Note: Reston Association President, Ken Knueven, continues his series on the 2014-2015 budget process with his latest blog posting on www.reston.org. (Excerpt below).  

By Ken Knueven, President

Reston Association

We all know we reside in an amazing community and are very proud of Reston, where we have chosen to Live, Work, Play and Get Involved. But we also know, to maintain the look, feel and level of service we expect and appreciate, it takes work and commitment. Throughout the current budgeting process, we have been discussing what it means to "Reinvest in Reston" and why is it important to focus on the infrastructure of our community. We work hard to maintain our streets, parks, pools and provide top quality programming, but we know we can and want to do better

We want our medians to be free of overgrown weeds and grass. We want our pools to be open throughout the busy summer season and not be closed for mechanical difficulties and we want our paths to be enjoyed by community members without worrying about their safety due to lack of adequate lighting and trail signs.

The Reston Association Board of Directors appreciates the need for cost containment and frugal budgeting practices and has been operating under these guidelines for decades. Unfortunately, the practice of "kicking the can down the road" has consequences and our infrastructure is now paying that price. 

• Keeping Reston's unique character, while at the same time, creating a distinctly urban area within the corridor.

• Minimizing adverse impacts on existing development and open space located within 1/2 mile of the station platforms, but outside of the commercial corridor.