Politics & Government

RCA Takes Elections Online

Reston Citizens Association board election starts June 24.

The Reston Citizens Association (RCA) has announced the candidates running in its 2012 Board of Directors election.

Voting will run June 24 through July 8. Voting used to take place at the annual Reston Festival, but with the demise of that event, voting will now take place online, says RCA president Colin Mills.

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RCA represents the citizens of Reston on political and social issues, including planning, development, transportation, accessibility, and more. RCA is committed to preserving Bob Simon's founding principles and New Town vision as Reston moves forward as an established community.

The following seats are up for election: President, North Point Director, Lake Anne/Tall Oaks/Town Center Director, South Lakes Director, Hunters Woods Director, and two At-Large Directors. Each seat carries a two-year term, except for President, which has a one-year term.

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


Colin Mills is running for re-election as President.  Mills, 33, is a lifelong Restonian who has served for one year as RCA President.

He had previously served on the RCA Board from 2005 to 2010, and on the Reston Community Center (RCC) Board of Governors from 2006 to 2011. He is serving as Bob Simon’s alternate on the Reston Master Plan Task Force. Mills hopes to focus on education in his next term; he has proposed the creation of an RCA Education Committee to explore the subject.

He vows to continue progress toward his goal of making RCA the voice and ear of Reston citizens. He also hopes to strengthen RCA’s fundraising.

Dick Rogers is seeking re-election as Lake Anne/Tall Oaks/Town Center Director. Rogers is a retired CIA analyst and a 40-year resident of Reston. He has served on the RCA Board since 2010, and is RCA’s alternate representative on the Reston Master Plan Task Force.

Previously, he served as President of the Golf Course Island Cluster Association and was an Associate Member of the Reston Planning and Zoning Committee. Rogers hopes to represent the community in discussion of the future of Reston, with a particular interest in the future of the Tall Oaks Village Center. He also hopes to strengthen RCA’s links with other community groups, including clusters and condo associations.

Terry Maynard is standing for re-election as South Lakes Director.  Maynard is a co-chair of RCA’s Reston 2020 Committee, which is focused on planning and transportation issues.  

Maynard has been the principal drafter of numerous RCA and Reston 2020 reports on planning and transportation.  He is RCA’s principal representative on the Reston Master Plan Task Force.  He received a Citation of Merit from the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Association in 2011.

"My goal is to promote the continuing high quality of life in Reston consistent with its planning principles as Metrorail arrives in our community," Maynard said.


Hank Blakely seeks a second term as At-Large Director.  Blakely is chair of RCA’s Outreach Committee, which is dedicated to communication and volunteer management.  He is also a charter member and Vice Chair of Sustainable Reston, an environmental advocacy organization.

Blakely is a longtime social justice advocate, and was recognized by RCA as the 2008 Reston Citizen of the Year.  If re-elected, Blakely intends to strengthen RCA’s ability to advocate for Reston’s values and standing with state and local government.

Gary Lee Thomas is also seeking election to an At-Large Director seat.  Thomas, an 11-year Reston resident, has served on the RCA Board on two previous occasions, and is a former Chapter President of the Reston Jaycees.

Currently, he is active with his sons’ Boy Scout troop. Thomas hopes to bring free Wi-Fi “hot spots” to Reston, and to develop Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs to local schools. He also hopes to coordinate a Reston-based youth wrestling tournament.

To vote, click here and click on the “VOTE” button to learn more about the candidates and cast their ballots.


 



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