn’t going to make it safe for people to want to shop, dine and live here. Finally Jimenez realizes that he can’t be supervisor and have a separate full time job. Start by cleaning up the environment, get rid of the junk cars that seem to be collecting in yards and get the panhandlers off of the corners.
Not saying that he needs to go full blast capitalist agent- but maybe could push for an economic plan that supports more than Vape Shops and fastfood digs.
There are mainstream Americans as well. How about celebrating them as well as diverse individuals and how about not referring to everyone by them being diverse or having a certain ethnicity…..our administration does enough of this and look at our country. We are simply Americans. If we can celebrate that, then maybe our country will come together, stop being so divisive, and we can stop being a victim in situations where it isn’t called for. And remember Jimenez: your constituents aren’t the only ones you are remsponsible for…..and there are many others outside of Hispanics that pay taxes.
What is a mainstream American? Be specific.
White, middle class, Christian, married, 2 kids, home owner, patriotic, law-abiding, hard-working.
Patriotic – now there’s a word that’s lost all meaning in the last few years.
Flying the flag of people who tried to quit the country….Patriotic.
Trying to overthrow the election…Patriotic.
Cheering agents of the state murdering unarmed people of color…Patriotic.
Denying science and defying public health authorities in the face of plague….Patriotic.
Espousing hatred towards everyone who isn’t just like them…. Patriotic
Acting selfish and antisocial and incivil in every way possible…. Patriotic
Encouraging tolerance…Un-American.
Asking police to think before shooting …Un-American.
Asking people to help pay for those who can’t support themselves… Un-American.
Asking not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country… Un-American.
Real Patriotism is almost certainly Un-American according to those who would claim to be the most patriotic among.
ummm asking me to pay for someone not disabled or otherwise no fault of there own is called socialism -no thanks – I don’t want to pay for your kids breakfast, lunch or cloths –
And I don’t want to pay for an oil company’s subsidies, but here we are
I’m not sure how I want to respond but here a few listed out:
1) Exactly. Screw the poor… Patriotic
2) How Christian of you?
3)Jesus said to help the poor. I guess he was a socialist.
4) Socialism. Definition: anything I don’t want to pay for
“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Matthew 7:6
Your response is why we need to celebrate and encourage diversity. Implying that the above archetype is more American that anyone else is the height of systemic racism and if you believe it, you are part of the problem.
My more pointed responses seem to not get published, so I’ll leave it at that other than to say that, based on my experiences if I had to choose, the above group of people would be the first I expelled from the Island.
That sounds like a threat! Challenge accepted. 😉
K, Annandale has changed and is never going to be what it was 30 or even 10 yea4s ago. Legal immigrants, the endless wave of people marching across the Southern border and refugees from whatever country our government is meddling with are the most actively growing demographic. It is best to just face it and adapt.
“Let them have their way” said the Framers of the Constitution.