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Residents ask for children’s cabinet, trafficking resources and question foundation‑repair ordinance
Summary
During public comment, a longtime resident urged the board to form a children’s cabinet to coordinate supports for infants and families; a Safe House Project leader offered county anti‑trafficking resources and events; and an Occoquan District resident criticized a December ordinance creating a countywide foundation repair fund, saying his survey showed strong opposition.
Three members of the public spoke during the Jan. 13 public comment period.
Dr. Bernadine Futrell (Potomac District) urged the board to consider forming a children’s cabinet — a cross‑sector partnership of county government, schools, health and human services, community organizations and faith groups — to coordinate early supports and improve access to child care and health services for babies and young children.
Britney Dunn, who said she leads the national Safe House Project, spoke in recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. She described the organization’s victim services and training work, said the country’s victim‑identification rate is low, and promoted a Jan. 21 event in partnership with Parenting e3 and the Manassas City Police Department to train parents on recognizing trafficking risks.
Occoquan District resident Steve Amato criticized the board’s Dec. 16 adoption of a countywide foundation‑repair fund ordinance, which he said the Virginia General Assembly allowed but did not require. Amato said a countywide survey he referenced showed over 300 residents with more than 75% opposing the ordinance; he asked supervisors who voted for the ordinance to explain their rationale and said he had not received responses to his follow‑up emails.
Why this matters: public comments highlighted early‑childhood coordination and victim‑support resources as community priorities and raised concerns about transparency and constituent outreach related to a recent ordinance.
What’s next: Staff and supervisors may follow up on requests for a children’s cabinet and for additional constituent outreach and explanation regarding the foundation‑repair ordinance.
