Commentary

Perhaps there has never been another occasion in the history of the Commonwealth when the Governor and seven former governors came together for a celebration such as that held recently to honor Senator John Warner on his soon-to-be retirement. The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia organized the event at the Ritz- Carlton at Pentagon City, and there will likely be many more such events before Senator Warner completes his term. Whether other organizations will be able to attract such a star-packed audience remains to be seen.

All the living governors of Virginia were there: His Excellency, Governor Timothy M. Kaine, and former governors Lynwood Holton, Charles S. Robb, Gerald L. Baliles, L. Douglas Wilder, George Allen, Jim Gilmore, and Mark Warner. Fortunately, only four spoke: Governor Holton who was a student at Washington and Lee University at the same time as John Warner, former Governor/Senator Chuck Robb, former Governor Gerald Baliles, and current Governor Tim Kaine. Three Democrats and a Republican honored the retiring Senator with much deserved effusive praise. It was truly a collegial evening reflecting the bipartisan nature of Senator Warner's service. Clearly Mr. Republican in his early days as he sought along with Lynwood Holton to make Virginia a two-party state, Senator Warner in more recent years has been willing to break with his party on the national and state levels on matters of public policy. There had been talk before his most recent election that he might be challenged from within his own party for renomination, but such a futile effort never happened. For moderate Republicans like Senator Warner and former Governor Holton, the Republican Party left them rather than they having left the party.

As Chuck Robb mentioned, both his career and that of Senator Warner were helped by the women they married – Chuck Robb to Lynda Bird Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon Johnson, and Senator Warner at the time of his first election to Elizabeth Taylor. Both former Governor Baliles and Governor Kaine talked about the esteem with which Senator Warner was held because of his independent nature and his willingness to solve problems without regard to partisanship. One of the most helpful members of the Congressional delegation in moving Dulles Rail through the federal process was Senator Warner.

The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership (www.sorenseninstitute.org) is about training future leaders for the Commonwealth. It is entirely appropriate that the Institute honor a Virginia statesman who can serve as a model for others to emulate.

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, May 14 at 10:30 p.m. – Senator Janet Howell – "A Discussion About the 2008 General Assembly's Actions – What Passed, What Failed"
 
Tuesday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, May 21 at 10:30 p.m. – Walter Alcorn, Alcorn Consulting – "A New Age in Recycling"

Announcements

Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced the creation of his own YouTube channel on the popular online video sharing site that allows people to watch and share originally created videos. The channel, www.youtube.com/vagovernor, features video clips of public service announcements, speeches and public forums with the Governor. Governor Kaine's channel is part of the Virginia government community of channels.

Congratulations to Fairfax County Hunter Mill District Supervisor Catherine M. Hudgins who was presented the 2008 Outstanding Phenomenal Women's Alliance Award in Public and Community Service on April 26 by the Phenomenal Women's Alliance (PWA). Hudgins is currently serving her third term on the Board of Supervisors. As a member of the board, she is the chairman of the Human Services and the Housing and Community Development communities, vice chairman of the Transportation and Information Technology committees, and a member of the Economic Development Committee. The PWA, a new and rapidly growing organization with an eye on the growing need for women to enhance their leadership and networking abilities, is a national leader providing women the tools, resources and support to succeed.

May 25 through May 31 Virginia will hold its first Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. During the weeklong event, certain purchases will be exempt from the 5 percent state and local retail sales tax. Sales tax will not be charged on generators costing $1000 or less, or on 22 other products selling for $60 or less each. Information on the hurricane-preparedness holiday for both consumers and retailers is available on the Department of Taxation's website at tax.virginia.gov.

Congratulations to Patricia Williams for being named the 43rd Herndon Citizen of the Year. A Recognition Dinner sponsored by the Herndon Rotary Club honoring Ms. Williams will be held on May 21. 

Calendar of Events

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has announced that proposed secondary street acceptance requirements are available for public comment. The requirements ensure that streets accepted into the state system for perpetual public maintenance provide long-term public benefit. The regulations and additional information can be found at www.VirginiaDOT.org/projects/ssar. There will be a public hearing on the regulations on May 14, 5:30 p.m. at the Northern Virginia Community College, Ernst Cultural Center forum Area, 8333 Little River Turnpike, annandale, VA 22003.

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is developing a 10-year comprehensive Transit Development Plan (TDP) for Fairfax Connector and Metrobus service in the county and wishes to receive public comments about this plan at a public meeting scheduled for tonight, May 14, 6:30 p.m., at the Northern County Government Center in Reston. For more information or to submit comments about the Transit Development Plan, visit the Fairfax County website at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot.tdp.htm or call 703.324.1500 to record your comments.

The Fairfax League of Women Voters members and guests will be discussing the restoration of the voting rights of ex-felons at their meeting tonight, May 14 at the Reston Museum at Lake Anne at 7:30 p.m. Free; no registration is required; all are welcome. Call Wendy at 703.319.4114 or go to www.lwv-fairfax.org for more information about the topic and other meeting locations.

Join hundreds of bicycle commuters to celebrate Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 16, 6:30 to 9:00 a.m. at the Reston Town Center. Each year since 2002, cyclists have gathered at the Town Center for a free breakfast, raffles of bike-related prizes, and bicycling information handouts including the new Fairfax County Bike Map to be unveiled on Bike to Work Day. Pre-registered riders also get a free t-shirt. Delegate Ken Plum and Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins will greet the riders at 8:00 a.m. Register at www.waba.orga.

The Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival sponsored by GRACE is May 17-18. More information is at www.restonarts.org.

Make an appointment at Reflections of You - Fairfax Salon and Spa for May 18 for a "Cut-a-thon" to raise money to assist the family of one of the stylists, Tisa Robbins, who lost their Navajo reservation home to fire. Visit www.ROYSalon.com or call 703.591.5306.

The Virginia Commission on Immigration will hold a public hearing on Thursday, May 22, 1:00 p.m. in the Johnson Center Cinema on the campus of George Mason University. The public is encouraged to focus their input on immigration issues affecting Northern Virginia. Written comments can also be submitted in advance for Commission review prior to the meeting via email at immigration.commission@governor.virginia.gov. The Virginia Commission on Immigration is charged with studying, reporting and making recommendations to address the costs and benefits of immigration on the Commonwealth related to education, health care, law enforcement, local demands for services, the economy, and the effects of federal immigration and funding policies.

Attend the Hunter Mill District Pedestrian & Bicycling Summit on Wednesday, May 28, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the North County Governmental Center, 12000 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston. The Summit is an opportunity to hear progress reports on major bicycling and walking improvements along with presentations about walking and bicycling in Reston. You can also provide your feedback and meet those who are working for a more walkable and bicycle-friendly Hunter Mill District. More information call 703.435.6530.

The Opening Ceremony for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Reston will be held on Saturday, May 31, 1:00 p.m. at the athletic field behind South Lakes High School. The Relay will go all day, all evening, and through the night, ending the next morning. Come join the fun! Delegate Ken Plum's "Top of the Town" team always welcomes new members or visitors. This is a great way to make new friends while raising money for cancer research. Come visit the "Top of the Town" tent to say hello on May 31.

The Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries will hold a Conservation Landscaping Workshop & Charlette, "Techniques for Urban Design," on Thursday, June 5, 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at wetland Studies and Solutions, Gainesville, VA (www.wetlandstudies.com). This workshop is primarily intended for Northern Virginia professionals working in the Planning and Zoning, Community Development, Landscape Architecture and Landscape Design fields. Others involved with land-use issues or landscaping practices may also participate, such as directors and specialists from Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Park Authorities. Learn up-to-date information about land conservation methods that protect, improve, or minimize adverse impacts to wildlife habitat and water quality. Participants will be eligible for CEU's. Each participant will receive a set of materials containing fact sheets, plant lists and in-depth background information as well as a "Low-Impact Development Tutorial" CD, a "Rain Gardens Technical Guide" CD and the Reining in the Storm" DVD. Call 804.367.6989 or email Carol.Heiser@dgif.virginia.gov for details about registration.

Governor Timothy M. Kaine will hold a Transportation Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, 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.

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.

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