Arthur Nachman told Herndon's Town Council that their actions after Tuesday's council hearing would be just as important to the Town's future as their vote Tuesday night, March 10.
"After the vote is taken, you have to be united," he told Herndon's seven councilmembers. "You are now representing the ordinance."
"After the vote is taken, speaking disparagingly against the ordinance does not do any good. That causes derision," Nachman said.
Herndon's Council adopted an ordinance Tuesday, March 10 so Herndon's next town election will be held Nov. 8, 2016. Herndon's local elections have taken place in May since the Town was incorporated in 1879. Herndon's Town Council approved the change March 10 by a 4-3 vote.
"I get it. Change is really hard. It's hard in business, it's hard in personal life, it's hard in policy. It's really hard so I absolutely recognize that. But the cornerstone of democracy is participation," said Jennifer Baker, vice mayor on the Council.
At Herndon precincts, between 75-80 percent of registered voters turned out for the November 2012 presidential election year, and approximately 38-45 percent turned out during the midterm elections in November 2010, according to town records. In general, 20-25 percent of registered voters turn out for May elections.
"When you know better, you do better," Baker said. "May [elections] made a lot of sense for a long time. But we've done a lot of research and because of that I feel very convinced that we now know November will be better choice going forward."
ABOUT 35 people testified both for and against moving town elections to the fall. Hundreds voiced opinions during four public hearings in November and December and by email and written testimony to the Council.
Most talked Tuesday, from the heart, without notes.
Some residents remained convinced that town elections should be separate from federal and state elections to allow focus on town issues.
Council members Steve Mitchell, Dave Kirby and Jasbinder Singh asked for a referendum. Each voted against moving town elections from the spring to the Fall.
"If the town of Herndon wanted this, then I would support this 100 percent," said Mitchell. "And I would know this by a referendum."
But those who supported the move spoke with as much enthusiasm for the Town as those who spoke against the change.
"If we stop and ask for a referendum on everything we do in Town, we will never get anything done," said councilmember Sheila Olem.