Updated at 9:15 a.m. on March 18 — A previous version of this story incorrectly said “Vienna” instead of “Herndon” officials. This has now been corrected.
Some Herndon Town Council members are pushing for more robust ethics guidelines, but there’s disagreement about how best to go about doing that.
While councilmembers have agreed that revising the code of ethics is a positive step toward ensuring ethical behavior of future councils and erasing a perception that the council skirts rules, they have different ideas on what should get changed or added.
At a March 5 meeting, Councilmember Pradip Dhakal suggested borrowing from other codes of conduct, and analyzing omissions in the current code, may solve current gaps. (Councilmembers said they have been looking at the ethics codes from the Town of Amherst and Williamsburg as examples to emulate.)
Breadth and specificity dominated the March 5 debate, with some councilmembers raising concerns that trying to list every single unethical behavior could end up missing some things and creating a policy that no one would read.
For the sake of appearances, having a longer ethics code might raise some eyebrows if it’s overly detailed, one councilmember said.
“I’d be like what kind of crap is going on if they need this level of detail?” said the councilmember, who could not be positively identified on an audio recording of the meeting.
While some of the councilmembers expressed support for the current policy’s simplicity, others argued that a more in-depth code will clear up any confusion.
“We are coming from different backgrounds and sometimes common sense is uncommon,” Dhakal said. “My common sense may not be yours.”
Other possibilities floated at the March 5 meeting included defining “ethical behavior” and adding some definitions and rules that are in the state code. Creating guidelines for social media and online conduct also came up as a possible addition to the code of ethics or as a separate set of guidelines.
Vice Mayor Sheila Olem and councilmembers Cesar del Aguila and Signe Friedrichs have led the effort to revise the code.
Unethical, sketchy, and uncomfortable behavior among Herndon officials are some of the main reasons behind the push to strengthen the code. The councilmembers shared stories of unnamed former town officials who publicly berated staff, grabbed a staffer in a sexual manner, and solicited jobs from other elected officials in the performance of their official duties.
The code of ethics is currently located in Article I of the second chapter under the Herndon Town Code.
Reston Now saved you the trouble of hunting it down:
Sec. 2-5. – Code of ethics for the members of the town council and council appointed board and commission members.
(a) Members of the town council and council appointed board and commission members shall perform their duties to the very best of their abilities and demonstrate integrity, honesty, and ethical behavior in the conduct of all town business.
(b) Members of the town council and council appointed board and commission members shall treat the public, town staff and each other in a courteous manner and shall at all times refrain from abusive conduct, threatening or intimidating language or gestures, personal charges, or verbal or written attacks concerning the character or motives of other members of the town council, town boards and commissions, town staff, or the public.
(c) Members of the town council and council appointed board and commission members shall bring any concerns about the performance of a council appointee to the entire council. Concerns about the performance of a town employee shall be discussed privately with the town manager.
(d) Members of the town council and council appointed board and commission members should direct significant requests for information or discussions concerning town business to the town manager, who directs the day-to-day operations of the town and its employees.
(e) Members of the town council and council appointed board and commission members shall fully comply with the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Code of Virginia, §§ 2.2-3700, et seq. and the State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act, Code of Virginia, §§ 2.2-3100–2.2-3131, as applicable.
“One of our citizens came to a public hearing and said, ‘Pass it now!'” Mayor Lisa Merkel said at the end of the March 5 discussion. “I don’t think we need to rush into it, but [we’re] making movement in the right direction and making sure it reflects what we all really want to see in there.”
The Town of Herndon is still working on the code. At the town’s public session on Tuesday (March 12), del Aguila said that the code of ethics “is certainly coming to fruition.”
Image via Town of Herndon
The Fairfax County Planning Commission supported a plan to add an assisted living facility in Great Falls at its meeting last night (March 14).
The 62-unit assisted living facility would be run by IntegraCare at 1131 Walker Road — right above Leesburg Pike and close to Colvin Run Mill. Verity Commercial is partnering with IntegraCare for the development.
The 33,429-square-foot-facility aims to fill a growing need in the community — about 35 percent of the Great Falls population is age 55 or older, according to Verity Commercial.
The new facility would also serve the local community in another way. “One of the problems in Great Falls is we have a limited amount of meeting space,” Dranesville District Planning Commissioner John Ulfelder said.
He requested that small groups have access to the facility’s meeting space when it is not being used for the facility’s programming.
The building’s design is meant to have an intimate feel, with short corridors and scattered communal areas.
The facility also plans to include a theater with a system for the hearing impaired, a demo kitchen and auto door opening where residents wear a bracelet that only lets them open their own doors.
Outside, a 10-foot trail along the front of the facility would connect to Colvin Run Road so that the residents may enjoy nearby eateries.
“It’s an outstanding proposal, an outstanding facility,” Ulfelder said.
(Updated at 9:50 a.m.) The Reston Association recently released the results of the first two weeks of the Board of Directors elections, which are currently in progress until April 1.
Here are the percentages of the returned votes for the first two weeks:
- At Large: 6.38 percent
- Hunters Woods/Dogwood: 5.23 percent
- Lake Anne/Tall Oaks: 5.32 percent
- North Point: 7.64 percent
“Although this year’s five seats are uncontested, a quorum of 10 percent of eligible voters needs to be reached to make the election results official, so it’s important that all members vote,” Mike Leone, RA’s director of communications and community engagement, told Reston Now.
The received ballots include 984 ones submitted electronically and 425 paper ones.
Leone said that he was not surprised by the results so far. “Week one and two results represent mostly those members who cast their vote electronically. Over the next few weeks we will also see paper ballots returned along with more electronic votes,” he said.
Three candidates are incumbents:
- Catherine Baum for a one-year term as the Apartment Owners Representative
- Caren Anton for a one-year term as the Hunters Woods/Dogwood Representative
- John Mooney for a three-year term as the North Point Representative
Tom Mulkerin, a residential real estate agent who has served on the board of the Lakewinds II Cluster Association, is running for a three-year-term At-Large seat.
Aaron Webb, who has served on the board of the Lakeside Cluster, is running for a three-year term for the Lake Anne/Tall Oaks Representative, which is currently filled by Sherri Herbert.
The results will get announced at the Annual Members’ Meeting in April.
“Storytime Social” — Moms, dads, caregivers and kids are invited to Scrawl Book’s social hour at 11 a.m. today. There will be coffee for the adults. [Scrawl Books]
Reston business news — Reston-based trucking software developer Trucker Tools raised more than $3 million from a single investor toward a $5 million Series B equity round. The company will partner with J.J. Keller & Associates for truck-location data in its app. [Cision]
Movie time — The Reston Regional Library’s Great Decisions Series asks locals to the film produced by the Foreign Policy Association and then participate in the roundtable discussion on current events and U.S. foreign policy options. The topic for March is “Nuclear Negotiations: Back to the Future.” [Fairfax County]
No Rammys for Reston — “The nominations are in for the 2019 RAMMY awards, and unfortunately, Reston restaurants were completely shut out.” [Reston Patch]
Singer Beverly Cosham is set to take CenterStage exactly one week from today for a free show.
Known for her cabaret and theater performances, Cosham will perform songs from the Great American Songbook.
The performance starts at 2:15 p.m. next Thursday (March 21) at RCC Hunters Woods (2310 Colts Neck Road).
The show is a part of a joint venture between the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University and Reston Community Center.
Photo via Reston Community Center
Happy birthday to 1-year-old Lauryn, who local firefighters and paramedics in Reston helped deliver last year.
Last year, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue members from Station 39 B-Shift in North Point received a call to help deliver a baby girl at a local home shortly before 11 p.m.
After the birth, the mother and baby were transported to an area hospital, and the paramedics and firefighters continued working for the rest of the night.
Fast forward one year later and the family of baby Lauryn reached out to the members from Station 39 to join in the birthday celebration.
The birthday bash included a “Happy First Birthday Lauryn” sign outside the fire station, two cakes with one of them shaped like a miniature fire truck, balloons and a photo shoot with Lauryn and mom by a fire truck.
“Cake, balloons and Lauryn’s big sister, who was a big help during the delivery, were all part of the celebration,” the fire department posted.
Photos via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue
One month after Wooboi Chicken’s opening, Chef Minwoo says that the Herndon eatery still has lines out of the door in the late morning and even one diner who came down from New Jersey for a taste of the Nashville Hot Chicken.
After pop-up locations around Maryland and Virginia last summer, Wooboi Chicken officially opened a brick-and-mortar spot in early February at 139 Spring Street, Suite 1.
The chicken is free-range, does not contain antibiotics and is fried in peanut oil, according to its website. For customers with peanut allergies, Wooboi Chicken has a separate fryer that uses canola oil instead.
The concept is based on Nashville Hot Chicken, which has its roots in a woman’s attempt to get back at her cheating man by serving him a super spicy chicken.
Minwoo told Reston Now that he has thrown in his own twists, including D.C. mumbo sauce made from pineapples, distilled wine, vinegar, tomato paste; Japanese-influenced brine; and a unique breading that Minoo calls a “fusion of fine dining and generic KFC and Popeyes.”
The chicken eatery offers six different levels of heat depending on how hot customers like their chicken — the code red and code blue options are the hottest and require an extra warning: a “waiver” on a chalkboard-painted wall where diners have signed their names.
Minwoo estimates that about 10 percent of the customers try either the red or the blue option, and about 5 percent of those “brave people” successfully finish their food. (If you’re not a spice person, don’t go above a level two, Minwoo says.)
This Reston Now reporter chickened out and tried one of the milder items from the secret menu instead — the Merkaroni Salad. (Town of Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel took to Twitter to share her excitement about having a secret menu item named after herself.)
Other secret menu items to ask for include The Kracken, which is a double chicken sandwich inspired by Paul from Weird Brothers Coffee, and the Choi Fries, which are fries with D.C. mumbo sauce, chicken, cheddar cheese and mustard.
The secret menu isn’t the only surprise. The recipes change a little bit every day, Minwoo adds.
“I’m just going to try to make the best chicken sandwich I can.”
Looking for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations? You’re in luck.
Whether you want to enjoy a pint of Guinness or dance an Irish jig, locals in Reston, Herndon and Great Falls have a variety of events to choose from.
Reston
The Foley Academy of Irish Dance will give a dance performance and lessons at the Reston Regional Library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive) on Saturday (March 16) from noon-1 p.m. All ages are welcome to attend.
Over at Reston Town Center (11911 Democracy Drive), a Lucky Leprechaun 5K will take place at 8 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day. Registration costs $40 until Friday (March 15) and then the price hikes up to $45. Online registration will remain open until 7:30 a.m. on the morning of the race.
The Kalypso’s Sports Tavern (1617 N. Washington Plaza) plans to host a St. Patrick’s Day Weekend that kicks off on Friday (March 15) with a classic and modern rock performance. On Saturday, the tavern will have face painting from noon-4 p.m. before the Irish dance demonstration by the Foley Academy of Irish Dance begins.
The schedule for the Irish holiday itself is packed:
- DJ Crisis Panic: noon-8 p.m.
- face painting: noon-2 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.
- Irish dance demonstration by Foley: starts at 4 p.m.
- Sam Gunderson & the Cactus Groove: 8 p.m.-midnight
The Lake Anne Brew House (11424 W Washington Plaza) will offer an Irish brunch on Sunday from 11 a.m.-noon. The menu will feature new twists on Irish favorites for $39.
Herndon
Over in Herndon, Ned’s Devine (2465 Centreville Road) will throw a party starting at 10 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day featuring back to back live acoustic acts, Irish dancers and party favors.
Performances include:
- Brian Franke: noon- 3 p.m.
- Laura Farrell: 3-6:30 p.m.
- Levi Stephens: 6-9 p.m.
- Screaming Monkeys: starting at 9:30 p.m.
P. J. Mulligans (2310 Woodland Crossing Drive) will feature Irish food and music over the weekend. On Saturday, a midnight Guinness toast will kick off St. Patrick’s Day.
Great Falls
The Old Brogue (760 Walker Road) will celebrate its 38th anniversary with four shows and a pub bash.
Reservations are required for the four concerts by Tam McGeady and the Mostly Irish Band. The shows include food and range from $40 each for the two lunch-time shows to up to $50 for the last of the two evening performances.
Diners over the age of 21 also have the option of enjoying all-day entertainment by Ted Garber in the pub where traditional Irish beers will be served from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. There will be a $10 cover charge.
Photo courtesy PRRacing
“Fallen Angels” starts — NextStop Theatre Company’s production of the Noel Coward comedy hits the stage tonight. [NextStop Theatre Company]
Checkmate — McNair Elementary School finished second in the K-5 category of the Virginia Scholastic Chess Championships. The McNair also placed third in the K-8 category. [FCPS]
Lake Audubon dredging update — The dredging project is still on track for completion in April. [Reston Association/YouTube]
Girl Power! Book Club tonight — Middle-grade readers can head to Scrawl Books at 7 p.m. to talk about “Front Desk.” [Scrawl Books]
A Great Falls homeowner found on Sunday (March 10) a broken rear window and evidence that people had been inside the home, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
Police said that nothing of value was taken because the house in the 9700 block of Mill Run Drive was vacant.
The Fairfax County Police Department’s Reston District Station reported the following incidents in recent days:
LARCENIES:
1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive, cash from vehicle
2500 block of Centreville Road, wallet from location
2200 block of Colts Neck Road, jewelry from residence
2200 block of Colts Neck Road, bag and jewelry from residence
12800 block of Fantasia Drive, medication from residence
12000 block of Greywing Square, airbag from vehicle
12000 block of Greywing Square airbags from vehicle
12000 block of Greywing Square airbag and steering wheel from vehicle
11400 block of Heritage Commons Way, wallet from residence
1200 block of Lamplighter Way, license plates from vehicle
1400 block of North Point Village Center, merchandise from business
11600 block of North Shore Drive, medication from residence
1200 block of Reston Avenue, electronic device from vehicle
10100 block of Walker Lake, pistols from residence
2200 block of White Cornus Lane, airbags from vehicle
1800 block of Wiehle Avenue, beer from business
11900 block of Winterthur Lane, airbag from vehicle
STOLEN VEHICLES:
None reported
File photo
Quickway Japanese Hibachi is coming to Dulles Park in Herndon.
Quickway Japanese Hibachi combines the teppanyaki cooking technique — a type of grilling style — with a quick service restaurant setting, according to its website. The menu features different varieties of hibachi, bento boxes and sushi rolls.
The regional fast food chain leased a 1,200 square-foot space in the shopping center, according to a commercial real estate agency. An exact address has not been announced yet.
In addition to the Herndon spot, the hibachi chain also is “opening soon” in Silver Spring, Md. and Spotsylvania, Va.
Image via Google Maps
Many of the collection days for trash and all of the ones for recycling in the Town of Herndon are set to change starting in August.
The changes are set to start the week of August 5. Recycling days will change to either Monday or Tuesday and some trash collection days will shift to Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.
The types of services will not be affected.
The changes are meant to increase collection efficiency, balance routes, consolidate collection areas, and allow for existing and future development, according to the Town of Herndon.
Town Manager Bill Ashton told the Herndon Town Council at its public session last night (March 12) that public outreach is the first step of the process.
“We have a very comprehensive plan to do public outreach in this regard because it is changing how things have been done for about the past 25 years so that is always a difficult thing,” Ashton said.
Ashton said that Herdon residents can expect a letter in their mailboxes soon from the Department of Public Works outlining the changes.
Image via Sheila Olem/Facebook
Ramen and Rice Bowl now has a “coming soon” sign up at its Herndon Centre spot.
No word yet, though, on an opening date for the fusion ramen restaurant at 482 Elden Street. The spot used to belong to Tipicos Gloria, a Central American eatery, before it relocated about 150 feet away to 470 Elden Street last year.
The restaurant currently has a liquor license pending for wine and beer.
Locals may have noticed that Vapiano, a restaurant chain that serves up Italian food in a fast-casual setting, keeps posting “store closed” signs at the Reston Town Center restaurant.
The closures are temporary as the Reston location (1875 Explorer Street) undergoes management changes and payment delays for staff, which have now been resolved.
Back in January, Vapiano SE, which operates the international restaurant chain, announced it would sell its shares of Vapiano Holding USA, LLC and seven of its subsidiaries in the U.S. to Plutos Sama Holdings Inc.
An attorney representing Vapiano’s new owners told Reston Now that the temporary closures are due to a transiton to a new general manager at the restaurant.
“We wanted to make sure that we trained him properly,” said Matthew Browndorf, the founding partner at Wilson Keadjian Browndorf LLP. He added that training has caused a “little bit of a disruption.”
Training is not the only reason why tensions have flared at the restaurant.
Andrew Corcoran, a managing partner for Wilson Keadjian Browndorf, LLP, told Reston Now that a transition in the payroll system caused a “slight delay” for employees who tried to cash their checks on payday, but that the payment problems and confusion have now been addressed.
Both Corcoran and Browndorf say that all of the staff have been paid now. Each Vapiano location has about 40 employees, Corcoran said.
Corcoran said he saw the “store closed” sign, which urged locals to go to the two locations in D.C., on Saturday (March 9) morning. The sign came down and the restaurant opened up that night and remained open over the weekend, Corcoran and Browndorf said.
Then during the late afternoon on Monday (March 11), Vapiano closed again.
Reston Now spotted a new sign on the door on Tuesday afternoon saying that the restaurant was set to open at 5 p.m. Corcoran said training was why the restaurant planned to open later that day.
The restaurant didn’t reopen, though. A local sent Reston Now a photo of a new sign on the door Tuesday evening that said in all capital letters: “Store closed. Vapiano will return to regular business hours Wednesday March 13, 209. Sorry for the inconvenience,” signed “Management.”
“The schedule was thinly staffed to begin with and some staff unexpectedly called out for illnesses and other personal issues, leaving the location unable to open,” Corcoran told Reston Now this morning.
Now, the restaurant is expecting to reopen today at 11 a.m., Corcoran said.
Locals getting or staying in shape can expect new work out options like jiu-jitsu and boxing at Plaza America.
UFC Gym recently signed a lease for a 4,834 square-foot space at 11710 Plaza America Drive, Suite 40.
The fitness franchise has more than 70 locations spanning the country, along with a handful in Canada. The gyms offer a range of mixed martial arts, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and boxing classes for individuals and groups, along with standard gym equipment like ellipticals, bikes and treadmills.
Currently, there is a UFC Gym in Woodland Park Crossing at 12973 Highland Crossing Drive, Suite C.
Photos via UFC Gym Reston Herndon/Facebook
