The Alliance for a Better Community (ABC), a Reston-based nonpartisan citizen group, decided last week to endorse Kathleen Driscoll McKee for the South Lakes director seat and Jennifer Blackwell and Mark Watts for the two At-Large director seats.
Blackwell, RA’s sitting board president, is running for reelection. The two other seats are open because Directors Joe Leighton (South Lakes) and Bob Poppe (At-Large), who each has served two terms, are restricted from running for another term.
“All in all, this is an incredible group of candidates,” said Ellen Douglas, ABC’s elections chair.
In the past, the endorsements by ABC have been an important factor in the election outcomes, usually resulting in victories. The group actively supports its candidates, helping with direct mail, flyers and letter-writing campaigns to community newspapers.
Blackwell, who has been focused on the revision of the governing documents for much of her first term, has built a reputation for working hard and listening to community concerns.
McKee, a staffer for Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill), has over 25 years experience as a community volunteer in recreation and environmental programs in Reston. McKee also chairs the Reston Historic Trust Home Tours and serves on RA’s parks and recreation planning committee.
Mark Watts, a 10 year Reston resident, plans to bring his experience as an accountant to promote financial planning and high quality services for RA members.
ABC, founded eight years ago, supports civic-minded candidates committed to assuring progress in achieving Reston's founding principles. The group considered all seven candidates running in the RA elections, which get underway next month.