Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia E-News, December 24, 2008

Delegate Ken Plum's

Virginia E-News

Ken and Jane Plum greeted the crowd at the Reston Town Center's Holiday Parade while walking behind their red Prius decorated as a Lightning McQueen look-alike from the movie "Cars."

Photo by Debra Steppel of Reston.

December 24, 2008

Commentary

Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus
Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

        In 1897 Francis P. Church wrote for the New York Sun what was to become one of the most famous editorials ever written. He wrote it in response to a letter from a young girl.

Dear Editor -
        I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, "If you see it in The Sun, it's so." Please tell me the truth is there a Santa Claus?

Virginia O'Hanlon

Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

        Jane and I are thankful for the spirit of Santa Claus that we see throughout our community every day. We wish for all peace and joy this holiday season and throughout the New Year.

"Virginia Report"
Reston Comcast Channel 28

Tonight

Wednesday, December 24 at 10:30 p.m.

Patty Nicoson, President, Dulles Corridor Rail Association - "The Reality of Rail to Dulles"

Next Week

Tuesday, December 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 31 at 10:30 p.m.

Commissioner Joseph Face, Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions - "How Safe are Virginia's Banks?"

Online

Watch this week's show and other "Virginia Report" programs at:

http://www.rctv28.com/video

Pre-Session Public Hearings with Delegate Plum Scheduled for Reston and Oak Hill

Please plan to participate in one or both of the Public Hearings below as we prepare for the 2009 General Assembly session that convenes in Richmond on January 14. Speak to us about issues of interest or concern to you. All are welcome, and pre-registration is not required. Written testimony is helpful but not required.

Delegate Ken Plum and Senator Janet Howell will host a Public Hearing on Tuesday, January 6, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston.

Delegate Ken Plum and Senator Mark Herring will host a Public Hearing on Monday, January 5, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Fox Mill Elementary School, 2601 Viking Drive, Herndon.

* * * * *

Pre-Session Public Hearing for Fairfax County Residents on January 10

The Fairfax County Delegation to the General Assembly will hold its annual pre-session Public Hearing on Saturday, January 10, 9:00 a.m. to close, at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.

Climate Change Citizen Action

Put your old bike to good use by donating it to Bikes for the World. Bikes for the World collects repairable bicycles in the United States and donates them to charities overseas for productive use by those in need of affordable transport. Bikes for the World also accepts bike parts and accessories, operating portable sewing machines, and cell phones. Collections take place rain or shine. For a complete collection schedule visit www.bikesfortheworld.org or call 703.525.0931.

Dominion Energy and Shell WindEnergy Inc. completed the NedPower Mount Storm LLC wind energy project in which they each own a 50 percent interest. Sited along the high ridges of West Virginia, the project is now fully operational, generating up to 264 megawatts of electricity from a renewable energy source for the mid-Atlantic power grid. NedPower Mount Storm, whose construction began in 2006, is located about 120 miles west of Washington, D.C. in Grant County, WV. The project consists of 132 wind turbines along 12 miles of the Allegheny Front, and can generate enough electricity to serve about 66,000 homes and businesses.

Make Recycling Part of Your Holiday Tradition. The Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program has released the following holiday recycling suggestions:

Christmas Tree Recycling: County residents with natural Christmas trees can recycle them during the first two weeks of January. Remove tree stands, lights, ornaments, tinsel and tree-toppers, and set the tree at the curb as directed by your collection company. County ordinance requires all collection service providers to include Christmas tree recycling for natural trees less than eight feet tall as part of their normal collection service. For trees larger than eight feet tall, contact your service provider for collection options.
Gift Wrap and Packaging Recycling: All gift wrap, with the exception of foil wrapping, is able to be recycled with your normal curbside paper recycling. Gift bags and tissue paper can be recycled as well; however, keeping these materials for future use will help reduce waste and can save money on gift wrap for future occasions. Cardboard boxes can also be recycled at the curb with normal recycling collection service. Residents should flatten and fold or cut their boxes to be no larger than three feet long and three feet wide.
Recycling at Holiday Parties: Having a separate container to collect cans and bottles during holiday parties is an easy way to enable everyone to recycle, and it can save time cleaning up afterwards. You can also reduce waste significantly by limiting your use of disposable plates, cups, and utensils whenever possible.

Styrofoam packaging peanuts can be dropped off at your nearest UPS store.

Announcements

The Virginia Office of the Common Interest Community Ombudsman can:

assist constituents in understanding and exercising their rights in resolving issues with their Associations (condominiums, POAs and cooperatives);
issue non-binding explanations of laws and regulations governing Associations; and
offer referrals to alternative dispute resolution services.

Contact the CIC Ombudsman Office at 804.367.2941 or CICOmbudsman@dpor.virginia.gov.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the Reston Community Parking District (CPD) based on Fairfax County Code 82-5B which prohibits the parking of watercraft, trailers, motor homes, and other devices on public streets in residential neighborhoods. Through January 7 police will be distributing informational flyers to vehicles which will need to be moved. Beginning January 7, police will tag vehicles parked in violation of CPD regulations with a "tow tag," a warning ticket, and an informational flyer. Thereafter, the owner will receive a parking ticket and a tow tag and will have 48 hours to move the vehicle. If the vehicle remains in the CPD after the initial 48-hour period, it will be towed. For more information on a large area CPD and a map of the Reston CPD, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/large_cpd.htm. To report a vehicle in violation of the CPD regulations, call the police department's non-emergency number, 703.691.2131.

LEAD VIRGINIA is now recruiting for its Class of 2009. Through LEAD VIRGINIA's annual program, class participants are exposed to regional concerns throughout the Commonwealth, examine new opportunities for collaboration, and expand the concept of a shared vision for the Commonwealth. Applications are due January 15, 2009, and are available at www.leadvirginia.org.