Meet The RCC Board Candidates: Keefe, Penniman

Reston Community Center will conduct its annual Preference Poll this fall. Four candidates are running for three, three-year terms on the Board of Governors. Reston Now will present information from the candidates’ statements today and tomorrow.

There will be a candidates forum at RCC Hunters Woods on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. Voting begins on Sept. 12. Each property in Small Tax 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 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2. Walk-in and online ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3.

Today’s profiles are from William Keefe, a land use lawyer who formerly served on the board, and William Penniman, and energy use lawyer and current board member.

William Keefe Statement of Candidacy

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 Statement of Candidacy

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

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.