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What's Up With That?
Who is behind those hand-lettered signs? And which Ken is the writer against?
In the last several weeks, hand-lettered signs have popped up on and near Reston Parkway saying such things as "Ken's Against Reston" and Ken = High Tols (sic)."
Who - or what group - is behind the signs? And who is Ken?
The signs are a project of Restonian Rod Koozmin, a 2010 Reston Association board candidate and 2011 Reston Community Center Board of Governors candidate.
Koozmin also recently created the Reston Citzens Community Center.
Koozmin says he is against longtime Virginia Del. Ken Plum (D-Reston), the founder of the Dulles Corridor Rail Association, because of his involvement in the effort for rail to Dulles, as well as Plum's stance during a grassroots efforts to gain town status for Reston more than five years ago.
"The citizens are fed up with Plum," Koozmin said in an email. The [expletive] took the town charter away so Reston would never have a voice in its governance. Now, the rise in tolls.
Koozmin is trying to organize a rally against Plum for Feb. 18, while Plum is holding a community meeting at Reston Community Center at Lake Anne.
"I'm sure those folks are highly informed and motivated to protest the yoke of Ken Plum, as will the Reston Citizens Association, who remember the treatment of the town effort by Mr. Plum and the 4,700 who signed the petition, not to mention the many citizens who are hurting from the toll rise perpetuated by Mr Plum," Koozmin said.
While the placement of the signs may be subject to state penalties, Plum says Koozmin, under the rules of free speech, has the right make the signs.
"I recognize that in public office people will criticize you," says Plum. "But there is probably a more appropriate forum than roadside signs."
Gary R.
1:35 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
I'd probably take the guy more seriously if he'd manage to correctly spell a 5-letter word.
Rod's Sharpening Service
9:55 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012
Gary Ryan I think it is unkind and somewhat moronic to to base your entire criticism of me on the basis of my misspellings. Most people who misspell suffer from dyslexia. It is something that they must cope with as they go through life. I didn't go to college probably because of my dyslexia and as a result had menial jobs. Now you would probably say that I deserved to have menial jobs because I spell poorly as a fitting punishment. If you only base your opinions on how well a person spells, which seems to be what you are saying you may be subject to some very moronic views of the world. Are you the kind of guy who likes to get in a kick at people when they are under attack and just likes to chime in idoitic comments. I doupt you would say that to my face.
Rod's Sharpening Service
1:58 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
There seems to be some sort of orange under the signs, like the orange signs the Democrats put up attacking the Governor, but it was not the good Governor who caused the tolls to go up but Ken Plum who for many years was on the committee and orchestrated this mess. Ken wants the tolls to go up so thay you will have to ride the subway.
Colin Mills
2:00 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
I'd just like to state for the record that the RCA is not in any way connected with these signs, nor do we endorse them. (I mention this only because Rod mentions RCA in his comments.)
Uncle Smartypants
2:07 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
I think it's aimed at Malibu Ken from the Barbie line of unrealistic-body-image plastic dolls.
Rod's Sharpening Service
2:10 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
We Republicans (I am a progressive Republican=Ron Paul is progress) do not control the media like Democrats(I have been refused a blog on Reston Patch, Karen are youa Democrat?) but try and get a word in now and then.
Karen Goff
2:22 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Rod - you are welcome to comment here, but please keep your comments on track and in line with our terms of service or I will have to shut the comments down again. Please, let's not use this as a forum about why I will not give you a blog.
Wildcat Mack
2:57 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Yes by all means, give Mr Koozmin a blog. Such an articulate, thoughtful, and sensible citizen.
Kim Kolb
4:40 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Last I checked you could set up a blog for free on any number of websites. Then you'll just need to promote it, handmade signs seem like a nice start.
Rod's Sharpening Service
3:42 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
When I was on RCA (and made Citizen of the year) Ken wrote alll of us saying that he would instead of honering the 4700 citizens of Reston that signed the petition consult with various boards around Reston to see how they felt. Did you get that? Ken feels a RCC board member who might of goten elected with 200 votes by being endorsed by one of the four preemenent groups there. To Ken that was more signifient. In other words he dose not believe in Democracy for Reston but instead his world. Now he wants to stuff us into Subway cars. He wants to make it so expensive that we have to. The damn Democrats were acusing the goveernor of the rise in tols on there orange signs. But really it was Ken Plum who sat on the comission and orcastrated all of this so he can get you onto subways.
Laurie Dodd
6:51 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Having the chance to read a few lines of Mr. Koozmin's writing lets me know how little I have missed on the many occasions when his comments have been deleted.
Rod's Sharpening Service
3:45 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
So much dose he want to deny Democracy that he removed the town charter with legislation that he introduced into the legislature from Wheelie a historic town in Reston that could of given town status to Reston and given us some say in our governance. He hates democracuy in Reston and I hate him!
Rod's Sharpening Service
3:57 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The Ron Paul revolution is at stake here in Virginia. We need a victory period! And the great commonwealth has the opportunity to deliver a decisive, game changing win for Doctor Paul. We need to show the country and the other candidates that we can beat and dominate Governor Romney one on one. We need to show the country that Ron Paul is not only electable, but can win the GOP nomination and beat president Obama. Ron Paul is a once in a life time candidate. When he is elected, he will not only restore America's prosperity but he has a chance to change the world.
Rod's Sharpening Service
4:20 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NYlz4RUpwCE
Rod's Sharpening Service
4:35 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Ron Paul 2nd Place speech in Golden Valley, MN - CNN - February 7, 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYlz4RUpwCE
andi f.
8:18 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
I by no means always spell correctly or use proper grammar. However, when addressing public forum where my credibility will be challenged, the last thing I would ever do to validate my point would be to leave my statement full of flawed language. I am sad to say I did not understand much of what's stated above due to such a large amount of phonetical errors.
Chipperson
9:10 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
I'm not a liberal supporter by any means, but this tool makes conservatives in Reston look bad. BTW he posts hateful topics about the patch, reston, and plum over at fairfax underground.
Steve L
9:46 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
That's what ffx underground is for though.
Richard Holmquist
12:12 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Don't you guys get it? The guy ain't right. If he's not mentally ill, he's some kind of avantgarde comic genius. I'm starting to think that Susan keeps writing about him for some sick entertainment value.
Frank Sogandares
12:48 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Susan?... is she the author of some mysteriously deleted posts? Ms. Goff? i seem to be missing some of mine too.... <:)
Karen Goff
12:58 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Who is Susan?
If you are talking about me, Karen, I only write about this issue when public figures are involved. That is news value.
Richard Holmquist
1:25 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Ack. Sorry. I know a Susan Goff. I meant to say Karen. In any case, every town has their kook who shows up at every board meeting with their crazy, confused rants. All I'm saying is that it might be good to leave this guy to the comments pages and Fairfax Underground.
Margaret Perry
1:51 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Many folks vote without understanding who they are really voting for. The press is serving the public by keeping us informed of significant matters regarding candidates for public office.
Don Pruitt
7:11 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
I agree with the comments that you need to continue reporting on this individual, particulalrly since he throws himself out there as a public figure. His rants speak for themselves, and allow people to form their own judgements, and from comments here, no one is having a problem seeing just what we are dealing with.
I'm not sure who has clicked through to his new website highlighted in the article above. If you haven't, you should. It looks delusional, just like his rants, misspelling and all.
I believe the RCA & the RCCC should get their attorneys on this for a cease and desist, lest anyone get confused about the similarities.
Rod's Sharpening Service
2:15 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012
Don are we to understand by your comment that you too are you too against Democracy in Reston and fully approve of Mr Pum and his ignoring 4700 signatures and taking the town charrter away from Whillie so Reston has no say and just must be a tax cow for Fairfax?
Plum hodalems (are you among them Don?) have taken down some signs (so much for freedom of speach in Reston_) but I have a suprise for them on Monday, It'll be a blue or rather yellow Monday.
Rod's Sharpening Service
5:42 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Rod:
I want to thank you personally for all of your contributions to the
Backfence community over the past couple of years. You were one of
our most loyal and provocative members, and you kept things humming
in Reston. I'm sorry we weren't able to make a go of it--it's a long,
ugly story--but we did greatly appreciate your support.
Thanks and regards,
Mark Potts
Co-Founder, Backfence
Karen Goff
6:49 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Rod - your last comment was deleted for violation of our terms of service. Please refrain from profanity and attacking others or I will have to suspend your patch login.
Rod's Sharpening Service
10:02 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012
I believe Ken has been active in the field of Education but in taking a concept of God and religious values out of the classroom. Also he was active in taking the woodshop out of Fairfax County schools. Ken has absolutly no values, is trying to perpetuate this belief in our children so that they too will be valueless and amoral like he is. He is against Democracy and God and wants Fairfax citizens to be unable to do anything with thier hands! And this is the [words removed by author] we are sending to Richmond!!! No wonder Virginians hate us and don't give us any of our own money.
Laurie Dodd
11:54 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012
Karen, perhaps it is time to close the comments down on this article, as they have run far afield from the original topic.
Rod's Sharpening Service
8:06 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
thoughts from a book I am reading.
Chapter 2.
The decline of religious faith explains the deflection
to the Democratic Party. 50% of those who attend church
weekly describe themselves as conservatives. Only 12%
or 12 out of 100 call themselves liberals.
"The God Gap" is traced by those who study such things
to the Reagan decade when the public face of religion
turned sharply right. The media painted the public face
as a political statement to undermine the Conservative
uncontested rule of Reaganism.
Blacks though are now 75% Democrats. Yet are more likely to
say the Bible is the literal word of God. And God's word
is very important to their lives.And have a strong belief
in heaven and hell.
Christians over all have declined since 1990 from 86% of
the population to 76% in 2008. The mainline churches though
went from 50% in 1958 to 13% today.
Today a Rick Warren normative church is becoming more
prevalent than old line Christian churches.
Protestants are Democrat today by a 64% majority to a 27%
minority. Most even oppose stopping a woman's right to Abortion
or call it a political straw man and not a real issue.
Rod's Sharpening Service
8:09 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
It is dramatic how when you know that in 1930 the Anglican Church
lead the Christian community to celebrate Abortion as a good
thing to today how the Christian foundation of the value of life
is no longer a foundational doctrine if a doctrine at all.
Even Jews who we hold up as those who are closest to keeping
the word of God are more likely to not believe
in God's written word's, life after death, heaven and Hell.
In our legislative bodies we find Jews made up 8.4% of congress
in 2010 and in the Democratic run Senate 13%
America is changing it's basic beliefs and that change reflects
in how we are wanting to be governed. How we are being governed
will shape our destiny and the book titled death of a super power
shows a diverse society with no moral anchors, with lawlwss leaders
headed for the rocky shores of oblivian.
Ecc 10:2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left. (NIV)
Rod's Sharpening Service
8:36 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Anti Plum new toll rise rally. Have a cup of coffee at Lake Ann Coffee house Sat Feb 18 9:00am free no preregistration.
Teaching your dog to absolutely sit and sit and stay. Say it only once. Every last Wednesday of the month at 4:00. February it is the 29th. You must have a proper leash and be able to take simple instructions. Must preregister $5. This can save your dogs life and your sanity and make you a very proud dog owner.
Karen Goff
12:34 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012
Rod - You are welcome to state your opinion without making a personal attack on Mr. Plum. Also, please keep the conversation on track. This is your last warning. I will shut down your login.
Wildcat Mack
11:06 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Dear Rod:
Please seek out help before you hurt yourself and others.
You're heading down a dark path.
Concerned,
W. Mack
Scott
1:30 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
I could not agree more W. Mack! Karen - please keep tabs on Rod Koozman; like it was said he is trying to speak for the people of Reston via an elected position. I for one do not want him to represent my voice and yes, it is true; sometime folks vote blind and have no idea who or what they just cast a ballot for!
Rod - like others have said I hope you seek help so that you can have a happy life I for one am scared to death of what your dysfunctional mind is telling you!
Rod's Sharpening Service
2:16 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012
Scott are you too against Democracy in Reston?
Scott
2:29 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012
No Rod I am all for democracy and vote in each and every election. Inasmuch, that is how my voice is heard. You on the other hand take your delusional thinking and post it publicly under the auspice of representing my voice; and Sir you do not! I have to admit I find it rather entertaining in a warped sort of way how you preach about "God and Country" and "Religion in the schools" but your posts are riddled with profanity and narcissism.
Our only hope is that the Patch keeps the citizens of Reston informed on your actions so your name becomes synonymous with delusional and distorted.
Rod's Sharpening Service
3:10 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012
Well then let me ask you this Scott, If you are as you say for Democracy, what is your position regarding Plum taking away the possability of ever being a town by taking away the Whille charter. I find this a diabalical act! What is your position on this?
Karen Goff
4:05 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012
OK, Rod. We get it. You are not a fan of Ken Plum's. But I think you are confusing two issues.
The Wiehle Charter was revoked so long ago (1989) that there is not even much info on it. But here is a link to written by the county atty as to why the original wiehle charter would not be appropriate for a modern town: http://digilib.gmu.edu:8080/dspace/bitstream/1920/1850/1/533_03_01.pdf
And here is some info from Del. Plum on the 2007 petition that was circulated.
http://www.kenplum.com/articles07/oct0307e.html
I think this thread has gotten way off track, so I am shutting down the comments.
Scott
3:18 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012
Rob - Your request is no appropriate for the article. The article is about you placing signs in Reston with your personal opinion. My reply was directly related to the article your request is not.