Q&A with Adrienne Williams

Aurora House Counselor (Housing and Human Services)

Q: How long have you worked with the City?
A: Three years. 

Q: What kind of work do you do?
A: I am the overnight counselor at Aurora House. I ensure the safety and security of the building and residents. I also provide structure and support for Aurora House clients and help prepare them for the day.

Q: How has your work changed since the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: I am essential personnel, so I continue to work the same hours inside the Aurora House. The only thing that has changed with COVID -19 is safety protocols (i.e. wearing masks, sanitizing the building, temperature checks, etc.) and social distancing.

Q: What’s your go to face covering? (homemade mask, bandana, disposable non-medical mask)?
A: I guess it depends on what kind of mood I am in. I actually wear all of them. I have quite a few of them- add a little style to this COVID-19 pandemic.

Q: What’s your favorite Falls Church restaurant to order takeout/delivery from? What’s your go-to order?
A: My favorite place to order from is the Happy Tart. I like all of their sweet treats!

 Q: Do you have favorite at home hobbies right now? 
A: I enjoy spending time with my daughter. I also like to read and write poetry. I am trying to learn how to sew, but I am more of a take it apart and put it back together girl!

 Q: What’s the first thing you’d like to do when the Stay at Home order is lifted?
A: First thing I would like to do is see my dad, he lives in Pennsylvania, and take a long vacation with my daughter!

 Q&A with Claire Jermakian 

Revenue Assistant (Commissioner of Revenue)

Q: How long have you worked with the City?
A: Nine months

Q: What kind of work do you do?
A:little bit of everything for the Commissioner of Revenue (COR) office. Car registrations, business licenses, meals tax, and state income tax are on the standard daily task list. But really, we will help anyone who walks through City Hall with anything that they may need. Oh also everyone’s favorite – DMV week is something I help facilitate.

Q: How has your work changed since the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: My office decided to send our most vulnerable employees to work from home, while my coworker Sam and I work by rotating shifts in the office to get things that can’t be done at home all sorted. We’re doing well and keeping up productivity, but I definitely miss having a full office and City Hall.

Q: What’s your go to face covering? (homemade mask, bandana, disposable non-medical mask)?
A: My face covering was donated by a City of Falls Church resident! It’s a pink and peach homemade face mask.

Q: What’s your favorite Falls Church restaurant to order takeout/delivery from? What’s your go-to order?
A: #4 from Pho 88. It’s home in a bowl.

 Q: Do you have favorite at home hobbies right now? 
A: I’ve taken up a lot of new quarantine hobbies! I’ve started watercoloring, planting a vegetable garden, and running.

 Q: What’s the first thing you’d like to do when the Stay at Home order is lifted?
A: Have all my friends and family over for a cookout.

Q&A with Officer Matt Parker (and Fitz) 

K9 Officer (Police Department)

Q: How long have you worked with the City?
A: I have worked with the Falls Church Police Department for 6 years and have been in law enforcement for 17 years.

Q: What kind of work do you do?
A: I work on patrol as a K9 officer. My partner, Fitz, and I patrol the City, respond to calls for service, and enforce traffic violations. Fitz is certified in both patrol and explosives detection. Prior to any large events in the City, Fitz and I sweep the area for explosives and remain ready to respond to any suspicious items. We also assist the Regional Bomb Squad with any incidents.

Q: How has your work changed since the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: The FCPD Patrol Division must work during COVID-19 as the City needs us on duty 24 hours a day ready to serve the public.

Q: What’s your go to face covering? (homemade mask, bandana, disposable non-medical mask)?
A: I am using non-medical disposable masks for my face covering.

Q: What’s your favorite Falls Church restaurant to order takeout/delivery from? What’s your go-to order?
A: My favorite to-go restaurant in the City is Lazy Mike’s. I have several favorite items there; the Monster breakfast with pancakes, the Breakfast Burrito with sausage, or a Hamburger and fries.

 Q: Do you have favorite at home hobbies right now? 
A: Currently my favorite at home hobbies include getting my dogs out on long walks and playing basketball with my sons.

 Q: What’s the first thing you’d like to do when the Stay at Home order is lifted?
A: The first thing I’d like to do when the restrictions are lifted is to get out to Shenandoah National Park with my family and get back to coaching youth basketball with my kids.

 Q: Do you have anything to add, Fitz?
A: Woof.

 Q&A with Ripal Patel

Management Specialist (Housing and Human Services)

Q: How long have you worked with the City?
A:I have worked for the City since September 2019.

Q: What kind of work do you do?
A: I work as a management specialist for Housing and Human Services. Duties include, but not limited to taking care of Fare Wheels (Taxi Coupons) program for seniors, taking care of Community Services Fund Grant (helps nonprofit organizations get grant money), preparing and managing the budget, taking care of (team) office needs, and more. /

Q: How has your work changed since the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: I have been working from home work mostly and once a week in the office. Since both my wife and I working from home now , we have created two "offices"- I am in the office (2nd bedroom) and my wife has a set up in the dining room. We are both on calls a lot during the day so this set up helps us the best. Working from home has been seamless with technology but I do miss seeing everyone!

Q: What’s your go to face covering? (homemade mask, bandana, disposable non-medical mask)?
A: I am using disposable non-medical mask.

Q: What’s your favorite Falls Church restaurant to order takeout/delivery from? What’s your go-to order?
A: Drunken Noodles from Lucky Thai.

 Q: Do you have favorite at home hobbies right now? 
A: My wife forces me to do the dishes all the time, so it has become my new hobby. We actually were in the middle of buying a home when COVID-19 pandemic hit and recently moved, (COVID-19 made it extra interesting to say the least) but looking forward to setting it up and taking care of some home projects while we can.

 Q: What’s the first thing you’d like to do when the Stay at Home order is lifted?
A: Get a haircut (that's not from my wife's YouTube lessons)

 Q&A with Tracy Browand

Senior Recreation Specialist (Recreation and Parks)

Q: How long have you worked with the City?
A: I have worked in the Recreation and Parks Department for 16 years.

Q: What kind of work do you do?
A: I am the Senior Recreation Specialist for the senior center. I oversee our senior programs for older adults 50 years and over. I really enjoy my job working with the senior population. Every day is different which makes it a lot of fun. I work with active seniors some as old as 104. I also help oversee the Senior Olympics which is held annually in September which offers over 40 events and has over 1,000 participants.

Q: How has your work changed since the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: I am currently working out of my parents house with my daughter acting as my computer savvy assistant and teaching me something new everyday. Working at home is challenging but also fulfilling.

Q: What’s your go to face covering? (homemade mask, bandana, disposable non-medical mask)?
A: As of right now, I use no face covering as I have not left the house since working from home. I have become a great internet shopper and love having everything delivered.

Q: What’s your favorite Falls Church restaurant to order takeout/delivery from? What’s your go-to order?
A: My favorite Falls Church restaurant is Clare & Dons. Fish’n’Chips is my go-to order.

 Q: Do you have favorite at home hobbies right now? 
A: Jigsaw puzzles and playing games with my 9 year old daughter.

 Q: What’s the first thing you’d like to do when the Stay at Home order is lifted?
A: Go to the gym to work off my stay at home pounds. Also, give up home schooling. I realized I am not smarter than a 3rd grader.

 Q&A with Zak Bradley

Transportation Engineer (Public Works)

Q: How long have you worked with the City?
A: I’ve been with the City Since February 2019, so about 14-15 months.

Q: What kind of work do you do?
A: I’m the City’s transportation engineer, so I have the honor of reviewing any plans for projects affecting the City’s right of way. I also review site plans, coordinate large signals repairs, and manage several construction projects on behalf of the City ranging from crosswalk improvements to road rebuilds.

Q: How has your work changed since the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: My work from home setup has taken over my dining table. I’m currently using my tablet with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse from my office set up.

Q: What’s your go to face covering? (homemade mask, bandana, disposable non-medical mask)?
A: My go to face cover was made by [fellow City of Falls Church employee] Karin Battle Shout out to her for making several for the Department of Public Works folks coming into the office

Q: What’s your favorite Falls Church restaurant to order takeout/delivery from? What’s your go-to order?
A: Lazy Mikes has been my go to for takeout. My favorite restaurant in the City , hands down, is Super Chicken.

 Q: Do you have favorite at home hobbies right now? 
A: My current hobby is fixing up a boat I acquired about a year ago and getting some other equipment running out at the family farm.

 Q: What’s the first thing you’d like to do when the Stay at Home order is lifted?
A: I’m going to drive the Skyline Parkway. The road is beautiful to drive but has been closed due to COVID-19