Virtual Letter Campaigns
Options for Oakton (O4O) is committed to amplifying community voices regarding re-development in Oakton. Remember - Quiet is Acceptance.
It's important for our community to speak loudly and frequently with the County as to our concerns and hopes for re-development in Oakton. To provide the County with the feedback they have required, O4O will be hosting virtual letter campaigns beginning in August 2024 and extending into the Fall months.
But what is a virtual letter campaign and why engage in one?
A virtual letter campaign is a strategy used to put elected officials on notice as to what residents want by emailing a large amount of comments over a short period of time.
This “burst” of feedback amplifies the community voice and creates more impact.
Join us! Communicate your views with the County. We look forward to participating with you!
Virtual Letter Campaign No. 1
Preserving and Enhancing the Character/Community of Oakton
Wednesday, August 7 to Friday, August 9
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WHO: Send your emails to the Supervisor and the following County Staff:
Supervisor Palchik, providence@fairfaxcounty.gov
Devin Pharr, Devin.Pharr@fairfaxcounty.gov
Jeremy Hancock, Jeremy.Hancock@fairfaxcounty.gov
Ryan Stewart, Ryan.Stewart@fairfaxcounty.gov
WHAT: Virtual Letter Campaign to tell Supervisor Palchik what we VALUE in our Community.
WHEN: Wednesday, August 7 to Friday, August 9
HOW: Send your emails to the above officials on the topic of Community and Character in Oakton at any time over the course of August 7 to August 9.
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O4O will be hosting a Zoom call on Wednesday, August 7 from 7pm-8pm for anyone who would like to compose their emails together and send at the same time. You do not have to attend the Zoom call to participate in the letter campaign.
If you would like to take part in the Zoom call, please RSVP to optionsforoakton@gmail.com and we will send you the link.
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Some of you may be asking --- why talk about or even bother to define Community and Character in Oakton?
O4O has surveyed and talked with Oakton residents to discover what people are most concerned about, and also to discover the ideas and opportunities they may see in re-developing our community.
We all know that people are concerned about the impacts of re-development on traffic, density, parkland, environmental degradation, schools, infrastructure and safety, etc. People are also interested in the opportunities, such as a larger variety of retail, a new small grocer, walkability, improved park spaces and community gathering spaces, etc.
We believe that all of these issues and opportunities flow from one overarching goal: to preserve and enhance our individual experiences of the Community and Character of Oakton.
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Additional materials:
Letter Template Writing Guide for our First Virtual Letter Campaign.
George Lehnigk's opinion piece, "Considering the Character of Oakton."