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Delegate Ken Plum’s Virginia E-News – October 19, 2005
COMMENTARY Politics as a Profession Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum
Soon after the Watergate burglary and the subsequent resignation of President Richard M. Nixon, my mother asked me if I was sure I wanted to go into politics. After all, it was a natural question for a mother concerned that her son would be entering a profession held in such low esteem by the public. My response was, “Now more than ever!” My belief is that honest, decent people need to get involved in the process to prevent it from being taken over by the sleazeballs. Honestly, I must admit that there are times when I have reservations about being involved in politics. One of those times came this week when the Kilgore television ads on the death penalty started appearing. Virginia has the second highest rate of executions in the nation, and the Virginia General Assembly adds offenses to the capital list almost annually by nearly unanimous votes. So what is the problem? According to the Kilgore ads, Kaine was involved on a defense team for a murderer. Of course the parents of the victim understandably did not like the idea that anyone would defend the murderer of their son. Everyone can relate to the emotions involved, but most understand that our judicial system works because everyone is guaranteed representation by legal counsel. You would expect the former attorney general of the state, Jerry Kilgore, to understand and respect that fact. And we are supposed to believe, according to the Kilgore ads, that it is wrong for Tim Kaine to be true to his religious beliefs as a Roman Catholic to oppose the death penalty. Kaine on his part has said that it is a personal religious matter for him, but as governor he would carry out the laws of the Commonwealth. It would seem that someone like Kilgore who runs with the strong backing of the “Religious Right” would respect Kaine’s religious beliefs. But elections are too much about winning. For George Allen it was “end parole” and for Jim Gilmore it was “no car tax.” Both are dubious public policies that seriously disrupted state finances, but they worked well on a bumper sticker and hit a popular chord. Not one more murderer, rapist, or other criminal will go free or get a lesser sentence if either Kilgore or Kaine wins the election. After the election we will go back to struggling to finance our schools, to build some roads, and to meet our health care needs. These television ads tell us a lot about the two candidates. Kilgore as an attorney and former top lawyer for the state is willing to turn his back on the judicial system to raise a little fear and cast some doubt in order to win an election. Kaine in a refreshing way stands for something as a moral belief even if it is unpopular with some voters. I am glad I chose to stay involved in politics. I am glad that Tim Kaine is involved in politics. He raises the level of the profession. He stands up for a lot he believes in, and we need to stand up with him. He will make a great governor who can make us feel better if our children decide to go into politics.
* * * Delegate Plum Endorsed by Northern Virginia Technology Council Tech PAC
(October 18, 2005 – Reston, VA) – Delegate Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum who represents the 36th district that is the greater Reston area has been endorsed for re-election by the Northern Virginia Technology Council Tech PAC. In announcing the endorsement, John Backus, chairman of the NVTC’s PAC said, “Throughout your career in public service, you have championed policies and initiatives to promote science and technology education and workforce development, to increase e-commerce and the growth of the Internet and technology, to grow entrepreneurship, to bolster economic development, and to improve the quality of life in our region. We view your re-election to the House of Delegates as critical to Virginia’s continued technology policy leadership and we are pleased to support your campaign for re-election.” Plum is a recognized leader in technology legislation. He introduced the legislation that established Virginia’s Joint Commission on Science and Technology (JCOTS) and was its first chairman. JCOTS is widely regarded as a key part of Virginia’s leadership on technology issues.
* * * Delegate Plum’s Citizens Handbook Available
The eighth edition of Delegate Ken Plum’s Citizens Handbook for the Commonwealth of Virginia has been mailed to voters in the 36th District. As a way to make voters more aware of Virginia government programs and services I have updated and mailed a directory every two years for the past 14 years,” Plum explained. “Contact information for all the major agencies of state government is included along with an index of services.” The first Citizens Handbook was written by Delegate Plum because there was no directory of state programs and services available at the time. Currently at least six other legislators copy Delegate Plum’s Handbook for their districts. Persons not receiving a copy or needing additional copies may contact Delegate Plum’s office at 703.758.9733 or e-mail kenplum@aol.com. * * * Delegate Ken Plum’s Weekly “Virginia Report” on Comcast Channel 28
Wednesday, October 19 at 10:30 p.m.; Tuesday, October 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, October 26 at 10:30 p.m. – Betty Connal, SIDS Mid-Atlantic – “SIDS and the Cribs for Kids Project”
* * * 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: October 19 through November 4 – Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, October 22, and 29 and November 5 – 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fairfax County is partnering with 3 local nonprofit organizations – Northern Virginia Family Service, Reston Interfaith, and United Community Ministries – to help coordinate services, case management and community support for displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina who are currently living in Fairfax County. This contractual agreement supports and further implements the Fairfax Families Care collaborative effort launched by a group that has come together to leverage resources to provide long-term assistance to those touched by the tragedy of Katrina. Residents who wish to help evacuees in some way or evacuees seeking services may call the county’s Human Services Department at 703.222.0880, TTY 703.803.7914, Spanish 703.631.3366. The county will continue to maintain its extensive web-based information site about services for evacuees and how the community can help at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/katrina.
The Women’s Entrepreneurs’ Expo is the signature event of the Women’s Business Center of Northern Virginia. This year’s Expo will be held October 20-21 at George Mason University’s Johnson Center and will feature a terrific line-up of informative and educational workshops and a trade fair. Syndicated columnist and author Michelle Singletary (“The Color of Money”) will be the keynote luncheon speaker on October 21. Visit www.wbcnova.org for information about registration and exhibitor/ sponsorship opportunities
The 54th Virginia Transportation Conference will be held October 26-28 at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center, Roanoke, Virginia. The Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of Rail & Public Transportation, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, Virginia Port Authority, Virginia Department of Aviation, and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute will host the conference. This year’s them is “Virginia Transportation at the Crossroads – Investing in Mobility and Accessibility.” The multi-modal theme will offer opportunities to explore a number of solutions to the difficult transportation issues we face in Virginia. Visit www.vatransconf.org for details about speakers, sessions, and registration information.
Virginia’s first trees and utilities conference, “Look Up Virginia,” will be held on Wednesday, October 26, at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gadens in Richmond. The conference is seeking to reduce tree/utility conflict by educating, influencing and encouraging people to recognize the conflict, remove problematic tree and utility situations and plant appropriately. Citizens interested in more attractive communities are encouraged to attend. General registration by October 7 is $25 and includes lunch and take-home materials. Seating is limited. For more information, call 434.220.9024.
The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area and the Fairfax County Public Libraries will present “Building a Safer World: Can America and the UN Work Together on World Water Resources” on Sunday, October 30. The program will be held at the Pohick Regional Library at 2:00 p.m. Guest speaker will be Dr. Gerald Galloway discussing water resources, terrorism, conservation and other topics about the world’s supply, including how we can meet both national and international challenges. In announcing the program, League President Sherry W. Zachry explained that it is not only developing countries that have significant difficulties in providing safe water for their citizens. “The U.S. faces its own water resources issues, including water quality and availability and rehabilitating an aging infrastructure. This has certainly become evident as we try to cope with the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.”
Mark your calendar for the November public forums on Transportation Barriers for People with Disabilities and Senior Citizens. Fairfax County is seeking comments from the public about barriers on public transportation at three forums to be held November 1, 3, and 5. This will provide an opportunity for county residents, particularly people with disabilities and senior citizens, to discuss the factors that prevent them from using publicly funded transportation services, including the Fairfax Connector, Metro, MetroAccess, FASTRAN, Medicaid-funded transportation, and taxi services, including Seniors-on-the-Go! Residents also will be encouraged to offer suggestions about how to improve transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities in the county. The public forums are scheduled as follows: Tuesday, November 1, 7 to 9 p.m., South County Government Center, 8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria Tuesday, November 3, noon to 2 p.m., Department of Systems Management for Human Services Building, Region 3, 11484 Washington Plaza West, Reston Saturday, November 5, 10 a.m. to noon, Northern Virginia Center, 7054 Haycock Road, Falls Church The forums are sponsored by the Fairfax County Department of Transportation, the Disability Services Board, the Area Agency on Aging, the Department of Systems Management, the Department of Family Services, the Department of Community and Recreation Services, and the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board. To be included on the list of speakers, call Denis Paddeu at 703.324.1439, TTY 711. Written comments can be emailed to denis.paddeu@fairfaxcounty.gov or mailed to Denis Paddeu, Fairfax County Department of Transportation, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 1034, Fairfax, VA 22035-5511. Contact Paddeu at 703.324.1439 for more information.
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.
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.
The 23rd Annual Conference on Crime Victims’ Issues will be held November 30-December 2 in Roanoke at the Hotel Roanoke. Victim/witness program staff, law enforcement officers, domestic violence and sexual assault program staff, prosecutors, civil litigation attorneys, probation officers, Department of Corrections staff, healthcare professionals, social workers, volunteers, government leaders, and other concerned persons are encouraged to attend. The event is sponsored by the Virginia Network for Victims and Witnesses of Crime, Inc. Visit www.vanetwork.org for more information.
***************** Authorized and paid for by Kenneth R. Plum.
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