Kenneth R. Plum* (D)

Office Sought: Va. House of Delegates District 36
Age: 68
Residence: Reston.
Education: BA, history, political science, Old Dominion University; MEd, social studies, University of Virginia.
Occupation: Retired schoolteacher/administrator, Fairfax County Public Schools.
Web site:http://www.kenplum.com
E-mail address: kenplum@aol.com
Offices and positions held: Member, Virginia House of Delegates, 1978-80, 1982-present; founding chairman, Dulles Corridor Rail Assn.; board and past chairman, Celebrating Special Children; board, Va. Literacy Foundation; Fairfax County Arts Council Board; member, League of Conservation Voters; past chairman, Democratic Party of Virginia; member, Assn. for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities; Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Board; Virginia Frontier Culture Museum Board.

Why should voters elect you?

I bring an experienced, level-headed, reasonable and bipartisan approach to meeting our challenges without adherence to ideology or resorting to hypocrisy.

What do you think is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?

Maintaining the quality of life of the area is the most urgent problem that must be met through adequate funding of our public education system, pre-K through colleges and universities; balancing our transportation system with emphasis on alternatives including rail to Dulles, teleworking and pedestrian safety; expanding mental health services; protecting our environment; maintaining safe neighborhoods; and guarding our civil rights.

What is your plan to address the traffic problems in Virginia?

The most important transportation project for my district is the extension of Metrorail to Dulles Airport. I organized and chair the Dulles Corridor Rail Association to make it happen. I support incentives for teleworking, use of HOV's and mass transit, and smart growth planning to get people to live closer to where they work. Capacity of local roads must be enhanced through traffic light optimization, intersection improvements, and repairing of highway surfaces. A funding mechanism must be put into place to meet transportation needs without resorting to gimmicks to try to raise needed funds. Private-public partnerships must be encouraged.

Do you think current policies governing growth & development in your area are too restrictive, not restrictive enough or just right?

not restrictive enough

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