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Delegate Ken Plum did the honors at the ribbon-cutting and dedication of the Fairfax County Public Schools Adult & Community Education Center bearing his name, the Plum Center for Lifelong Learning, on October 25. Ken was joined by his wife, Jane (at his left) and many of his former employees.
November 4, 2009 |
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| Commentary
What a Difference a Year Makes
Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
This column was written before the results of this week's elections were known. Regardless of the outcome of the elections, it had become clear through the summer and the fall that the mood of the electorate was very different from a year ago. Hope and the excitement for change had given way to mistrust and doubt for many. Most people continue to feel or at least read about the effects of the recession. Our country remains at war. The national debt continues to rise. While none of these are exclusively Virginia issues, they were nonetheless on the minds of voters going to the polls in the Commonwealth.
Contrary to the practice in most states, Virginia has elections every year. The result is a fatigue on the part of many voters and a burnout of many campaign workers. Certainly the results in Virginia would have been more predictable had the governor's race been held last year when President Obama became the first Democrat to carry the state in a presidential election in 44 years. But the extra effort of last year left many voters and campaign workers exhausted. And let's face it: few candidates could ever generate the enthusiasm of President Obama. Through the years there have always been federal voters, those who vote only in the presidential or Congressional election years. The historic pattern in Virginia is that the state elects a governor of the opposite political party of the president that was just elected.
Virginia's off-year voting schedule for statewide officials dates back to the 1850s when a new state constitution was adopted. The years in which elections were to be held seemed to be more a result of when the new constitution was adopted than a purposeful attempt to manipulate election results. Nevertheless, during the twentieth century the off-year elections were viewed in Virginia as a way to reduce federal influence in state elections. With the intention of limiting the electorate, the dominant Byrd Machine was able to hold power over local and state elections even more easily. The likelihood of altering the Virginia voting schedule to get on the federal schedule is not great, for such a change would require a governor and legislators to serve more or less time than their usual term of office, neither of which is likely to be attractive to the general public.
Without presuming the outcome of the election I would like to thank all those persons who voted for me this year and in years past. I am realistic about the challenges facing the Commonwealth, and I am deeply honored that I have been able to represent the people of the 36th district in meeting these challenges.
Thank you for your support.
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Many Thanks
Thank you to all those persons who voted for me this year and in years past. It is a privilege to continue serving as your Delegate. I am realistic about the challenges facing the Commonwealth, and I am deeply honored that I have been able to represent the people of the 36th district in meeting these challenges. I will continue to be available to hear your questions, requests, suggestions, and concerns. I pledge to stay in touch with you through voter surveys, public meetings, my weekly television show, periodic newsletters mailed to your home, and this electronic newsletter. Please contact me at kenplum@aol.com or 703.758.9733 if I can ever be of assistance to you. |
| H1N1 Vaccine Update
The Virginia Department of Health advises that as of October 29, a total of 572,200 doses of H1N1 vaccine have been either administered to individuals, received at vaccination sites that are registered with VDH, or ordered and on their way to those sites. All private physician offices and hospitals that have registered with VDH to serve as vaccination sites either have received vaccine or have vaccine en route to their offices. While the amount of vaccine that any one physician's office has at this time may still be small, physicians are now able to begin actively assisting in vaccinating Virginians.
There are five manufacturers of H1N1 vaccine. Once a manufacturer has a shipment of vaccine that is ready to be distributed, it notifies the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which then informs each state health department how much of that vaccine it can order. VDH is able to order 2.5 percent (Virginia's proportion of the U.S. population) of each such newly available shipment. Delays in production of H1N1 vaccine have been frustrating for us all. Virginia continues to receive assurances from the CDC that the availability of vaccine will increase in the near future.
Visit the VDH website at www.vdh.virginia.gov for more information about the H1N1 vaccine and its availability. You can also call the VDH Public Inquiry Center at 1-877-ASK-VDH3.
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"Virginia Report"
Reston Comcast Channel 28
Delegate Ken Plum's weekly television show, "Virginia Report," will return soon. |
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Climate Change Citizen Action
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 Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the Fairfax County Park Authority Board invite the many friends, colleagues, and associates of the late Sally Ormsby to the dedication of Sally Ormsby Park on Saturday, November 14, at 11:30 a.m. at the park site located across from the Eakin Comunity Park parking lot on Prosperity Avenue. Sally Ormsby Park runs along the Cross County Trail in the Accotink STream Valley between Barkley Drive and Prosperity Avenue. The ceremony will be held at the first bridge along the path, a short walk from the road. Accessible parking is available at the Eaking Community Park location. General parking will be available at the Pine Ridge Police Facility located at 3911 Woodburn Road in Annandale. Shuttle bus service will be provided form 10:45 a.m. until approximately 1:30 p.m. from this location. Light refreshments will be served following the dedication ceremony. For more information contact 703.324.8662.
Herndon-Reston FISH (Friendly Instant Sympathetic Help) is busy collecting non-perishable food donations from the community for the Thanksgiving and December holiday food boxes. The goal is to provide food for 650 residents, about 200 families, for each of the two occasions. Non-perishables such as canned tuna, peanut butter, pasta, rice, tomato sauce, soup, dry cereals, canned foods, etc. are the bsic donations desired. $10 grocery store gift cards are also requested to supplement the food boxes. Gifts for infants to pre-teens are needed for the December boxes, such as books, toys, infant supplies, and educational toys. $25 gift cards are optimal for the teens. Want to donate or volunteer? Contact Holiday Coordinator Robyn Kampf at 571.926.8019 or rhkampf@gmail.com. Deadlines are November 15 and December 15. Make your tax-deductible check donations to Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc., 336 Victory Drive, Herndon, VA 20170. Please indicate on your check that it is for the holiday boxes. For information about FISH, visit www.herndonrestonfish.org. |
Calendar of Events
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.
In observance of Epilepsy Awareness Month, join your friends and neighbors at the Reston Epilepsy Awareness Stroll on Saturday, November 14, 10:00 a.m. at South Lakes High School. There will be an opening ceremony in the school cafeteria, following by the walk on the track behind the school. Call the Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia at 703.698.0229 for more information.
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.
"ArtsCapade" will be the opening kickoff event of an art exhibition by the members of the League of Reston Artists at Camden Dulles Station, 2320 Dulles Station Boulevard, Herndon, on Sunday, November 15, 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. Featured will be photography, paintings, and sculpture. Paintings include abstract, landscape, still life, multi-media, and more. All work will be for sale, and the artists will be giving demonstrations of their work during this event. Music will be presented by Carol Gaylor and Bruce Katsu, and also by Justin Traywick. Enjoy festive food, wine tasting by Old House Vineyard, and great raffle prizes. Admission is free, and all are encouraged to bring a canned or dried food donation for Reston Interfaith. This special exhibit will be on display at the Camden location through January 8, 2010. A portion of theproceeds from the event will go to the League of Reston Artists Scholarship Event.
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.
The Hunter Mill Defense League invites you to a Historic Marker Dedication and Unveiling Ceremony on Saturday, November 21, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the intersection of Hunter Mill Road and the W&OD Trail. Five historic markers will be dedicated: a Civil War Trails marker; a Virginia Historic Marker, "Crossroads to War; and three Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority/W&OD Markers. The five markers commemorate the Hunter Mill Road/W&OD Trail as a key crossroad in the Civil War, with large amounts of troop traffic passing and encamping on the way to and from some of the major battles of the war. One marker notes the many skirmishes which occurred there as well as the great friction among the residents of the corridor whose Union and Confederate loyalties were evenly split. Another marker shares the history of the rail line and Hunter Station, while yet another tells the sad tale of the execution of Reverend Read, a Union spy. The Hunter Mill Defense League has spent years researching the history of the corridor and has a long track record of bringing great history products to the community. The League is pleased to team with the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority to place the markers.
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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