Casino Veto Celebrated As Leaders Debate Rising Election Costs: Reston Association Annual Meeting

RESTON, VA — Reston Association members gathered Tuesday night for the 2026 annual meeting, a session defined by a "back to basics" review of the past year and a growing debate over the rising cost of local campaign spending.

Board President Travis Johnson opened the meeting by highlighting the community’s successful opposition to a proposed casino in Tysons. The effort culminated in a veto by Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D), a move cheered by local leaders.

"That didn't happen because we were loud," Johnson said. "It happened because we were clear, and we stayed that way".

The association is currently navigating a period of transition following the January resignation of CEO Mac Cummins. Under acting CEO Peter Lusk, the organization has focused on maintaining core assets like pools, trails, and bridges.

Cummins, speaking as a resident, praised the staff’s ability to maintain service levels despite significant mid-year budget cuts.

"At the end of 2024, we were making some pretty hard fiscal decisions, and we cut $500,000 out of the operating budget," Cummins said, noting that staff "punched above their weight" to deliver quality of life services without reduction.

Related: Reston Association Announces 2026 Board Election Results

Johnson signaled that fiscal restraint would continue, stating his hope that the board treats inflation as the "absolute ceiling" for future assessment increases.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the professionalization and rising costs of RA Board elections. Former RA President Catherine Baum criticized the trend of high-dollar advertising in local races.

"The idea that an individual has to spend $10,000, $20,000 or even more dollars for an elected position on the RA board is absolutely abhorrent to me," Baum said. She warned that such costs could limit board access to only "well-heeled or well-connected individuals"

Johnson agreed, noting that while participation was strong, the cost of running should be a concern. He expressed a desire to work with the elections committee to find a process that "reflects service, not spending".

2025-2026 Award Recipients

The association recognized several individuals for their contributions to the community:

• Volunteer of the Year: William "Bill" O'Brien, for 13 years of service as a volunteer photographer.
• Youth Volunteers of the Year: Emily Alegre and Parjikta Nakarmi, for their dedication to community events and environmental projects.
• Committee Excellence Award: Dave Kerr, for nine years of service and leadership on the Finance Committee.
• Special Recognition: Irwin Flashman, for his service on the Board of Directors. Flashman announced that he was stepping down from the board.