Column: Success of Playfest in 2012
Students, staff and some community members all came together to create something meaningful and beautiful for the Playfest at T.C. Williams High School Black Box Theatre last November.
Column: Some Thoughts on Transportation
Transportation funding is going to be a big issue this General Assembly session. The Governor has taken the step of agreeing we need more revenue and tax increases to pay for transportation; but the details of his initial proposal are cause for concern.
Column: GOP Stands in the Way of Voter Issues
As the Virginia General Assembly begins its annual winter session, there are many areas of policy that require urgent attention. As we move forward, attention will be paid to transportation, education, and the way we fund our priorities in the Commonwealth, as it should be.
Medicaid Reform Could Benefit All of Us
Commentary
Medicaid reform and expansion, in front of the General Assembly this year, could in the long run provide benefits to all Virginians while also relieving pressure from human service programs run by local governments.
Letter: A Vote to Remember
I was interested to read Supervisor John Foust's column about the challenges facing Fairfax County in 2013, and especially his comments about the financial challenges the county faces [Challenges Facing Dranesville in 2013, Connection, Jan. 2-8, 2013].
Letter: Doing the Right Thing on Guns
The issue of gun control has been in the news lately, with everyone from President Obama to a British TV host voicing their opinion since the tragic shooting in Newton, Conn.
The New Year, Same as the Old Year?
Having survived almost four full years from the date of my original diagnosis/prognosis doing what I’ve done, all I should feel is: that anything is possible. I’m living proof.
Letter: All Talk No Action
I appreciate your Jan. 3-9, 2013, publication issue which contained the views and objectives of our local elected politicians.
Letter: Embracing Giving in 2013
Living in a society where little kids now own cell phones, and even iPhones, we are used to everyone saying “I want, I want, I want!” In every religion, giving thanks is not supposed to be reserved for the last Thursday in November, but rather something we do every day. In the Holy Quran it says, “And We have established you in the earth and provided for you therein the means of subsistence. How little thanks you give!” (Ch. 7 Vs. 11).
Letter: Taking Exception On Women’s Health
I read with great interest the January 3-9, 2013 edition of the Connection, because of the interviews with our various local leaders, with regards to their predictions for the “hot topics in 2013.” As a woman, I would like to let Representative Gerald Connolly know that he should fear not, because I do believe that the Virginia General Assembly has done a fine job in protecting me and all of the other women in our state.
Letter: Transportation Needs Must Be a Priority
To the Editor: The upcoming 2013 General Assembly Session once again has the opportunity to effectively address and begin the process of alleviating the transportation problems that plague Northern Virginia and other urban areas of the commonwealth. Having lived in Fairfax County since 1980, however, I have seen the yearly sessions of the General Assembly go by with a lot of talk but with few accomplishments.
Editorial: More Fodder for Comedy?
2013 session of the Virginia General Assembly will tackle serious issues.
The 2013 30-day session of the Virginia General Assembly begins on Wednesday, Jan. 9. We can only hope that the various legislative proposals do not provide as much fodder for comedy as last session. The Virginia House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia will offer live streaming video of the 2013 Legislative Sessions, and it is well worth tuning in once or twice.
Letter to the Editor: Why Celebrate George Washington's Birthday?
A great nation — a great democracy — needs heroes to set us an example — a paradigm for conduct, a coalescence of our own definition.
Column: Budget Cuts, Road Shortfalls and Uranium
Last week, I wrote about a few of the bills and budget amendments I’m going to be carrying this session. This week, I am going to write about some of the broader issues in play this session.
Letter: What Every Boy Needs for Xmas in 2012
It won’t fit under your Christmas tree, and you can’t use Amazon’s Same Day shipping service for it. No camping out on Black Friday could have helped you get this gift, and it’s not on the iTunes App Store. But over 100 million boys have received this gift already.