Observer Online | Viewpoints | Letters to the Editor

Posted Oct. 25, 2002

Rust Objects to Sterling DMV Closing

(Editor's Note: This letter was originally sent to Virginia Gov. Mark R. Warner on Oct. 21 following the announcement that the Sterling office of the DMV is scheduled to close after Nov. 15)

I write to you today on the behalf of the residents of the 86th district, many of whom have already contacted me to voice their concern over the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles' recent decision to shutter its Sterling brach. I was very surprised to learn of this decision yesterday morning through a short article in The Washington Post. As you may know, the Sterling office serves nearly all the constituents in the 86th district. I write today to protest that decision.

It is my understanding from DMV officials that the Sterling branch, along with three other Northern Virginia branches, will be closed, the employees relocated or laid off and any building sold to generate general fund revenue. I understand that the Fair Oaks office operated under a lease arrangement. With the sale of capital assets, it is my opinion that this closure will become permanent and will not be reversed in better economic times.

I cannot overstate the devastating impact the closure of the Sterling DMV branch will have to the residents of Herndon, Sterling, Reston, Great Falls, Ashburn and other areas of Fairfax and Loudoun counties. The branch is extremely busy, more so in my opinion than many other Northern Virginia branches which escaped the budget axe. I have also spokes to the chairman of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, who also relayed to me his strong concern about this closure.

I understand that budget-cutting involves making difficult, unpopular decisions and you will note that I have refrained from protesting any other cuts you have made during this difficult time. However, I cannot concur with the decision to shutter the Sterling DMV office when there are other DMV offices that can be closed with lesser impact.

I hope you will review this decision carefully and I look forward to your response. Thank you in advance for your attention to this very important matter.

Thomas Davis Rust

Virginia House of Delegates, 86th district