September 25, 2013

36th District

Reston, Virginia

In front of NRA headquarters at the monthly
vigil to remember victims of the Newtown, CT shootings.

Delegate Ken Plum's

Virginia e-News

Commentary

Where Is the Outrage?

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

Aaron Alexis exercised his constitutional right to bear arms when he carried his shotgun to work with him at the Washington Navy Yard where he proceeded to shoot 12 other people before the police shot him in what the Washington Post termed a "rampage." The pattern is becoming all too familiar: You get ticked off at someone or something; you get yourself a really big gun that a lot of people are spending a lot of money and time to ensure you can purchase as easily as possible; you vent your anger by shooting a lot of people; and you get put out of your misery when the police shoot you. If it sounds like a familiar story line, it's because you've heard it many times--Virginia Tech, Fort Hood, Tucson, Aurora, Newtown, and now the Washington Navy Yard to name just a few of the sprees in recent years.

Sometimes people get outraged--particularly when those who are murdered are first graders. Other times people's lives are devastated when the sons and daughters they sent off to college are murdered. Apprehension grows when one of these mass murders takes place just 25 miles from their home or a few miles from the Nation's Capital. Sadly, sometimes the greatest outrage is because the baseball game you were supposed to see got cancelled since the stadium was too close to the murder scene.

It's amazing how these events produce so little outrage anymore. If it were not for the parents of the Virginia Tech students and Newtown children and Gabby Giffords who herself was a victim they might pass unnoticed. In fact, there are dozens of gun-related killings every week that barely get press attention because there were only one or two victims. It seems that the number needs to get up to a dozen or more at one massacre to make the news.

Politicians for the most part are really muted on the issue. The NRA just took out of office two legislators in Colorado who had voted for modest gun control measures. The message is clear--speak out on ending gun violence and we will get you at the ballot box.

The people who will be heard will be the fear mongers who will pass the word among their audiences that Obama is going to take their guns. After each of these events, gun and ammunition sales actually increase. There is always the Second Amendment about the well-regulated militia to stand behind.

For those of us who continue to be outraged, what can we do? We can put pressure on our elected officials to work to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill; to ban assault weapons and large magazines; to require universal background checks; and to expand mental health programs. Let the Second Amendment stand for all else. Freely allow hunters and sportsmen to do their thing. Let law-abiding citizens keep their guns for protection.

Our outrage over so many tragic deaths should lead to challenging anyone's--including the NRA's--unwillingness to have a dialogue about balancing the Second Amendment with sane gun laws. Refusal to even consider sensible measures is an outrage in itself.

Virginia Report on Comcast Channel 28

Virginia Report 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 25 at 10:30 p.m. - Katie Blomquist, Fairfax County Public Schools, 2013 Virginia History Teacher of the Year

Tuesday, October 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, October 2 at 10:30 p.m. - Angela Cochran, American Cancer Society, "Cancer Prevention Study-3"

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

Bulletin Board

For more information, visit:

"Changing the Conversation"-Forum on Gun Violence .

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2013 Personal Property Tax Bills Due Monday, October 7. The 2013 Personal Property Tax bill includes a $33 registration fee for vehicles regularly garaged, stored or parked in Fairfax County ($38 for vehicles in excess of 4,000 lbs., or $18 for motorcycles). There is no county windshield decal to purchase or display. Residents living in Clifton, Herndon and Vienna have additional decal and/or fee requirements; contact your town for more information. You may qualify for tax relief, if you are a senior at least 65 years old, or permanently and totally disabled, or a disabled veteran. More information and forms are available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dta, or call 703-222-8234 (TTY 703-222-7594). Avoid the last minute rush to get faster service. If you have a question or concern about your tax bill, contact the Department of Tax Administration, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 703-222-8234 (TTY 703-222-7594), or send an email to dtappd@fairfaxcounty.gov.

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Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs. Fairfax County's ElderLink offers Stanford University's evidence-based,self-management programs. The Chronic Disease Self-Management Educational Program provides workshops designed to promote confidence in effectively living a healthy life for those with one or more chronic physical and/or mental health conditions. The programs are held once a week for six weeks. The next series is on Wednesdays, October 2-November 6, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at the City of Fairfax Regional Library, 10360 North Street, Fairfax. To register or for more information, call Colleen Turner at 703-324-5489, email Colleen.Turner@fairfaxcounty.gov, or register online at www.tinyurl.com/CDSMProgram.

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Absentee Voting. Fairfax County registered voters who will be away from Fairfax County on Election Day, or, who are unable to go to the polls because of illness or disability, may vote by absentee ballot. Eligible voters may vote in-person prior to Election Day or apply to have an absentee ballot mailed to them. The absentee voting schedule, including dates, times, locations and deadlines is available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/absentee.

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Free Medicare Seminars. To register or for more information, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/vicap.htm or call the numbers below.
--Wednesday, October 9, 3:00-4:30 p.m., Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly, 703-324-5205.
--Thursday, October 10, 10:00 a.m.-noon, Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax,
2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, 703-281-0538.
--Thursday, October 24, 7:00-8:30 p.m., George Mason Regional Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, 703-324-5205.

Calendar of Events

Thursday, September 26, 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Let's Move the Needle on Childhood Obesity at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles, 14750 Conference Center Drive, Chantilly. To learn more and to register, click here.

Thursday, September 26, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., 2013 Vendor Forum. Small business owners and those interested in starting a small business in Fairfax County should plan to attend the 2013 Vendor Forum at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. More information can be found at this link: Vendor Forum.

Thursday, September 26, 7:00 to 9:30 p.m., "Changing the Conversation: America's Gun Violence Epidemic." Delegate Ken Plum will be the keynote speaker for the first of a three-part series at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. Seating capacity is 50; for advance registration priority, call 703-281-4230.

Saturday, September 28, 8:00 a.m. to noon, Fairfax County School Board Education Summit. Superintendent Karen Garza will keynote the event and share her insights on 21st Century learning and areas she intends to focus on in her first year. At Edison High School, 5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria. For more details, visit Education Summit.

Saturday, September 28, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., Social Action Linking Together (SALT), "Meet and Greet With Your Legislators and Candidates" for state offices in the fall election. Keynote Speaker Michael Petit, president of Every Child Matters Education Fund, will speak on "Time to Invest in Virginia's Children: Every Virginia Child Matters." At the American Legion Post 180, Patriot Hall, 330 Center Street North, Vienna. For more information visit Meet and Greet .

Saturday, September 28, Reston Multicultural Festival, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Lake Anne Plaza, 1609 Washington Plaza, Reston. The festival is a celebration of the diversity and community spirit that is found in Reston. Everyone is encouraged to dress in attire from their own cultural roots. Information is at www.restoncommunitycenter.com/MulticulturalFestival.

Reston Garden Club meeting, Tuesday, October 1, 1:00 p.m., Walker Nature Center. Mona Miller will discuss how we can contribute to the Monarch Butterfly's well-being.

Wednesday, October 2, 8:30 a.m. to noon, A Policy Path to Double Energy Productivity: State and Local Success Stories. Russell Senate Office Building, Room 325, Washington, DC. Find information and register here.

Home Energy Efficiency, Thursday, October 3, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Learn how to improve your home's energy use and make it more efficient and cost effective. Reservations required by September 30. Reston Association members $5; $8 for nonmembers. Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston. Call 703-476-9689 and press 5.

Virginia Immigrant Advocates Summit, Friday, October 4, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Annandale United Methodist Church, 6935 Columbia Pike in Annandale. Visit VA Immigrant Advocates Summit for details.

Grassroots Advocacy Workshop, Saturday, October 5, noon to 3:00 p.m., at the Edward L. Kelly Leadership Center, 14715 Bristow Road, Manassas. Sponsored by the NOVA Chapter of the ACLU of Virginia. Learn about the Virginia legislative process, find out how to effectively advocate for civil liberties and discuss the top issues currently before the legislature. Space is limited. For questions or to register, contact the Chapter at 703-360-1096 or novachapter@acluva.org.

Medicare 101, Wednesday, October 9, 3:00-4:30 p.m., Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Call to register: 703-324-5205.

Medicare 101, Thursday, October 10, 10:00 a.m. to noon, at Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, 2708 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. Call to register: 703-281-0538, TTY 711.

Thursday, October 10, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Newcomer's Night, Reston Association, for more information, visit Newcomer's Night.

The Moral Imperative for Environmental Justice, Thursday, October 10, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. An interfaith "Community Conversation" co-sponsored with the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP). Jewish, Catholic and Protestant speakers will address the subject of environmental justice and its relationship with the faith community. At United Christian Parish, 11508 North Shore Drive, Reston. Contact Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice for more information.

The Governor's Conference on Energy, October 15-17, Greater Richmond Convention Center, sponsored by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Find more information at Governor's Conference on Energy.

Policy Forum on Income Inequality, Thursday, October 17, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), 4301 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington. More information is at Policy Forum on Income Inequality .

Saturday, October 19, Fall Stream Cleanup, 9:00 a.m. to noon. All ages are welcome. Rain or shine. Details are at stream cleanup.

Saturday, October 19, Reston Home Tour from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. With tickets purchased from Reston Museum, you can tour the inside of five outstanding private homes in Reston's unique neighborhoods. All proceeds benefit Reston Historic Trust which operates Reston Museum. Visit Reston Museum for details.

Medicare 101, Thursday, October 24, 7:00-8:30 p.m., George Mason Regional Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. Call to register: 703-324-5205.

Friday, October 25, Halloween House and Trick or Treat Trail, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., tickets go on sale September 30. Visit Halloween House & Trick or Treat Trail for more information.

Festival on the Square, Sunday, October 27, noon to 4:00 p.m. Reston Heights, 11790 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. For details visit thefestivalonthesquare.com.

Deadline to apply for an absentee ballot to vote by mail is October 29, 5:00 p.m. Last day to vote in-person is November 2. More information is at Absentee Voting. If you are not registered, you can register online.

Tuesday, November 5, Election Day. Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit State Board of Elections.

Saturday, November 9, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Ninth Annual Fairfax County History Conference, "Voices for Freedom: Abolitionists, Oral History and Documenting the Past." At the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. For more information, contact Lynne Garvey-Hodge at 703-322-1811 or lynnegarveyhodge@verizon.net.

Wednesday, November 13, Bullying and Violence Prevention Symposium at Fairfax Community Church, 11451 Braddock Road in Fairfax. The keynote speaker will present research on emotional regulation difficulties and evidence-based therapies, with a panel discussion on effectively training youth to understand and manage their emotions to reduce conflict and aggression. More information is at www.fairfaxyouth.org.

Saturday, November 16, A Taste of Fall with FACETS, at Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. Register at www.FacetsCares.org.

Governor's Transportation Conference, December 4-6, 2013, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 North Third Street, Richmond. Visit www.vatranscon.com for further information and to sign up to receive conference updates.

In This Issue

Commentary..Where Is the Outrage?"

"Virginia Report" on Comcast Channel 28

Bulletin Board

Check Your Calendar

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia E-News

703-758-9733 * kenplum@aol.com * www.kenplum.com

*Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia e-News* is authorized by Kenneth R. Plum and paid for by Friends of Delegate Ken Plum.**