When I was elected to the Council in 2006, I heard from citizens who were concerned about overcrowded homes, taxes and spending, and public safety issues
Now, you might be asking why we should re-elect you after these four years.
Let's take a look at the issues that concerned you back then, and how I have addressed them. And we'll take a look at the new issues facing Herndon, and my approach to them.
Overcrowding
Overcrowding and its causal source, the flood of illegal aliens were having devastating effects on our quality of life, our home values, and our community's harmony. In responding to citizen concerns about residential overcrowding, this Council and I strengthened the ordinance prohibiting overcrowded homes in residential neighborhoods and increased overcrowding enforcement initiatives. When I first took office in 2006, there were more than 120 open cases of overcrowded homes in our residential neighborhoods. The number of open cases of overcrowding complaints has been reduced to about 20 open cases. This has been accomplished by the combination of the stronger ordinances and more aggressive enforcement. We been also reduced the time period necessary to investigate and bring overcrowded homes into compliance.
Taxes and Spending
I know that taxes are money out of your pocket. For the past four years, this Council has applied the principles of common sense and fiscal prudence to the Town expenditures and capital projects. We`ve been able to keep the amount of real estate taxes paid by property owners in the Town at an affordable level. Indeed, during the FY2010 budget period, this Council established a real estate tax rate that caused more than 90 percent of property owners to pay the same or less in taxes than they did the prior fiscal year. This was accomplished while we continue to maintain the high level of services that our citizens expect. Our new budget ensures that we will continue to keep the amount of taxes close to – or slightly lower - than those assessed last year. In response to citizen concerns over the Town`s borrowing and funding of projects, we have amended the Town`s debt service policy to reflect a more prudent management of our financial resources. This is necessary given the downturn in the economy that we are currently experiencing and the projected reduction in future tax revenues.
And, in doing so, we have not sacrificed necessary infrastructure improvements. We have been able to fund and complete a number of improvements to our streets and our Downtown. One of those improvements that is currently underway is the Van Buren Street improvement project. One of the completed projects is the South Elden Street improvement project. A project that will begin construction is the new Skate Park at Trailside Park.The Skate Park will require no tax funding by Herndon citizens.
Public Safety
In 2006, a combination of the federal government's unwillingness to enforce immigration laws and a then-mayor and Council's facilitation, indeed encouragement of unlimited illegal alien influx imposed horrible burdens on citizens and businesses in Herndon. An unwanted, taxpayer-funded day labor site encouraged the overcrowding of Herndon homes only to benefit the outside businesses and wealthier communities who regarded Herndon as the hiring hall for impoverished workers they did not want in their own communities, save for cleaning up their yards. In response to community concerns over public safety and the unlawful presence of illegal aliens in our community, we first entered into and then renewed the Federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program between the Bureau of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the Herndon Police Department. Since the beginning of the Town`s participation in the 287(g) program, Herndon Police, have removed from our community more than two hundred illegal aliens who`ve committed serious crimes.
Also in response to citizens` concerns over public safety, this Council passed legislation authorizing impoundment of vehicles of persons charged with second offense of driving with No Operators License. This legislation will go into effect on 1 July 2010.
New Issues Facing Herndon
While we have addressed many of your concerns, new challenges always arise. Continuation of the policy of fiscal conservatism and wise allocation of your tax dollars is one thing that I am pledge to continue to do.
Restoring Home Values
Herndon paid dearly for the failed experiment as a sanctuary city by past Councils. Foreclosures from formerly overcrowded homes have hurt many neighborhoods and lowered property values. While our national economy is a primary driving force in restoring home values and the attendant tax revenues, I will work to continue the initiatives that we have implemented to preserve our residential neighborhoods and to protect them from deterioration, such as the Neighborhood Improvement Program and the Rental Inspection Program.
Metro Planning
Herndon will shortly begin the process of planning the redevelopment in the Metrorail development area. As was done with the Downtown planning process, we will soon be conducting studies and holding public meetings to solicit public input. Many citizens were engaged in the Downtown planning process and as a result, the plan that will soon be finalized by the Town Council will be one that reflects the desires of the citizens for their downtown. I expect that the planning process for the Metrorail development area will result in a similar plan that also reflects the desires of the citizens. I look forward to working with the citizens on this project.
I came to office on the promise that I would listen and value what you wanted in your government. I have lived up to that promise. This current Counsel has accomplished much because of its` harmonious working relationships, its` openness and its` collaboration with the citizens of the Town. I pledge to continue this inclusiveness and openness. I will continue to be responsive to your concerns and to continue responsible management of our Town resources. It is my honor and a privilege to serve you as a member of the Herndon Town Council.
I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve you in the next two years. I ask for your vote on Tuesday, May 4, 2010.
Vote to re-elect Charlie D. Waddell to the Herndon Town Council on Tuesday, May 4, 2010
