ON THE ISSUES...

OVERCROWDING
Even though we have made significant progress in reducing over-occupancy in our residential neighborhoods, this must remain a top priority for the next Town Council.  Overcrowded houses are a detriment to our neighborhoods and a health and safety issue for the occupants of the houses involved.

NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION
We must continue our efforts to preserve our residential neighborhoods, especially in view of the increasing numbers of foreclosures and vacant houses.  We need to expand the role of our zoning enforcement team to identify any signs of building deterioration and lack of yard maintenance.  Our police officers should periodically check vacant buildings to look for squatters and signs of vandalism.  We need additional emphasis on our Neighborhood Improvement Program aimed at assisting homeowner associations in addressing and resolving maintenance issues and building code violations.

PUBLIC SAFETY
Public safety is a fundamental responsibility of government at any level and must continue to be a top priority.  The results of our recent Citizens’ Opinion Survey show that satisfaction with the level of safety in Herndon declined from 93% in 2003 to 86% in 2007.  We can and must do better.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
The recent downturn in the housing market will adversely impact revenues coming from residential property taxes.  We must exercise sound fiscal management if we are to hold the line on taxes for our citizens while maintaining the level of service that our citizens expect.

DEVELOPMENT
We must engage all segments of our community in a serious discussion concerning the future of our downtown.  We need centralized and preferably out-of-sight public parking where people leave their cars and enter a pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use downtown with homes, stores, offices and plazas that are close together.  A mixed-use downtown will promote public safety because there will be human activity though out the day.