I use to support Reston becoming a town to further define it’s since of place. But then other pros and cons crossed my mind.
Many of the large companies headquarters in Reston currently do not contribute to any road maintenance, because they are not taxed. As a town Reston could tax them. We could also get rid of the autocratic Reston Association, although that would prove difficult as the founding charter for the organization prohibits them from selling or donating their land. Lastly it would create a since of place and make sure Reston residents didn’t get cheated by things such as the Small District 5 boundary issue.
But on the other hand I wonder how much a town council and mayor would continue Reston’s goals. For instance Reston was supposed to have a mix of housing prices, which it does, but would a council of an affluent town such as Reston block future affordable housing? Would they continue to keep Reston growing, and not bow to the wishes of every NIMBY? What would taxes/services be like?
Of course if Robert Simon were mayor then perhaps some aspects of Reston that have never been fully realized would be implemented.
September 1st, 2007 at 6:10 pm
There are many good reasons for Reston to become a town and they are all described on RCA’s website at http://go-resTOWN.org. There’s a new PPT presentation summarizing the town proposal, a Key Features fact sheet, brochures explainig the benefits of town status, etc.
Bob Simon is even on our side and recently helped us get petition signatures - see http://www.restoncitizensassociation.org/simon0807.htm
Simon received a town charter when he bought the land which later became Reston but was “persuaded” to forfeit it to Fairfax Co.
To ask the VA legislature to authorize a referendum so Restonites can vote on becoming a town, go to:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/rca-reston-town-governance.html