Commentary

In my early years in the House of Delegates the small but hardy business community in Reston did not have an organized voice as other community groups had through which it could express its interests. To facilitate my work with the business community, I organized a Small Business Advisory Committee with whom I periodically had breakfast at the now Hidden Creek Country Club. Persons who met with me recognized that they had common interests beyond meeting with their state delegate. Members of my Advisory Committee organized an "ignition committee" that put together a plan for what became the Reston Board of Commerce that evolved into the very successful Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. I no longer need a business advisory committee as the Chamber policy committee makes known to me the business voice on issues.
 
I continued over the years to have periodic breakfast meetings at the Country Club with a broadened agenda and different constituents. Now I have an annual meeting where I give my State of the Commonwealth Report. The idea of the current format of the event is for me to provide information to my constituents about the current context in which public policy is made in Virginia. I talk about demographics, economic conditions, infrastructure needs, public services and political climate among other factors. Sometimes I borrow Stephen Colbert's "tip of the hat" and "wag of the finger" to praise or to admonish those in state government who merit special attention.
 
The event has also become a fundraiser for some of my legislative functions. My office account is not sufficient to pay for a periodic newsletter to constituents necessitating me to have to raise money to pay for the newsletter. I hope that it is also viewed as an opportunity to invest in good government.
 
I spend a great deal of time reading research and think tank reports. My State of the Commonwealth is made up of information from the best of these reports. Public policy can be no better than the information upon which it is based and the degree to which it reflects a careful weighing of evidence and opinion. I hope my State of the Commonwealth Report can contribute to meaningful dialogue and good decisions on critical issues facing the Commonwealth in climate change, crumbling infrastructure, and changing demographics among others.
 
To attend the June 18 State of the Commonwealth Breakfast at Hidden Creek Country Club at 8:00 a.m., go to www.kenplum.com to register. Advanced registration is required. For a written copy of the report, email kenplum@aol.com or call 703.758.9733 weekday mornings.

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

Announcements

Fan Care is a public-private partnership administered by the Virginia Department for the Aging and sponsored by Dominion that helps low-income older citizens in Virginia keep cool during summer months. Visit www.dom.com/about/community/fan_care.jsp for eligibility requirements and more information.
 
For information about ways to stay cool during the heat, and other resources, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/staycool.htm. For information on epilepsy, visit www.kristencortes.com, a website by area resident and spokesperson for the disease, Kristen Cortes, or visit www.efva.org, the Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia.
 
Toms Shoes is a company that donates one pair of shoes to someone in need for each pair it sells. Toms Shoes now sells in 200 boutiques across the country, as well as in Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, and online at www.tomsshoes.com. So far, the company has given away more than 63,000 pairs of shoes in both Argentina and South Africa.

Ready Virginia is a statewide public education effort to prepare Virginians for all hazards, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. Ready Virginia encourages Virginians to do three things to prepare for emergencies:

• Get an emergency supply kit.
• Make an emergency plan.
• Stay informed about the hazards that could impact Virginia.

The Ready Virginia Web site www.ready.virginia.gov provides details on preparing for emergencies.

Calendar of Events

Join Governor Timothy M. Kaine and supporters of rail transit in the Dulles Corridor at the Dulles Corridor Rail Association's Tenth Anniversary Celebration this evening, June 11, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Westin Hotel at Reston Heights, 11750 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston. For more information go to www.dullescorridorrail.com.

Governor Timothy M. Kaine will hold a Transportation Town Hall Meeting tonight, June 11, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Harper Parker Middle School Auditorium, 701 Potomac Station Drive NE, Leesburg, to discuss the upcoming transportation special session on June 23. Staff from the Unclaimed Property Division of the Virginia Department of Treasury will also be in attendance to help citizens check for money, stocks, bonds, dividends, utility deposits, insurance proceeds and tangible property being held by the state. The event is open to the public.

Reston Association (RA) will hold a District Roundtable tonight, June 11, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Sunset Hills Montessori School, 11180 Ridge Heights Road, hosted by South Lakes District Director Kathleen McKee. Residents may participate in an open comment forum on a wide range of topics facing the community and hear about the Association's activities and projects. Light refreshments will be served.

Make plans for a great day of golf to benefit the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra on Thursday, June 19, at the Reston National Golf Course. Check-in and registration begins at 8:00 a.m. with a Shotgun Start at 9:00 a.m. Format is a four-person scramble. Cost is $600 per foursome and includes breakfast, lunch, games, and prizes. For information about sponsorship opportunities or to sign up call the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra offices at 703.563.1990 or email amorrison@fairfaxsymphony.org.

A free regional mortgage clinic to help Virginians avoid home foreclosure will be hosted by the Virginia Foreclosure Prevention Task Force on Saturday, June 21, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Chantilly High School, 4201 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Walk-ins are welcome at the clinic; however, space for the individual counseling sessions is limited and pre-registration is strongly encouraged. To register for a clinic counseling session, visit the Virginia Foreclosure Prevention Task Force website at www.VirginiaForeclosurePrevention.com.

Attend the Rotary Senior Senior Prom on Saturday, June 21, 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. at St. Joseph's Church in Herndon. This dress-up event is for anyone who has reached 50 or better – and their families – and will feature great food and music. Call 703.437.5886 to RSVP.

Mark your calendar for a Conference on Community Collaboration in Preventing Family Violence, sponsored by the Virginia Family and Children's Trust Fund (FACT) on Wednesday, June 25, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Richmond. For more information go to www.fact.state.va.us or email fran.inge@dss.virginia.gov.

Save the date for the Virginia Sustainable Building Network's 13th Anniversary Celebration & Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 25, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., University of Richmond Jepson Center. This year's them is "One Planet Living." Download the registration form at www.vsbn.org.

Learn about services and products to green your workplace at Reston Environmental Action's (REACT) Green Workplace Fair on Thursday, June 26, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Reston Community Center at Lake Anne in the JoAnn Rose Gallery. For more information call 703.620.0151.

Enjoy the Roosevelt Island Walk on Saturday, June 28, 9:50 a.m. Meet walk leader Squire Muse at the Reston East Wiehle Park & Ride to begin a 4-5 hour adventure via bus, Metro and on foot for a walk from Rosslyn over the bridge to Roosevelt Island. Advance registration required by Wednesday, June 25. Call Reston Museum at 703.709.7700.

The 14th Annual Rucker Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on July 14 at Hidden Creek Country Club, Reston, VA. Proceeds benefit the programs of Reston Interfaith, Inc. For questions or to get involved, phone 571.323.9582 or email amy.mcdowell@restoninterfaith.org.

Authorized and Paid for by Kenneth R. Plum

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