The Observer Newspapers | Diamond Proposal Should be Approved

July 25, 2008

Diamond Proposal Should be Approved

To the editor:

The Starwood Hotel being proposed and built by Diamond Corporation should be unanimously approved by the mayor and Town Council Aug. 12. Dissenting council members should not delay any decision for approval. Maneuvering to delay or derail this project will hurt the town while potential developers will cautiously take notice. Its time to hit the ball and drag the mayor and council along.

The Diamond proposal is the first opportunity for the mayor and council to get development started downtown and breath new life into our town. Herndon is a desirable place to live but we must move forward and stop fighting change that can infuse revenue in our town and provide lodging that appeals to tourists.

Visiting travelers will frequent our local establishments and the hotel will provide more than $1 million in tax revenue yearly. While I personally do not support an arts center, I do not object to using some of the tax revenue to make this facility a reality.

I urge each of you to please write or call each council member and voice your support for this much needed and carefully planned addition to Herndon.

Phil Jones

Herndon