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Delegate Ken Plum’s Virginia E-News – November 2, 2005
COMMENTARY
Moving Virginia Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum
Transportation issues are not new in Virginia. Indeed in the latter half of the nineteenth century Virginia was well known for having few roads, and the roads that existed were merely muddy ruts. The state played no role in road building during that era. Counties were expected to use local bonds, property tax, tolls, and a labor levy to build roads. Under the labor levy instituted in every county in the state and in most other states, individuals were required to work two days a year on the roads or pay someone else to work for them or pay a fine. In 1894 the Virginia Supreme Court found the labor levy to be unconstitutional. (Wallenstein, Blue Laws and Black Codes, University of Virginia Press, 2004, pp. 15-35.) It was not until a new Constitution was adopted in 1902 that the state started to play a role in providing roads. With the passage of a Federal Highway Act in 1916 and the adoption of a three cents per gallon gasoline tax in 1923, Virginia started to get its roads out of the mud. Clearly the problems are vastly different today but are not any easier to solve. The Virginia Department of Transportation oversees 57,082 miles of highway, the third largest state system in the country. No longer is the major problem the condition of highways; Virginia for the most part has an excellent system of well-maintained roads. The problem is simply too many cars! During the current gubernatorial campaign only one candidate has had the courage to address the systemic cause of our transportation woes. Tim Kaine has made it clear that the problems we have now come from uncontrolled growth and development. His plan which is the only one to really get at root causes of the problem is to tie together land use and transportation planning. Permit growth to occur when the transportation infrastructure of roads and transit are in place to support the growth. Not a popular idea with some big developers and contributors, but one that we must inevitably come to if we are to solve our transportation challenge. The Kilgore plan of dumping the problem back on the localities provides a dodge for him as a statewide candidate, but it does nothing to solve the problem. He says he would allow localities to hold referenda, but he fails to mention that he opposed the referendum that was defeated in Northern Virginia in 2002. Pete Proffitt of Louisa County got tired of being forced to work on the roads as part of Virginia’s labor tax levy. He brought the successful Supreme Court case to end the labor tax. Commuters in Virginia today are tired of sitting in traffic because of inadequate planning. They will put Tim Kaine into the governor’s office to provide leadership in tying together land use and transportation planning. That will get Virginia moving. * * *
From the Connection, October 26, 2005
Connection Endorsements - Ken Plum in the 36th
After more than 25 years, Ken Plum fits his district like an old shoe, but a shoe that still packs a punch, or a kick if you will. While Plum doesn’t tout his leadership roles in any way that could be construed as blowing his own horn, his leadership has been significant and is still badly needed. Plum, 63, carried much of Gov. Mark Warner’s budget reform through the stormy House of Delegates, working with moderate Republicans on the tax reform. While Plum does face an opponent in Libertarian Donny Ferguson, he has no Republican opponent this year. It’s still important for voters in Reston and the 36th district to head to the polls to reinforce support for Plum and the school bond and statewide candidates. Plum can inject a little reason in a House of Delegates where “the influence of the ultra conservatives is beyond their numbers,” where grandstanding at the expense of immigrants and gay residents is rampant. Plum is smart and crafty, with years of experience working in his favor. His behind-the-scenes efforts to help the Northern Virginia delegation hang together; to encourage more moderate legislators to recognize their common ground, has been an ongoing benefit to the region. In recent years, Plum has been a key proponent of the Dulles Rail project, which will extend Metrorail service through Reston and on to Dulles International Airport. He has also taken a courageous stand in favor of equal rights for gay and lesbian Virginians, sponsoring a bill each legislative session over the past five years that would allow localities to prohibit discrimination against a person based on their sexual orientation.
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From The Reston Times, October 26, 2005 (edited for this issue of the “E-News”)
Endorsement Plum for Delegate in 36th
Incumbent wields power of seniority and know-how that will benefit constituents
Veteran Democrat Ken Plum for the 36th District has provided fair, informed and savvy leadership for 25 years. Plum, a retired teacher and school administrator, has deep, solid roots in all parts of the Reston Community. As a long-term incumbent, Plum wields not only the power of seniority but also knows his way around the statehouse in a way that can only benefit his 36th District constituents.
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Plum Clan Expands
Kend and Jane’s first granddaughter, Emma Laviece Kilinski, was born on Sunday, October 30, at 12:55 a.m. and weighing in at 7 pounds 15 ounces. Emma and her parents, Helen and Steve Kilinski, live in Fredericksburg.
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Delegate Ken Plum’s Weekly “Virginia Report” on Comcast Channel 28
Wednesday, November 2 10:30 p.m. – George Barker, Health Systems Agency of Northern Virginia – “New Medicare Prescription Drug Plans – Choosing the Right One for You”
Tuesday, November 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, November 9 at 10:30 p.m. – Denise J. Straub and Alejandra Caballero, Fairfax County Extension Service – “The Reston JUMP Mentoring Program”
* * * ANNOUNCEMENTS
Election Information – Sample Ballots and Absentee Voting
Do you need to see a sample ballot for the November 8 Election? Email me at kenplum@aol.com to request a copy of the sample ballot in the 36th House District. Additional information is available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb/homepage.htm about the upcoming election, how and where to vote absentee, and where to vote on November 8.
In person absentee voting is available through November 5 at the North County Government Center, 12000 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston, Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In person absentee voting is also available at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323, Fairfax, as follows: Today through November 4 – Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 5 – 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Help Get out the Vote! With the election less than a week away, my campaign needs your help! Please sign-up to volunteer for a few hours this weekend, November 5th or 6th or Election Day, November 8th. We need people to make phone calls or canvass door-to-door. Any time you can give would be appreciated. To sign-up please contact my Campaign Manager, Allison Dickert: 571-213-8578.
Attend the public meeting about the town status proposal for Reston hosted by Supervisor Cathy Hudgins TONIGHT, Wednesday, November 2, 7:00 p.m. at the South Lakes High School Green Cafeteria.
Take a stroll with me and the Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia (EFVA) on Saturday, November 5 at 9:00 a.m. at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston. This local walk is being cosponsored with the Epilepsy Foundation of the Chesapeake Region (EFCR). There will be 1- and 2.5-mile courses with registration beginning at 9:00 a.m. Walkers are welcome to collect donations – those collecting $20 or more get a free t-shirt. Kids are encouraged to make a poster having to do with the importance of wearing a helmet. Since one of the main known causes of epilepsy is head injury, the EFVA promotes the message “Wear a Helmet – Prevent Epilepsy.” Posters will be hung along the walk route. EFVA is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1978 to promote awareness about epilepsy and provide assistance to Virginians with epilepsy and their families, friends, employers, co-workers, and teachers. Over the years, EFVA has developed a wide range of programs and services to promote the understanding of epilepsy and to dispel the many myths still associated with the disorder. For more information contact Deborah Lannen at 703.328.7582 or jwlannen@comcast.net.
“Come for a job, stay for a career.” Fairfax County is hosting a Government Career Fair at the Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, this Saturday, November 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you are interested in learning about county government jobs, this is for you. Learn about the advantages of working for Fairfax County government. More than 15 county agencies will discuss job opportunities including areas of transportation, parks, police, fire and rescue, health, schools, family services, and administration. Workshops will explain how to apply for a county position using the Automated Information Management System that allows a job seeker to apply directly online. Multi-language support is available. Job seekers relocated from the Gulf Coast areas are encouraged to attend. Call 703.324.3187 for more information
Looking for something to do in your community during the student holidays on Monday? Do you need to complete your community service hours for school before the end of the quarter? Lend a hand at the Snakeden Branch Stream Cleanup on Monday, November 7, 10:00 a.m. to noon. Reston Association Staff and volunteers will be conducting the stream cleanup. Volunteers must be age 13 or older to participate. Stay for pizza after the cleanup. Call Ms. Ha Brock, RA Volunteer Coordinator, at 703.435.7986 for information or to tell her you want to help.
Join Fairfax County at the Kickoff Ceremony for the Fairfax Connector 20th Anniversary on Wednesday, November 9, 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Herndon-Monroe Park and Ride, 12530 Sunrise Valley Drive. The event will include the Anniversary Bus Unveiling. Visit www.FairfaxConnector.com or call 703.324.1120 for more information.
Fairfax County has organized a Hunter Mill Special Study Task Force to determine the public’s vision for the Hunter Mill Road area. Meetings of the Special Study Task Force are scheduled for November 9, November 30, and December 14, all at 7:00 p.m., at Lake Anne Elementary School, 11510 North Shore Drive. These meetings are open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend.
The Dulles Area Transportation Association will host a “Transit Oriented Development Session 2: Next Steps” on Thursday, November 10, hosted by Mr. Joe Siekierski at the National Rural Utilities CTC complex, 2201 Cooperative Way, Herndon (session will be held in the NRTC Building past CFC; park in back or in the parking garage, and enter the building through the double doors of the NRTC building). Registration and continental breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m. with the session running until 10:30 a.m. The event is co-sponsored by the Dulles Corridor Rail Association and the Greater Washington Board of Trade. Presenters include Robert Dunphy of the Urban Land Institute, Dennis Leach of the Arlington County transportation Division, and other speakers from the public and private sector. Rsvp to info@datatrans.org. Registration fee is $25 for DATA and DCRA members, $40 for non-members. No fee for local government employees.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board will hold Fall Transportation Meetings throughout the state to give citizens the opportunity to review and provide comments on projects and programs that are candidates for inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2007-2012 Six-Year Improvement Program. The meeting in our area will be held on November 10, 4:00 p.m., at the Fairfax City Hall.
Join the fight to end homelessness by joining the Fannie Mae Foundation for its 18th Annual Help the Homeless Walkathon on Saturday, November 19, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., rain or shine. Register online through November 18 at www.helpthehomeless.org. Fee is $25 adults, $15 youth (age 25 and younger). You can also register on Event Day. See website for the Walkathon schedule and other pertinent information.
***************** Authorized and paid for by Kenneth R. Plum.
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