This is the text of Richard C. Thoesen’s address after he was sworn in as mayor of Herndon in the Council Chambers on June 5, 2002.
"The year was 1939 and our great country was recovering from the great depression. Europe was at war and we were preparing for our own defense. It was a time when America faced uncertainty and was in need of hope.
The movie, 'The Wizard of Oz' helped to lift America’s spirits. In that picture, Judy Garland sang 'Somewhere over the Rainbow.'
'Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue; And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.'
You know the song. What you probably don’t know is that the song was cut from the picture after the second preview because it was felt to be too slow.
Producer Mervyn Leroy successfully argued to get it back into the film. Today, Judy Garland’s “Somewhere over the Rainbow” is celebrated as one of the greatest songs of the century.
As the story portrays, not everyone will understand or agree with your visions. In fact many people will reject your dreams as impractical, unrealistic.
In recent history, Herndon has had its share of dreamers.
Forty years ago, Ed Stirewalt dreamed of Herndon Parkway. As a young planning commissioner, Ed drew Herndon Parkway on his kitchen table.
Upon presenting the vision, citizens stood in place during a town meeting to signify their approval. The parkway, 6.5 miles in length, was completed in 1997.
Thirty years ago, a young mayor, Tom Rust, dreamed of a Herndon Community Center, solicited citizen and county support and today we are ready to design its fourth phase, bringing the center to more than 56,000 square feet.
More than 20 years ago, Vi Carmona Bateman dreamed of a senior citizens housing project. Her perseverance and support from church leaders such as the personable Ralph Bayfield, and many public officials led to Herndon Harbor House, 120 units strong and awaiting the senior center, just on the horizon.
Arno Randall and other Jaycees dreamed of a Herndon Festival. Last weekend we celebrated its 22nd anniversary, complete with three stages and over 90,000 visitors.
Thom Hanes of the Central Herndon Commission, Doug Walker of the MAP Commission and Charles Allen of the Planning Commission dreamed that Herndon could develop a revitalized downtown. Today, we stand ready to build upon its success, much of which was constructed during Tom Rust’s recent administration.
The Herndon Fortnightly Club dreamed of a new library in our emerging downtown and today, with the help of elected officials like Lilla Richards, we cherish our library as part of our downtown.
Les Zidel dreamed that we could support the performing arts, and today thanks to his wonderful imagination, Herndon boasts of the Industrial Strength Theater and the Town Green.
Carol Bruce dreamed of preserving Herndon’s heritage and was instrumental in the development of our heritage preservation ordinance and handbook.
John DeNoyer dreamed of development within town that would minimize tree removal and minimize environmental degradation. Today we celebrate more than 10 years as a member of Tree City USA.
These represent but a few examples of hope and visions for our wonderful town that have come true, even beyond our wildest dreams!
Today, in the fast-paced Dulles corridor, Herndon finds itself in a place much different than just a generation ago. We can succumb to the impersonalization of urbanization, or we can continue to strengthen our unique and friendly quality of life for the many who live and work here.
Given a shortage of 57,000 affordable homes in northern Virginia, and manifestation throughout the region of excessive occupancy, we dream of better housing opportunities for all citizens.
We dream of a new studio theater with a civic hall, a center of opportunity. Opportunity to bring us together through the visual and performing arts as well as create an undeniable symbol of Herndon’s sense of place and pride.
We dream of a tolerant and inclusive community, volunteering and working for each other so that every citizen, regardless of race, color, creed, or age, will know they are welcome and that as citizens of Herndon, everyone’s help and involvement to achieve a better destiny is needed.
We face these and many more dreams for Herndon’s future realizing that we seek new and creative solutions. It will take faith in each other, conviction of purpose and courage to express, understand and resolve differing views.
Let us dare to dream today, and to paraphrase the words of John F. Kennedy: All this will not be finished in the first 100 days. Nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days, nor in the life of this administration.
But let us begin."