The 10 candidates running for three open seats on the Board of Governors of the Reston Community Center (RCC) have submitted their Preference Poll Candidate statements.
Balloting will begin on Oct. 8. Mail-in voting will end on Oct. 15 while walk-in balloting will end on Oct. 17. Winners will be announced at a community picnic on Oct. 18.
JAN BRADSHAW
What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the Board?
Served the RCC Board for six years as Vice Chair and Secretary, and chaired the Program/Policy, Personnel, Preference Poll, Long Range Planning, and Building Committees. Officer of my condo's board since 1991, former President and current Vice President involved in a $2,200,000 façade project. I've also negotiated easement agreements and revised by-laws. Member of the Hunter Mill District Council and have served on the Reston 2000 Task Force, the Hunters Woods Task Force, and the Market in the Woods Steering Committee. Living in Reston since 1983, RCC programs have enriched me. I want to give others the same opportunities.
What goals would you pursue as a Board member? How would your leadership enhance the center's vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?
I want to ensure that RCC's outstanding programs continue responding to Reston's diverse needs and interests. On the Board for six years now, I am delighted with recent increases in teen programming and participation, the success of our Multicultural Festival and Martin Luther King Day, and our expanded arts programs at Lake Anne. I want to foster cooperation and partnering with other organizations, emphasizing Reston's cultural diversity by proactively and sensitively promoting greater cultural involvement in RCC and its programs, addressing needs of the 11-to-30 year old underserved population, working with businesses to offer more programs for their employees, and continuing after school programming. I want to ensure that RCC remains fiscally responsible to Small Tax District #5 while offering quality programming and improving the community's perception of RCC. My long-standing volunteer background in all aspects of our community and RCC Board operations uniquely qualifies me for this.
KAREN LOEHR
What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the Board?
I served on the RCC Board from 1998-2001. During that time, I participated in the planning meetings, assessments, and budgeting activities that helped make the Lake Anne annex of the RCC a reality. I participated in finance and program and policy committees and served as board secretary. As a member of those committees, I worked with the community to develop events and programs to serve the widest variety of interests while maintaining financial prudence.
As co-owner of a small business based in Reston, I have been active in the Reston Chamber of Commerce and am committed to the continued growth of Reston.
What goals would you pursue as a Board member? How would your leadership enhance the center's vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?
Board members are elected to support RCC's vision and mission to unite all of the Reston community. I believe that mission can only be fulfilled by providing programs and services that appeal to, and serve, the diverse interests of all Restonians — whether it's an arts center, bridge club, or skateboard park.
I have two primary goals as a board member: first, I support the plans for a skateboard park, and will work toward achieving that goal. My second goal is to increase public awareness of the innovative, subsidized programs RCC offers, such as the extraordinary cultural events that come to the CenterStage — events that rival those offered in many large cities.
As a business owner and Reston resident since childhood, I believe supporting RCC's efforts to provide quality programs is essential to Reston's continued vitality. As a board member I will actively listen to the community's concerns and needs, and help translate them into positive action.
TARA COONIN
What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the Board?
As a native Restonian, I would bring an understanding of the goal to Live, Work, and Play in Reston and how RCC fits into that equation. I currently serve as vice president of my cluster board. I head the landscape committee for my cluster. Previously, I was a Reporter for the Reston Connection Newspaper and am familiar with the process and responsibilities of the RCC board. I have participated and supported numerous organizations and events including Walk for NARE, Best of Reston, Reston Festival, Herndon Festival, Southgate Voter Turnout, Northern Virginians for Peace and Save Tall Oaks.
What goals would you pursue as a Board member? How would your leadership enhance the center's vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?
The goal of RCC should be to better the Reston community. This should start with the youth by establishing a skate park and improving the youth and teen programs. The neglected late 20-year olds and early 30-year olds can and should be given opportunities for them to join the Reston community. By doing this, and reaching out to the business community, Reston will be closer united to being a place to Live, Work, and Play. One of the ways to reach out to the business community would be to offer weekly lunch summer concerts to help promote local restaurants while offering a service to people who work in Reston. Fiscal responsibility is a serious need for RCC. It is very disconcerting that programs have run out of money prematurely. I hope to implement my views and represent your voice in RCC with your vote.
BILL G. BOUIE
What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the Board?
William G. Bouie, Senior Vice President Business Development and Strategic Alliances for HCI Technologies. Mr. Bouie is a Board Member of the Friends of Reston, President of the Reston Little League, Committee Member of Project Gold with the United States Olympic Committee, and on the Board of Management of the Reston YMCA. Mr. Bouie was a recipient of the Best of Reston Award in 1993, his company in 2000, and was named Lord Fairfax in 1998. Mr. Bouie received his BA in Political Science from Western Michigan University and an MA in Business Management from Central Michigan University.
What goals would you pursue as a Board member? How would your leadership enhance the center's vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?
As a Board Member I would continue to pursue making Reston a better place to live, work and play. I have been very active in the community since moving here 18 years ago and I have not only worked with the leaders that have formed our community, but also to facilitate growth and changes as our community changes and evolves. We have changed in every way and we must work to accept the change to accommodate our residents. Diversity is one of the strengths of our community that needs to be embraced and cherished. This is what makes Reston such a special place. I feel that I have a lot to offer in terms of the experience that I bring both from living in Reston, but having been exposed to and learned from many other experiences that I have had in business and my work with the Olympic Committee.
CARL M. LEVINE
What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the Board?
I retired to Reston in 1996 with my wife of 30 years, Miriam. Since that time, I have been active in community affairs, serving on the Reston Citizens Association Board, and most recently as a member of the Reston Town Center Association Board of Directors. I am retired from a better than 30-year career holding various senior management positions in companies managing commercial and theatrical/motion picture properties. I was listed in the 1996 edition of Who's Who in America.
What goals would you pursue as a Board member? How would your leadership enhance the center's vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?
The RCC's terrific programs are part of what attracted my wife and me to Reston; but recent developments at the RCC concern me. As a retiree, proposed fee increases for our seniors trouble me, particularly since the RCC has substantial reserves. Of equal concern is the recent budget shortfall in our valuable Teen Program, which contributed to the unprecedented County audit of RCC. I think my professional experience can help in better managing the budget. My active role in Reston community affairs gives me important insights into budget priorities and ways to achieve greater community consensus on programming decisions. I support governance reform that would make the RCC more visible to taxpayers and representative of our community's rich diversity. It is time for change and new perspectives on the RCC Board. I ask for your support of my interest in being one of those new voices.
JAMES DeANGELO
What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the Board?
I am the previous treasurer of the West Market Community Association and serve on the Board of Directors. I am on the budget committee of the Madison Park Condominium. I prepared budgets and reviewed the financial statements for West Market and performed many of the oversight tasks as performed by RCC Board members. I presently serve as a fiduciary for a large Northern Virginia charitable foundation.
As coach of a girls' softball team, I learned how to interact with children and parents to foster a sense of inclusiveness and community belonging.
What goals would you pursue as a Board member? How would your leadership enhance the center's vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?
My first goal is to use the resources that benefit both seniors and our youth fairly and that balance needs and services with our tax revenues. Secondly, to help develop programs that reach out to our growing Latino and Asian population while at the same time preserving the services that the RCC already provides. I would review any new capital-spending program closely to ensure that it does not break the system.
To provide for enriching experiences and to foster inclusiveness, the RCC must first preserve those on-going programs with clarity of purpose while measuring results. This includes feedback from the community. Listening to the voice of the community fosters belonging. The tax burden must be fair to those seniors on a fixed income.
As tax assessment went up greatly, the tax rate went down slightly. I will protect those on a limited income and fight for fair funding for all.
JOSEPH F. LOMBARDO
What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the Board?
I bring to the Board over 20 years of highly successful leadership experience in community development, and proven expertise in policy, strategic planning and public policy budgeting. I have served on school boards, am a former board president of an American school board overseas, former elected member of the Reston Citizens' Association Board of Directors and past chairman of RCA's Planning and Zoning Committee. My experience includes dealing successfully in cross-cultural settings with complex and difficult organizational and personnel issues, program planning, community relations, and how to make fiscally responsible decisions while being responsive to constituents' needs for quality services.
What goals would you pursue as a Board member? How would your leadership enhance the center's vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?
As a Board member, I will listen to our constituents and seek their input, forge the needed consensus on fiscal and governance reforms, and advocate for appropriate priorities, policies, strategies and programs that meet the community's needs. The Reston Community Center provides a unique opportunity to provide quality, affordable services to all who live and work in Small Tax District 5. Programs for teens and seniors are particularly important, as well as for those who do not have access to community and cultural amenities. The Board must carefully evaluate proposals for their fiscal impact not only of the initial capital investment, but also of recurrent costs associated with those investments so as mitigate the burden on the taxpayers. Moreover, the Board must act quickly to put in place reforms to increase voter participation and make the Board more representative of the community that supports the Center.
KATHLEEN DRISCOLL McKEE
What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the Board?
2003 - current: Catholic-Hebrew Dialogue. Publicity Coordinator, St. Thomas a Becket; 2002-current: Reston Historical Trust. Chair, 03 House Tour, Relay for Life. Top of the Town team; 2002-2003: Learning Programs Committee. GRACE; 2000-current: Facilitator. Reston Chamber of Commerce Ethics Day; 1999-current: Fairfax County Master Gardener; 1998-2000: Volunteer Coordinator. National Fishing Week; 1993-1999: President/Board Member. Old Westbury Cluster; 1994-1999: Volunteer. Wolf Trap Performing Arts Center; 1987-2000: Chair. Congress-Bundestag Exchange-Northern Virginia; 1990-1992: Scholarship Committee. Senate Japan Exchange; 1986- 1988: Confirmation Teacher; 1986-1993: Chair/Board Member. Reston Children's Center; 1983- 1984: Board of Governors. Reston Community Center; 1980-1984: Vice President. Reston Swim Team; 1980-1983: Member, Junior League of Washington.
As an educator, I firmly believe in life-long learning. Many institutions educate — schools, botanical gardens, houses of worship, cultural facilities, athletic centers. A role of a community center is to connect these institutions through programs. My role would be as a resource, particularly in regard to crucial middle school age programs because adolescence epitomizes challenge, continuity and change.
What goals would you pursue as a Board member? How would your leadership enhance the center's vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?
My years with national and international organizations — the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Center for Educational Association Services and Youth For Understanding — required the same skills needed for a Board member — setting policy, fiscal oversight, program evaluation, and long range planning. Additionally, having served on volunteer boards, I value diversity of opinion, debate, and achieving consensus to accomplish a goal. Because of my experience with group process, I know it is essential to invite both public opinion — a patrons' survey of interest — and staff input when evaluating programs and services.
LARRY E. WILLIAMS
What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the Board?
My wife Rosalie and I, married 35 years, have lived in Reston the last five. I am a division manager for a $6 billion technology company. I have profit and loss responsibility for the division's budget, which I am responsible for growing to $45 million over the next three years. I am active in our Reston church, through which I will be part of a trip to Bolivia in November to teach English to our Bolivian hosts. Through the church, I also volunteer locally to teach English as a Second Language, principally to our neighbors in the Hispanic community.
What goals would you pursue as a Board member? How would your leadership enhance the center's vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?
The taxpayers are the RCC's customers. That belief, and my concern about RCC miscues, motivate my interest in serving. We need to be smart about setting spending priorities and I oppose increasing fees on our seniors if that is the price for expanding the RCC; my business experience will help in setting and managing budgets to ensure we never run out of Teen program money, as happened last spring; and I believe we can better partner with the business community to improve value for our taxpayers. I will bring to the Board a fresh perspective since I am not an incumbent politician but an interested citizen. My professional expertise will contribute to helping ensure the RCC is a well-managed servant of it's customer, the taxpayer. I therefore will encourage every taxpayer to call me with ideas or concerns about how the RCC could better serve Reston.
DINO SALIN
What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the Board?
As a 23-year Restonian, I've been an active participant in the community working to promote youth and teen opportunities, cultural activities and advancement of the visual and performing arts. I am a teacher at Forest Edge Elementary school, in touch with the realities and needs of young people. I became involved in PTAs and Girl Scouts when my daughter was growing up and continue to participate in various youth and educational initiatives. A member of the Reston Community Players, I am the former Managing Director of the Reston Chorale and President of the Arts Alliance of Reston.
What goals would you pursue as a Board member? How would your leadership enhance the center's vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?
For the past three years, I have had the privilege of serving on the Board and am currently the Vice Chair. This experience has created a deeper understanding and appreciation of RCC's programs, relationship to the County, and unique ability to address community needs. I would continue to support RCC's efforts — particularly in arts, youth and teen programming — to evolve along with Reston by 1) constantly evaluating old and exploring new programs and facilities; 2) initiating and sustaining outreach activities to ensure all members of the community are aware of, and encouraged to participate in, the opportunities RCC offers; 3) collaborating in projects with other organizations and seeking new partnerships. I would bring to the Board experience, sensitivity to diversity, a creative, energetic approach to forging community connections and a commitment to working toward the goal of enriching the cultural, educational and social lives of all Restonians.