A 38-year Herndon resident Steve DeBenedittis was joined by more than 100 supporters, family members and friends during his kick off campaign announcing his run for mayor on March 18 at the Herndon Municipal Center.
A graduate of Herndon Elementary, Herndon Intermediate (Middle) and Herndon High School, DeBenedittis has witnessed Herndon's developmental and cultural growth over the last 40 years.
Hoping to keep Herndon's "small town feel," as mayor DeBenedittis pledged to "control spending, foster economic development and diversify town revenues." This could be done by protecting tax-dollars from unnecessary land purchases, encouraging private investment in the downtown, and working with the arts community, corporate, and philanthropic donors for a privately-funded arts center, he said.
DeBenedittis also highlighted a desire to preserve the town's green space by addressing it in the town's Comprehensive Plan as well as each development proposal before the town.
Current council member Ann Null and Planning Commissioner Ted Hochstein attended the kick off. Other council candidates present included Planning Commissioner Bill Tirrell, Dave Kirby, Connie Hutchinson, Bob Rudine and Charlie Waddell.