Snowgate: The Buck Stops Here

Reston Association CEO Milton Matthews has sent an e-mail to all candidates running for seats on the RA Board saying that he alone made the decision to send an official Reston Association e-mail with the names of three candidates who were among the organizers of last weekend's snow removal push.

In the message, Matthews said he was aware the snow-removal event was planned by three Board candidates, but "given the nature of the volunteer work and what I believe were many benefits to the community, I do not second-guess my decision to disseminate the information via RA's various communication channels." Milton also apologized for creating "a stressful situation" for election committee members. The full text follows:

Everyone,

As many of you know, there are e-mails and probably other forms of communications circulating which call into question whether it was a wise decision on the part of RA to disseminate information about a community-wide call for volunteers to assist with snow removal on sidewalks, pathways and, in some cases near bus stops, located adjacent to several schools in Reston. The first point I need to make is that the decision to disseminate the information was mine and not that of RA’s Board of Directors. And, given that the members of the Board of Directors are my bosses, I take absolutely no position on whom those individuals will be, with the only exception being the vote I cast as a Member of the Reston Association.

When I was asked if RA would send out the information about the call for volunteers, my first question was whether RA would be the only source attempting to get the word out to the community. I was assured that efforts by many others were already underway to get the word out. Yes, I was very conscious of the fact that the information to be disseminated acknowledged that among the organizers were three candidates for the RA Board of Directors. However, given the nature of the volunteer work and what I believe were many benefits to the community, I do not second guess my decision to disseminate the information via RA’s various communication channels. On a personal note, I actually shoveled snow and ice at Armstrong Elementary School shoulder to shoulder with individuals I was meeting for the first time.

I have repeatedly stated that I want the Reston Association to be a valued and reliable resource to the community, even if there is a matter in which we are not the direct service provider. I believe getting the word out about the call for volunteers was a service to the community, notwithstanding the fact that three of the organizers of the effort are candidates for the RA Board of Directors.

To members of the Election Committee, I apologize if my decision has created a stressful situation for you.

Milton W. Matthews
Chief Executive Officer
Reston Association

We still think in the interest of full disclosure, the three board candidates should have been identified as such in the e-mail, or that it should have been left to other groups to disseminate. But kudos to Matthews for stepping up and taking responsibility.