The Observer Newspapers |It's About Herndon

April 17, 2008

It's About Herndon

To the editor:

Town election campaigns are underway and we have a very important choice to make this year when we cast our votes on May 6 at the Herndon Community Center.

In the term that is just ending we have had the chance to see how well Herndon's interests have been served by a mayor and Town Council elected under the banner of the Help Save Herndon organization with the goal to drive illegal immigrants out of town. They put Herndon in the forefront of a national movement that exploits single-minded intolerance for political gain, but has little to do with matters under local government control. They closed the Herndon Official Workers Center and put the illegal immigrants back on the streets of Herndon. Their major positive accomplishments such as reducing overcrowding are the result of continuing the policies put in place by the previous Town Council.

Unfortunately the current mayor and Town Council have paid little or no attention to important local priorities for Herndon such as planning for the development of our downtown, transportation, the effect of a future Metro stop, and cooperative efforts with Fairfax County for public safety improvements such as the new fire station and park improvements. If only we had projects planned and ready to go, now would be an ideal time to seek low-interest bonding to finance capital projects and obtain favorable pricing on construction contracts.

More discouraging, the current Town Council is not committing funds in the budget for 2008-2009 to do any significant planning for future projects. Since their campaign brochures promise downtown development, one can only assume that most of the planning and conceptual design will be left up to the developers. That is a scary thought. Herndon cannot afford another two years where the singular concern of its leaders is making a segment of the population so uncomfortable that they will leave.

There are other excellent candidates running for office who will better serve the interests of Herndon and, at the same time, enforce all of our laws including the ordinances against overcrowding. Harlon Reece for mayor and Richard Downer, Penny Halpern, Arthur Nachman and Sheila Olem for the Town Council have the experience and the vision that Herndon needs to realize its potential. I urge you to get to know them and make your vote count on May 6. One opportunity to meet these candidates and others informally is at the "Challengers Meet and Greet" on April 19 at 7 p.m. at the Trinity Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 651 Dranesville Road.

Nancy Myers

Herndon