Archive for August, 2010
Can you please help out with one of these important events coming up in September?
Community Cookout in the Berg, Thursday, Sept. 16, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Join us as we bring together friends and neighbors from the Berg and the surrounding neighborhoods to enjoy food and fellowship while we also register voters, distribute important information about services in the community, and spread the word about the upcoming election. (Location: The courtyard at Tancil Ct, off of N Fairfax St between Princess St and Oronoco St in Old Town.)
We need your help to make this event a success: 1) Canvass the area a day or two before the event to spread the word; 2) Help us organize and run the event; 3) Be there on Sept. 16! Contact us at 703-549-3203 or info@davidenglin.org to let us know how you can help.
Volunteer Night, Thursday, Sept. 23, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
With the fall election season in full swing, it’s time to kick things up a notch! We’ll be preparing mailings to constituents, reaching out to voters door-to-door with Organizing for America (bring your walking shoes!) and making phone calls to help re-elect Rep. Tom Perriello (bring your cell phones with unused minutes!) As always, we’ll fuel the evening with pizza and beverages, and it all takes place at our home (a.k.a. “Campaign Central”) at 1505 Wayne Street, Alexandria (map).
Contact us at info@davidenglin.org or 703-549-3203 to let us know when and how you can help. Thank you for your continued energy and support!
Once again, an overflow crowd of Team Englin grassroots volunteers from every corner of the 45th District — and some from beyond the 45th District! — turned out yesterday evening to reach out to new voters and supporters. The crowd included Team Englin regulars as well as several first-time volunteers.
“Thank you so very much for all of your hard work — I remain deeply honored and humbled that you are willing to give so much energy to our cause,” said David, expressing his appreciation for the volunteers. “Our goal from the very beginning has been to build a grassroots operation that continually engages folks and empowers regular people to get involved and make change. That’s why it’s especially exciting to see that, after more than five years at this, we’re still bringing in so many first-time volunteers.”
Join us for the next Team Englin Volunteer Night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, September 23. RSVP to info@davidenglin.org or 703-549-3203.
Alexandria – Delegate David Englin (D-45) today issued the following statement in response to Gov. Bob McDonnell’s announcement that Virginia ended the fiscal year with a “surplus” of $404 million:
Governor McDonnell today repeated the claim that Virginia suddenly has a surplus, but that is simply false. Webster’s defines “surplus” as “the amount that remains when use or need is satisfied.” Given that the General Assembly just cut an additional $4 billion in state services, one could hardly call this year’s $404 million account balance “the amount that remains when use or need is satisfied.” If anything, it is an “unappropriated balance” waiting to satisfy unmet needs. The fact that Governor McDonnell (correctly, in my view) intends to spend this money on dire unmet budget needs is proof enough of that point.
Beyond that, it’s important to note that this unappropriated balance is largely the result irresponsible choices and budget gimmickry. Virginia required retailers — many of whom are struggling small businesses — to estimate their July sales tax receipts and pay them early, shifting that revenue from one fiscal year to another. The taxes these businesses were forced to pay early caused more than half of the current unappropriated balance and leaves a hole that same size in the next year’s revenue. Additionally, in the budget that just passed, the General Assembly effectively took a “payday loan” from the state pension trust fund by borrowing $600 million from the fund, despite the fact that the Pew Center for the States in February downgraded Virginia for underfunding our pension trust fund’s ability to meet known obligations.
Instead of trying to score political points by claiming a surplus that isn’t, leaders of both parties ought to level with citizens who see for themselves the decline in services and quality of life. A balanced budget and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars requires money in to equal money out, without gimmicks that cook the books and risk our future finances.
Continue reading ‘Englin statement on Virginia’s false budget “surplus”’
Can you please join us Tuesday, August 24, from 6-9 p.m., for Volunteer Night? We need your help preparing mailings to constituents and supporters so we can continue empowering people to get involved and make change. As always, we’ll fuel the evening with pizza and beverages, and it all takes place at David and Shayna’s home (a.k.a. “Campaign Central”) at 1505 Wayne Street, Alexandria (map).
Contact us at info@davidenglin.org or 703-549-3203 to let us know you’ll be there on August 24. Thank you for your help!
Here are some important resources to assist residents and businesses as our community recovers from today’s severe storms:
- Life-Threatening Emergencies: Report a life-threatening police, fire, or medical emergency by calling 911. Please do not call 911 to report power outages, downed power lines without injuries, or downed trees without injuries.
- Power Outages and Downed Power Lines: Report power outages and downed power lines to Dominion Virginia Power, at 866.DOM.HELP (866.366.4357).
- Gas Leaks or Outages: If you smell gas, evacuate the area and call 911. If you have no gas service, call Washington Gas at 703.750.1000.
- Water Leaks or Outages: Report water leaks or outages to Virginia American Water, at 800.452.6863.
- Downed Trees and Branches: Report downed trees and branches as follows: City of Alexandria call the City’s storm hotline, at 703.746.HELP (703.746.4357); Arlington County call 703.558.2222; Fairfax County call VDOT at 1-888-383-8368. Please note that the City/County cannot clear downed trees that involve downed power lines until Dominion Virginia Power clears the lines.
- Cable Television Outages: Report cable television outages to Comcast at 800.266.2278.
If you use a portable generator or stove, keep it in a well-ventilated area. Use flashlights instead of candles when possible, and never leave a candle burning unattended, or while sleeping. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible, and discard any refrigerated or frozen food that has been at more than 41 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours.
For more storm related information and information on cancellations and closings, visit one of the following links: City of Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County.
