When asked about his new job as deputy commissioner for aging services in Virginia, longtime Del. Bob Brink (D-48) says he has a personal interest in the topic — one that's becoming more pressing every day.
"As Baby Boomers, of whom I'm one, get elderly, the kind of services that are offered and the kind of opportunities that people have to stay independent and live autonomously have to increase," said Brink, 67. "One of the biggest issues I want to focus on is transportation, making sure that people can get to the services that are available to them."
Brink leaves a House of Delegates that he says is starkly different from the one he entered as a freshman member almost 20 years ago. Brink was first elected in 1997, when three-term incumbent Judy Connally announced that she was retiring. In the Democratic primary for the open seat, Brink faced community volunteer David Roberts, who raised more than twice as much money. But Connally's endorsement of Brink helped him win the primary, and he easily beat back Republican John Massoud and Reform Party candidate Dick Smith in the general election.
“Delegate Brink has been a terrific member of the House and a strong defender of Democratic values," said Democratic Leader David Toscano in a written statement. "His knowledge on budgetary issues will be sorely missed from the House floor."
BRINK SAID one of his proudest achievements was his work on a program that provides health coverage to children of the working poor. One of his bills that became a law, for example, allows free clinics to get liability insurance through the state's risk-management plan. He also introduced unsuccessful attempts to regulate the use of automatic dialing devices to send recorded messages, raise taxes on cigarettes and lift the ban on campaign apparel at polling places.
"Delegate Brink is a close friend and colleague," said Caucus Chair Mark Sickles. "He has served his country, the commonwealth and his district with distinction, and I wish him the best of luck as he enters this next phase of public service."
Brink served as a member of the House Appropriations Committee and its Health Subcommittee, a position that gave him an opportunity to advocate for health care services to Virginia's most vulnerable citizens. As the ranking Democrat on the House Privileges and Elections Committee, he advocated for reform of the redistricting process and expansion of access to voting rights.
"When I got down to Richmond, the General Assembly was still dominated by rural interests," said Brink. "But as Virginia has changed, the legislature has changed as well and so the voices of Northern Virginia are heard much more strongly now."
THE VIRGINIA Division for the Aging, where Brink will begin working this month, is located in the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services. The division works with 25 area agencies on aging as well as various other public and private organizations to help older Virginians and their families find services. It also oversees all state programs using funds provided b the Older American Act. Brink says one of his first responsibilities will be familiarizing himself with the organizational structure, a complicated web of state institutions.
"I have been so very lucky to call him my advisor, my colleague and my friend," said former Lt. Gov. Don Beyer, who is now running for Congress. "I truly cannot think of a better person to take the helm at DARS."