Observer Online | A Case for Reston to Become a Town

Edition of October 21, 2005

A Case for Reston to Become a Town

To the editor:

I am so very proud of the outpouring of community support to help aid those affected by the Katrina disaster. Many of us were looking for ways to help beyond just giving money. The opportunity to get our citizens involved in a tangible effort, while working in coordination with a well-run, local organization like the Baton Rouge Food Bank, provided that outlet. It is important for all those who participated to feel that our community made a difference to another community in need.

I and others set out to quickly build a response, which in the process evolved into the Dulles Area Community Network. While driving back from Baton Rouge after delivering the relief food collected from Reston, Herndon, Vienna and even Washington, D.C., I reflected on all the aspects of putting together a community-based response.

It was easy to engage the Town of Herndon in our effort, compared with Reston. After a call from a Herndon resident to Vice Mayor Darryl Smith, things came together quickly and enthusiastically. Mr. Smith spoke to Chief of Police Toussaint Summers and Town Manager Steve Owen and within a very short time we had the basic infrastructure needed to make this effort a success. The Herndon Police Station was offered as a centrally located collection and sorting area. Herndon employees were dispatched to help collect, sort and box donations. The town's internal publicity then generated massive assistance, resulting in two truckloads of sorely needed, and much appreciated supplies.

In Reston, by contrast, there was no one source to call upon for municipal help. It was a hit-or-miss network of individuals or community organizations, all of which referred me to each other. Some were willing to help in the end, but by that time Herndon had provided what we needed.

Thankfully, the amazing people at Greenberry's Coffee and Tea, a great Reston business, worked with us as a major drop-off point for Reston in our efforts. I also want to thank Trader Joe's and BB&T North Point for their help.

Individual volunteers in Reston offered their services, and followed through magnanimously. However, the fact that Reston is not an incorporated entity seems to account for the large difference in response in the two communities. Herndon made it easy for us and we couldn't have done it without them.

I have long been in favor of town status for Reston. It was surprising to me that my experiences with a hurricane, of all things, confirmed my belief.

David T. Pierpont

Reston