Welcome. Whether you are new to the McLean area or a long-time resident, we invite you to consider joining the McLean Citizens Association (MCA)—your “go-to” unofficial town council and voice on local, regional and state issues that affect our quality of life. Our membership area extends from the Mclean-Arlington border to Vienna on the Route 7 side of the Dulles Toll Road and Great Falls east of Difficult Run. It includes portions of the Falls Church 22043 and 22046, the Vienna 22182 and the Great Falls 22066 zip codes, as well as the entirety of the McLean-Tysons 22101 and 22102 zip codes.
Right now, decisions are being made by local officials and government organizations regarding development of the McLean and Tysons areas, county-wide zoning rule changes, transportation projects and the education of our children that will affect all of us for decades to come. This is your opportunity to learn more about these important issues and to get involved with an influential local civic organization that has had, and will continue to have, considerable impact on our quality of life.
As the unofficial town council for the 31,000-plus residents of the greater McLean area, the MCA provides a forum where you can ask about and seek resolution of community problems and countywide issues. Members of the Board of Supervisors, state legislators and other public officials look to the MCA for input on and solutions to public issues ranging from education, parks and recreation to zoning, roads and taxes. Your membership and participation in MCA is more critical than ever now because of the challenging economic, demographic, environmental, land-use development and other pressures that are impacting our community.
SINCE OUR FOUNDING IN 1914 as the School and Civic League of McLean, the MCA has been dedicated to promoting and enhancing the quality of life in the McLean area. We provided the leadership, seed money and, in one instance, land to establish three of the most beloved and widely-used institutions in modern-day McLean—the Dolley Madison Library, the McLean Community Center and the McLean Community Foundation that supports charitable activities in McLean.
More recently, the MCA helped bring full-day kindergarten to McLean public schools; encouraged the Board of Supervisors to limit the residential share of Tysons transportation infrastructure costs (saving county residents approximately $40 million); lobbied (successfully) for parking at the new Metro stop in McLean; influenced key land-use and transportation decisions including on developer land-use applications, sound walls along major roads, widening Route 7, and improving Route 123; and enhanced access to parks, recreation, and a clean environment. We also played a major role in the award-winning, environmentally-friendly renovation of the Dolley Madison Library and have ensured McLean a place at the table when Fairfax County considers budget, education, environmental, land-use, parks, transportation and other important issues.
In September, the MCA will launch a 15-month-long centennial celebration of its founding in 1914, with a dynamic, multi-faceted program focused on finding solutions to current issues relating to schools, parks and recreation, transportation, zoning, public and pedestrian safety, county tax and budget challenges and other issues that matter to McLean residents. We invite all of you to join us in this effort.
MCA is governed by a 40-member elected board of directors, which usually meets the first Wednesday of every month at the McLean Community Center (MCC). It has six standing committees and several ad hoc committees or liaisons, in which all MCA members—board and non-board alike—may participate, that focus on specific issues, such as education, budget and taxation, planning and zoning, transportation and the environment, parks and recreation. Board and committee meetings are open to the public. In addition, the MCA sends out periodic newsletters addressing local issues affecting our community. At least three general membership meetings are scheduled annually on topics of interest to the community.
THIS YEAR, as part of our centennial celebration, we already have scheduled four meetings at the McLean Community Center and plan to schedule even more as the program year progresses. Scheduled so far are:
A Sept. 26 panel, co-sponsored with Dranesville Supervisor John Foust, that addresses "What every resident should know about disaster and emergency response capabilities in McLean;"
An Oct. 22 MCA-McLean Chamber of Commerce Candidates Night forum at which the public can hear and question candidates who wish to represent the greater McLean area in the Virginia House of Delegates;
A Nov. 13 panel discussion of experts that will provide critical information regarding recent changes in the laws and requirements affecting area Home Owner Associations; and
On Jan. 22, 2014, "A conversation with the new superintendent of county schools, Dr. Karen Garza."
Please consider joining the MCA and helping us continue the important mission of protecting and enhancing the quality of life in the greater McLean area. More information and membership applications can be found on MCA’s website: www.mcleancitizens.org or by emailing me at s-horn@verizon.net.