Volume 6. Issue 5 OCTOBER 2015

Hats Off to Mount Vernon Police A lot has been in the media concerning police actions and their relationship with communities. It is well known that those who may not live in a community can cause irreparable damage and tension between the police and a community. The Gum Springs community has a great relationship with the officers and leadership of the Mount Vernon Police Station. We may not always agree or get along, but what relationship is perfect? The community showed its appreciation for the Mount Vernon Station during Gum Springs Community Day with a Hats Off Tribute.

100 hats were not enough! We fell short of the large numbers of community residents wanting to participate and show their appreciation and gratitude to the Mount Vernon Police but it was still a great showing because those who did not receive a white hat used their own hat for the tribute! Now that's working together! Tribute lead by Rev. Abram and Queenie Cox.

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S p e c i a l G u e s t f o r Community Meeting on October 13th

Tammi Danie l s , mother o f Zaineisha Daniels Hawkins who has been missing since August, will be the Civic Association's special guest speaker during our monthly community meeting on October 13th at 7:30 p.m. at the Gum Springs Community Center. Human Trafficking is big business and community awareness is needed to help bring Zaineisha and all missing children back home safely. Come out and support this mother and to hear about human trafficking.

Community Meetings

Gum Spr ings community meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month. No meetings are held for July and August. Annual dues are $5.00 per person.

The Civic Association is a 501(c)4 IRS tax-exempt organization.

You can provide your monetary support to the Civic Association by ma i l ing your check to : NGSCA, P O Box 61 12 , Alexandria, VA 22306 or bring to a monthly meeting.

GUM SPRINGS COMMUNITY NEWS

Volume 6. Issue 5 OCTOBER 2015

Pastors, Clergy, Community & Police The Pastors, Clergy, Community and Police (PCCP) Breakfast Group held its first meeting on June 25th at Harvest Assembly Baptist Church. Although the first meeting was scheduled weeks in advance before the South Carolina church shooting, the June 17th meeting acknowledged the death of the nine people who were killed by a lone gunman at a Charleston, South Carolina church. Church safety was a topic of discussion.

The topic of discussion for the September meeting was human trafficking. Tammi Daniels, mother of missing Zaineisha Daniels Hawkins and Stacy Jewell Lewis, a survivor of human trafficking, were guest speakers. Pastors and clergy from eight different churches: Pastor Johnnie Abram, Rev. Velvet Abram, Pastor Cotton, Pastor Arlette Johnson, Pastor Frank Kelly, Pastor Jonathan Lewis, Pastor Lyle Morton, Pastor Columbus Watson, Pastor Darrell White, the community, Queenie Cox and police, Captain Martin and MPO Urps, attended.

June 17th PCCP Meeting Group

Left: Pastor Darrell White (Bethlehem BC); Maj. Darrin Day; Rev. Velvet Abram (Harvest Assembly BC), Maj. John Piper; Police Chief Edwin Roessler; Pastor Charles Hall (St. John BC); Pastor Johnnie Abram (Harvest Assembly BC); MPO Robert Urps aka Bubba; Captain Shawn Martin. (Not pictured: Pastor Lyle Morton and Queenie Cox)

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Old Mount Vernon High School Community Feedback Forum

The Old Mount Vernon High School Task Force (Task Force) will be holding a community feedback for um for the community to hear the Task Force's recommendations and participate in an open discussion on the future utilization of the facility on the on Wednesday, October 21st from 6:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Original Mount Vernon High School, 8333 Richmond Highway.

Daylight Savings Time is Near Its End

Don't forget that dayl ight sa v ings t ime ends Sunday, November 1st at 2:00 a.m. So, don't forget to set your clocks back 1-hour before going to bed on October 31st (after you return from your Halloween festivities).

Personal Property Taxes

Reminder that per sona l property taxes are due October 5th. Department of Taxation (12000 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax, VA) will have the following extended hours as one option if you want to pay in person:

Oct 1st: 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Oct 2nd: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Oct 3rd: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Oct 5th: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Volume 6. Issue 5 OCTOBER 2015

Leading with a Purpose Rev. Lyle E. Morton lead a small group of motorcycle riders for Woodlawn Faith UMC 1st Annual Motorcycle Rally on Saturday, September 26th with the theme: "Leading Souls to Christ." Riders included Rev. Charles Hall and Nelson Greene Jr. Hmmmm...two pastors and a funeral director! Retired Capitol Hill Police Officer Steve Payne lead the ride with Rev. Morton. The Civic Association used the president's vehicle as the trailing support and safety vehicle for the riders.

This bike ride was one of several activities held in celebration of Woodlawn-Faith UMC 150th Anniversary. After the ride, the church held an all-you-care-to-eat crab feast. Rev. Morton announced that this Motorcycle Rally will now be held each year on the 4th Saturday in September. So, mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual Bike Ride that will be held in 2016 on Saturday, September 24, 2016.

The bikers lining up and preparing to ride

Rev. Morton preparing for the ride.

The Motorcycles aka Bikes

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