Our neighbors Jim Albertson, Todd Skipper, Bob Walla, Rob Dodt, and Kevin Grottle were recognized at the Best of Braddock Awards dinner on July 14. The award for Commercial Beautification or Improvement was presented by Braddock District Supervisor John C. Cook. The award recognizes their community leadership and work to bring new life and community enthusiasm to our neighborhood swimming pool. “Community” is people reaching out to others in neighborhood.
The name given to the pool—“ILDA”—originated from “Woods of Ilda,” the earlier modest size housing development on Burbank and Starr Jordan Drive. Our swimming pool property was a “carve-out” from the developer of Willow Woods to obtain “cluster zoning.” Cluster zoning allowed houses to be built closer to the street, on a slightly smaller lot.
In 1964 mechanical and electrical engineers from our neighborhood designed Ilda Pool. They followed through, with funding initiated by forty or so prospective members who put up $400 each—a fearsome prospect at the time because of word that the pool in neighboring Rose Hill had gone broke.
Fairfax County is divided into ten “Districts,” each of which is headed by an elected “Supervisor.” Our current Supervisor, John C. Cook, was elected in November to succeed Sharon Bulova.
Sharon Bulova, our former elected Braddock District Supervisor, served for eighteen years, until election to the office of Chairman, Fairfax County. As a County Supervisor, and, earlier, President of Kings Park West Civic Association, she encouraged homeowner and civic associations in her Braddock District to form the Braddock District Council. She also started the Best of Braddock Awards to recognize the efforts of those people, who by special projects or just by the way they live their lives, have made an impact in our communities.
The Braddock District Council, of which our Little Run Civic Association is a member, holds regular monthly meetings to receive information and to review County programs. It serves, also as the effective organization through which to bring legislative attention about matters of neighborhood concern such as “boarding houses,” or other zoning violations.
We applaud Jim, Todd, Bob Rob, and Kevin for their community leadership and for devotion to this work—maintenance of pool facilities, design and construction of the new pavilion.
Ivan Dietrich