Reston Citizen

The Reston Association has approved a $46 assessment hike. The current annual rate is $437 and will rise in two years to $475 and then $483.

There was only one vote against the proposed rate increase. The tax hike is seen as necessary for RA to continue its operations and leave money in a bank for a rainy day fund. According to the newly approved budget $12.8 million will be raised in taxes for 2008, and $12.1 million will be spent. In 2009 they will bring in $13.1 million and spend $12.3 million.

The $1.5 million surplus will be used for the repair and replacement funds, which funds facilities upkeep. Two referendums are contained in the budget, including funding a new indoor facility which might contain tennis courts.

The controversial school redistricting proposal had it’s first meeting, and the county estimates over 2000 people attended. Most who arrived at the meeting including county officials came with what seemed preconceived notions. As reported in the Reston Times:

The study will examine redistricting as a solution to under-enrollment at South Lakes and crowded conditions at Westfield and Chantilly, according to staff’s presentation. South Lakes has an enrollment of 1,450 students, and will have a capacity of more than 2,000 once renovations to the school are finished in fall 2008.

Westfield and Chantilly are slightly over capacity, although future enrollment projections show that they will not be seriously overcrowded until 2013. Future overcrowding, however, will limit student participation in extracurricular activities and electives, said Cluster 8 Superintendent Betsy Goodman.

The boundary changes would likely result in students moving to South Lakes. Many parents have voiced concerns over moving to South Lakes, concerns range from their children being separated from school friends, to academic concerns. One blogger believes a concern among some parents is the diversity of South Lakes, where white people are the minority at 49% of school population, with Blacks, Latinos, and Asians roughly splitting the remaining 51%.

Many groups have been established protesting the change, and one parent has even threatened to sue the county if the boundary changes are complete. It’s not known what applicable laws could prevent a change. South Lakes had the smallest turnout, but for the few who did show up they sought to dispel myths about South Lakes.

The booming Dulles Corridor, two strips of land running next to the Dulles Toll Road is showing signs of slowing. The technology corridor was a hot spot in 90s and earls 2000s as DotCom companies exploded in the area. Then came 9/11, with the technology downturn. But then government security contracting exploded, filling vacant office space.

Then the Democrats took control of Congress, and start trying to balance the budget, which is a good thing, but for the area is temporarily bad. Here’s what the WaPo had to say:

With federal contracting slowing from its recent boom, and as the national and regional economies soften, the current wave of construction projects is likely to leave empty buildings. Few new office projects are expected to get started in the near future, as developers focus on finding tenants. The process is likely to take at least two years, given historical trends, according to developers and brokers.

“There is going to be a lot of competition for tenants out there, and I am not going to paint a pretty picture,” George F. McKenzie, chief executive of the Rockville-based Washington Real Estate Investment Trust, told analysts during a conference call last month. “Activity has not been as good as one would have expected over the last 12 months.”

Despite an overall negative tone the technology corridor is still vibrant. Buildings are still being constructed, and Reston Heights project has already leased 90% of it’s office space. The metro will also increase the amount of jobs, and bring in new condos and apartments.

Bonnie Freeman, executive director for the Reston Community Center, has resigned. In Novemeber 2005 she joined the board and brought about many changes. Among her accomplishments, she worked with board and staff to create a ten year improvement plan, which lays a framework for the centers continued success. Also two of three of the HVAC repairs where conducted with no program disruptions.

“Bonnie brought a lot of passion to the job and her leadership has been extraordinary. We’ll miss her wit, grace, and dedication to the RCC. She will always be a part of the RCC legacy of leadership,” said Bill Bouie, the chairman for RCC.

The Reston Community Center has also improved their website as part of Bonnie Freeman’s latest efforts to improve communication. With streamlined access to forms, event information, and a design much more pleasing to look at, the website is certainly an improvement. The old website included cluttered information, and graphics that appeared to be taken from clip art.

The Giant grocery store will be shutting it’s doors on November 28th. The Reston Times is reporting the stores general manager Tams Bauer has confirmed the closure. A simple sign alerts customers the pharmacy will close on November 16th, and that records will be transfered to the South Lakes Safeway.

By this months end 49,366 out of 74,000 square feet will be empty, or two thirds of the centers retail space. The Giant is the latest of several closures, including the Burger King, and Hollywood Video stores.

Tall Oaks is centered away from major roads, which may have lead to it’s decline. For years the Giant maintained dim light, and poor displays. But many residents of the Tall Oaks at Reston senior center are disappointed to see the Giant leave. Giant is in the middle of restructuring, closing some stores, renovating others, and opening ones in better locations.

A survey from the Dulles Corridor Rail Association has found that ninety three percent of Northern Virginians favor the silver line extension. Overall eighty six percent of the Washington region supports the extension, with even nineteen percent strongly favoring the rail extension.

The poll was funded by the Dulles Corridor Rail Association. Other findings suggest most people are most excited about being able to travel from DC to Dulles Airport. Surprisingly, the ability of the rail project to reduce traffic congestion is lowest on the list of perceived benefits. The poll was a random telephone survey of 500 people.

Phase one of the Silver Line project should be completed by 2013, with the last station being Wiehle Avenue. Phase two should be completed by 2015, and will extend past Dulles Airport to Ashburn.

Incumbent Cathy Hudgins (D) won the board of supervisors for the third time with 57% of the vote. Gerry Connolly (D) also was reelected, with 59% of the public voting for him. Lastly, Stu Gibson won with 61% of the votes. Complete returns for Hunter Mill are at the bottom, or you can visit the Virginia State Board of Elections for more information.

As expected the General Assembly races where an easy win for the Democrats, with Janet Howell getting 97% of the vote. Ken Plum also earned 97%.

Martina “Tina” Hone won the school board at large race, with 18.98% of votes, along with Ilryong Moon (18.31%) and James L. “Jim” Raney (14.27%). Incumbent Stephen M. Hunt lost his bid, finishing fourth on the three person school board at large race.

Republicans and independents in Fairfax County mainly relied on perceived over development and immigration as their key issues. In Fairfax County the people voted, and showed they are satisfied with the current government. Of course Cathy Hudgins could learn a few lessons about interacting better with constituents. But over all the results show that despite a vocal minority, Reston citizens are pleased with their government.

Most people at the Dog Wood Elementary school where in and out in under five minutes, which is typical of an off year election. How was voter turn out in your precincts?

Chairman - Board of Supervisors (All Precincts Reporting)

Gerry Connolly - Democrat - 114,090 - 59.51%

Gary H. Baise - GOP - 68,399 votes - 35.67%

Glenda Parker - Independent Green - 8,987 - 4.68%

Write In - None - 7 - 0.12%

Hunter Mill Supervisor (All Precincts Reporting)

Cathy Hudgins - Democrat - 13,448 - 57.19%

Marie Huhtala - Independent - 5,257 - 22.35%

Spike Williams - Independent - 355 - 16.36%

Geraldine Butkus - Independent - 3,848 - 3.92%

Hunter Mill School Board (All Precincts Reporting)

Stu Gibson - Independent - 13,867 - 61.32%

Christine Arakelian - Independent -8,711 -38.52%

Reston Heights, a 1 million square foot office/residential/retail complex is already drawing community resistance.

The JBG companies, a Chevy Chase based developer held a meeting with residents off the Hunters Green cluster association, to discuss the building. A few citizens have expressed concerns, as told by the Reston Observer:

Resident Jim Allred said he did not buy JBG’s statement that they could not commit to creating that walkway. “Unless it’s connected pedestrian-wise to the Metro, this project fails in my mind,” he said. Allred said without that connection to the Metro stop, people would drive to the nearby stations and further increase traffic.

“We are not going to be able to get out of our neighborhoods,” said Marie Huhtala, a Reston resident who is currently running for the Hunter Mill district seat on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Huhtala said the nearby roads have already receiving failing grades, and she does not know how that could be improved with this development.

Of course the project will be the equivalent of two city blocks from the proposed Reston Parkway rail station, and currently has bus stops with direct access to the West Falls Church metro station. The road had some recent lane additions, which has already improved the flow of peak rush hour traffic.

If this project is approved JBG would build a pedastrain bridge or tunnel for access to the other side of Reston Parkway, which has a popular walking/biking trail.

The Reston Planning and Zoning Committee voted 9-2 with one abstention to recommend the plan, which includes over $200,000 in improvements for Reston Parkway. The Fairfax County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the plan Wednesday.

Republican leadership throughout America, from the obstructionist general assembly in Richmond, to the stubbornness of President Bush has created a polarized climate. Cahterine Hudgins, a Democrat on the other hand has presented a well managed form of leadership. She listens to the community’s concerns and has Reston’s best interests in mind.

After Bob Dix, the former supervisor for the Hunter Mill district, lost in an election to Hudgins, she reigned in development as promised, and has continued to control it. She has also stuck by the master plan of Reston, which is still endorsed by Restons founder, Robert Simon.

Marie Huhtala on the other hand proposes a halt to Reston’s planned residential growth, which would create a worker/resident imbalance and as seen in Tysons Corner creates horrible traffic. Huhtala has also shown some rough spots, claiming that South Lakes was overcrowded (it is actually 800 students short of capacity), and claimed this due to “unbridled development.”

Huhtala also totes her experience with the State Department, but as shown by the recent Blackwater Controversy, the Department is anything but diplomatic. Meanwhile Hudgins was a community servant long before she ran for political office. Hudgins has also represented the homeless, the working poor, and those with disabilities by various initiatives on the County Board.

A politician that bows to the demands of every moment and citizen creates an unstable government. But a politician must also listen to the needs of their constituents, and Caterhine Hudgins has done a good job of both.

Stay with The Reston Citizen, as we will update you on the results of the Virginia and Reston/Hunter Mill elections.

Virginia Tech will be entering into paternership with several private companies to upgrade buildings in the Washington area. The Chesapeake Bay Journal reports the Reston International Center is one of the about one hundred area buildings to be retrofitted.

Under the partnership, Virginia Tech, secured $500 million in loans to be given to property owners. The improvements will reduce electricity bills by 20%-50% depending on the buildings condition. Money saved from electricity bills will be used to repay the loans.