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Politicians speaking at outdoor events on a pretty day invariably and jokingly take credit for the weather. But no one has stepped up to take credit for the weather lately. Records are being broken; new highs are being set.

Leave It to the Churches

Commentary

Aug. 18 is the annual “Works Sunday,” when the faith communities of Reston and Herndon join together to “make a difference for good.”

Reform the Reforms

Reform would re-direct education expectations to ensure that every child was a successful learner.

Not unlike a raw material fed into one end of the school factory, the children are expected to come out the other end as a defined product. Teachers are the assembly-line workers with strict product specifications their students are expected to meet with the teacher’s rate of pay increasingly dependent upon the students’ performance.

Commentary: Picking Candidates

While primary elections are considered to be the most democratic way to select candidates, these elections suffer from little public notice or awareness, low voter turnout and the use of scarce resources that will not be available for the general election.

Now What?

Results of the election are not known to me as I write this column, but polling suggests that there will be a shift towards the middle of the political spectrum in the Old Dominion this year.

Column: Unmet Needs Can Lead to Tragedy

The recent tragic stabbing of State Senator Creigh Deeds by his son who then took his own life brings to attention the importance of the mental health system and its very fragile condition in Virginia.

Column: Virginia’s Mixed Holiday Blessings

Column: Virginians are living through this holiday season with mixed blessings.

Uncertain Future for School Reform

For more than a quarter century the Virginia School Boards Association has been sponsoring a summer program, the "Governor’s Conference on Education." Traditionally the governor has made an appearance as luncheon speaker, but the main program has been a series of small group presentations by teachers, administrators and others of successful practices they have used in their classrooms, schools, or public school systems.

Commentary: Silver Line Access

Construction on the Silver Line, the extension of Metrorail in the Dulles corridor, will be completed for its first phase to Wiehle Avenue by August 2013. After extensive testing by its operator, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), the line will start carrying passengers by December 2013. Reston riders will be able to go to Tysons, Arlington, downtown, or as far as Largo, Md.—without getting out of their seats. As exciting as the prospects are for mass transit into and out of our community, there is an understandable level of apprehension and concern about access to the rail line and its impact on the community.

The Connection

All results / Stories / Kenneth R. “Ken” Plum, State Delegate (D-36)

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Opinion: Commentary: The Biggest Lesson One May Ever Learn

Opinion: Commentary: Community Helping the Hungry

Opinion: Commentary: No Good Choices

Commentary: General Assembly Off to Lumbering Start

Opinion: Commentary: Renewing My Job Application

Opinion: Commentary: The Speaker of the House

Opinion: Commentary: Threats to Our Government as We Know It

Opinion: Commentary: A Crowded Field

Opinion: Commentary: Bold and Swift Changes for Our Environment

Opinion: Commentary: Evolution of Women’s Rights

Opinion: Commentary: Elections Are Annual Events in Virginia

Column: The Weather is Changing