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Delegate Ken Plum's
Virginia e-News
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Commentary
Never Say Never
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
"Never say never" is an old admonition that suggests we do not know what the future holds that might predict our future actions. In the political arena especially there are so many changing currents that it is most difficult to predict one's future action. Certainly the politician who changes his or her position on an issue is bound to hear about it in the next election. At the same time there are advocacy groups, lobbyists, petitioners, and letter-writing campaigns aimed at changing the mind of a political office holder. When our elected representatives take positions that are contrary to our interests or those interests we value for the community, we work hard to get them to change their minds. If they do not change their position or minds, we can respond by not voting for them. Others will support them because they did not change their positions.
A contrary movement has been underway that seeks to have elected officials take a pledge or oath on an issue for which they commit to never changing their position. Most notable has been the "no tax pledge" promoted by Grover Norquist and the Americans for Tax Reform (www.atr.org). Most political commentators would agree that the number of persons now serving in the U.S. Congress who have signed the no tax pledge has made it difficult if not impossible to get agreement on a financial plan that would reduce the deficit and help with economic recovery. A lot of media attention is being given to members of Congress who have indicated they would no longer be bound by their pledge.
Solving any problem is made doubly difficult when major solutions are taken off the table and never allowed to be considered. Contrary to beliefs held by some, elected officials do not like to raise taxes. It is the one issue about which they will hear in the next election, and it would not be responsible to raise taxes except as a last resort. We have not been able to resolve our traffic congestion or balance our budgets without painful cuts because taxes are taken off the table. State legislators are asked to sign the no tax pledge as well. In Virginia, 9 of 40 senators signed it as did 21 of 100 House members. The House members are not from just downstate; Fairfax delegates David Albo, Barbara Comstock, and Tim Hugo signed it as did Loudoun delegates Randy Minchew and David Ramadan.
As we face a crisis in having adequate funding for meeting our transportation, education, and social safety net needs, we will face some difficult choices. However those choices are made, we should never say never to possible solutions when meeting the needs of our community. |
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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, December 5 at 10:30 p.m. - Emily Griffey and Kimberly Gutzler, "Voices for Virginia's Children"
Tuesday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m., and Wednesday, December 12 at 10:30 p.m. - Senator Janet Howell, "General Assembly 2013"
"Virginia Report" is also available online at www.rctv28.com/virginiareport.html for viewing on your computer or iPad. |
 Holiday Giving Opportunities
Toys for sick children: For the 26th year in a row, the Fairfax County Police Department motorcycle squad is working collaboratively with the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, Virginia State Police, Fairfax City Police, Falls Church Sheriff's Office, and the Town of Vienna Police to collect and distribute toys for sick children, as well as local charities such as the Ronald McDonald House. Please consider donating a new, unwrapped toy, game or book at any Fairfax County Police station before Monday, December 10. These items bring joy and smiles to the many children who are critically ill and unable to be home for their holidays. Donations are also being accepted at the Fairfax County Police Headquarters at 4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax.
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Each year the Red Cross collect cards between October and early December and then distributes them at military installations, veterans hospitals, and in other locations. There are several ways to be part of the Holiday Mail for Heroes program. In addition to sending cards on your own, you may want to start making plans to host card signing parties or card making parties. Every card received will be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working around the country, so please observe the following guidelines to ensure a quick reviewing process:
--Ensure that all cards are signed.
--Use generic salutations such as "Dear Service Member." Cards addressed to specific individuals can not be delivered through this program.
--Only cards are being accepted. Do not send or include letters.
--Do not include email or home addresses on the cards: the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.
--Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos: these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
--Please refrain from choosing cards with glitter or using loose glitter as it can aggravate health issues of ill and injured warriors.
--If you are mailing a large quantity of cards, please bundle them and place them in large mailing envelopes or flat rate postal shipping boxes. Each card does not need its own envelope, as envelopes will be removed from all cards before distribution.
--All holiday greetings should be addressed and sent to:
Holiday Mail for Heroes, P.O. Box 5456, Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456. The deadline for having cards to the P.O. Box is Friday, December 7th. Holiday cards received after this date cannot be guaranteed delivery.
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Herndon-Reston FISH is preparing 2012 December Holiday Food & Gift Boxes for 800 needy residents.
DONATE: non-perishable food (peanut butter, tuna, pasta, macaroni, rice, tomato sauce, soup, dry cereals, canned foods, etc...), monetary contribution to FISH to buy a $10 grocery store gift certificate for each box, toys and gifts for infants to pre-teens, money for FISH to buy a gift card for each teen in the family
VOLUNTEER: Volunteers are needed to collect, sort, and pack food and gift boxes, December 14, 15, 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Drivers are needed to deliver donations to families on December 18 from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
LOCATION: 11484 Washington Plaza West, Room 140, Reston, Virginia, 20190
To donate food and gifts, volunteer or request food pick-up, contact: Robyn Kampf at 571-926-8019 or rhkampf@gmail.com.
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Bulletin Board
Possible Dangers of Buying Medicines over the Internet: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants to warn consumers about the possible dangers of buying medicines over the Internet. Some websites sell prescription and over-the-counter drugs that may not be safe to use and could put people's health at risk. Buying from fake online pharmacies can be dangerous or even deadly. Before you order medicine online, know the risks. For more information, call FDA at 1-888-463-6332 or go to www.fda.gov.
The Hypothermia Prevention Program is one of the county's most successful--and important--public-private partnerships. We rely on our nonprofit and faith-based community partners to help us carry out the life-saving mission to give our most vulnerable neighbors a safe place to stay in from the cold. It is thanks to the collaborative efforts of the partnership that no unsheltered individuals died due to hypothermia this past winter. The hypothermia shelters operate from November through March every year and the county is currently working with our partners to visit shelter sites to ensure they address fire and building codes. Now in its seventh year, the program:
--Served 1,026 individuals during the 2010-2011 season
--Offers 36 shelters across the county--35 of which are places of worship
--Functions using more than 2,300 volunteers to run the shelters
For more information on the program in Reston, call 703-437-1975.
The Office of the Fairfax County Chairman of the Board of Supervisors is seeking unpaid interns for the spring and summer. Chairman Sharon Bulova is looking for student interns interested in politics and government who would like the opportunity to get first-hand experience with local government in the largest county in Virginia. Duties will include constituent service work such as drafting letters and answering phone calls, issue research, and other tasks as needs arise. Applicants should be interested in the work of local government and should be enthusiastic, hard-working and reliable. Full or part-time internships with some flexibility about schedule are available. Interested candidates should send resumes and cover letters to Mark.Thomas@fairfaxcounty.gov or fax to 703-324-3955. For all faxes and emails related to this internship opportunity, please use the subject line "Internship Application."
The Southern Environmental Law Center is now accepting submissions for its annual Reed Environmental Writing Award. The award seeks to enhance public awareness of the value and vulnerability of the region's natural heritage by giving special recognition to writers who most effectively tell the stories about the South's environment. SELC's annual Reed Environmental Writing Award has two categories: Book, for non-fiction books (not self-published), and Journalism, for newspaper, magazine writing, and online writing that is published by a recognized institution (e.g., newspaper, university or non-profit organization) and is journalistic in nature. Prizes of $1,000 are awarded to the winner in each category. All submissions must have been published during calendar year 2012, and must be postmarked by January 2, 2013. Nominations can be made by anyone, including the author or publisher. Send 16 copies to Reed Award, SELC, 201 W. Main Street, Ste. 14, Charlottesville, VA 22902. Submissions cannot be returned. Include at least one copy in original format for proof of publication. Journalism entries must be at least 3,000 words; please provide a CD or email the text to dheishman@selcva.org to verify word length.
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Calendar of Events
Superintendent Jack D. Dale of Fairfax County Public Schools will be retiring on June 30, 2013. As a result, the Fairfax County School Board has initiated its search for a new Superintendent and has retained the services of the search firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates to provide counsel in this critical process. Community forums are being held to get public suggestions in the process as listed below:
TODAY--Dec. 5 at Robinson Secondary School cafeteria, 7:00 p.m.
--Dec. 6 at Annandale High School cafeteria, 7:00 p.m.
Opportunities in Motion: Commonwealth of Virginia Governor's Transportation conference, December 5-7, Sheraton Premier at Tysons Corner, 8661 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182. Registration at www.vatransportationconference.com.
December Used Book Sale: gift quality books for all ages
Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston, VA 20190-3311
Thursday, December 6, 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday, December 7, noon - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 8, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 9, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Reston Nature Center Holiday Open House at the Vernon J. Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Drive, just east of Soapstone Drive) on Sunday, December 9, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.. Acoustic Song Jam 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.. Sing-a-long for kids from 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. Jammers: bring your favorite winter holiday songs and a music stand. There will be extra copies of songs for the jam and sing-a-long. Contact Karen Elliot at klpelliott@verizon.net to RSVP if you would like to play in the jam and sing-a-long.
The Working Together to Make a Measurable Difference community information session will be held on Monday, December 10 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Reston Community Center. The session will give 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) an opportunity to discuss the following topics: affordable housing; connected individuals; economic self-sufficiency; healthy people; positive living for older adults and individuals with disabilities; and successful children and youth. For more information, contact Terry F. Reardon, Fairfax Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) terry.reardon@fairfaxcounty.gov .
The Dulles Corridor Rail Association's 15th Annual Meeting and Reception, with keynote speaker U.S. Secretary of Transportation Hon. Ray LaHood, will be held on Tuesday, December 11 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott Tysons Corner, 1960-A Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA 22102. For more information or to RSVP call 571-296-1552 or email dcra@dullescorridorrail.com or visit www.dullescorridorrail.com.
Community Workshop for "Health Justice in Virginia" on Thursday, December 13 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at United Christian Parish (UCP), 11508 North Shore Drive, Reston. The workshop, sponsored by the UCP Justice Mobilization Task Force, will train and encourage folks to advocate for the expansion of Medicaid in Virginia, a state-run insurance exchange as part of the Affordable Care Act and state budget justice--all urgent matters before Governor McDonnell and the General Assembly in January.
Death Penalty Talk, Thursday, December 13. St. Mark Catholic Church at 9970 Vale Road in Vienna will host two speakers on "The Death Penalty in Virginia." Michael Stone and Meghan Shapiro will dicuss the Church's teaching on the death penalty, Virginia law on the subject, and the strategy to make changes. The program will be in the Msgr. Cassidy Activities Center at 7:00 p.m.
Conquering the Commute: Solutions for Washington Transit, featuring Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Robert Thomson, The Washington Post's "Dr. Gridlock" and many more! Friday, December 14, Doors open at 8:00 a.m.. Program to begin at 8:30 a.m. The Washington Post, 1150 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20071.
Bully-Free NoVA: A Community of Respect presents "Bullying Prevention 101 Facilitators Training." 53% of Fairfax youth report that they have been the target of bullying and 51% of Fairfax youth report that they have bullied others. The Fairfax Partnership for Youth's (FPY) Bullying Prevention 101 is for youth service providers in northern VA who want to teach youth AND adult members of their organization or faith community how to prevent bullying and intervene in bullying situations. All interested trainees are welcome to register. When: Friday, December 14,2012, 2:00-5:00 p.m. Where: Pennino Building - Room #1034, 12011 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, Virginia. This program costs $149 per trainee and SPACE IS LIMITED. Reduced rates may be available for non-profit representatives, on a limited basis. REGISTER at Register for Bullying Prevention 101.
Holiday Luncheon (55 Years and Older), Seniors are invited to attend RCC's annual holiday celebration at the elegant Sheraton Reston hotel. As always, gifts will be awarded and lunch will be accompanied by live musical entertainment and a 45-minute performance by the Harmony Heritage Barbershop Chorus. Thursday, December 6, 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Leaving from Lake Anne Fellowship House, Hunters Woods Fellowship House, and Thoreau Place in Reston. Cost: $20 (Reston residents)/$40 (non-residents). Register here.
Become a CASA volunteer! Nicknamed "the eyes and ears of the Judge," CASA volunteers help protect the fundamental rights of abused and neglected children to be safe, to be treated with dignity, and to learn and grow in a safe and permanent home. Next information session: Saturday, December 8, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Reston Community Center Lake Anne, Reston. To rsvp, email volunteer@casafairfax.org.
Housing Options for Seniors (55 Years and Older) is a class that explores housing options for seniors, from independent living to skilled nursing care. Learn how to "age in place" at home and about the descriptions, costs and coverage of village communities, assisted living, nursing homes and continuing care retirement communities. Thursday, December 13, 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., RCC Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Cost: Free, Registration required.
Register your business or donate online to help the Fairfax County Office to Prevent and End Homelessness in Putting the ZIP on Homelessness. Jeans Day 2012 is Dec. 14. On Dec. 14, allow your employees to wear jeans to support the 10-Year Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness and the Partnership to Prevent and End homelessness. The cost to an employee to participate is $5. Each participating business will collect the funds raised and, if they choose, can match the funds. Donations will benefit the Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness. You do not need to be affiliated with a business or organization to participate in Jeans Day. Individuals who wish to take part in this initiative may donate online via Apple Federal Credit Union. You may also drop off your donation at any Apple Federal Credit Union branch. Checks will be accepted at any of Apple Federal Credit Union's 21 branch locations. Please make your checks made payable to PEH/CFNCR and mention "Ending Homelessness in Fairfax County" to the teller at the time of deposit. For more information, visit Jeans Day Event or contact Glynda Mayo Hall, Fairfax County Office to Prevent and End Homelessness, at glynda.hall@fairfaxcounty.gov.
2013 Signature Conference The American Civil War at Home, Saturday, April 20, 2013, at the College of William and Mary. This Signature Conference--the fifth in an annual series--brings together noted Civil War historians to consider how the Civil War changed Virginia and the nation 150 years ago in the year of the war's turning point, 1863. For more information on the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission, visit www.VirginiaCivilWar.org.
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 3, 2013, 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 9, 2013.
The House Appropriation and Senate Finance committees will hold hearings on the 2013 budget actions, as follows:
Manassas: Friday, January 4, 2013, 10:00 a.m. at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, George Mason University, Prince William Campus. Middletown: Friday, January 4, 2013, 12:00 noon at Lord Fairfax Community College, Corron Community Development Center.
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