Commentary

The special transportation session is now history with no additional funds provided for roads or transit. In addition to partisan bickering, the session was marked by some novel and imaginative approaches that might help transportation and/or advance other special interests. New ideas are not to be dismissed too hastily, however, as it is clear that the current system of funding transportation needs will not be able to sustain us in the future. At the same time we should not solve one problem by potentially creating another one.
 
A case in point was a proposal by two legislators to allow offshore drilling for natural gas and oil and to use the proceeds from the venture to fund transportation. The same two legislators have advocated for drilling off the Virginia shores even before the transportation angle was offered as a reason to support it. Never mind that the issue of offshore drilling must be decided by the U.S. Congress.
 
Environmentalists responded quickly to the proposal. The Sierra Club of Virginia (Virginia.SierraClub.org) offered "Twelve Reasons Why Drilling for Natural Gas is Wrong for Virginia." As the Sierra Club pointed out, approximately 72 percent of Virginia's offshore drilling zone is within the U.S. Navy's Virginia Capes Operating Area, the principal training area for air, surface, and submarine units as well as a testing area for new vessels, aircraft, and weapon systems. They also point out that four times more natural gas is available in areas already open to drilling than in the protected areas. The Sierra Club contends that the industry is using only about 18 to 20 percent of areas now open to them.
 
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters (VaLCV.com) put on a full court opposition to the bill. The League pointed out the fairly small amount of potential offshore reserves that are along the Atlantic Coast. They cited U.S. Department of Interior numbers that the Atlantic Coast reserves would supply U.S. consumption for only 200 days.
 
Although I was really hopeful of finding a source of transportation funding, this proposal had no certainty to it, would not be available until sometime in the distant future, and posed too many environmental risks. The bill passed the House, but I voted against it as did 39 other delegates. The bill was killed in a Senate committee.

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

Announcements

Lane closures on Route 7 in Tysons Corner will take place, weather permitting, from approximately 9:30 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. each night through Thursday night, July 31, on westbound Route 7 from Route 123 to the entrance to the Frontage Road, opposite Marshall's Drive, and eastbound Route 7 from Route 123 to Marshall's Drive. Lane closures will allow installation of a 12" water line as part of utility relocation in preparation for the Dulles Rail project. Motorists should stay alert for changing routes. Signs and construction barrels will be placed in the area to alert motorists to traffic pattern changes on Route 7 and the Frontage Road.
 
Fairfax County is seeking public input on how it can improve mental health services. The public can submit comments on the Josiah H. Beeman Commission's draft recommendations to improve Fairfax County's mental health care system via email between now and August 8. The draft recommendations can be viewed at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/beemancommission. Public input can be submitted by email to beemancommission@fairfaxcounty.gov or by mail to the Josiah H. Beeman Commission, 12011 Government Center Parkway, Suite 942, Fairfax, VA 22035. Commissioners will also be available to hear comments directly from the public on Friday, July 25, 1-4 p.m., at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston. 
 
The Fairfax County Office of Elections has begun mailing new voting cards to all registered voters in Fairfax County. The new cards are being distributed to give voters a chance to verify that their information is correct and make them aware of their polling location. Social Security numbers also have been removed for privacy reasons. The new cards display the unique voter identification number assigned to each voter. To correct misinformation on the new voting card or to request a card if one was not received, call the Office of Elections at 703.222.0776 TTY 771, or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/eb. This year's General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 4, and polling locations will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
 
Volunteers are needed to help Northern Virginia adults improve their English skills. The Literacy Council of Northern Virginia helps adults learn to read, write, speak and understand English through one-to-one tutoring programs and English classes. The next English literacy tutor training workshop will be held in August on 3 consecutive Saturdays, August 9, 16, and 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Contact volunteers@lenv.org or 703.237.0866 for more information.
 
Learn about "Step Up for Kids Day," an event sponsored by Every Child Matters, on September 16 in Washington, D.C. at www.everychildmatters.org. Every Child Matters is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to making the needs of children a national political priority.

Calendar of Events

The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra will take the stage as the orchestra in residence at the Shenandoah Valley Music Festival at Orkney Springs for two evenings in programs called "Gypsy Nights" with the John Horgenson Quintet on Friday, July 25 and "Dance Mix" with Argentine master Raul Jaurena on the Bandoneon on Saturday, July 26. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. both nights with concerts beginning at 8:00 p.m. Visit www.musicfest.org for ticket information and directions to Orkney Springs.

Congressman Jim Moran will host a Town Hall Meeting on Monday, July 28, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at T.C. Williams High School Auditorium, 3330 King Street, Alexandria. Discussion will focus on the economy, its impact on Northern Virginia, and what steps we need to take to strengthen it. Keynote speaker David Walker will provide his perspective on budgetary and economic issues.
 
Local real estate professionals are invited to the next "Lunch with RA" on Tuesday, July 29, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Reston Association, 1930 Isaac Newton Square. Along with lunch, giveaways, and networking, area real estate professionals will hear the latest news on the changes to the Virginia Property Owners Association Act (POAA) relating to the disclosure documents, presented by RA's General Counsel, Ken Chadwick. Question and answer time will follow. RSVP to Michelle Parlier at michellep@reston.org or 703.435.6575.
 
The Coalition for Smarter Growth will host a forum, "Growing Cooler: Smart Growth Solutions to Climate Change," on Tuesday, July 29, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the National Capital Planning Commission, 401 9th Street NW, 5th Floor, Washington, DC. Guest speaker will be Geoff Anderson of Smart Growth America. Smart growth has never been so important. In a time of rising energy prices, increasing commute times, and concern about climate change, smart growth remains a key solution to the challenges we face in the region.  For registration or more information contact jack@smartergrowth.net.

The Initiative for Public Art Reston (IPAR) invites you to join in a roundtable discussion about public art in Reston in the Jo Ann Rose Gallery at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne on Tuesday, July 29, 7:00 p.m. If you are interested in Reston's Public Art Master Plan but have not had a chance to participate in previous events, this event is for you and will give you a say in helping shape the vision, goals, and projects that will determine the future of public art in Reston.

The Fairfax County 4-H Fair is at Frying Pan Farm Park August 2-3. For more information, call 703.324.5353.

Attend the Fifth Annual Asian Festival on August 9 and 10 at Lake Newport Tennis Park, 11452 Baron Cameron Avenue. Off-site parking with free shuttle service will be available at 1930 Isaac Newton Square, Reston. Traditional foods from over 25 well-known local Asian restaurants will be available, as well as arts and crafts, live music, stage performances, Asian Idol singing contest, martial arts demonstrations, special activities for children, and much more. Visit www.AsianFestivalDC.com. 

Reston Association will thank its volunteers with a poolside cookout on Wednesday, August 13, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Glade Pool, 11550 Glade Drive, Reston. Enjoy carnival style food, music, games, great door prizes and more. RSVP by August 1 to Ha Brock at habrock@reston.org or 703.435.7986. Rain date is August 14.

Attend Pioneer Network's 8th National Conference, "A Call to Action," on Thursday, August 21, 2008. This conference will offer concurrent sessions about issues and experiences dealing with long term care. For more information about changing the culture of aging and long term care of elders in America, and to register for the National Conference, visit www.pioneernetwork.net

A Restoration Celebration will be held at Montpelier, home of James and Dolley Madison, on Constitution Day, September 17, 2008, beginning at 11:00 a.m. to observe the completion of the architectural restoration of Madison's lifelong home. Festivities will include appearances by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, Jim Lehrer of The News Hour, a "Living Flag" with 2,500 school children, the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, a special appearance by James and Dolley Madison, and more. Food vendors will be available; admission is free. Visit www.montpelier.org for more information about this and other events at Montpelier.

Authorized and Paid for by Kenneth R. Plum

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