Letters

Dec. 27, 2002

• State, County Should Cash in on Sign Abuse
• Voters Were Right; Editor Misses the Point

Dec. 20, 2002

• Monroe Street Detours Are Dangerous
• Rezoning on Coppermine Would be Detrimental
• Snow Removal Not Up to Snuff
• Congratulations to Seahawks
• Skate Park is Battle of New Reston and Old
  

Dec. 13, 2002

• Community Room Needed at Arts Center
• Town Manager Best Selected in Private
• Monroe Gets its Fair Share of Snow Plowing
• Politicians Must Find Funds for Our Roads
• Town Needs Cooperation from Loudoun County

Dec. 6 , 2002

• Towne Square Singers Still Great at 20
• Arts Center Needs Community Room

Nov. 29, 2002

• In Remembrance of a Vietnam Nurse
• Skate Park, Like Dog Park, Should be Run by Volunteers
• Tax District Funds Should Not be Used for Reston Skate Park
  

Nov. 22, 2002

• Children Learn Meaning of Ramadan
• Columnist Needs to Look at Development
• Quakers Affirm Commitment to Peace in Iraq
• Mom Proud of Son, Hornet Football
• Metro Study Ignored Monorail
• Skate Park is Needed, Should be Cheap
• Skate Park Should be Built
• Use of Tax Funds for Skate Park Not Right
• Skate Park Too Expensive

Nov. 15, 2002

• Skate Park Senseless in Current Economy
• Common Courtesy Lacking on Buses
• Shelter Made Possible by Community's Support
• Herndon Homecoming Parade 'A True Community Event'

Nov. 8, 2002

• Gun Rights Apply to Everyone
• How to Make a Better Transportation System
• Doctor Says New Loudoun Hospital Vitally Important
• Optimist Club the Leader in Youth Sports

Nov. 1, 2002

• Traffic Too Bad Not to Vote 'Yes'
• Tax Increase is Not a Fair Tax
• 'Yes' Vote Gives Us $5B in Funds
• Tax Hike Bad Public Policy
• Do What's Right: Vote 'Yes' on Tax
• Chamber Supports Sales Tax Increase
• A 'Yes' Vote on College Bonds is a Vote for Excellence
• Council's Vote to Support Tax 'Outrageous' Decision
• Herndon Council's Vote Was the Right Thing to Do
• War Talk Turns Focus from Local Issues
• Guns Must Now, More Than Ever, Be Registered
• Iraq Plans Must Slow Down

Oct. 25, 2002

• Reston Clergy Talk About Fear
• Field Hockey Letter Misread
• Winning in Sports Shouldn't be the Important Thing
• Jaywalking a Dangerous Practice
• Sales Taxes and False Advertising
• Rust Objects to Sterling DMV Closing
• HCA Hearing Not a Civil Procedure
• NIMBY Issue Reigns Over Skate Park
• Skate Park Yes; High Cost No
• Spend Skate Park Money on Schools
• Sales Tax Hike Would Aid Reston

Oct. 18, 2002

• Gas Tax Better Than Sales Tax
• Tax Hike Needed for Better Transportation
• We Are Already Taxed Too Much
• Bush Should Think About Consequences
• New Loudoun Hospital Would Aid Mental Health
• Parkway Problem is in the Design
• Commemorative Bench Program 'Facts' Wrong
• Southgate Center Good for Kids
• Skateboard Park Logic a Distortion
• Skate Park Site Not Good Idea
• Skate Park Should be Cheap

Oct. 11, 2002

• Commemorative Bench Program Worth the Effort
• Writer Not Hurt by Skate Park
• Reason to Pay Higher Sales Tax Too Simplistic
• Tax Hike Needed to Fix Traffic Woes
• State Already Misuses Taxes
• Tax Hike Won't Help Loudouners
• Skateboard Park Doesn't Pass Test
• The 3 'Ws' Must be Answered

Oct. 4 , 2002

• Still Time to Vote on Southgate
• Skate Park Near YMCA Needed
• Holes Must be Filled in Skate Park Proposal
• More Taxes Mean More Roads
• Elden Street Jaywalkers Need to be Stopped
• Magnetic Levitation Good Rail Alternative
• Band Boosters Appreciate Donations
• NatureFest Officials Thank Volunteers
• RCC Shouldn't be in Skate Park Business At All
• Herndon Town Taxes a Good Deal
• Elden Lights Need to be Synchronized
• Sports Should be for Students, Not Coaches

Sept. 27, 2002

• Skate Park Study Leaves Much Unanswered
• Community Must Speak Out For Skate Park
• Planned Skate Park is Too Close to High-Voltage Power Lines
• Cast Vote in Soughgate Election
• Southgate Plan Takes Money Away from Schools
• Cast Vote for Southgate Today
• Southgate Plan is Good for Reston
• Motto Has No Place in Schools
• Fight Gangs By Helping Others
• Thanks to Reston Triathlon Volunteers
  
  

Sept. 20, 2002

• Cast Your Vote for Southgate Center
• National Motto in Schools is Graffiti
• Unitarians Speak Out Against Anti-Muslim Vandalism
• Herndon is a Better Deal than Reston
• Skate Park Move is Rush to Judgment
• Lights Need Fixing in Courts of Chandon
  
  

Sept. 13 , 2002

• Neighbors Are Not Only in the Neighborhood
• Howell's Rail Plan Raises More Problems
• Reston Comm. Center Plan is Great Offer
• Vote ŒYes' on Southgate Ballot
  
  

Sept. 6 , 2002

• Voters’ League Says ‘Pledge to Participate’
• Somerset County Working Hard to Memorialize Flight 93
• Flunking the SAT Acronym
• Writer Says GRACE Did Not Treat Brown Fairly
• Herndon Town Taxes a Surprise

Sept. 6 , 2002

• Voters’ League Says ‘Pledge to Participate’
• Somerset County Working Hard to Memorialize Flight 93
• Flunking the SAT Acronym
• Writer Says GRACE Did Not Treat Brown Fairly
• Herndon Town Taxes a Surprise

Aug. 30, 2002

• Volunteers Make EXCEL Tick
• Skate Park Issues Still Need to be Addressed
• Family Grieves at Loss, Rejoices for Friends

Aug. 23, 2002

• Reston Water Control Important
• Dulles Rail Good; Tolls are Not Good
• 40% Needed in Restonian Vote for Southgate
• Sales Tax Not Helpful to No. Virginia
• Rail Will Actually Increase Traffic
• Bus Better Than Rail
• Nothing Changed After Alabama Raid
• Volunteers Made ŒNight Outà Successful

Aug. 16, 2002

• Time No. Va. Got its Fair Share
• Tip Program Could Curtail Freedom
• Council Needs to Answer Questions

Aug. 9 , 2002

• Striking Electricians Make Unrealistic
• DemandsCitizens Should Speak Out Against Plans for Jonquil
• Sympathy for Cox Cable Problems
• New Phone Number for O'Reilly Law Firm
• Clinic Offers Physicals for Needy Students

Aug. 2 , 2002

• Rail Cost Will be High, But What About Use?
• Thanks for Story About Donny Soberdash
• Herndon Needs to be Careful of Where It's Going
• Cox Service Has Become a Nightmare
• Dulles Needs Rail, Not Buses
• N. Virginia Needs New Congressman
  

July 26, 2002

• Rail to Dulles: Some Solutions
• Higher Tolls Unfair to Commuters
• Young Student's Death Brings Friends Together
• Herndon 'Appearing Before Our Very Eyes'
• Town Leaders have Fallen into 'Maximum Development Mindset'

July 19 , 2002

• Fortnightly, Jonquil Lane Developments the Final Straws
• Jonquil Development Equals Traffic Problems
• Jonquil Development Better Than the Present
• Winning the War Against Terrorism
• Not Only Reston, Herndon Residents Use Toll Road
• Control Over VDOT Now in Good Hands
• Bloodshed in Name of Religion Historical Fact
• Siding Job Not First

July 12 , 2002

• Lake Fairfax Fireworks Traffic Awful
• Tolls: Never-Ending Sourse of Funds?
• Tolls Should Never Be Dropped
• State Bureaucracy Gone Berserk
• VDOT Continues to Milk Taxpayers
• Toll Road Column a 'Must Read'
• Taught Me Facts I didn't Know
• Jonquil Lane Plan Does Not Aid Quality of Life
• John Tutich Did Much for Golf Course, Town

July 5 , 2002

• 'Under God' Should Mean 'Under God'
• Good to See Proper Image of Muslim Women
• Hard Questions Need to be Asked
• Just What is Hudgins Doing About Trucks?

June 28, 2002

• Columnist Should Concentrate on Physical Fitness Program
• The Price of Freedom

June 21, 2002

• Expanded Beltway Needed for Future
• The Ugly Reston Wall
• Watershed Letter Contained Inaccuracies
• Council Candidate Vows to Run Again

June 14 , 2002

• Southgate Plan Will Save Reston Money
• RA's $3M Storm Water Report Flawed
• Parent Praises Dranesville Staff
• Peggy Vetter Scholarship Reported Incorrectly
• Harbor House Thanks Sponsors
• Highway Walls: 'Money Wasted, Beauty Lost'
• Beltway Widening the Right Thing

June 7 , 2002

• Homeless Shelter Seeks Donated Van
• Maryland Woman Heartbroken Over Loss of Dog

May 31, 2002

• Plum: Letter Had Misinformation
• Higher Sales Tax and Gridlock

May 24, 2002

• RestonDogs Says Sen. Howell Supported Park
• Paws and Claws Thanks Supporters of Mutt Strutt
• Leftists Shopping for Biased Judge

A Look at 'Their Towns'
Last week editor Tom Grein invited readers to send in their own lyrics about towns close to their hearts. They are published here.

• My Hometown
• I Am Dranesville
• Ballad of Herndon

May 17, 2002

• Rachel Carson 3rd in Olympiad
• Sen. Howell Supports Dog Park in Reston
• People Cared Enough by Calling 911
• Candidate Downer Thanks Voters
• De Noyer Outlines Importance of Voting
• Councilman Husch Thanks Voters

May 10, 2002

• Anti-Dog Park Campaign is in the Minority
• Candidates Thank Voters, Supporters
• Veteran's Memorial Dedication May 27
• What Happened After the Herndon Raids?
• Repeal the Patriot's Act
• What Happened to Our Values?

May 3, 2002

• Builders-Crestview Bad Intersection
• Delays in Rail Funding Costs Taxpayers Millions
• Good or Bad, Metro's the Answer
• What Happened After Raids?

April 26, 2002

• Town Government Isn't Necessarily a Benefit
• Montessori Raises Funds
• SL Boosters Thank Supporters
• Tax Referendum Not Good for Fairfax County
• Herndon Drivers: Slow Down, Pay More Attention
• Can Anyone Fix My Cable?

April 19, 2002

• Tolls Ad Infinitum Are Not Fair System

April 12, 2002

• Developers Have Destroyed Reston's Small-Town Atmosphere
• A Call for Understanding, Communication
• Raids on Muslim Institutions Deplored
• Observer Thanked for Coverage

April 5, 2002

• Pet Adoption Gives Animals Second Chance
• Democrats Torpedoed Pickering Nomination
• Town Merger Still Viable Options for Reston
• Observer Sports Editor Beaten by Maryland Terps
• Tirrell Top on Writer's List for Herndon Mayor
• Observer Blew Coverage of Herndon Raids
• Many Helped to Clean Up Stream

March 29 , 2002

• Southgate Plan Extends Only False Hope
• Sometimes Herndon News is Needed for Reston
• Task Force Didn't Discuss Herndon-Reston Merge
• Herndon-Reston Merger Idea Was No Joke
• Upset Over Dog Auction Views
• Fight Back Against Hate Groups
• Has U.S. Government Now Gone Too Far?
• Hearing is for 'Revising' Chandon Park Plan
• Chandon Park Not Adequately Maintained

March 22 , 2002

• Pickering Was Not Suitable Candidate for Fifth Circuit Court
• Tips for Answering RA Ballot
• Critic is Wrong About Governance Point
• Wingert Brings Fiscal Experience to Board
• Support Wingert for RA Board
• Wingert is Willing Volunteer
• Wingert is Dedicated

March 15 , 2002

• Remember What Makes Reston Special When Voting
• Plum's Argument Not Supported By the Facts
• Support Wingert
• Support Downing
• Adjusted Taxes Up 20% in 3 Years
• Downtown Herndon: Marching in Place
• Herndon Planning Commission Did Its Job
• Ideas on HOAs and Trash
• Thoesen a 'Fisher of Men'

March 8 , 2002

• Taxes Should be Reduced, Not Increased
• Summit Apartments Will be Ugliest Building in Reston
• Warner is Leader for Transportation
• Criticism of Letter Not Constructive
• Keep Festival Downtown
• Let the Marketplace Decide Downtown
• Trash Lid Ordinance Will Cost HOAs Money
• Vote in Reston Election
• Blackwell Withdraws, Recommends Wingert
• Downing Represents Responsible Leadership
• Downing is Careful Steward
• Wingert Will Preserve Nature
• Vote for Wingert
• Board Needs Wingert
• Wingert is Choice
• Downing's Leadership in Question
• Aaron, Wingert are Proven Leaders

March 1 , 2002

• Column Writer Dead Wrong About Vehicle Tax
• Poor, Inaccurate Opinions Not Useful
• Towing Situation is by Design
• Take Closer Look at Warner's Transportation Experience
• RA Candidate Withdraws from Race
• Wingert Will Refocus RA Board
• Wingert is Good Choice for RA
• Check Out Moving Companies Before Your Move
• Capitalize on Wingert
• Downing Working to Strengthen Reston
• Racist Material is Outrageous
• Ashburn Dog Park Supported

Feb. 22 , 2002

• Property Tax No Answer to Road Troubles
• Taxing Luxury Cars Makes Sense
• Comcast Prices Slowly Rise; Service is Same
• Candidate Looks Forward to Serving RA
• Capt. Smith a Real Hero and Role Model
• Important to Know Herndon History
• Bicycles Good Answer to Traffic Woes
• Time to Pay for Memorial
• Great to Hear Good Diet News
• Loudouners Should Take Role in Budget
• Vicky Wingert's Contributions Priceless
• Supports 3-Acre Ashburn Dog Park
• Herndon-Reston a Helpful Area

Feb. 15 , 2002

• Dulles Toll Road Fees Count as Taxes Too
• Good Shepherd Thankful for Coverage
• Typos Typo's

Feb. 8 , 2002

• Black Contributions to Society Not Minor
• 2 Proposed Laws Would Be Unpatriotic
• Towing Company Not to Blame
• Why is Sales Tax Only Option Being Discussed?
• Thanks for Holding People Responsible
• Living in Whineville

Feb. 1 , 2002

• New Parking Ordinance No Solution
• Community Chipped in to Make Holidays Bright
• Tow Victims Are Not Illiterate
• Restonians Aren't Entitled to Use Parking Lot
• Parking Woes? Come to Herndon
• Towing at Reston Town Center 'Unacceptable'
• Catch All Typos
• Great to Hear Good Diet News

Jan. 25 , 2002

• Licensed Nurse Practitioners Provide Care
• Plum Critic Should Be Incensed at Republicans
• Plum: Part Sour Grapes and Crow
• Blues Legend John Jackson Remembered
• Victims of Tow Trucks are Being Ripped Off
• Terrabrook Should Refund Towing Fees
• Hudgins, Hanley Doomed Southgate Plan to Fail

Jan. 18 , 2002

• Plum Pabulum Continues
• King's Dream Takes on New Meaning
• Ashburn Needs Better School Representation
• Making the Distinction Between Blight, Aesthetics

Jan. 11 , 2002

• Homeowner Asks for Return of Stolen Angel
• Thanks for Mayor Rust Story

Jan. 4 , 2002

• Speeders Run Free: Where Are the Police?

For Letters from the last six months of 2001, click here.