SAVE BROWN’S CHAPEL
Don’t it always seem to go,
That you don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone,
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot.
Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead
The following is the text of a comment delivered by Amy Justice for Save Brown’s Chapel at the RA Board meeting before the motion put on the table:
“The community has spoken. Our top priority is to preserve RA green space and parkland. This is what makes Reston different, it's what makes Reston special. While our focus tonight is Brown's Chapel Park, this priority extends to all of Reston. A state of the art rec center will be old and out of date in twenty years, probably sooner. Robin has talked about the legacy we will leave for future generations. Lets preserve a 'land legacy'. As new development comes to Reston open space and parkland will be even more valued and valuable. Land is a legacy that will never get out of date.
This is a critical time with so many changes in the works (metro, RCIG, the redevelopment of Lake Anne). Our association needs to focus on protecting it's homeowners and preserving our quality of life. We do not want Reston to become the next Ballston or Arlington. We don't want the congestion and overdevelopment. RA open space and parkland is a precious resource, valued and used by the community. It should be honored and treasured. This land belongs to RA members and we must not give it away. This may put us at odds with RCC and Fairfax County. We need to stand firm.
Regarding indoor recreation, look for reasonable, right-sized solutions where the cost matches the need. We already pay cluster dues, association dues, SD 5 tax and Fairfax County property taxes. Don't add to this burden. Don't partner on a solution that by any reasonable estimate would require an increase to the SD5 tax rate. RCC claims they would not have to raise the tax rate. You only need to look at their Fund 111 Statement to see that the numbers don't add up. The current SD5 tax revenue is 7 million dollars which is used to underwrite the existing facilities which incur a $6.3 million dollar operating loss. Let me repeat that a $6.3 million dollar operating loss. Additional tax revenue would be required to fund building a new facility and its operating loss. Given the size of the current operating loss the new facility will certainly operate with losses in the millions. You don't know with any confidence where this additional tax revenue will come from. There are no studies or projections beyond 2010, where they are expecting a 6% decrease in tax revenue. If significant growth does come to Reston, Fairfax County will be the beneficiary of the increased tax base -- they can use some of this tax revenue to build a rec center on county land, as they have done elsewhere in the county. It is their responsibility. RA must stay focused on Reston and Reston residents.
You heard at the district meetings, particularly the last one, there is a lack of trust in this board. That is a problem. We need a strong board to protect it's members. You need to rebuild trust by acknowledging that you have heard us and that we are the majority -- not a small vocal group. We are not just a bunch of NIMBY's, rich people, old people, baseball people, negative people or naysayers -- do not try to discount us or pigeonhole us -- we are the community. Do not try to rewrite history or place blame. We did not invent this situation. Our park was on the table. Mistakes were made. Acknowledge them and learn from them. Don't urge people to participate, and then call us negative if we don't agree with you. Don't deny us information and then criticize us for using what we can find. We have achieved something important here. We came together as a community to save a park and in the process we have gotten people interested in the future of Reston. This is a good thing. Encourage it. We have found that lots of people care enough about Reston to come to meetings and to get involved. Let's all build on this.
Tonight it is important that you send a message to the community that you are listening. You can do this by passing the motion that Director Joe Leighton made at the last meeting. We will not accept anything less than the strongest language in support of preserving open space. This is what the community wants. It is what we demand.
Passing the motion is the first step. We need to do more in the coming months. Put a conservation easement on the EQC (Environmental Quality Corridor) of Browns Chapel Park. Improve the ball fields. Pass a motion in support of preserving all RA common land. Engage the community and work with us. Be the board that leaves a 'land legacy' for future generations. “
All contents copyright Save Browns Chapel 2009
Let’s Celebrate
Photos from the Save Brown’s Chapel picnic. Two hundred people joined through the afternoon to talk, play, eat and enjoy. This is what the park is for. There was a lot of energy to make this an annual event.
