The Issues Are Power and Politics
To the Editor: In response to my friend John Lovaas’ opinion piece "Draft Plan Jeopardizes Urban Reston" [Reston Connection, Oct. 23-29, 2013], the real issues are power and politics. The community groups have no real approval power and the Fairfax County Board can completely ignore any and all concerns. This lack of power is directly related to politics because that is the only way to exert any power over the master plans and the serious concerns John expresses, and I agree with (except for his use of the word "urban" since I did not move to Reston 42 years ago to be in an urban setting.) So, unless and until we are all ready to make these issues our only concern when voting for all of local elected officials- Hudgins, Plum, and Howell—we will have no power. We should disregard social, budget and other issues and become single-issue voters. Otherwise we are talking into the wind. Bruce Kirschenbaum Reston
Attorney General Needs to Uphold Justice
To The Editor: As Delegate Ken Plum knows, The chief law enforcement officer of Virginia is the governor. The attorney general serves as the action officer to carry out the governor's duties ["Science Goes on Trial in Virginia,” Reston Connection, Oct. 16-22]. The attorney general is obligated to enforce the laws of the commonwealth. However, all commonwealth attorneys do have discretionary powers on which possible violations of the law to prosecute; e.g., whether or not to prosecute a Class Four felony. Attorney generals also have a duty to bring justice and prove innocence when there is evidence of a miscarriage of justice. Del. Plum cites the case of a University of Virginia professor who appears to have violated a Commonwealth Law. The situation demanded an investigation into the possible use of proven, faulty research on climate change of which there are substantial reams of examples. Judges, not necessarily expert in science, decided that state taxpayer funds could be expended on research without oversight. Climate change has been politicized; rational discussion has been forced to take a back seat. Extreme, radical solutions have been proposed by the EPA; e.g., the War on Coal without consideration for the moral, economic and cultural values.
Going Green, All Year Long
As part of the second annual Green Apple Day of Service, Dianne Rose and her Hunters Woods Preschool students created the class's first recycling bin to be used for the entire school year.
Reston Rotary Gives 3rd Graders Dictionaries
Sonia Castillo-Smith from the Rotary Club of Reston visits Aldrin Elementary. She presented dictionaries to all Aldrin third grade students on behalf of Rotary.
Commentary
Our Special Community
Recently I was asked to participate in a workshop for a group of leaders who were planning a future for their organization. Specifically I was asked to discuss the characteristics of our community of Reston. While I try to stay on top of trends and am out in the community on a daily basis, I learned a lot preparing for the presentation at the workshop.
RA Board to Decide on Lake Anne Land Swap
Swap would assist in redevelopment efforts, vote to be held Nov. 21.
The Reston Association Board of Directors will vote on a land swap involving two parcels of land near Lake Anne at their Thursday, Nov. 21 meeting.
New Superintendent Hosts Q&A
Karen Garza speaks at Sunrise Valley Elementary School.
New Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza visited with parents and teachers at Sunrise Valley Elementary School Monday, Oct. 28, as part of her listening tour around the county.
Washington West Film Festival Comes to Reston
Proceeds from festival will go to fight homelessness locally.
Bow Tie Cinemas in Reston Town Center hosted filmmakers and moviegoers alike as part of the Washington West Film Festival last weekend, concluding with a red carpet event and showing of the Peabody award winning “My Neighbourhood” by local filmmaker Rebekah Wingert-Jabi Saturday, Oct. 26.
Taking Steps for a Cure
On Sunday, Oct. 20, 180 people gathered at Temporary Road Picnic Pavilion in Reston to walk to find cures for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Crohn’s Disease and UC are inflammatory bowel diseases that can be debilitating to patients: 1.4 million Americans have been diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease or UC.
Week in Reston
Teen Dies, Man Charged in Reston Shooting
Story: Link Italics Bold Bulleted list Numbered list Block quote Heading Create inline: A 17-year-old Reston boy who sustained a gunshot wound on Friday, Oct. 18 was pronounced dead early Sunday, Oct. 20. Police identified the deceased as Juan Carlos Godoy of Cameron Crescent Drive, Reston.
RCC Announces 2013 Preference Poll Results
On Tuesday, Oct. 8, at the request of Supervisor Catherine M. Hudgins, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors appointed three Reston residents to the nine-member Reston Community Center Board of Governors: returning Board member Beverly Cosham, and new board members John Mendonça and Michelle Moyer.
Honoring Connor
Parents honor son through pediatric cancer foundation.
Connor Robert White was only six months old when he passed away from a rare form of childhood cancer. Connor was born on July 6, 2012. “He was the easiest child. He was the happiest child…” said Beth White, Connor’s mom. “But that’s how we knew something was wrong initially. He was all the sudden fussy crying.”
Commentary
Endorsements
About 70 percent of Virginians voted in the last two presidential elections when President Barack Obama carried the state as the first Democrat to do so since Lyndon Johnson won the Old Dominion. In the gubernatorial election in 2009 voter turnout was half that number with the expectation that voter participation in the election on Nov. 5 will also be light. While the presidential elections get a lot of attention and high participation, statewide elections do not attract as many voters. In many ways, voters who stay home are pushing off their responsibility in voting to a group of people unknown to them who do bother to vote. Such a situation can lead to a small group of highly motivated voters swinging the outcome of an election. Please encourage your family, co-workers and neighbors to participate as the consequences of the election are critically important to the future of the commonwealth, and we each need to take part in the decision.
Independent Progressive
Draft Plan Jeopardizes Urban Reston
An overflow crowd at the Joint Community Forum last Thursday, Oct. 17 at the Reston Association learned the outlines of the draft Reston Master Plan for the Dulles Rail Corridor. The sobering assessment by community representatives on the Master Plan Task Force which began its work four years ago left the audience with many unanswered questions and concerns about the quality of planned growth for 40,000 more people and 60,000 more jobs in the corridor.