Virginia e-News
 
 
 
January 4, 2012
KenTownMtgMicrophone 
Don't miss Delegate Ken Plum's Public Hearing with Senator Janet Howell tomorrow evening -  Thursday, January 5, 2012, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. - at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods.  Bring your questions and comments, and let your elected representatives know what's on your mind before the General Assembly convenes in Richmond on January 11.

Commentary

 

General Assembly 2012

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

 

A representative group of colonists met in the church on Jamestown Island in 1619 establishing a form of government for the new settlement and giving Virginia the distinction of having the oldest, continuous representative legislative body in the western hemisphere. Its successor, the General Assembly, will convene next week on January 11 for its 2012 session. As the person to whom the voters of the 36th district have delegated the responsibility to represent their interest, I would like to hear from you.

 

There will be many issues to resolve: Should a 30-year ban on mining uranium in the state be lifted? A recent study raises some serious doubts. Should the use of hand-held cell phones be outlawed while driving? The distracted driver causes serious accidents. Should life be defined to begin at conception? The first bill introduced, House Bill 1, says it should be. Should the governor be allowed to serve a second term in succession? Such a change in the law would not apply to the current governor. Should Virginia set up a health insurance exchange to lower the cost of health insurance and make it more accessible? Some want to wait for a federal mandate. Should Governor McDonnell's $85 billion budget for the biennium be passed as presented? Many of us do not like the cuts to education. Should Virginia take action to reduce traffic congestion? Many are scared away by the price tag that continues to get higher. Do we really need the more than 3,000 bills and resolutions that will be introduced? All will be heard by a committee on the subject and only about half will pass.

 

On Wednesday evening, January 4, I will be using an established technology of the telephone to call voters in the district. At 8:00 p.m. you should receive a call from me on your home telephone unless your number is unlisted. For the first few seconds you will hear my recorded voice, and then I will come on the line to talk about the legislative session and respond to your questions.

 

If you want to talk with me in person, come to the Public Hearing I am having with Senator Janet Howell on Thursday, January 5, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods.

 

Virginia's House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees will hold a regional Public Hearing on Friday, January 6, at George Mason University's Fairfax Campus, Dewberry Hall, in the Johnson Center at 10:00 a.m. The purpose of the hearings is to receive comments on the Governor's proposed 2012-14 biennial state budget. Persons wishing to speak may register at the hearing site no earlier than one hour prior to the start of the hearing; speakers will be taken in the order of registration. Persons unable to attend may comment in writing to Delgate Lacey E. Putney, P.O. Box 406, Richmond, VA 23218, or to Senator Charles J. Colgan, 10th Floor General Assembly Building, Richmond, VA 23219.

 

Fairfax County Delegation's Pre-General Assembly Public Hearing will be held on Saturday, January 7 9:00 a.m., in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. 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 6. Point of contact for other questions is Katie Boyle at 703.324.2649.

 

Constituents should have received a printed newsletter from me last week. Please complete the survey in it or go to www.kenplum.com to complete it online. If you did not receive a newsletter, call 703.758.9733 or e-mail kenplum@aol.com, and one will be mailed to you. Throughout the legislative session you can continue to call me at 703.758.9733, and your call will be forwarded to my Richmond office without cost to you. Continue to use kenplum@aol.comfor e-mails to me during the session. I look forward to hearing from you.

"Virginia Report" on Comcast Channel 28 
KenStudio 

Tune in to Reston Comcast Channel 28 for a 30-minute weekly television program hosted by Delegate Ken Plum.  Ken covers topics of interest to us all as he interviews people from our own community, Fairfax County, and around the Commonwealth to talk about important issues of the day.  Not a Comcast viewer?  Visit www.rctv28.com/VirginiaReport.html and watch Ken's "Virginia Report" on your computer or iPad.
 
Tonight - Wednesday, January 4 at 10:30 p.m. - Dr. Michael Blanpied, U.S. Geological Survey - "Virginia's Big Quake"
 
Tuesday, January 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, January 11 at 10:30 p.m. - Commissioner Richard Holcomb, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles - "Your DMV - Changing with the Times"
In This Issue
Commentary - "General Assembly 2012"
"Virginia Report"
Announcements
Calendar of Events - Don't Miss Out!



  
 
Announcements

 

  



Ken's Tele-Hearing -- as Simple as Answering Your Phone!

Delegate Ken Plum will host a public hearing - by telephone - TONIGHT at 8:00 p.m. When your phone rings at approximately 8:00 p.m. this evening, pick it up and stay on the line to listen to the live meeting Ken will have with you and others in the community.  Follow Ken's instructions to ask him a question on the air, or listen to others as they ask about the issues most important to them.  This is great way to find out what issues and concerns are the most pressing to your friends and neighbors.  Pick up the phone TONIGHT at 8:00 p.m.!

 

Virginia Easy Access

 

Virginia Easy Access is a wbsite developed for seniors, adults with disabilities, their caregivers, and the providers that support them.  Virginia Easy Access is full of helpful information about services and supports that are available across the Commonwealth.  Virginia Easy Access is the gateway to the "VirginiaNavigator" provider database.  The provider database will help people find local services and supports.  The database is constantly updated in order to make sure the most comprehensive list of providers is available.  Virginia Easy Access is supported by 2-1-1 Virginia.  People can ask questions by e-mail and get a response back from the 2-1-1 call center operators.  Virginia Easy Access also presents an electronic Medicaid Application that can be completed on-line and submitted directly to the appropriate local social services agency for processing.  Visit http://easyaccess.virginia.gov for more information. 

 

 

 

                                   

 

 

   

 

Calendar of Events

 

 

 

 

 

 

Join in Delegate Ken Pum's "Tele-Hearing" tonight at 8:00 p.m.  When your phone rings at approximately 8:00 p.m., stay on the line to phone in a question to Ken about issues important to the community, or listen to others talk to Ken.  This is a great way to participate in a Public Meeting without having to leave the comforts of home. 

 

Let your elected officials know about the state government issues that are most important to you at a Public Meeting hosted by Delegate Ken Plum and Senator Janet Howell on Thursday, January 5, 2012, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston.  Bring your comments for Ken and Janet.  This will be their annual pre-session meeting prior to the General Assembly going into session on January 11, 2012.

 

Virginia's House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees of the General Assembly will hold a regional Public Hearing on Friday, January 6, 2012, at George Mason University's Fairfax Campus, Dewberry Hall, in the Johnson Center at 10:00 a.m.  The purpose of the hearings is to receive comments on the Govenor's proposed 2012-14 biennial state budget.  Those persons wishing to speak may register at the hearing site no earlier than one hour prior to the start 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 duplications.  Accommodations for individuals with hearing impairment may be made by calling 804.698.7480.  All requests for individuals with hearing impairment must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2011.  Persons unable to attend may comment in writing to Delegate Lacey E. Putney, P.O. Box 406, General Assembly Building, Richmond, VA  23218, or to Senator Charles J. Colgan, 10th Floor General Assembly Building, Richmond, VA  23219.

 

General Assembly members representing districts in Fairfax County will hold a Fairfax County Delegation Pre-General Assembly Public Hearing on Saturday, January 7, 2012, at 9:00 p.m. in the Board Auditorium of the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.  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 6.  Point of contact for other questions is Katie Boyle at 703.324.2649.  The Clerk's staff asks that those signed up to speak provide an email address and their House or Senate District.

 

Reston's Winter Bird Count will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2012, 7:00 a.m. to Noon, at Walker Nature Education Center. Sign up for this free event for adults by January 4 at naturecenter@reston.org or call 703.476.9689.  Enjoy this 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 Nature House following the count. 

 

The next Sunday Afternoon Dance will be held on January 8 at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.  Dancers of all skill levels ages 18 and older, are welcome to foxtrot, swing, cha cha, and waltz during this fun afternoon dance.  A professional dance instructor and music disc jockey, Michael Rye, incorporates up to three mini dance lessons during the two-hour session.  Music selection ranges from golden oldies to todeay's more modern dance selections.  Door prozes and light refreshments add to the fun.  Partners are not required.  Cost is $3 Reston residents; $6 non-residents; payable at the door.  Future Sunday Afternoon Dances are on February 12, March 11, April 15, and May 13, same time and place.  

 

The MLK Community Service Awards will be presented at the 2012 Reston Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration to be held January 14-16, 2012, in Reston.  Visit www.restoncommunitycenter.com for more information.

 

The Reston Community Orchestra will perform its sixth annual musical salute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Saturday, January 14, 6:00 p.m., at teh Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods.  Anm integral part of Reston's weekend of celebration and remembrance, the concert features the works of African American composers.  Orchestral highlights include the "Petite Suite de Concert" by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and "A Dream of Conscience" by Maryland-based contemporary composer Eric Lacy.  The orchestra will be joined by the Heritage Signature Chorale under the direciton of Stanley J. Thurston, a spectacular choir dedicated to performing and preserving traditional spiritual music and choral works of African American composers.  Also joining the orchestra is song stylist and "Best of Reston" favorite, Beverly Cosham.  Admission is free; donations are appreciated.  For more information, call 571.449.7095, or visit www.restoncommunityorchestra.org.

 

The Mothers Milk Bank of Virginia will celebrate the move to its new offices at 209 Elden Street, Suite #200, Herndon, with a ribbon cutting on Saturday, January 28, 11:00 a.m. and an open house following until 3:00 p.m.  The Mothers Milk Bank provides donor milk to premature babies whose mothers are not able to make enough milk for various reasons.  Delegate Ken Plum and Senator Janet Howell will be on hand for the ribbon cutting.  For more information about MMBVA and how you can help, visit www.mothersmilkbankofvirginia.org. 

 

Join REACT - Reston Environmental Action - and meet fellow members on Saturday, January 28, 2:00 p.m. at Greenberry's Coffee and Tea Company (located in the Home Depot shopping center).  Learn all about how Reston is making a commitment to environmentally-friendly practices.  

 

Join Delegate Ken Plum, Senator Janet Howell, and Fairfax County Board Chairman Sharon Bulova at the V.O.I.C.E. Dental Campaign Rally on Sunday, January 29, 2:45 to 3:45 p.m., at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 11900 Lawyers Road, Reston.  This campaign will raise matching funds and enable the Sterling Northern Virginia Dental Clinic to hire a dentist to provide affordable dental services for families in our community who would otherwise go without needed dental care.

 

Artists, curators, and educators will guide you through an in-depth viewing of the current exhibition at Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE), "Appetite for Art:  Contemporary Art," on Monday, February 6, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 Noon at GRACE, 12001 Market Street, Suite 103.  This event is for ages 55 and older.  Fee is $10 Reston residents, $20 non-residents.  Enjoy related documentary films and provocative discussions of trends and influences in current cultural life.  Mid-morning treats will fuel the artful dialog.  Contact Karen Brutsche at 703.476.4500 for more information.

Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia e-News is authorized by Kenneth R. Plum
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