$2 Million Requested for Middle School

The Herndon Town Council requested $2 million in funding from the county park authority’s 2016 Bond Referendum to “complete enhancements on outdated facilities at Herndon Middle School.”

“There is a need to renovate the sports fields at Herndon Middle School,” according to Mayor Lisa Merkel and council documents.

Arthur Nachman testified in support of the Council’s request at the Council’s Public Hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

“I think this is an extremely important gesture on your part,” said Nachman. “I think this is important not only from an activities standpoint that our youth and our adults will participate, but from a property value standpoint.”

“This is a way for government to improve the property values of the Town of Herndon by creating more amenities and more reasons for people to come to Herndon to purchase and invest,” he said.

Dranesville Supervisor John W. Foust, School Board member Janie Strauss, county sports organizations and county staff identified the middle school fields as “in major need of re-planning and redevelopment,” according to Council documents.

Town Goes Mobile

Residents will be able to access government from their smart phones.

The Town of Herndon launched “ON the GO,” the official platform for town citizens to access their government from their mobile devices, according to Anne Curtis, Town public spokesperson.

“With this new tool, citizens can submit, track and view nearby service requests through their smartphones. On the backend, town staff redirects and responds to submitted requests through a customized workflow management system. The town also uses the backend system to provide residents real-time status updates and comments on requests as they are submitted,” according to Town documents.

Citizens can also use the in-app widgets to find information about town events, town news, police news, town meetings, employment opportunities and more. Widgets also connect app users to DineONHerndon.com, the town’s restaurant website, town places such as parks, and the town’s Facebook page.

“We are thrilled to offer this new app for the many, many people who rely on their smartphones to stay informed,” said Mayor Lisa Merkel. “‘ON the Go’ incorporates the town’s brand, our request response capabilities and the information available through our website onto one convenient mobile location.”

Download the “ON the Go,” app for free through iTunes and Google Play. The app is powered by PublicStuff, the town’s vendor for its customer relationship management (CRM) interface.

Remember, Honor, Teach

Kathy Herbert, president of the Herndon’s Women’s Club, has identified a veteran who served in the War of 1812 whose grave is located in Chestnut Grove Cemetery.

“Last year, we honored all veterans interned at Chestnut Grove Cemetery with a ceremony and by placing 35 wreaths on the pillars around the cemetery,” said Herbert. “This year, our goal is to place a wreath on each of the 500 graves of veterans we have identified including those dating back to the Civil War and one from the War of 1812.”

“Our goal is to place a wreath on each of the 500 graves of veterans we have identified.”

— Kathy Herbert, Women’s Club

Herbert invited the Council and public to participate in this year’s Women’s Club/Town of Herndon Wreaths Across America Joint Project.

Following TAPS, the wreaths will be placed at all the veterans’ graves by volunteers.

The ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 12 at noon at Chestnut Grove Cemetery, “rain, snow or shine,”

“I hope you all will joining us,” Herbert said before the Town Council on Oct. 27.

The Women’s Club, established in 1939, is comprised of women who “share a passion for community service. Each member brings her own ideas and energy to the club, and we work together to achieve our common goals,” according to the group’s website.

Herndon’s Chestnut Grove Cemetery was “officially established” in 1882.

Chestnut Grove Cemetery has been registered with Wreaths Across America and anyone can go online and order a wreath to be placed.

See www.herndonwomansclub.com and www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

This Date/Topic in History?

Mayor Lisa Merkel thanked Barbara Glakas who conducted some research for the Herndon Historical Society and encountered this item in old minutes from past council meetings.

Merkel read the minutes of a Council meeting from 1947.

“In March of 1947, the minutes said, ‘Mr. Henry Moffet’ which I believe is Ms. Erma Makin’s father,” said Merkel, “requested the council to consider some method of eliminating the dangerous curb on Rte. 28 at the intersection of Park Avenue and Monroe Street. And that matter was referred to Public Works for study,” said Merkel.

On February 14, 2012 the Council approved an Improvement Plan to the Park Avenue/Monroe Street intersection, according to Council documents.

According to the Town’s website on Park and Monroe Intersection Improvements, “work is substantially complete on Park Avenue between Station Street and Van Buren Street.”

“I think Mr. Moffett will be pleased to know it only took 68 years to complete that project. And it looks great,” said Merkel.