Meanwhile, in the Anti-Reston: Herndon Cigarettes To Cost a Quarter More

It's been a while since we've checked in with our newly tolerant neighbor to the west. What's been doin' in Herndon? Well, if your idea of a good time involves hanging around Elden Street or Alabama Street looking for work smoking a cigarette, the privilege will soon cost more.

If it's any consolation to Herndon's nicotine-addicted hordes, the town council, like other great leaders, voted against raising the cigarette tax before they voted for it:

On first attempt, the council voted against raising the tax from 50 cents to 75 cents per pack -- leaving the fiscal 2011 budget more than $100,000 short.

Without increasing Herndon's cigarette tax by 25 cents -- as town staff had recommended -- an additional $123,000 would have to be cut from the $42.25 million budget... Ultimately, the council did just that. On a second vote, the cigarette tax increase was approved, 5-2.

"I'm not willing to sacrifice the things that we forced the town manager to designate," said Councilman Richard F. Downer, who voted for the increase, adding that the revote was made "under duress."

That's all well and good, Appropriately Named Councilman Downer. But what of the children?