Editor's Notebook: Thank You For Your Service 2010-2012 Herndon Council

The end of the 2010-2012 Herndon Town Council's term is near.

The seven members have served the town for two years, spending their Tuesday nights at the council chambers and spending just as much time at home reading through paperwork and plans and budgets. They've participated at school events, business ribbon cuttings, fundraisers and little league games in their official roles.

I would like to thank the members of the 2010-2012 Herndon Council, including Mayor Steve DeBenedittis and council members Connie Haines Hutchinson, Lisa Merkel, Sheila Olem, Jasbinder Singh, Bill Tirrell and Grace Wolf. 

Some of the members have been involved in town government as volunteers, board and council members for decades, while others have started their service more recently. None of them intend to disappear and I'm sure they will still be seen quite frequently at Herndon's many events and participating in many of Herndon's organizations.

As someone who has sat in the audience in the council chambers for many nights over the last two years, I very much appreciate the time and the work you put into being an elected official in the town of Herndon.

You've all been responsive to me when working on articles for Patch, you've helped me get information quickly from police and other town departments when news breaks. I'm pretty sure each of you has listened to me chat about my dog, my fiance or my hula hoops. I love that I've met your family members, spent time talking the issues on election day and have run into you at the store, at Jimmy's and Friday Night Live. 

Hutchinson, Merkel, Olem and Wolf will continue on as members of the next council. They will be joined by Charlie Waddell and Dave Kirby, who've both served on council previously, as well as newcomer Melissa Jonas, who has served on the town's planning commission. They will be sworn in Thursday evening at 6 p.m. at the Herndon Municipal Center. I look forward to working with the new council. 

In the meantime, a huge thank you to the 2010-2012 Council. See you around Herndon.