Commentary 

A Special Shout-Out

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

I know my constituents join me in a special thank-you shout-out to Barbara Shearer who has been my legislative assistant for over twenty years and who is retiring at the end of this month. Although a state legislative office is technically part-time, Barbara's attention to details of constituent request and dependable follow-through gained for my office a reputation for having the best constituent services of any office of an elected official with many having full-time staff members.

While dealing with proposed legislation during the legislative session is a very important part of a legislator's duties, taking care of constituent needs and requests was understood by Barbara as being just as important. Many of the calls that come into my office are from persons who are totally frustrated with trying to figure out the appropriate level of government - federal, state, local - to call, the agency to call when most agencies have names that may make sense only to the bureaucrats in them, and with talking to answering machines with no humans ever calling them back. Barbara always had a willingness to listen, to know where the request should be directed, and to get an answer. She developed friendships in many state agencies and departments from her many years of dealing with them. She taught many new legislative assistants how to do their jobs.

Jane and I met Barbara and her husband, Scott, at a political event over 20 years ago soon after their second relocation to the region related to his employment. When I learned that she had experience working for an Illinois legislator, I offered her a job working with me. While the job is part-time, it is more than full-time for a couple of months of the year when my legislative office relocates to Richmond for the legislative session. Barbara was agreeable to such a schedule and has been the only person working in my legislative office locally and in Richmond since then. During the session we also had college interns to assist us, but Barbara probably helped them a lot more by teaching them about the legislative process than they actually helped out.

Barbara is editor of my weekly Virginia e-News that some have described as having the most comprehensive calendar available in the community. We get numerous requests to list events in the calendar and numerous plaudits from people who learn new information from it. She passes along to constituents news and information on state government that is not easily accessible to residents. Barbara also schedules my weekly television show, always on the lookout for interesting people for me to interview.

I know that I join the residents of the 36th district in thanking Barbara for her exceptional service and wishing her well in her retirement as she looks after her mother and has more time for her husband, children, and grandchildren.

Succeeding Barbara as my legislative assistant is Kristy Pullen. Please give Kristy a big "Welcome!" when you phone my office.

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 - Wednesday, September 26 at 10:30 p.m. - Janet Hyman and Gale Napoliello, Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc. - "Friendly Instant Sympathetic Help Here at Home"

Tuesday, October 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, October 3 at 10:30 p.m. -  Celeste Peterson, The Erin Peterson Fund - "Erin's Legacy"

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

All About Voting

Last Day for Registering to Vote for the November 6 Presidential Election is October 15!

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

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

Now through 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).

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.

Calendar of Events 

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is seeking community feedback on ways to generate revenue to address unfunded transportation mandates (roadway, transit, bike, and pedestrian) needs. This effort will consist of a series of community meetings in September and October 2012 at which potential revenue sources will be discussed. The public will have the opportunity to provide feedback at the meetings or in an online survey through October 12, 2012. The public meetings will include a presentation, a question-and-answer session, and an opportunity to view materials and talk to county staff. Meeting dates include:

*Today, Wednesday, September 26 at 7:00 p.m.

Sully Governmental Center

4900 Stonecroft Boulevard

Chantilly, VA 20151

Transit: Fairfax Connector 640, 642

*Wednesday, October 3 at 7:00 p.m.

North County Government Center

12000 Bowman Towne Drive

Reston, VA 20190

* Wednesday, October 10 at 7:00 p.m.

Thoreau Middle School

2505 Cedar Lane

Vienna, VA 22180

Transit: RIBS 1, RIBS 3

*For more information about the Countywide Dialogue on Transportation Funding, the Ask Fairfax! chat, or to take the online survey, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/cdot/. Residents can also visit the web site to sign up for email updates or find out if new meetings have been announced.