Delegate Ken Plum’s Virginia E-News – September 14, 2005

COMMENTARY

Hurricane Katrina unleashed waves of emotions almost as strong as her wind and water. Each newscast and morning paper brought further disbelief as the unbelievable story of the aftermath of the storm unfolded. Of course natural disasters occur in this country just like anyplace else on earth. But we are not supposed to see the utter despair, seeming abandonment and helplessness we have been seeing on the faces of citizens of the United States of America. Somehow I got lulled into thinking we were above such things. In undeveloped, third-world countries maybe, but not in America. We are too strong, developed, rich, prepared, as most of us thought, to see the devastation of lives that followed the destruction of property with Hurricane Katrina.

There really is not time for finger pointing. I found the effort of federal authorities to blame state and local officials to be disgusting. We have to be assured that behind the fancy “emergency preparedness” agencies there are people, plans and resources to respond to natural disasters in this country just as we give attention to terrorists around the world. And we have to know that the resources are available equally to all persons in this country regardless of race and economic status.

As usual, the American people have been most generous with their giving. Charitable and faith-based organizations moved into place right away. People have opened their homes and their pocketbooks to help. The federal government response was an embarrassment. As soon as the clean-up and recovery are underway, a special commission needs to look into what happened and why with the government’s late and inadequate response.

At a time when there is a continuing debate on the core functions of government and the need to adequately fund government services, Katrina has reminded us that government does have a vital role to play in our communities. Volunteers will never be able to do the rescue or fund the recovery as government is expected to do.

We are past the time we need to pay serious attention to our nation’s infrastructure including levees on lakes and rivers. And we have ignored too long the scientists’ warnings that our level of air pollution is affecting our climate. May the aftermath of Katrina be more than destroyed families and lives; may it be a strengthened resolve to help the people affected in the short run and to rebuild our public infrastructure to carefully examine our government policies and services in the future.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victims of Hurricane Katrina. One way to provide help is to go to www.redcross.org. The Virginia Department of Health and Human Services has established a website (https://volunteer.hhs.gov) and toll-free number (1-866-KAT-MEDI) to help identify private sector health care professionals and relief personnel to assist in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Mark your calendar for the Fifth Annual Reston Multicultural Festival on Saturday, September 17, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The festival will be held at the Lake Anne Village Center and features “Spotlight on Central America” highlighting entertainment, foods, and crafts from that region. Visit www.restoncommunitycenter.com/fallevents.html for more information.

Governor Mark R. Warner recently announced that the Science Museum of Virginia is now accepting nominations for: Virginia’s Outstanding Scientist 2006; Virginia’s Outstanding Industrialist 2006; and for Life Achievement in Science; and Life Achievement in Industry. For the past twenty-one years this program has honored men and women who have contributed to our great Commonwealth through their work in science and industry. They exemplify our commitment to welcome and encourage scientific research and high-technology business enterprises in Virginia. Please consider nominating members of your senior management, boards, research staff, and faculty for a 2006 award. A distinguished panel of judges will select the award recipients, and the awards will be presented at a black-tie dinner and awards ceremony at the Science Museum of Virginia in the spring of 2006. Visit www.smv.org, clicn on “About Us” and then go to Scientist and Industrialist Awards to download the forms. For questions please contact Karen Raham at 804.864.1499 or kraham@smv.org.

Parents & Associates of the Northern Virginia Training Center and the Fairfax Civitan Club are proud to announce the Fifth Annual Benefit Auction to support citizens with mental retardation complicated by other medical, physical, and behavioral disabilities. Show your support and participate in this fantastic auction on Saturday, September 17, at the Northern Virginia Training Center, 9901 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA. Preview of auction items is at 8:00 a.m. with the Live Auction beginning at 10:00 a.m. and the Silent Auction period running from 8:00 a.m. to noon. 100% of the proceeds of this fantastic auction are used to benefit people with mental retardation. Visit www.parentsandassociatesnvtc.com for more information.

What to do with unwanted items? Take them to the Recycling Road Show on September 17 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Edison High School, 5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria! The Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program and the Fairfax County Public Schools are working together to recycle unwanted items. Computers and related office equipment will be collected by ServiceSource, a local nonprofit agency that employs people with disabilities. Except for computer monitors, all computer equipment will be accepted at no cost. A $10 donation will be collected for each computer monitor to ensure the environmentally sound management of potentially hazardous materials found in monitors. Used bicycles will be collected by Bikes for the World, a local nonprofit group that repairs used bikes and ships them to developing countries. Bikes must be in repairable condition. A $10 donation will be collected for each bicycle to help defray the cost of shipping overseas. All donations are tax deductible and receipts will be issued by each nonprofit organization. For additional information, contact Kate Sicola with the Fairfax County Dept. of Public Works and Environmental Services at 703.324.5230, TTY 711, or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/recycling.htm.

Connect with your community at Volunteeria. The Reston Community Center (RCC) and Reston Association invite you to their annual Volunteeria event on Thursday, September 22, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Hunters Woods facility at 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Volunteeria is a volunteer fair. At volunteeria you can recruit volunteers, network with your peers, and increase community awareness of your organization and its mission. Volunteeria is free, but registration is required. To participate, your organization must register no later than August 29. To register and get additional information, contact Anna Dowdell at 703.476.4500, ext. 6160, or email Anna.Dowdell@FairfaxCounty.gov.

The 2005 Virginia Environmental Assembly – “Moving Virginia Forward on the Right Track: New Leaders, New Partners, New Opportunities” – will be held at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland on Saturday, September 24 and is co-sponsored by the Virginia Conservation Network and Randolph-Macon College Environmental Studies Program. This is Virginia’s premiere annual gathering of citizens, conservation groups, elected officials, and environmental policy experts. This year’s theme recognizes our environmental struggles as part of the bigger picture of what we want for our families and our future. The 2005 VEA offers an in-depth look at three areas that could move us toward real solutions and keep citizens at the table in the process. Go to www.vcnva.org for registration and information.

Save the Date and Join the Buddy Walk on September 24! Don’t miss the fun! The Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia (DSANV) invites you to participate in its 2005 Inaugural Buddy Walk. The Buddy Walk was developed by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995 to bring together a wide range of concerned individuals reaching out to friends, family, co-workers, teachers, professionals and leaders in the community to promote awareness and inclusion for people with Down syndrome and to raise funds for education, research, and advocacy programs. The Buddy Walk will take place on September 24 at the Fairfax County Government Center Ellipse from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A large festival will follow the half-mile walk with nationially recognized musicians, clowns, cartoon characters, children’s activities, food vendors, an exhibitor pavilion, and much more. Visit www.dsanv.org for more information.

Join the MArcH for Virginians with Disabilities on October 1 in Richmond. The Arc of Virginia and its 22 affiliated chapters will March from Mayo Island in Richmond to the Bell Tower on the Capitol Grounds on October 1 to show our elected officials and communities that Virginians with disabilities desire what all Virginians want: A life like yours, a place to call home, access to health care, transportation, an education, a job, recreation, and a safe community. For more information call The Arc of Virginia at 888.604.2677 or visit www.ArcofVa.org.

The 54^th 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 vatransconf.org for details about speakers, sessions, and registration information.

CALENDAR

Wednesday, September 14, at 10:30 p.m. – tune in to Delegate Ken Plum’s “Virginia Report” on Comcast Channel 28 – Kerrie Wilson of Reston Interfaith and Bill Threlkeld of Project Hope and Harmony – “Insights Into the Day Laborer Issue.”

Saturday, September 17, 8:00 to Noon – Fifth Annual Benefit Auction for the Northern Virginia Training Center. See item above for details.

Saturday, September 17, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Recycling Road Show at Edison High School. Check above for donation information.

Saturday, September 17, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Fifth Annual Reston Multicultural Festival at Lake Anne Village Center. See item above for details.

Sunday, September 18, 2:00-4:00 p.m. – National Council of Negro Women Annual Meeting at Reston Regional Library. New members are invited. For more information, call Shirley Askew at 703.450-2229.

Tuesday, September 20, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. – Reception honoring Delegate Ken Plum with Governor Mark R. Warner as special guest at the home of Boofie and Joe O’Gorman, 11570 Greenwich Point Road, North Reston. For more information, call 703.391.2978 or email AllisonDickert@gmail.com.

Tuesday, September 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, September 21 at 10:30 p.m. – tune in to Delegate Ken Plum’s “Virginia Report” on Comcast Channel 28 – William C. Dickinson, Chairman of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority – “A Walk in the Park.”

Thursday, September 22, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Volunteeria at Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods. See item above for registration information.

September 22 through October 2 – Virginia State Fair at the Richmond Raceway Complex. Visit www.statefair.com for details.

Saturday, September 24 – 2005 Virginia Environmental Assembly at Randolph-Macon College. See article above and visit www.vcnva.org for registration and information.

Saturday, October 1 – MArcH for Virginians with Disabilities in Richmond. See item above for details.

October 26 through 28 – 54^th Virginia Transportation Conference at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Roanoke, Virginia. Visit www.vatransconf.org or call 804.225.4698 for additional conference information.

*****************

Authorized and paid for by Kenneth R. Plum.

Unsubscribe to this newsletter by emailing kenplum@aol.com and indicating “unsubscribe” in the subject line.