Metro Will Have Impact On Future Of Reston Community Center

Current Reston residents are mostly aware of the changes that Metro's arrival in 2013 will bring to roads, schools, density and housing.

A large influx of residents - though the exact number remains intangible just yet - will also affect

That was the theme at Wednesday's forum at RCC-Hunters Woods for the

Voting opens Thursday. Homeowners should have ballots in their mailboxes by Saturday, and voting goes through Oct. 14 (for mail-in) and Oct. 15 (for walk-ins and online).

"RCC is truly unique," said Bill Penniman, an incumbent who has been on the board for five years. "We contribute to the community by working with people - from businesses to residents, seniors and children.

"We are not just a suburb, but that is something we are always in danger of becoming," he said. "There are tens of thousands of new people that are going to be here [after 2013]. I would like to be a part of antidipating their needs."

Penniman said offering programs in North Reston as well as at Lake Anne and Hunters Woods could help engage new people and seve the entire community.

Anticipating needs while finding the money to pay for them will an additional challenge, said John Gasson, another incumbent and the only board member who is a North Reston resident. Several candidates mentioned stepping up partnerships with businesses and other organizations such as Reston Association.

RCC, which is funded by Small Tax District 5, saw a nearly 20-percent reduction in revenue (down to $5.9 million from $7.2 million) from 2009 to 2011, Gasson said.

"We've got to be smart about where we spend our money," he said.

Incumbent Cathy Vivona agrees that the Metro and predicted growth is a big challenge, as is serving a pouplation that is already changing.

Both Vivona and candidate Vicky Wingert, who has served in a variety of jobs for Reston Association during 38 years here, point out that many Reston residents are choosing to age in place here, so programming needs to continue to engage them.

"RCC plays a big role in making the golden years here especially fun," said Wingert.

Two other candidates have a more focused platform.

N. Barry Carver's main point is that RCC needs a computer system that is modernized for both programming and outreach.

"It is an upgrade we truly need to allow our community to bridge the digital divide," he said.

Rod Koozmin, w all week about a request to bring his handmade canoe on stage at the forum, decided to leave the prop home after all. Gordon had finally said he was welcome to display it on a table in the lobby.

Koozmin's main points are the hours and availability of the woodshop, electrical cords in the vicinity of the indoor pool, and transparency among RCC staff.

Koozmin says boatbuilding in the woodshop could be a signature program for the community.

"I would like to have after school hours for school children to do boatbuilding," he said. "It might draw them away from things like drugs and gangs. There is a dream I have for Reston. The [boat] Pride of Baltimore is a goodwill ambassador. I think we should build our own schooner. We can raise donations for it like they did with Nature House."