October 12, 2016
 
 
Delegate Ken Plum's 
Virginia E-News

Delegate Plum recently talked with a group of third graders at Armstrong Elementary School. 



Commentary
 
Vote No on Ballot Question One
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

Since 1947 the Code of Virginia has provided that any agreement or combination between an employer and a labor union or labor organization whereby (i) nonmembers of the union or organization can be denied employment, (ii) membership in the union or organization is made a condition of employment or continuation of employment by the employer, or (iii) the union or organization acquires an employment monopoly in any such enterprise is against public policy and illegal. On the ballot on Election Day, November 8, is constitutional amendment question one that would put this provision of law into the constitution. There are 26 states including Virginia that have such a provision in their constitution or in their laws. Why would Virginia need to have these provisions in its constitution as well as in the Code?

The answer is a political one. The conservative Tea Party members of the legislature are seeking one more opportunity to demonstrate to their base just how anti-labor union they are. While they term this amendment "right to work," its effect on workers is anything but a right. It gives employers more opportunity to deny workers access to a union or professional organization like a teacher's or firefighter's association. It allows some workers to gain the benefits of the work of the union or organization without contributing to it as the members do.

Virginia already has the 43rd lowest rate of unionization among workers in the 50 states at 5.4 percent. The number of unionized workers has been declining over recent decades. While professional associations for doctors, lawyers, CPA's, and chambers of commerce and other groups have been given almost free rein in how they organize, this amendment is aimed to curtail activities and growth among persons who belong to teacher, firefighter, police, and factory worker unions and associations. Current law and the proposed amendment are not uniform in the way different labor organizations are treated, and I believe these differences contribute to the widening gap in the labor force in pay and benefits.

Amendments to the Virginia Constitution are proposed in the General Assembly where they must pass with a majority of members voting for them. Once passed, they must be considered by a subsequent session of the General Assembly after there has been an election for members. There were no convincing arguments put forth during the debate as to why the amendment was necessary. Everyone watching the process recognized it for the political purposes it served. I voted against this amendment both times it was before the legislature. I plan to vote against it on Election Day on November 8, and I hope you will join me.

A second proposed amendment to the constitution will also be on the ballot. It would authorize the General Assembly to enact a law that would allow localities to exempt from real property taxation the real property of the surviving spouse of any law-enforcement officer, firefighter, search and rescue personnel, or emergency services personnel who is killed in the line of duty. I support this amendment and hope that you will vote for it as well.
 
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, October 12 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with Beth Tudan and Tony Shivers of Fairfax County Council of PTAs  
  
Tuesday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, October 19 at 10:30 p.m., Delegate Plum talks with Kelli Kedis Ogborn and Bo Pollet of Tikkun Olam Makers/Need Knowers

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


Make A Difference Day Children's Book Drive
Assistance League of Northern Virginia is participating in Make A Difference Day 2016, the nation's largest day of community service, by holding a Children's Book Drive. Bring new or gently-used books, suitable for elementary school age children, to drop-boxes located at TWO GIANT FOOD stores in HERNDON: Franklin Farm Village Shopping Center, 13330 Franklin Farm Road and Fox Mill Center, 2551 John Milton Drive. Assistance League will be collecting books through Saturday, October 15. The donated books will be distributed to children who may not have a book to call their own. Let's Make A Difference - One Book at a Time! For more information, contact Karen Tinker at tinkers3@gmail.com. 

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Sing with The Reston Chorale
Reston Community Center/Hunters Woods 
Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 7:30 to 10:00 p.m.



Love to sing? Consider joining The Reston Chorale! Auditions for both new Chorale members and the Robert E. Simon Jr. Music Scholarship program will take place on Tuesdays, October 18 and 25. Prospective Chorale members and scholarship applicants may attend an optional Audition Briefing on October 18, from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. and Open Rehearsal from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. In celebration of The Reston Chorale's 50th Season, membership fees are waived in 2016-17 for new members. The Chorale is also offering scholarships to high school and college singers. For more information about the Chorale's audition process, visit 
www.RestonChorale.org. To schedule an audition, email 
RCAuditions@restonchorale.org. For details on the Robert E. Simon Jr. Music Scholarships, email RCScholarships@restonchorale.org.

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Metro seeks public comment 
on expanded maintenance time

 Responding to federal directives, and in an effort to provide sufficient time for maintenance to ensure a safe and reliable transit system, Metro is asking the public to provide feedback on four proposed changes to Metrorail's hours of operation. 
Recognizing that many riders affected by these proposed changes work a variety of schedules, Metro is planning a 9.5-hour public hearing to accommodate as many people as possible. Metro is also providing multiple ways for public comment for those who cannot attend the hearing:
  • Take an online survey at wmata.com/hours.
  • Email written comments to writtentestimony@wmata.com.
  • Provide in-person feedback to staff at various Metrorail stations. For more information about dates, times and locations visit wmata.com/hours.
  • Attend an open house (anytime between noon and 9:00 p.m.) and public hearing (anytime between 12:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.) on Thursday, October 20, 2016. at Metro Headquarters, 600 5th Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
The public comment period on these proposed changes is open through 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 25. Additional details are at Metro Public Comment. 

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Free, online mental health self-assessment screenings 
now available


The screening is free and anonymous, and provides a comfortable and private way for individuals to assess their mental health. While the screening is not diagnostic, it will indicate existing symptoms and if further assessment by a clinician is advisable. Learn more at Mental Health Screenings. 


Calendar of Events

Tomorrow: Thursday, October 13, 7:30 p.m., Reston Environmental Action Member (REACT) Annual Meeting at the Reston Association headquarters at 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive. Lindsay Trout, Terreset Elementary Principal, Jann Canestra, Terreset Elementary Outdoor Learning Coordinator and their eco-savvy students will share their experiences in creating a school community that combines learning with a native plant garden, butterfly way station, composting, recycling, energy-efficiency and much more. (See page 24 of the Spring Reston Association Magazine to learn more about their work.) For more information on REACT, contact Mary Brown at cernybrown@earthlink.net or 703-620-0151. 

Friday, October 14, 10:00 a.m., Gun Violence Awareness Vigil at National Rifle Association headquarters, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax. The monthly vigil commemorates the anniversary of the day 26 children and educators were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Please DO NOT park in the NRA's parking lot. There is plenty of free parking in the office building lot on Fairfax Ridge Drive across Waples Mill Road. Signs and flags will be provided.

Saturday, October 15, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m., Social Action Linking Together (SALT) Advocacy Training Conference, at Virginia International University, 4401 Village Drive, Fairfax. Topic is "Justice for All: Working to set things aright in Virginia so all may flourish." Download a flyer here.

Saturday, October 15, 10:00 a.m. to noon, Fall Stream Cleanup, at various sites. For more information contact Ha Brock at 703-435-7986 or habrock@reston.org. Sign up here to volunteer: http://bit.ly/2016FallCleanup. Gloves and supplies are provided.

Saturday, October 15, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Reston Home Tour 2016: Embracing Change. The 15th annual Reston Home Tour benefits the Reston Historic Trust and Museum. This year's theme, Embracing Change, celebrates lives that have changed and homes that reflect their owners. Tickets available at the Reston Museum, Chesapeake Chocolates, Appalachian Spring, the Wine Cabinet, and GRACE. Learn more about the Home Tour here. 

Saturday, October 15, 4:00 and 7:00 p.m., "Memories: Through the Years" Pops Concert, at Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road. Join The Reston Chorale for a bit of Broadway, a touch of jazz and some good ol' rock n' roll!  Tickets are available online and at the RCC box office, 703-476-4500, Ext. 3. 

Monday, October 17, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wilder Symposium at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond. The event will take place from 9:30 a.m.to noon at the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Avenue, and from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. at the Grace Street Theater, 934 W. Grace Street. The symposium's theme ties into this year's VCU Common Book, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, by Bryan Stevenson. The event is free and open to the public. Further details are at Wilder Symposium. 

Monday, October 17, 7:00 p.m., Reston Land Use Launch. 
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins will be introducing a new Land Use process and invites the public to attend and learn about the new process. The meeting will be at Reston Association Conference Center, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive. For additional information, contact Goldie Harrison at the Hunter Mill District Office at 703-478-0283. 

Wednesday, October 19 through Tuesday, October 25, 
Washington West Film Festival, at Bow Tie Cinemas, 11940 Market Street, Reston Town Center. D.C.'s fastest growing film festival, screening more than 50 world-class, premiere, and award winning films. 100% of box office net proceeds are donated to solving problems of hunger, illness, or poor education. Schedules and tickets are at Washington West Film Festival. 

Thursday, October 20, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Reston Association's 2016 Open House for New Members and Longtime Residents. At Reston Association, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive. RSVP to member_services@reston.org or call 703-435-6530. 

Sunday, October 23, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Generosity Feeds meal packing, at Langston Hughes Middle School, 11401 Ridge Heights Road, Reston.
For more information, contact erinn@generosityfeeds.org. Register for this event if you want to help children in Fairfax County. Unable to attend the event?  You can still make an impact by donating--$30 will provide meals for 30 children. Learn more at www.generosityfeeds.org. Donate here.

Sunday, October 23, 3:00 p.m., CAPITOL STEPS - "What to Expect When You're Electing," A Benefit for the Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna, at Oakton High School, Vienna. For tickets visit http://www.scov.org/fundraiser-tickets or call SCOV at 703-281-0538. Tickets are $30 in advance; $35 at the door. 

Monday, October 24, 7:00 p.m., Meals Tax Community Forum, sponsored by Supervisor Cathy Hudgins. The Forum will take place at South Lakes High School. Panelists will provide information on the proposed Meal Tax and how the funds might be used. See the October Hunter Mill Highlights newsletter and the Hunter Mill District website for updates and details. 

Tuesday, October 25, noon to 7:00 p.m., INOVA Blood Drive, Pavilion, 1900 Market Street, Reston Town Center. Appointments at 1.866.256.6372 or inova.org/donateblood. On-site registration beside Pavilion. 

Thursday, October 27, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., Annual Harvest for Hope Leadership Breakfast, hosted by Volunteers of America Chesapeake, Inc. and NovaSalud, Inc., at the Sheraton Hotel Pentagon City, 900 S. Orme Street, Arlington. Volunteers of America Chesapeake, Inc. is one of the largest nonprofit organizations providing housing services, homeless prevention and diversion resources in Northern Virginia. RSVP or donate here. 

Thursday, October 27, 7:00 p.m., "Under the Gun" Screening and Expert Panel, in the large theatre inside McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Drive, McLean. "Under the Gun" is a thought provoking documentary narrated by Katie Couric about how America has failed to respond with meaningful action on gun violence prevention. What is keeping the two sides of this debate from finding common ground? This Forum will shed light on the answers to this critical question. If you have questions, contact 

Saturday, October 29, noon to 4:00 p.m., Trick or Treat at Reston Town Center, 11900 Market Street. Costumed children can celebrate Halloween with visits to participating retailers and the Information Center for treats and goodies. Look for the pumpkin flyer in the window. Enjoy a spooky, magical performance for all ages by Turley the Magician at 1:00 p.m. in Fountain Square. More is at restontowncenter.com.

36th District 

Reston, Virginia
 

Deadline to update your address or register to vote: October 17, 2016



In This Issue
Commentary..."Vote No on Ballot Question One"
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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