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Delegate Ken Plum's
Virginia e-News
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Commentary
Voting by Default
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
As close as this year's presidential election is likely to be in the popular vote, the outcome could be decided by those people who vote by default: they do not bother to vote, allowing the decision to be made by all those who do vote. Although participation in presidential election years often exceeds three-fourths of eligible voters as contrasted to local and state elections in which more than half of eligible voters do not bother to vote, the outcome of a race where candidates are separated by a few percentage points hinges on voter turnout. For those who conscientiously and regularly vote, the myriad of robo-calls and knocks on the door that come the weekend before the election can be really irritating, but they are necessary to ensure that voters get to the polls. You can be sure that all campaigns have shifted this week to a strategy of getting out the vote. It is an act of good citizenship to remind others to vote even if the message is not on behalf of any given candidate.
Many safeguards are in place to ensure that elections are run fairly and that the results are correctly reported. As cumbersome as these requirements may seem to some, we should not let them be a barrier to voting. Identification is required at the polls; for most that will mean showing your driver's license. For others it may mean taking your voter registration card or a utility bill. Be mindful of voters who may be confused because of age or language difficulties by the need for identification and help them through the process. More information can be found at Are You Election Ready? Both parties are likely to have observers at polling places to ensure that voters are treated fairly. Take your children with you to the polls; it is a lesson in good citizenship for them.
If you are out of town or cannot make it to the polls for specified reasons, there are opportunities to vote absentee. Absentee voting in person is available through November 3rd at the North County Human Services Center on 1850 Cameron Glen Drive in Reston. (Monday-Friday, 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)
As indicated in an earlier column, I will be voting for President Obama and Vice-President Biden, for Tim Kaine for the Senate, and for Gerry Connelly for Congress for the 11th District. I will be voting to support the Fairfax County bond issues and will vote for the Constitutional amendment to change the meeting date for the General Assembly's reconvened session to eliminate conflicts with religious holidays. I will vote no on the amendment related to eminent domain as I believe it unfairly tips the balance between private and public land rights. I respect however you choose to vote, but please do not vote by default by staying home.
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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 31 at 10:30 p.m. - Michael Behrmann, LifeCircle Alliances, "Independent Living for Adults with Disabilities"
Tuesday, November 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, November 7 at 10:30 p.m. - Peggy DeVincenzio and Lawrence Riso, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, National Capital Area Chapter, "Preventing Suicide"
"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
At an Emergency Meeting, the Fairfax County Electoral Board announced that absentee voting will resume at the seven satellite locations today, Wednesday, Oct. 31, with extended hours from noon to 8 p.m. These extended hours will also be observed at the seven satellite locations on Thursday and Friday, November 1 and 2. Absentee voting will resume at the Government Center on Wednesday, October 31, with regular hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Suite 323. On Saturday, November 3, all absentee voting locations, including the Government Center, will be open with extended hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fairfax County Government Center
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323
Fairfax, VA 22035
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
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). Absentee Ballot by Mail 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. |
Bulletin Board
Consumers can limit telemarketing calls by registering their personal home and cell telephone numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry. You can register online or call toll-free, TTY, from the telephone number you want to register. There's no charge to register, and you can register at any time. Your registration is permanent and doesn't need to be renewed. Verify your registration after significant changes in your account--like a change in billing name--as these changes can sometimes trigger a deletion in the Registry. If you receive an unsolicited telemarketing call more than 31 days after your registration, you can file a complaint with the National Do Not Call Registry by email dncconsumerinquiry2@ftc.gov.
You're not required to provide your name and address when making a complaint.
Been wondering how the new 495 Express Lanes will work? Go to
www.495expresslanes.com for complete details. Do you find it difficult to pay for the maintenance work that your home badly needs? Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church, Inc., a local nonprofit organization, may be able to help. For the past 25 years, Rebuilding Together has been providing no-cost home repair services to limited income homeowners in Fairfax County. For more information or to obtain an application, call Rebuilding Together at 703.528.1999 or email info@rebuildingtogether-aff.org. Save a tree! The Golden Gazette, Fairfax County's monthly magazine for senior citizens, is available by email. Sign up for a free copy by going to Fairfax County Older Adult Services and select Golden Gazette Email Subscription. The current issue will be emailed to you each month. Flu vaccine is available through all of the traditional flu vaccine providers including:
- Your doctor or healthcare provider,
- local pharmacies and grocery stores, and
- the Fairfax County Health Department clinics.
Medicare is accepted at all clinics. Walk-ins will be accepted, but appointments are encouraged and will reduce wait time.Herndon/Reston District Office, 1850 Cameron Glen Drive, #100, Reston. 703.481.4242 The Governor's Regulatory Reform initiative has created a new portal for citizens to submit ideas for regulatory reform. Citizens and stakeholders may make suggestions regarding regulations that are overly burdensome and where reform is appropriate. Submit recommendations to www.RegReform.Virginia.Gov.
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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 Location and Time:
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.
On Saturday, November 3 from 9:00 a.m. to noon, firefighters will canvas homes in selected neighborhoods throughout Fairfax County, checking for working smoke alarms and providing family fire escape plans for residents. The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will partner with the U.S. Fire Administration in supporting the Install. Inspect. Protect. campaign. The initiative emphasizes smoke alarms, escape plans, and home safety walk-throughs to eliminate fire hazards from homes. November 3, 2012, is daylight savings weekend (set clocks back), is a perfect time for everyone to pay special attention to fire safety.
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, author presentations, 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.
The Northern Virginia chapter of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy invites you to a Social Justice University, Sunday, November 11 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at Immanuel Church on the Hill, 3606 Seminary Road, Alexandria. The Social Justice University is an educational program about policy issues related to poverty and the environment, which our elected officials will take on in the 2013 General Assembly. Free and open to the public--all are welcome! Registration is preferred: Register here
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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