By now I hope everyone realizes that the top priority for #SmartGov4Herndon is community engagement. I believe that fully engaging our residents, businesses, organizations, and government can provide better and more cost effective solutions than relying mainly (or completely) on government.

So what does this look like? Well a great recent example is the recent effort started to provide desks for virtual learning in the Herndon/Reston area. A resident saw a need, created a Facebook group, invited some friends, and in roughly 2 weeks has already created a good framework, created a partnership with the schools, and has delivered around 80 desks to students in need in our community. Other businesses and organizations are (or are becoming) involved as well.

This all has happened in roughly 2 weeks! I can pretty much guarantee that if government was driving this we MIGHT be at the point of a legal review of options and any real solution would still be weeks away — assuming we could even find funding. Speaking of funding — this is being done with no increase in your taxes and minimal public cost (some of the desks are surplus and some school staff time is being used to identify recipients).

Innovative ideas and utilizing the talents of our community has provided a solution to this need. We can, should, and must repeat this model wherever we can! If I am elected to Town Council I will always look for these types of opportunities.

Steve

Ps If you would like to get involved with the desk project, message me or comment. I will be happy to put you in touch with the organizer!