In This Issue
New Laws
Virginia ranked Number 1!
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New Transporation Study of VA Secondary Roads
As I visit neighborhoods in the 86th district, one of the main concerns I hear about and see firsthand is the poor condition of our secondary roads. Upon receiving a specific complaint from a resident, I contact the Virginia Department of Transportation to ask for assistance in addressing the problem. Unfortunately, many times the complaint is not able to be acted on because it does not pose a safety risk and because of limited funding. A new study, authored by a professor at George Mason University’s School of Public Policy, was released which identifies ten findings related to Virginia’s secondary roads program as well as several policy options. I have read the report and will offer my thoughts and suggestions to the Secretary of Transportation. If you would like to read the report and offer me your thoughts, please visit http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1865957.
Herndon Police offer Vacation House Checks
The Herndon Police Citizens Support Team is assisting the Herndon Police Department by offering Town residents courtesy house checks while residents are away on vacation. To request the service, town residents need to complete and submit an “On Vacation Courtesy House Check” application at least 14 days prior to their vacation. Once the request has been approved, the support team will make periodic checks on the home for up to two weeks. You can visit www.herndon-va.gov or contact the police at 703-787-7627 for an application or for more information.
Deployed Military Absente Ballots
In an effort to ensure that our deployed servicemen and women are able to participate in the election process, the State Board of Elections has contacted the Virginia National Guard, the Department of Defense’s Federal Voting Assistance Program, and the Department of Veterans Services asking them to help inform Virginia resident’s serving abroad about the Primary Election, how to register to vote, and apply for and cast an absentee ballot. The Fairfax County registrar mailed 400 ballots for the primary election as requested by eligible voters oversees. Our deployed men and women will benefit from these actions and help us make Virginia the most veteran friendly state in the nation.
North-South Corridor Designated
The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) recently designated a new Northern Virginia North-South Corridor of Statewide Significance. This corridor will connect Route 7 in Loudoun County with I-95 and Route 1 in Prince William County. This is possible as a result of a bill (HB2019, 2009) which I introduced and became law; it allows the CTB to establish transportation corridors in connection with the establishment of the Statewide Transportation Plan. This is the first step in a lengthy process to improve major transportation assets in Virginia.
During the past several weeks, I have been busy as your delegate attending the Joint Committee on Technology and Science, the Lyme Disease Task Force meeting, the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce luncheon, the Herndon Olympics, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission meeting, the Sterling Boulevard Clean-up, marshaling at Friday Night LIVE!, taking a tour of Echo (which serves intellectually and disabled residents), and speaking at a Civil War Trails Marker unveiling and garden groundbreaking at NVCC Loudoun Campus.
As always, my staff and I are always available to assist you, so please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached by phone at 703-437-9400, by mail at 730 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170, or by email at DelTRust@house.virginia.gov.
Thank you again for allowing me to serve as your Delegate – it is truly an honor.
Warm regards,
Thomas Davis Rust
Delegate, 86th District
