December 30, 2015 
 
 
Delegate Ken Plum's 
Virginia E-News

Commentary  

Legislative Report 2016 
           
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum 
 
Most of us have mentors or authority figures whose example in the way they lived affected our own lives. In my political life one such person was the late Senator Clive DuVal who represented parts of Fairfax County in the Virginia Senate from 1971 to 1991. In 1969 when President Nixon announced on the eve of state elections in Virginia that he had a plan to end the hated war in Vietnam, a grateful electorate went to the polls and defeated all Democratic incumbents and voted in all Republicans in Northern Virginia with one exception:  Democratic Senator Clive DuVal of McLean. How did he survive? He was an effective progressive legislator and was the only one that I knew who sent out periodic newsletters. As a member of the Fairfax County Consumer Protection Commission I was also pleased with his progressive focus on consumer protection issues.
 
When I was elected to the House of Delegates I followed Senator DuVal's example and continue today to send newsletters. The technology has changed considerably from the 1970s when offset printing was essentially a printing plate created from a photograph of a document created on the typewriter and some black and white photographs. My most recent newsletter that was digitally produced should have arrived in your mail boxes last week. If you did not receive a copy and would like a printed version, send your address to me at kenplum@aol.com, or you can view or download it here.
 
Just like Senator DuVal, I ask for your opinion on issues before the 2016 General Assembly session. You can pull out the survey page and mail it to me or complete the survey online at www.kenplum.com (on the right side of the home page below the "Keep in Touch" box). Either way, there are open-ended questions for you to address issues of specific concern to you. I do review the results of the survey as important information from my constituents. The results are not necessarily the same as a public opinion poll.
 
While I attempt to summarize the issues before the upcoming legislative session, my campaign account that pays for the expense to the newsletter would not be able to afford to publish a newsletter with enough pages to fully cover all the issues. I invite persons who are interested in more issues on a continuing basis to subscribe to my weekly e-newsletter at www.kenplum.com or read my weekly column in the Connection newspaper or online through Reston Now digital news.
 
Following the example of Senator DuVal and other legislators I admire, I also schedule periodic public meetings. Senator Janet Howell and I will hold our annual pre-session public hearing on Thursday, January 7, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne Plaza. No registration is needed; just show up and share your views with us.
 
In this issue of the newsletter, consider clipping the contact numbers for the winter season: road conditions, snow removal, power outages, etc.
 
Senator Clive DuVal was known as a gracious and friendly statesman. Come to Richmond during the legislative session, and I promise to welcome you with the same warmth he always showed to his constituents. 
      
Annual Legislative Survey
 
Please let me know your views on issues before the upcoming General Assembly. To complete my annual survey, click here. 


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, December 30 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with Rachel Wood of Scrawl Books
    
Tuesday, January 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, January 6 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with Senator Janet Howell about the upcoming General Assembly session

Virginia Report is also available for viewing online at https://vimeo.com/album/1650266 
   

Bulletin Board  

Build a Village Campaign
In the spirit of preventing and ending homelessness, chambers of commerce, faith and civic organizations, public and private employers, and individuals across Fairfax-Falls Church will build virtual houses brick by brick to end homelessness for veterans in 2015 and all other homeless in 2018. Contribute and learn more at Build a Village. 
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2016 Tickets Now on Sale

3rd Annual NoVa Mini Maker Faire
Sunday, March 13, 2016
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
South Lakes High School and 
Langston Hughes Middle School in Reston
 
Tickets are now at the best prices. Early Bird prices are good until February 12: Adults $10, Children $2. Regular ticket prices from February 13 to March 12: Adults $15, Children $5, Family $40 (Family ticket is good for up to 5 people. The whole family must enter the Faire at the same time.) Day of Faire prices: Adults $20, Children $8. Buy tickets here. Volunteers receive free admission for the day. Learn more at Volunteering.
 
Are you a Maker who's interested in participating at the Faire? Do you know any Makers you'd like to see at the Faire? The Call For Makers is open through January 17. For more information or to register click here.

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Virginia Department of Elections Citizen Portal


Access your Virginia voter record to update your registration, apply to vote absentee, and view your polling place, election district, absentee ballot status, voting history and what's on your ballot for the upcoming election. Learn more at Citizen Portal. 


Calendar of Events     

Now through December 31, Meadowlark Gardens' Winter Walk of Lights, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, in Vienna. Tickets are available at Winter Walk of Lights.   

Thursday, January 7, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., Town Hall Meeting with Delegate Plum and Senator Janet Howell, in the Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center at Lake Anne. Call 703-758-9733 or email kenplum@aol.com for more information.

Saturday, January 9, 9:00 a.m., Annual Fairfax County Public meeting, at the Fairfax County Government Center. Those who would like to speak and voice their thoughts and opinions about what is happening in their county may contact the Office of the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors at 703-324-3151, TTY 711, by noon on Friday, January 8. For ADA accommodations, contact  Ellen Volo (703-324-2640) or Katie Boyle (702-324-2649). ADA requests should be made by January 4.

Wednesday, January 13, Virginia General Assembly session begins. More information, including links to watch the live stream of daily House and Senate proceedings, can be found at General Assembly.  

Thursday, January 14, 10:00 a.m. to noon, Adventures in Learning (AIL) Open House at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax (UUCF) 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. Download a flyer here. 

Saturday, January 16, 4:00 p.m., "Remembering the Dream." Reston Community Orchestra's 10th Annual MLK concert celebrates the life and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through symphonic works, spirituals, and songs inspired by his legacy. Featuring baritone Bryan Jackson and Reston's own Beverly Cosham. At Reston Community Center -- Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Free Admission -- No Tickets Required -- Seating is Limited. More information is at MLK Concert. 
Saturday, February 6, Virginia Polar Dip 2016: Freezin' for a Reason. Registration at noon, Dip at 2:00 p.m., at Reston Community Center, Lake Anne Village Center, Reston. The goal is to send many more children with life-threatening illnesses and their families to Camp Sunshine, a one-of-a-kind retreat in Casco, Maine. Click here for details. 

36th District 

Reston, Virginia
 


In This Issue
Commentary..."Legislative Report 2016"
"Virginia Report"
Bulletin Board
Check Your Calendar

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


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