Gov. McDonnell, Senate Dems go toe-to-toe over redistricting

Contributors

Gov. Bob McDonnell on Friday vetoed the redistricting plans approved by the Virginia General Assembly, citing issues with the plan passed by the Democratic-majority Senate. Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw vowed that Senate Democrats will not back down. “The only thing Governor will accept is absolute surrender on the part of the Democrats of the…

Ken Plum: A crazy quilt

Ken Plum

I was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1977 as part of the five member delegation representing the northern half of Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church. A similar five-person delegation represented the southern half of Fairfax County. These several members at-large districts came about as Virginia was forced…

Ken Plum: New legislative districts

Ken Plum

By the time you read this column, you will have had an opportunity to see the proposed district boundaries for the House of Delegates, State Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives. I write this column amidst much concern, angst, and fear among incumbents and potential candidates as rumors have been circulating about what the districts…

Bowles earns first-team All-CAA honors

James Madison senior forward Denzel Bowles (Virginia Beach, Va./Kempsville) claimed first-team All-CAA honors as the Colonial Athletic Association held its annual awards banquet on Thursday night on the eve of the 2011 CAA Men’s Basketball Championship. Bowles, who was second-team All-CAA a year ago, became the first JMU player to claim first-team All-CAA honors since…

Ken Plum: Casting a red light

Ken Plum

Virginia was one of the first states to use an electric voting machine as a way for legislators to cast their votes without the need to call the name of all 100 delegates and 40 senators and having them “voice vote.” Beginning in 1964 Virginia installed an electric voting board with member names and red…