For Immediate Release: August 19, 2014

Download this press release in PDF format

RESTON, VA —The Reston Community Center (RCC) Board of Governors announces four candidates for its 2014 Preference Poll.  This year’s candidates are William Keefe, William Penniman, Linda A. Singer and Vicky Wingert. The candidates’ statements are included here as submitted and are presented in alphabetical order; voters are urged to review all statements to make their best selection.

The poll seeks community guidance to fill three 3-year positions. Voting begins on September 12, 2014. Each property in small district 5 will receive a ballot in the mail. Mail-in ballots must be received by the counting agent (a pre-addressed envelope is provided with the ballot; postage is required) no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 2. Walk-in and online ballots must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 3.

A Candidates Forum will be held on Monday, September 8, at 7:00 p.m. at RCC Hunters Woods, located at 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, VA 20191.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors established the RCC Board of Governors to represent the interests of the residents and businesses of small district 5 on issues affecting the Community Center. Board appointments are made by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors after residents of small tax district 5 have made their preferences known in the annual poll.

Board members work together to establish the overall policy for the Center and to oversee its programs and budget. Board members also represent Reston Community Center at social, recreational, cultural and educational activities throughout the district.
This year’s candidates have provided the statements below, shown exactly as written by the candidates with no changes to content. For more information on the 2014 RCC Preference Poll or Board of Governors, please visit our website at www.restoncommunitycenter.com or call (703) 476-4500.

WILLIAM KEEFE

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?

• RCC Board of Governors: 2008-2013
• Reston Special Study Master Plan Task Force Member
• Reston Association Board Member 2005-2008
• Reston Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Committee: Member 1997-2002
• Reston Youth Basketball: Commissioner, Coach, Referee
• Reston Youth Baseball: Coach
• Reston 2000 Task Force: Member

I have been an active member of the Reston community for many years with interests in such activities as planning for the future based on the advent of rail, planning for the youth recreation priorities for Reston Association, participating in Reston Runners, and participating in and supporting Reston Triathlons.

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?

An important Fairfax County agency with a clear charter, RCC’s mission is to improve the quality of life for residents of Small Tax District 5 by providing a wide variety of cultural, artistic, social, and fitness offerings. I would like to promote and expand RCC programming for Restonians, especially for youth and seniors. Based on Reston’s changing demographics, and the financial limitations placed on County services, RCC should continue to fund and implement diverse programming that responds to the wide variety of needs of the community. Multi-lingual and multicultural programming is a necessity in meeting RCC’s mission. Cooperation and good communications with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Reston Association, Reston’s community organizations, and business community are also critical in implementing the RCC vision. I look forward to bringing my years of leadership and experience to RCC’s efforts to reach out to and involve all of Reston

WILLIAM PENNIMAN

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?

I have served on the RCC Board of Governors for eight years, acting, at various times, as the Secretary, Treasurer, Chair of the Finance Committee and a member of the Board’s other committees. For four years, I served as RCC’s representative or alternate representative on the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force, where I co-chaired the Wiehle Station Subcommittee and served on other task force committees. In recent years, I have also served on Supervisor Hudgins’ Hunter Mill Budget Advisory Committee. I have done volunteer work for non-profit organizations, including, most recently, the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club.

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?

Reston is fortunate to have a community center as vibrant as RCC. No other community center in Fairfax rivals RCC for its rich program offerings or its overall contributions to the community. RCC excels in its classes, facilities, arts, summer camps and close engagement with schools and other community organizations. My goal is to help RCC maintain the adequacy of these programs and continue its community-building activities for the benefit of all income levels, while keeping a close eye on the budget. Metro will bring substantial commercial and residential growth to Reston. I believe that RCC can meet the community’s evolving demands and needs within its existing funding structure and will work to help it to do so. My experience on the RCC board and in the community can help RCC continue to fulfill its mission of community service in the face of challenges ahead.

LINDA A. SINGER

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?

1975-Present (Partial list)

EDUCATION

• Terraset – 1st PTO President
• Langston Hughes – PTA President
• South Lakes – PTA Board
• Area III Superintendent’s Council
• FCPS Boundary Committee

COMMUNITY

• Town Center Organization Committee – Community member. Decided on how Town Center would look and function.
• RA (RHOA) – Lakes Committee Chair
• Bylaws Revision Committee
• RCA – Transportation Committee Chair. Held first community meeting on rail to Reston and did follow-up.
• Reston Museum – Member of Reston 20 and 50/100 Committees.

COUNTY

• Library Board – Chair
• Community Action Board – Chair
• Human Services Council
• Fairfax Water Board – Treasurer, Vice Chair
• Redistricting Committee

COMMONWEALTH

• Social Services Board

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?

My participation and leadership with many boards and organizations gives me a great sense of our community’s need for enriching leisure experiences. My family is a good example of RCC participants. In one week at RCC, I played bridge, participated in a Current Issues Discussion Group, saw my granddaughter in an RCC-produced play and signed up for a Supreme Court class and RCC Senior Trip. My granddaughter has taken swimming, crocheting, and drama classes. She will be taking a sewing class in the fall. I will be an active Board Member, presenting innovative ideas and collaborating with all Board members, other organizations and individual citizens. RCC will need to expand as our community grows. I want to have input on how RCC will meet the demands of growth. We moved to Reston because of its inclusiveness in 1975. I will help RCC continue to meet all of our citizens’ needs.

VICKY WINGERT

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?

I have had the opportunity to live, work and play in Reston since 1973 and have been active in a variety of community organizations. In my younger years, I coached girls’ softball, soccer and basketball teams. For many years, I worked for the Reston Association as Day Camp Director, Open Space Director and as CEO. I have served as President of the Reston Historic Trust, a founding member of the Friends of Reston Board, and on the Reston Association Board of Directors. Currently, I am completing my first term on the Reston Community Center Board of Governors.

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?

As Reston celebrates its 50th anniversary, we are reminded of the values that shaped this community; a welcoming place for all, a place where beauty is celebrated and cultural and recreational opportunities are accessible to everyone. The mission of the Reston Community Center is closely aligned with these values. I have spent a lifetime in recreation planning and bring that experience to RCC. RCC’s programming must focus on meeting the needs of an increasingly diverse population and continue to strengthen its partnerships with other Reston organizations. Responsible stewardship of tax dollars is the primary role of the Board of Governors. Prudent use of funds today must be coupled with a commitment to meet the demands of tomorrow. RCC has an important role to play in seeing that the next 50 years of growth and development in Reston continue to uphold the values that have made this community worth celebrating.

About Reston Community Center

Each year RCC offers more than 2,000 positive, self-development experiences that enhance the quality of life for all people living and working in Reston. RCC provides a wide range of programs in arts, aquatics, enrichment and life-long learning. We also create and sustain community traditions through special events, outreach activities and facility rentals. To find the programs or events that are right for you, visitwww.restoncommunitycenter.com or call 703-476-4500.

Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request. For further information, contact Reston Community Center at (703) 476-4500, Virginia Relay (800) 828-1120 (TTY) or visit the website athttp://www.restoncommunitycenter.com. Reston Community Center is located at 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, VA 20191. Reston Community Center is completely accessible to persons with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).