Before You Vote, Consider These "Facts of the Day" - Set 2

This is the second set of "Facts of the Day" and is provided to shed a light on the leglislative work of the Council during the last 2 years. I continue from an earlier blog.

FACT OF THE DAY – 7 – Long Term Budgeting 

When faced with the proposed 38% increase in Water and Sewer rates, only one Councilmember looked for reasons for such a large increase:

JASBINDER SINGH

He found one.  The Town was writing off large capital expenditures as annual expenses rather than paying over, say, 30 years.

Rest of the Story:  When Singh proposed that the Town issue Revenue Bonds to finance the capital expenditures over 20 or 30 years; and, thereby, reduce the water and sewer rates significantly, two mayoral candidates, Lisa Merkel and Bill Tirrell, voted against the idea; even though, it is a common practice to do in most cities and towns in the US.

In Jasbinder Singh, you have a mayoral candidate who will make the right decision regardless of politics and who will lead rather than be led by the staff.

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FACT OF THE DAY – 8 – Sensible Development Strategy

To maintain the integrity of the adjoining single-family neighborhood, only one Councilmember made a motion to reserve Block F (bounded by Vine Street, Center Street and W&OD trail) solely for single family development,

JASBINDER SINGH 

When his motion got voted down, he joined Councilmembers Hutchison and Tirrell and the Mayor to ensure that single-family option would be available to a developer at this location. Vice-Mayor Merkel, and Councilmembers Sheila Olem and Grace Wolf voted against the idea. Singh has demonstrated repeatedly that, as Mayor, he would protect your neighborhood values.

Rest of the Story:  A developer has recently proposed a single-family development for the area.

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FACT OF THE DAY – 9 – Protecting Town Interests

When a George-Mason University professor left out the Town of Herndon from the definition of Dulles Corridor, only one member of the audience objected:

JASBINDER SINGH 

Only a person with experience and a keen eye can best serve the interests of the Town.  Singh has found that the Town is often an after-thought in the mind of the Fairfax County.  He is determined to change that, if elected Mayor.

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FACT OF THE DAY – 10 – Caring About Neighborhoods

When some Nash Street residents wanted to protect their trees from the adverse effects of a proposed sidewalk, only one Councilmember showed up to review the site, examine drainage of storm water, gather the facts, and take photographs

JASBINDER SINGH

It takes meticulous work to make the right decisions and develop consistent policy.  There is one mayoral candidate who has demonstrated that he is willing to walk the walk and talk the talk.

Prologue to the Story:  The Council, by a vote of 4-3, voted to approve the protection of the trees and make the corner of Spring Street and Nash Street a safe place for pedestrians.  Vice Mayor Merkel, and Councilmembers Olem and Wolf voted against the idea.

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FACT OF THE DAY - 11 – Including Everyone

Only one Councilmember has had the opportunity to help people from all walks of Herndon – old-timers, new comers, white, black, Indians, Pakistanis, Hispanics, and old & young by going to their homes and businesses, documenting how they have been affected and finding appropriate solutions

JASBINDER SINGH

It because he has responded to their calls for help, or they have come to him for help on their own because they know he can and will help.  It has been his pleasure to know them and learn a lot in the process.

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FACT OF THE DAY – 12 – Dedication and Hard Work

During the last two years, Singh poured his heart and mind out into 45 projects dealing with most things that affect or will affect town residents, including:  storm water damage, sidewalks in older neighborhoods, water and sewer rates, financial analysis of Metro and Downtown Plans, enforcement of fence, portico, overcrowding and parking regulations, rainy-day fund, traffic design standards, proffers by developers, improvement of intersection, availability of enforcement records to Councilmembers, financing of capital projects, and telecommunication towers. 

In these cases, I have gathered information about our laws and regulations and how they are applied, and suggested ways to make them less cumbersome for our residents and businesses.  To reduce our taxes, I have left no stone unturned.  This is just a start.  We have long way to go.

Imagine what will happen, if Singh is not on the Council to keep a watchful eye.