May 27, 2015 


Delegate Ken Plum's 
Virginia E-News


Speaking at the opening of Phase 1 of Metro's Silver Line


Commentary  

 

Transit Means Business!

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum    

 

A couple of weeks ago I dropped off my Prius for service at a dealership near the Spring Hill Station on the Silver Line and caught the Metro for a one-stop trip to the Greensboro Station. At the conference center there I participated in an exciting forum sponsored by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) about transit and its importance to business. Released at the forum were the results of a new study by the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University that concluded that "if Northern Virginia is going to be able to effectively compete for non-government related, private sector business development, it must have a state-of-the-art, effective, financially sustainable, and efficient multimodal public transit system." It was particularly appropriate that the meeting that attracted more than 140 business, community, and political leaders be held at Tysons Corner that is already undergoing a transformation with the Silver Line and other transportation improvements. There is no stronger proof of the impact of what mass transit can do than to get off at the Tysons Station on the Silver Line and walk directly from the station to the new plaza with a new hotel, restaurants, and office buildings. Already a commercial success, the area now has a great sense of place and community.

 

Former businessman and now Virginia Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Lane spoke at the conference about the linkage of transit and business development. As quoted in the May 2015 issue of NOVA Transit News he said, "Phase One is helping to facilitate the transformation of the Tysons area into an urban, walkable center with 200,000 jobs and 100,000 residents. At the Wiehle-Reston East station alone, close to one billion in private investment has been stimulated by the Silver Line. This project is a huge economic driver for the Commonwealth because it connects people to opportunity, stimulates localized economic growth, and provides businesses with a wider pool of consumers who can access their goods and services."

 

While the forum was recognition of the success that has been realized in making the region more pedestrian and bicycle friendly and transit supported, it was also a clear call for help in order for more progress to be realized. Federal and state officials need to come up with the funding necessary-especially for Metro. Local governments need to consider transportation issues in making land use decisions and in planning more connectivity with the Metro system. The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission is eagerly seeking suggestions from citizens; go to the website at www.novatransit.org.

 

The Dulles Corridor Rail Association (DCRA) whose board I chair will give special recognition at its spring event to the transformation that is occurring at Tysons Corner with the work of the Tysons Partnership. In addition, retiring Delegate Tom Rust will be honored for his contributions to transportation in our region. DCRA's spring meeting and reception will be held on the concourse of Tysons Corner Center on June 2, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. More information is available by contacting dcra@dullescorridorrail.com.
  

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 (Verizon Channel 1981). Ken interviews state and local leaders who are making news by making a difference. 
  

TONIGHT- Wednesday, May 27 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with Vickie Shoap of the Fairfax County Public Schools' Restorative Justice Program   

  

Tuesday, June 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, June 3 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with Sidney Johnson and Ruth Hoffman about "Firearms in Fairfax County"  

 

Virginia Report is also available online at https://vimeo.com/album/1650266 for viewing on your computer or iPad. 

 


Bulletin Board







2015 Summer Entertainment Series in the Parks

 
Fairfax County's 2015 Summer Entertainment Series will keep you rocking all summer long! Over 100 concerts--including big band, jazz, bluegrass, rock, classical, and world music--will be performed in local parks throughout the county. Best of all, they are close to home and free! So bring a picnic dinner, blankets, and lawn chairs and enjoy! Find a complete list of events at  


____________________

Search for Car Recalls with Online Tool

You can now check to see if your car is part of a safety recall by searching with your vehicle's VIN number. Learn more at Safety Recalls.

____________________
 
You Can! Live Well, Virginia!

Don't let ongoing health problems stop you from living the life you enjoy. Fairfax County's "You Can! Live Well, Virginia!" is offering a free, six-week, group interactive workshop series or 
individuals who are frustrated by their ongoing health conditions, and for caregivers who are dealing with caregiver stress. Learn and share positive strategies to better manage overall health, increase self-confidence, and improve the skills you need to take control of your health and improve your overall happiness. 

Workshops will be held at First Baptist Church, 450 Orchard Street, NW, Vienna, June 2 through July 7, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. To register, call Colleen Turner at 703-324-5489. 


Calendar of Events 
    
Tonight: Wednesday, May 27, 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. (presentation at 7:00), Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Public Hearing, at VDOT's Northern Virginia District Office, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax. Learn more about the project at Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project. More on the public hearings is at Provide Input
 

Thursday, May 28, 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. (presentation at 7:00), Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Public Hearing, Oakton High School, 2900 Sutton Road, Vienna. Learn more about the project at Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project. More on the public hearings is at Provide Input

 

Thursday, May 28, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., The Mobil Years - Reston in the 1980s, Reston Community Center at Lake Anne Village Center, 1609 Washington Plaza, Reston. Admission is free.  For more information, contact the Museum at 703-709-7700; email restonmuseum@gmail.com or visit www.restonmuseum.org.

 

Tuesday, June 2, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Dulles Corridor Rail Association's Spring Meeting and Reception, at The Concourse, Tysons Corner Center, 1961 Chain Bridge Road,
McLean
. The reception will honor Delegate Thomas Davis Rust
and recognize the Tysons Partnership and Phase 1 of the
Tysons Corner Center Expansion
. For additional information or to RSVP, email dcra@dullescorridorrail.com or call 571-296-1552. 

 

Thursday, June 4, 6:30 p.m., Why Redistricting Matters, a special public forum hosted by George Mason's School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs. At Mason's Arlington Campus, Hazel Hall Room 120. Free. Seating is limited. Click here to reserve your seat.    

 

Friday, June 5 through Sunday, June 7, Celebrate Fairfax!, at the Fairfax County Government Center. Get all the details at Celebrate Fairfax! 

 

Saturday, June 6, 9:00 a.m. to noon, Reston Hospital Center's Pediatric ER Grand Opening Celebration, at Reston Hospital Center, 1850 Town Center Parkway, Reston. This celebration to introduce Western Fairfax's only Pediatric ER to the community is a free, family fun event, open to the public and featuring Disney's Doc McStuffins and friends, Lambie, Hattie, and Stuffy, for meet and greet and photos. Free parking is available in the garage on the Reston Hospital Center campus. For more information, visit Grand Opening. 

 

Sunday, June 7, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., 9th Annual Northern Virginia Multifaith Pride Worship Service, at Commonwealth Baptist Church, 700 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria. Sponsored by the Northern Virginia Network/People of Faith for Equality in Virginia,the service is part of the celebration of Capital Pride. More information is at Multifaith Pride Worship.

 

Monday, June 8, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Transforming Tysons Open House, at Freedom Hill Elementary School, 1945 Lord Fairfax Road, Tysons. Attendees will learn more about proposed development activity, ongoing transportation and transit improvements, potential comprehensive plan changes, and park and public facility plans for Tysons. More information is at Tyson's Open House.

 

Wednesday, June 10, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Age in Place - Home Modifications (55 years and older), at RCC Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Cost: $5 (Reston) $10 (Non-Reston) (500407-5A, Registration Required). Learn the options available to seniors and others with mobility limitations to remain in their home and to be able to maintain their lifestyle. Details are at Age in Place.

 

Thursday, June 11, 6:30 p.m., ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV) Annual Rewards Reception at the Clarendon Ballroom, 3185 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington. Sponsorship information is at Reception Sponsorship Levels. Visit Awards Reception Tickets for ticket information.

 

Sunday, June 14, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Reduced-Cost Rabies Clinic, at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, 4500 West Ox Road, Fairfax. The cost is $15.00. Dogs, cats, and ferrets are eligible for vaccinations. Dogs must be on leashes. Cats and ferrets must be in carriers. More information is at Rabies Clinic.

 

 

36th District 

Reston, Virginia
 

For more information, visit wearorange.org.

In This Issue

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia E-News



Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia e-News is authorized by Kenneth R. Plum

 and paid for by Friends of Delegate Ken Plum.