Casino Opposition Plan Outlined By Reston Association CEO Includes Hiring Lobbyists

RESTON, VA — Mac Cummins, chief executive officer of the Reston Association, outlined the association's strategy for opposing the casino that Comstock Holding Companies proposes building along Metro's Silver Line.

"We have decided to actively oppose the proposed casino and encourage our legislators to oppose this proposal as well," Cummins said, in an email sent Thursday to RA members. "Our primary goal will be to preserve the quality of life in Reston for the over 60,000 people who call Reston home."

Patch first broke the news in September that Comstock was seeking to build a casino at or near Reston station, where the company has its headquarters. Since then, Patch reported that Comstock donated more than half a million dollars to political candidates in 2023, started its own political action committee to facilitate that, and hired six lobbyists to advocate for them in Richmond.

Cummins revealed that the Reston Association has hired its own lobbyists to plead their cause to the Virginia General Assembly once the 2024 session begins on Jan. 10. The lobbyists are Andrew T. Lamar and Brittany Whitley of Lamar Consulting, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

During the 2023 session, state Sen. Dave Marsden (D-Burke) and Del. Wren Williams (R-Stuart) introduced nearly identical bills, which they quickly withdrew, that would have given the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors the authority to put a casino referendum on a future ballot.

Marsden told Patch several times last fall that he planned to introduce an expanded referendum bill in January, would include a performance space and conference center anchored by a casino. Cummins met with Marsden after the new year to discuss the potential legislation.

With Cummins' announcement, the Reston Association joins other groups who have already voiced their opposition to the casino proposal, including its own board of directors, the Vienna Town Council, and the Reston Citizens Association.

Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn has also come out strongly against the casino plan. He not only represents Reston Station, but also a portion of Tysons that has been floated as another place to build a casino.

Patch has reached out to Comstock CEO Christopher Clemente for comment. His response will be added to this story once it is received.

The following is the full text of Cummins' letter to RA members:

Dear Reston Association Members:

I’m reaching out to share an update on news regarding a matter that may directly impact the future of our community here in Reston.

As you may already know, there is pending state legislation in Richmond to bring a casino development near our vicinity that has raised concerns among our members. During the 2023 legislative session, State Senator David Marsden advanced legislation authorizing a casino development in Fairfax County, with Reston suggested as a likely location. While the bill didn’t pass, lawmakers are already pledging to reintroduce it this coming session.

The Reston Association has been closely monitoring this situation and plans to take decisive action to protect the residential character of our community. We have decided to actively oppose the proposed casino and encourage our legislators to oppose this proposal as well. Our primary goal will be to preserve the quality of life in Reston for the over 60,000 people who call Reston home.

In the coming weeks, we will raise greater awareness about the potential consequences of the proposed casino via channels including but not limited to media outreach and informational tools to ensure our collective voice is heard. We hope to also collaborate with all concerned stakeholders including members, local businesses, and public officials – to amplify our messaging.

To date, Reston Association has taken the following actions to fight back against casino development:

• Published a letter from the Board President in opposition to a casino and sent it to the Fairfax County elected officials, including members of the Senate and House of Representatives.
• Published RA statement opposing casino to RA website and distributed to media.
• Created a webpage to update the community on reston.org.
• Proactively contacted all legislators in Fairfax County to advocate against a casino in our community.
• Retained expert consultants to assist with legislative efforts in Richmond.
• Met with Senator Marsden after the new year to discuss any proposed legislation that might be introduced in January.
• Spoke at a local legislator town hall in January.

Next, I will address the Fairfax County General Assembly Delegation on Saturday, January 6 during a public hearing on the 2024 legislative agenda to voice our opposition to a casino. Additionally, a few members of the Board of Directors and I will travel to Richmond to meet with the Virginia Delegation when the Virginia legislature is in session.

To stay up to date on this issue, please visit our webpage. Thank you for your continued commitment to making Reston a wonderful place to work, play, and live. Your support is crucial in this endeavor, and we encourage you to join our efforts to safeguard our vibrant future. We will be in touch with ways for you to join us in this fight.
Sincerely,

Mac Cummins, AICP, CEO

Related:

• Opinion: Casino Will Bring More Crime And Taxes To Reston, Tysons
• Casino Developer Hires 6 Lobbyists; $529K Donated To VA Candidates
• Strong Opposition To Casino On Silver Line, Fairfax County: Survey

Read all of Patch's reporting on Comstock Companies' plan to build a casino on Metro's Silver Line in Fairfax County at Silver Line Casino.