November 7, 2007

Re-Election Campaign

Many thanks for your support at the Polls yesterday. I am honored to serve you in the Virginia House of Delegates. Please do not hesitate to contact me whenever I can assist you with your questions or concerns about state government. 

COMMENTARY

Election results from yesterday may well qualify as another of Mr. Jefferson's bloodless revolutions in the Old Dominion. Jefferson thought periodic turnover in the leadership of government was healthy, and yesterday's numbers provided some good news for Virginians about a change in their leadership. Moderate control of the State Senate by Republicans gave way to moderate control by Democrats. Veteran Senator Dick Saslaw will be the new majority leader with Prince William Senator Chuck Colgan chairing the powerful Finance Committee. Senator Janet Howell will move into a committee chairmanship.

The Democratic takeover was made possible by the defeat of a Norfolk Republican Senator who was best known for his belief that mental health disorders were related to "demon possession." Democrats also picked up a seat in the Newport News area by defeating an ultra-conservative candidate who had ousted a Republican moderate in a primary. She was known for her opposition to public education.

Chap Petersen easily defeated Jeannemarie Devolites Davis with 55 percent of the vote in a race that will top two million dollars in expenditures between the two candidates. The Tom Davis political dynasty seems to be coming to an end. George Barker defeated one of the Senate's most conservative members in western Fairfax County for the fourth Democratic pick-up. The Senate change may make life a little easier for Governor Timothy M. Kaine, but the Senate will hardly be a rubber stamp for the Governor. And the Governor continues to need to deal with the House.

Democrats picked up four seats in the House of Delegates, the more conservative of the two bodies. With Margi Vanderhye's victory to replace a retiring Republican, there are now no Republican General Assembly members inside the Beltway. Outside the Beltway but still in part of FairfaxCounty, Republicans Tom Rust and Tim Hugo held their seats after stiff challenges while a Democrat won an open seat in Prince William County. In Virginia Beach, Democrats picked up two seats ousting one Republican incumbent and winning a seat held by the retiring Republican former caucus chairman.

Republicans will still control the House but by fewer members. The composition of the House will be 54 Republicans, 44 Democrats, and 2 Independents. There will be a movement towards a power-sharing agreement that the current election trend suggests the Republicans should seriously consider.

Locally, the lone Republican Supervisor inside the Beltway, Jane DuBois, lost to John Foust. Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins was handily reelected after a scurrilous campaign of falsehoods was run against her.

Mr. Jefferson may have been pleased, and certainly the people of Virginia should be comforted by the fact that this bloodless revolution will lead to a more functional government that will be able to take on the important issues of the Commonwealth.

Constituent Survey – 2008 General Assembly Session

Please take a moment to complete my annual Constituent Survey. Your responses to questions about current issues will help me as I prepare for the 2008 General Assembly Session. Take the survey by clicking on the following link. Thank you in advance for sharing your views.

Click here for Survey

Pre-Session Town Meeting in January

Delegate Ken Plum's Weekly "Virginia Report"
on Reston Comcast Channel 28

View Delegate Plum’s Virginia Report online at http://www.rctv28.com/videosVR.htm.

Tonight – Wednesday, November 7 at 10:30 p.m. – Krista Jones, Founder and Chair of Virginia Leadership Institute – "Expanding Our Political Opportunities"

Tuesday, November 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, November 14 at 10:30 p.m. – Senator Janet D. Howell – "Election Analysis:  Impact on the 2008 General Assembly Session"

Announcements

The holidays are quickly approaching. Reston Interfaith will be providing more families than ever with Thanksgiving baskets and Holiday gifts. Please visit www.restoninterfaith.org for information about the different ways you can support Reston Interfaith families throughout the holiday season.

The final Start Strong report outlining the Start Strong Council's recommendations on pre-K education is available at www.education.virginia.gov/Initiatives/EarlyChildhood/StartStrong.index.cfm.x.cfm. A report, "Virginia's At Risk 4-Year-Olds Missing Out on Preschool" has been completed by the Cooper Center at the University of Virginia. View the report at www.coopercenter.org/demographics.

Calendar of Events

The Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council will host a one-day regional conference, "Turning a New Leaf," on Friday, November 9, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Northern Virginia Community College's Annandale campus. The conference will feature tracks on conservation landscapes, green development, and creative stormwater management.  Topics include eco-friendly lawns, native alternatives to traditional plantings, backyard forests, rain gardens, stream restoration techniques, and public-private partnerships for green development.  Registration has begun. Visit www.ChesapeakeLandscape.org for details.

The Virginia Recycling Association will hold its Annual Meeting of the Members on Friday, November 9, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel in Charlottesville. To join the VRA and/or register for the Annual Meeting, visit www.varecycles.org or call the VRA at 804.302.4231.

Attend a discussion about "Immigration and Civil Liberties: Virginia 2007" on Saturday, November 10, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Chantilly Regional Library. For more information, go to www.acluva.org/novachapter.

Citizens may review and comment on potential transportation projects and programs to be included in the Commonwealth Transportation Board's Six-Year Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2009-2014. The meeting will be held on November 13, 6:00 p.m., at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Contact Laura Southard at Laura.Southard@VDOT.Virginia.gov or call 804.370.8109 for more information.

Attend a Town Hall Discussion hosted by Congressman Jim Moran, "Is Iran Next?" on Tuesday, November 13, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the George Washington Masonic Temple theater on 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria. For more information call 703.971.4700.

The Fairfax League of Women Voters' Reston evening unit will meet at the Reston Museum at Lake Anne on Wednesday, November 14, at 7:30 p.m.  Guests are welcome. Study materials for the meetings can be found at www.LWV-fairfax.org. Call 703.319.4114 for more information.

Attend the "Development and Urban Forest: Discovering Common Ground" conference on Friday, November 16, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Algonkian Conference Center at Algonkian Regional Park, 47001 Fairway Driver, Sterling, VA. For registration information, contact Becky Woodson at becky.woodson@dot.virginia.gov.

The Audubon Society of Northern Virginia (ASNV) will hold an advocacy training workshop on November 17, 2007, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon to provide tips on how to advocate for conservation. The workshop will be held at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 4022 Hummer Road, Annandale (just inside the Beltway at the Annandale/Little River Turnpike east exit). There is no charge. Reply to Virginia at info@asnv.org or call 703.256.6895 by October 26.

A Race for the Kids with American mile record holder Alan Webb, former Reston resident, will be held on Friday, November 23, at 7:30 a.m. prior to the Reston Holiday Parade with proceeds benefiting Neediest Kids. Visit www.neediestkids.org for sponsorship and registration information. There is no entry fee.

Enjoy the 17th Annual Reston Holiday Parade on Friday, November 23 at 11:00 a.m. at the Reston Town Center. This year's parade theme is "'Virginia's 400th Anniversary, Tales of Adventure!" featuring the Jamestown-Yorktown Honor Guard. The parade will make its way around the Town Center amid huge balloons, musical groups, dancers, antique cars, entertainment, and Santa and Mrs. Claus. The history and adventure of this year's theme offers a variety of fun and creative ways to involve everyone.

Visits with Santa follow the Parade activities on November 23 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Watch as Santa and Mrs. Claus magically light up Reston Town Center and the holiday tree, then sing along with the Reston Chorale and brass quintet, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Horse Drawn Carriage Rides will be available from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. at $5 per person with riders 5 and under free. All proceeds benefit Volunteer Fairfax.

Authorized and Paid for by Kenneth R. Plum

Delegate Kenneth R. Plum | 2073 Cobblestone Lane | Reston | VA | 20191