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Delegate Ken Plum visits with friends and neighbors at an event last week supporting his campaign for re-election to the House of Delegates.
October 28, 2009 |
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| Commentary
Time to Get Serious
Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
Virginia has received many accolades in recent years: best managed state, best state in which to do business, best state in which to raise a child. Two recent "report cards" on the Commonwealth are likely to be less quoted by politicians than those that sing the state's praises. The "2009 Virginia Infrastructure Report Card" by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gives Virginia a D+ on infrastructure - roads, schools, stream and wastewater, etc. (www.infrastructurereportcard.org). The only part of Virginia's infrastructure to get above a C is its parks and recreation that received a B-.
"With a cumulative grade of D+, Virginia's aging infrastructure has a direct correlation to our prosperity in years to come. Investment now is essential to protect our way of life and the future of our children," the ASCE Report Card concluded. The first of "5 Key Solutions" ASCE suggests to meet Virginia's infrastructure problems is to "increase state leadership." Such leadership must address the issue head-on and not sidestep it as many are attempting to do in the current state elections.
In another report, "VDOT Report Card Update," the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance (NVTA) found that "some candidates continue to tell voters that the answer isn't more money for transportation, but trimming down and transforming the Virginia Department of Transportation into a leaner, more efficient, more budget-conscious operation" (www.nvta.org). In reality, NVTA found that on time performance of VDOT contracting has gone from 30 percent in 2002 to 86 percent today. On-budget performance has gone from 61 percent in 2002 to 93 percent today while the number of VDOT employees was reduced from 10,192 in 2002 to 7,830 today. The six-year improvement program has been reduced from $10.5 billion in 2002 to $4.6 billion today. "In short, the problem is not VDOT's failure to streamline and become more efficient, but the General Assembly's failure to work in a bipartisan manner to provide the transportation revenue we need," NVTA concluded. The process put forth by gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds clearly has the greatest prospect for success just as such a process succeeded in the mid 1980s when Virginia made its last meaningful investment in its transportation infrastructure.
Clearly, the plan proposed by candidate McDonnell to take money from schools to pay for roads is fraught with great concern. ASCE's report card gives Virginia's schools infrastructure a D+, hardly a place from which to take money to pay for its D- roads. The state share of spending on public education has been declining over the past decade putting an already heavy load on local governments.
The time to get serious on investing in Virginia's crumbling infrastructure is now - November 3 - with Creigh Deeds who has a plan and the political courage to do what has to be done for Virginia's future prosperity. I look forward to working with him to bring this about. As the ASCE concluded, "maintaining and improving our infrastructure will preserve Virginia's status as one of the nation's most desirable states in which to live and do business."
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Along the Campaign Trail
Ken Receives Strong Endorsements from The Washington Post, the Fairfax County Times, and theVirginia Professional Fire Fighters
"Democrat Ken Plum has been representing Reston residents since the Carter administration. While some are suggesting 30-plus years as a delegate is long enough, we haven't seen any indication that Plum is slowing down. In fact, we'd be hard-pressed to find another legislator who attends more local meetings or is more visible in their community than Plum. He knows the 36th District and has a good handle on the issues - transportation, education and environment - that matter most to his constituents."
-- Fairfax County Times
"Kenneth R. Plum, the conscientious, tough-minded leader of the Democratic Caucus in the House, is a 30-year veteran lawmaker, widely respected in Richmond."
-- The Washington Post
"Our members work tirelessly to elect candidates, regardless of party affiliation who support firefighters and EMT's. We are pleased to inform you of our intention to endorse your campaign for the Virginia House of Delegates."
-- R. Michael Mohler, President
Virginia Professional Fire Fighters
Key Endorsements for Delegate Plum's 2009 Campaign for Re-election:
- Fairfax County Times
- The Washington Post
- Democratic Black Caucus of Virginia
- Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club
- Virginia AFL-CIO
- Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689
- Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce
- NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia PAC
- Virginia Education Association
- Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia
- Northern Virginia Technology Council
- Virginia Professional Fire Fighters
- Fairfax County Professional Fire Fighters & Paramedics
- Northern Virginia/Realtors Political Action Committee
- Sierra Club
- NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia
- Virginia League of Conservation Voters
Ken Plum visits with constituents Liz and Gil Blankespoor at a recent campaign event.
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Election - November 3, 2009
General Information
Voting Absentee
In-Person Absentee Voting is available at the Office of Elections, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323, Fairfax, VA 22035, and seven Satellite locations including the North County Governmental Center, 12000 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston, VA 20190.
Schedule for In-Person Absentee Voting at the Office of Elections, Fairfax County Government Center:
- Through October 30, 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, October 31, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. October 31 is the last day to vote absentee in-person.
Schedule for In-Person Absentee Voting at the North County Governmental Center
- Weekdays (M-F) - Through October 30, 3:00 to 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, October 31, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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"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
On December 1, Virginia will join 27 states and the District of Columbia that have already passed legislation banning smoking in most restaurants. Virginia's law permits narrow exceptions for private clubs and restaurants with designated smoking rooms that are structurally separate and independently vented from non-smoking dining rooms. According to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), about 70 percent of Virginia's fast-food and full-service restaurants are now smoke-free. Secondhand smoke is responsible for as many as 1,040 adult deaths per year in Virginia, according to VDH. In addition, the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids estimates the Commonwealth spends $105.3 million a year on health care expenditures related to exposure to second hand smoke. For more information on the upcoming smoking ban, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov. Restaurant inspection reports, also available on the web site, provide information to identify those restaurants that are already smoke-free. Smokers who want to go smoke-free can get help through the Quit Now Virginia hotline by calling 800.784.8669 (ipp.QUIT.NOW) to be connected to information and assistance in getting help locally.
Governor Kaine recently announced the launch of the Virginia Energy Efficiency Appliance Rebate program, a new program to encourage the purchase of high-efficiency appliances and products. The program will use $15 million in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to provide rebates to residential and commercial consumers on certain qualifying appliances and equipment. Homeowners will be eligible for rebates for 20 percent of the costs of the products, up to $2,000, and commercial consumers will be eligible for 20 percent of their costs up to $4,000. Rebates will be distributed on a first come-first served basis. Consumers will be required to complete an application form available online from the Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy. Get details and information at www.dmme.virginia.gov. |
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Announcements
The Atlantic selected Virginia's U.S. Senator Jim Webb one of twenty-seven "Brave Thinkers" who have acted with "moral and intellectual bravery by espousing unpopular or controversial positions." The Atlantic writes about Jim Webb's work on prison reform:
After squeaking into his seat in 2006, Webb became an activist for prison reform -- an issue almost universally unpopular among voters, especially in a tough-on-crime state like Virginia. By tackling prison reform as a freshman senator, WEbb has shown he possesses two things vanishingly rare in Congress: a conscience and a spine. |
Calendar of Events
Don't forget to VOTE next Tuesday, November 3. Call Delegate Ken Plum's office mornings at 703.758.9733 if you need assistance in locating your polling place.
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.
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is finalizing a 10-year comprehensive Transit Development Plan (TDP) for the county's bus system. The draft final plan will be presented at public meetings throughout Fairfax County including a public meeting on Monday, November 9, 6:00 to 8:00, at the North County Government Center, 12000 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Members of the public, current bus passengers, and county residents are encouraged to attend the meeting. There will be presentations, maps, charts, and personnel working on the project available to take public comments and answer questions.
The Restorative Justice Association of Virginia and its thirteen co-sponsoring organizaitons invite you to attend a one-day conference in Richmond on November 10, "A Restorative Justice Call to Action: How Grassroots Activists Can Make Restorative Justice the Policy Norm in Virginia." More information about RJAV is available at www.rjav.org.
The 23rd Annual Caregiver Conference, "Shedding Light on Dementia Care," will be held on Wednesday, November 11, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Church of the Good Shepherd, 9350 Braddock Road, Burke. Conference fee is $25. To register call the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging at 703.324.7839.
Artist Patricia C. K. Macintyre will present her original art featured in the new children's book From Here to There and Back with a Quack! at two book signing events on Thursday, November 12, 11:00 a.m., and on Saturday, November 14, at 1:00 p.m. at Reston's Used Book Shop (RUBS), 1623 Washington Plaza, Lake Anne Village Center. From Here to There and Back with a Quack! was written by former Reston resident Faith Nielsen and is an inspirational story about a duck named Dax.
If you are new, or even not-so-new, to Reston, attend Newcomers' Night on Thursday, November 12, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Reston Association Main Conference Room, 1930 Isaac Newton Square. Learn more about Reston Association and its many services, amenities, and programs. Meet RA Board members and staff and find out how you can get involved in Reston. Light refreshments will be available, and door prizes will be awarded. RSVP to Ha Brock at 703.438.7986 or habrock@reston.org.
Washington & Lee University's Community Law Center invites Virginia lawyers, law students, and advocates for ex-felons' re-enfranchisement to participate in a Restoration of Rights Roundtable on Saturday, November 14, at the Washington & Lee University Law School in Lexington, VA, from noon to 4:00 p.m. Phone 540.491.9302 or email highlandh@wlu.edu with questions or to express your interest in contributing to any or all panel discussions.
Reston photographer Jim Kirby will present his first book, Harper's Ferry, A Crossroads in Time, at the Reston Museum on Saturday, November 14, 2:00 p.m. This presentation is just in time for the 150th anniversary of John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry. Jim Kirby's beautiful book explores the cultural and natural history of Harper's Ferry in photographs. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase.
Reston resident Tom Finn will speak on the lessons of his book, Are You Clueless?, at the Tower Club, 8000 Towers Crescent Drive, Tysons Corner, on Tuesday, November 17, 8:00 a.m. The book instructs on using cultural diversity as a way to engage, rather than divide, communities.
A VDOT Project Update Meeting for the Route 7/Leesburg Pike Widening Project from Rolling Holly Drive to Reston Avenue will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 6:00 to 8:00, at Aldrin Elementary School Cafeteria, 11375 Center Harbor Road, Reston. Interested citizens are invited to attend.
Support Devotion to Children's many programs and initiatives dedicated to helping families with children under the age of six obtain high-quality childcare and preschool services so that parents can seek and maintain gainful employment. Attend Devition to Children's annual "Red, Heart & Soul" Gala on Wednesday, November 18, 6:30 p.m. at the Waterford at Fair Oaks. Enjoy a reception, dinner, and live music. For sponsorshp and ticket information, go to www.devotiontochildren.org.
Join Reston Association's "Weed Warriors" project to keep Reston's beautiful parklands free from invasive exotic plants like English ivy, Japanese honeysuckle, and bamboo. Reston's native trees, ferns, and wildflowers can be harmed from fast growing, invasive plants that threaten our local ecosystems, taking away vital food and habitat from already stressed wildlife populations. Meet your fellow volunteers at the Soapstone fire ring down the hill from Glade Drive on Saturday, November 21, 10:00 a.m. to noon. Wear long sleeves and long pants. RA will provide tools, gloves, snacks, and water. Adults and youth ages 10 and up are welcome. This projects also fulfills community service requirements for students. To sign up or for more information, contact Ha Brock, RA Volunteer Specialist, at habrock@reston.org or 703.435.7986.
Reston's New Nature House will have its grand opening on Saturday, November 21, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., at 11450 Glade Drive, Reston. Thanks to the Friends of Reston that made it happen.
The 19th Annual Reston Holiday Parade will be held at the Reston Town Center on Friday, November 27, 11:00 a.m., rain or shine. This year's parade theme is "Reston Town Center - Defining. Inspiring. 20 Years." The Reston Holiday Parade launches the holiday season every year with huge macy's-style balloons, floats, musical groups, dancers, antique cars, and more, in a festive procession along Market Street, welcoming the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus in a horse-drawn carriage. It's the perfect family activity for the young and the young at heart. Community groups and businesses of all kinds from around the region are invited to participate and get involved. Neighbors, friends, and families can get creative too by wearing costumes to march along, or by building a float for this one-of-a-kind, one-hour parade. A full day of events is planned including a "Run with Alan Webb" and races for children from toddlers to teens beginning at 7:00 a.m. and the annual Tree Lighting and Sing Along at 6:00 p.m. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride throughout the evening. Visit www.restontowncenter.com/events.html for information about volunteering and events. "Solar Energy Focus Conference: Fall 2009" will be held December 3-5 at the Hilton Hotel, 620 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg, Maryland. This event will include an exhibit hall, morning plenary speakers, a state and local policy review, and breakout sessions. For more information, contact Marisa Applestein at marisaapplestein@360jmg.com or Peter Lowenthal at director@mdv-seia.org. Additional information may also be found at www.MDV-SEIA.org. |
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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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