Local Spotlight: John Farrell - At Large Director, Reston Association Board of Directors

This Patch article is sponsored and paid for by John Farrell for Reston Association Board of Directors At-Large. The views expressed in this post are the author's own, and the information presented has not been verified by Patch.

Patch: What attracted you to politics, and how did you get started?

John Farrell: I worked on my first campaign for a family friend when I was 14. I was elected to my first public office when I was 19. Local government has always been an attraction for me as it is the level of government that makes the most immediate impact on people’s lives.

Patch: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your campaign

John Farrell: I am a grandfather of 3, and soon to be 4, granddaughters, and father of 4 graduates of South Lakes HIgh School. I’ve practiced law in Fairfax for more than 40 years. I am a life-long Democrat and advocated for voting rights for all.

I’m seeking re-election to continue to bring my 40 years of experience in Reston and in the law to benefit the generations of RA families to come.

Patch: How long have you lived in (town you’re running in)?

John Farrell: I was lucky enough to be able to move to Reston in 1984 and have lived here ever since.

Patch: Tell us about your career and service in (town you’re running in)

John Farrell: During my first term on the Board, we have:

· Surveyed RA’s membership to know their desires for recreational facilities

· Completed site assessments of every RA facility to learn how to responsibly extend their useful life and properly budget for their preservation

· Led opposition to a Reston casino

· Eliminated fees for member pool passes, extended the pool season/hours

· Reopened Lake Thoreau and Shadowood pools

· Added Winterfest, an annual holiday community gathering

· Made the Hook Road and Running Cedar Little League fields safer

· Added heating to Lake Audubon pool

· Advocated for all Metro station housing to join the Reston Association. If the 3,000 new Metro Station units joined RA, your annual assessment would drop by $120+. We should not be subsidizing those developers.

Patch: What are some ways you give back to the community?

John Farrell: I served as National President of Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation (now known as the American Childhood Cancer Foundation). I have also served as President of the Fairfax Girls Softball League where we petitioned the Board of Supervisors to raise the number and quality of the facilities for women ball players equivalent to the boys fields. One result was the lighting of two fastpitch fields at South Lakes High School.

Patch: If you were to be elected, what would some of your top priorities/policies/changes be?

Over the next three years, I will pursue:

· Opposition to a Reston Casino

· Opposition to redevelopment of the two golf courses

· Sound fiscal and capital management that extends the life of RA facilities while keeping assessments reasonable

· Strong professional and cooperative management that puts membership customer service as RA’s highest priority

· Environmental policies that protect our 1,350 acres of open space and 55 miles of trails

· Extension of pool season/expansion of pools hours to enable all RA members to enjoy these essential amenities

· Zoning positions that are shaped by member input to enhance our community

· Persuade new residential development to join us to spread the cost of RA’s facilities and programs over all of the homes that enjoy them

· Simplification of the design review and covenant processes to preserve property values while easing covenant compliance

Patch: What distinguishes you from other candidates?

John Farrell: Experience and expertise. Having watched how the County government deals with the needs of Restonians, I know when conciliation can be effective and when it's time for community organizing to raise the voice of the 63,000 RA members to enhance the quality of life for all.

Patch: What’s the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you’ve faced during this election?

John Farrell: The weather - canvassing in “snowcrete” was miserable. Then it wouldn’t stop raining.

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part about running in this election?

John Farrell: Interacting with the RA members during our canvassing and hearing how happy they are with all of the amenities that Reston has to offer.

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your campaign?

John Farrell: They can go to Farrell4Reston.com