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Ken Plum greets Maurice and Suzanne Rudiselle at the Plum Family Picnic & Rally last Sunday evening at the North Hills Pavilion in Reston.
September 16, 2009 |
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Commentary
Back to School on Transportation
Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
Just as children were returning to school after Labor Day, politicians and business and community leaders returned to school to learn more about the state's transportation woes at the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance's "What You Need to Know About Transportation" Seminar. The seminar has become a must-attend event for its concise presentations on transportation-related issues. The sponsoring Alliance has learned as well over its couple of decades of existence having gone from a highway-building advocacy group to a multi-modal transportation interest organization. In fact, the good news at its most recent seminar a week ago was that Dulles Rail barely got a mention for it is a project that is funded and under construction. Only the process of establishing a western tax district to complete the financial plan was discussed. Virginia Railway Express (VRE) reported good news with its best ever on-time performance, growth in ridership even with higher fares, and the addition of new cars to its fleet. Expansion of VRE is planned further south in the I-95 corridor and westward to Gainesville and Haymarket.
Metro which has the second largest subway and the sixth largest bus system nationally is a victim of its own success. Projected ridership by 2020 is expected to grow on the rail system by 22 percent to a million trips a day, and bus ridership is expected to increase by 9 percent to a half-million trips a day. Meeting the cost of this success will require $4 billion more in revenue. In addition, keeping the aging system in a good state of repair for safe and reliable service will require an additional $7 billion during the period. The sources of the needed funding are not known.
The seminar provided no good news for highway construction and maintenance funding. Declining revenues from reduced automobile sales and more fuel-efficient cars have combined to drain away any projected increase in revenues. Since 2008 the FY10 state revenue forecast has decreased by nearly 23 percent or $661 million. Since the first of the year, VDOT has had to reduce its construction plans by $2 billion, lay off 1,000 full-time and 450 part-time workers, close a third of its district offices, and in its least popular move close 19 rest areas.
In his opening address to the school children of the nation, President Obama implored the children to work hard. The underlying message at the transportation school was that state legislators need to get to work on the transportation challenges faced by the Commonwealth. Forget the silly idea of taking money from the general fund for transportation; the money simply is not there. Stop the partisan bickering and recognize that new approaches are needed for transportation funding. How much longer do constituents and commuters need to wait for legislators to learn this lesson? |
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Along the Campaign Trail
Northern Virginia Realtors and Sierra Club Endorse Ken Plum for Re-Election
"The Northern Virginia/Realtors Political Action Committee is pleased to endorse Delegate Ken Plum for re-election to the Virginia House of Delegates. Conscientious and hard-working, Ken has represented his constituents well in Richmond. He has done much for his district and the Commonwealth. Virginians would be well-served to have Delegate Plum re-elected to continue his good work."
--- Dan Daniels, Chairman, NV/RPAC
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In July the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter announced that it awarded a "fast track" endorsement to Delegate Ken Plum in his re-election bid to the Virginia House of Delegates.
"Our endorsement is based on a candidate's role in initiating and supporting key environmental legislaiton in the General Assembly in 2009 and in previous years," said Tyla Matteson, Sierra Club's Political and Legislative Chairperson. "We highly value his contribution to the protection of the natural resources of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
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KEY ENDORSEMENTS FOR DELEGATE PLUM'S 2009 CAMPAIGN FOR RE-ELECTION:
- Northrn Virginia/Realtors Political Action Committee
- Sierra Club
- NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia
- Virginia League of Conservation Voters
Watch this section for additional endorsements each week! |
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Thanks to all who attended the Plum Family Picnic and Rally last Sunday!
Perfect weather, a beautiful setting, and great food were enjoyed by nearly 100 supporters of all ages as Ken Plum kicked off his 2009 campaign for re-election to the Virginia House of Delegates.
Bob Simon and Hunt Howell visit at the Plum Family Picnic and Rally.
Mark Steppel and Ken enjoy the great weather and a chance to chat at the Plum Family Picnic and Rally. |
"Virginia Report"
Reston Comcast Channel 28
Delegate Ken Plum's weekly television show, "Virginia Report," will return after the election. See you again in late November! |
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Climate Change Citizen Action
Six ways to green your transport and save money from "Frugalist:"
- Bike or walk to work. The only gas you'll use with this option is oxygen. Savings: $1,560 per year.
- Telecommute. Telecommuting twice a week can save you 40 percent of your gas costs according to the Telework Coalition. Savings: $624 per year.
- Carpool. If you must use your car, share your ride. Find a ride in the newspaper or on craigslist.com. Savings: $780 per year if shared with one other person.
- Keep your car tuned. A well-tuned car uses approximately nine percent less gas than a poorly tuned car, and you can lose about two percent in fuel economy for every pound of pressure your tire is under the recommended level. Savings: $150 per year.
- Learn to drive. Rapid acceleration and braking can lower your gas mileage by five percent around town and 33 percent on the highway, or an average of 55 cents per gallon. And you get less mileage for your money (23 percent less) if you drive over 60 mph. Savings: $1.22 per gallon, or $634 per year.
- Decrease your drag. If you aren't using that overhead luggage rack, take it off. Also, it may help to turn off the AC and open up your windows to conserve gas, but not when you're cruising down the highway at 60 mph. Open windows at that speed increase drag and are less conservative than using the AC.
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Advocate for a child. Become a court-appointed advocate for abused and neglected children through the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association. It takes thirty hours of training to become a volunteer, then 10 to 20 hours a month for the estimated 18-month length of the child's case. Contact CASA at 800.628.3223 or nationalcasa.org.
Fairfax County faith communities are invited to attend free emergency preparedness and continuity of operations (COOP) trainings this fall. Representatives from all houses of worship are encouraged to attend in order to better prepare the community for an organized interfaith response to any emergency. Trainings are scheduled for September 22 and October 3; training for COOP is set for November 5. Registration is required 5 business days in advance for these free events. Call 703.324.3453, TTY 703.324.7914. View more information at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/2009/faith_communities_inv
ted_emergency_trainings.htm.
Universal design modifications can help older adults make their homes safer and more comfortable. A Universal Design Seminar will be held on Thursday, September 24, 9:00 a.m. to noon in the Community Room at the West Springfield Governmental Center, 6140 Rolling Road, Springfield. Admission is free; space is limited to 45. RSVP by email to springfield@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703.451.8873, TTY 711.
During the Virginia ENERGY STAR Tax Holiday on October 9-12, you can purchase an ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator, clothes washer, dishwasher, and other selected home appliances with a price tag of $2,500 or less for your personal use and the Virginia 5 percent sales tax will be waived. This tax holiday also applies to other energy-efficient items such as compact fluorescent bulbs, programmable thermostats, and more. for more details, check with any participating appliance retailer or go to www.tax.virginia.gov.
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Calendar of Events
On Saturday, September 19, the Reston Citizens Association and its Sustainable Reston Committee will honor a select group of Reston citizens and oragnizations for their significant contributions to making Reston a "sustainable community" -- a community that strives to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of generations to come. Attend this very special program this Saturday from 2:00 to 4:00 at the Reston Museum, 1639 Washington Plaza.
The 39th annual International Children's Festival is at Wolf trap this Saturday and Sunday, September 19 and 20, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Rain or shine. the 2009 Festival welcomes back the international sensation Tap Kids, along with young international performers from Georgia, Serbia, and Spain, and over 1000 local performers and artists. Tickets are available at the Wolf Trap box office or online at www.wolftrap.org.
Equality Virginia will hold its State Conference on Saturday, October 3, at the Stafford campus of the University of Mary Washington. For more information and to register to go www.equalityvirginia.org.
Enjoy a memorable day with your family and friends at the Youth For Tomorrow Country Fair & Auctions on Saturday, October 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., hosted by Joe Gibbs, at the Youth For Tomorrow Campus 2 miles south of Manassas at Route 28 & Linton Hall Road. Details are at www.youthfortomorrow.org.
The 4th Annual Commonwealth of Virginia Energy Symposium will be held on October 7 and 8 at the Center for Leadership & Ethics, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, VA. The Symposium will feature information about the latest energy opportunities in the Commonwealth. Thirty-eight exhibitors will feature energy technologies, services, and information. Plenary session speakers and seven tracks with concurrent sessions will be available. Visit www.vmi.edu/coves for more information.
Come out for the Jeanie Schmidt Free Clinic 4th Annual Golf Tournament on Thursday, October 8, at the Herndon Centennial Golf Course, 909 Ferndale Drive, Herndon. Call 571.235.3577 for details.
Walk through five private homes during the Reston Home Tour on Saturday, October 17, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitors can also stop by the Fairfax Hunt Club for a cooking demonstration and tasting. Tickets are $25 before October 10, $30 after and online. Visit www.restonmuseum.org for information.
Attend the first annual music festival at United Christian Parish of Reston on Saturday, October 24, featuring afternoon and evening performances of lcoal and nationally acclaimed vocalists singing in gospel, contemporary, spiritual, and praise styles. Proceeds will benefit two lcoal charities. Tickets are $20 and $30. To purchase and for more information go to www.UCP-MusicExplosion.org.
The Fifth Annual Fairfax County History Conference, "Fairfax: This is YOUR County!" will be held on Saturday, November 7, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the James Lee Community Center, 2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church. A $20 fee for the conference includes breakfast, lunch, and parking. Registration is limited to the first 200, and advance registration is required. Keynote speaker will be Dr. Robert A. Selig discussing "The American Revolution & the Washington-Rochambeau Route in Northern Virginia." The conference will also feature exhibits and book signings. For registration information contact Lynne Garvey-Hodge at 703.322.1811 or lghassoc@erols.com. |
| Go Green |
 Go Green - consider the environment! Please print this newsletter only if necessary. | |
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| Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia E-News.
Authorized by Kenneth R. Plum. Paid for by Friends of Delegate Ken Plum. |
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