Posts
A guy came to my stand yesterday and started talking about the sharpness of his kitchen knives but then turned to the subject of Moyles. I allowed as yes they must have very sharp knives and it might be interesting to talk to one. But then he turned to San Francisco where it will be illegal for moyles to circumcise. He had lived in England and San Francisco I was about to tell him the little known fact that all of the British royalty had been circumcised by Moyles but the conversation to the general subject of the wide new acceptance of gays and how this wouldn't even of been thought about going back twenty or thirty years ago. I got busy and he could see and left but then after he left I got to thinking about it all that the whole thing is not really new but came out of a ancient conflict between Hebrew and the Greek culture.
The Greeks had a whole plethora of cultural agenda and were in their day advancing on the whole rest of the world. they were on the one hand very puritanical and on the other very promiscuous, Greek dualism I think it is called. They were obsessed by the human body. They had gymnasiums where athletes would exercise strenuously in the nude. Athletes means nude I've been told. And so they ere in conflict with other cultures like the Hebrews.
The Hebrews annoyed the Greeks with their different library and language and also not the Greek obsession with the body and the Greek sexual practices. And central to their conflict was the Hebrew circumcision. The Greeks when they conquered Israel forbade circumcision and had as a punishment to hang the dead baby around the neck of the parents. It was a brutal situation and the Jews under the Maccabees rebelled. The Greeks came back and won eventually. But I maintain this is the real source of the current conflict in San Francisco.
Greek culture today dominates Western culture. We have Greek influenced architecture in Washington DC. We have a very Greek influenced education and religion with the concept of lectures and sermons which are really the contuation of the Greek Sophiests the Greek philosopher entertainers that dominated the Greek world. So is it any wonder that this idea has come up again and is in conflict.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Rod's Sharpening Service Current Schedule
Rod’s Sharpening Service
Weekly Locations (spring through fall only):
Sundays in Alexandria, 9:00 - 1:00: West End Farmers Market , Ben Brenman Park 4800 Brenman Park Drive, Alexandria, VA
Tuesdays in Fairfax,1:30 - 5:30: Fairfax Smart Market, Fairfax Corner on the Plaza, Fairfax, VA (near Fairfax Government Center)
Wednesdays in Reston, 3:30 - 6:30: Reston Smart Market, 11890 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA (in office park at intersection with Reston Parkway)
Thursdays in Potomac, 2:00 - 6:30 Potomac Village Farmers Market, Potomac United Methodist Church, 9908 South Glen Road, Potomac, MD (near intersection of Falls Road and Democracy Road)
Year-Round Locations--Sharpening done while you shop or leave for pick-up:
Mondays in Vienna, 10:00 - 1:00: Magruder’s Supermarket, 180 Maple Avenue, Vienna, VA (no drop off)
First Wednesday of Every Month in McLean, 10:00 - 11:30: Curran Designer Fabrics, 6825 Redmond Drive, McLean, VA (located around the corner from Giant)
First and Second Friday of Every Month in Vienna, 10:00 - 12:00: Culinaria Cooking School, 110 Pleasant St. NW, Vienna, VA (located across Maple Avenue from Shell gas station)
Most scissors and knives are $5. Sharpened while you shop.
Weekly Locations (spring through fall only):
Sundays in Alexandria, 9:00 - 1:00: West End Farmers Market , Ben Brenman Park 4800 Brenman Park Drive, Alexandria, VA
Tuesdays in Fairfax,1:30 - 5:30: Fairfax Smart Market, Fairfax Corner on the Plaza, Fairfax, VA (near Fairfax Government Center)
Wednesdays in Reston, 3:30 - 6:30: Reston Smart Market, 11890 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA (in office park at intersection with Reston Parkway)
Thursdays in Potomac, 2:00 - 6:30 Potomac Village Farmers Market, Potomac United Methodist Church, 9908 South Glen Road, Potomac, MD (near intersection of Falls Road and Democracy Road)
Year-Round Locations--Sharpening done while you shop or leave for pick-up:
Mondays in Vienna, 10:00 - 1:00: Magruder’s Supermarket, 180 Maple Avenue, Vienna, VA (no drop off)
First Wednesday of Every Month in McLean, 10:00 - 11:30: Curran Designer Fabrics, 6825 Redmond Drive, McLean, VA (located around the corner from Giant)
First and Second Friday of Every Month in Vienna, 10:00 - 12:00: Culinaria Cooking School, 110 Pleasant St. NW, Vienna, VA (located across Maple Avenue from Shell gas station)
Most scissors and knives are $5. Sharpened while you shop.
I visited Fletcher's Boathouse this afternoon. Fletcher's is just below Chain Bridge as it descends into Washington DC. I had visited over the years. Arriving by car by the tunnel under the C & O canal is truly a experience. The tunnel looks like it was built during the Civil War and probably was. I was always impressed by the lines of the skiffs. They looked much the same for the last forty years or so that I had been looking at them. But most were not that old Fletcher told me.
This is where wood boat building meets the pavement. These boats are outside all year and are always in the river. Nothin g fancy here. He says they paint them every year with porch and deck enamel. They use marine plywood which has solid plays with every ply plugged. His father began making the boats originally of planks of cypress . Fletcher says you can't find cypress any more and pretty soon there just won't be any. Wood of any sort is more and more expensive
I asked him if there was any Cupernal on them and he allowed as there are people who would gladly put in jail for using Cupernal. I remember buying it at Hechingers the local hardware store where it was stacked up and ready for consumers to obtain by the gallon to preserve what ever was wood. Today boatbuilders rely on epoxy to preserve and fill in gaps. Fletcher's boats just use water proof glue, Weldwood probably.
This is where wood boat building meets the pavement. These boats are outside all year and are always in the river. Nothin g fancy here. He says they paint them every year with porch and deck enamel. They use marine plywood which has solid plays with every ply plugged. His father began making the boats originally of planks of cypress . Fletcher says you can't find cypress any more and pretty soon there just won't be any. Wood of any sort is more and more expensive
I asked him if there was any Cupernal on them and he allowed as there are people who would gladly put in jail for using Cupernal. I remember buying it at Hechingers the local hardware store where it was stacked up and ready for consumers to obtain by the gallon to preserve what ever was wood. Today boatbuilders rely on epoxy to preserve and fill in gaps. Fletcher's boats just use water proof glue, Weldwood probably.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
We sharpen knives and scissors
We sharpen knives and scissors
Tuesdays
3:30pm–6:30pm at the corner of Monument Dr. and Government Center Pkwy.
Wednesdays
Parking lot of the National Realty Building
Corner of Reston Parkway and Sunrise Valley Drive
3:30pm–6:30pm
Also by appointment on location
Tuesdays
3:30pm–6:30pm at the corner of Monument Dr. and Government Center Pkwy.
Wednesdays
Parking lot of the National Realty Building
Corner of Reston Parkway and Sunrise Valley Drive
3:30pm–6:30pm
Also by appointment on location
Monday, April 12, 2010
hours of operation
on Tuesdays at:
11895 Grand Commons Avenue (next to the Lucy store)
Fairfax Corner
11:30am–2:30pm
Year-round
As of April 27 this market will run from 3:30pm–6:30pm and return to its previous outdoor location at the corner of Monument Dr. and Government Center Pkwy.
Wednesdays
Parking lot of the National Realty Building
Corner of Reston Parkway and Sunrise Valley Drive
3:30pm–6:30pm
Opens April 28
and maybe on Thursdays if I can get the Herndon town council to understand the benign nature of sharpening
Herndon Centre (Kmart)
Elden St., Herndon
3:30pm–6:30pm
Opens May 13
I am at Curran Fabrics in Mclean around the corner from Giants the first Wednesday (this) of the month where you can drop them off and pick them up at your leisure.
11895 Grand Commons Avenue (next to the Lucy store)
Fairfax Corner
11:30am–2:30pm
Year-round
As of April 27 this market will run from 3:30pm–6:30pm and return to its previous outdoor location at the corner of Monument Dr. and Government Center Pkwy.
Wednesdays
Parking lot of the National Realty Building
Corner of Reston Parkway and Sunrise Valley Drive
3:30pm–6:30pm
Opens April 28
and maybe on Thursdays if I can get the Herndon town council to understand the benign nature of sharpening
Herndon Centre (Kmart)
Elden St., Herndon
3:30pm–6:30pm
Opens May 13
I am at Curran Fabrics in Mclean around the corner from Giants the first Wednesday (this) of the month where you can drop them off and pick them up at your leisure.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
The ARCH forum -Has the RA Already Picked Out It's New Furniture
What if Reston Citizens had line item veto? Would they veto higher dues at the expense of other high priority items that the RA cherishes? would they be willing to do with less. Maybe but RA would not!
None of this was addressed last night at ARCH as candidates rehashed same old same old same old. It struck me that the candidates and RA live in offices where they produce jargon on a daily basis to justify the continued existence of more of the same as the mainstay of there work.
One RA endorsed candidate got a nervous laugh when he suggested what if the RA had no where to go and were out on the curb? The existence of the RA is invested to the max in bloated organization which they want to get still bigger.
The RA has probably already picked out their new office furniture for the New Headquarters. Milton Mathew can only justify his $180,000 salary as Executive Director if he directs something. He would be against more citizen volunteering to actually do the real work at RA at the expense of the paid organization.
The typical ARCH member lives in a cluster where life is even more restricted then the RA. They are full of minute details and in several cases when allowed questions were alowed asked questions that in many cases could not even be understood and had to be re interpreted by the moderator in order to be addressed.
I wanted to ask the candidates (but was prevented by the ARCH moderator who was horfield that I did not want to participate on the forum) who would be for going over the budget and reducing item after item so as to be able to reduce the dues if it could be proved that this is what citizens want.
Even to ask the citizens is not on the agenda. Candidates spoke about communicate communicate communicate but with these guys it'll be the same old stuff. What are three things the RA dose well? What are ways to engage more citizens Robin asked.
The fact is the average citizen hates the institutional jargon and dose not want go to these things and dose not want more of it. They could care less if the RA had no where to go as long as they did not have to listen to it.
Perhaps such forums could serve as a kind of punishment with those who have conducted some kind of outrage and they would be condemned to sit and listen to it for long hours.
The ability of the RA to control the election is being calmly accepted by Reston Citizens who either don't know about it or have grown used to it. They can always just ignore it unless the RA chooses to do something extremely outrageous which it probally will.
None of this was addressed last night at ARCH as candidates rehashed same old same old same old. It struck me that the candidates and RA live in offices where they produce jargon on a daily basis to justify the continued existence of more of the same as the mainstay of there work.
One RA endorsed candidate got a nervous laugh when he suggested what if the RA had no where to go and were out on the curb? The existence of the RA is invested to the max in bloated organization which they want to get still bigger.
The RA has probably already picked out their new office furniture for the New Headquarters. Milton Mathew can only justify his $180,000 salary as Executive Director if he directs something. He would be against more citizen volunteering to actually do the real work at RA at the expense of the paid organization.
The typical ARCH member lives in a cluster where life is even more restricted then the RA. They are full of minute details and in several cases when allowed questions were alowed asked questions that in many cases could not even be understood and had to be re interpreted by the moderator in order to be addressed.
I wanted to ask the candidates (but was prevented by the ARCH moderator who was horfield that I did not want to participate on the forum) who would be for going over the budget and reducing item after item so as to be able to reduce the dues if it could be proved that this is what citizens want.
Even to ask the citizens is not on the agenda. Candidates spoke about communicate communicate communicate but with these guys it'll be the same old stuff. What are three things the RA dose well? What are ways to engage more citizens Robin asked.
The fact is the average citizen hates the institutional jargon and dose not want go to these things and dose not want more of it. They could care less if the RA had no where to go as long as they did not have to listen to it.
Perhaps such forums could serve as a kind of punishment with those who have conducted some kind of outrage and they would be condemned to sit and listen to it for long hours.
The ability of the RA to control the election is being calmly accepted by Reston Citizens who either don't know about it or have grown used to it. They can always just ignore it unless the RA chooses to do something extremely outrageous which it probally will.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
The ruling elite in RCC and RA do not want democracy. Lila Gordon don't want to put batteries in the boom boxes. don't matter if she looks stupid by insisting power cords are safe. I guarantee you if we could vote: do you want batteries or power cords by the pool 99% of people would vote for batteries.
She don't want suggestion boxes because she says of the environmental impact. There is no environmental impact from suggestion boxes. She don't want no suggestions.
She don't want people to use the shop. It's only open one day and one evening and let me tell you it's full up then. A lot of the rest of the time she's given it to some thespian group. Thespians belong in the theater not in the shop. Most of the time it's just closed. The original plan was to have a wood shop that people could use.
They used to have community pancake breakfasts but not no more.
Lila Gordon meet in secret sessions with the RA when they came up with this plan to build a massive rec center with 500 cars. That place would of been like RCC with no democracy.
The RA don't want no democracy either. They have their email list and they can send out whatever they like for what ever reason they want any time they want and they like it that way. They don't have to answer to no one just like they did in Snow gate.
I went to see them when they advertised for their communication committee. They told me no we can't have no two way communication because there is no mandate. Well then they then went out and started that magazine, which gives them still more power.
Power is infectious with hierarchies, democracy is not.
Vote for whoever you want to vote for. I can't say that I care whether I personally am elected but I do care if I live in a Democracy or not.
I care that people have to swim with live power cords dangling near the swimming pools or can use the wood shop without crowding like the originators of RCC intended.
She don't want suggestion boxes because she says of the environmental impact. There is no environmental impact from suggestion boxes. She don't want no suggestions.
She don't want people to use the shop. It's only open one day and one evening and let me tell you it's full up then. A lot of the rest of the time she's given it to some thespian group. Thespians belong in the theater not in the shop. Most of the time it's just closed. The original plan was to have a wood shop that people could use.
They used to have community pancake breakfasts but not no more.
Lila Gordon meet in secret sessions with the RA when they came up with this plan to build a massive rec center with 500 cars. That place would of been like RCC with no democracy.
The RA don't want no democracy either. They have their email list and they can send out whatever they like for what ever reason they want any time they want and they like it that way. They don't have to answer to no one just like they did in Snow gate.
I went to see them when they advertised for their communication committee. They told me no we can't have no two way communication because there is no mandate. Well then they then went out and started that magazine, which gives them still more power.
Power is infectious with hierarchies, democracy is not.
Vote for whoever you want to vote for. I can't say that I care whether I personally am elected but I do care if I live in a Democracy or not.
I care that people have to swim with live power cords dangling near the swimming pools or can use the wood shop without crowding like the originators of RCC intended.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Unbelievable yet another controversy engulfs the Reston Association Election. First "Snow gate" (google Restonian and scroll down) Now Reston Association alleges candidates disrupt meeting yet is at odds with the two corroborating accused Reston candidates.
Some of the discrepancies: Candidates sit in the third row not the back row, no phone callers are being produced that complained of "lack of respect," Arlene's email is at variance with Mrs Fulkerson's and the two canidates statements, no disruption takes place!
Is this a indication of business as usual at RA or is the RA going out of it's own comfort zone for some particular reason?
--- On Thu, 2/25/10, Rengin Morro wrote:
>
>
>
> 2010 Board
> Candidates –
>
> I would like to
> take this opportunity to clarify the direction I provided to
> some of you when you declared your candidacy for the Board
> earlier this month.
>
> You are free to
> make a statement about your Candidacy during the “Member
> Comment” portion of any of the Association’s Board or
> Committee meetings. Making such statements during
> Reston Association sponsored recreational or educational
> programming is not permissible.
>
> Last night’s
> Homeowner Workshop on Reserves was an education program; not
> a Board or Committee Meeting. We have received
> several calls from individuals that attended the Workshop
> last night indicating their frustration with the lack of
> respect shown by those RA Board Candidates who attended the
> event. Specifically, mention was made that: 1) the
> Candidates “sat in the
> back of the room talking campaign strategy”
> while the speaker(s) were making presentations; and 2) one
> of the Candidates made a “campaign promise
> plug” during the question and answer portion of
> the Workshop.
>
> I respectfully
> request, that you refrain from interrupting future Reston
> Association sponsored recreational and/or education programs
> during your campaign period.
>
> Regards --
> Cate
>
>
>
> -----Original
> Message-----
> From: Arlene Whittick
> Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 11:38 PM
> To: Cate Fulkerson; Milton Matthews
> Cc: Brevetta Jordan
> Subject: Candidate Speaking Requests
>
> Cate:
>
> At my workshop tonight I
> was approached by candidates Rod Koozmin and Rengin Morro,
> they wanted to know if they could say a few words to the
> attendees I politely told them no. Then they asked if
> I can acknowledge their presence at the meeting, again I
> politely told them no. However I did tell them that
> they may talk to the attendees individualy but that is
> it.
>
> I just thought you might
> want to be aware of this.
>
> Arlene
>
>
>
> Hotmail:
> Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. Sign
> up now.
>
Mrs Fulkerson, Arlene was inarticulate in her email to you and is incorrect when she writes that I requested to address the meeting. I did approach Arlene when when Rengina Morro was conferring with Arlene in the back of the room before the meeting started and asked it it was possible to mention at the beginning of the meeting that two candidates were in the room and would be available for questions. I was thinking after the meeting although standing there we didn't really say that. This was in subdued tones at the back of the room before the meeting began I would say again for emphasis. She said she wasn't allowed to allow that and we sat down.
My question to you and the election committee would be is there any directives for candidates to talk to Reston employees in hushed tones before a meeting begins? Is there some etiquette that I am not aware of?
It is not true that we discussed campaign strategy during the meeting.Regina Morroa who arrived late and was also sitting in the last row but not the very back where the swivel chairs were asked me where I had gotten my literature and I told her.
I did ask about how the assessments of the properties were made not a campaign plug. I am unaware of any campaign plug as I left after listening to some of the presentation since I had heard much of it before. I am on the neighborhood Advisory Committee and since it was a presentation by the Neighborhood Advisory Committee thought I should see it or see what it was. I didn't approach anyone as a canidate and campaign.
Mrs Fulkerson could you tell me who called you and were frustrated by any lack of respect on my part? I would like to get to the bottom of this.-Rod Koozmim
>
>
>
>
> Hello All,
>
> I am sorry if my presence at last
> night's meeting caused any confusion.
>
>
>
> I attended the meeting after receiving
> an e-notice invitation in which the first sentence was
> "Here is your weekly list of news, events, and
> opportunities to get involved."
> I am an involved member of my cluster.
>
> Because I couldn't leave my work
> early, I arrived late.
> I didn't sit in the last row, I sat
> in the 3rd row.
> I did ask one question in the context of
> how revenues can be best used by a cluster or the RA, and in
> particular generating interest on those revenues.
>
> I am confused and sorry that my question
> was interpreted as political.
> Mine was the 4th question asked and 3
> more people asked questions after me.
> I am confused as to why my question
> would be characterized as an "interruption," since
> the presenter, Mr. Larson, encouraged the audience to ask
> questions.
> When I left at 8:27 pm the
> meeting was on track; I don't know what happened
> after that time.
>
> I am looking forward to the completion of a
> successful campaign.
>
> All the best,
>
> Rengin Morro,
> PhD
>
>
>
> 2010 Board
> Candidates –
>
> I would like to
> take this opportunity to clarify the direction I provided to
> some of you when you declared your candidacy for the Board
> earlier this month.
>
> You are free to
> make a statement about your Candidacy during the “Member
> Comment” portion of any of the Association’s Board or
> Committee meetings. Making such statements during
> Reston Association sponsored recreational or educational
> programming is not permissible.
>
> Last night’s
> Homeowner Workshop on Reserves was an education program; not
> a Board or Committee Meeting. We have received
> several calls from individuals that attended the Workshop
> last night indicating their frustration with the lack of
> respect shown by those RA Board Candidates who attended the
> event. Specifically, mention was made that: 1) the
> Candidates “sat in the
> back of the room talking campaign strategy”
> while the speaker(s) were making presentations; and 2) one
> of the Candidates made a “campaign promise
> plug” during the question and answer portion of
> the Workshop.
>
> I respectfully
> request, that you refrain from interrupting future Reston
> Association sponsored recreational and/or education programs
> during your campaign period.
>
> Regards --
> Cate
>
>
>
> -----Original
> Message-----
> From: Arlene Whittick
> Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 11:38 PM
> To: Cate Fulkerson; Milton Matthews
> Cc: Brevetta Jordan
> Subject: Candidate Speaking Requests
>
> Cate:
>
> At my workshop tonight I
> was approached by candidates Rod Koozmin and Rengin Morro,
> they wanted to know if they could say a few words to the
> attendees I politely told them no. Then they asked if
> I can acknowledge their presence at the meeting, again I
> politely told them no. However I did tell them that
> they may talk to the attendees individualy but that is
> it.
>
> I just thought you might
> want to be aware of this.
>
> Arlene
>
>
>
> Hotmail:
> Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. Sign
> up now.
>
Unbelievable yet another contravesery engolfs the Reston Asssociation Election. First "Snow gate" (google Restonian and scroll down) Now Reston Association alledges canidates disrupt meeting yet is at odds with two corroberating accused Reston canidates.
Some of the discrepiencies: Canidates sit in the third row not the back row, no phone callers are being produced that complained of "lack of respect," Arlene's email is at variance with Mrs Fulkerson's and the two canicates statment!
Is this a indication of business as usal or is the RA going out of it's own comfort zone?
>
>
>
>
> Hello All,
>
> I am sorry if my presence at last
> night's meeting caused any confusion.
>
>
>
> I attended the meeting after receiving
> an e-notice invitation in which the first sentence was
> "Here is your weekly list of news, events, and
> opportunities to get involved."
> I am an involved member of my cluster.
>
> Because I couldn't leave my work
> early, I arrived late.
> I didn't sit in the last row, I sat
> in the 3rd row.
> I did ask one question in the context of
> how revenues can be best used by a cluster or the RA, and in
> particular generating interest on those revenues.
>
> I am confused and sorry that my question
> was interpreted as political.
> Mine was the 4th question asked and 3
> more people asked questions after me.
> I am confused as to why my question
> would be characterized as an "interruption," since
> the presenter, Mr. Larson, encouraged the audience to ask
> questions.
> When I left at 8:27 pm the
> meeting was on track; I don't know what happened
> after that time.
>
> I am looking forward to the completion of a
> successful campaign.
>
> All the best,
>
> Rengin Morro,
> PhD
>
>
>
> {}
>
>
>
> 2010 Board
> Candidates –
>
> I would like to
> take this opportunity to clarify the direction I provided to
> some of you when you declared your candidacy for the Board
> earlier this month.
>
> You are free to
> make a statement about your Candidacy during the “Member
> Comment” portion of any of the Association’s Board or
> Committee meetings. Making such statements during
> Reston Association sponsored recreational or educational
> programming is not permissible.
>
> Last night’s
> Homeowner Workshop on Reserves was an education program; not
> a Board or Committee Meeting. We have received
> several calls from individuals that attended the Workshop
> last night indicating their frustration with the lack of
> respect shown by those RA Board Candidates who attended the
> event. Specifically, mention was made that: 1) the
> Candidates “sat in the
> back of the room talking campaign strategy”
> while the speaker(s) were making presentations; and 2) one
> of the Candidates made a “campaign promise
> plug” during the question and answer portion of
> the Workshop.
>
> I respectfully
> request, that you refrain from interrupting future Reston
> Association sponsored recreational and/or education programs
> during your campaign period.
>
> Regards --
> Cate
>
>
>
> -----Original
> Message-----
> From: Arlene Whittick
> Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 11:38 PM
> To: Cate Fulkerson; Milton Matthews
> Cc: Brevetta Jordan
> Subject: Candidate Speaking Requests
>
> Cate:
>
> At my workshop tonight I
> was approached by candidates Rod Koozmin and Rengin Morro,
> they wanted to know if they could say a few words to the
> attendees I politely told them no. Then they asked if
> I can acknowledge their presence at the meeting, again I
> politely told them no. However I did tell them that
> they may talk to the attendees individualy but that is
> it.
>
> I just thought you might
> want to be aware of this.
>
> Arlene
>
>
>
> Hotmail:
> Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. Sign
> up now.
>
Mrs Fulkerson, Arlene was inarticulate in her email to you and is incorrect when she writes that I requested to address the meeting. I did approach Arlene when when Rengina Morro was conferring with Arlene in the back of the room before the meeting started and asked it it was possible to mention at the beginning of the meeting that two candidates were in the room and would be available for questions. I was thinking after the meeting although standing there we didn't really say that. This was in subdued tones at the back of the room before the meeting began I would say again for emphasis. She said she wasn't allowed to allow that and we sat down.
My question to you and the election committee would be is there any directives for candidates to talk to Reston employees in hushed tones before a meeting begins? Is there some etiquette that I am not aware of?
It is not true that we discussed campaign strategy during the meeting.Regina Morroa who arrived late and was also sitting in the last row but not the very back where the swivel chairs were asked me where I had gotten my literature and I told her.
I did ask about how the assessments of the properties were made not a campaign plug. I am unaware of any campaign plug as I left after listening to some of the presentation since I had heard much of it before. I am on the neighborhood Advisory Committee and since it was a presentation by the Neighborhood Advisory Committee thought I should see it or see what it was. I didn't approach anyone as a canidate and campaign.
Mrs Fulkerson could you tell me who called you and were frustrated by any lack of respect on my part? I would like to get to the bottom of this.-Rod Koozmim
Some of the discrepancies: Candidates sit in the third row not the back row, no phone callers are being produced that complained of "lack of respect," Arlene's email is at variance with Mrs Fulkerson's and the two canidates statements, no disruption takes place!
Is this a indication of business as usual at RA or is the RA going out of it's own comfort zone for some particular reason?
--- On Thu, 2/25/10, Rengin Morro
>
>
>
> 2010 Board
> Candidates –
>
> I would like to
> take this opportunity to clarify the direction I provided to
> some of you when you declared your candidacy for the Board
> earlier this month.
>
> You are free to
> make a statement about your Candidacy during the “Member
> Comment” portion of any of the Association’s Board or
> Committee meetings. Making such statements during
> Reston Association sponsored recreational or educational
> programming is not permissible.
>
> Last night’s
> Homeowner Workshop on Reserves was an education program; not
> a Board or Committee Meeting. We have received
> several calls from individuals that attended the Workshop
> last night indicating their frustration with the lack of
> respect shown by those RA Board Candidates who attended the
> event. Specifically, mention was made that: 1) the
> Candidates “sat in the
> back of the room talking campaign strategy”
> while the speaker(s) were making presentations; and 2) one
> of the Candidates made a “campaign promise
> plug” during the question and answer portion of
> the Workshop.
>
> I respectfully
> request, that you refrain from interrupting future Reston
> Association sponsored recreational and/or education programs
> during your campaign period.
>
> Regards --
> Cate
>
>
>
> -----Original
> Message-----
> From: Arlene Whittick
> Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 11:38 PM
> To: Cate Fulkerson; Milton Matthews
> Cc: Brevetta Jordan
> Subject: Candidate Speaking Requests
>
> Cate:
>
> At my workshop tonight I
> was approached by candidates Rod Koozmin and Rengin Morro,
> they wanted to know if they could say a few words to the
> attendees I politely told them no. Then they asked if
> I can acknowledge their presence at the meeting, again I
> politely told them no. However I did tell them that
> they may talk to the attendees individualy but that is
> it.
>
> I just thought you might
> want to be aware of this.
>
> Arlene
>
>
>
> Hotmail:
> Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. Sign
> up now.
>
Mrs Fulkerson, Arlene was inarticulate in her email to you and is incorrect when she writes that I requested to address the meeting. I did approach Arlene when when Rengina Morro was conferring with Arlene in the back of the room before the meeting started and asked it it was possible to mention at the beginning of the meeting that two candidates were in the room and would be available for questions. I was thinking after the meeting although standing there we didn't really say that. This was in subdued tones at the back of the room before the meeting began I would say again for emphasis. She said she wasn't allowed to allow that and we sat down.
My question to you and the election committee would be is there any directives for candidates to talk to Reston employees in hushed tones before a meeting begins? Is there some etiquette that I am not aware of?
It is not true that we discussed campaign strategy during the meeting.Regina Morroa who arrived late and was also sitting in the last row but not the very back where the swivel chairs were asked me where I had gotten my literature and I told her.
I did ask about how the assessments of the properties were made not a campaign plug. I am unaware of any campaign plug as I left after listening to some of the presentation since I had heard much of it before. I am on the neighborhood Advisory Committee and since it was a presentation by the Neighborhood Advisory Committee thought I should see it or see what it was. I didn't approach anyone as a canidate and campaign.
Mrs Fulkerson could you tell me who called you and were frustrated by any lack of respect on my part? I would like to get to the bottom of this.-Rod Koozmim
>
>
>
>
> Hello All,
>
> I am sorry if my presence at last
> night's meeting caused any confusion.
>
>
>
> I attended the meeting after receiving
> an e-notice invitation in which the first sentence was
> "Here is your weekly list of news, events, and
> opportunities to get involved."
> I am an involved member of my cluster.
>
> Because I couldn't leave my work
> early, I arrived late.
> I didn't sit in the last row, I sat
> in the 3rd row.
> I did ask one question in the context of
> how revenues can be best used by a cluster or the RA, and in
> particular generating interest on those revenues.
>
> I am confused and sorry that my question
> was interpreted as political.
> Mine was the 4th question asked and 3
> more people asked questions after me.
> I am confused as to why my question
> would be characterized as an "interruption," since
> the presenter, Mr. Larson, encouraged the audience to ask
> questions.
> When I left at 8:27 pm the
> meeting was on track; I don't know what happened
> after that time.
>
> I am looking forward to the completion of a
> successful campaign.
>
> All the best,
>
> Rengin Morro,
> PhD
>
>
>
> 2010 Board
> Candidates –
>
> I would like to
> take this opportunity to clarify the direction I provided to
> some of you when you declared your candidacy for the Board
> earlier this month.
>
> You are free to
> make a statement about your Candidacy during the “Member
> Comment” portion of any of the Association’s Board or
> Committee meetings. Making such statements during
> Reston Association sponsored recreational or educational
> programming is not permissible.
>
> Last night’s
> Homeowner Workshop on Reserves was an education program; not
> a Board or Committee Meeting. We have received
> several calls from individuals that attended the Workshop
> last night indicating their frustration with the lack of
> respect shown by those RA Board Candidates who attended the
> event. Specifically, mention was made that: 1) the
> Candidates “sat in the
> back of the room talking campaign strategy”
> while the speaker(s) were making presentations; and 2) one
> of the Candidates made a “campaign promise
> plug” during the question and answer portion of
> the Workshop.
>
> I respectfully
> request, that you refrain from interrupting future Reston
> Association sponsored recreational and/or education programs
> during your campaign period.
>
> Regards --
> Cate
>
>
>
> -----Original
> Message-----
> From: Arlene Whittick
> Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 11:38 PM
> To: Cate Fulkerson; Milton Matthews
> Cc: Brevetta Jordan
> Subject: Candidate Speaking Requests
>
> Cate:
>
> At my workshop tonight I
> was approached by candidates Rod Koozmin and Rengin Morro,
> they wanted to know if they could say a few words to the
> attendees I politely told them no. Then they asked if
> I can acknowledge their presence at the meeting, again I
> politely told them no. However I did tell them that
> they may talk to the attendees individualy but that is
> it.
>
> I just thought you might
> want to be aware of this.
>
> Arlene
>
>
>
> Hotmail:
> Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. Sign
> up now.
>
Unbelievable yet another contravesery engolfs the Reston Asssociation Election. First "Snow gate" (google Restonian and scroll down) Now Reston Association alledges canidates disrupt meeting yet is at odds with two corroberating accused Reston canidates.
Some of the discrepiencies: Canidates sit in the third row not the back row, no phone callers are being produced that complained of "lack of respect," Arlene's email is at variance with Mrs Fulkerson's and the two canicates statment!
Is this a indication of business as usal or is the RA going out of it's own comfort zone?
>
>
>
>
> Hello All,
>
> I am sorry if my presence at last
> night's meeting caused any confusion.
>
>
>
> I attended the meeting after receiving
> an e-notice invitation in which the first sentence was
> "Here is your weekly list of news, events, and
> opportunities to get involved."
> I am an involved member of my cluster.
>
> Because I couldn't leave my work
> early, I arrived late.
> I didn't sit in the last row, I sat
> in the 3rd row.
> I did ask one question in the context of
> how revenues can be best used by a cluster or the RA, and in
> particular generating interest on those revenues.
>
> I am confused and sorry that my question
> was interpreted as political.
> Mine was the 4th question asked and 3
> more people asked questions after me.
> I am confused as to why my question
> would be characterized as an "interruption," since
> the presenter, Mr. Larson, encouraged the audience to ask
> questions.
> When I left at 8:27 pm the
> meeting was on track; I don't know what happened
> after that time.
>
> I am looking forward to the completion of a
> successful campaign.
>
> All the best,
>
> Rengin Morro,
> PhD
>
>
>
> {}
>
>
>
> 2010 Board
> Candidates –
>
> I would like to
> take this opportunity to clarify the direction I provided to
> some of you when you declared your candidacy for the Board
> earlier this month.
>
> You are free to
> make a statement about your Candidacy during the “Member
> Comment” portion of any of the Association’s Board or
> Committee meetings. Making such statements during
> Reston Association sponsored recreational or educational
> programming is not permissible.
>
> Last night’s
> Homeowner Workshop on Reserves was an education program; not
> a Board or Committee Meeting. We have received
> several calls from individuals that attended the Workshop
> last night indicating their frustration with the lack of
> respect shown by those RA Board Candidates who attended the
> event. Specifically, mention was made that: 1) the
> Candidates “sat in the
> back of the room talking campaign strategy”
> while the speaker(s) were making presentations; and 2) one
> of the Candidates made a “campaign promise
> plug” during the question and answer portion of
> the Workshop.
>
> I respectfully
> request, that you refrain from interrupting future Reston
> Association sponsored recreational and/or education programs
> during your campaign period.
>
> Regards --
> Cate
>
>
>
> -----Original
> Message-----
> From: Arlene Whittick
> Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 11:38 PM
> To: Cate Fulkerson; Milton Matthews
> Cc: Brevetta Jordan
> Subject: Candidate Speaking Requests
>
> Cate:
>
> At my workshop tonight I
> was approached by candidates Rod Koozmin and Rengin Morro,
> they wanted to know if they could say a few words to the
> attendees I politely told them no. Then they asked if
> I can acknowledge their presence at the meeting, again I
> politely told them no. However I did tell them that
> they may talk to the attendees individualy but that is
> it.
>
> I just thought you might
> want to be aware of this.
>
> Arlene
>
>
>
> Hotmail:
> Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. Sign
> up now.
>
Mrs Fulkerson, Arlene was inarticulate in her email to you and is incorrect when she writes that I requested to address the meeting. I did approach Arlene when when Rengina Morro was conferring with Arlene in the back of the room before the meeting started and asked it it was possible to mention at the beginning of the meeting that two candidates were in the room and would be available for questions. I was thinking after the meeting although standing there we didn't really say that. This was in subdued tones at the back of the room before the meeting began I would say again for emphasis. She said she wasn't allowed to allow that and we sat down.
My question to you and the election committee would be is there any directives for candidates to talk to Reston employees in hushed tones before a meeting begins? Is there some etiquette that I am not aware of?
It is not true that we discussed campaign strategy during the meeting.Regina Morroa who arrived late and was also sitting in the last row but not the very back where the swivel chairs were asked me where I had gotten my literature and I told her.
I did ask about how the assessments of the properties were made not a campaign plug. I am unaware of any campaign plug as I left after listening to some of the presentation since I had heard much of it before. I am on the neighborhood Advisory Committee and since it was a presentation by the Neighborhood Advisory Committee thought I should see it or see what it was. I didn't approach anyone as a canidate and campaign.
Mrs Fulkerson could you tell me who called you and were frustrated by any lack of respect on my part? I would like to get to the bottom of this.-Rod Koozmim
correspondance with Lelia about the power cords
To: "Gordon, Leila" "Gordon, Leila"
Cc: "Leary, Joe", CarolAnnBradley@aol.com"Leary, Joe" , CarolAnnBradley@aol.com
Bcc:
Hello Leila, Well the movie alerted me to the possible danger. I guess the film showed what would happen if the assassin who did not have a house equipped with one of these special circuit breakers.
Let me ask you are you so confident of this device that you would be willing to have someone you loved get in the pool and then throw a live wire into the pool?
Wouldn't it be better to ear on the side of caution and use batteries or rechargeable batteries and give the appearance of doing the safe thing?
Hundreds of people are electrocuted every year because of ignoring the basic common sense of not mixing water and electricity.
Will a child see the use of power cords at the pool then go home and do the same thing? Is the difficulty of putting batteries into boom boxes worth setting a bad example for our youth?
Well we may come for a walk there.
I really feel the environmental impact of using written suggestion cards in minimal. Possibly you could use the backs of other printed material and recycle it the way my wife dose for shopping lists. The presence of a suggestion box in the lobby sends the positive message that we care about you and your opinions.-Rod
--- On Thu, 2/25/10, Gordon, Leila wrote:
> From: Gordon, Leila
> Subject: RE: Your Concerns Regarding our Boom box Use for Terry L. Smith Aquatics Center Classes and Lack of Suggestion Boxes at RCC Facilities
> To: "Rod Koozmin"
> Cc: "Leary, Joe", CarolAnnBradley@aol.com
> Date: Thursday, February 25, 2010, 4:37 PM
> Rod--
> Please put your mind at ease; our staff is very vigilant
> regarding safety and no one is at risk of a James Bond-like
> assassination.
> As for the walking circuit, yes, there have been people
> doing it and we appreciated the idea.
> Leila
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rod Koozmin [mailto:sharpeningman@yahoo.com]
>
> Sent: Thursday, February 25, 2010 4:34 PM
> To: Gordon, Leila
> Subject: Re: Your Concerns Regarding our Boom box Use for
> Terry L. Smith Aquatics Center Classes and Lack of
> Suggestion Boxes at RCC Facilities
>
> Hello Leila, I have been concerned. Perhaps it was the
> movie "From Russia with Love" When James bond kicks the
> electric heater in the bath tub electrocuting the assassin.
> I worried that a Reston citizen might fall prey to the cords
> and similarily be ellectrocuted. It just makes me nervous
> especially the leaving of them out when the class is
> over and the life guard using them as if don't have more
> portable devices. Also seeing a short cord plugged in used
> near a puddle makes me nervous.
>
> I am glad to learn that the walking idea was
> implemented. Are many people using it? I tried it a few
> times when I didn't feel like swimming. My wife is actually
> walking around inside the house for exercise like my mother
> used to do.-Rod
>
> --- On Thu, 2/25/10, Gordon, Leila
> wrote:
>
> > From: Gordon, Leila
> > Subject: Your Concerns Regarding our Boom box Use for
> Terry L. Smith Aquatics Center Classes and Lack of
> Suggestion Boxes at RCC Facilities
> > To: "Rod Koozmin"
> > Cc: "Leary, Joe",
> CarolAnnBradley@aol.com
> > Date: Thursday, February 25, 2010, 4:22 PM
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Hi
> > Rod
> >
> > It has come to
> > my attention that you have expressed a
> > concern regarding the safety of our instructor use of
> boom
> > boxes for RCC
> > Aquatics classes in the online forum provided by a
> local
> > blog. They do use
> > these on deck. All of the outlets, water fountain, and
> even
> > the wall pace
> > clocks are on GFI circuit breakers (more reliable than
> GFI
> > outlets). All of our
> > electrical components are tested annually, by a
> certified
> > electrician, who
> > sends that report to the Health Department as a
> requirement
> > for our annual
> > operating permit. Our operations are conducted within
> the
> > most stringent safety
> > parameters; we take quite seriously the well-being of
> our
> > patrons. I assure you
> > that instructors' using electrically powered
> > equipment on the pool deck
> > do so in a manner that is safe and does not present
> the
> > risk of electrocution
> > to them or our patrons.
> >
> > Regarding your
> > continuing consternation over a lack of
> > suggestion boxes at RCC, I will again point out to you
> that
> > because we have
> > tried to migrate as much as possible to electronic
> > communication, in an effort
> > to be sound environmental stewards, we stopped
> printing
> > suggestion cards for
> > people to put in boxes. Anyone may use the RCC web
> > site to find our input
> > email address, RCCContact@fairfaxcounty.gov
> > from which to make suggestions. If someone wants to
> write a
> > suggestion, we are
> > happy to provide them with the opportunity and means
> at
> > both facilities. We
> > strive to obtain public input and opinion
> regularly.
> > I hope you noticed that
> > your suggestion for a walking circuit was one that we
> > implemented at the RCC
> > Hunters Woods building and advertised in the
> Winter/Spring
> > Program Guide.
> >
> > Have a great
> > day!
> >
> > Leila
> >
> >
> > Leila
> > Gordon
> >
> >
> > Executive
> > Director
> >
> > Reston
> > Community Center
> >
> >
> > 2310 Colts Neck
> > Rd.
> >
> >
> > Reston,
> > Virginia 20191
> >
> >
> > 703-476-4500 x
> > 6142
> >
> > 703-476-2488
> > - fax
> >
> > www.restoncommunitycenter.com
> >
> >
> > So
> > Close to You. So Much
> > to Do. ®
> >
> > P
> > Please
> > consider the environment before printing this
> > e-mail
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
Cc: "Leary, Joe"
Bcc:
Hello Leila, Well the movie alerted me to the possible danger. I guess the film showed what would happen if the assassin who did not have a house equipped with one of these special circuit breakers.
Let me ask you are you so confident of this device that you would be willing to have someone you loved get in the pool and then throw a live wire into the pool?
Wouldn't it be better to ear on the side of caution and use batteries or rechargeable batteries and give the appearance of doing the safe thing?
Hundreds of people are electrocuted every year because of ignoring the basic common sense of not mixing water and electricity.
Will a child see the use of power cords at the pool then go home and do the same thing? Is the difficulty of putting batteries into boom boxes worth setting a bad example for our youth?
Well we may come for a walk there.
I really feel the environmental impact of using written suggestion cards in minimal. Possibly you could use the backs of other printed material and recycle it the way my wife dose for shopping lists. The presence of a suggestion box in the lobby sends the positive message that we care about you and your opinions.-Rod
--- On Thu, 2/25/10, Gordon, Leila
> From: Gordon, Leila
> Subject: RE: Your Concerns Regarding our Boom box Use for Terry L. Smith Aquatics Center Classes and Lack of Suggestion Boxes at RCC Facilities
> To: "Rod Koozmin"
> Cc: "Leary, Joe"
> Date: Thursday, February 25, 2010, 4:37 PM
> Rod--
> Please put your mind at ease; our staff is very vigilant
> regarding safety and no one is at risk of a James Bond-like
> assassination.
> As for the walking circuit, yes, there have been people
> doing it and we appreciated the idea.
> Leila
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rod Koozmin [mailto:sharpeningman@yahoo.com]
>
> Sent: Thursday, February 25, 2010 4:34 PM
> To: Gordon, Leila
> Subject: Re: Your Concerns Regarding our Boom box Use for
> Terry L. Smith Aquatics Center Classes and Lack of
> Suggestion Boxes at RCC Facilities
>
> Hello Leila, I have been concerned. Perhaps it was the
> movie "From Russia with Love" When James bond kicks the
> electric heater in the bath tub electrocuting the assassin.
> I worried that a Reston citizen might fall prey to the cords
> and similarily be ellectrocuted. It just makes me nervous
> especially the leaving of them out when the class is
> over and the life guard using them as if don't have more
> portable devices. Also seeing a short cord plugged in used
> near a puddle makes me nervous.
>
> I am glad to learn that the walking idea was
> implemented. Are many people using it? I tried it a few
> times when I didn't feel like swimming. My wife is actually
> walking around inside the house for exercise like my mother
> used to do.-Rod
>
> --- On Thu, 2/25/10, Gordon, Leila
> wrote:
>
> > From: Gordon, Leila
> > Subject: Your Concerns Regarding our Boom box Use for
> Terry L. Smith Aquatics Center Classes and Lack of
> Suggestion Boxes at RCC Facilities
> > To: "Rod Koozmin"
> > Cc: "Leary, Joe"
> CarolAnnBradley@aol.com
> > Date: Thursday, February 25, 2010, 4:22 PM
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Hi
> > Rod
> >
> > It has come to
> > my attention that you have expressed a
> > concern regarding the safety of our instructor use of
> boom
> > boxes for RCC
> > Aquatics classes in the online forum provided by a
> local
> > blog. They do use
> > these on deck. All of the outlets, water fountain, and
> even
> > the wall pace
> > clocks are on GFI circuit breakers (more reliable than
> GFI
> > outlets). All of our
> > electrical components are tested annually, by a
> certified
> > electrician, who
> > sends that report to the Health Department as a
> requirement
> > for our annual
> > operating permit. Our operations are conducted within
> the
> > most stringent safety
> > parameters; we take quite seriously the well-being of
> our
> > patrons. I assure you
> > that instructors' using electrically powered
> > equipment on the pool deck
> > do so in a manner that is safe and does not present
> the
> > risk of electrocution
> > to them or our patrons.
> >
> > Regarding your
> > continuing consternation over a lack of
> > suggestion boxes at RCC, I will again point out to you
> that
> > because we have
> > tried to migrate as much as possible to electronic
> > communication, in an effort
> > to be sound environmental stewards, we stopped
> printing
> > suggestion cards for
> > people to put in boxes. Anyone may use the RCC web
> > site to find our input
> > email address, RCCContact@fairfaxcounty.gov
> > from which to make suggestions. If someone wants to
> write a
> > suggestion, we are
> > happy to provide them with the opportunity and means
> at
> > both facilities. We
> > strive to obtain public input and opinion
> regularly.
> > I hope you noticed that
> > your suggestion for a walking circuit was one that we
> > implemented at the RCC
> > Hunters Woods building and advertised in the
> Winter/Spring
> > Program Guide.
> >
> > Have a great
> > day!
> >
> > Leila
> >
> >
> > Leila
> > Gordon
> >
> >
> > Executive
> > Director
> >
> > Reston
> > Community Center
> >
> >
> > 2310 Colts Neck
> > Rd.
> >
> >
> > Reston,
> > Virginia 20191
> >
> >
> > 703-476-4500 x
> > 6142
> >
> > 703-476-2488
> > - fax
> >
> > www.restoncommunitycenter.com
> >
> >
> > So
> > Close to You. So Much
> > to Do. ®
> >
> > P
> > Please
> > consider the environment before printing this
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Volunteering as a Potential Recreation
One of the greatest potentials for recreation and helping the Reston association budjet wise is Citizen volunteering. I participated in the recent Reston shovel out and in the past remember our parents volunteering the Teraset School. The terraset school had become over run with weeds and we parents rolled up our sleeves and cleaned the place up. it gave all of us a great feeling maybe kind of like community barn raisings of old.
I'm not speaking of the pick of volunteering the Reston association usually emphasizes. I think citizens could with training pretty much do everything in Reston and would like to mostly for the fun of it.
You may not like to go cut down a tree or use a front end loader for the fun of it but I believe there are plenty of people who would and it would make Reston a better community.
Once when my dad moved he gave me his old tractor. I brought it over to my little place here in Reston but there just wasn't much to cut though I volunteered to cut the neighbors for a while. I tried to volunteer to mow the Reston property but there was just no way to ask to volunteer and no concept of greater citizen volunteering.
I was intrigued by a citizen volunteering to bring a bob cat to the recent shovel out. How much more potential might there be?
I'm not speaking of the pick of volunteering the Reston association usually emphasizes. I think citizens could with training pretty much do everything in Reston and would like to mostly for the fun of it.
You may not like to go cut down a tree or use a front end loader for the fun of it but I believe there are plenty of people who would and it would make Reston a better community.
Once when my dad moved he gave me his old tractor. I brought it over to my little place here in Reston but there just wasn't much to cut though I volunteered to cut the neighbors for a while. I tried to volunteer to mow the Reston property but there was just no way to ask to volunteer and no concept of greater citizen volunteering.
I was intrigued by a citizen volunteering to bring a bob cat to the recent shovel out. How much more potential might there be?
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The Varied Rush and Recreation Expansion in Reston ARCH moderators questions
I was fortunate to see this morning a "Varied Rush," a colorful little bird which is very rare in this area that some avid birders had spotted in their back yard (near Reston but not in Reston) and have opened up their house as a kind of morning mecca for fellow birders. Your arrive between 7 and 9 just walking in the door and then looking out their back window. It won't be here long as it's the mating season and will probably fly up to Ohio where there are more of them. Email me if you want the address at Sharpeningman@yahoo.com
ARCH MODERATOR QUESTIONS:
RA CANDIDATE FORUM, MARCH 3, 2010
1. A joint RA-RCC initiative last year proposed building a major new recreational multiplex in Reston. More recently there has been talk of an alternative that would involve covering the Lake Newport tennis courts and pool and possibly putting lights on the Brown's Chapel ball fields. Do you think Reston is in need of additional recreational facilities? If so, which ones and should it be RA or some other organization that is responsible for building the facilities you feel are needed?
1.) I advocate flexible thinking. What do I mean by this? Some have said we need more swim lanes. Yet I often find myself swimming in the RCC pool that is either empty of other swimmers of has very few other swimmers in the pool. Often we double up, have two swimmers in one land. I think the idea of a need for more swim lanes is rooted in a specific time say 3:30 to 6:00. I would before constructing additional indoor swimming try to get people to swim at other times.
The Reston Association had built a water volley ball court. Yet I noticed there is rarely a actual game of volley ball there. I wanted to get a game going and wanted to put up a sign up and suggested it a Reston Association meeting. Though this was viewed positively it actually took two years going through the beauraracy to actually get them to put up an actual sign. But then no one showed up to play water volley ball. So I concluded that no one wants to play water volley ball in Reston, though it might seem like a good idea. (I have written about this so much. Last year I was over at my vegetable patch where I saw to my surprise people actually playing water volley ball, had they I wonder read my many letters to the editor and actually come to play?).
All of this suggests to me that we need communication. We can’t have a few people deciding on some sort of sport complex with a broader understanding. How many know that there was a actual ski slope complete with chair lifts in Reston. It probably looked good on the brochures but was never much used. Maybe a active skier encouraged it’s construction with out a sensible look at our winter temperatures.
We need two way communication in Reston in order to develop good recreation plans.
On the indoor tennis we need to know how many other similar upper middle class communities also subsidize indoor tennis? Is Reston lacking on indoor tennis courts while other upper middle class communities are providing them for their residents. I remember as a boy growing up in Sleep Hollow there were what was called bath and racket clubs. We were a member on one but often snuck in the other one to go visit friends.
How many want to play tennis in the winter? I like to go boating but it just has no appeal to go in the winter. I recently bought some black long underwear from the Cabella catalogue. It’s some kind of high tech and will wick moisture away and actually keeps you very warm even in the winter. What if a tennis player had some of this black underwear? Would that allow them to play tennis longer then is now commutable. How much of the winter would then be unplayable then because it was too cold for people to play in even in this black underwear? Would Reston at large want to raise the dues in order to pay for people to play tennis instead of wearing black long underwear? It’s actually healthier to be outdoors in the sunshine especially in the winter. If it were too cold to play tennis even then would it be cheaper to send everyone who wanted to play tennis to some other facility rather than build and maintain one?
But I would listen to compelling information that indicated that Reston needed to build indoor tennis courts because somehow Reston was behind other communities in their construction. I recently heard from someone who at 72 had just learned to play tennis and said it transferred their life.
2. The RA Board last year was unsuccessful in gaining approval for its headquarters referendum and ultimately withdrew from participating in the proposed RA-RCC rec center initiative. Do you think these were worthwhile initiatives that simply lacked adequate member support or do you think there were broader lessons from these experiences that should influence how RA does business going forward?
3. The RA Board has said that it hopes to convince future residential property owners within the RCIG that they should become part of the Reston Association. Tell us how you would pitch that proposition to those property owners.
4. What do you view as the three most important recommendations that should come out of the ongoing Reston Master Planning exercise and what actions if any would you recommend the RA Board take to advance those recommendations?
5. Some within ARCH believe that the RA Board has recently convened in executive session more than what may have been required (especially during the run-up to the headquarters referendum). What is your view of the use of executive session as a tool and whether or not it has been too frequently employed?
ARCH MODERATOR QUESTIONS:
RA CANDIDATE FORUM, MARCH 3, 2010
1. A joint RA-RCC initiative last year proposed building a major new recreational multiplex in Reston. More recently there has been talk of an alternative that would involve covering the Lake Newport tennis courts and pool and possibly putting lights on the Brown's Chapel ball fields. Do you think Reston is in need of additional recreational facilities? If so, which ones and should it be RA or some other organization that is responsible for building the facilities you feel are needed?
1.) I advocate flexible thinking. What do I mean by this? Some have said we need more swim lanes. Yet I often find myself swimming in the RCC pool that is either empty of other swimmers of has very few other swimmers in the pool. Often we double up, have two swimmers in one land. I think the idea of a need for more swim lanes is rooted in a specific time say 3:30 to 6:00. I would before constructing additional indoor swimming try to get people to swim at other times.
The Reston Association had built a water volley ball court. Yet I noticed there is rarely a actual game of volley ball there. I wanted to get a game going and wanted to put up a sign up and suggested it a Reston Association meeting. Though this was viewed positively it actually took two years going through the beauraracy to actually get them to put up an actual sign. But then no one showed up to play water volley ball. So I concluded that no one wants to play water volley ball in Reston, though it might seem like a good idea. (I have written about this so much. Last year I was over at my vegetable patch where I saw to my surprise people actually playing water volley ball, had they I wonder read my many letters to the editor and actually come to play?).
All of this suggests to me that we need communication. We can’t have a few people deciding on some sort of sport complex with a broader understanding. How many know that there was a actual ski slope complete with chair lifts in Reston. It probably looked good on the brochures but was never much used. Maybe a active skier encouraged it’s construction with out a sensible look at our winter temperatures.
We need two way communication in Reston in order to develop good recreation plans.
On the indoor tennis we need to know how many other similar upper middle class communities also subsidize indoor tennis? Is Reston lacking on indoor tennis courts while other upper middle class communities are providing them for their residents. I remember as a boy growing up in Sleep Hollow there were what was called bath and racket clubs. We were a member on one but often snuck in the other one to go visit friends.
How many want to play tennis in the winter? I like to go boating but it just has no appeal to go in the winter. I recently bought some black long underwear from the Cabella catalogue. It’s some kind of high tech and will wick moisture away and actually keeps you very warm even in the winter. What if a tennis player had some of this black underwear? Would that allow them to play tennis longer then is now commutable. How much of the winter would then be unplayable then because it was too cold for people to play in even in this black underwear? Would Reston at large want to raise the dues in order to pay for people to play tennis instead of wearing black long underwear? It’s actually healthier to be outdoors in the sunshine especially in the winter. If it were too cold to play tennis even then would it be cheaper to send everyone who wanted to play tennis to some other facility rather than build and maintain one?
But I would listen to compelling information that indicated that Reston needed to build indoor tennis courts because somehow Reston was behind other communities in their construction. I recently heard from someone who at 72 had just learned to play tennis and said it transferred their life.
2. The RA Board last year was unsuccessful in gaining approval for its headquarters referendum and ultimately withdrew from participating in the proposed RA-RCC rec center initiative. Do you think these were worthwhile initiatives that simply lacked adequate member support or do you think there were broader lessons from these experiences that should influence how RA does business going forward?
3. The RA Board has said that it hopes to convince future residential property owners within the RCIG that they should become part of the Reston Association. Tell us how you would pitch that proposition to those property owners.
4. What do you view as the three most important recommendations that should come out of the ongoing Reston Master Planning exercise and what actions if any would you recommend the RA Board take to advance those recommendations?
5. Some within ARCH believe that the RA Board has recently convened in executive session more than what may have been required (especially during the run-up to the headquarters referendum). What is your view of the use of executive session as a tool and whether or not it has been too frequently employed?
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Master Plan Talk
I watched last night as the Reston Citizens Association tried to phrase a comprehensive statement about the master plan in there off camera portion of there meeting. The Reston Citizens is a minority in the current climate: Well informed well meaning citizens trying to do something useful about the disaster coming like a freight train in the night.
The components of the disaster are well known:
The poorly designed expensive and accident prone Metro system coming to Reston. It will bring crime, congestion and traffic to Reston on a massive scale.
The numerous properties owned by landowners who will want to develop the properties to there legal limits of there potential.
The County who has a need for more tax income that such properties will generate.
The lack of any central individual or entity to comprehend and effectively plan for all of this. Robert Simon and his planners had it relatively easy in this regard. All they had to do was come up with a plan to turn farm land unto a marketable product. The coming chaos is much more difficult to conceive and transform.
The lack of a needed infrastructure and the lack of the money to pay for it. The RA and the RCC came up with a now defunct plan to build a massive recreation structure at Browns Chapel with fifth tax district income that would hopefully pay for it. Were they to come up with a plan to deal with the needed infrastructure instead it might of been more useful.
The decline of our national and international economies is unmentioned in all of this. Spain, Portugal and Greece are now totally bankrupt. Other countries are rapidly heading in this direction. The bond markets have shattered. The second phase of economic disaster looms on the horizon. How can Reston and the jargon about the master plan reconcile to this broader picture?
How will the Reston Association(which had previously been a stickler for it's profitable covenant administration to residents of Reston) who has recently abandoned covenant administration over the soon to be built (and horribly proposed designed for) Willie Station area be able to contribute some sort of statement to the county?
How will we candidates who hope to be elected to a board seat on the Reston Association come up with some sort of rhetoric that will convince people that we have the solution or the potential to find them and convince people to vote for us. I don't really know but at least there is some therapy in trying to write this.-Rod
The components of the disaster are well known:
The poorly designed expensive and accident prone Metro system coming to Reston. It will bring crime, congestion and traffic to Reston on a massive scale.
The numerous properties owned by landowners who will want to develop the properties to there legal limits of there potential.
The County who has a need for more tax income that such properties will generate.
The lack of any central individual or entity to comprehend and effectively plan for all of this. Robert Simon and his planners had it relatively easy in this regard. All they had to do was come up with a plan to turn farm land unto a marketable product. The coming chaos is much more difficult to conceive and transform.
The lack of a needed infrastructure and the lack of the money to pay for it. The RA and the RCC came up with a now defunct plan to build a massive recreation structure at Browns Chapel with fifth tax district income that would hopefully pay for it. Were they to come up with a plan to deal with the needed infrastructure instead it might of been more useful.
The decline of our national and international economies is unmentioned in all of this. Spain, Portugal and Greece are now totally bankrupt. Other countries are rapidly heading in this direction. The bond markets have shattered. The second phase of economic disaster looms on the horizon. How can Reston and the jargon about the master plan reconcile to this broader picture?
How will the Reston Association(which had previously been a stickler for it's profitable covenant administration to residents of Reston) who has recently abandoned covenant administration over the soon to be built (and horribly proposed designed for) Willie Station area be able to contribute some sort of statement to the county?
How will we candidates who hope to be elected to a board seat on the Reston Association come up with some sort of rhetoric that will convince people that we have the solution or the potential to find them and convince people to vote for us. I don't really know but at least there is some therapy in trying to write this.-Rod
The Desire to Produce Positive Jargon About the Reston Master Plan
I watched last night as the Reston Citizens Association tried to phrase a comprehensive statement regarding the coming disaster about to engulf Reston in there off camera portion of there meeting. The Reston Citizens is a minority in the current climate: Well informed well meaning citizens trying to do something useful about the overwhelming disaster coming like a freight train in the night.
The components of the disaster are well known:
The coming poorly designed expensive and accident prone Metro system coming to Reston. It will bring crime, congestion and traffic to Reston on a massive scale.
The numerous properties owned by landowners who will want to develop the properties to there legal limits of there potential.
The County who has a unlimited need for more tax income that such properties will generate.
The lack of any central individual or entity to effectively comprehend and effectively plan for all of this. Robert Simon and his planners had it relatively easy in this regard. All they had to do was come up with a plan to turn farm land unto a marketable product. The coming chaos is much more difficult to conceive and transform.
The lack of a needed infrastructure plan for infrastructure and the lack of the money to pay for it. The RA and the RCC came up with a now defunct plan to build a massive recreation structure at Browns Chapel with fifth tax income that would hopefully pay for it. Were they to come up with a plan to deal with the needed infrastructure it might of been more helpful
The decline of our national and international economies is unmentioned in all of this. Spain, Portugal and Greece are now totally bankrupt. Other countries are rapidly heading in this direction. The bond markets have shattered. The second phase of economic disaster looms on the horizon. How can Reston and the jargon about the master plan reconcile to this?
How will the Reston Association(which had previously been a stickler for it's profitable covenant administration to residents of Reston) who has recently abandoned covenant administration over the soon to be built (and horribly proposed designed for) Willie Station area be able to contribute some sort of statement to the county?
How will we candidates who hope to be elected to a board seat on the Reston Association come up with some sort of rhetoric that will convince people that we have the solution or the potential to find them and convince people to vote for us. I don't know but at least there is some therapy in trying to write this.-Rod
The components of the disaster are well known:
The coming poorly designed expensive and accident prone Metro system coming to Reston. It will bring crime, congestion and traffic to Reston on a massive scale.
The numerous properties owned by landowners who will want to develop the properties to there legal limits of there potential.
The County who has a unlimited need for more tax income that such properties will generate.
The lack of any central individual or entity to effectively comprehend and effectively plan for all of this. Robert Simon and his planners had it relatively easy in this regard. All they had to do was come up with a plan to turn farm land unto a marketable product. The coming chaos is much more difficult to conceive and transform.
The lack of a needed infrastructure plan for infrastructure and the lack of the money to pay for it. The RA and the RCC came up with a now defunct plan to build a massive recreation structure at Browns Chapel with fifth tax income that would hopefully pay for it. Were they to come up with a plan to deal with the needed infrastructure it might of been more helpful
The decline of our national and international economies is unmentioned in all of this. Spain, Portugal and Greece are now totally bankrupt. Other countries are rapidly heading in this direction. The bond markets have shattered. The second phase of economic disaster looms on the horizon. How can Reston and the jargon about the master plan reconcile to this?
How will the Reston Association(which had previously been a stickler for it's profitable covenant administration to residents of Reston) who has recently abandoned covenant administration over the soon to be built (and horribly proposed designed for) Willie Station area be able to contribute some sort of statement to the county?
How will we candidates who hope to be elected to a board seat on the Reston Association come up with some sort of rhetoric that will convince people that we have the solution or the potential to find them and convince people to vote for us. I don't know but at least there is some therapy in trying to write this.-Rod
Monday, February 22, 2010
The Problem of Validating RA Elections
The RA will not release election results like the US government. A corespondent writes: I would think that in the interest of transparency, that information would be public. It’s certainly public for US elections, which I would think would be the best measure of how to hold a fair election. If they won’t release who voted, what’s to prevent voter fraud? Right now, you could look at the US Presidential election and see who voted and randomly validate that those people voted. With RA, there is no way to check, other than to just hope everything worked out alright. Conceivably, someone could send a team of volunteers out to walk around the area the day the ballots are sent out, pick as many out of the mail boxes as they could, and mail them all in. The auditors would validate and RA would assume they are accurate.
There would be a small chance of someone noticing that they never got a ballot, calling in and identifying the issue, but that would be unlikely.
There would be a small chance of someone noticing that they never got a ballot, calling in and identifying the issue, but that would be unlikely.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
CITIZENS ADVISORY WORK GROUP #1
CITIZENS ADVISORY WORK GROUP #1
Guy L. Rando Kathy Kaplan
Reston, Virginia
February 11, 2010
Fairfax County Planning Commissioners
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
Reston Association Planning and Zoning
Reston Association Board of Directors
Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force
Re: Comstock Wiehle Reston Station, RZ/FDP 2009-HM-019
Greetings:
The following letter presents our concerns with the Comstock Wiehle Reston Station proposal as submitted in the January 14, 2010 CDP/FDP and Proffer Statement. At the end of this letter you will find 3D views produced from images provided by Comstock.
The lack of public space and open space, the capacity of the current transportation system to absorb the proposed increase in traffic, a lack of connectivity to nearby trails and other pedestrian pathways, and the negative impact on the surrounding community leads us to the conclusion that this development should be rejected as designed.
There is a clear discrepancy between the amount of development proposed in the Comstock Wiehle development plan and that which can be calculated by observation of the CDP/FDP, the illustrative booklet, and exhibits. The CDP/FDP lists nearly1.3 million sq ft of development, yet calculating the footprints and proposed building heights produces an amount of 3.5 million sq ft. While the area of parking structures may not count towards FAR calculation, they should be added into the total development numbers.
The RCIG covenants and restrictions were administered by Reston Association, a clear indication that RA retains property rights. Those property rights belong to the homeowners of Reston. The deed cannot be vacated or nullified without the permission of the homeowners who own those property rights. It also appears that stripping the lands of Town Center from Reston Association was a violation of the deed. Those lands were part of the Deed of Dedication of Reston and Reston homeowners were never allowed to vote to relinquish Town Center as part of Reston Association.
There is essentially no open space in the Comstock proposal. Human beings require open space. Open space is a requirement for development in Fairfax County’s guidelines. In Block 1 of the proposed development there are 1,000 sq ft of open space and most of that is sidewalk. That is unacceptable.
Sandy Stallman, Manager of Fairfax County Park Planning Branch, states that for 444 residential units there must be 0.00148 acres of parkland per person, or 1.43 acres. That parkland must be on site. Reston Association homeowners are not required to provide parkland for residents of new developments in the corridor. Comstock is responsible for providing parkland for new residents.
The vehicular and pedestrian plaza in the center of the development is about the same size as Lake Anne Plaza. Through the center of the plaza two lanes of traffic will circulate constantly. The exhaust fumes will be trapped in between the 17 and 19 story buildings and the connected above-ground parking garages and a carbon monoxide chamber will be created poisoning people in the plaza. In addition, the plaza will be in shade most of the year, creating a wholly dismal, unhealthy, and claustrophobic environment not suitable for any sort of community event.
The land Comstock Wiehle Station will be built upon is public land owned by Fairfax County. However, areas of that land that will be set aside for residential recreation will be private and not open to the public. This is not a reasonable use of public land.
The Proffer Statement dated January 14, 2010, states that Comstock “shall establish” their own community associations. Residential properties in the RCIG need to come under the umbrella of Reston Association and be subject to the Deed of Dedication of Reston with the Design Review Board in control. The residents of Reston want all new development to fall under Reston Association.
The January 14, 2010, Proffer Statement limits the lifetime amount of fines to be paid by Comstock because of failure of the TDM program to $200,000. That is the limit of Comstock’s liability. That means if traffic is not sufficiently mitigated by their TDM measures, we will have to live with the traffic congestion and wait until such time that VDOT can afford to make road improvements. VDOT Chapter 527 TIA reports that there will be unsatisfactory delays of traffic along Wiehle and Sunset Hills Roads from the traffic associated with Comstock Wiehle Station and the area will be gridlocked.
Under the terms of the CDP/FDP Comstock is under no obligation to build anything beyond the below-ground parking garage until the “market dictates.” The residential building will not be built until Phase 5, almost the last phase. In the January 14, 2010 Proffer Statement the residential component has been reduced from 40% to 37.5%. The county’s comprehensive plan calls for transit-oriented development in the station area. There is no TOD without an adequate residential component. Residential units should be increased, not decreased.
Comstock will get all the benefits from this development. The community will get no benefits from this development. Were new TOD buildings placed over the Toll Road using air rights, as proposed in the Reston-Herndon Suburban Center and Transit Station Areas of the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan (page 30), the area of the park and ride could be the site of parks and recreational facilities set over a green roof above the underground parking garage. That would produce a more acceptable living environment for the residents at Comstock Wiehle, a number including density bonus that could be over 1,300 people.
At the current time Comstock Wiehle Station is not subject to review and evaluation by the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force which has been charged with planning redevelopment in the Dulles Corridor. Because of its size and density it should be included with the other APR nominations deferred to Special Study by the Task Force.
Comstock Wiehle Station as a template will begin the transformation of the Dulles Corridor into a Great Wall resembling Hong Kong. Comstock Wiehle Station cannot be supported by current infrastructure. It violates the Deed of Dedication of Reston. It does not belong in this internationally renowned planned community.
Comstock Wiehle Station development proposal does not fulfill measurable community criteria for quality of life, open space, and clean air and should be rejected.
Please see the 3D images on the following pages of this letter.
Sincerely,
Guy L. Rando
Urban Designer and Landscape Architect
1512 Inlet Court
Reston, VA 20190
(703) 437-3456
RandoforLakeAnne@aol.com
Kathy Kaplan
Poet and Naturalist
11223 Leatherwood Drive
Reston, VA 20191
(703) 476-0516
kwkaplan@aol.com
Guy L. Rando Kathy Kaplan
Reston, Virginia
February 11, 2010
Fairfax County Planning Commissioners
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
Reston Association Planning and Zoning
Reston Association Board of Directors
Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force
Re: Comstock Wiehle Reston Station, RZ/FDP 2009-HM-019
Greetings:
The following letter presents our concerns with the Comstock Wiehle Reston Station proposal as submitted in the January 14, 2010 CDP/FDP and Proffer Statement. At the end of this letter you will find 3D views produced from images provided by Comstock.
The lack of public space and open space, the capacity of the current transportation system to absorb the proposed increase in traffic, a lack of connectivity to nearby trails and other pedestrian pathways, and the negative impact on the surrounding community leads us to the conclusion that this development should be rejected as designed.
There is a clear discrepancy between the amount of development proposed in the Comstock Wiehle development plan and that which can be calculated by observation of the CDP/FDP, the illustrative booklet, and exhibits. The CDP/FDP lists nearly1.3 million sq ft of development, yet calculating the footprints and proposed building heights produces an amount of 3.5 million sq ft. While the area of parking structures may not count towards FAR calculation, they should be added into the total development numbers.
The RCIG covenants and restrictions were administered by Reston Association, a clear indication that RA retains property rights. Those property rights belong to the homeowners of Reston. The deed cannot be vacated or nullified without the permission of the homeowners who own those property rights. It also appears that stripping the lands of Town Center from Reston Association was a violation of the deed. Those lands were part of the Deed of Dedication of Reston and Reston homeowners were never allowed to vote to relinquish Town Center as part of Reston Association.
There is essentially no open space in the Comstock proposal. Human beings require open space. Open space is a requirement for development in Fairfax County’s guidelines. In Block 1 of the proposed development there are 1,000 sq ft of open space and most of that is sidewalk. That is unacceptable.
Sandy Stallman, Manager of Fairfax County Park Planning Branch, states that for 444 residential units there must be 0.00148 acres of parkland per person, or 1.43 acres. That parkland must be on site. Reston Association homeowners are not required to provide parkland for residents of new developments in the corridor. Comstock is responsible for providing parkland for new residents.
The vehicular and pedestrian plaza in the center of the development is about the same size as Lake Anne Plaza. Through the center of the plaza two lanes of traffic will circulate constantly. The exhaust fumes will be trapped in between the 17 and 19 story buildings and the connected above-ground parking garages and a carbon monoxide chamber will be created poisoning people in the plaza. In addition, the plaza will be in shade most of the year, creating a wholly dismal, unhealthy, and claustrophobic environment not suitable for any sort of community event.
The land Comstock Wiehle Station will be built upon is public land owned by Fairfax County. However, areas of that land that will be set aside for residential recreation will be private and not open to the public. This is not a reasonable use of public land.
The Proffer Statement dated January 14, 2010, states that Comstock “shall establish” their own community associations. Residential properties in the RCIG need to come under the umbrella of Reston Association and be subject to the Deed of Dedication of Reston with the Design Review Board in control. The residents of Reston want all new development to fall under Reston Association.
The January 14, 2010, Proffer Statement limits the lifetime amount of fines to be paid by Comstock because of failure of the TDM program to $200,000. That is the limit of Comstock’s liability. That means if traffic is not sufficiently mitigated by their TDM measures, we will have to live with the traffic congestion and wait until such time that VDOT can afford to make road improvements. VDOT Chapter 527 TIA reports that there will be unsatisfactory delays of traffic along Wiehle and Sunset Hills Roads from the traffic associated with Comstock Wiehle Station and the area will be gridlocked.
Under the terms of the CDP/FDP Comstock is under no obligation to build anything beyond the below-ground parking garage until the “market dictates.” The residential building will not be built until Phase 5, almost the last phase. In the January 14, 2010 Proffer Statement the residential component has been reduced from 40% to 37.5%. The county’s comprehensive plan calls for transit-oriented development in the station area. There is no TOD without an adequate residential component. Residential units should be increased, not decreased.
Comstock will get all the benefits from this development. The community will get no benefits from this development. Were new TOD buildings placed over the Toll Road using air rights, as proposed in the Reston-Herndon Suburban Center and Transit Station Areas of the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan (page 30), the area of the park and ride could be the site of parks and recreational facilities set over a green roof above the underground parking garage. That would produce a more acceptable living environment for the residents at Comstock Wiehle, a number including density bonus that could be over 1,300 people.
At the current time Comstock Wiehle Station is not subject to review and evaluation by the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force which has been charged with planning redevelopment in the Dulles Corridor. Because of its size and density it should be included with the other APR nominations deferred to Special Study by the Task Force.
Comstock Wiehle Station as a template will begin the transformation of the Dulles Corridor into a Great Wall resembling Hong Kong. Comstock Wiehle Station cannot be supported by current infrastructure. It violates the Deed of Dedication of Reston. It does not belong in this internationally renowned planned community.
Comstock Wiehle Station development proposal does not fulfill measurable community criteria for quality of life, open space, and clean air and should be rejected.
Please see the 3D images on the following pages of this letter.
Sincerely,
Guy L. Rando
Urban Designer and Landscape Architect
1512 Inlet Court
Reston, VA 20190
(703) 437-3456
RandoforLakeAnne@aol.com
Kathy Kaplan
Poet and Naturalist
11223 Leatherwood Drive
Reston, VA 20191
(703) 476-0516
kwkaplan@aol.com
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