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‘Let’s
Become a Town’ - RCA
collects 3,600 signatures for town referendum. Mirza Kurspahic - October 24, 2007 Read Similar Article in Reston Times Read Similar Article in DC Examiner
RCA President Mike Corrigan said the number represents all people who have signed the petition since 2005. He said the effort of collecting signatures for the referendum — to allow Reston residents a vote on whether Reston should incorporate as a town — will continue until the goal is reached. "Until our elected officials give us a referendum," said Corrigan. Virginia’s General Assembly has to approve any such referendum. One of Reston’s representatives in the General Assembly, Del. Ken Plum (D-36) wrote in a recent column that a state law would prohibit any such referendum. There is a law that states places in urban counties — more than 200 people per acre — cannot incorporate into towns. However, Corrigan said addressing a crowd of about 60 town supporters, "Laws of the State of Virginia do not preclude our ability to [have a referendum]." He said the law in question precedes the 1980 Reston town referendum — in which the residents voted not to incorporate — but the General Assembly granted Reston the right to decide its governance status. Corrigan added that attorneys he has contacted have suggested to him that the law in question might be in violation of the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause, since it only applies to urban counties. Corrigan said town proponents are asking Fairfax County for a new financial analysis, different from the one available on the county’s Web site, which he said was out-of-date and irrelevant to RCA’s town proposal. RCA DIRECTOR Colin Mills said he has lived in Reston his entire life, and the last time he would have had a chance to vote for town status was when he was one. "It is a hot issue in Reston," said Mills. "People all around Reston are talking about it. There has never been more desire for a town we have right now." Reston resident Bob Eldridge said the issue is non-partisan. People who support Republican, Democrat or Independent candidates in local political races support the town effort. "It’s about fundamental democracy," he said. Vera Hannigan, Reston resident and former chair of the Hunter Mill District Republicans, urged town supporters to continue their efforts. "It’s time we took charge of our destiny. Let’s become a town," she said. Corrigan said that all candidates in Reston’s political races for the Nov. 6 election were invited to attend the press conference. School Board challenger Christine Arakelian, and Board of Supervisor challengers Marie Huhtala (I) and Mike "Spike" Williams (I) attended and had a chance to speak about the issue. "When control is local, things get done," said Arakelian. Huhtala charged incumbent Hunter Mill Supervisor Catherine Hudgins (D) with being a rubber stamp for developers. Huhtala said Hudgins continues to oppose the town effort. Williams, who is not a Reston resident, said he was thrilled to see many people mobilize to support the issue. RCA director Jason Hartke said he is in constant contact with legislators in his professional career with the U.S. Green Building Council. Those legislators, he said, "are not in the business of categorizing why something can’t be done. They are in the business of serving their constituents." Hartke said the petition is a singular request made by 3,600 people to allow Reston to vote for its governance. Corrigan reiterated that the petition process would continue. "There is no hurry. If it takes a few more years that’s fine," he said. He added that if people continue to sign the petition, the number would start to become relevant for future elections. "You [a candidate] will have a hell of a time getting elected in Reston the next time" if the candidate does not support the referendum. Corrigan said RCA is working with the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations to put the referendum on its legislative agenda prior to the General Assembly session. He said the issue is not Reston-specific, and that there are other places in Fairfax County — for example Burke and McLean — that have a strong sense of community and may choose the same path in the future. He added that some of the elected local representatives suggested that RCA meets with them on Oct. 30, a date the RCA refused. "This isn’t about the RCA," said Corrigan. "We want them to respond directly to you, directly to 3,600 people who have signed the petition." In an e-mail response to Corrigan, Plum wrote that he thought there was an agreement for a meeting on Oct. 30. He wrote that he hopes Corrigan is still willing to hold that meeting. "The meeting on October 30 should be considered an ‘informal working meeting’ for the purpose of going over your ‘draft proposal,’" wrote Plum in the e-mail. Such a meeting would be educational for me and for Senator [Janet] Howell, Supervisor Hudgins, and the community." Plum also wrote in the e-mail that the Oct. 30 date was picked because the elected officials could not make the Oct. 22 meeting. As of noon on Tuesday, Corrigan and Plum were trying to arrange a meeting between the RCA and Reston’s elected officials. © 2007 Connection Newspapers. All Rights Reserved. |
