I wanted to thank those people who came to the Town Hall meeting in Sterling to learn more about gangs and gang violence.  The meeting was well received and I hope that everyone who attended found the meeting beneficial.  For those who weren't able to attend, please feel free to email me and I will be happy to send you the summary of some of the important issues and concerns that were discussed.  Here are some statistics from the meeting:
 
Average concern about Gang Violence:   8.8 (on a scale of 1 to 10)
Average effectiveness of the government's response at all levels:  6.7 (on a scale of 1 to 10)
Percentage that have been or know victims of gang violence:         23.6%
Percentage who found the Town Hall Meeting useful: 83.3%
Percentage who would attend another Meeting:    94.4%
 
Effective July 1st, several new laws took effect that I thought may be of interest to you:
Text Messaging:  This new law prohibits drivers from text messaging (reading and sending) as well as emailing, with exceptions made for emergency personnel, people reporting emergencies, and people sitting in parked cars.  
What to Wear on Election Day:  Voters are now allowed to wear clothing bearing a candidate's name or campaign slogan on their way to the ballot box and first responders are now allowed to vote by absentee ballot.
No School =No Driver's License:  Judges will now be able to suspend the driver's license of any minor who has 10 or more consecutive unexcused absences from public school.
Graffiti be Gone:  Property owners can now be charged for the cost of removing graffiti that appear on buildings, walls, fences, etc.  If the owner doesn't pay, a lien can be applied to the property.
No Nooses:  The hanging of a noose with the intent to intimidate in a public place or on another person's property is now illegal.
Drunk Driving:  Those drivers who are convicted of DUI twice within 10 years will be mandated to use an interlock device.  Failure to use this device if required to do so, will result in increased penalties.
Effective December 1st, a new law will make it illegal to smoke in most bars and restaurants in Virginia unless it has a separately ventilated and walled-off room for non-smokers.  This law does not, however, require owners of private organizations, such as a VFW post, to ban smoking.
 
Deers = Deer Ticks
 
As you are well aware, deer are prevalent in Northern Virginia and I have found them on numerous occassions in my back yard.  But with deer, come deer ticks - and with deer ticks come the possibility of lyme disease.  Loudoun County has recorded half of all Lyme disease cases in Virginia.  Anyone can contract Lyme disease, even if you're not hiking onn the Appalachian trail. Always be diligent to check for ticks after outdoor activities to prevent infection.  Most patients with Lyme disease develop a bull's eye rash.  If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.  If you would like to find out more about deer ticks and lyme disease, you can visit the Virginia Department of Health's website, the Fairfax County Health Department website, and the Loudoun County Health Department website.  On July 25 and 28, the Rust Library in Loudoun County will be presenting two different programs on Lyme Disease.   
 
On Wednesday, August 5th, the State Corporation Commission will hold a hearing at the Loudoun Valley High School auditorium (340 North Maple Avenue) on the proposal to build a 765-KV Electric Transmission Line (also known as the Potomac-Apalachian Transmission Highline or PATH).   The hearing will begin at 2 pm and then reconvene at 7 pm.  It will continue on Thursday, August 6 at 10 am.   
 
Congressman Frank Wolf will offer an amendment this morning to the Transportation Appropriations Act to suspend the federal law prohibiting Virginia from contracting with private vendors to operate restaurants or service stations at Interstate rest stops as is currently allowed in other states.  Please contact Congressman Wolf's office to let him know your thoughts on this issue.
 
This past week I was honored to receive the Lifetime Achievement in Public Service award from the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce. Also during the past weeks, I have attended the Fourth of July celebrations at the Sterling Park Golf Swim and Tennis Club and the Town of Herndon; spoke to the Sterling Rotary Club; awarded medals at the Herndon Olympics; attended the opening of the Inova Clinic 4 Children; and attended meetings with the NVTC and Science and Technology committee, as well as with several constituents.  
 
Please continue to share your views with me on matters of interest to you.
 
Warm regards,