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Delegate Ken Plum's
Virginia e-News
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Commentary
Also on the Ballot
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
With all the buzz about the presidential election, some voters may be surprised to learn that there are other electoral contests and issues on the ballot. At the request of many people, each year I write about the ballot facing voters and share my intentions on how I will be voting. It will come as no surprise to anyone that I will be voting for President Obama for re-election. This campaign as much as any has been about the clear role of government, and President Obama reflects views that I hold that our society must be open to opportunity for all and not to a privileged few. There is no reason to stay home from this vote. It does not get any more fundamental than this one.
Virginia will also elect a new U.S. Senator to replace retiring Senator Jim Webb. I will be voting for former Governor Tim Kaine who demonstrated as Mayor of Richmond, Lieutenant Governor and Governor his ability to work across party lines and to govern effectively during some truly challenging economic times. He will be a really great partner working with Senator Mark Warner.
Reston is now in the 11th Congressional District as a result of redistricting after the federal census. Congressman Gerry Connelly deserves re-election. He is tuned into the needs of our community and has proven himself as a problem solver in the Congress and previously as a member and chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Two proposed amendments to the State Constitution are also on the ballot. The first amends the Virginia Bill of Rights related to the taking of private property through eminent domain. I voted against this amendment both times it passed the General Assembly. The abuses that it proposes to cure did not occur in Virginia. It shifts the delicate balance of the uses of property between private and public use that has been in the Virginia constitution since Virginia became a state and through hundreds of years of common law. It is opposed by many business groups. The second constitutional amendment, to allow the General Assembly to change the time of its reconvened session to avoid meeting on religious holidays, is a good one and should be supported. For the full text of amendments go to http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/.
Fairfax County has four bond issues on the ballot related to public libraries, public safety, parks, and stormwater control that merit our support. Fairfax County has the best credit rating available and this time of low interest rates is the best to invest in needed infrastructure.
Election Day is November 6; polls are open 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Bring your ID to the polls. Your driver's license, voter registration card and other forms of identification listed at voter identification will suffice. Information on absentee voting is available at absentee voting. Send questions to kenplum@aol.com. |
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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, October 24 at 10:30 p.m. - Pat Hynes, Vice Chairman and Hunter Mill District Representative to the Fairfax County Public Schools, "School Board Update"
Tuesday, October 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, October 31 at 10:30 p.m. - Michael Behrmann, Life Circle Alliances, "Independent Living for Adults with Disabilities"
"Virginia Report" is also available online at www.rctv28.com/virginiareport.html for viewing on your computer or iPad.
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All About Voting
Absentee Voting in Person
Fairfax County Government Center
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323
Fairfax, VA 22035
Until November 2:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday Hours:
October 27, November 3: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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
Until 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 residence 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 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 print absentee ballot, 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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Bulletin Board
Election Officers are still needed in some areas! If you would like to apply to serve as a Fairfax County election officer, please email the following information: your full name, current address, daytime phone number, and your date of birth. This information is necessary in order to verify your voter registration. Also, please indicate whether you would prefer to represent either the Democratic party, the Republican party, or either party as needed on Election Day, as mandated by the Code of Virginia, 24.2-115, Appointment, qualifications, and term of officers of election. You may also apply by calling 703-324-4735 (free) or by downloading the election officer application form (Adobe Acrobat Reader Required, download Adobe Reader), completing it, and then mailing it to the address listed on the form. The Fairfax County Electoral Board greatly appreciates those citizens who help to make our elections work!
New Bicycling in Virginia Map Available: Just in time to enjoy the great outdoors and beautiful colors of fall, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has released an updated version of the Commonwealth of Virginia Bicycling in Virginia map. A full-color map geared toward both avid and leisure cyclists, the updated map includes bicycle trails, regional inset maps and a guide for riding safely and legally in Virginia. The free Bicycling in Virginia map is available at all Virginia Welcome Centers, local visitor centers and online at bikemap. Travelers can also obtain the map and a Virginia Travel Guide by visiting travel guide or by calling (800) VISIT VA.
virginiageneralassembly.gov, the new website for the Virginia state legislature, offers a clean and contemporary look and features enhanced resources and ease of navigation, with more content presented on the homepage. New to virginiageneralassembly.gov is the incorporation of social media feeds and an "At-a-Glance" widget where citizens can access more conveniently legislative meetings each day throughout the year and video feeds with closed captioning during legislative sessions as well as determine more quickly who represents them.
Read about Fairfax County Public Schools in the new 2012-13 State of the Schools report by visiting 2012-13 Report. You'll find information about the budget, student achievement, and future challenges and find out why FCPS is a world-class school system. |
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Calendar of Events
Fairfax County will hold a series of community forums, Working Together to Make a Measurable Difference, for members of the community representing nonprofit and community-based organizations, businesses, faith-based organizations and houses of worship, public schools and higher education institutions, and human services boards, authorities, and commissions.
Meeting Locations and Times:
*Monday, October 29, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston
*Friday, November 2, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, McLean Comunity Center, 1234 Ingelside Avenue, McLean
TODAY--October 24, 2012 is Food Day, a nationwide celebration and movement for healthy, affordable, and sustainable food. For resources and activities, go to www.foodday.org.
TODAY--FREE Child Identification and Fingerprinting: The Sheriff's Office provides a FREE photo of your child and a set of his/her fingerprints, Wednesday, October 24, 5:00-7:00 p.m., Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124 Park Street NE, Vienna, VA 22180 http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/sheriff/news/fingerprint.htm
TODAY--Meet staff from Housing Counseling Services, Inc. (HCS) at a Free Foreclosure Prevention Clinic, Wednesday, October 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development, 3700 Pender Drive, Fairfax. To reserve your seat or to get more information, contact HCS at 202-667-7006 or info@housingetc.org. HCS is not a lender and will not offer to buy or refinance your home or require you to take a particular course of action.
TODAY--The Alzheimer's Association will present a program on "Healthy Brain Aging"on Wednesday, October 24, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road. The presentation will identify three areas (mind, heart, person) that affect the brain. Strategies for how to keep each of the three areas healthy will be discussed as well as practice exercises to assist in keeping the brain active and fully charged. This event is free, but you must register at www.restoncommunitycenter.com or call 703.476.4500.
The Justice Mobilization Task Force of United Christian Parish continues its Community Forum series on Thursday, October 25, 7:00-9:00 p.m. with featured speaker Sister Marge Clark, one of the Nuns on the Bus and co-author of the Faithful Budget. A panel including Supervisor Cathy Hudgins and Jeff Connor-Naylor of the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis will continue the discussion of "Moral Issues in Public Budgeting" at the federal, state, and local levels. The program will be held at United Christian Parish at 11508 North Shore Drive in Reston. Preregistration is not required. Nonpartisan. Interfaith. All are welcome!
The 3rd Virginia Immigrant Advocate Summit 2012 is Friday, October 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (registration and breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m.). At Annandale United Methodist Church, 6935 Columbia Pike, Annandale. Registration Fee: $30.00. Scholarships are available. To register, go to registration. The Summit will bring together hundreds of immigrant rights advocates and allies from across the state to discuss issues important to immigrant communities in Virginia.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Foundation, Inc. is hosting the 2012 Outstanding Educator Award Lunch and Silent Auction on Saturday, October 27 at McLean Tyson's Hilton Hotel. Registration and Silent Auction begin at 11:00 a.m. with lunch at noon. To purchase tickets or for more information visit Outstanding Educator lunch.
The official opening and ribbon cutting for the Lake Fairfax Skate Park will be on Saturday, October 27 at noon. There will be brief ceremonies, demos, great prizes and free food! Lake Fairfax Skate Park is located next to the campground and athletic fields at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston.
Attend a most unique historical marker unveiling with an illumination commemoration honoring the 26 Civil War Veterans Interred at Flint Hill Cemetery, 2845 Chain Bridge Road, Oakton, on Saturday, October 27, at 6:00 p.m. This unveiling will occur near the intersection of Chain Bridge and Courthouse Roads. Enjoy speakers and live period music along with hot cider and cookies. Parking at Oakton Church of the Brethren. Please RSVP to info@flinthillcemetery.org.
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon while you learn about the library bond referendum on the November 6 ballot and watch the tail end of the Redskins game on Sunday, October 28, 3:00-4:30 p.m., at the Pohick Regional Library. Learn more about the bond referendum and this event by visiting Referendum, Reception & Redskins.
Doc Scantlin and His Imperial Palms Orchestra are coming to our area on Sunday, October 28, 3:00 p.m., to play a Benefit for the Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna. This will be a single performance Sunday matinee show at the Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124 Park Street NE, Vienna, VA 22180. For additional details or your ticket order form, visit www.scov.org or call the Shepherd's Center office at 703.281.0538, or email office@scov.org. Tickets are $20.00 per person in advance and $25.00 at the door.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board will conduct 2012 Fall Multimodal Transportation Public Meetings across the state to give stakeholders the opportunity to review and provide comments on projects and programs to be included in the Fiscal Year 2014-2019 Six-Year Improvement Program, including highway, rail, and public transportation initiatives. The meeting in Northern Virginia will be held on Tuesday, October 30, at the Virginia Department of Transportation District Office, Potomac Conference Center, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax. The meeting will consist of an open house format from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. where attendees can review materials produced by agency staff and discuss specific projects or issues. Written comments may also be submitted during this informal session, or they may be mailed or e-mailed until November 30, 2012. Following the open house, an opportunity will be provided for comments from the public and transportation stakeholders with a formal comment session beginning at 6:30 p.m. You may also send your comments to Diane Mitchell, Virginia Department of Transportation, 1401 E. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219 or e-mail them to Six-YearProgram@vdot.virginia.gov by November 30, 2012. Comments on rail and public transportation may be sent to the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, Public Information Officer, at 600 East Main Street, Suite 2102, Richmond, VA 23219 or e-mail them to drptpr@drpt.virginia.gov.
AARP Driver Safety (50 years and older), Thursday and Friday, November 1 and 2, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. RCC Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. This two-day workshop, conducted by an AARP instructor, teaches defensive driving to adults ages 50 and older. Upon successful completion of the course, participants may be entitled to a discount on their car insurance. A check payable to AARP for $12 (AARP members) or $14 (non-members) is due to the instructor on the first day of class. AARP members must present their membership card to the instructor. November's class is free to military veterans. Participants may bring a lunch or enjoy one of the nearby restaurants during the midday break.
The Reston Garden Club will meet on Tuesday, November 6 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston. After a short social period Seth Fleming from Meadowlark Gardens will speak on "Strategies for Creating Year Round Color in Your Garden." For information about the club, visit therestongardenclub.org.
Caregiver Options (55 years and older), Thursday, November 8, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., RCC Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Cost: free but registration is required. (register) This class will provide options available to caregivers; where to find help, the costs, and who is responsible for paying the bills: Medicare, Medicaid and/or Long-Term Care Insurance. Learn about the levels of care and who is there to help, and know in advance what charges will be paid out of pocket.
Plan on attending Fairfax County's 8th Annual History Conference, "Courage & Conflict in Fairfax County," on Saturday, November 10. This conference will feature Gregg S. Clemmer, award winning author of Valor in Gray, living history presentations, reenactments, and more. The Conference will run from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Your registration fee of $20 includes Continental breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, exhibits, authors, trivia contest prizes, and parking. For further information and to receive a registration form/brochure, send your name, address, and email to lynnegarveyhodge@verizon.net. This event is sponsored by the Fairfax County History Commission, Fairfax County Sesquicentennial Committee, Fairfax County Park Authority, Fairfax Museum & Visitor Center, and Preservation Virginia/Northern Virginia Branch.
Join Ken and Jane at this year's Reston Holiday Parade at Reston Town Center on Friday, November 23. The fun begins at 11:00 a.m. with a 1/2 mile parade route. This year's theme is "Come Out to Play!" This annual tradition draws over 10,000 spectators and has something for everyone. Events include the Gingerbread Man Mile fun run for kids with a 7:30 a.m. registration and the race at 8:00 a.m. This run benefits Neediest Kids; no entry fee. Visit www.prraces.com/gingerbread for details. After the Holiday Parade, there are visits and portraits with Santa! Photos are free; donations benefit a local non-profit organization. Stay for the Holiday Tree Lighting and Sing Along that begins at 6:00 p.m., and watch as Santa and Mrs. Claus magically light up Reston Town Center and the holiday tree. Sing along with the Reston Chorale and brass quintet. Enjoy Horse Drawn Carriage Rides from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. Cost is $5 per person, riders 5 and under are free, and all proceeds benefit Volunteer Fairfax!
VDOT is planning to hold a public information meeting about plans for Route 7 between Reston Avenue and the Dulles Toll Road, Wednesday, November 28, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Colvin Run Elementary School cafeteria, 1400 Trap Road, Vienna. |
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