🌱 County Board Approves Raises + Local Healthcare Leader Recognized

Hello, friends! It's me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the Mount Vernon Patch newsletter — here to explain everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: A few showers in the morning. High: 77 Low: 56.
• Friday: Cloudy; cooler with a shower. High: 59 Low: 46.
• Saturday: Breezy with a few showers. High: 62 Low: 50.
• Sunday: Sunny, pleasant and warmer. High: 69 Low: 41.

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Here are the top three stories today in Mount Vernon:

1. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has approved a proposal to increase the salaries of supervisors and board chairs, despite objections from residents. The measure will see salaries for supervisors rise from $95,000 to $123,283, and the board chair's pay increase from $100,000 to $138,283, with the new rates coming into effect from Jan. 1, 2024. Current members will not benefit from the pay raise, which was approved by a vote of 8-2. (WJLA)
2. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) faces a lawsuit from a Northern Virginia citizens’ group over its plans to expand the express lanes to the American Legion Bridge. VDOT has admitted that without Maryland's help, the new express lanes will actually slow down northbound traffic for everyone else. The Northern Virginia Citizens Association is asking a federal judge to halt the work, claiming that VDOT changed the project without revising its environmental impact statement. The department said in a response that officials "complied with all applicable environmental requirements." (WUSA 9)
3. Roberta Tinch, the president of Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, has been named one of Modern Healthcare's Top 25 Emerging Leaders for 2023. Tinch is recognized for her leadership in expanding the hospital's acute behavioral health program, investing in surgical systems, and transitioning to a 100 percent hospitalist program. In addition to her role as hospital president, Tinch also serves as vice president and administrator of the Inova Musculoskeletal Service Line. (Patch)

Coming up around Mount Vernon:

Thursday, March 23

• Gerald Albright At Birchmere Music Hall, Alexandria (7:30 PM)

Friday, March 24

• The High Kings At Birchmere Music Hall, Alexandria (7:30 PM)

Saturday, March 25

• Annual Used Book & Art Sale At Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, Alexandria (12:00 PM)

Sunday, March 26

• Ides Of Bark At Grist Mill Park, Alexandria (1:00 PM)
• Mount Vernon Community Children's Theatre - Newsies The Broadway Musical At Bryant High School, Alexandria (3:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Fairfax County Police Department unveiled its new aviation center on Wednesday. You can visit the link for NBC4's video footage of the center and its grand opening. (NBC4 Washington)
• Fairfax County is launching a million-dollar fund for early-stage tech startups, with the goal of supporting local businesses and filling funding gaps for startups. (The Business Journals)
• Lucy Fluffy, an "uber-chill" 13-year-old cat at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter has only one rule: no belly rubs! Head over to the shelter if you'd like to meet Lucy or any of the other adorable, adoptable pets still awaiting their fur-ever homes. (Fairfax County Animal Shelter via Instagram)

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Featured events:

• Huge Church Rummage Sale! (March 24)
• Spring Fling Event (March 24)
• Estate Planning Seminar at Charles Houston Recreation Center (March 28)
• Free - First Time Home Buyers Workshop (April 2)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right! Thanks for following along.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.