Commentary

"They ain't making any more land," was the slogan of a leading real estate investor who bought and sold many acres of land in our area. And, indeed, with the land we have as being the land with which we have to work, it is incumbent upon us to get the best use of that land. In many instances the best use is its conservation. Governor Timothy M. Kaine has set as a goal for his term as governor to conserve 400,000 acres of land, and he is well on his way to being successful. Through outright purchases, use of tax credits that in Virginia are some of the best in the country, easements, and private land-holding trusts, more and more land is being spared from development (www.dcr.virginia.gov).
 
Locally, the spring season reminds us of the five acres of privately held land that would be available for conserving for open public space that is Mrs. Margaret Thomas' gardens on Lawyers Road just south of Reston. Each year for the past several decades Mrs. Thomas has opened her garden of irises, peonies, and daylilies to friends, families, photographers, painters, and anyone passing by for their enjoyment. Now in her mid-eighties, Mrs. Thomas would like to see her land and gardens preserved. A loyal group of volunteers and neighbors agree. They have lobbied for the land to be a park; they are exploring the possibility of establishing a non-profit organization. To get involved with their effort, visit www.herndonirisgarden.com.
 
To save more of the landscape from suburban sprawl as the population of the region increases, it is essential to turn to smart growth concepts of land use. With mass transit coming to the area as rail in the Dulles corridor, citizen task force groups have been looking at the areas rail will serve in Tysons Corner and Reston. With transit oriented development of mixed uses of residential and commercial, around the rail stations it will be possible to create a livable and appealing urban environment in which car ownership will not be necessary. When Jane and I attended the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival at Reston Town Center recently we were once again reminded of the very attractive place that it is.
 
With no more land being made as our realtor friend reminds us, we need to do a better job of preserving some that is left and getting the best use of that we choose to occupy.

State of the Commonwealth 2008

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 28 at 10:30 p.m. – Walter Alcorn, Alcorn Consulting – "A New Age in Recycling"
 
Tuesday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, June 4 at 10:30 p.m. – David Adsit and Kelly Crowder, Oxford House – "Opportunity for a New Life"

Announcements

The 2008 Food Festivals Guide for Virginia is available online at www.vdacs.virginia.gov/news/festival/shtml. See a monthly listing of food festivals, feasts, and local produce.

Virginians can find motor vehicle crash information at www.vacodes.org. The website has local and statewide reports on crashes from 2001-2006 including the severity of crash injuries, hospital charges, and death rates. All information is available to the public to support education, transportation safety programs, and legislation within Virginia.

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.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be at the 2008 Herndon Festival Business Expo May 31 and June 1 in the Business Expo section of the Festival to answer questions about immediate job opportunities at the airport and accept applications.

Calendar of Events

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.

Delegate Ken Plum and Senator Janet Howell will report on the 2008 Virginia General Assembly session to Reston members of the League of Women Voters and guests on Monday, June 2, 7:00 p.m. at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne, Room C. A variety of topics of interest will be discussed, including transportation funding. This event is free and open to the public. Call 703.471.6364 for more information.

Reston Association (RA) will host a series of District Roundtables in June. Residents may participate in an open comment forum on a wide range of topics facing the community and to hear about the Association's activities and projects. Each meeting will be hosted by the District representative from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. with light refreshments served.

• Tuesday, June 3 – Lake Anne/Tall Oaks District Roudntable at Lake Anne Elementary School, 11510 North Shore Drive, hosted by RA President and Lake Anne/Tall Oaks Director, Robin Smyers
• Wednesday, June 4 – North Point District Roundtable at Buzz Aldrin Elementary School, 11375 Center Harbor Road, hosted by North Point District Director Frank Lynch
• Thursday, June 5 – Hunters Woods/Dogwood District Roundtable at Southgate Community Center, 12125 Pinecrest Road, hosted by Hunters Woods/Dogwood District Director Cheryl Beamer
• Wednesday, June 11 – South Lakes District Roundtable at Terraset Elementary School, 11411 Ridge Heights Road, hosted by South Lakes District Director Kathleen McKee.

Members are welcome to attend any or all of the Roundtables. For more information email karen@reston.org or call 703.435.6514.

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. Seewww.wetlandstudies.com for details. Primarily intended for working professionals in the Planning and Zoning, Community Development, Landscape Architecture and Landscape Design fields and others involved with land-use issues or landscaping practices. 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.

Attend a panel discusson on "Virginia Tech: The Aftermath" on Tuesday, June 10, 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 11900 Lawyers Road, Reston. The panel will discuss helping victims of crime, particularly family members of homicide, support services, legislation and other efforts to address the issues that contributed to the tragedy on April 16. Contact LuAnn Maciulla McNabb at contactus@angelfundva.org for more information.

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.

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.

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