Town Council Members listened attentively as Rebecca Jarrett Posten, a member of the ad hoc committee created to look into what would be required for Middleburg to become a "Green Community," made a formal recommendation that the group become an official entity established to analyze and make recommendations that give citizens the benefits of environmental innovation and sustainability.

In her recommendation to the Council, Posten noted the wide range of experience and expertise represented by members of the ad hoc committee, and emphasized the group's generosity, enthusiasm, energy and exciting ideas.

"Committee members pointed out opportunities to increase awareness of sustainability by leveraging work being done by local businesses, citizens and organizations who are already working on similar efforts," she said. "We need to be methodical in involving the Town residents, of all ages…this is truly a group effort. The community needs to be informed and engaged." As an example of the benefits of an informed citizenry, Posten explained that by simply changing from a 100 watt incandescent light bulb to a new, lumen compact fluorescent bulb, 500 pounds of coal are saved.

The benefit to the environment is obvious and there are significant reductions in cost that are reflected on the user's electric bill.

Posten suggested that, if the committee were formally established, the members would work closely with businesses to make purchasing the new bulbs easier and to establish recycling programs for the compact fluorescents. She noted that Australia's Environmental Minister recently announced that the burning of incandescent bulbs would be banned in Australia by 2010.

In her concluding remarks, Posten emphasized that sustainability is not an end in itself, but the beginning of an on-going process that will benefit the entire community.

The resolution to form the official committee to begin the work involved in Middleburg "Going Green," was passed unanimously by the Town Council.

Members of the Middleburg Goes Green ad hoc committee included: Mayor Betsy Davis; Director of Economic Development Claudia Dornin; Punkin Lee; Rebecca Jarrett Poston; Mimi Stein, compliance officer for Ayrshire Farm and Manager of the Home Farm Store; Ken Reid, executive vice president of the American Water Resources Association and member of the board of governors of the World Water Council; Connie Borely; Laura Gargagliano, LEED Certified Architect with Barnes Vanze Architects; Tony Hayes, Recycling Specialist with Loudoun County; Chandler Van Voorhis, vice president of CleanPower Foundation; Renee Lorton, CPA.