Observer Online | Sign Petition for Town Vote

Edition of Oct. 12, 2007

Sign Petition for Town Vote

To the editor:

Sadly, the "new town" of Reston missed its first two less complex opportunities to incorporate. We are now facing an uphill battle in efforts to petition the Virginia legislature to authorize a referendum to enable Reston's qualified voters to vote on whether Reston should incorporate as a town.

As a 40-year resident of Reston, I see incorporation as a win-win situation. Reston is now a mature community of more than 60,000 residents. The town would retain Fairfax County schools, police, library, courts and emergency services.

One voice, the mayor, would represent us. We would have more say about complex issues that directly affect Reston in the immediate future: land use, transportation and residential and commercial density.

These factors become more important with the impending approach of Metro rail. Efficiencies would result from combining community organizations, programs and services. Reston Association and Reston Community Center home assessments would become deductible as property taxes.

We need to let our legislators know that the community is behind this petition. Please sign it at www.go-restown.org.

Shirley Olson

Reston