COUNCIL CORNER
Better Communication New Mayor’s Goal
Input on Town Website Sought

By MARY ANNE GRAHAM
Vice Mayor, Town of Round Hill
Improving information exchange between the Town and citizens is a top priority on John W. Heyner’s list as he begins his first two-year mayoral term.
“I'd like to see better overall communication” said Heyner, “both from the Town to citizens, and from citizens to the Town.”
In support of Heyner’s initiative to improve communications, the Town Council has expanded the responsibilities of the administration committee to include communications.
“While we can't make the public consume information we put out there,” Heyner said, “as a town we need to do a better job of making the most requested and important information readily available.”
To that end, the Mayor and the Town Council are focusing on improving the Town website, www.roundhillva.org, which has not changed significantly since its inception.
Because the website is for the public benefit, the Council is seeking citizen input on how to make it more user-friendly.
“We need to get more input from the community to find out what information they want to see and what the best ways are for us to communicate with them,” said Heyner.
Suggestions should be submitted to Town Administrator John Barkley at jbarkley@roundhillva.org or the Town Office.
Another initiative to improve communication is for Town Council members to regularly attend meetings of citizen groups and homeowner associations. Organizations that would like a Council member to attend their meetings should contact Barkley at 338-7878.
In addition to improving communication, Heyner’s goals for the Town include: bringing planned projects to completion; better, more uniform ordinance enforcement; encouraging changes to zoning regulations that will guide responsible economic development; and continuing support for projects and events that foster community.
Heyner has lived in Round Hill with his wife, Robin, since 1998. He served on the Planning Commission from 1998-2000 and on the Town Council from 2000-2004 and 2006-2008. He was also Round Hill’s representative to Main Street Loudoun.

Opportunities for Community Involvement

The Round Hill Arts Center: Volunteers for jam sessions, gallery sales, and refreshment tables Nov. 15, 22 and Dec. 6. Call RHAC 540-338-5050, or contact Beth Doherty at bethmdoherty@gmail.com.
Chorus of the Old Dominion: Singers at all levels for holiday concerts at various locations. Rehearsals start Oct 9; then alternate Wednesdays and Thursdays in Leesburg. Lots of instruction and encouragement. Contact info@odchorus.org or 540-338-1201.
Town Council: Citizen participants on all committees: Utility Operations and Public Facilities; Land Use; and Administration/Communications. Monthly meetings, as per the calendar on the Town website (www.roundhillva.org). Contact the Town office at 540-338-7878.
Hometown Festival Committee: Contact Noreen Payne at noreeenspayne@yahoo.com.
The Round Hill Volunteer Fire Department: See related story, Page 2. Contact Erin Welch at membership@rhvfd4.org or call 540-748-4740.
The Round Hill Junior Women’s Group: Volunteers needed for wide variety of local projects. Email roundhillwomen@hotmail.com  for more information.