Commentary

One of the more memorable moments in recent Virginia history was recorded in a front-page New York Times photograph and story of Governor Lynwood Holton walking his daughter Tayloe into a predominately Black high school in Richmond in 1970 to enroll her for classes. His wife was at the same time enrolling their other daughter Anne and their son Woody in schools in which they were the only white children in their classes. Woody grew up to become a prominent author and historian, and his sister Anne is now First Lady of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Governor Holton took a bold leadership step to show folks that their fears about the integration of public schools were not well founded. He explained later that he felt integration of the schools was the morally right thing to do. After decades of lawsuits, our public schools are for the most part integrated. The worst fears of the consequences of integration were never realized. School communities even today find themselves to be divided over other issues, however. Test scores, athletic prowess, free-lunch numbers, ethnic and racial diversity, myths, and rumors continue to give some communities bragging rights over another and feelings of superiority that are more often in the minds of the beholders than in actual fact.

The recent process the School Board has undertaken in our region to adjust boundaries has brought some of the feelings about our local schools into the open and exposed some biases that we may be surprised to learn continue to exist in our communities. In the process, South Lakes High School has gotten a bum rap.

Jane and I live a couple of blocks from South Lakes High School. Our four children graduated from there. Maybe in some ways we have come to take the school for granted as it educated our children very well, and they have been successful. Two are school teachers, one is a lawyer, and one is an environmental inspector for local government. When we read what others are saying about Scout Lakes High School, we know they are seriously misinformed. Numerous studies have shown that the strength of a school is in its leadership, and South Lakes High School is filled with educational leaders. Principal Bruce Butler has been recognized by his peers with the Fairfax County First-Year Principal of the Year Award and has recently been named in the community as Citizen of the Year. The International Baccalaureate Program challenges the brightest students, and the school’s wide range of athletic and extra-curricular activities appeal to all student interests. As its enrollment increases, there will be even more opportunities to expand course offerings and school activities to meet student interests. I know dozens of South Lakes High School graduates who are attending the best universities in the state and the nation. The soon to be completed physical plant renovations will make it one of the most up-to-date schools in the region.

The School Board needs to ensure that its process for school boundary adjustments is open for public discussion, and the recommendations of all parents are heard and considered and not just those with loud voices. In the end the School Board must act in the best interest of all the children of Fairfax County. The public including parents need to act on good information and not myths and fears, and that may take some research including visiting South Lakes and talking to parents and students there.

Governor Holton showed amazing leadership that continues to give him high marks in the Commonwealth’s history. During the little bit of history that is now being written in our community we need to remember that our children are observing the entire process. What kind of memory and impressions do we want them to have about the experience and about our actions as adults during it?

Upcoming Primary Election

The Democratic and Republican Parties in Virginia will conduct Presidential Primary elections on Tuesday, February 12, 2008. Any eligible county resident who will be 18 by or on Tuesday, November 4, 2008, may register and vote in the February primary.

The deadline to register to vote or to update your address is Monday, January 14, 2008. If you are already registered at your present address, you will not need to re-register.

Polls open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. Go to your regular polling place to vote.

Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb for information about voting absentee in person or by mail and to download an application for an absentee ballot. 

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

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, January 9 at 10:30 p.m. – Susan Colwell of My Green Cottage – “Environmental Living for the 21st Century”
 
Tuesday, January 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, January 16 at 10:30 p.m. – Greg Werkheiser, The Phoenix Project – “Changing Communities through Partnerships”

Announcements

The 2008 General Assembly session begins today. Follow the action at http://legis.state.va.us. Please stay in touch with me about issues of interest or concern to you. Email me at kenplum@aol.com. Call me at 703.758.9733. Your call will be forwarded to my Richmond office at no cost to you. Send me a fax at 804.698.6736.

To help consumers with the analog-to-digital transiton, Congress created the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program. Consumers may apply for up to two $40 coupons, on a first-come, first-served basis, that may be used to purchase a digital-to-analog converter box from a certified retailer. Coupons are valid for three months after issuance and may not be combined to purchase one converter box. For more information, go to www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/index.html.

According to the Virginia Transit Association (www.vatransit.com), transit riders can save up to $6,500 a year in transportation-related expenses and relax while they go to their destinations.

Calendar of Events

The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area will be discussing climate change and its implications for our region. Join League members and guests for a stimulating discussion about the meaning of a “Cool County,” whether we are headed for a crisis, and what we can do to affect the global climate situation tonight, January 9, 7:30 p.m. at the Reston Museum, 1639 Washington Plaza, Lake Anne Village Center. Call Wendy at 703.319.4114 for information. For the location of the Thursday morning meeting in Reston on January 10, call the League office at 703.658.9150.

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority will hold a public hearing on its six-year transportation plan on January 10, 6:00 p.m. at George Mason High School Auditorium, 7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. More information can be found at www.thenovaauthority.org.

The next “Green Breakfast” will be held on Saturday, January 12, 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. at the Old Country buffet at Fair city Mall, Route 236 and Pickett road in Fairfax City. Pam Gratton, Program Manager for Recycling and Planning, Division of Solid Waste Collection and Recycling, will present an overview of the programs offered by the Division including remote collection events for household hazardous wastes and electronic products. Cost of the breakfast is about $9.00, payable to the cashier as you arrive. No RSVP is necessary.

The National Council for Science and the Environment will sponsor the 8th National Conference on Science, Policy, and the Environment, Climate Change Science and Solutions, to develop comprehensive strategies for protecting people and the planet against rapid climate change. The conference will be held January 16-18, 2008, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC. Visit www.NCSEonline.org/2008conference to register and view the conference agenda.

Attend the 25th Anniversary Performance of the Capitol Steps to benefit Reston Interfaith on January 27, 2008, 7:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Reston. To make a reservation, visit the following link to Reston Interfaith's website:
www.restoninterfaith.org/uploads/CapitolSteps2008orderform.pdf. Return your order form to Meredith Magwire. For questions or more information, call 571.323.9566 or email meredith.magwire@restoninterfaith.org.

Share your thoughts at a panel discussion hosted by the Reston Association, "Making Meaningful Connections: How local Organizations Can Reach Out to a Diverse Community" on Wednesday, January 30, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at RA's main conference room at 1930 Isaac Newton Square. A light dinner will be provided, and translation services and child care will be provided. To register, call Karen Monaghan at 703.435.6514.

The annual Polar Plunge at Lake Anne will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Take a full winter dip, a "Chicken Dip," or sponsor a brave plunger. Registered participants will plunge into Lake Anne to raise funds for Camp Sunshine. Registration forms and pledge sheets are at www.freezinforareason.com. Spectators are welcome.

Bid on treasures from the past at Reston Museum's "Attic Auction" on Thursday, February 12, 5:30 p.m. Live bidding begins at 6:30 p.m. Visit www.restonmuseum.org for more information about the Museum.

Authorized and Paid for by Kenneth R. Plum

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