Celebrating 25 Years of Service
Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum

Thanks to the more than two hundred and fifty people who joined with me recently in a celebration of my 25 years of service in the Virginia House of Delegates. Jorge and Nancy Kfoury hosted an elegant and fun party at the historic Smith Bowman House. The “Plum Tones,” made up of ten members of the Reston Chorale, performed a piece adapted from an earlier take-off on a Gilbert and Sullivan tune with lyrics written by a former Libertarian challenger of mine and former Reston Chorale member, Gary Alexander. Several young people including Carl Schwab and Allison Dickert spoke of my influence on their lives as did Kevin Burke and others who sent letters. My wife, Jane, was correct when she told me that I would be overwhelmed, and I truly was by the event.

I am honored to represent the people of the 36th District in the House of Delegates. I have not lost any of my enthusiasm for public service. Ann Rodriguez did her usual professional job as master of ceremonies and read off a number of areas in which I have been privileged to make a difference in the legislature. But my list to my friends assembled was more about work that still needs to be done.

On the day of the Celebration I spent several hours working at the playground at the United Christian Parish Church at Lake Anne. Jane and I are members of the church, and Jane is director of the preschool there. Jane had arranged for much needed new mulch to be applied to the playground, but before it was put down she asked me to move the topsoil that over several months had worked to the bottom of the hill. It was not possible to open the gate to the playground or the door to the storage shed fully because of the accumulation of top soil that had run down the hill.  I loaded pail after pail of the topsoil and carried it from the bottom of the hill to the top to fill in holes and cover tree roots and to free the fence gate and shed doors to be fully opened.

While my hands and feet were doing this work, my mind was on the celebration of the evening and what I would say to my good friends and supporters. I soon realized that the work I was doing was a metaphor of the time my political career had spanned.

I have spent decades working for human rights and equality. My hate crimes bill and other efforts helped to stem racial discrimination. But work needs to be done to stop discrimination against persons because of their sexual orientation. Too much top soil in the areas of human rights is still at the bottom of the hill.

Professionally and politically I have spent a lifetime devoted to quality education for all persons. I am proud of the progress that has been made. But much more needs to be done to improve the quality of instruction and access to programs at all levels.

The health of future generations depends on our protection of the environment. Not only figuratively but literally as well, we have allowed too much soil to run off the land and pollute our rivers and lakes. And our transportation decisions must support clean air with mass transit alternatives such as Dulles Rail.

A great deal of work needs to be done to keep our state from slipping in many key areas. I am honored by the quarter century I have been able to do this hard work. I look forward to continuing to represent you. Please call on me whenever I can be of assistance – kenplum@aol.com.

Announcements

Congratulations to Clara Johnson of Reston who was recognized by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for being named the Fairfax County Public Schools “2005 Support Employee of the Year.” Ms. Johnson, an employee in the school system for 29 years, has been the building supervisor at Hunters Woods Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences since 1979.

The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce was recently commended by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for the success of its Business Incubator Program. Now in its fifth year, the program has supported 32 entrepreneurs and boasts 21 graduates, creating jobs and increased regional prosperity.

Looking for something fun and inexpensive to do as a family? Pack your dinner and a blanket for a “Movie in the Park” on Thursday, June 30, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., at North Hills Pavilion, 1325 North Village Road. The movie will be “Shark Tale,” and it’s free. All ages are welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult. Pack your dinner, a blanket, and a flashlight. This FREE event will be canceled in the event of rain and is sponsored by the Reston Association. Call 703.435.6577 for more information.

 Stop by my booth at the Reston Festival, July 9-10. Celebrate Reston’s 41st Birthday at the Reston Festival. Bring your friends and family. Enjoy great music, artists’ and crafters’ booths, regional organizations’ booths, amusement rides and activities especially for young children and teens, laser tag, and a host of other enjoyable things to see, do, and eat. Festival hours are 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 9 and 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 10 at the Reston Town Center. Visit www.restonfestival.org for more information.

The 2005 “Virginia Campground Directory” is available from the Virginia Campground Association. Visit www.virginiacampgrounds.org to secure a copy.

Don’t miss the annual Reston Interfaith Rucker Golf Tournament on July 11. The activities begin with a golf tournament at Hidden Creek Country Club and Reston National Golf Course. The day promises to be filled with great golf, delicious food, a prize-filled raffle and spectacular silent and live auctions. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the programs of Reston Interfaith. Visit www.restoninterfaith.org for registration and details.

Laurel Learning Center is looking for donations of new and used piano keyboards for their young students. Call 571.323.9565 to donate or for information.

Nominations for the Governor’s Community Service & Volunteerism Awards are now being accepted. The prestigious award has been honoring exemplary Virginians for more than 15 years and recognizes excellence in community service and volunteering. The awards include service on the part of businesses, faith-based groups, seniors, youth, families, individuals, government, homeland security, national service, nonprofits, and civic engagement organizations. The nomination process will end at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 15. A narrative and two letters of support are required. The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, October 6 in Richmond. You may download the form to fill out and fax or mail it in or complete the nomination online. Go to the home page at www.vaservice.org.

The Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy is seeking public comment on setting work goals for the coming year. VOPA does not receive enough funding to meet all of the requests for assistance it receives. So, each year VOPA picks certain problem areas on which to focus its work. Please visit www.vopa.state.va.us and click on “public input survey” to give your ideas about the issues you think are most important in Virginia.

The Fairfax County Coordinating Council on Gang Prevention and the Fairfax County Gang Prevention Steering Committee have made a “Report to the Community: Actions and Recommendations” to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. To view the report, and for more information on the Fairfax County Coordinating Council on Gang Prevention and the Gang Prevention Summit, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/gangprevention/ or call Bob Bermingham, Fairfax County Gang Prevention Coordinator, at 703.246.2396.

You will note in the calendar below that I have scheduled my State of the Commonwealth Business Breakfast for Thursday, June 30, 8:00 a.m., at the Hidden Creek Country Club in Reston. At this event I give my assessment of where we are in Virginia and where we need to be headed. It is a candid, no-holds-barred discussion! Let us know if you would like to attend. It is also a campaign fundraiser. Call 703.758.9733 for information.