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April 22, 2010

John Geddie
Editor
Loudoun Independent

 

Dear Editor:

 

On April 20, the Board of Supervisors considered a motion to prohibit the hard working citizen-volunteers who serve on Loudoun’s advisory commissions from participating in any civic association or non-profit group that did not comply with the Freedom of Information Act statutes governing public bodies.

Clearly, no private organization like the Chamber of Commerce will, nor should, submit itself to government censorship and control by complying with the rules designed specifically for public bodies.

So the effect of this proposal, which was narrowly defeated by a 5-4 vote, would have been to decimate the ranks of honest Loudoun citizens who give of their time and expertise so generously to advise Loudoun’s elected decision-makers.

Offered by Supervisor Stevens Miller (Dulles District), this motion expressly targeted the Loudoun Economic Development Commission, a county-sanctioned body, and the CEO Cabinet, a group of senior business leaders working to support Loudoun’s business climate and quality of life.

Ultimately, it would have impacted every county board or commission, if three or more of their citizen members work together in any civic organization that may discuss “county business.”

Had this measure passed, Loudoun’s civic associations and non-profit groups also would have suffered greatly from the loss of volunteers, who must choose between their public and private efforts to address Loudoun’s many challenges.

Sadly, this measure is already having a chilling effect on the volunteer activities – in both public and private service – of Loudoun’s most active and committed citizens.

In the Board of Supervisors’ public discussion, the names of several honest and devoted volunteer public servants were dragged into this debate. The reputations and intentions of these private citizens suffered because of the negative characterization of the CEO Cabinet offered by proponents of this measure. That is regrettable.

Most importantly, this very public debate ignores the obvious fact that NONE of these citizen volunteers, nor the county advisory commissions they serve on, have any legal, regulatory or policy-making authority. They simply offer advice to our Board of Supervisors.

Thankfully, clearer heads did prevail. I thank Chairman Scott York and Supervisors Buckley, Burk, Delgaudio and Waters for their votes against the original measure.

And “Thank You” to every citizen volunteer who cares so deeply about Loudoun County and gives so generously, of their time, talents and treasure to our community.

 

Sincerely,

 

Ralph Buona
Chairman, Board of Directors