If you’ve gone shopping at your local Reston Safeway or Giant Food Store in the last several weeks, you may have seen my lovely wife and I, clipboards in hand, waiting to greet you as you approached the store. We want you to sign the petition asking the Commonwealth of Virginia to allow Reston to have a Referendum on the question of becoming a town — that is, to let the Reston residents decide for themselves if they want self-government.
We have talked to hundreds of residents from all over Reston in these few weeks. Overall, it has been most encouraging for the Referendum. Once you get past the shoppers who are from outside Reston, those eligible to sign break down roughly into a few identifiable groups:
1. uninformed — new to Reston, busy (e.g., working 2 jobs) and a small but noticeable number who seem to sleep here with no interest in what goes on outside their yard. No discernible opinion. Many of these folks are willing to sign the petition, favoring a discussion and a democratic process, and open to sources of info to learn more.
2. partly informed, leaning to favor town status. Usually these folks are anxious to learn more.
3. partly informed, leaning against — often based on bad information. Typically interested in learning more.
4. the “give me that petition so I can sign it” folks. There are a surprising number of these folks and they seem to be increasing. News stories on county actions, Bob Simon joining the campaign for Town have noticeable impacts.
5. those opposed to Town, and skeptical about referendum. Often willing to take literature, seek more info. Sometimes not wanting information. This is the smallest group, I am happy to say. A few years ago, they were certainly more numerous.
Here are some of the comments we are hearing:
+ Aren’t we a town (or city) already?
+ Reston is a famous planned community — how come it is not a town?
+ I’m fed up with Fairfax County. If we don’t get control of development, they will pave us over.
+ Wouldn’t it cost more?
+ The schools (fire department, police) seem to work OK. Why do you want to change that? [in fact, the Citizens Association proposal would leave all these services with Fairfax County]
+ I’m tired of paying the same RA assessment for my house as a person with one costing twice what my house is worth.
+ I live in Town Center [not in Reston Association]. What is in it for me?
+ It is unfair that businesses do not pay the Reston assessment. I see Mr. Simon thinks that was his biggest mistake when he founded Reston!
+ I think a Town will be much more responsive than the county is.
+ How much bureaucracy comes with a Town?
+ I want Reston to stay just as it is!
+ I read that our supervisor ignored the entire community and went ahead to allow thousands more homes to be built. It seems the developers rule with the county!
In a future column we’ll examine these questions and concerns.