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Bob Bruhns · Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 8:58 pm Post subject: Herndon's May 2010 election

I received this by e-mail from Herndon Councilman Dennis Husch.
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After serious consideration, I have decided not to seek a 9th term on the Herndon Town Council. I am extremely thankful for the opportunity given to me by the citizens of Herndon, to serve as a member of Council for the past sixteen years. Herndon’s spirit of volunteerism has provided me with 25 years of very positive memories as a scout leader, Optimist Club president, youth sports coach, basketball referee, baseball umpire, Herndon Community Television board member, and Town Council member. I have experienced and learned many things I would have missed if it not for the inclusiveness and opportunities provided by the Herndon community. I am also grateful for the opportunity to not only serve the Herndon community but also to serve the citizens of Fairfax County on the Economic Advisory Commission and the Commonwealth on the Underground Utility Advisory Committee. Thank you to everyone that made that possible; especially to my Cyber Committee for keeping me on my toes and for those great debates.

Sixteen years of public service to Herndon is a long time, and it is my hope that my service repays a small part of my obligation for having the good fortune to live and raise a family in such a wonderful community. I have strived in the spirit of our Republic to represent the wishes of all of our citizens, to maintain my principles and values, and to always choose what is right over what is politically expedient.

In the short-term I plan to complete my 16th year on the Council with the same enthusiasm and dedication to the community as I did in my first year in office. By June of this year I will be four months into the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute Political Leaders Program and, once that is concluded, I may seek additional opportunities for public service.

While I am grateful to the Herndon community for the opportunity to serve, I have to mention two people without whom the past 16 years would have been extremely hard. I am especially grateful to my wife Nancy for her un-yielding support and un-countable sacrifices. The rushed dinners, long meetings, missed conversations, phone calls, and my hours alone on the computer were a price she paid that cannot be measured. And to my son Jason, for understanding when I missed his baseball games, wrestling matches and other events. He and his wife Shauntel gave Nancy and me a beautiful granddaughter that I need to spend more time with, and my sail boat has been calling me for a couple of years now.

Regards,
Dennis Husch

dhusch@dhusch.com
www.dhusch.com
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The national debt and the deficit are robbing your children, your grandchildren, and your great-grandchildren. http://www.usdebtclock.org/

RestonResident · Longtime Member Joined: 12 Nov 2006 Posts: 1130

How much do people in Herndon actually pay attention to local elections? What is the turnout for a May election? I don't mean the handful of people who go to meetings.

I don't even know who my congressman is.

Bob Bruhns · Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 10:00 am Post subject:

Not really a high percentage. It used to be around 15% of registered voters, and since 2006 it has risen to about 25% of registered voters.

I think that the departure of Mr. Husch is a big loss for Herndon. Nobody in Herndon government brought the activities of the Town to public view like Mr. Husch did. I think that Mr. Husch did a huge amount of work in the interests of the owners and residents of the town. But 16 years of that work, especially for the meager pay that is provided, is a tremendous burden, and it is enough.

I can only hope that whoever replaces Dennis will do nearly as much for this town, and this region.
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The national debt and the deficit are robbing your children, your grandchildren, and your great-grandchildren. http://www.usdebtclock.org/

Sooz · Joined: 19 Aug 2004 Posts: 203

As vehemently as I have disagreed with Dennis on a number of issues I agree that he has made many many contributions to Herndon and like all the people who give their time and talent in serving the town--whatever side of the issues they are on--he deserves our thanks.

RestonResident · Longtime Member Joined: 12 Nov 2006 Posts: 1130

if turnout is that low, why don't you just hold the election in the fall since you have to hold other elections then also? Isn't that cheaper and then turnout would be higher?

15% is really too low to be acceptable.

According to wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herndon,_VA#Demographics

Herndon has 21,655 people. About 27% are under 18 so 15,808 are over 18. How many are citizens? There are alot of immigrants. So if you take 15% of that 13,000 (it will be less than that if just citizens) that is about 2371 voters.

that is not alot of votes to be elected mayor.

Bob Bruhns · Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 11:13 pm Post subject:

It's 24% to 26% of registered voters lately, or about 10% of all residents. The number of registered voters in the Town of Herndon is somewhere around 10,500, and the population of the Town is about 24,000, maybe 25,000. We had a turnout of about 2500 in the 2008 town election.

I don't think that moving the town election to November with the others would be a good idea. Choosing between candidates for too many offices would just be confusing to voters, I think. Better to let people concentrate on a few at a time.
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The national debt and the deficit are robbing your children, your grandchildren, and your great-grandchildren. http://www.usdebtclock.org/

TheShadow · Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 505

http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/cms/story.php?id=737

stix · Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 6:01 am Post subject:

RR.. less cost and more people voting (on a greater variety of unrelated candidates and issues, and more politically charged) would not necessarily result in a better municipal government. From TheShadow's link,

TheShadow · Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 505

http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/cms/story.php?id=1231

demosthenes · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 11:05 am Post subject:

Sooz · Joined: 19 Aug 2004 Posts: 203

While I agree with Demosthenes basic premise I do think it's good to have different perspectives on issues when decisions need to be made. I' glad we have a diverse group of people--many of whom appear to have serious experience to bring to the table--from whom to choose this election.

stix · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 12:12 pm Post subject:

demosthenes · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 2:09 pm Post subject:

demosthenes · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 2:15 pm Post subject:

stix · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 8:13 pm Post subject:

demosthenes... I don't live in Herndon but if the general Herndonite's response (as is yours), to a fellow Hispanic citizen's simple concern that their community is not well represented in council proceedings, is to suggest that that citizen is "more than a bit racist".. there is something sadly amiss in the town imo...
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