A promise is a promise.
The Great Falls Citizens Association voted to reimburse Citizens Against the Pipeline, a group of residents dedicated to fighting the Fairfax Water pipeline used to connect Riverside Manor to its current service, a total of $200 for administrative expenses.
"We had originally approved a CAP reimbursement up to $500 for any administrative expenses they had," said Great Falls Citizens Association executive board member Joan Barnes. "The group has expended a substantial amount of funds, but many of the people have decided not to ask for reimbursement. They decided their contribution should be seen as a gift to CAP."
The Great Falls Citizens Association had pledged to give the organization a total of $5,000 earlier this spring, $2,500 of which was to be matched through the group's fundraising efforts. The money was to be used for exploring any legal options the residents of Riverside Manor had in fighting the nearly completed, controversial pipeline along Arnon Chapel Drive and Walker Road.
The administrative costs the Great Falls Citizens Association pledged to contribute were in addition to the $5,000, Barnes said.
When asked how much CAP was able to raise on its own, Barnes said the last time she checked, "it was somewhere in the neighborhood of $9,700," she said.
JACK BOWLES, a candidate for the GFCA executive board, had paid a total of $200 towards the incorporation of the group, for which CAP had refunded him. Bowles suggested the GFCA give that money back to CAP as the administrative costs.
Board member Estelle Holley suggested the board only refund the $200 after being presented with a receipt for that amount, which led Barnes to ask the group how much of a relationship the GFCA wants to maintain with CAP.
"The GFCA should reimburse Jack personally as part of the deal," said board member Jan McCarthy. "That's the commitment we made. Then we can close the book on this deal."
The group voted to give the money to CAP instead of Bowles, to repay their payment to him for the incorporation fees.
Additionally, the board voted to accept the proposed budget for their 2005-2006 fiscal year, which begins on July 1. The budget was voted on during the June 14 general membership meeting.
Also discussed during the meeting was a proposed monopole from Verizon.
"The bottom line is, they have come to the conclusion that there is no alternate site adequate for the monopole other than at Old Mill Run shopping center at the corner of Colvin Run and Walker Road," said board member Cathy Mayes. "They've recommended we use a disguised tree there, but I don't know what the next step is," she said.
THE POLE WILL extend 80 feet into the air, but neighboring businesses have expressed their lack of enthusiasm for having a fake tree outside their windows.
"Verizon has talked about coverage and cut-offs and poles here and there," said David Olin, Great Falls Citizens Association president. "I think at some point we need to figure out who makes this decision. I think this organization should present its thoughts to the [Fairfax County] Planning Commission. It's their call."
It is the responsibility of the Great Falls Citizens Association to tell the Planning Commission "the negative impact the pole will have on the community, as well as its concerns," Olin said. "We've asked them to look at other sites, but Verizon seems to say none of them will work."
Several businesses in the vicinity where the pole is proposed have offered to write letters explaining their position, he said.
"I don't think we have to pay attention to whether Verizon will get better reception there or anywhere," Barnes said. "I think this board opposes the pole as proposed by Verizion as out of keeping with the original Comprehensive Plan."
"We do not believe they have explored all options," Holley added.
The proposed area is also in the vicinity of land which has recently been declared under consideration for the National Registry of Historic Places, Olin said.