Voters Apathetic On Reston Charter

And that's just this year. The charter revisions were debated at 12 public hearings over four years.

Still, Restonians apparently are glossing over the booklet of arcane language that arrived in their mailboxes in February. The documents requiring review include chapters on such subjects as "Covenant for Assessments and Fiscal Requirements," and "Effect of Prior Deeds of Dedication."

Easy reading for busy people? Even Reston's founder, who lives on Lake Anne and voted yes, said he couldn't slog through the fine print.

"I've been out on the hustings, so to speak," Robert E. Simon Jr. said. "I've stopped people and said, 'Have you voted yes, as you should?' So many people have thrown this stuff away."

Some residents said they're furious the Reston Association spent so much of its $12 million budget to promote charter revisions they disagree with.

Adrian Havill, a resident since 1989, said the community spends too much money on too many services. "They need to cut down their expenditures."

He didn't return the ballot, he said, "because I figured there was more of a chance to defeat this by not letting them meet their 40 percent requirement."

If the referendum fails -- state law prohibits another extension of the voting deadline -- Reston leaders say they are unlikely to mount another campaign anytime soon.

It's too demanding, said Blackwell. The cap on annual dues can be raised on a year-to-year basis, she said, "but we are looking for a permanent fix."

Meanwhile, Reston leaders wonder whether the community is beginning to look like just another anonymous suburb.

"At least don't let this fail because people would not participate," said Fairfax Supervisor Catherine M. Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill), whose district includes Reston. "People come to Reston intending to be engaged."