This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Making Your Choice in the Herndon Mayoral Race - consider some facts

Jasbinder Singh, a candidate in Herndon's mayoral race, compares his legislative and work record with that of the other two candidates, Merkel and Tirrell.

It appears that many voters are having a difficult time deciding between the candidates in the Herndon's mayoral race. Last Wednesday's debate did not help them much in this regard.  

I am one of the candidates in the race. In order to distinguish myself from the other two candidates, Merkel and Tirrell, based on our legislative and work record, I prepared and posted 11 FACTS OF THE DAY on my website (www.singhformayor.com). In the interest of public interest, I am presenting the first set of six FACTS OF THE DAY in this blog. I hope this and future sets will help voters make the right choice on the election day.

FACT OF THE DAY – 1

First it was a 180-acre Metro Area Plan; then, it became a 110-acre plan; now, it is a 38-acre plan

There was only one Mayoral candidate who raised questions about traffic and density every step of the way

JASBINDER SINGH

Others just watched or objected to him asking questions.

It takes relevant expertise and willingness to work hard to ask the right questions and not rubberstamp the staff and consultant’s work.

Find out what's happening in Herndonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


FACT OF THE DAY – 2

Initially, the staff said that a minimum of 4.5 FAR was necessary to spur development in the Metro Plan Area; there was only one Councilmember who examined the analysis and suggested that a FAR of 2.5 would be more than enough to provide incentives for development

JASBINDER SINGH

When he tried to present his analysis, Vice Mayor Merkel and Councilmember Wolf walked out in protest.  

The Rest of the Story

Find out what's happening in Herndonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Several months later, the Town Staff said a maximum of 4.5 FAR was acceptable; then, FARs of 4.1 and 3.8 became acceptable and finally the staff stated that a minimum FAR of 3.0 was necessary. What is the right number?

We should have a Mayor who understands the financial analysis and insists on doing it right. 

FACT OF THE DAY – 3

When a builder said that it was going to take $560,000 to move an electric pole a few feet, there was only one Councilmember who objected to this exorbitant estimate

JASBINDER SINGH

Others just accepted the estimate and gave the builder an exemption from having to move the pole.  Based on Town staff’s experience, actual cost of moving the pole:

$25,000 approximately

Please think about who is best qualified to make good judgments and use your tax dollars wisely?

FACT OF THE DAY – 4

Private companies are now permitted to install telecommunication towers on public properties.  Soon, we may have a large number of them in our town. 
150’ towers located on public property are likely to be more of a blight than 60’ towers; yet, before casting her vote to approve a 150’ high telecommunication tower, Vice Mayor Merkel remarked, 

“What is the difference between a 75’ tower and a 150’ tower?”

Do you want a Mayor who has such a cavalier attitude towards public policy, or, one who will explore options to make our Town beautiful? Yes, there is one who has demonstrated that he will make the right choices: JASBINDER SINGH

FACT OF THE DAY – 5

Contrary to their avowed claims to support open government, mayoral candidates Lisa Merkel and Bill Tirrell along with two other Councilmembers maneuvered to keep the discussions of Dranesville Road & Park Avenue and Monroe Street & Park Avenue improvements (together costing more than $3 million and affecting a large number of residents) out of the public eye for months. 

You have only seen the tip-of-the-iceberg; imagine what they will do, if either one becomes our Mayor.

It took dogged determination on the part of Councilmembers SINGH and HUTCHISON and Mayor STEVE to put the projects on the public hearing agenda.  

FACT OF THE DAY – 6

Councilmember Bill Tirrell and Vice Mayor Merkel voted for the Town staff proposed improvements at Park Ave and Monroe Street that would 

• take 15’ wide swath of the hills along Monroe Street  and Park Ave, create a retaining wall 5’ deep, and seriously affect the properties of 4 residents, and

• cost at least $1 million more than the safer alternative of a 4-way stop 

Councilmembers SINGH and HUTCHISON fought for the 4-way stop alternative to save $1million and improve safety.  

Let us have a Mayor who will not rubber stamp decisions by the staff and consultants. 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?