Accessing State Government

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

In my earliest years of service as a member of the House of Delegates there was no guide or directory of state programs and services.  Each constituent request that was different from previous ones resulted in an investigation to determine who was responsible for what in the area in which the constituent needed assistance.  Sometimes it took several long distance telephone calls to get to the right agency or the right person.  There was no Internet and no search engines.  State government was not all that friendly, and there were few "800" numbers to encourage calls from Northern Virginia and other parts of the state into Richmond.

Each successful investigation led to the completion of an index card with individual names, agency names, addresses, and telephone numbers that were eventually expanded to include facsimile telephone numbers to accommodate the new technology.  The shoebox that was more than half-full of index cards became an invaluable tool in responding to constituent inquiries.

If it was invaluable to my office, it would clearly be useful to others.  From that realization came the idea to print all the information from those index cards in a booklet that would be a citizens handbook.  Our first edition was in great demand from citizens, businesses, agencies, and others.  It clearly filled a void; it clearly met a need.

Last week I sent out the eleventh edition of my citizens handbook that has now been combined with my constituent guide.  It is published every two years.  The document is quite different from the first edition.  Now users of the handbook are referred to the right website where all the details that were once printed in the guide can be found.  It has gone from 24 pages to 8 pages as a result.  But with the expansion of the websites the guide opens state government to voters and constituents more than the original print-only version ever could.  I organized and chaired the original Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) where we placed an emphasis on state government expanding its use of technology and making its programs and services more accessible through the Internet.  We have been wonderfully accessible.  Virginia state government has received many favorable recognitions for its website.

You should have received the Citizens Handbook and Constituent Guide, Eleventh Edition, last week in the mail.  If you did not, call my office weekday mornings at 703.758.9733 or email me at kenplum@aol.com.  If you need more copies for your family or business, just let us know the number you need, and we will be glad to provide them.  They are not printed at taxpayer expense.  They are paid for by my campaign committee. 

Absentee Voting Information

Deadlines:

* To apply by mail, fax or email for a mailed absentee ballot - Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.  Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb for a downloadable absentee ballot application.  Applications are also available at county government centers and libraries. 

* To vote absentee in-person - ends Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.

* All mailed absentee ballots must be received at the Office of Elections by 7:00 pm. on Election Day, November 8 2011, in order to be counted.

* The final day to register to vote in-person is Monday, October 17 at 4:30 p.m. - by mail, postmarked no later than October 17, 2011.

In-Person Absentee Voting is Available at the Office of Elections:

* Location - Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323, Fairfax, VA  22035

* Now through October 21, 2011, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursdays 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

* NOTE:  The Office of Elections will be closed on Monday, October 10, 2011 for Columbus Day.

* Saturdays, October 8, 29 and November 5, 2011, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

In-Person Absentee Voting will also be available at the North County Governmental Center, 12000 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston, October 24 through November 5, Monday through Friday, 2:30 to 7:00 p.m.; Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

World Heart Day is Tomorrow!

The World Heart Federation announced last month that beginning this year, World Heart Day will be held each year on September 29.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 1.4 million Americans die from cardiovascular disease every year, and more women die of cardiovascular disease than from the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer.  Mark World Heart Day by helping to raise awareness:  view and share this eye-opening short video, "Just a Little Heart Attack" (www.youtube.com/OfficialGoRed4Women).  Learn the signs, and don't hesitate to call 9-1-1 if you see them.

Be an Over-55 Advocate in the Reston Association

If you are a senior citizen looking for a way to get involved in the Reston Association, consider joining the Seniors Advisory Committee.  The all-volunteer group advocates for those over 55 and encourages involvement in the community and participation in both social and issues-based activities.  Members of the Seniors Advisory Committee also review existing activities, facilities, and needs of seniors and make recommendations to the Reston Association Board of Directors.  Call Ashleigh Soloff at 703.435.6577 to learn more.

Help Those Fighting Cancer

The American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery program is looking for volunteer drivers to drive patients to and from treatment centers.  The hours and days are flexible.  Call Brenda Silvia-Torma at 703.938.5550, TTY 711, or email Brenda.Silvia-Torma@cancer.org.

SCC eFile Website Allows Online Business Entity Formation

The State Corporation (SCC) now offers future business owners two streamlined, online methods for forming their Virginia corporation or limited liability company (LLC).  The new SCC eFile features shorten the formation process and make Virginia one of the few states to offer online, real-time business entity formation.  This service is aviolable for the formation of any new Virginia corporation or LLC.  SCC eFile customers can choose between two online submission methods, depending on the complexity of the business entity's structure.  The SCC eFile Express option provides real-time formation and confirmation for simple, typically small businesses.  Complex formation documents are subject to more intensive, manual review.  These documents an be submitted via SCC eFile as portable document format (PDF) files.  Custmers are encouraged to review the filing criteria as explained on the SCC eFile website prior to any submission.  Form your business via SCC eFile at https://sccefile.scc.virginia.gov/.

Monitoring Kids' Online Activity Helps Protect

The Fairfax County Sheriff's Office is offering parents Internet monitoring software to help them quickly and easily assess what their children are doing online.  The ComputerCOP software scans the computer for potentially objectionable images and text associated with pornography, drugs, weapons, or violence.  Online predators and cyber bullies pose a threat to children, and the ComputerCOP software is a proactive step toward protecting children from being victimized.  The ComputerCOP software will be avialable free of charge for Fairfax County residents at child identification/fingerprinting events sponsored by the Sheriff's Office.  Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/sheriff/news/fingerprint.htm or www.facebook.com/fairfaxcountysheriff for a list of upcoming events.

Adult Day Health Care

The Fairfax County Health Department's Adult Day Health Care program provides quality community-based care in a safe and positive environment to individuals who need supervision during the day due to changes in their cognitive and/or functional abilities.  Participants receive meals, health monitoring by a registered nurse, and work with certified therapeutic recreation specialists.  Door-to-door transporation is available.  The Health Department is now accepting participants in six locaitons throughout Fairfax County.  Residents of Fairfax County, the citiens of Fairfax and Falls Church, and the towns of Herndon and Vienna are eligible.  Fees are based on a sliding scale at $16-$89 per day.  For more information visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd/adhc or calll 703.750.3316, TTY 711.