tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post3670943020536322073..comments2024-02-29T14:00:40.184-05:00Comments on Restonian: News blog from Reston, Virginia, the mauve-colored New Town (tm): RA Board Elections: They Get LettersRestonianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15519884797760354007noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-28666052009369108452010-03-23T00:28:50.527-04:002010-03-23T00:28:50.527-04:00Balance says: There are nuggets of wisdom to be f...Balance says: There are nuggets of wisdom to be found here. There is also a motherlode of b.s. However, on the whole it is delightful to see at least a few RA members taking an interest in what goes on around us. Judging from watching previous RA boards, it is reasonable to conclude that no matter who wins in the current cesspool of campaigning, little will be done by the next board to help or hurt the RA. (Assuming that lack of inspired leadership is viewed as in the "no hurt" category.)<br /><br />The Smyers adminstration faced four major issues. The headquarters fiasco was doomed by a late start. Too much time passed after the first (successful) referendum to buy office space. By the time the RA got serious about a purchase and learned what the market offered, there was a mad rush to "sell" the new plan to the community. Many felt they had been had. Many felt left out of this important decision. So, in the midst of a great buyers' market and extraordinarily low mortgage rates, the voters shot themselves in the foot. Understandable, but sad.<br /><br />Then came the rec center. For years the community asked, why is it that the RA and the RCC can't get together in meeting the rec needs of Reston? One has money and the other has land and both are there to serve us. So, the two boards got together (in public) and agreed to partner on something at long last. At a cost of less than $2.00 per resident, they did a study. So far, so good. Then they foolishly reduced it to a concept plan, picked a concept site that was dead on arrival, and found themselves in a predictable war with nearby residents. This effort was ill-managed, but not evil as opponents chose to paint it. And that's all we will remember.<br /><br />Issue three, indoor tennis. Another issue that had the general consent of the membership for many years, always having been posed as self-sustaining. Now, I doubt that would have been how it worked out, but I allow that the planners believed it would be so. Timing will kill this project. Again, current market conditions are not likely to be this good for a long time to come. Lower construction costs, great financing. But on the heels of the rec center explosion, there is no stomach to consider rationally the benefits of RA doing that hundreds of other communities have done. Breaking from tradition, the RA board decided not to be a do-nothing body. Instead, they became a do-something-dumb body.<br /><br />Issue four: Master Plan. It's a bit early to comment, but it appears that they might just have done something right for a change. Yes, some will not be pleased and when they do not get their way, they will skewer the Smyers administration. I hope that some objectivity will prevail as we judge the RA's performance.<br /><br />The next board? I am not encouraged. Reacting to failures 1, 2, and 3, candidates came out of the woodwork. Some would hurl us back 20 years. Some would strangle the prospect to advance. This whole silly discussion of partisianship, endorsements, and ethical lapses is intellectual mud-slinging. The next board will be paralyzed as a result. As you fire up your keyboard to share your unique insight into the sinister motivation of the RA board and staff, pat yourself on the back for adding to this pitiful state of affairs. It's in your hands.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-15922379779757717742010-03-22T12:56:04.448-04:002010-03-22T12:56:04.448-04:00So it shall be that Smyers will be sleeping (alone...So it shall be that Smyers will be sleeping (alone we pray) in the bed she made for herself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-2736451627603884822010-03-22T10:12:04.663-04:002010-03-22T10:12:04.663-04:00While I feel that it is inappropriate for a sittin...While I feel that it is inappropriate for a sitting board member to endorse a candidate (this is not party politics even though some seem intent on making it so) there is nothing in the regulations of RA to restrict it. There is an elections committee and it appears to have no power or influence to regulate the election. Hopefully both of these will be rectified by the new board.<br /><br />The issue is not endorsement however. The issue is a blatant and completely inappropriate attack on other candidates. That has no place in a local election. I would hope that in the future the elections committee would have the power to censure, stop and even ask the board to remove from office a board member that behaves in this way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-57407583562742595382010-03-19T17:51:30.292-04:002010-03-19T17:51:30.292-04:00Anon 5:01
"One, there is a big difference be...Anon 5:01<br /><br />"One, there is a big difference between a former board president endorsing a slate of candidates and a current sitting president endorsing a slate using her position."<br /><br />That would be what, exactly?<br /><br />Two, what Smyers wrote was counterproductive and stupid opinion but not slander.<br /><br />Three, what misuse? Chew probably used the address book his computer automatically accumulates on everyone he e-mails or e-mails him.<br /><br />Fourth, RCC did no such thing. Individuals on the RCC Board may have done so. Those individuals don't lose their rights as RA members when they joined the RCC Board. Just like SBC members did lose their RA rights when they joined that organization either.<br /><br />I heartily agree with you that Smeyers has been arrogant and disrespectful of those who have even the smallest of disagreements with her. I first became aware of that behavior from a report of a DRB meeting where she was strongly disrespectful of an hoa president who questioned a sidewalk project on Weihle, a full year before the BC projected surfaced.<br /><br />There is a real problem with group think among Smyers and her allies but who her allies are is not always as clear as one might think.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-79930396855636095242010-03-19T17:01:22.374-04:002010-03-19T17:01:22.374-04:00One, there is a big difference between a former bo...One, there is a big difference between a former board president endorsing a slate of candidates and a current sitting president endorsing a slate using her position.<br /><br />Second and most importantly, Smyers didn't just endorse a slate of candidates she slandered the opposing candidates in no uncertain terms. The opposing slate having been the group that defeated her "pet project".<br /><br />Third, not only did Smyers endorse candidates so did Richard Chew and there are definite reports that he misused email lists for this purpose.<br /><br />Forth, RCC the other organization that was behind the indoor rec center and the real brains behind the idea coincidentally decided to endorse the RA slate of candidates and call SBC once again "dangerous"<br /><br />What is truly scary here is the idea that people or a group are "harmful" or "dangerous" if they dare to disagree with RA or RCC. Also truly scary is the lengths that they are to which they are going to stamp out all dissension. We all must think alike, we all must think alike, we all must think alike...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-66156865329145630992010-03-19T16:34:40.718-04:002010-03-19T16:34:40.718-04:001:38, in Soviet Union elections, the Politburo pro...1:38, in Soviet Union elections, the Politburo proposed a slate of candidates and the locals either voted for them or didn't vote. There were no opposition candidates -- and not because nobody dared run against the Communist Party. Their elections only resembled ours in that people went to a polling place to cast a ballot.<br /><br />I understand that you were being facetious but to compare our local politics to the Soviet Union is way over the top. I'll take our muddy, divisive, system of elections any day over the Soviet-style elections.<br /><br />Does anybody know how the Chinese handle elections? Or do they even have elections?The Convict in the Gulaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02530536432165645618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-64218570616463856352010-03-19T16:14:38.925-04:002010-03-19T16:14:38.925-04:00"Richard Chew has written an email in which h..."Richard Chew has written an email in which he states that only the younger candidates have the ability to look to the future. He states that the older candidates are stuck in the past and have no vision."<br /><br />Pretty funny considering that public records show that Dick Chew is in his 60's. Maybe he should quit and go back to working fullt-time in the dog toy section of Petco.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-48138717162472553632010-03-19T14:06:58.181-04:002010-03-19T14:06:58.181-04:00Anon 1:38
Smyers can't endorse but former boa...Anon 1:38<br /><br />Smyers can't endorse but former board member Rick Beyers can?<br /><br />Incumbents, especially retiring incumbents, make endorsements of their successors in every organization, private, public and NPO.<br /><br />Was her endorsement uniquely ineffective and petty? absolutely.<br /><br />I really wish Smyers' and Beyers' personal animosity wouldn't consume this election.<br /><br />I also wish we had candidates for the district positions who were more informed about RA. <br /><br />It's a shame that the two candidates with the most RA experience, Leighton and Robertson, are running for the same seat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-73029831410549743112010-03-19T13:38:18.474-04:002010-03-19T13:38:18.474-04:00The PRESIDENT of Reston Association endorses her s...The PRESIDENT of Reston Association endorses her slate of candidates and SLANDERS the SBC slate of candidates, calling them "harmful to Reston" among other choice words such as "uneducated" and "partisan" (code word for Republican), and then goes on to say they have a "personal agenda" and "vendetta". <br /><br />That alone should be enough to question the fairness of the election results. It would be a true miracle if any candidate outside of the RA endorsed slate is able to pull-off a win here.<br /><br />Are we living in the US or the old communist Russia?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-47450624111596861782010-03-19T12:30:42.388-04:002010-03-19T12:30:42.388-04:00I believe in the past the owner occupant was able ...I believe in the past the owner occupant was able to have two votes on the actual ballot. This would allow the household the option to split their vote. I dont know if this consitutes a change and if so does this need some type of formal approval.<br /><br />The RA election committee needs to take a look. Guy Rando may actually have a valid issue. If the election is a "do over" the election committee should make sure that no ballots are counted. This avoids the RA board, or anyone else from wanting a "do over" if their candidates are not elected.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-16258981649530876602010-03-19T12:02:13.778-04:002010-03-19T12:02:13.778-04:00Anon 11:39
The RA Board meetings are on Ch 28 eve...Anon 11:39<br /><br />The RA Board meetings are on Ch 28 every month. Watching them would reveal that 95% of the votes are unanimous. They pretty much work by consensus and Joe's voting with Chew most of the time. <br /><br />Joe brought the Wal-mart rec center fiasco to public light and I've already voted for him because of that.<br /><br />But to beat up on Chew without even mentioning Joe's vastly greater contribution to the current state affairs at RA grossly distorts reality: 1 year versus 12 years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-26196116777762798412010-03-19T11:39:03.964-04:002010-03-19T11:39:03.964-04:00@anon 11:10 -- I do not know if the RA voting reco...@anon 11:10 -- I do not know if the RA voting records are available, but Joe often votes against the current RA block including on the ever-increasing RA budget and illegal board actions and maneuvers. Ask him and he will tell you.<br /><br />He certainly has not sent defamatory bigoted emails or campaign literature or trespassed on private property.<br /><br />And, most important of all, he uses his two ears to listen to his constituents. <br /><br />He also supports getting new and different things done in Reston. His decades of experience in common-interest community leadership and residency in Reston and supports a wide array of divergent and diverse ideas and thoughts. <br /><br />My vote is for Joe!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-78966197172052110542010-03-19T11:33:20.030-04:002010-03-19T11:33:20.030-04:00@anon 9:59 volunteer and donate your cash all you ...@anon 9:59 volunteer and donate your cash all you want -- that's good and your choice -- but Reston Interfaith should not be taking public tax money which is bad and over which I have no choice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-45256089776661374512010-03-19T11:10:27.140-04:002010-03-19T11:10:27.140-04:00The black helicopter are just over the horizon wai...The black helicopter are just over the horizon waiting to take over Reston. Right, anon 8:31, 8:40, 9:12.<br /><br />BTW Chews been on the Board 1 year. Leighton been on the Board 12 years. But Joe's not catching heat for the current state of affairs?<br /><br />What's up with that?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-23250677586264666022010-03-19T09:59:31.300-04:002010-03-19T09:59:31.300-04:00I am not a fan of the current RA board, but please...I am not a fan of the current RA board, but please leave Reston Interfaith out of it. My family and I volunteer there frequently. All communities need and are lucky to have organizations like this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-54401494017641675222010-03-19T09:57:54.392-04:002010-03-19T09:57:54.392-04:00To clarify everyone is sent one ballot. Their are...To clarify everyone is sent one ballot. Their are codes on the back which specify how many votes you get. If you own and occupy your home, whether it is a single family home, townhouse or condo, your vote counts double. Tenets votes count once and landlords votes count once. It actually makes sense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-79306202286154986362010-03-19T09:53:18.362-04:002010-03-19T09:53:18.362-04:00My understanding is that anyone who owns and occup...My understanding is that anyone who owns and occupies their house code "oo" on your ballot gets 2 votes. Actually, you can only vote once and it counts double, so a husband and wife can't vote for different people. I believe tenants/renters get 1 vote and landlords 1 vote, giving a total of 2 votes for each property.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-9796053617401677382010-03-19T09:18:16.259-04:002010-03-19T09:18:16.259-04:00Isn't the apartment rep on the RA board from R...Isn't the apartment rep on the RA board from Reston Interfaith?<br /><br />Guess who's baby that is???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-73747637492219633092010-03-19T09:12:50.344-04:002010-03-19T09:12:50.344-04:00Condos sometimes and apartments always have tenant...Condos sometimes and apartments always have tenants -- tenants who do NOT pay the assessment and can vote or give their ballots to whomever they wish. The ever-increasing number of section 8 apartments and tenants surely guarantee that RA will stuff the ballot boxes for years to come if this nonsense is not sorted out NOW!<br /><br />That's surely why RA gives them TWO ballots because they know that these are typically people who will vote for the status quo or don't case about increased assessments, $100 million white elephants and all of the other nonsense and BS that is RA.<br /><br />Yes -- sort out the fraud NOW --- not next year.<br /><br />I own a SFH and I got one ballot -- already cast and (I pray) counted.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-34119385896379642592010-03-19T08:40:41.035-04:002010-03-19T08:40:41.035-04:00I can actually agree with that condos getting two ...I can actually agree with that condos getting two ballots. Happened to our friends who live in a Reston condo, and our townhouses only received one. I actually wanted the extra one they had to add a second vote for Rod! YESSSSSSSSSSS.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-23270641370008242462010-03-19T08:31:41.508-04:002010-03-19T08:31:41.508-04:00I heard a rumor along these lines recently... that...I heard a rumor along these lines recently... that owner/occupants of condos were given TWO votes, while other residents were only given one. Explain to me why someone who lives in a condo should have twice as many votes as someone who lives in a townhouse or SFH? <br /><br />And what is this business about sorting this out by the next election? That is just crazy- sort it out NOW!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-61384946012399302572010-03-19T08:23:41.747-04:002010-03-19T08:23:41.747-04:00Where's pretty-boy Mike Collins the attorney? ...Where's pretty-boy Mike Collins the attorney? <br /><br />Can't he do some pro bono work and stop this mess from becoming front-page Washington Post news?<br /><br />And what about that alleged conflict resolver running for the RA board? She could be earning as much as Milton Matthews were she to take on this fun little project?<br /><br />(That Matthews salary would be well into six figures of YOUR assessment dollars, kiddies! Supported full-steam ahead by the abominable Robin Smyers. Six-figures worth of dollars that are not being used to maintain and enhance the RA common elements, pay for camps to keep the kids out of the crumbling RA facilities and out of trouble)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-52382396223910705582010-03-19T08:17:51.766-04:002010-03-19T08:17:51.766-04:00I could not agree more --- get rid of those two fa...I could not agree more --- get rid of those two fat cows --- Smyers and Chew -- and the embarrassment to all of Reston (young AND old) they both represent!<br /><br />There are well-documented RA election issues going back many years; with nothing being done -- and it's time to get rid of these disgusting creeps who are just pathetic losers.<br /><br />GOOD RIDDANCE SMYERS!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-60715053155450314842010-03-19T08:12:24.216-04:002010-03-19T08:12:24.216-04:00Actually I was thinking this same thing this AM. A...Actually I was thinking this same thing this AM. At the very least there should be an injunction to stop the election to sort out the ballot issues.<br /><br />What a goddamn cluster fuc&!<br /><br />HC&DHCKDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412900754136064810.post-24394309980329488002010-03-19T08:04:17.340-04:002010-03-19T08:04:17.340-04:00RA should be sued. Chew and Smyers as well.RA should be sued. Chew and Smyers as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com