Dear Editor:School Board Member Stu Gibson’s public criticism of the Fairfax Education Coalition (FEC) is completely without merit. FEC represents some of our county’s most engaged parent and teacher advocates. While they may disagree with FCPS on certain issues, FEC advocates are deeply committed to quality education. We applaud their dedication and commitment to strengthening and improving our public schools.Patty Reed, School Board - Providence District  Tina Hone, School Board - At Large Sandy Evans, School Board - Mason DistrictPat Herrity, Board of Supervisors - Springfield Penny Gross…

It is important for readers to know that Reston’s three major civic groups—RA, ARCH, and RCA—as well as other Dulles Corridor groups, all opposed approval of Comstock's Reston Station conceptual development proposal in a variety of forums, including testimony to the Fairfax County Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors.  The County staff denied Comstock’s initial proposal and had a number of criticism of the proposal approved by the supervisors.  The bottom line is that the county approved this development proposal because it had no alternatives and no time, having guaranteed the …

Last week, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors waded into a controversy over the consequences our students face when they commit serious violations of Virginia law (and school rules).   Without giving so much as a “heads up” to the School Board or the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Supervisors criticized the so-called “zero tolerance” disciplinary system, and wrongly linked the disciplinary system to the recent tragic suicide of a Fairfax County student.  In my view, the Board of Supervisors exceeded its knowledge base -- not to mention its authority -- when it decided to tackle …

On Feb. 8, 2011, at a regular meeting of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, along with Supervisor Penny Gross, I moved that our Board direct County staff to engage Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and community organizations in a discussion about how to help students and parents turn a FCPS disciplinary action into a learning experience.  I believe that County and Schools working together, along with other community resources, can better help a student understand that while there are serious consequences to infractions of school rules, we are there as a community to help the student…

I hope you all got a chance to read [Hunter Mill Supervisor] Cathy Hudgins' article in the recent Reston magazine (Metrorail in Reston: Our Next Step to Car Free).  My impression is that the next steps to a "car-free Reston" are already planned.   Documents from Reston Association Transportation Advisory Committee speak of a plan to eliminate street parking along North Shore Drive and replace it with bike lanes on both sides of the street.  The plan to create a road diet along Soapstone is in progress, and Lawyers Road has been dieted.   There are suggestions for a road diet along Wiehle …

Dear Editor,   Kathleen Driscoll McKee, Reston Association Board President, has mentioned in recent articles for Reston Patch and the Reston Magazine that people should get involved in Phase 2 of the revision of Reston's Master Plan.   In Phase 2, the Task Force will recommend zoning changes to add residential units and more commercial and retail space to the village centers.   What McKee neglects to spell out is that the neighborhoods around the village centers will be considered by the Task Force for rezoning to high-density.   What does this mean?  It means developers will be able to buy…