Reston Citizen

Sprint has confirmed it plans to layoff about 4000 people, as The Reston Citizen reported last week. The Wall Street Journal, who originally ran the story also claimed the Reston corporate headquarters would be moved to it’s operational headquarters in Overland Park, Kansas, but the company has remained silent on it’s intentions there.

Steve Fuller, an economist at George Mason University says this about the potential damage (or lack thereof) that would affect Reston and Fairfax County. Here’s what the Reston Times reports he said:

“Fairfax County has a 2.1 percent unemployment rate, we have a shortage of highly-qualified workers,” he said. Most former Sprint Nextel employees “would probably find a pretty good job if they wanted to,” he added.

As for the county’s reputation, Fuller said it’s economy is so strong that it would easily withstand the change. Fuller’s annual economic forecast for the county has a projected increase of 13,000 jobs, and its unemployment rate remains well below the national average of 5 percent.

The Reston headquarters of Sprint employees about 4500 people, which has lead to speculation about headquarters move. Sprint’s new CEO, has proposed large changes for turning the company around, including closing over 4,000 retail locations.

This 1767 painting by Joseph Wright of a mouse in an air pump provided inspiration for the play.
The Reston players open their second play of their acting season with comedy “Experiment with an Air Pump.”

“Experiment with an Air Pump” is a controversial comedy exploring issues such as medical ethics, passion versus love, and the evolving role of women.  The play is set in juxtaposed time periods of 1799 and 1999. Written in 1997 the play has won awards.

The play is directed by Adam Konowe and produced by Sue Pinkman and Laura Baughman.

“An Experiment with an Air Pump” runs on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm: January 18, 19, 25, 26, February 1, and 2. The opening night performance features a reception. Tickets can be purchased online.

On Thursday night, around midnight a 46 year old Ashburn woman was robbed in the Hyatt parking garage. The woman was entering her car when a man approached with a gun and demanded money. The victim complied and handed over an undisclosed sum of cash.

The victims where later seen exiting the parking garage in the 1800 block of Presidents Street. The suspects are described as black and 5 foot 9 inches, and weigh about 185 pounds.

A rendering of what one of the future Silver Line metro stations would appear like.

Despite meeting funding, ridership, and other requirements the Federal Transit Administration still might not fund the Silver Line extension to Wiehle Avenue. Here’s what the Washington Post says:

Officials with the Federal Transit Administration say they are concerned about the price tag and the specter of another Big Dig, the Boston project built by the same contractor in charge of the Dulles rail line, which took years longer and cost millions more than planned, according to the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the negotiations are sensitive. In addition, the agency has been reluctant to promote large-scale transit projects.

The feds would be responsible for funding $900 million of the project, which is less that one fifth of the $5 billion price tag. Without the federal funding the project would be impossible.

While Metrorail to Dulles Airport is still possible, plans would need to be redrawn for Tysons Corner. Instead of having four stations in the heart of Tysons, the rail line would remain in Dulles Toll Road right of way, with a bus or light rail system making Tysons more pedestrian/transit friendly.

The FTA’s chief James S. Simpson was scheduled to meet with the head of the Metropolitan Airports Authority, owners of Dulles and National airport and the agency behind Silver Line construction. The meeting was canceled, and Virginia congressman are seeking a new meeting with Simpson to discus what exactly they view as wrong with the project.

The uncertainty of the project surprises many, since the project has met all requirements the FTA set. Meeting the requirements was not easy, nearly $300 million in features was slashed from the project.

A final decision on the projects fate will probably be made in February.

Mercury Watching the Shoppers, originally uploaded by trickybits.

Flickr user trickybits writes, “Mercury, the god of trade, profit and commerce. How fitting for Reston Town Center.” I’m not much up on my Greek mythology but his description sounds about right.

In a largely partisan vote, Republicans blocked legislation which would require subcommittee votes to be recorded so that citizens know what their representatives are voting for and against. In a letter sent to constituents, Ken Plum (D-Reston) wrote (reduced here for readability):

The General Assembly continues to cloak in secrecy some of its most basic decisions, those concerning the life or death of proposed laws. A bill to change this was defeated on a largely partisan vote during the very first hour the legislature was in session.

Two years ago, the GOP majority in the House of Delegates used its new power to change the legislative rules under which the House operated. Bills that went to subcommittee for evaluation could be killed there - with no recorded vote.

Constituents could find out not only what happened to a bill, but who made it happen. The old system provided openness and accountability.

Nearly 800 bills have been defeated anonymously. And there’s no telling what sort of bills your elected representative may have voted for in secret, in exchange for another delegates vote. Democracy and openness in government go hand in hand and thus should be a bipartisan issue, so why the need for secrecy?

The ultra-conservative Virginia Club for Growth, Virginia FREE, League of Women Voters, AARP, Virginia Education Association, and more supported this bill. But it was still struck down with only one Republican voting for the new rules.

A small Catholic girls school wants to relocate to a property in Reston. Oakcrest, a school of 200 students has outgrown it’s Chantilly location and recently purchased the property for $15 million. But the Reston Times reports on a possible issue to the schools move:

The school’s possible problem can be traced back to to the man from whom it bought the property – aspiring developer John Thoburn.

For about 20 years, Thoburn has tried various strategies to have the zoning laws for his property changed to allow more intensive residential and commercial uses, alienating neighbors and planning officials alike.

Generally here at Reston Citizen we are for development, but some locations just aren’t for it, and that includes the semi-rural area where the school would be built.

An attorney for Oakcrest believes the school will cause no problem, but who has such an antagonistic relationship with Fiarfax County might have issues. Complaints about traffic and safety concerns cause concern among neighbors, who view it as yet another scheme by Thoburn to increase density on his property.

The controversial libertarian was jailed for over 30 in days in 2001 over zoning violations including selling food on a property where that is prohibited.

Originally uploaded by Joshua Davis (articnomad).

Not really much to say about this one. Obviously taken a while back before it had gotten cold. And sitting in my freezing cold basement I can’t appreciate the warm summer colors.

A sign marks an entrance to Sprint’s, Reston, Virginia headquarters.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Sprint is going to lay off thousands, and possibly move it’s headquarters back to Overland Park, Kansas. This follows a string of business relocations from the Dulles Technology Corridor in 2007 including PRA leaving for North Carolina, and AOL moving to New York.

The tip comes from an anonymous source. As usual a Sprint spokesman said, “We don’t comment on rumors.”

The 59,000 strong company would pink slip about 5,000 people. As customers have run from low quality service, and non interoperability between Sprint and Nextel’s network, corporate income has taken a serious decline. Sprint leadership has taken drastic measure to shore up revenues including an announcement in early 2007 about job layoffs. In todays trading Sprint’s share price fell 3 cents to $12.33.

Sprint currently maintains operational headquarters in Overland Park. Almost 13,000 work in the Kansas location, while a little less than 5000 work in the Washington, DC area. Reston only became Sprint’s headquarters after its 2005 takeover of Nextel.

Statue of Martin Luther King Jr. in Kelly Ingram Park, Birmingham Alabama.

The Reston Community Center invites everyone to come and honor the sacrifice of Dr Martin Luther King. Events start on Janurary 19th with a concert, and continue on the 20th with another free concert.

On January 21st a commemorative march is planned to start at the Southgate Center, and terminates at the Hunter Woods RCC location.

Schedule of Events:
Saturday, January 19, 6:00pm - 8:00pm: RCC Hunters Woods

Reston Community Orchestra, conducted byMaestro Dingwall Fleary. MetroSingers and encore performances by Reston’s own, Beverly Cosham, Song Stylist, and Ellyn Lomak Crawford, Soprano.

Sunday, January 20, 4:00pm: Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation

Community Concert sponsored by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Monday, January 21, 7:30am: Southgate Community Center
Commemorative march, shuttles will be provided back to the Southgate location.
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