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 | | Delegate Ken Plum presented Walter Alcorn, Chairman of the Committee on Tysons Corner, Fairfax County Planning Commission, with the Dulles Corridor Rail Association's "President's Award" at the DCRA Annual Meeting on December 1. Looking on is DCRA President Patty Nicoson. |
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Commentary
Session Preparation
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
Everyone's list of things to do in December is long: holiday purchases, parties, winding up the year. For legislators the list is even longer: submit bill drafting requests, meet with constituents, plan the move to Richmond. The legislative session begins each year on the first Wednesday after the first Monday; this year it begins on January 12. While legislative preparation continues throughout the year, the crunch time is in December.
Beyond getting ready for the legislative session there are the practical considerations involved in moving your place of residence for the six-week session. While hotels are readily available as a place to live, they can get pretty boring. For most of the years I have been in the legislature I lived in hotels with Linden Row Inn being one of my favorites. I shared apartments during several sessions with the late Delegate Mitch Van Yahres until his retirement from the House of Delegates. For the last three sessions I lived in an apartment that was one floor of a private home near St. John's Church on Church Hill in Richmond. I had hoped to return there in January, but the current tenant will not be leaving in time for me to do that. Instead I will be renting an apartment in the former Miller and Rhoads Department Store building.
Getting one's legislative package together takes place year round with ideas coming from needs identified by constituents and/or organizations. Closely following issues results in identifying the need for legislation. Public hearings provide a great source of ideas and suggestions. I will be having a public hearing with Senator Mark Herring on Wednesday, January 5, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Fox Mill Elementary School, 2601 Viking Drive, Herndon, and with Senator Janet Howell on Thursday, January 6, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. I hope you will come and participate or just come to hear the suggestions of others. Also, my annual Constituent Survey will come to your home this month in a newsletter from me. Complete it and mail it back or go on my website, www.kenplum.com, and complete it electronically. It is available on my website now.
I hope you and your family have a great holiday season. I will be enjoying the season with children, grandchildren, family, and friends. In between, I will be hurrying to get ready for the legislative session. I am not complaining. I am very honored to serve you, and I feel very blessed at this holiday season. |
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| "Virginia Report"
Reston Comcast Channel 28
Tonight - Wednesday, December 15 at 10:30 p.m. - Alice Foltz, President, Centreville Immigration Forum - "Building Community"
Tuesdays, December 21 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesdays, December 22 and 29 at 10:30 p.m. - Senator Janet Howell - "Challenges of the Upcoming General Assembly Session"
Online Viewing:
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In the Spirit of Giving...Ways You Can Help!
Send your suggestions for Holiday Giving to kenplum@aol.com and they will be included in this column each week between now and the end of the year.
Join Helios HR and Reston Interfaith in their efforts to collect gently used winter coats for babies, children, and adults in need in the Greater Reston/Herndon area. A box has been placed in the lobbies of 1925 and 1943 Isaac Newton Square. Coats will be delivered to the Hunter Mill District Coat Closet each week through December 31.
Herndon-Reston FISH will collect and distribute food for 750 recipients for the December Holiday Season. Here is how you can help:
DONATE:
* Non-perishable food to FISH (tuna, peanut butter, pasta, macaroni, rice, tomato sauce, soup, dry cereals, canned foods, etc.)
* $$ to FISH to buy a $10 grocery store gift certificate for each food box
* Toys and gifts so FISH may give to each child in the family (infants to preteens)
VOLUNTEER:
* Volunteers are needed to collect, sort, and pack food and gifts in boxes - December 16-17-18-20 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at 11484 Washington Plaza West, Room 140, Reston, VA 20190.
* Drivers are needed to deliver donations to families on December 21 (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
To donate food and gifts, volunteer, or request food pick-up, contact Robyn Kampf, 571.926.8019 or RHKampf@gmail.com. You can also make your tax-deductible check donations to Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc., 336 Victory Drive, Suite 200, Herndon, VA 20170. Note "Holiday Food Boxes" on your check.
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Delegate Plum to Hold Public Meetings Before the 2011 General Assembly Session Begins in Richmond
Attend one or both of Delegate Ken Plum's pre-session Public Hearings:
Wednesday, January 5, 2011 - 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Fox Mill Elementary School Cafeteria 2601 Viking Drive, Herndon, VA 20171 With Senator Mark Herring
Thursday, January 6, 2011 - 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, VA 20191 With Senator Janet Howell
Bring your questions and comments about issues of interest or concern. Pre-registration is not required. Come prepared to speak or to listen -- all are welcome! |
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Take Ken's 2011 Pre-Session Survey - Your Views Count!
The 2011 General Assembly session will convene on January 12 in Richmond. Please take a moment to share your views on issues of interest to us all by clicking on the image below, or go to www.kenplum.com. A paper copy of this survey will also be available to all voter households in a newsletter arriving in mailboxes this month. Either way, paperless or paper, please share your opinions with Ken before session begins on January 12.
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Announcements
Holiday gift wrapping will be available December 19 through 23, noon to 8:00 p.m., and on December 24, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Reston (entrance off Market Street). This service is presented by and benfiting Kids R First, with wrapping sponsored by Hyatt Regency Reston and Appalachian Spring. The 26th Annual Reston Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Planning Committee is accepting nominations for the 2010 Community Service Awards to be presented on Monday, January 17, 2011. Nominations will be accepted through Tueday, December 21, 2010, 5:00 p.m. Nominations received after this date will not be considered. In keeping with this year's theme, "Are We Keeping the Promise?", the celebration will honor two individuals, one student and one adult (older than 21), and a Greater Reston business or organization that have worked throughout the year to uphold the legacy of Dr. King and improve the lives of others. Visit www.restoncommunitycenter.com for more details on the weekend celebration, or contact Kevin Danaher, Community Events Director, at 703.390.6166. |
Calendar of Events
Help ensure that each family in our community has a holiday meal by bringing canned goods and non-perishable food items to the First Annual Driving Out Hunger Holiday Food Drive on Thursday, December 16, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. in front of the Reston Town Center Pavilion. Perkowitz + Ruth Architects are sponsoring this drive to benefit Reston Interfaith. Every 10 pounds of food you bring enters you into a raffle! AARP Dulles Chapter's annual Holiday Gala meeting will be held on Thursday, December 16, 7:00 p.m., at the Herndon Senior Center, 873 Grace Street, Herndon. It will be a "cultural heritage" theme potluck. Bring some of your favorite cultural dishes to share. Sandi Wickham will be making cards to note the name and origin of your dish, so contact Sandi with that information at Sandi@AARPdulles.org or call 703.437.0862. Guests are welcome; authentic native costumes optional. Visit www.AARPdulles.org for chapter information.
The Privileges and Elections Redistricting Subcommittee of the Virginia House of Delegates will hold a public hearing on legislative redistricting on Friday, December 17, 10:00 a.m. in the 9th floor Appropriations room of the General Assembly Building in Richmond. Questions regarding the meeting should be directed to Mary Spain in the Division of Legislative Services at 804.786.3591.
"Meet Me at the Movies" Senior Movie Day is Wednesday, December 22, 10:00 a.m. (doors open at 9:30) at the Rave Cinema at Reston Town Center. Reston Association presents this feature film; free to those 55+. refreshments and door prizes are provided prior to the movie. Call 703.435.6530 for more information.
Don't forget to give the gift of life this holiday season by donating blood at the INOVA Blood Drive on Tuesday, December 28, noon to 7:30 p.m. at Reston Town Center next to the Pavilion. Schedule your appointment at 1.866.256.6372 or inova.org/donateblood. You can also register onsite.
Join Delegate Ken Plum at one or both of his annual Pre-Session Public Hearings:
Wednesday, January 5, 2011, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. with Senator Mark Herring at Fox Mill Elementary School, 2601 Viking Drive, Herndon.
Thursday, January 6, 2011, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. with Senator Janet Howell at Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston.
All citizens are welcome; pre-registration is not required.
Let's Help Kids! will celebrate its first annual "Dual" Gala (adults in one room, kids in another!) on Saturday, January 29, 2011, at the Springfield Golf & Country Club. Black tie optional. Visit www.letshelpkids.org to learn more about this wonderful organization.
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| 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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