Mayor Michael O'Reilly was recently appointed to three committees of the reorganized Northern Virginia Regional Commission. These include the Executive, Legislative and Operations Committees.
The Executive Committee is composed of the senior elected officials of the NVRC and meets to make immediate decisions on items needed between the organization's regularly scheduled meetings. The Legislative Committee oversees production of the NVRC legislative package, which is a combination of issues identified by NVRC staff and items added by members. The Operations Committee handles financial and personnel matters beyond the day-to-day operation of the NVRC. This committee also provides policy advice to the NVRC on intergovernmental relations and general oversight of public affairs and information activities.
The NVRC is a regional council of local governments in Northern Virginia and is a neutral forum for representatives of local governments to discuss and determine how to approach problems that cross county, city, and town boundaries. It helps member governments share information about common problems; recognize opportunities to save money or to be more effective by working together; and take account of regional influences in planning and implementing public policies and services at the local level. The NVRC relates the region's interests to the Commonwealth of Virginia government, to other regions of the Commonwealth and to the metropolitan area. O'Reilly has served as the town's representative to the NVRC since January 2002.
Mayor Receives Award
Mayor Michael O'Reilly recently was awarded with the 2005 Phyllis Campbell Newsome Public Policy Leadership Award for Virginia from the Center for Nonprofit Advancement.
O'Reilly was honored at the center's board of directors' annual meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.
Representatives of the Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce, Project Hope and Harmony, and Reston Interfaith nominated Mayor O'Reilly for his leadership during the community's deliberation of the day-worker issue. O'Reilly was nominated because of his leadership during the changes brought on by development and ethnic integration that "can be an important catalyst to improvement or a debilitating tear in the fabric of a community." O'Reilly's nominators said Herndon was fortunate that it had benefited by both the development and integration due in large part, to the leadership of O'Reilly. By seeking understanding and a common ground with citizens throughout the contentious debate, Herndon survived sharp divisions on a controversial issue and emerged stronger and more united as a community, according to the nomination.
"It was nice to have a positive recognition regarding the day-labor issue," said O'Reilly about the reward.
The Phyllis Campbell Newsome Award is given to public officials who demonstrate exceptional work in their community. As Director of Advocacy and Community Relations for the Center for Nonprofit Advancement, Phyllis Campbell Newsome worked with nonprofits, elected officials and community leaders on the role of the nonprofit sector and how working together can improve the greater community. Newsome created this award to highlight the work of elected officials that contributed to working on behalf of creating a greater community. Newsome passed away in 2003, and the award was named after her as a tribute to her work, leadership, and tireless commitment. The award is presented annually to one honoree from Virginia, as well as one honoree from Maryland and Washington, D.C., each. Previous award honorees from Virginia include The Honorable William D. Euille, Mayor, City of Alexandria, in 2003; and The Honorable Barbara A. Favola, Chair, Arlington County Board, in 2004.