qm_winter

irginia

apitol

onnections

, W

inter

2017

The PoorMans Dinner:

Southwest Virginia’s Big Event

elected and appointed representatives. They serve a much needed

purpose; they work hard; they deserve our respect. That was part

of the thinking behind the creation of the Virginia Association

of Professional Lobbyists (VAPL), of which I am proud to be a

founding member. I will miss my colleagues. I will miss the drama.

I may even miss some of the panic, as the Session draws to a close,

and one follows his bill like a hound dog after a fox.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. There is also a lively

lobbying community, and, yes, there is retirement. I don’t care

for the word or the action (or inaction) that it implies. What’s

next? Death? Maybe there’s a bill stuck in a committee, with an

amendment revoking retirement. As soon as I mentioned “the

R-Word,” I felt a freedom, but I also felt a loss. Therefore I have

added the term “semi” in front of the R-Word, to soften the blow.

I will see you again at Capitol Square. Look for the guy in the

floppy hat, soaking up the atmosphere at Ground Zero of the great

Commonwealth of Virginia, watching the sausage get made, and

enjoying my friends in the wonderful world of lobbying.

888-729-7428

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Ken Jessup is author of the book, “It was just a phase,” which

tells more about his adventures in lobbying and life. The book

can be purchased through

Marcy Hernick, Marty Hall, Senator Vogel and son, and Judy Brannock.

This (21 year) life time achievement award in excellence

to the Commonwealth of Virginia award was presented to

Marty Hall by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

Marty Hall, past chairman of PoorMans dinner and Megan M. Brown, tourism

department of Tazewell County.

The crowd over 300 at the PoorMans Dinner at the 2016 Galax Fiddlers

Convention.