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Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia E-News – November 8, 2006
Commentary A Bloodless Revolution Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum
You are reading this column within days of what is likely to have been a very significant outcome to the election. I am writing it days before without knowing the results of the election. Throughout the fall season opinion polls and news reports were indicating that voters wanted a change. Campaign advertising and news events were convincing voters that a change was badly needed. Thomas Jefferson wrote to Edward Rutledge in July, 1788, that “we can surely boast of having set the world a beautiful example of a government reformed by reason alone, without bloodshed.” Jefferson thought that such bloodless revolutions once a generation or so would be good for the country. They bring into government new talent and ideas. Dick Armey, House Republican majority leader from 1995 to 2003, wrote in The Washington Post his explanation for the people wanting a change in government: “Republican lawmakers forgot the party’s principles, became enamored with power and position, and began putting politics over policy.” The discontent seen this year with the federal Congress may well be felt next year in the General Assembly elections. All 100 seats in the House of Delegates and all 40 seats in the State Senate are up for election. Voters will be demanding an explanation from the House Republican majority for their doggedly rejecting all realistic solutions on transportation regardless of the seriousness of the need. I am currently working in a bipartisan way to fashion transportation solutions to present to the 2007 session of the General Assembly. There are several possible solutions to help resolve the problem, and I will test the water again in 2007 to see if any are acceptable or if the political will exists to pass any legislation on transportation. My criteria is that a solution must provide adequate and reliable sources of funding of mass transit as well as roads. I am not interested in participating in any “brochure bills” by legislators who have opposed bills in the past and are now looking only to protect themselves in an election year. I will be working on institutional reform as well. I will be reintroducing a bill that I first introduced in 1978 establishing an independent reapportionment commission to redraw legislative district boundaries after the next federal census. I also expect to introduce rules changes to require recorded votes of subcommittee actions and to require standing committee action on all bills that are introduced. Under the current rules adopted by the House Republican majority there is not adequate transparency or accountability of legislators. The voters can bring about a bloodless revolution at the ballot box in November 2007, or legislators can bring about a revolution on their own by developing the political will and backbone needed to respond to the needs of the Commonwealth before asking the voters for their support again.
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Delegate Ken Plum’s Weekly “Virginia Report” on Reston Comcast Channel 28
Tonight - Wednesday, November 8 at 10:30 p.m. – John Edwards, The TeleWork Coalition – “Tapping Into the Benefits of Telework”
Tuesday, November 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, November 15 at 10:30 p.m. – Shannon Heyck-Williams, National Environmental Trust – “The Urgency and Impact of Global Warming”
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Attend the Northern Virginia Climate Change Summit on Thursday, November 9, 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. at George Washington University’s Virginia Campus, Ashburn. The program will feature engaging presentations from four guest speakers, followed by statements from local elected officials and a moderated Q & A session. The event is free and open to the public. Visit www.lccss.org/NVCCS for more information.
The Giving Circle of Hope partnering with “Project We Care” is collecting personal items to send to servicemen and women overseas. Supply day is Saturday, November 11, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hunters Woods Safeway in Reston. E-mail terryhaas@hotmail.com to learn how you can help.
Attend Fairfax County’s Second Annual History Conference, “Preserving & Documenting Our History,” on Saturday, November 11, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at The Visitor Center at Frying Pan Farm Park, 2739 West Ox Road. Fee is $25.00 per person, limited to first 115 registrants. Questions, contactLynne Garvey Wark at 703.322.1811 or lghassoc@erols.com.
Join Reston’s Used Book Shop in welcoming author Colette Rossant back to Reston on Saturday, November 11, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Rossant will unveil her new book, The World in My Kitchen: The Adventures of a (Mostly) French Woman in New York, the final installment in her charming trilogy of memoirs (following Memories of a Lost Egypt and Return to Paris). Colette Rossant is the wife of James Rossant, of Whittlesy Conklin & Rossant, the firm that designed Reston. Jim was largely responsible for the architecture of Lake Anne Village Center.
Participate in the Smoke Free Virginia Tour at the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington on November 14, 4-5 p.m. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Information from Sara.Anderson@cancer.org.
FISH is seeking Thanksgiving Donations. Herndon-Reston FISH (Friendly Instant Sympathetic Help) needs donations of money and nonperishable food items for Thanksgiving boxes for needy local residents. Volunteers will assemble the boxes on November 13-16 at the United Christian Parish, 2222 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Last year FISH provided Thanksgiving assistance for 749 people. Non-perishable items such as peanut butter, jelly, pasta or macaroni, rice, tomato sauce, soup, dry cereals, juices, and canned goods can be dropped off at the Untied Christian Parish across from Hunters Woods Center on November 13-16. Your monetary donations can be made payable to Herndon Reston FISH, Inc., and mailed to 336 Victory Drive, Herndon, VA 20170. Volunteers are needed to collect, sort and deliver the food. Contact Robyn Kampf, Holiday Assistance Coordinator at 703.860.8804 or robkamp@aol.com for information or to volunteer.
Public meeting on Virginia Outdoors Plan, the Commonwealth’s official conservation, outdoor recreation, and open sector plan, on November 15, 3-7 p.m. at the Northern Virginia Regional Commission Office, 3060 Williams Drive, Suite 510, Fairfax. More information call Doug Pickford at 703-642-4623 or pickford@novaregion.org.
Attend Mapping Virginia Communities: An Introduction to GIS and Community Analysis Workshop, a one-day workshop, on November 16 or 17, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Community College Workforce Alliance, Featherstone Professional Center at John Tyler Community College, 1807 Huguenot Road, Suite 108, Midlothian, Virginia 23113. Fee is $399 by check, credit card, or purchase order. Choose the date that is most convenient for you. To register online or for more info visit www.newurbanresearch.org or phone 877.241.6576.
Dulles Corridor Rail Association Annual Meeting and Reception, November 30, 6-8 p.m. at Capital One headquarters in Tysons Corner. Information from dcra@dullescorridorrail.com.
Visit the Holiday Shop beginning November 28 for affordable holiday décor, arts and crafts, housewares, collectibles, toys, jewelry and more. The Holiday Shop is part of The Bargain Loft operated by Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc. at 336 Victory Drive in Herndon (off Spring Street). The Holiday Shop will be open through December 23. Proceeds will help assist local families through short-term emergencies. Call 703.437.0600 for directions or to get or give help.
***************** Authorized and paid for by Kenneth R. Plum.
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