August 17, 2016
 
 
Delegate Ken Plum's 
Virginia E-News


Senator Janet Howell and I meet with constituents
throughout the year. 


Commentary

Constituencies in a Commonwealth 
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
The federal 2010 Census recorded slightly more than eight million persons living in Virginia. That means that the legislature drawing boundaries for the 100-member House of Delegates had to divide the state into districts that each included 80,000 persons, give or take a percentage or two. Legislative districts may be geographically small in urban and suburban communities but several counties large in rural areas. The intent of the constitutional requirement for redistricting is to make districts as equal as possible in the number of persons residing in them without regard to the land mass on which they live.

The process of redistricting becomes complicated and very political, however, as incumbent legislators attempt to draw lines around those persons most supportive of them; that process is commonly referred to as "gerrymandering." I and others have attempted to take politics out of the process to create fairer districts through formation of a commission that would draw lines independent of any consideration of where incumbent legislators live. With a neutral party drawing lines, "voters would pick their legislator rather than legislators picking their voters," as advocates of redistricting reform maintain. The effort toward a fairer process will continue in federal courts and in the legislature.

Persons who live in districts are referred to as constituents of the district's legislator. On average, about half of constituents are registered to vote. Some people are too young, not yet a citizen, or have not bothered to register to vote, but they are represented in the legislature. Legislators vary in opinions and attitude as to whether they represent all the persons in their district, those who register to vote, or those who actually vote. I believe I have a responsibility to represent all the people who live in my district as best as I can.

Constituencies however can go beyond legislative boundaries. My passion for education issues, for example, results in people from throughout the Commonwealth asking me for support and assistance. Likewise, my concern for the environment results in my working with people with the same interest from around the state. Some persons call on me for help if they are represented by legislators who do not support a concern that is important to them. Even in these instances I am working to represent the shared interests and needs of those who elected me.

Recently I spent a weekend working in a health clinic in Southwest Virginia where people have limited access to medical care and often cannot afford services. I hope that my work was useful to the Wise County Health Fair. I know for certain it helped me to bring to the attention of others the need to expand Medicaid in Virginia. If that happens, there will be less need for one-day clinics to provide people with health care in the neediest region of the state, but at the same time those programs and services will be available to the constituents in my district who are fewer in number but just as needy.

History defines why Virginia is called a Commonwealth. If we use the word in its more literal sense, we are constituents of the same state government working for the common good.


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, August 17 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with Davorka Suvak of SPIRIT Open Equestrian Program
  
Tuesday, August 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, August 24 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins

Virginia Report is also available for viewing online at
www.youtube.com/watch. Previous shows can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/album/1650266. 

 
Bulletin Board

Fairfax Connector Student Bus Pass Program

Details are at Student Pass. 

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Register or donate online at Golf Classic.

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Senate and House Page Leadership Programs
The mission of the program is to facilitate a structured environment in which young Virginians embrace responsibility and accountability, develop professional characteristics through strict standards of conduct and engage in the legislative process through work, observation and discussion.

The deadline for submission is 5:00 p.m., Monday, October 17, 2016. Applicants must be 13 or 14 years old on Wednesday, January 11, 2017, to be eligible. Complete details are at Capitol Classroom. 
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Parking Changes at Reston Town Center


Download the press release here. 


Calendar of Events

Thursday, August 18, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., Evenings on the Ellipse, free concert at the Fairfax County Government Center at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. This week enjoy music from The United States Navy "Commodores" (Jazz). Concerts are canceled in the case of inclement weather. Call 703-324-SHOW (7469) one hour prior to the start of the show for updates.   Visit Evenings on the Ellipse for a full schedule of concerts. 
 
Thursday, August 18 through Sunday, August 21, Reston Friends Children's Book Sale, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Your favorite children's book authors, plus teaching materials for sale. Details are at Children's Book Sale. 

Friday, August 19 to Sunday, August 21, African Arrival Day.
This public event commemorates the 1619 arrival of the first Africans in English North America at Point Comfort (site of Fort Monroe). Includes tours of the Godspeed ship, live musical entertainment, performing arts, historical tours, guest speakers, art exhibits, youth activities, and a film festival. Learn more at African Arrival Day.  

Saturday, August 20, 7:30 to 10:00 p.m., Reston Town Center Pavilion, Reston Concerts on the Town. The weekly summer concert season presents Airmen of Note: Jazz under the Stars, U.S. Air Force Big Band Jazz. Bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets and enjoy live outdoor music at the Pavilion. Free. Rain or shine. Alcohol permitted at restaurants only. See the season's full schedule at Reston Concerts. 

Sunday, August 21, Works Sunday. Works Sunday is an annual service event in Northern Virginia that takes place on or about the third Sunday in August, focusing on activities in the Reston, Herndon and Sterling communities. Learn more about this year's projects at workssunday.org.

Sunday, August 21, Works Sunday Blood Drive, at United Christian Parish. Make your lifesaving appointment using Sponsor Code 7814 at inova.org/donateblood or contact Debbie Ashenbach at 703-585-8216 or deborah.ashenbach@yahoo.com.

Friday, August 26, 8:00 p.m., Registration Deadline for South Lakes 10K. Race Day is Sunday, August 28. Register and learn more at South Lakes 10K.

Saturday, August 27, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., The Harried Americans Band, Lake Anne Plaza in front of Reston's Used Book Shop, 1623 Washington Plaza N, Reston. See more at The Harried Americans Band.

Wednesday, August 31, 8:00 to 10:00 a.m., Northern Virginia Regional Elected Leaders Summit, a round-table conversation featuring the Chairs of Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties as well as the Vice Chair of Arlington County. Business leaders will learn about the economic climate, new and ongoing initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth, and ways to work together for the betterment of our regional economy. At the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, 7900 Westpark Drive, Suite A550, Tysons. Details and registration are at Northern Virginia Regional Elected Leaders Summit. 

Saturday, September 10, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Virginia Indian Festival, at Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls. Admission is $6 per person in advance or $7 at the door. Learn more and register at Virginia Indian Festival.

Thursday, September 15, 10:00 a.m. to noon, Open House and Registration for Adventures in Learning (AIL). Open house and the following eight weeks of Thursday classes will be at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Program Building, Oakton. Classes begin September 22nd and run through November 10th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There is a $40 registration fee for the semester. Program administered by Shepherd's Center of Oakton Vienna (SCOV). Full lineup of classes will be available by the end of August at www.scov.org or call 702-281-0538. 

Monday, September 19, Lunch N' Life for Seniors, at noon at Our Lady of Good Counsel, DeSales Hall, 8601 Wolftrap Road, Vienna. A healthy lunch with dessert and entertainment provided by the Capital Swing Quartet, a female a cappella group, singing swing and barbershop tunes. Register and prepay the $10 per person cost for lunch before September 14. Call the Shepherd's Center of Oakton Vienna (SCOV) office at 703-281-0538 and send your check, contact info and number of reserved seats you need to SCOV, 541 Marshall Road SW, Vienna, VA 22180. (sorry, no refunds). Call ahead if you need a ride.

Thursday, September 22 through Sunday, September 25, Reston Friends Semi-Annual Book Sale, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. Thousands upon thousands of great books in great condition--from the latest popular titles and classic favorites to the rare and unexpected fiction and non-fiction, restocked for as long as supplies last. More information is at Reston Friends Book Sale.  
Saturday, October 1, Northern Virginia Pride Festival, at Bull Run Park Special Events Center, 7700 Bull Run Dr, Centreville. Details are at NOVA Pride Fest. 
 

36th District 

Reston, Virginia
 

In This Issue
Commentary..."Constituencies in a Commonwealth"
"Virginia Report"
Bulletin Board
Check Your Calendar

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
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