Delegate Ken Plum’s Virginia E-News – August 30, 2006

COMMENTARY

Measure Twice

Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum

 

          Good advice whether you are making a slipcover, cutting a wood trim board, or installing new carpet is to measure twice and cut once. I learned this lesson from helping my father with various home improvement projects, and it was reinforced by Mr. McHenry who taught me woodworking at Shenandoah High School. I have had to re-learn the lesson many times over the years with my various home remodeling efforts. Each time I cut a piece of crown molding or baseboard too short, I always repeat that time-tested and proven advice: measure twice and cut once.

          I have found that the same advice applies in the political arena. As political and community leaders and citizens, we need to be measured in our speech. In other words, we need to think twice about what we are about to say before we actually say it. Too bad that advice was not heeded by Senator George Allen. Seeing a young man of dark complexion at a political rally, the Senator called him a derogatory name and welcomed him to America. The young man, who works for Allen’s opponent, was born in Fairfax County and attends the University of Virginia. Jumping to conclusions about someone’s citizenship status and being willing to verbalize it in public should be beneath the dignity of a United States Senator.  Over the years we have heard many times that Senator Allen never learned the lesson about thinking twice before opening his mouth.

          In a recent column I attempted to put into perspective the composition of the immigrant population in our region. A couple of readers blasted me with e-mails for supposedly supporting illegal immigration because I pointed out the legal status of immigrants who make major contributions to our economy. Recognizing that fact does not make me any less concerned that President Bush and the U.S. Congress deal with the immigration problem. Jack Kenny who for years has been calling himself the “Past President of the Republican Club of Greater Reston” in a recent column certainly did not think twice before making the absurd charge that my use of statistics somehow “justify illegal immigrants.”

          Kenny further flays away in the same column that “It’s probably a sure bet that Del. Ken Plum has never passed up an opportunity to vote yea for a tax increase or vote nay for a tax reduction.” Making such a charge verbally without thinking is one thing, but writing it when the opportunity exists to check the facts in advance is irresponsible. This year I voted for a sales tax holiday on school supplies, and in 2004 I voted to take thousands off the income tax rolls by increasing the level at which taxation begins and by reducing the income tax for everyone by increasing the personal deductions. The income tax rates have not been raised since 1974, four years before I began my service in the legislature. I voted for two increases in the sales tax, a half-cent in 1986 for transportation and a half-cent in 2004 for public education. I voted to take the sales tax off food purchases. I have served in the legislature for 27 years during which time Virginia attained the status of having the 43rd lowest tax rate in the country.

          I am about to begin remodeling another bathroom in my home. I need to remind myself to measure twice before I make a cut. In my political life I need to measure what I am about to say before speaking or writing. We can only hope that our U.S. Senator and our local political columnist will learn to do the same.

 

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Constituent Views Sought on Special Transportation Session

 

Delegate Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum is conducting a survey of constituents on their views about Virginia’s transportation. The General Assembly will meet in Special Session September 27-30 to debate transportation funding needs.

 

“Efforts to fund transportation improvements during the regular session of the General Assembly were not successful,” said Plum. “Since then, we have seen polls suggesting some citizens are not willing to invest in a dedicated revenue stream for transportation improvements.”

 

“Those of us in Northern Virginia know the traffic problem here is serious and deserves immediate attention. I would appreciate hearing from constituents on how they think the General Assembly should deal with it,” requested Delegate Plum.

 

Constituents are requested to go to Delegate Plum’s website, www.kenplum.com, and click on “Special Transportation Survey – 2006” to express their views. Persons without access to the Internet may call 703.758.9733 to request a written copy of the survey.

 

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Delegate Ken Plum’s Weekly “Virginia Report”

 on Reston Comcast Channel 28

 

Tonight - Wednesday, August 30 at 10:30 p.m., and also

Tuesday, September 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, September 6 at 10:30 p.m. – Delegate Kenneth R. Plum – “The State of the Commonwealth – 2006”

 

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Delegate Ken Plum will be teaching a course, “Highlights of Virginia’s History: 1607-2007,” on Tuesdays, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., September 19 through November 7, at the Washington Plaza Baptist Church in Reston. You must be a member of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of George Mason University in order to participate. More information at www.olli.gmu.edu. Plum is one of the founders of the Institute.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Equality Virginia and the Commonwealth Coalition are organizing phone banking against the so-called marriage amendment at their Tyson’s Corner office, 1651 Old Meadow Road, McLean, every Monday night, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. RSVP or direct your questions to laura@votenova.org.

 

The Virginia Department of Business Assistance invites you to attend its fall seminar, “Seeding Virginia’s Future: Finance for Emerging Businesses on Wednesday, September 6, 8:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Festival Center, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA. Topics will include early stage capital products to support high growth entrepreneurs and alternative loan products for businesses. The luncheon keynote will address early stage funding for business development, trends in angel investing and the importance of partnerships and mentoring for entrepreneurs and will feature David Rizzo, President & CEO of North Carolina Innovative Development for Economic Advancement. A resource fair for seminar attendees during morning registration and networking breaks will include federal and state programs, bankers, angel network representatives, and other financiers. Register online at www.dba.virginia.gov/form.asp. Click on the “Virginia Economic Development Seminar” link in the Upcoming Events section at www.dba.virginia.gov for event invitation, agenda, registration form and directions.

 

Join your friends of the Reston Museum for a 4-mile hike along a portion of the newly finished Cross-Country Trail on September 10, hiking the woodland trail from Colvin Run Mill to Georgetown Pike along Difficult Run. Biologist Squire Muse will lead the hike. Enjoy stream-side views, a fern-embanked hill trail between bends in the run, a flower-filled meadow, and wildlife. Wear sturdy shoes, and meet at the Reston Museum in Lake Anne Plaza at 1:30 p.m. to carpool to the starting point. A $5 donation to the museum is requested. Call Reston Museum at 703.709.7700 for information and registration.

 

Enjoy “Second Sunday Programs” at the Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, 10209 Main Street, Fairfax, Virginia. The September 10 program will be “African-American Education in Fairfax County” presentation by Phyllis Walker Ford, Chairman, Laurel Grove School Association, and Page Johnson, Fairfax historian and author. All “Second Sunday Programs” begin at 2:00 p.m. and are followed by informal discussion and refreshments in the Visitor Center.

 

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will hold a Remembrance Ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial Grove on Monday, September 11, at 9:00 a.m. They ask that people gather by 8:45 a.m. in the Forum of the Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. For more information, directions, or ADA accommodations, call 703.324.3187, TTY 711.

 

 “Shop for a Cause” at any Macy’s in Fairfax County on September 16 to benefit area nonprofits. Participating organizations sell $5 shopping passes and keep all the proceeds from ticket sales. Customers will receive shopping discounts, entertainment, special events and the chance to win prizes. 

 

A Rain Garden Workshop for homeowners will be held at Meadowlark Gardens Regional Park, Vienna, on Saturday, September 16, 8:30 to noon. Attendees will receive useful information and observe the construction of a small (home-sized) rain garden.

 

The State Corporation Commission (SCC) is asking for public comments on a proposal by the owners of the Dulles Greenway to revise the toll structure for the roadway. The owners, Toll Road Investors Partnership II, L.P., propose a price schedule that contains incremental increases in the maximum toll for two-axle vehicles over five years. The maximum base toll for cars would rise from $3, as now authorized to be effective July 1, 2007, to $4 as of January 1, 2012. Interested persons may also access unofficial copies of the application through the SCC’s Docket Search portal at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/caseinfo.htm. Written comments or requests for a hearing on the application must be submitted by September 28, 2006. All correspondence should be sent to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, VA 23218-2118, and refer to case number PUE-2006-00081.

 

Attend the “Regional Leadership Conference on Green Building – Best Practices and Policies for Local Government and the Region” on Friday, September 29, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the University of Maryland Conference Center in Adelphi, MD. Call 202.962.3355 for more information or go to www.mwcog.org for a detailed program description and registration form. Click on the Green earth icon on the left side of the COG homepage to reach the conference registration page.

 

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society invites you to join dozens of local businesses and hundreds of influential Northern Virginians in the fight against blood cancers. Participate in the Light the Night Walk in the Reston Town Center on Saturday, October 7, and help make a difference. Visit www.lightthenight.org/nca for more information.

 

The 55th Virginia Transportation Conference, “Virginia’s Transportation Challenge – Saving Lives, Saving Time, Saving Money,” will be held October 9-11 at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. Visit www.vatransconf.org or call 804.225.4698 for conference information.

 

Save the Date – October 14, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – for the 5th Annual Reston at Home Tour presented by Reston Historic Trust.  Five unique, privately owned homes will be open to the public for a self-conducted tour throughout Reston neighborhoods and clusters. This year’s tour will focus on the arts featuring the homes of art collectors, artists, and musicians. Tour passes are $20 in advance, available in September at the Reston Museum at Lake Anne Village Center and at the Greater Reston Arts Center at Reston Town Center. On tour day, tickets are $25. Reston at Home Tour passes include the tour map and information, and beautiful home illustrations by Pat Macintyre. All proceeds from Reston at Home benefit the Reston Museum.

 

Take the “Fish & Chips Challenge” to benefit Nature House at the second Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament on Thursday, October 19, 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, Reston Town Center, 11920 Democracy Drive. The event is sponsored by Friends of Reston. For more information and ticket sales, contact Katie Shaw, kshaw@reston.org, 703.435.6510.

 

The ALS Association-DC/MD/VA Chapter is sponsoring an annual Walk to D’Feet ALS in Washington, DC on October 22. ALS is amyotropic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. For more information call 301.978.9855 or visit www.alsinfo.org.

 

Join Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia at the Second Annual Black Tie & Tool Belt (both optional) Gala Awards Reception on Sunday, October 22, 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at The Waterford, 6715 Commerce Street, Springfield. The evening will feature a silent auction with a wonderful array of prizes. All proceeds will support Habitat’s work in Northern Virginia. For sponsorship opportunities and tickets, visit www.habitatnova.org or email info@habitatnova.org.

 

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Authorized and paid for by Kenneth R. Plum.

 

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