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Delegate Ken Plum's
Virginia
e-News
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 | | Delegate Ken Plum and Senator Janet Howell - Reston's representation in the Virginia General Assembly |
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Commentary
Opportunity for Leadership
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
As Spock in the 1991 film Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country quoted "an ancient Vulcan proverb, only Nixon could go to China," only Governor Bob McDonnell can save Virginia's transportation funding program from bankruptcy. Nixon had a strong anti-communist reputation. He was able to go to China and open diplomatic relations without fear of being politically attacked by the right-wing in this country. Two economists studied the phenomenon and developed a model of how "politics often exhibit counterintuitive results...Right-wing politicians sometime can implement policies that left-wing politicians cannot, and vice versa (Cowen and Sutter: "Why Only Nixon Could go to China," Public Choice 97: 605-615, 1998)
The fact that the Virginia Department of Transportation does not have adequate revenues with which to do its job of either maintaining existing highway infrastructure or constructing new facilities is no longer debated. A press release from the Governor's Office December 29, 2010, stated that even with the Governor's proposal to sell bonds, "Still, Virginia's aging infrastructure requires at least $1 billion a year in new, recurring revenue." He has asserted in arguments like those used by the Obama Administration to support stimulus spending that now is the time with high unemployment and low construction costs that projects should be built. His proposal to borrow nearly four billion dollars as a way to move the problem into the next administration has received criticism. The Richmond Times Dispatch editorialized recently that taxing and spending is bad but borrowing and spending is worse.
The Governor wrote to legislators in late summer asking for ideas on funding transportation needs. The political implications of his letter became clear when the chairman of the state Republican Party sent a similar letter to Democratic legislators. The tone of that letter was clear: tell us what you would do to fund transportation so that we can run against you next year on that issue.
The other ideas the administration has put forward thus far have been non-starters. Tripling the number of liquor stores throughout the state in order to raise enough money to build one highway interchange holds little hope. Drill, baby, drill! will not happen in our lifetime. Numerous audits of VDOT have not produced a single dime of new money.
Only Nixon could go to China; only Governor McDonnell can fix Virginia's transportation mess. Time to step up, Mr. Governor. This is your opportunity for leadership! |
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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 THIS WEEK:
Tonight - 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, and the Opinions are Rolling In!
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 may be requested by calling 703.758.9733. Either way, paperless or paper, please share your opinions with Ken before session begins on January 12.
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Announcements
Each year the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) Recycling Awards recognize outstanding paper recycling efforts. Enter your business, community, or school program today for the chance to win a $2,000 cash prize, original framed artwork, and recognition in local and national media. Winners and finalists will also be featured on the paperrecycles.org website. entry deadline is February 10. Visit www.paperrecycles.org for more information.
More than 75 new volunteer English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) tutors are needed to help area immigrant adults learn to speak, read, and write English. The Literacy Council of Northern Virginia (LCNV) sponsors tutor training workshops to help volunteers provide individualized English instruction. LCNV will hold the next series of ESOL Tutor Training Workshops on three consecutive Saturdays (all three sessions are required) on January 22, 29, and February 5, 2011, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the James Lee Community Center, 2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church. Fee is $40 for books and materials. For more information, e-mail volunteers@lcnv.org or call 703.237.0866 x 111. Students and tutors are matched based on geographic proximity to make the weekly sessions as convenient as possible.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released new guidelines on how to deal with mercury-containing compact fluorescent light bulbs that break in the home. CFLs contain a small amount of mercury sealed in the glass tubing. When broken, some of the mercury is released as mercury vapor. The EPA says the bulb will continue to leak mercury vapor until it is cleaned up and removed from the home. To minimize exposure, the EPA released new guidelines on dealing with a broken bulb. First, clear the room of people and pets, and then open a window or door to the outdoors for 10 minutes. Central heating and cooling systems should be turned off as well. Next, all broken glass and visible powder from the bulb should be placed in a sealable container, along with anything used to clean up the broken bulb. The container should then be placed in an outdoor trash container or covered area until the materials can be disposed of properly. For several hours after the breakage, continue to air out the room and leave HVAC systems off. For detailed information on proper CFL disposal and for printable brochures, visit www.epa.gov/cfl/cflcleanup.html.
The Virginia Historical Society presents a new online version of the award-winning exhibition, The Story of Virginia, an American Experience, at www.vahistorical.org/storyofvirginia.htm. New features include a 360-degree virtual tour of each gallery, more than 30 short videos featuring VHS staff discussing objects on display, more images of objects,online resources, and a Teachers Guide and Resource Book.
Free AARP income tax filing is available at the Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, on the following days:
Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Thursdays, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
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Calendar of Events
Join Delegate Ken Plum at one or both of his annual Pre-Session Public Hearings:
TONIGHT - 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.
The House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees will hold a Public Hearing on the 2010-12 State Budget on Thursday, January 6, 2011, 10:00 a.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center in the Board Auditorium. The purpose of the hearing is to receive comments on the Governor's proposed amendments to the 2010-12 biennial state budget. Those persons wishing to speak may register no earlier than one hour prior to the state of the hearing. Speakers will be taken in the order of registration. Each person may register only one speaker at a time. Speakers are asked to limit their comments to three minutes or less. Speakers representing groups and organizations should consolidate remarks to reduce duplication. Persons unable to attend may comment in writing to either: Delegate Lacey E. Putney, P.O. Box 406, General Assembly Building, Richmond, VA 23218; or Senator Charles J. Colgan, 10th Floor General Assembly Building, Richmond, VA 23219.
On Friday, January 7, ethnic communities in Virginia will be hosting a Redistricting Seminar at 10:00 a.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center Board Room, 12000 Fairfax Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA. Among presenters are Deputy County Attorney Michael Long, Mr. David Poole from the Virginia Public Access Project, and a representative from the U.S. Census Bureau. The purpose of this community forum is to educate the public of the redistricting process, as well as to keep citizens informed of timelines and accessibilities of data, hearings, committees, to promote transparency, and bipartisan redistricting. Organizations hosting this event include Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans in Virginia, League of Women Voters of Virginia, Virginia Coalition of latino American Organizations, and Voice of Vietnamese Americans. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP to redistrictingseminar@gmail.com.
Attend an Artists Reception this Friday, January 7, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Reston Museum. The first show of 2011 will feature pottery artist Hadrian Mendoza who works with a variety of styles, sizes, and glazes, and painter Nancy Novick's small "postcards." Members of the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate who represent citizens in Fairfax County will hold their annual Fairfax County Delegation Pre-Session Public Hearing on Saturday, January 8, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center, Board Auditorium. Individuals wishing to speak should call the Office of the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors at 703.324.3151 by noon on Friday, January 7.
The Winter Bird Count is this Saturday, January 8, 7:00 a.m. to Noon at the Walker Nature Education Center, 11450 Glade Drive. Join Reston Association staff for a half-day annual bird count throughout Reston's natural areas. Meet local bird experts, learn tips on identification, and have fun while helping obtain important information about our feathered friends. Enjoy lunch, tally results, and swap stories back at the Nature House following the count. Call 703.476.9869 and press 5 or email enviroed@reston.org.
Bring your instruments, voices, and friends to a Reston Nature House Music Jam at the Walker Nature Education Center, 11450 Glade Drive, on Sunday, January 9, 2011, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. There will be lots of playing and singing in the multipurpose room with chairs and refreshments being provided. Share a song -- bring copies of lyrics and chords for 15 participants. Bring a 3-ring binder and start your own Music Jam Collection. Organizers will pass out lyrics and chords to old favorites. Bring a music stand if you have one. To RSVP or for more information, contact Rick and Karen Elliott at klpelliott@verizon.net or 703.476.1191. IPAR, Reston's own Initiative for Public Art, is pleased to be a cosponsor of a Public Art Talk with Sara Reisman, Director of New York City's Percent for Art Program organized by Arlington County Public Art Program on Monday, January 10, 2011, for a Reception at 6:30 p.m. and talk at 7:30 p.m. This exciting event will be held at Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington. Ms. Reisman will discuss New York City's Percent for Art Program and her role as its director. Artisphere is located two blocks from the Rosslyn Metro with free parking in the building's garage weekdays after 5:00 p.m. Call 703.875.1100 for more information. The Virginia General Assembly will convene at Noon on Wednesday, January 12, for its annual session.Attend the Annual Meeting of the Reston Historic Trust (owner and operator of the Reston Museum) on Thursday, January 13, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The past year's activities will be reviewed, and there will be an election of board members. Refreshments will follow the business items. The Reston Community Orchestra will present its Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Saturday, January 15, 6:00 p.m., at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods. This musical program honoring the life and legacy of Dr. King will feature orchestral music by African American composers in addition to readings, poetry and other spoken words. Go to www.restoncommunityorchestra.org for more information.
"GERRYMANDERING - The Movie" will be shown on Sunday, January 16, 2:00 p.m. at the Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke (phone 703.644.7333). Social gathering is at 1:30 p.m. prior to the program beginning at 2:00. The Fairfax Area and Prince William Area Leagues of Women Voters have joined to present this film. Dr. Michael P. McDonald of George Mason University will introduce and comment on the movie following by a Q and A session if time allows. Dr. McDonald is Assistant Professor of Government and Politics in the Department of Public and International Affairs at GMU and a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. He is currently working on developing open-source redistricting software that is accessible through a web browser. This event is free. The Reston Community Center presents a weekend of special events entitled "Are We Keeping the Promise?" in observance of the 2011 Reston Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration. In addition to the Reston Community Orchestra Program on Saturday January 15 (see item above), the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation will host "Voices of Inspiration" at 1441 Wiehle Avenue, sponsored by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Christian Church. On Monday, January 17, 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., there will be a Commemorative March at Southgate Community Center, 12125 Pinecrest Road, followed by special programs, discussions, awards, and a reception. Visit www.restoncommunitycenter.org for more information.
In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the spirit of service this day represents, Volunteer Fairfax invites you to its second annual "Give Together: A Family Volunteer Day" on Monday, January 17, 2011, at George Mason University. Families can enjoy the opportunity to give back to the community by working on service projects provided by nonprofits from around the region. Nonprofits participating in the 2011 event include: Fairfax 4-H, FACETS, Herndon Senior Center, Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, Operation Military Kids, and Orphan Foundation of America. Projects range from writing cards to deployed military personnel to beading bracelets for hospital patients. The event will be divided into two shifts: shift 1 from 10:30 to 12:30 p.m.; shift 2 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Families with elementary-aged children are encouraged to attend this event. Register or find out more at www.volunteerfairfax.org.
The next Electric Sunday TV and Computer Recycling will be held on Sunday, January 23, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the I-66 Transfer Station, 4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax. For updates, cancellations, and notifications of events, call 703.324.5052, TTY 711.
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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| Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia e-News.
Authorized by Kenneth R. Plum. Paid for by Friends of Delegate Ken Plum. |
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