Commentary

Rail Association Reaches Milestone

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

The Dulles Corridor Rail Association (DCRA) celebrated its 14^th anniversary this month.  On August 3, 1998, I held a press conference at the Sheraton Reston Hotel to announce formation of the organization.  My action came after many years of singular effort to get other elected officials, government agencies, and the public interested in transportation alternatives in the Dulles Corridor.  The building of the Dulles Toll Road and its subsequent widening convinced me that automobile-only solutions were not going to be adequate for the high growth and economic development that were occurring in the Corridor.  The Toll Road filled up as quickly as it was built and widened.

I announced my plan to bring together community and business leaders and interested persons to advocate for mass transit alternatives in the Dulles Corridor at a meeting of the Reston Transportation Committee at Lake Anne Elementary School in early 1998.  By August I had assembled the first Board whose members were introduced at the press conference on August 3.  Patty Nicoson, a prominent Restonian who had worked professionally as a planner for both the District of Columbia and Arlington County governments when Metro came to those communities, became President of the Board of DCRA.  Joe Stowers, another local resident who is a professional transportation planner, became secretary to the Board.  Both continue in those roles as I do as Chairman of the Board of DCRA.  The mission of DCRA was defined as being advocates for a rail alternative in the Corridor.

Since federal dollars were going to be used in any project in the Corridor, major and lengthy studies of financial feasibility and environmental impact had to be conducted.  The Governor of Virginia established a Task Force that helped to coordinate a response to the federal requirements.  After consideration of bus and bus rapid transit along with light and heavy rail alternatives, the decision was to go with an extension of the current Metro system.

Throughout the last 14 years there were several pronouncements of the project's demise.  On each of those occasions, DCRA got interested parties together, demonstrated community support, and carried out a campaign of advocacy.  The Association organized a coalition of business and community groups in a Dulles Rail Now advocacy campaign for Phase I.  It helped organize a Loudoun Rail Now campaign for Phase 2.  Endless meetings were held and advocacy activities undertaken to keep the rail project "on track."

For those who have been involved in the details of advocacy for the project, it is difficult to believe the reality that Phase I will open and be carrying passengers in one year.  By the end of this year, Phase 2 will be under contract.  All associated with DCRA are pleased with the part that we have played in making this project a reality.

Virginia Report on Comcast Channel 28

Tune in to Ken's weekly television program, Virginia Report, on Reston Comcast Channel 28 for public service programming.  Ken interviews state and local leaders who are making news by making a difference.  Watch these upcoming programs:

Tonight, August 15, at 10:30 p.m. - Lisa Farinholt-O'Brien, Infant/Toddler Family Day Care - "Quality Child Care for Our Families"

Tuesday, August 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, August 22 at 10:30 p.m. - Janet Hyman and Gale Napoliello, Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc - "Friendly Instant Sympathetic Help - the Need is Always There"

"Virginia Report" is also available online at www.rctv28.com/virginiareport.html for viewing on your computer or iPad.

All About Voting

Are You Registered to Vote?

You are eligible to register to vote if you satisfy all of the requirements below:

* A citizen of the United States

* At least 18 years of age by the next general election

* A resident of Virginia

You may register to vote year-round except during the 22 days prior to a General or Primary election, 13 days prior to a Special election, or 7 days prior to a Special election called by the Governor. 

How do you register to vote?

* In person Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Fairfax Office of Elections, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323, Fairfax, Virginia  22035-0081.

* By mail.  Pick up a Virginia Voter Registration Application at our public libraries, DMV offices, military recruitment offices, public assistance agency offices, our own North County Government Center in Reston, the Citizen Information Desk in the Fairfax County Government Center lobby, the Judicial Center information desk, or

* Call Delegate Ken Plum's office mornings at 703.758.9733 and ask for a Voter Registration Application Form to be mailed to you.

Mail your completed application to:

Fairfax County Office of Elections

P.O. Box 10161

Fairfax, VA  22038-8061

First-time voters in Virginia who register by mail must vote in person (either on Election Day or absentee in person) unless they are:

* Students

* Overseas Citizens

* Citizens with a disability or illness

* Active duty members of the military or their dependents

Absentee Voting in Person

Fairfax County Government Center

12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323

Fairfax, VA  22035

September 21-October 16:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday:  8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Thursdays:  8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

October 17 - November 2:

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Saturday Hours:

October 6, 13, 29, 27, November 3:  9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Office Closed On:

Monday, October 8, 2012 (Columbus Day)

Last Day to Vote Absentee In Person:

Saturday, November 3, 2012

In Person, Satellite Voting Location

North County Human Services Building

1850 Cameron Glen Drive

Reston, VA  20190

October 17 - November 3

Monday - Friday, 2:00 pm. to 8:00 p.m.

Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Absentee Voting by Mail

You may vote absentee, either by mail or in person, if you are unable to go to the polls on Election Day because you:  are a student or the spouse of a student attending a school outside Fairfax County; will be away from Fairfax County on business; will be working and commuting for 11 or more hours between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.; will be away from Fairfax County on personal business or vacation; are unable to go to the polls because of illness or disability; are pregnant; are the primary caretaker of a confined family member; have a religious obligation; are confined awaiting trial; are confined having been convicted of a misdemeanor; are an election official; are on active duty in the military outside Fairfax County; are the spouse or dependent residing with a member of the military outside Fairfax County; are an overseas citizen whose most recent United States residents was in Fairfax County; are a designated representative of a candidate or a party inside the polls; are requesting a ballot for presidential and vice-presidential electors only (Ballot for other offices/issues will not be sent).

Date of First Mail-out:  Approximately September 21

Last Day to Register to Vote (if not already registered at current address:

4:30 p.m. on Monday, October 15

Last Date to Apply for an Absentee Ballot by Mail

5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 30, 2012

For inclusion in the election, absentee ballots must be returned by 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.

Use the Fairfax County Electoral Board's Fillable Online Absentee Ballot Application to enter your information on the screen at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/absentee.htm.  After you have entered your information, print, sign, and then return.  OR print a blank Absentee Ballot Application Form available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/absentee.htm, enter your information by hand, sign, and then return.  Mail to:

Office of Elections

12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323

Fairfax, VA  22035

or

Office of Elections

Box 10161

Fairfax, VA  22038

or

Fax it to the Office of Elections at 703.324.3725

or

Email to absenteeballot@fairfaxcounty.gov or voting@fairfaxcounty.gov

If you are not able to get an Absentee Ballot Application online, feel free to call Delegate Ken Plum's office mornings at 703.758.9733 and request that one be mailed to you.

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