The Observer Newspapers |Council Has Improved Town Dramatically

April 17, 2008

Council Has Improved Town Dramatically

To the editor:

When I voted for Mayor Steve DeBenedittis, Vice Mayor Dennis Husch, Charlie Waddell and a few more Herndon leaders a couple of years ago (and yes, voting against some others may have been more in my mind), I liked their platform. Since their election, I have not been disappointed.

Downtown development is proceeding apace, and once the plans are submitted to the Planning Commission, and then the public, we will have a development we can be proud of. The skateboard park is still on track, Runnymede has new parking and picnic shelters, the mayor and Mr. Husch have gotten the Dranesville district supervisor's support to include Runnymede Park's planned Nature Center in a county bond referendum, and the entire council is working with the appropriate entities to ensure our transportation issues are resolved. I really don't think we, the public, could expect much more of our mayor and Town Council.

Despite all the improvements in the town, we had no increase in the operating budget or tax rates, we established a policy in borrowing money, we seem to be maintaining parity in keeping our town's personnel, and even found time to deal with retirement of our key town personnel.

Overcrowding cases have decreased. Our town has seen an increase in volunteering, as witnessed by the rebirth of the Herndon Crime Prevention Council, a growth in the many subdivision Neighborhood Watch programs and increased public recognition of volunteers at Town Council meetings.

I know Mayor DeBenedittis does more than previous leaders of our town to assist the community. He is active in his local Neighborhood Watch, although I will never know how he finds the time. I've seen him at almost every community event, at the polling place, and just wandering around town talking to citizens to what our concerns are. I have seen Mr. Husch doing the same-he even visited the high school, and at an impromptu invitation took the extra time to take a long tour of the Herndon High Robotics team project and see how they prepare for their regional competitions.

I truly feel that our current mayor, vice mayor, and the majority of current Town Council are doing an excellent job for our community, and are dedicated to making it the best place possible to live.

Donnell L. Williams

Herndon