Sixth in a series.
Both the Town of Herndon mayoral candidates and each of the eight candidates for Town Council will stand for election on Tuesday, May 7. Between now and Election Day the candidates are being asked a series of questions in order to provide the voters with some insight as to who they are and where they stand regarding the issues facing the Town of Herndon.
This week’s question is: Which environmental issues do you believe the town can control?
MAYORAL CANDIDATES
Richard "Rick" Thoesen – Town Councilman
"Current programs for stream valley protection include resource protection areas, storm water management and limited use of fertilizers on park properties. Future programs may include drinking water conservation, a ‘Keep Herndon Beautiful’ campaign, a regional storm water management pond in Folly Lick or Sugarland Run area, and residential reduction of fertilizers."
William "Bill" Tirrell, Sr. – Town Councilman
"To a greater or lesser degree: water purity; noise; visual landscape (signs, plantings); air quality (through mass transit support); natural elements of parks (quantity and quality); storm water detention, flow, sewer system; developing properties landscaping (including follow-up); tree preservation in lot clearing; town-owned land plantings; plantings to beautify."
COUNCIL CANDIDATES
Carol Bruce – Mayor
"We have ordinances for issues like stormwater management and tree protection; education is equally important. I’d like to see more initiatives like the fish decals the community forester and scouts placed on downtown storm drains reminding people where storm drains empty may well encourage them to ‘think before they dump.’"
John De Noyer – Town Councilman
"Environmental issues are myriad – regional, national, personal. ‘Control’ is a misnomer. Herndon should improve stormwater management expertise, implement watershed education at Runnymede, care for trees better, set an example for recycling and reducing waste, become a certified ‘community habitat.’ Education is essential. Town Council candidates follow my 1988-present example — re-using campaign signs."
Judy Downer – Challenger
"The primary environmental issue that Herndon controls is trash. Citizens are most fortunate to have weekly trash/recycling pickup, semi-annual ‘pick up most anything’ and leaf collection plus rent-a-dumpster very cheaply. County residents have to pay for their own private trash/recycling service or take it to the landfill."
Dennis Husch – Town Councilman
"We must continue to strictly apply storm water management ordinances that assure construction does not impact water quality; look for ways to reduce overall traffic and make the transit of vehicles through town as efficient as possible; and, do more to reduce noise and light pollution caused by commercial activity."
Connie Hutchinson – Challenger
"The town can control: waste management, through recycling; storm-water runoff, by managing density and redevelopment; tree protection, by prohibiting clear-cutting; noise pollution, with current ordinances; air quality, by alleviating traffic congestion; protection of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, by prohibiting dumping into storm-water drains; and wildlife conservation, by preserving natural areas."
Dave Kirby – Challenger
"Maintain our parks and town properties with the environment in mind. Set standards and incorporate environmental concerns in our ordinances and policies. Insists new development is environmentally friendly and that developers understand it is part of our small-town character. Carefully consider the environmental impact when considering in-fill development and rezoning requests."
Michael L. O’ Reilly – Town Councilman
"Herndon can reduce air pollution by synchronizing traffic lights to reduce car idling. We can preserve our existing green space and require more from new development. We can control the quality and quantity of storm water runoff by utilizing the Best Management Practices outlined in the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act."
Harlon Reece – Town Councilman
"Our ordinances that deal with storm water management are designed to improve the quality of our streams. The preservation of existing trees and planting of new trees will provide a variety of environmental benefits. Promotion of mass transportation in the Dulles corridor may lead to improvements in our air quality."