I watch the debates of both parties’ presidential candidates and am fascinated, baffled and horrified. Fascination comes from never having seen anything like the Republican debates and a sense that Republicans are discussing another country or perhaps planet, while Dems are talking about the U.S. I’m baffled as to how anyone could listen to Trump or Cruz, then support them! Neither seems equipped to function in a democracy based on laws and recognition of the legitimacy of citizens in other parties.
Happily, today’s topic is the election for Reston Association’s Board of Directors. I know personally all but one of the 5 candidates running for the three open slots—Lake Anne/Tall Oaks, North Point and At-Large. All are civilized folks who work within the rules of our homeowner association. I can assure you none of them will propose carpet bombing others, arming all of us, or barring people of other colors or religions from Reston. The issues they wrestle with, while not of the war vs. peace variety, are important ones for us. RA does a lot of things well, but key areas need improvement. Luckily, this field of candidates includes new blood with both energy and ideas for addressing festering problems such as a notable lack of transparency at RA—closed sessions are still used for discussions of topics like election information; planning land “swaps;” and major property acquisition. Conflict of interest concerns continue as RA has been lax in requiring Board members to file timely and complete disclosure forms, a simple and essential task, but sometimes tough for staff to do when they are not backed by the CEO and the Board itself.
Budget planning and approval lack rigor and discipline. New activities are added routinely, but elimination of activities is rare. A dose of zero-based budgeting could flatten the rising assessment curve. Proposed budgets should be made public for discussion before they are set in concrete. Last year, North Point director Danielle La Rosa discovered an unanticipated surplus estimated at one to two-plus million dollars. In a flash, staff proposed additions, including permanent hires, to eat up the surplus. Ms. La Rosa proposed the excess go to reduce member assessments, but the Board approved two new full-time hires. Thus, assessments increased, albeit less than they would have without Ms. La Rosa’s work.
Major issues confront Reston’s future. For example, what major new development/redevelopment (perhaps doubling our population) should be approved? How do we assure thousands of new residents who will burden community facilities—parks, pathways, pools, tennis courts, etc—pay a fair share for new capacity? Experience to date in the rail corridor is not good. RA cut a deal that will allow future condo owners at Wiehle Station to access services at deep discounts compared to what current members pay.
Two strong candidates—John Bowman running for the At-Large seat and Sherri Hebert unopposed for Lake Anne/Tall Oaks seat— are especially qualified and focused on the right issues: transparency and community engagement, bringing rigor to the budget process to save assessment dollars, managing new development consistent with Reston principles, and assuring that new residents pay their fair share. Mr. Bowman brings most relevant community experience—he was active in forging new Reston Master Plan--to go along with his 20 years in corporate development and technology management. Ms. Hebert earned community leader credits standing up to a developer (when RA was not interested) to press for a new Tall Oaks Village Center responsive to community needs. Ms. Hebert has management degrees and experience in both government and the nonprofit world.
Ballots were mailed to all March 7. Please vote online or by mail.