The Observer Newspapers | Incumbents Will Handle Develop. Best

April 17, 2008

Incumbents Will Handle Develop. Best

To the editor:

During the next two weeks, as Herndon voters consider the future of our town, I ask you to take a stroll down Elden Street.

Start with the new TPI building at the corner of Elden and Station streets. In brokering TPI, the building's square-footage was maximized. The majority of that square-footage is vacant; not vibrant commercial activity for you or me.

Continue your stroll down Elden Street westward and around the bend to the Extended Stay America hotel, directly adjacent to Herndon Middle School. Many had wanted to build a police station in that central location. Instead of public safety, we got a frequent crime scene. Herndon police sent me an activity report listing 30 incidents at the Extended Stay, everything from drug and narcotic incidents and assaults to fraud and warrants served—right next to our school children.

These projects were approved by previous Town Councils and brokered by council candidate and downtown property owner Arthur Nachman. In contrast, our current council has shown respectful, sensible consideration of development projects with a pedestrian-friendly, family-oriented goal.

Before you cast your vote at the Herndon Community Center on Tuesday, May 6, please ask yourself what you would like our downtown to look like, and who you would like to represent you to achieve that?

Please join me in keeping Herndon respectful, sensible, and on the right track by voting for Mayor Steve DeBenedittis and for Town Council Connie Hutchinson, Dave Kirby, Charlie Waddell, Bill Tirrell, Jim Vickery, and Dennis Husch.

Ann V. Null

Herndon