Loudoun Now for Jan. 10, 2024

n LOUDOUN

VOL. 9, NO. 9

4 | n LEESBURG

8 | n EDUCATION

10 | n PUBLIC NOTICES

We’ve got you covered. In the mail weekly. Online always at LoudounNow.com

filed opposition to the increase. The delegation of speakers Tuesday night included Sen. Suhas Subramanyam (D-32), a leading opponent of the Greenway increases in the General Assembly, and seven of the nine members of the county board.

Speakers challenged the reasonableness of an up to 40% single-year increase, said that current tolls already discourage use of the highway, lamented that local side

Loudoun Community Media, a nonprofit foundation established in 2021, has acquired Loudoun Now with the intent to strengthen its community service mission through increased philanthropic support.

The conversion to a nonprofit journalism model comes eight years after the newspaper was founded by a group of community leaders seeking to ensure Loudoun County would be served by a locally owned, independent newspaper.

While the newspaper has garnered awards for its journalism and community service, Publisher Norman K. Styer said the new structure will provide additional resources to help expand those efforts.

The switch follows a national trend for local news organizations as declines in advertising revenue have undermined traditional business models.

GREENWAY TOLLS continues on page 1

LCM continues on page 29

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

County Chair Phyllis Randall (D-At Large) addresses representatives of the State Corporation Commission during the Jan. 9 public hearing on the Dulles Greenway toll increase request at Freedom High School.

Speakers Criticize Greenway Toll Request nstyer@loudounnow.com

Loudoun’s elected representatives, commuters, retirees and others lined up before a delegation from the State Corporation Commission on Tuesday night to oppose the latest round of Dulles Greenway toll hikes—including a request to charge as much as $8.10 to use the 14-mile highway.

The local hearing is among the first

steps in the review, which will continue next month with formal hearings in Richmond.

Toll Road Investors Partnership II, the company that owns the Greenway, is asking the SCC to approve an increase in the maximum tolls charged to most drivers to $8.10 during peak hours, up from the current $5.80; and to $6.40 during off-peak hours, up from $5.25.

The Board of Supervisors and the Office of the Attorney General have formally

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Purcellville Council Holds Public Hearing on Rt. 7/Rt. 690 Interchange mation meeting on the project and convey much of the same information. Now, the county has committed to building an additional three-boxed culvert and conducting a map revision for the town after the project is completed.

The town is a party to a floodplain easement of which almost a half-acre would be affected by the eastbound Rt. 7 exit ramp of the interchange and approximately two acres would be affected during construction. The county needs the town to vacate that floodplain easement so that the project is unencumbered, a requirement of the

BY HANNA PAMPALONI

hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

Nearly all 60 audience seats were taken at Tuesday night’s Purcellville Town Council meeting as it gathered for its first regularly scheduled meeting of the year to discuss a variety of topics. The agenda item that garnered the most community input was the public hearing on whether the town should vacate a floodplain easement where the county plans to build a Rt. 7/Rt. 690 interchange.

County Transportation Design Manager Mark Hoffman, Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure Assistant Director Jim Zeller and engineers with Dewberry Consulting attended the meeting to brief the council and the public on the project particulars.

Nearly a year ago on Jan. 25, 2023, the same team gathered to hold a public infor-

INTERCHANGE continues on page 29 Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

Purcellville residents gathered in the Town Hall council chambers Jan. 9 to voice support and opposition for the council to vacate a floodplain easement needed for the county to build an interchange at Rt. 690 and Rt. 7.

Kaine Talks Substance Abuse, Mental Health with Loudoun Stakeholders

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) spent Monday morning at the County Government Center meeting with local nonprofits, county officials, public schools administrators and county government staffers to hear their concerns and input on the fentanyl crisis and substance use disorder.

County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large), Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Aaron Spence, county Mental Health, Substance Abuse & Developmental Services Director Margaret Graham, Medical Director Dr. Ramia Gupta, Director of Community Corrections Chip Sullivan, Chris Atwood Foundation co-founder Ginny Atwood Lovitt, Peer Recovery Specialist Daniel Adams, National Alliances on Mental Illness Northern Virginia Executive Director Rebecca Kiessling, and Inova Chief of Addiction Services Dr. Zeina Saliba attended the roundtable meeting.

Kaine asked the group what kinds of

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) take part in a roundtable discussion about substance abuse and mental health with Loudoun stakeholders Jan. 8.

trends they were seeing in the community and what barriers residents were facing to overcome addiction and substance abuse.

“I have been a psychiatrist for 22 years and we have never seen substance use disorders this high and this tragic as we’re seeing in the last two or three years,” Gupta said. “… Destigmatizing this whole issue is key for our young ones and our teenagers in middle school and in high school.”

The group agreed that, while some progress had been made around the country to destigmatize mental health disorders, there is still a long way to go.

Gupta said, when she was training to become a physiatrist, she wasn’t seeing the same levels of use, especially in children.

She said that the uptick in children with

mental health disorders or those being affected by fentanyl use has reached a new high.

“The language we use I think reflects how we view this as a society and at the same time shifting the language we use gives us an opportunity to reframe that,” Saliba said. “… I think we need to look at how things are and ask, ‘is this the way it needs to be?’”

“What we’re seeing in schools is a significant increase in issues,” Spence said, adding that COVID-19 only contributed to children feeling more isolated and alone as well as exacerbated already existing stressors such as academic pressure.

KAINE VISIT continues on page 28

Inova Issues Call for Blood Donors; O-Negative Critically Needed The Inova Health System has issued a call for blood donors as available supplies reach critically low levels. Last week hospitals were reporting less than a one-day supply of type 0-negative blood available.

Type O-negative blood is critical in emergency situations, serving as the universal blood type that can be swiftly administered to trauma patients.

Following the holiday season, inventory is critically low and Inova is encouraging eligible donors to make an appointment immediately.

Donors may make an appointment or walk-in to an Inova Blood Donor Center. In Loudoun County, a donation center is located at 45745 Nokes Blvd. near the Dulles Town Center and is open daily. The donation centers help supply 13 hospitals in the region.

Donor eligibility has been expanded in recent months with fewer restrictions based on sexual orientation and among people who previously resided in Europe. It takes about 60 minutes from start to finish to donate, a process that includes completing the Donor History Questionnaire, a mini-physical, donating and then getting a snack after donating. Donors are eligible to donate whole blood every 56 days. n

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JANUARY 11, 2024

Loudoun

ON THE Agenda

Supervisors List Priorities for State Representatives at Legislative Dinner

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

County supervisors gathered Jan. 3 with state representatives for their annual legislative dinner to discuss their 2024 priorities and hear from them on their expectations for the General Assembly session that begins Jan. 10.

School Board members and senior school system administrators attended as well.

County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said that while most of the county’s legislative agenda was carried over year to year, there were a few new focus points this year.

“The thing we advocate in local government the most is to not lose local government control over anything and not have unfunded mandates that are often handed down to us by the General Assembly,” she said.

Legislative Liaison Jonathan Freeman said there were three main actions that the county was seeking legislation on— rent stabilization and rent increase notifications, a change of time requirements to public notice legislation, and job order contract limit amendments.

Freeman said the rent stabilization bill had been introduced last year by Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D-38) and was planned to be reintroduced this year.

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

County supervisors met with state representatives, county staff, School Board members and Loudoun County Public Schools staff to discuss legislative priorities Jan. 3, 2024.

“[The goal is] to stabilize year-overyear rent raises that we’re not just seeing here in Loudoun County but all over the commonwealth currently,” he said.

Randall said that often tenants who do not speak or read English sign leases agreeing for the rent to be raised multiple times a year without knowing it.

“We had talked about jointly joining Alexandria on the discussion of if a person is signing a lease agreement and they are not people who speak English then the lease agreement has to be offered in the language that they speak up to the first five languages that [the Department of Hous-

Randall Pledges Greater Support for School Board

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN

agustin@loudounnow.cm

The Board of Supervisors and School Board were ceremonially sworn in together for the first time during a ceremony at the Holiday Inn in Sterling on Saturday.

Supervisors, School Board members, their families, the public and several elected officials attended the program that was emceed by Visit Loudoun CEO Beth Erickson and included remarks from former Blue Ridge Supervisor Tony Buffington, Pastor Elizabeth Brookens-Sturman from Brambleton Presbyterian Church, Rabbi Amy Sapowith

from Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation and Priscilla Martinez from the ADAMS Center. The three faith leaders participated in a multi-faith prayer for the members of each board.

Buffington said County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) began the bipartisan ceremonial swearing in of the Board of Supervisors in 2016. He noted the specialness of the day in that it was the first time the School Board had been invited.

“Today marks another first where the School Board will be sworn in with RANDALL continues on page 7

ing and Urban Development] recognizes,” she said.

Freeman said Alexandria was still working on the language for that bill and the county was working with them but that he would reach out for the latest updates on it.

Randall asked him to find out which representatives in the House and Senate would be sponsoring the bill.

The second initiative looks to undo a new law that went into effect July 1, 2023, regarding public notice timeframes and allow the board to hear business items during a public hearing but forward the action to a future business meeting for action. “[For the job order contract limit] we’re seeking an increase on the current limit in the code which is $500,000 per project and $6 million annually. We’re looking to increase those limits,” Freeman said.

Freeman said the county had three main state funding priorities for 2024 as well—to support operation and start-up funding for the construction and design of Crisis Receiving and Stabilization services, support funding to sustain transit systems while opposing legislation that would shift transit funding responsibilities from the state to localities, and support full state funding for public education to the extent outlined in a 2023 report from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission.

Supervisors also discussed the PRIORITIES continues on page 6

Supervisors Weigh FareFree Bus Service The Board of Supervisors’ Finance/Government Operations and Economic Development Committee on Thursday is scheduled to be briefed on a staff recommendation to stop collecting fees on local fixed route bus routes.

The recommendation comes out of a study begun in 2021 examining whether free service should be provided for free to public schools students. The report found challenges to that, including that not all schools use ID cards.

But the conversation led to ideas being tested in other jurisdictions, including the no-charge service.

The free fare is being considered for the fixed-route local buses and the paratransit public transportation services.

The change would not apply to the county’s commuter bus routes.

Waiving the fee would be expected to reduce revenue by $356,352 in FY 2025.

Rt. 50, Trailhead Drive Roundabout Meeting Set Loudoun County is hosting a “pardon our dust” meeting for the Rt. 50 and Trailhead Drive roundabout on Thursday, Jan. 18 from 6:30 pm. to 7:30 p.m., at Arcola Elementary School.

Traffic calming and congestion mitigation measures planned at the intersection include two westbound lanes to provide for separate left turn and through/right turn lanes. The northbound approach from Trailhead Drive will include a bypass lane to eastbound Rt. 50.

Originally planned in the early 2000s, the project represents the last major element of the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Rt. 50 Traffic Calming Corridor to be constructed. Previous projects included the Gilberts Corner roundabouts, and the traffic calming elements in Aldie, Middleburg and Upperville.

More information, including a link to sign up for updates on the project, can be found at loudoun. gov/route50trailheadroundabout. n

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JANUARY 11, 2024

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Priorities continued from page 4 education funding shortfall discovered by the JLARC, a two-year study authorized by the General Assembly to study the cost of education in Virginia and assesses the costs of the Standards of Quality.

“What it found at the end was that, overall, Virginia fairly well underfunds our students and schools by about $1,900 per student. We fall under West Virginia. We fall under Kentucky and we are at the bottom third by far of funding for our public schools systems,” Randall said.

She said that while some counties like Loudoun might have the ability to make up that shortfall, others cannot.

“There’s other counties in Virginia where their entire school budget is based on what they receive from the state government,” she said.

Supervisor Laura TeKrony (D-Little River) asked how that shortfall affected special education students.

“That funding has actually gone down over the last decade,” division Superintendent Aaron Spence said. “So, it actually was at $4,700 per special education student in 2013. It’s now at $3,977. So, it’s sort of remarkable that state funding for a

growing population has gone down.”

Sen. Suhas Subramanyam (D-32) said special education was something he heard a lot about from his constituents.

“I hear of a lot of people who move to Loudoun for our great special ed programs and then feel like they were kind of underwhelming,” he said, adding that he was hoping to carry a bill to improve special education staffing.

Vice Chair Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) said there were a couple of different ways to go about solving the shortfall problem from a legislative point of view.

“We could have a bill that just says more funding. Or we could really do the tough work and have a bill that changes the funding formulas … so that we have a better sense of what is needed if we base it on the student numbers rather than the staffing numbers,” Briskman said. “I would definitely want to support a bill that would change the formula if it came through.”

Delegate David Reid (D-28), a member of the House Finance Committee, said that bills were being drafted for all 14 recommendations listed in the JLARC study and that an omnibus package was being put together to address all of the recommendations together.

Randall said that funding schools did not seem to be a partisan issue and asked

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if some of the bills could be sponsored by Republicans.

“You, more than most, are more than willing to reach across the aisle. You have that reputation of being very willing to talk to your Republican colleagues to get things done,” she said to Reid. “So, in this moment would that be something that could be discussed?”

Reid said it was likely that Republicans would be co-sponsors of some of the related bills.

“That is being done, but it has to start somewhere though, and it is starting in the Democratic caucus,” he said. “… Don’t assume that just because a Republican is not involved at this point it’s not that they won’t be involved or a chief copatron.”

Another topic that the evening’s discussion focused on was Metro funding.

Del. Geary Higgins (R-30) said a partial solution to the Metro funding issue could be requiring government workers to go back to work in the office because ridership is “way down.”

“In 2012, the metro system was the largest infrastructure in the history of this nation that didn’t have a dime of federal money in it,” he said. “And the government’s commitment at the time was ‘don’t worry, we’re going to incentivize it for our employees to go to work and ride metro

JANUARY 11, 2024

and we’re going to give them breaks on the cards, or whatever it takes to get it done.’

Well, COVID happened at the same time the metro tried to open, and that promise has never been fulfilled.”

Without the traffic of workers heading to the office in Washington, DC, the metro is missing a key source of funding, he said.

Randall said she agreed that the federal government was not paying its fair share toward the metro but that the reason many people were not going to work in offices was the lack of affordable child care.

Briskman said that having more workers ride the Metro into Washington, DC, would only be “one piece of the puzzle.”

“There needs to be a steady investment from the federal government and the surrounding states into this system,” she said.

Higgins agreed that ridership would not be the entire solution to the problem.

“But it was a funding stream that was committed to by the federal government, which is part of this larger problem that we have,” he said, adding that if it was not going to fulfill its funding commitment through ridership incentives than it would need to contribute some other way to help fill the gap.

The legislative session convened Jan. 10. n

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JANUARY 11, 2024

PAGE 7

Randall continued from page 4 the Board of Supervisors and I think that is significant. I think it’s outstanding because our School Board and our Board of Supervisors need to be closer than they have in the past and there is no better time than now to start moving in the right direction,” he said.

Each member selected someone to conduct the oath of office declaration.

For the School Board, Sumera Rashid (Little River) was sworn in by Randall, Deana Griffiths (Ashburn) and Kari LaBell (Catoctin) were sworn in by Supervisor Caleb Kershner (R-Catoctin), Lauren Shernoff (Leesburg) was sworn in by her daughters Hannah and Allison, Anne Donohue (At-Large) was sworn in by Father Daniel Velez- Rivera, Linda Deans (Broad Run) was sworn in by Raynelle Grace, April Chandler (Algonkian) was sworn in by Mary Katherine Gregory and Vice Chair Arben Istrefi (Sterling) was sworn in by Raheel Sheikh. Chair Melinda Mansfield (Dulles) was not in attendance.

For the county board, Supervisor Laura TeKrony (D-Little River) was sworn in by her husband Mark, Kristen Umstattd (D-Leesburg) was sworn in by Paula Morato Callaghan, Syliva Glass (D-Broad Run) was sworn in by Pastor Jonathan Wilkins, Mike Turner (D-Ashburn) was sworn in

by Pastor Joe Vought and Tracy Turner, Koran Saines (D-Sterling) was sworn in by his son Gabriel, Matthew Letourneau (R-Dulles) was sworn in by former state delegate David Ramadan, Vice Chair Juli Briskman (D-Algonkian) was sworn in by Lauranne E. Gordon, Kershner was sworn in by one of his six sons Colton and Randall was sworn in by Kyle Petrero.

Randall addressed the commitment each board member was giving to the calling of public service. She advised the members to remember who they are especially when they are criticized. She also

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now

County Chair Phyllis Randall takes the oath of office from Kyle Petre during a Jan. 6, 2024, joint swearing-in ceremony with the Board of Supervisors and School Board.

reminded them to turn to their colleagues when times get dark.

“You lean on your colleagues despite political positions or political parties, because after that and before all of that, you are people first,” she said.

She also addressed the past four years for the School Board and the challenges it faced being in the national spotlight for a sexual assault scandal.

“If I think there is one thing we didn’t do as well as we should have, is being more supportive to our School Board colleagues and for School Board colleagues who are now leaving, I apologize for that.

We should have been more supportive to you. We should have reached out more and helped you along the way because what the School Board just faced was unfortunate and unfair,” she said.

Randall acknowledged there were issues in the schools that needed to be fixed that were brought to light as a result of the scandal but said the Board of Supervisors should have reached out more. She criticized how the situation was used for political purposes and vowed the Board of Supervisors was going to be more supportive this term. n

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Leesburg

AROUND Town

Town Council Approves 4.1% Utility Rate Increase

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

The Leesburg Town Council on Tuesday approved a 4.1% utility rate hike following several weeks of deliberations as some members explored ways to lower the increase.

The new rates were approved on a 4-21 vote, with Council members Kari Nacy and Patrick Wilt opposed and Zach Cummings absent.

The vote followed a Monday night work session when council members were again briefed by the town staff and financial advisors on the recommendations of the latest rate study, which examines the needs of the water and sewer systems over the next 10 years and proposed annual increases over the next five years to cover the utility cash requirements.

The approved 4.1% increase combines water and sewer rates, but the increases are almost entirely on the sewer side. The

consultant team is recommending sewer rates increase 8% annually, while water rates would grow by only 0.2% per year.

The change is expected to increase the quarterly bill for the typical residential user consuming 12,000 gallons by $10 next year.

The increase is lower than the hikes the town enacted during the past five years when there were 4.5% annual increases. Prior to that, the town had annual increases of 7% and 7.5%.

The report was initially released in November. At that meeting, a council majority raised concerns about approving annual increases of 4.1% and asked to be presented with options to lower the hikes.

On Monday, Director of Utilities Amy Wyks noted that the staff already took action to lower the increase, which she said first came in with a recommendation of 10.8%. The staff developed a plan to delay construction projects, to scale back on funding for line replacements, and to use $16 million surplus reserve funds to sup-

plement rate revenue.

The financial advisors presented forecasts for increases of 3.5% and 3%. They concluded those rates would not meet the town’s fiscal policy standards—potentially jeopardizing the town’s triple-A bond ratings and requiring steeper rate hikes in subsequent years.

Also, a lower 3.5% increase would not result in significantly reduced customers’ bills, about $1 per month, they noted.

While expressing support for the 4.1% increase in a straw poll during the work session, Council members said they remained concerned about the impacts of utility rate increases, combined with other inflationary pressures residents are feeling.

The council also voted Tuesday to authorize a $100,000 financial assistance program for utility customers.

The program would be established with available unallocated budget funds starting next year, according to the staff ’s recommendation. n

Council Seeks South King St. Interchange Review As the county government advances design of its plans to widen the Rt. 7 Bypass to six lanes between the Dulles Greenway and Rt. 9, Leesburg leaders are hoping to expand the project to include a study of the South King Street interchange area.

During a work session Monday night, the Town Council agreed to request that the county study congestion and safety improvements around the interchange as part of the larger project.

Jim Zeller, the county’s deputy transportation director, said the interchange study was outside the scope of the county’s project, which will add two lanes and widen bridges on the bypass.

Instead, he suggested the town work with VDOT on an independent interchange modification study, which would more specifically address congestion problems. Town Director of Public Works and Capital Projects Renee LaFollettee said that study could cost $2 million. n

Town of Leesburg

A map of vehicle crashes recorded in the area of the South King Street/Leesburg Bypass intersection from 2018 to 2023.

Business Assistance Initiative Approved The Town Council on Tuesday approved a staff proposal to establish a Business Assistance Team to better help new and expanding businesses navigate the development review and permitting processes.

The concept was rooted in a conversation among council members during their planning retreat last January on ways the town can better support businesses.

The Business Assistance Team, to be known as BAT, would include representatives from the departments of Economic Development, Community Development, Utilities, Finance & Administrative Services, and Public Works & Capital Projects.

Businesses working with the BAT would have a single point of contact to help shepherd them through land use review and permitting processes.

The team would meet informally with business owners and tenants as they contemplate projects requiring town approval, evaluate interdepartmental coordination for the projects, develop customer service best practices, produce business startup guides, and create a dedicated webpage.

COPA Prepares Arts Activity Grants The Leesburg Public Art Commission has opened applications for local arts organizations to request funding for events that will take place in the town between July 1 and June 30, 2025.

The plan would apply for $4,500 of state funding from the Virginia Commission for the Arts’ Creative Communities Partnership Grant and match it with $5,500 of local funds. The total amount of $10,000 will be distributed as grants.

Interested arts organizations should submit an online application via the town website at leesburgva.gov/artsgrant, outlining the amount requested, the arts activities that the funding will support, and the audience(s) that will be served, along with a description of the arts organization. The deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, March 1.

COPA will review the requests at its March meeting and make a recommendation to the Town Council, which will make the final determinations. n

JANUARY 11, 2024

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

Oil-Soaked Rags Blamed in $680K Loudoun House Fire

Public Safety

Leesburg Police

A Leesburg Police photo shows a stolen Kia was used to smash through the door of Loudoun Guns in a Jan. 4 burglary.

Weapons Thieves Hit Loudoun Guns The Leesburg Police Department is investigating a Jan. 4 burglary at Loudoun Guns, in which thieves drove a stolen vehicle through the front doors of the business and stole weapons.

Leesburg Police officers responded to the Industrial Court business before 4 a.m. Thursday for a report of a loud noise, believed to be a vehicle striking a building.

They found a 4-door Kia sedan lodged in the front of the building. There were no suspects at the scene, but investigators say four people wearing masks entered the

building and stole multiple long guns.

The Department has declined to release any additional information on the case.

Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact Detective Kadric at 703771-4500 or at mkadric@leesburgva.gov.

Those wishing to remain anonymous may call the Leesburg Crime Line at 703-443TIPS (8477). Information may also be sent using TIPSUBMIT via text. Text 274637 (CRIMES) and begin your message with LPDTIP. n

Trials set for Crash Driver, Animal Cruelty Cases Two trials were set by Circuit Court Judge James E. Plowman on Tuesday – the case of Antonio Padilla Espinoza accused of causing a fatal semi-truck crash on Rt. 28 on Sept. 18, and the case of Nicole Metz charged with animal cruelty related to an investigation into a western Loudoun animal rescue organization that resulted in county humane law enforcement seizing more than 100 animals found in squalid conditions.

A three-day jury trial has been set for Padilla Espinoza beginning April 1 at 9 a.m. He is accused of speeding and recklessly changing lanes on the highway when his Nissan Altima struck a truck driven

by Cesar Yepez. The truck veered off the road and caught fire. The 33-year-old husband and father of two later died from his injuries.

Under the statute, if Padilla Espinoza’s conduct is found to have demonstrated a reckless disregard for human life, he would face a sentence of one to 20 years in prison.

A three-day bench trial is set for Metz beginning Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. Alex and

PAGE 9

Kimberly Hall are codefendants in the case. However, they failed to appear for scheduling on Tuesday. Plowman moved their scheduling to Jan. 11.

Prosecutors told Plowman their office anticipated filing for a joint trial with all three defendants.

According to the Department of Animal Services, the charges against Metz and the Halls resulted from a months-long investigation into the alleged mistreatment of animals in the care of Luck of the Irish Animal Rescue, based in a rural neighborhood north of Round Hill.

A search of the Halls’ home on Dundee Court, which the agency said appeared to be one of the rescue operation sites, found the floors covered with feces and urine.

Officers found most of the animals were confined to crates, some of which were stacked on top of each other. Many of the animals needed veterinary care.

The charges against Metz and the Halls are Class 1 misdemeanors which, under the statute, can result in up to 12 months in jail and a possible fine of up to $2,500. n

A fire at an unoccupied home near Lovettsville was caused by spontaneous combustion of construction materials, according to the Loudoun County Fire Marshall’s Office.

Fire and rescue crews were called to the Orrison Road home just after 4:30 a.m. Jan. 6. Units from Lovettsville, Lucketts, and Purcellville, as well as Frederick County, MD, were dispatched. Arriving crews found a two-story single-family home with a large fire pushing through the second story and roof. As firefighters worked to control the fire through an exterior defensive attack, the structure collapsed. The fire was brought under control after approximately an hour of extinguishment, according to Loudoun County Fire-Rescue.

The Fire Marshal’s Office investigation classified the fire as accidental, caused by the spontaneous combustion of construction materials, specifically oil-soaked staining applicators consisting of rollers and brushes.

The damages are estimated at

Loudoun Fire Rescue

Spontaneous combusion was blamed for a house fire on Orrison Road near Lovettsville on Jan. 6.

$680,000.

No injuries were reported.

The agency issued a reminder to residents that used stain applicators should be placed in a safe location outside, away from the structure to dry before discarding. Never pile rags, brushes, or rollers together, rather lay them flat on an exterior surface and allow them to completely dry. For more information about fire prevention and life safety here. n

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LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JANUARY 11, 2024

SCHOOL notebook

Education

Ashburn Student Selected as Presidential Scholar for CTE

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now

Astronaut Loral O’Hara speaks to Heritage High School students Jan. 9 from the International Space Station.

Students Get Out of This World Experience

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

Dozens of Heritage High School students heard from NASA Flight Engineer Loral O’Hara on the International Space Station as she answered questions from middle and high school students from six states and Puerto Rico on Tuesday.

The students were current or former participants of the Plant the Moon Challenge, an international competition in conjunction with NASA where students are given a certain amount of lunar regolith—moon dirt without the organisms that sustain life— and are tasked with growing plants with whatever additives they choose to combine with it.

“When you plant a plant in lunar regolith, it doesn’t do very well. It starts out great but once it runs out of energy in the seed it just peters out. The challenge for the kids is how can they take that lunar regolith and add earth soil, other additives, fertilizers to now allow it to grow,” Heritage biology teacher Amy Goodyear said.

Goodyear said the Virginia Space

Grant Consortium—the organization that wrote the grant to fund the Plant the Moon Challenge for the six states and Puerto Rico—had submitted a request for the students to speak to an astronaut aboard the International Space Station a year and a half ago. They found out just before winter break that it had been granted. Students from all six states and Puerto Rico pre-recorded their questions ad submitted them to NASA. Of the questions, 25 were selected to be answered with five being from Heritage students.

Sophomore Jackson Mehlberg was one of those students who submitted a question that was answered by O’Hara.

He competed in the challenge last year and said he recommended everyone participate in it.

“It’s really fun and got my creative juices flowing,” he said.

Camila Quino, a freshman at Heritage who is participating in the challenge this year, also had her question answered by O’Hara.

She said it was exciting and nerve-wracking to have her video played for all the students to see, but thought it

was really cool when O’Hara answered it and flipped upside down as part of her answer.

She said she’s really looking forward to the experiment part of the challenge, but not so much the paperwork.

“I’m excited to learn whether or not life on the moon can be possible. I feel that it has always been interesting to me and I always wanted to know. So, if plants were able to grow on the moon that would be a big step to figuring out if that is possible or not,” she said.

Goodyear said the research the students are doing could very well help improve and preserve Earth soil for future farming saying as part of her research for the challenge she made the connection that there is only about 60 years of farmable soil left on the earth. She said pesticides are killing the life in the soil.

“You never know who is going to hit on that magic button, that little citizen scientist idea, because they are citizen scientists, that ‘oh if we do this.’ Because OUT OF THIS WORLD continues on page 12

Briar Woods senior Raaga Kodali was chosen as one of Virginia’s five nominees for the U.S. Presidential Scholars for Career and Technical Education.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program honors outstanding high school seniors for their work in school. The Presidential Scholars is one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students and up to 161 students receive the award.

Kodali is the Virginia president of DECA, an association of marketing students. As a three-year DECA member, she has served as the Virginia DECA vice president of member engagement and as her school’s DECA vice president of career development. She currently oversees a Student Action Team serving more than 11,000 members.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program began by executive order of the president in 1964 to recognize and honor the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors.

NASA Invites Students to Participate in Nuclear Writing Challenge Calling all student scientists. NASA’s third Power to Explore Student Challenge is currently underway across the United States.

The challenge invites students in kindergarten through 12th grade to learn about radioisotope power systems—a type of nuclear battery that powers many of NASA’s far-reaching space missions—then write a 250 word essay about a new mission for the agency and include one of the student’s unique powers that will help the mission.

Entries should detail where students would go, what they would explore, and how they would use the power of radioisotope power systems to achieve mission success in a dusty, dark, or far away space.

Associate Administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington Nicola Fox said the SCHOOL NOTEBOOK continues on page 12

JANUARY 11, 2024

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

703-956-9470

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Opportunity Scholars Joins with Community Colleges Nonprofit Opportunity Scholars and The Virginia Community College System are joining forces to help more students earn a higher education degree and get workforce training so they can succeed with high-paying jobs.

Opportunity Scholars, which was founded in 2019, expanded into Loudoun County from Winchester this summer, provides financial and academic support to students who lack the resources to obtain technical certifications and college degrees that lead to high-demand jobs. Along with helping students and their families with financial aid forms and finding scholarship opportunities, it also provides funding for dual enrollment classes, exams, postsecondary education and training, textbooks and other expenses associated with education.

“We’re excited that our colleges will be able to consider working with Opportunity Scholars, an organization that shares our commitment to expanding opportunities for low-to-moderate income learners who seek a place at the table in

Contributed

Nonprofit Opportunity Scholars signed a Letter of Understanding with The Virginia Community College System on Jan. 5 to help more students pursue higher education.

Virginia’s dynamic 21st century economy,” VCCS Chancellor David Doré stated.

Opportunity Scholars currently operates in the Shenandoah Valley and Northern Virginia, “Partnering with Virginia’s

Community Colleges is an important step toward our eventual goal to serve all of Virginia,” Opportunity Scholars Chief Executive Officer Rachel Schaefer said.

Schaefer and Doré signed a letter of understanding Jan. 5 outlining plans to coordinate efforts and look for ways to work together to help more students earn meaningful post-secondary credentials in a high-demand economic sector, with special attention to healthcare, education, business, information technology, and skilled trades.

“The only way we can give low-income students, many of whom are from underrepresented groups, the opportunity to succeed is by working together as partners,” Opportunity Scholars Vice Chair Fred Thompson said.

Opportunity Scholars partners with community colleges to help students get lower-cost educational opportunities by enrolling in VCCS programs that offer extra financial assistance, such as G3 and FastForward.

Learn more at opportunityscholars.org n

Out of this world continued from page 10 we might need this in 60 years because our soil might not be soil, it might be the equivalent of lunar regolith and we will need these technologies that are being developed for the moon,” she said.

During the 20-minute conversation, O’Hara demonstrated what it is like to float in space, how to drink water, including squirting some out and showing the students how it forms a bubble as she answered questions about drinking different beverages in space.

“The Idea and benefit for NASA is sort of a think tank generation of ideas,” Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now Goodyear said, adding that with NASA’s Jackson Mehlberg sits in the Heritage High School library with other students as they listen to astronaut Artemis program and its goal of going Loral O’Hara. O’Hara answered questions from five Heritage students from the International Space back to the moon, there will need to be Station Jan. 9 knowledge of how to grow plants on the “I think anytime that we can have stu- uses grant money to supply what the stumoon. dents connect what they are doing and see dents need for their projects.

It’s the second year the challenge has Each group contains six to 10 students been at Heritage, but Goodyear’s third that it has real world application the betyear of being over it after leading it for a ter,” he said. “Anytime we get a chance to with a total of six teams. They will plant year at The Academies of Loudoun. She do something like this where we can con- their plants of choice in various mixtures said last year her students were Virgin- nect our students outside the classroom, of lunar regolith and earth soil as well as ia state winners. She said the challenge in this case very far outside the classroom other additives Feb. 5th with the chalgot started at the school with help from we want to take it.”

Each Plant the Moon kit costs $405 lenge running eight weeks. Once the eight the Virginia Space Grant Consortium, Loudoun Education Foundation and Vir- and includes a 5-kg bag of regolith, a pH weeks is up they will harvest their plants, collect the data and write their papers meter, KN95 masks and pots. ginia Agriculture in the Classroom.

Goodyear’s goal is to not have students to submit to NASA to be judged in four Heritage Principal Jeff Adam said the or their families pay for anything so she categories. n experience was amazing.

JANUARY 11, 2024

SCHOOL notebook continued from page 10

challenge is part of NASA’s ongoing efforts to engage students in space exploration and inspire interest in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Submissions are due Jan. 26, 2024. Judges will review entries in three grade-level categories: K-4, 5-8, and 9-12.

One grand prize winner from each grade category will receive a trip for two to NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, to learn more about the people and technologies at NASA. Every student who submits an entry will receive a digital certificate and an invitation to a virtual event where they’ll learn about what powers the NASA workforce from NASA experts.

To learn more about the challenge go to rps.nasa.gov.

Loudoun Receives $27K to Boost School Breakfast Program Loudoun County Public Schools was one of 12 divisions in Virginia to receive grant money from No Kid Hungry to increase access to school breakfast for students.

The grant total was $251,675, with Loudoun receiving $27,000 to expand food access for children and families.

The money will be used to buy equipment, including coolers and carts for the Breakfast After the Bell Programs. Those programs serve breakfast after the official start of the school day in classrooms or common areas, according to the announcement.

Student participation increases up to 88% among students whose household income qualifies them for free or reduced-price lunch when breakfast is served after the bell, according to a No Kid Hungry analysis of schools in 14 states, including Virginia. Participation increases because students can grab a meal even with a tight bus schedule or a hectic morning, and it also helps reduce the stigma surrounding breakfast at school.

No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength. Learn more at state.nokidhungry.org. n

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LOUDOUNNOW.COM

Nonprofits

CarePortal to Launch in Loudoun to Help Kids in Foster Care

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

A new way to connect families and vulnerable children with area churches and community groups launched Jan. 10 in Loudoun County with the support of nonprofit Project Belong.

The service, CarePortal, sponsored by Project Belong, is an online platform that acts as a bridge between families who are at risk of losing their kids to foster care, kids who are in foster care, in kinship homes, or those who are about to be reunited with their family and those in the community who are willing to offer support, talent or resources.

Project Belong’s Loudoun County Director Jaoni Wood said the service has been a long time coming.

“I’m really excited to get this ability to meet the needs and streamline them so we can meet more of them quicker,” she said.

“This system directly connects those who want to help with those who need help, meeting practical needs but also allowing people to be seen and loved.”

CarePortal is a partnership between the county’s Department of Family Services and area nonprofits, churches, and businesses. It’s an app that social workers in the DFS can use to help families in need who may be at risk of losing their children.

Wood said the process begins when a caseworker gets a report about a child at risk and goes to investigate. She said often the caseworker will find that the needs are mostly poverty related but often can’t do much to help. The app provides an opportunity for the caseworker to input information about the child or family’s needs into a network of churches and businesses located nearby who then can decide if they can fill those needs.

After the need is vetted through the DFS, the details are entered into CarePortal and alerts are sent to nearby organizations.

The churches evaluate it and determine if they can provide the assistance. They then answer in three ways: that they can’t help but will pray, that they can partner with another nearby church to meet the needs,

Project Belong

Jonathan Friend of Cornerstone Chapel delivers a truck full of furniture to a local kinship family under the Project Belong Loudoun network. A kinship family is a grandparent or older relative who becomes a child’s primary caregiver because the parents are unable or unwilling to take care of the child.

or they can meet the needs themselves.

Once they agree to help, the need filters down to people on the response team of the church to jump into action.

Wood said sometimes the needs are tangible items like groceries or diapers, other times they are relational support or other forms of assistance.

“Having churches meet the need directly relieves the burden on caseworkers because they don’t have to jump through as many hoops to meet those needs,” she said, adding that the caseworkers in Loudoun she has worked with have always looked for ways to help. “They are always thinking outside the box and find ways to meet needs they don’t have to meet,” she said.

She said that having volunteers make direct contact with the family provides an opportunity for relational support as well as providing an introduction to the church to provide community support, saying “the goal is always to make a human connection.”

“In child welfare, we are finding that a lot of the families are buckling under the weight of toxic and chronic stress and a lot of that has to do with not having a healthy community support system,” she said.

She gave examples of how CarePortal has helped in other parts of the state, including a small church group that helped to get two twin beds for kids who were returning home to live with their biological mom. The church collected the beds then worked with the caseworker to deliver and set them up for the mom.

She said for churches that need additional resources, the platform helps build connections with businesses, community groups, and volunteers.

Wood, who used to be a foster parent in Loudoun County, developed a close relationship with the DFS and acted as the point of contact for them and churches to help families for a number of years.

What started out as working within her own church, Purcellville Baptist, to build up a foster care ministry to support foster families, led to friends in other churches wanting to do the same. She said that morphed into Project Belong—a 501c3 organization connecting the faith community with children impacted by foster care, adoption, kinship care or at risk of being separated from their families.

She said saw a need for a service to help streamline the needs a couple of years ago because she said she was getting so many requests from caseworkers for things that could easily be met through a service like CarePortal.

The CarePortal platform has served over 7,300 people representing a $3.2 million economic impact in other counties of Virginia, but Loudoun is the first locality in Northern Virginia to begin using it, according to a press release.

Wood said there are four churches who have trained response teams, with nine more in the Project Belong network and three more being added in a few months.

CarePortal officially launched Jan. 10 at 11 a.m. at Leesburg Junction, located at 215 Depot Ct. SE Leesburg. The event included other nonprofits including Upside Down Moments and the Good Shepherd Alliance as well as some school leaders.

It also included training on the spot for churches who want to join the CarePortal Loudoun network. n

JANUARY 11, 2024

Loudoun Chamber Announces Board Leadership for 2024 The Loudoun Chamber of Commerce announced on Jan. 2 that Angela Mitchell, President & CEO of ARM Consulting LLC, will be the organization’s 2024 Chair of the Board of Directors.

Mitchell, who has served on the Board of Directors since 2020, will officially debut as the leader of Northern Virginia’s top Chamber of Commerce at the 56th Annual Meeting & Community Leadership Awards Friday, Jan. 19, at The National Conference Center in Lansdowne.

“I’m honored to serve as the 2024 Board Chair,” Mitchell stated. “The Chamber’s Board of Directors and Chamber team represent the best of the best in Loudoun.”

She follows in the footsteps of Backflow Technology owner Carol Barbe, who served as chair in 2023.

Serving with Mitchell on the Loudoun Chamber’s leadership team will be the organization’s new First Vice Chair/Chair-elect 2025 Scott Loftis, of Atlantic Union Bank, and Second Vice Chair/Chair-elect 2026, Chauvon McFadden, of Crimson Wealth Strategies.

In addition, the Loudoun Chamber will also add new members to its Board of Directors: PAUL BICE, BCT-The Community’s Bank | Lending Office SAMANTHA CLARKE, SCAN of Northern

Virginia

KINDRA DIONNE, Fifty Leven Wine TODD GOLDIAN, ECHO MATT LESLIE, Bowman ARIENNE THOMPSON PLOURDE, Google JOHN WALSH, The National Conference

Center

CARL RUSH, Office of the County

Administrator – Ex Officio

KATHLEEN STAKEM, Loudoun Young Pro-

fessionals Committee Chair – Ex Officio

GRANT WETMORE, Purcellville Business Association – Ex Officio n

To learn more about the Loudoun Chamber, and to view the full Board of Directors, visit www.LoudounChamber.org/

JANUARY 11, 2024

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 15

A Place To Be Announces New Executive Director

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

Kim Tapper has been named as A Place To Be’s new executive director as current director, Judy Hanley steps down.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time here and am proud of all Tapper I was able to achieve toward Kim, Tom [Sweitzer] and A Place To Be’s mission and vision,” Hanley said.

“The amount we accomplished in just under two years is amazing, and I believe this organization is positioned well for the future. I’m looking forward to my next project.”

Hanley has served as executive director since 2022 and helped carry the organization through its latest expansion in its 13-year history, according to an announcement.

Tapper, A Place To Be’s co-founder along with Sweitzer, served as the co-executive director for the organization’s

first nine years and most recently as the community director, said Hanley came in as an interim executive director to help the organization expand to its Leesburg location.

“It was a natural transition point to say ‘we’ve accomplished that project and all the pieces,’” she said, adding that having Hanley there allowed her and Sweitzer to focus on other aspects of the organization without having to worry about leading it.

“It was a great time to step back in.”

Tapper said the expansion plans started before the COVID-19 pandemic but was put on hold when it hit. She said she’s grateful to all the donors and community support that helped them bring the Leesburg space and the new children’s theater, the Mars-Schmidt Theatre, into fruition.

She said the expansion brought them closer to the heart of the county and to the clients who were using their services Tapper said she is excited to lead the organization into the next phase of growth.

She said it is working on the next two productions scheduled for March and April at their Leesburg theater. They are bringing back “The Grumpy Bunny,” a

story about friendship and compassion, and “Pathfinder’s”— a production that features stories from their young adult clients about their experiences in the community. It’s a way to teach the community to be more inclusive, Tapper said.

She said they are also starting up their tours in schools around the county with the production “Five Ways to Make a Friend.”

“A Place To Be is honored to be part of this community and I’m really hoping we are making a difference here,” she said.

The Grumpy Bunny premiers March 15-17 at the Mars-Schmidt Theatre, located at 1600 Village Market Blvd. SE, Suite 108 (between CMX Village 14 Cinemas and Victory Martial Arts). Pathfinder’s premiers April 12-14 at the same location.

Since 2010, A Place To Be has served people with disabilities or other medical or mental health challenges through individual clinical music therapy, expressive arts, social enrichment groups and groups for young adults transitioning from high school looking for community engagement experiences and skills leading toward employment opportunities.

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

A Place to Be’s original musical “ The Grumpy Bunny” will return this year with performances at the organizations new Mars-Schmidt Theatre at the Villages of Leesburg.

It also offers theatrical presentations featuring its client-performers in shows that focus on acceptance, kindness, empathy, inclusion and resilience.

To find out more go to aplacetobeva.org n.

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JANUARY 11, 2024

Towns

AROUND towns

Purcellville Council Appoints Wright to Vacant Seat

BY HANNA PAMPALONI

hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

After interviewing nine applicants for the vacant seat on the Purcellville Town Council, Kevin Wright has been appointed to serve in the position until a special election is held Nov. 5.

The council voted unanimously Monday night to appoint Wright following interviews and a closed session.

Wright is a Purcellville native and has worked with Loudoun County Fire and Rescue since 1988.

He told the council during his interview on Monday that he has lived through the town’s growth from when it was almost just a McDonald’s and two 7 Elevens to today.

Council members questioned him on utility rates, economic opportunities, revitalization, the Rt. 7/Rt. 690 interchange and growth within the town.

Wright said that while he does not think the Rt. 7/Rt. 690 interchange will be a solution to the traffic on Main Street, it will provide a necessary improvement to public safety by adding a second route into and out of town. Speaking from his experience with fire and rescue, he said that the time saved by a response team using the interchange can make all the difference.

“If you’re having a heart attack, that

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

Kevin Wright speaks to the Purcellville Town Council before being appointed to serve on a vacant council seat until Nov. 5, 2024.

three minutes means a lot. Or if your house is on fire, that three minutes means a lot,” Wright said.

He said that traffic, poor planning, and bad press were some of the biggest issues facing the town.

“Traffic lights are not [the solution],” he said. “It’s got to be something else. If that means building more roads or whatever it is, we need to do and the sooner we do it the better off we are,” he said.

Wright said that, while raising utility rates to meet the town’s utility system debt payments is uncomfortable, it is necessary.

“We’ve got a debt that needs to be paid.

It needed to be paid for many years and it just got kicked continually down the road.

The only way to pay off debt is to, excuse

my language, but suck it up and pay it off,” he said.

He said that Purcellville is the center of western Loudoun—whether or not it wants to be—and a failure of some past councils has been to recognize that and plan for it well.

“Planning can ensure that we can continue to accommodate the growth that is outside the Town of Purcellville, so it doesn’t impact our way of life,” he said.

He said that commercial taxes, not residential ones, pay the bills.

“The only way those commercial taxes pay the bills is to get those customers in WRIGHT continues on page 17

Round Hill to Lift Water Restrictions, Move to Monthly Billing

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

The Town of Round Hill is preparing to roll back mandatory water conservation measures following a two-month emergency triggered by concerns over decreased well production during last year’s severe regional drought.

Town Administrator Melissa Hynes on Jan. 3 made the recommendation to lift water use restrictions as conditions have improved.

She noted there had been significant compliance with the call to conserve water. During the November/December billing period, the average use rate fell to 119.4 gallons per day—down from 181.5 gallons in the same period last year.

As drought conditions have improved, the town’s system of 19 wells has stabilized. Also, a replacement of a pump in one well added 20,000 gallons of additional daily capacity.

Most significant, the town is just days away from getting the final approvals to bring its new Well D online. That well can produce 180 gallons a minute, although an upgrade to the town treatment plant will be required to use that at full capacity.

Town Council members voted to hold off on lifting the mandatory restrictions until the Well D water quality testing is complete and approvals are in hand from the Virginia Department of Health. That could come as early as this week.

Mayor Scott Ramsey said it would be important to give customers a men-

tal break from the conservation push, especially as the town enters its lowest demand months. However, he said mandatory restrictions could return by summer if there is a dry spring season.

“We’re definitely not all the way out of the woods,” he said.

Much of the town staff ’s focus in recent weeks has been monitoring high use accounts and alerting customers to the possibility of leaks.

As part of a strategy to provide customers with a better way to monitor their water use, the Town Council also authorized a switch to monthly billing as early as March. Currently, town utility bills are bimonthly.

The town is working to provide customers with online access to view their water use in real time, but hit delays in rolling out the dashboard technology. n

LOVETTSVILLE Bland Contest Date Set The Lovettsville Lions Club will hold its Bland Youth Music Competition on Sunday, March 17 at 2 p.m. at Hamilton Baptist Church.

Vocal and instrumental students age 8 through 12th grade are eligible to enter. They will be judged by professional music teachers. The winners will move up to a regional competition and then a state-wide competition in April.

The Lions Clubs of Virginia have held this event since 1948 to support and encourage young music students.

Pre-registration is required. For more information, contact Betty Hedges at chuckandbetty@verizon.net.

LUCKETTS

Contributed

Amanda Vela is presented with the Citizen of the Year award by Lucketts Ruritan President, Patricia Logue

Menendez Named Ruritan of the Year The Lucketts Ruritan Club named Al Menendez as the 2023 Ruritan of the Year.

Pat Logue, the Club President in 2023, made the award at the Club’s Annual Awards Dinner held in December at Raspberry Falls Golf and Country Club.

Each year the club’s president selects the member who has made the greatest impact on the club through their efforts to promote community service, fellowship and good will.

Menendez was president of the Lucketts Ruritan Club during the COVID-19 pandemic and ushered the club through that challenging time.

AROUND TOWN continues on page 17

JANUARY 11, 2024

AROUND towns continued from page 16

He worked tirelessly to keep the Club connected and to check in on members. He has been a member of the Club board for six years.

MIDDLEBURG Town Eyes New Increased Well Monitoring

Wright continued from page 16 the door,” he said. “We’ve got to be able to provide enough business space and opportunities so that we can continue to grow with western Loudoun.”

The council interviewed nine applicants for the vacancy. David Bufkin, Troy Brown, Sean MacDonald, Brian Dean and John Gardner were interviewed Jan. 5 and Carl Nett, Wright, Stephen Merlo and Christopher Reed were interviewed Jan. 8.

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

The Town of Middleburg didn’t experience water production problems during last year’s drought, but the staff is looking to better monitor water levels in the town’s five-well system.

According to a staff report prepared for the Jan. 11 meeting, water levels are measured by hand to find the depth to the pump in each well. In addition to the imprecise nature of that approach, the readings have not been recorded in a way that permits long-term trend review.

The town is hoping to upgrade that in coordination with a new state grant-funded

Mayor Stanley J. Milan thanked each of the applicants and encouraged them to apply for vacancies on other commissions, committees, and advisory boards in the town.

“This was not an easy decision to make in selecting the person to fill the vacancy,” he said. “There were a lot of good candidates, a lot of good ideas and a lot of energy.”

Wright was sworn in Tuesday and took his seat on the dias during the council meeting that same night. n

PAGE 17

contract to inspect the integrity of the wells and well casings, with the goal of tracking water level trends in the future.

ROUND HILL Southern Gateway Trail Moves to Design The Round Hill Town Council is preparing to issue a design contract to begin more detailed work on a plan to build a new Southern Greenway trail.

The 0.4-mile sidewalk extension on the

east side of New Cut Road and Airmont Road would connect the Lake Ridge Estates neighborhood with Loudoun Street downtown.

The council last week delayed approval of a $237,700 contract to begin final design work on the first phase of the trail after members raised questions about some of the subcontractor costs included in the package assembled by Stantec, which is engineering the project. The council is expected to review a revised proposal at its next meeting. n

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PAGE 18

T U O GET

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JANUARY 11, 2024

LIVE MUSIC ROWDY 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchase.com KEN FRANCIS WENZEL 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11 Plaza Azteca Mexican Restaurant, 1608 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. plazaazteca.com/leesburg TAYLOR SHEPPARD 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com CHRIS BOWEN 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com JASON MASI 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12 Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com HUME-FRYE DUO 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com GARY SMALLWOOD 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12 Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 Little River Turnpike, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com NATE CLENDENEN 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com DAVE GOODRUM 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12 Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrel.comg SHANE GAMBLE 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com ZACH JONES 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12 Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com TWO FOR THE ROAD, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12 Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn. oldoxbrewery.com

LIVE MUSIC continues on page 19

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now

Natalie and Tiana Ramos, the mother daughter duo opening new restaurant Marie De La Fleur in Lansdowne.

Marie De La Fleur: A New Take on Comfort Food Opens in Lansdowne

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

Private chef Natalie Ramos and her daughter Tiana have expanded their catering business Fleur de Cuisine to a full restaurant in Lansdowne.

The two chefs, with over 20 years of combined experience, learned of the vacant restaurant space in the 55 and older gated Lansdowne Woods community and jumped at the chance to fill it.

They were about to end their current lease and were struggling to find a space that would work for them and fit within their budget.

Tiana was introduced to the idea during a Loudoun Chamber of Commerce meeting where she was approached about holding a pop-up food truck event there because the community no longer had a restaurant.

“I literally looked at her and I’m like ‘Tiana, their restaurant is closed, call the guy!’ Natalie said.

They agreed to do the pop-up food truck event and talked about opening the restaurant Fleur de Cuisine style—offering classical French cuisine mixed with a little bit of Latin Caribbean that feeds the soul.

“We were in a position where we had less than 30 days and we were going to lose our business. I’m very faith based

so I kept saying ‘I know God has a better plan, I’m just not liking the road to get there,’” Natalie said.

She said they toured the space and felt like it was built for them.

“For some reason everything happens in our favor, but at the last second. And down to the last day at our kitchen, our kitchen was literally breaking down and it was almost like God was telling us it’s time to go. You weren’t meant to be here.

Because when we got here and we saw this kitchen and they explained to us the concept they needed, me and my mom looked at each other and were like ‘that is our concept,’” Tiana said. “We just want to put out good food that feeds the soul, and that is the exact food they wanted here.”

Marie De La Fleur is open at 19375 Magnolia Grove Square in Lansdowne Woods inside the clubhouse. This week they are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. as they continue with their soft opening and preparing the kitchen and wait staff for the grand opening Jan. 16.

Natalie said the previous restaurants in the space weren’t able to survive because they relied solely on serving residents inside the community, while their business has many facets that were bringing in other revenue streams including catering, chef experiences, meal plans and corporate clients. She said this meant they

could focus on the community and give them exactly what residents want, including using the existing banquet space for events like salsa nights and wine tasting dinners.

“And the clientele here were already familiar with us because we had already done meal plans for almost half the community without even realizing it,” Tiana said.

Tiana said when most people think of a restaurant in a 55 and older community, they probably don’t think of it being gourmet, but she said they are like a hidden gem and said the two of them are a “dynamic duo.”

“The food that comes out is so superb,” she said. “The ideas that me and my mom could create because she has more of the understanding of what the [55 and older] community want, and I have more of the creative side.”

In describing their dishes, Natalie recounted a story of a member of the community saying they just wanted basic hot dogs and hamburgers on the menu.

“So it becomes ‘how would a chef plate a hot dog, right?’ We aren’t just going to put a hot dog and some French fries on a bun. But if you say we are going to do hot dog sliders where there

COMFORT FOOD continues on page 20

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JANUARY 11, 2024

GET OUT LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 18 MATT BURRIDGE 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12 Sunset Hills Vineyard LLC, 38295 Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville. sunsethillsvineyard.com THE RUSH EXPERIENCE 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12 Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. tallyhotheater.com HILARY VELTRI 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12 Social House Kitchen & Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn. socialhouseashburn.com DUNLAP AND MABE 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12 Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville. monksq.com DIAMOND ALLEY 8 to midnight Friday, Jan. 12 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankypub.com FENDER RIDGE 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro.

harvestgap.com ROB HOEY 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com JUMPTOWN 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com BRIAN JOHNSON 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 Sunset Hills Vineyard, 38295 Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville. sunsethillsvineyard.com GRAYSON MOON 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 8 Chains North Winery, 38593 Daymont Lane, Waterford.

8chainsnorth.com GARRET MABE 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 Bleu Frog Vineyards & Ole Bleu Brewery, 16413 Little River Turnpike, Leesburg. bleufrogvineyards.com ALEX THE RED PAREZ 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 Bluemont Station Brewery, 18301 Whitehall Estate Lane, Bluemont. alexparez.com JUNKYARD JONES 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13

Lost Rhino Brewing Co, 21730 Red Rum Drive, Ashburn. lostrhino.com JED DUVALL AS ELVIS! 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 Two Twisted Posts Winery, 12944 Harpers Ferry Road, Neersville. twotwistedpost.com DARRYL MARINI 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro. breauxvineyards.com LENNY BURRIDGE 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro. doukeniewinery.com ZAC QUINTANA 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 Firefly Cellars, 40325 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton. fireflycellars.com LIBERTY STREET 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton. thebarnsathamiltonstation.com RYAN SILL 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 Little River Turnpike, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com JERRY IRWIN 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 Old Farm Winery at Hartland, 23583 Fleetwood Road, Aldie.

oldfarmwinery.com JAKE PHILLIPS 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com LINDA ANDERSEN AND FRIENDS 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 Creek’s Edge Winery, 41255 Annas Lane, Lovettsville. creeksedgewinery.com SCOTT KURT & MEMPHIS 59 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com

PAGE 19 CHRIS TIMBERS BAND 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com ROWDY ACE TRIO 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com SELA CAMPBELL 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

MIX BAND 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn. oldoxbrewery.com CHRIS HANKS 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 Social House Kitchen & Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn. socialhouseashburn.com GINADA PIÑATA 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville.

LIVE MUSIC continues on page 20

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 20

continued from page 18 are going to be three different hot dogs and about two inch pieces and they take you across the country; so you have your Chicago dog, you have your New York dog and you have your L.A., now we are doing it the way a chef would present,” she said.

She said its traditional comfort food “taken up a notch,” to quote chef Emeril Lagasse.

“It’s taking all of those concepts and creating a master menu, which is inspired by every place we’ve been and our background. When you come and sit down you are eating some Latin-inspired dishes that you would get from the Caribbean like snapper,” Natalie said.

Natalie said the restaurant is decorated with pictures of chefs who have inspired them—from Anthony Bourdain and Leah Chase to Muppet Swedish Chef “Tom,” the chef Natalie was first exposed to as a child and lead her down the road to becoming a chef, and Alfredo Linguini and rat chef Remy from the movie Ratatouille. The menu also pays homage to the chefs who have inspired them, including Leah Chase Country Benedict, Bobby Flay’s Steak and Eggs and Andrew Zimmerman’s Lyonnaise.

GET OUT LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 19 monksq.com TRIAL BY FIRE 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $15. tallyhotheater.com NATHANIEL DAVIS 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com SUMMER & ERIC 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com JASON MASI 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14 Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 Little River Turnpike, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com NICK ANDREW STAVER 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14 Casanel Vineyards and Winery, 17956 Canby Road, Leesburg. casanelvineyards.com TODD BROOKS 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14 Sunset Hills Vineyard, 38295

“We have some amazing dishes and I’m the type of person who can try something once and probably won’t miss it again, but with the soft opening I was able to try everything and I keep telling myself, ‘damn, we’ve got some good food here. Our menu is actually fire.”

Tiana said.

Natalie said not only is the food amazing but said 40% of what they bring in goes back out into the county and helps others through donations to local charities like LAWS, Loudoun Cares, and Loudoun Hunger Relief to purchasing produce from local farms like View of Heaven to staff who are no longer homeless because of their job.

“When you eat here, yes the food is good but you know that your money is going to something else. When you eat a dessert, you are supporting another local business. You know your money is going to go back into Loudoun County and that is the biggest thing,” she said, recounting a time in her life not too long ago when she needed help from some of these organizations. “We are kind of building lives and trying to change lives.”

The grand opening is Jan. 16 at 11 a.m. and will include special treats, music, passed hors’ d’oeuvres, and several specials offered in the restaurant. The restaurant is open to the public.

For more information, go to fleurdecuisine.com. n

Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville. sunsethillsvineyard.com GRAYSON MOON 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14 Bleu Frog Vineyards & Ole Bleu Brewery, 16413 Little River Turnpike, Leesburg. bleufrogvineyards.com FORK IN THE ROAD 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com LUKE JOHNSON 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14 Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro. breauxvineyards.com FREDDIE LONG 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14 Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com NATE CLENDENEN 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14 Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com KATELYN CHRISTINE 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15 Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com TED GARBER 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15 Sunset Hills Vineyard, 38295

Best Bets

Comfort food

JANUARY 11, 2024

Remembering the Dream:

Leesburg’s MLK March Marks 33 Years Families, community organizations and individuals will gather in downtown Leesburg on Monday for the annual celebration honoring the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s march will take place in person at 10 a.m. on the Loudoun County Courthouse lawn in Leesburg.

The theme of this year’s celebration is built around the works of King and Frederick Douglass. King: “We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” Douglass: “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”

This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the march and celebration, one of the largest and oldest in the region.

This event is now under the leadership of the newly formed MLK Diversity-Engagement Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

The event includes a symbolic march from the courthouse square to the Douglass Community Center, at 405 E. Market St. Local school bands, individuals, families, and community groups will be participating in the celebration. At the center, which served as the last segregated high school in

JED DUVALL AS ELVIS Saturday, Jan. 13, 2-5 p.m.

Two Twisted Posts Winery twotwistedposts.com The award-winning tribute artist brings Elvis to life during an afternoon performance at the winery.

Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville. sunsethillsvineyard.com LEVI STEPHENS 2 to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15 Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro. breauxvineyards.com NICK MICH 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane,

Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com MATT BURRIDGE 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18 Plaza Azteca Mexican Restaurant, 1608 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg. plazaazteca.com/leesburg

HAPPENINGS LEESBURG LISTENING ROOM COMEDY SHOW

Photo by Douglas Graham

Loudoun County until it was closed in 1968 as a result of desegregation, there will be musical performances, presentations, and inspirational offerings. The keynote speaker will be Bernadette Carroll, CEO and founder of Power Up Women’s Conference.

There also will be a collection drive to benefit Loudoun Hunger Relief and Women Giving Back, charities that have a need for nonperishable food items, gloves, scarves, coats, and hats.

The drop-off area for the collection drive will be at Frederick Douglass Elementary School from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. n

TRAIL BY FIRE Saturday, Jan. 13, 8 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com This Charlotte, NC, band brings the sound and visuals of the Steve Perry era of Journey to the Leesburg stage.

Joey Friedman & Caitlin McDevitt/Griefcat 7 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, Leesburg. $20. facebook.com/leesburg. movement YOUTH FOR TOMORROW CHARITY EVENT 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11 XCAL Shooting Sports and Fitness, 44950 Russell Branch Parkway, Ashburn. xcal.com

BIRDING BANSHEE 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, 21085 The Woods Road, Leesburg. loudounwildlife.org HSLC ADOPTION EVENT 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14 PetSmart, 24570 Dulles Landing Drive, Dulles. humaneloudoun.org

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JANUARY 11, 2024

Obituaries

Lawrence S. Hutchison Lawrence S. Hutchison, Jr. (Larry), age 91, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on the afternoon of December 30, 2023. He was born on December 15, 1932, to Elizabeth Howser and L.S. Hutchison in Leesburg, VA. Larry is survived by his wife of 59 years, Betty Howard Hutchison. He is remembered and loved by his children: Andy and Sam Hutchison (Angie) and his grandchildren: Nicholas, Tyler, and Molly Hutchison. After growing up in Leesburg, he graduated high school from Randolph Macon Academy in Front Royal, VA and upon graduation, served two years in the US Army, stationed in Germany. After the Army, he returned to Leesburg and graduated college from American University in Washington, DC before beginning a 40-plus year career as a Certified Public Accountant. He and Betty married in 1964 and settled and raised their family in Leesburg while working first at Peat Marwick Mitchell & Company public accounting firm, then as Senior Vice-President and Comptroller

of Capital City Federal Savings and Loan in Washington, DC. In 1983, he began work with the Loudoun County Public Schools until his retirement in 2007. Larry was a devout Christian and attended many different churches throughout Loudoun County supporting his wife, a church musician at these churches. He utilized his talents in accounting to support these churches as Treasurer for many years. Throughout his life, Larry’s passion was his family - from coaching Little League baseball teams for both sons to gardening and raising a couple of beef cattle a year on the small gentleman’s farm they had for almost 30 years. An avid baseball fan, he enjoyed watching the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals.

Several times during the 1990’s he was able to combine his passions for family and baseball by attending the College Baseball World Series in Omaha, NE where he would watch 17 baseball games during a 10-day tournament, with his wife and both sons by his side.

A visitation was held on Friday, January 5, 2024, at Colonial Funeral Home, 201 Edwards Ferry Road, NE, Leesburg, VA 20176 from 6-8pm. A graveside service was held on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 10am at Union Cemetery, 323 North King Street, Leesburg, VA 20176. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Christ Church, Lucketts, 14861 New Valley Church Rd, Leesburg, VA 20176.

Lives are like rivers: Eventually they go where they must, not where we want them to.

LoudounNow To place an obituary, contact Susan Styer at 703-770-9723 or email: sstyer@loudounnow.com

PAGE 21

Legal Notices TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER RENEWAL OF A CABLE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH VERIZON VIRGINIA LLC Pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 546(h), Virginia Code § 15.2-2108.20, and Leesburg Town Code Chapter 9 (Cable Television), the LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL will hold a Public Hearing on: TUESDAY, January 23, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia to consider renewal of a nonexclusive cable franchise agreement between the Town of Leesburg and Verizon Virginia LLC (successor to Verizon Virginia, Inc.), for a term of five years, upon certain terms and conditions specified in the Agreement.

Information regarding the proposed renewal, including a copy of the Cable Franchise Renewal Agreement, is available from the Clerk of Council, located in Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.); or by calling Eileen Boeing, Clerk of Council, at 703-771-2733.

At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard.

Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Clerk of Council at 703-771-2733, three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

1/11/24 & 1/18/24

Public Notice

The Town of Leesburg Diversity Commission Vacancy The Town of Leesburg is soliciting applications for a vacancy on the Diversity Commission.

Citizens interested in serving on a board or commission can find additional information, membership requirements, or may apply via the Town’s web site at www.leesburgva.gov/government/boards-andcommissions. Applications will be kept on file for one year. Any questions can be sent to the Clerk of Council via email at eboeing@leesburgva.gov.

1/11/2024 & 1/18/2024

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VACATING A PORTION OF SYCOLIN ROAD SE ACROSS FROM THE INTERSECTION OF SYCOLIN ROAD SE AND PRINCIPAL DRUMMOND WAY Pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 15.2-2006 et seq., notice is hereby given that the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, Virginia, will hold a public hearing on: TUESDAY, January 23, 2024 at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers at Town Hall, 25 W. Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 to consider an ordinance vacating the use of a portion of Sycolin Road SE, across from the intersection of Sycolin Road SE and Principal Drummond Way, for right of way purposes. The portion of the right-of-way proposed to be vacated is a portion of cul-de-sac that is no longer necessary following the construction of Principal Drummond Way. A copy of the proposed ordinance and associated plat are available from the Clerk of Council, located in Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, during normal business hours (MondayFriday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by calling Eileen Boeing, Clerk of Council, at 703-771-2733.

At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views concerning this matter will be heard.

Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Clerk of Council at 703-771-2733, three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

1/11/2024 & 1/18/2024

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 22

JANUARY 11, 2024

Legal Notices PUBLIC HEARING The LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room on the first floor of the County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following: LEGI-2023-0055, WISHING STAR SUBSTATION: ZCPA-2022-0009, CMPT-2022-0010, CMPT-2022-0011, SPEX-2022-0047, SPEX-2023-0025 & SPMI-2022-0018 (Zoning Concept Plan Amendment, Commission Permits, Special Exceptions, and Minor Special Exception)

Dominion Energy submitted applications for a zoning concept plan amendment, special exceptions, commission permits, and a minor special exception for approximately 45.74 acres of land south of Arcola Mills Drive (Route 621), north of Briarfield Lane (Route 3442), and east of Paddock Gate Place (Route 3571) in the Little River Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly identified as: PIN 202-28-2993-000 202-36-9702-000

PROPERTY ADDRESS N/A N/A

TAX MAP NUMBER 101/D/2/////8/ 101/D/7////B1/

For CMPT-2022-0010 and CMPT-2022-0011, the applicant seeks commission permits for two Utility, Major, uses on the Subject Property per the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, as amended. For ZCPA2022-0009, the applicant seeks to amend proffered conditions associated with ZMAP-2018-0015, JK Technology Park #1, to allow Utility Substation, Transmission, and Utility Substation, Distribution, uses on the Subject Property. For SPEX-2022-0047 and SPEX-2023-0025, the applicant seeks to allow a Utility Substation, Transmission, use within the PD-IP zoning district and within moderately steep slope areas.

For SPMI-2022-0018 the applicant seeks to modify landscape buffer requirements between proposed uses on the subject property. ZCPA-2022-0009, SPEX-2022-0047, SPEX-2023-0025, and SPMI-20220018 are being processed under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance pursuant to the ZOR Grandfathering Resolution, dated December 13, 2023.

LEGI-2023-0052, ORME FARM REZONING: ZMAP-2022-0022, SPEX-2022-0046 & SPEX-2022-0048 (Zoning Map Amendment and Special Exceptions)

Van Metre Communities, L.L.C. submitted applications for: a zoning map amendment and special exceptions for 11.7 acres of land located south of Shreve Mill Road (Route 653) and west of Sycolin Road (Route 625) and north of the Dulles Greenway (Route 267) in the Leesburg Election District (the “Subject Property”) more particularly identified as: PIN: 236-38-7331-000, Tax Map #: /60////////56B. For ZMAP2022-0022, the applicant seeks to rezone an 11.7-acre portion of the 107.9-acre parcel from the JLMA-20 (Joint Land Management Area – 20) zoning district to the PD-IP (Planned Development – Industrial Park) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop permitted uses within the PD-IP zoning district. For SPEX-2022-0046 and SPEX-2022-0048, the applicant seeks to increase the Floor Area Ratio from 0.6 to 1.0 and to increase the maximum lot coverage from 0.45 to 0.60 in the PDIP zoning district. The applications are being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the ZOR Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023

LEGI-2023-0025: DEFENDER DRIVE, ZMAP-2021-0023 (Zoning Map Amendment)

NFD Acquisition LLC has submitted an application for a zoning map amendment for approximately 13.8 acres of land located south of Little River Turnpike (Route 50), east of South Riding Boulevard (Route 2201) and north of Mountain View Drive (Route 834), in the Dulles Election District (the “Subject Property”) and more particularly described as: PIN 128-48-4437-000 128-48-8353-000 128-48-9540-000 128-48-9920-000

PROPERTY ADDRESS N/A 43394 Valley Vista Ln., Chantilly, VA 20152 N/A 43405 Valley Vista Ln., Chantilly, VA 20152

TAX MAP NUMBER 106/N/1////D3/ 101////////79/ 101////////79D 101////////79A

For ZMAP-2021-0003, the applicant seeks to rezone the Subject Property from the PDH-4 (Planned Development – Housing 4) zoning district and the CR-1 (Countryside Residential – 1) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance to the R-16 ADU (Townhouse/Multifamily Residential Affordable Dwelling Unit) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop a maximum of 161 single‐family attached dwelling units with a maximum density of approximately 11.7 dwelling units per acre. The application is being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the ZOR Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023

LEGI-2023-0042, STONE RIDGE SECTION 40: ZMAP-2022-0019, ZCPA-2021-0003, ZCPA-2022-0006, SPEX-2023-0012, SPEX-2023-0034, ZMOD-2022-0066, & ZMOD-2022-0067 (Zoning Map Amendment, Zoning Concept Plan Amendments, Special Exception, Zoning Modifications)

Stone Ridge Community Development LLC has submitted applications for a zoning map amendment, a zoning concept plan amendment, special exceptions, and zoning modifications for approximately 33.88 acres of land located south of Tall Cedars Parkway (Route 2200) between Stone Springs Boulevard (Route 2625) and Gum Springs Road (Route 659) in the Dulles Election District (the “Subject Property”), and more particularly identified as: PIN 205-28-4701-000

PROPERTY ADDRESS N/A

TAX MAP NUMBER 100////////43B

205-18-1614-000

25277 Gum Spring Road, Chantilly, Virginia

100////////43/

204-19-3204-000

N/A

100/C/7/////O/

205-46-9303-000

N/A

100/C19/////1/

For ZMAP-2022-0019, the applicant seeks to rezone 26.59 acres to the PD-H4 (Planned Development – Housing 4) zoning, administered as the R-8 ADU (Single Family Residential Affordable Dwelling Unit Regulations) zoning district in order to develop up to 129 residential units. For ZCPA-2021-0003, the applicant seeks to revise the proffer statement and concept development plan approved with ZMAP-19940017 in order to change the designation of a 2.9-acre open space parcel from passive park to common open space to permit complementary structures or improvements. For ZCPA-2022-0006, the applicant seeks to revise the proffer statement and concept development plan approved with ZMAP-1994-0017 in order to permit development of 23 residential units. For SPEX-2023-0012 and SPEX-2023-0034, the applicant seeks to modify the minimum yard requirements for the R-8 ADU (Single Family Residential Affordable Dwelling Unit Regulations) zoning district. For ZMOD-2022-0066 and ZMOD-2022-0067, the applicant seeks Zoning Ordinance modifications for various regulations affecting the Subject Property, including but not limited to: allow residential units to front onto private roads, and to allow all roads within the development to be private. The applications are being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the ZOR Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023 Copies of the proposed plans, ordinances, or amendments for each item listed above may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Office of County Administrator, Information Desk, First Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday or call 703-777-0246 (option 5), to request hard copies or electronic copies. Additional project files related to land use applications and land use ordinances may be reviewed electronically at loudoun.gov/landmarc.

Additionally, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically the week before the hearing at www. loudoun.gov/pc. For further information, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5).

Planning Commission work sessions and public hearings are held in the Board Room of the Government Center. Public hearings and work sessions are televised on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are also are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings.

Members of the public desiring to do so may appear and present their views during the public hearing. Public comment will be received only for those items listed for public hearing. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, are encouraged to sign-up in advance; however, speakers may sign-up during the hearing. If you wish to sign-up in advance, please call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5) prior to 12:00 PM on the day of the public hearing; however, speakers may also sign-up at the public hearing. Written comments concerning any item before the Commission are welcomed at any time and may be sent to the Loudoun County Planning Commission, P.O. Box 7000 Leesburg, VA 20177-7000, or by e-mail to loudounpc@loudoun.gov. If written comments are presented at the hearing, please provide ten (10) copies for distribution to the Commission and for the Clerk’s records. Members of the public may also submit comments on land use items electronically at loudoun. gov/landapplications. Any individual representing and/or proposing to be the sole speaker on behalf of a citizen’s organization or civic association is encouraged to contact the Department of Planning and Zoning prior to the date of the public hearing to request additional time to speak on behalf of such organization.

Regularly scheduled Planning Commission public hearings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

In the event the public hearing cannot be conducted on that date due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the hearing, the public hearing will be continued to the next day (Wednesday). In the event the public hearing may not be held on that Wednesday due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the hearing, the public hearing may be continued to the first Thursday of the next month.

Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory, or mental disability to participate in this meeting, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5). Three business days advance notice is requested.

BY ORDER OF:

MICHELLE FRANK, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

1/11 & 1/18/24

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JANUARY 11, 2024

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Legal Notices LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED COMPETITIVE BIDS FOR: BLES DISTRICT PARK FACILITIES IMPROVEMENTS, IFB No. 639839 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, February 15, 2024.

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LOUDOUN COUNTY IN RE: ESTATE OF NERI ABRIL VELASCO ) FIDUCIARY 20082 ORDER OF PUBLICATION FOR SHOW CAUSE AGAINST DISTRIBUTION

Solicitation forms may be obtained 24 hours a day by visiting our web site at www.loudoun.gov/procurement. If you do not have access to the Internet, call (703) 777-0403, M - F, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

It appearing that the Personal Representative has petitioned this Court to enter a Rule to Show Cause against Distribution; that the debts and demands against is estate has been filed, that the Second and Final Account has been filed with the Commissioner of Accounts, and the six months have elapsed since the qualification, on Motion of the said Personal Representatives;

WHEN CALLING, PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY TYPE OF DISABILITY IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCUREMENT. 1/11/24

It is ORDERED that the creditors of, and all others interested in, the Estate do show cause, if any they can, on the 26th day of January 2024 at 9:00 a.m. before this Court in its Courtroom, against the payment and delivery of the Estate of Neri Abril Velasco, deceased, to the payees without refunding bonds.

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF TOWN COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE REGARDING “CONGREGATE HOUSING”

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) SECOND SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE 2021-2025 CONSOLIDATED PLAN AND THE FY2024 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN Wednesday, February 14, 2024, 6:00 p.m.

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on TUESSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 to consider Zoning Ordinance Amendment TLZNOA2023-0005.

This application will amend several sections of the Town of Leesburg Zoning Ordinance to define “Congregate Housing”, identify appropriate zoning districts, and create use standards.

Copies and additional information regarding this proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment are available at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by calling 703-771-2765 and asking for Michael Watkins, Zoning Administrator. Mr. Watkins can also be reached by email at mwatkins@leesburgva.gov.

At this hearing all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodation should contact the Clerk of Council at (703) 771-2733, three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

1/11 & 1/18/2024

1/4 & 1/11/23

On April 14, 2021, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the County’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-2025 Five-Year Consolidated Plan (Consolidated Plan) which requires the submission of an Annual Action Plan (AAP) for each year. On July 12, 2023, the Board approved a Substantial Amendment to the Consolidated Plan and the FY 2024 CDBG AAP. A Board of Supervisors Public Hearing to consider a second Substantial Amendment to the FY 20212025 Consolidated Plan and the FY 2024 AAP will be held on February 14, 2024, at the Loudoun County Government Center Board Room, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia at 6:00 pm.

The proposed second Substantial Amendment includes changes to the following components of the Consolidated Plan and the FY2024 AAP: High Priority Activities • •

ABC LICENSE

Support Local Shop LoCo

Stone Gables LLC trading as Stone Gables Bed and Breakfast, 19077 Loudoun Orchard Rd., Leesburg, Virginia 20175 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Retail Wine, Beer, and Mixed Beverages On Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Colin Malone Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices.

Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

1/4 & 1/11/24

Projects that promote energy efficiency and conservation through rehabilitation or retrofitting of existing buildings (24 CFR 570.201(c)) Public Facilities (24 CFR 570.201(c)

Unexpended and unallocated CDBG funds to be reprogrammed to the following FY24 eligible high priority activities.

Organization Loudoun County Government

CDBG Citation 24 CFR 570.201(c) Upgrade 1st Floor Public Restrooms at 1 Harrison Street, SE -ADA compliance

National Objective

Funded Amount

Low-Mod Limited Clientele (LMC)

$645,000

Copies of the draft Substantial Amendment to Consolidated Plan and the Substantial Amendment to the FY 2024 AAP will be available January 12, 2024, through February 14, 2024, until 4:00pm, and may be examined at the offices of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), 106 Catoctin Circle, SE, Leesburg, VA 20175, Monday – Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm. The Substantial Amendment will also be available January 12, 2024, online at www.loudoun.gov/cdbg through February 14, 2024.

All citizens and organizations are invited to present their views and comments. Written comments may be submitted to the CDBG Program Manager at the Department of Housing and Community Development, P. O. Box 7000, Leesburg, VA 20177 or by e-mail to housing@loudoun.gov by not later than 5:00 p.m. on February 14, 2024.

If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory, or mental disability to participate in this meeting, please contact the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200.

At least one business day of advance notice is requested; some accommodation may require more than one day of notice. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings.

1/11/24

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 24

Legal Notices ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:

JJ046978-05-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Jimmy Mendez Jr. Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v.

Unknown Father The object of this suit is to hold a permanency planning hearing and review of foster care plan with goal of adoption, pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Jimmy Mendez Jr. and Petition for Termination of Parental Rights of Unknown Father, pursuant to Virginia Code §16.1-283 for Jimmy Mendez Jr. Unknown Father is hereby notified that failure to appear on the hereinafter noticed date and time may result in the

RESOLUTION NO. 2024-001 A RESOLUTION:

JANUARY 11, 2024

NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED VEHICLES

entry of an Order approving a permanency goal of adoption as well as the termination of their residual parental rights with respect to Jimmy Mendez Jr. Unknown Father is hereby further notified that if their residual parental rights are terminated, they will no longer have any legal rights with respect to said minor child, including, but not limited to, the right to visit Jimmy Mendez Jr.; any authority with respect to the care and supervision of Jimmy Mendez Jr.; or the right to make health related decisions or determine the religious affiliation of Jimmy Mendez Jr. Further, Unknown Father will have no legal and/or financial obligations with respect to Jimmy Mendez Jr., and the Department of Family Services of Loudoun County, Virginia may be granted the authority to place Jimmy Mendez Jr. for adoption and consent to the adoption of Jimmy Mendez Jr. It is ORDERED that the defendant Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before January 24, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.

1/4, 1/11 & 1/18/24

PRESENTED January 4, 2024 ADOPTED January 4, 2024

This notice is to inform the owner and any person having a security interest in their right to reclaim the motor vehicle herein described within 15 days after the date of storage charges resulting from placing the vehicle in custody, and the failure of the owner or persons having security interests to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle within the time provided shall be deemed a waiver by the owner, and all persons having security interests of all right, title and interest in the vehicle, and consent to the sale of the abandoned motor vehicle at a public auction.

This notice shall also advise the owner of record of his or her right to contest the determination by the Sheriff that the motor vehicle was “abandoned,” as provided in Chapter 630.08 of the Loudoun County Ordinance, by requesting a hearing before the County Administrator in writing. Such written request for a hearing must be made within 15 days of the notice.

YR.

MAKE

MODEL

VIN

STORAGE

PHONE#

1999 2004 2007 2008 2011 2014

BMW NISSAN TOYOTA BMW INFINITY CHEVROLET

528I PATHFINDER COROLLA 750 G37X SONIC

WBADP6338XBV61774 JN8DR09X24W805500 2T1BR32E47E47C724265 WBAHN83518DT79375 JN1CV6AR7BM400408 1G1JC5SH5E4218004

BLAIR’S TOWING BLAIR’S TOWING BLAIR’S TOWING BLAIR’S TOWING BATTLEFIELD TOWING ROAD RUNNER

703-661-8200 703-661-8200 703-661-8200 703-661-8200 703-378-0059 703-450-7555 1/11 & 1/18/24

ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:

JJ048304-01-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Gustavo Aldolfo Constante Anaya Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v.

Jose Ricardo Portillo Mejia, putative father, and Unknown Father

TO ALLOW THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO CONTINUE MEETINGS IN THE EVENT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2-195 of the Leesburg Town Code and Section 1.2 of the Planning Commission Bylaws and Rules of Procedures, the Planning Commission holds regular meetings on the first and third Thursdays of each month; and WHEREAS, Virginia Code § 15.2-2214, authorizes local planning commissions to adopt at a regular meeting a resolution that "fix(es) the day or days to which any meeting shall be continued if the chairman, or vice-chairman if the chairman is unable to act, finds and declares that weather or other conditions are such that it is hazardous for members to attend the meeting"; and

THEREFORE, RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the Town of Leesburg, Virginia, as follows: 1. Any Planning Commission meeting may be continued upon a declaration by the chairman, or vice-chairman if the chairman is unable to act, that weather or other conditions are such that it is hazardous for members to attend the meeting; and 2. In such event, such declaration shall be communicated to the Commission members and the press as promptly as possible, the affected meeting shall be continued to the next regularly-scheduled meeting date, and all hearings and other matters advertised for the date of the affected meeting shall be conducted at the continued meeting without further advertisement; and 3. A copy of this Resolution shall be published in a newspaper having general circulation within the Town of Leesburg as soon as practicable, and no Planning Commission meeting shall be continued pursuant to this Resolution until at least seven (7) days after the date of such publication.

PASSED this 4th day of January, 2024.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Jose Ricardo Portillo Mejia, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before January 11, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. (Adjudicatory); and February 7, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. (Dispositional) 1/4, 1/11, 1/18 & 1/25/24

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TOWN OF PURCELLVILLE The Planning Commission of the Town of Purcellville will hold a public hearing in the Town Council Chambers located at 221 South Nursery Avenue, Purcellville, Virginia on Thursday, January 18th, 2024 at 6:30 PM for the purpose of receiving comments on, considering, and possibly voting on the following item: RZ-24-01: Zoning Map Amendment application submitted by property owner, Town of Purcellville. The rezoning request proposes to rezone two parcels, Parcel “A” and Parcel “B”, from “X, Transitional” to “IP, Institutional and Public Use”. The 2.0535 acre(“A”) and 3.0118 acre(“B”) parcels are identified on the plat entitled “Plat Showing Subdivision and the Creation of Various Easements on the Lands of The Board of Supervisors of Loudoun County, Virginia”. The Plat is further identified by Instrument Number 202312270051228, as recorded within the Loudoun County Clerk of the Circuit Court Land Records.

WHEREAS, § 15.2-2214 further states that when such finding occurs, it shall be communicated to the members and press as promptly as possible, and all hearings and other matters previously advertised for such meeting shall be conducted at the continued meeting with no further advertisement required; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission wishes to adopt a resolution that will allow it to continue Commission meetings in the event of inclement weather in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of its members and the public.

The object of this suit is to hold an adjudicatory hearing pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-252 for Gustavo Aldolfo Constante Anaya; and hold a dispositional hearing for review of initial Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-278.2 and 16.1-281 for Gustavo Aldolfo Constante Anaya.

SUP-24-01: Special Use Permit for “Public Utility, major” for the above referenced Parcel “A”. The stated purpose of the SUP is to permit the construction and operation of a Town of Purcellville Water Storage Tank on the 2.0535 acre lot(Parcel “A”).

Additional information regarding this application is available for review at the Purcellville Town Hall at 221 South Nursery Avenue, Purcellville, Virginia during regular business hours, holidays excepted.

At this public hearing, all persons desiring to present their views concerning this matter will be heard.

In addition, all persons have the option of sending an email to the Planning Operations Coordinator, Kendall Wisniewski, at kwisniewski@purcellvilleva.gov, with written comments or questions concerning the proposed amendment. Emails sent by 4:00PM the day of the Public Hearing will be part of the written record for the public hearing, but may not necessarily be read aloud into the record at the public hearing.

1/4 & 1/11/24

ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:

JJ046150-06-00, JJ046150-01-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Marjorie Cruz Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v.

Endenilson Alavarado, putative father & Unknown Father

The object of this suit is to hold a third permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1281 for Marjorie Cruz, AND; hold a motion to Modify the Child Protective Order for Marjorie Cruz It is ORDERED that the defendant Endenilson Alavarado, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or February 13, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.

1/4, 1/11, 1/18 & 1/25/24

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JANUARY 11, 2024

Legal Notices ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:

JJ047413-02 -00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Yessiah Recinos Morales

PAGE 25

VIRGINIA: The object of this suit is to hold a foster care review hearing and review of foster care plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282 and 16.1281 for Yessiah Recinos Morales.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Ebony Morales, Mother and Anderson Alejandro Recinos Rivas, Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before February 7, 2024 at 3:00pm

Loudoun County Department of Family Services

1/11, 1/18, 1/25 & 2/1/24

/v.

Ebony Morales, Mother and Anderson Alejandro Recinos Rivas, Father

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LOUDOUN COUNTY IN RE: ESTATE OF JOHN STANCHIAL WESSELLS, JR. ) FIDUCIARY 20067 ORDER OF PUBLICATION FOR SHOW CAUSE AGAINST DISTRIBUTION It appearing that the Personal Representative has petitioned this Court to enter a Rule to Show Cause against Distribution; that the debts and demands against is estate has been filed, that the Second and Final Account has been filed with the Commissioner of Accounts, and the six months have elapsed since the qualification, on Motion of the said Personal Representative; It is ORDERED that the creditors of, and all others interested in, the Estate do show cause, if any they can, on the 26th day of January 2024 at 9:00 a.m. before this Court in its Courtroom, against the payment and delivery of the Estate of John Stanchial Wessells, Jr., deceased, to the payees without refunding bonds.

1/4 & 1/11/23

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

ATTENTION LOUDOUN COUNTY VEHICLE OWNERS FILING DUE FEBRUARY 1

The LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS will hold a public hearing in the BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ROOM, County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following:

Notification of 2024 personal property filing requirements has recently been mailed to all automobile, truck, motorcycle, camper, trailer, boat, motorhome, aircraft, or mobile homeowners on the county’s tax rolls. In order to assist us in establishing accurate assessment information for the 2024 tax year, changes should be reported online at:

BOZA-2023-0001 Variance - Allow an Accessory Dwelling

www.loudoun.gov/efile A filing notification with instructions about online filing has been mailed to each household of record.

The notification will indicate whether a filing is required or is optional for any vehicle owned in Loudoun County based on the vehicle type, the date the vehicle was located in Loudoun, and whether a filing was previously made on the vehicle.

Unless otherwise instructed, please report corrections, unusually high mileage, unrepaired body damage, serious mechanical defect, address changes or the sale, move or disposal of any vehicle by February 1, 2024, online at: www.loudoun.gov/efile Motorcycles with high mileage may be eligible for an assessment reduction. Filing forms are being mailed to motorcycle owners currently on Loudoun County’s tax rolls so that they may report the motorcycle’s mileage as of January 1, 2024. A high mileage chart is available online at www.loudoun.gov/ vehicle-mileage.

Newly acquired vehicles or vehicles recently entering Loudoun County must be reported to my office within 60 days of purchase or move to Loudoun County or one of its incorporated towns to avoid a 10% late filing penalty. Owners of vehicles in the County are subject to taxes beginning on the date the vehicle came to Loudoun regardless of when it is registered with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or displays out of state license plates.

Owners of vehicles displaying out-of-state license plates not otherwise exempt from obtaining Virginia license plates will be charged an additional annual license fee of $100. A $250 penalty may also be imposed on owners of vehicles that are not registered with DMV within 60 days of the owner’s having established residency in Virginia.

Military service members residing in Loudoun County who have separated from military service and were receiving a tax exemption due to claiming a domicile outside of Virginia should contact the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office to report their change in active-duty status so their exemption can be removed.

Loudoun County bills for and collects personal property taxes and vehicle license fees for vehicle owners in most of Loudoun’s incorporated towns, including Hamilton, Leesburg, Lovettsville, Middleburg, Purcellville, and Round Hill. Owners of vehicles within an incorporated town will receive a consolidated tax bill that includes both County and town taxes.

We encourage you to connect with us virtually since most transactions with our office can be completed online. For more information or filing assistance, please visit www.loudoun.gov/cor or contact the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue at cartax@loudoun.gov or 703-777-0260. Regular office hours are weekdays from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Robert S. Wertz, Jr. Commissioner of the Revenue Loudoun County Leesburg Office 1 Harrison St. SE, First Floor Sterling Office 46000 Center Oak Plaza Mailing Address PO Box 8000 Leesburg, VA 20177-9804 Phone: 703-777-0260

Mark and Saira Mogensen of Ashburn, Virginia, have submitted an application for a variance to permit a deviation from the following regulations of the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance (the Zoning Ordinance) in order to permit the construction of an accessory dwelling on approximately 1.25 acres located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Riverside Parkway (Route 2401), and Smith Circle (Route 823), in the Algonkian Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly identified as 19510 Smith Circle, Ashburn, Virginia, PIN: 056-18-9328-000, Tax Map# 63/D/2////26/ and is zoned A-3 (Agricultural Residential). The applicants seek a variance from the following provisions of the Zoning Ordinance: (1) Section 2-404(D) to allow a building to be located within 5 feet from a property line, reduced from 35 feet; and 2) Section 5-1403(B) to allow a building to be located within 5 feet from a Major Collector Road, reduced from 75 feet. This application is being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the ZOR Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023.

APPL-2023-0005 Appeal of Zoning Permit #ZONR-2023-007245 for a Group Home at 20191 Gleedsville Road Hilary Kozikowski, Aaron Kozikowski, Lawrence J. Thomas, Mary C. Thomas, Thomas Wright, Cheryl Wright, Lynne Wright, Michael Wright, William Feitshans, Beverly Feitshans, Addie Palmer, Craig Palmer, and A Farm Less Ordinary of Leesburg, Virginia, have submitted an application for an appeal of the October 13, 2023, issuance of zoning permit #ZONR-2023-007245 for a Group Home at 20191 Gleedsville Road, Leesburg, Virginia. The subject property is zoned AR-1 (Agricultural Rural-1) under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance. The subject property is more particularly identified as PIN: 31539-2788-000, Tax Map #/59//18//B2-3/; and is approximately 4.9 acres in size. The subject property is located west of Gleedsville Road (Route 650), north of Browns Creek Place (Route 1007), and south of Diggins Court (Route 3047).

Copies of the applications and related documents listed above may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, First Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday or call 703-777-0246 (option 5), to request hard copies or electronic copies. County staff reports will be made available Friday, January 19, 2024. Documents may also be reviewed electronically at loudoun.gov/landmarc. Members of the public desiring to do so may appear and present their views regarding these matters. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, are encouraged to sign-up in advance. If you wish to sign up in advance of the hearing, please call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 no later than 12:00 PM on the day of the public hearing. Speakers may also sign up at the hearing. Written comments may be sent to the Loudoun County Board of Zoning Appeals, P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, Virginia 20175, or by e-mail to stephanie.capps@loudoun.gov. Members of the public may also submit comments electronically at loudoun.gov/landapplications If you require a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability or need language assistance in order to participate in the public hearing, please contact the Department of Planning & Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5) or, TTY-711. Three business days advance notice is requested.

Nan M. Joseph Forbes, Chair Loudoun County Board of Zoning Appeals

1/11 & 1/18/24

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 26

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Kaine visit continued from page 3 “The most critical time to kind of figure out and understand how to build and develop solid relationships and social structure and not only intimate relationships but also just friendships, that all happens in school,” he said. “And there were a couple of years where that just didn’t happen, where kids were just completely isolated.”

He said that social media was also contributing to the problem.

“The pressures that they are facing to sort of live a life online that is not real life [is harmful],” Spence said.

Gupta agreed. “[During COVID] we began to see a lot of increase in mental health problems.

There were more cases of depression, anxiety, obsessive behaviors even mood disorders in children as young as five and six and seven. We’ve had talks with pediatricians who have said, ‘we’ve never seen youngsters who’ve had this degree of mental illness before as we’ve seen in the last couple of years.”

Kaine said that he had seen the importance of community for individuals both struggling with substance abuse and those on their recovery journey. It is important to have friends challenging them to stay in the program, he said.

“Then we switched to doing it by Zoom, which was better than not doing it at all, but the community frayed during COVID. … I think that a lot of mental

Greenway tolls continued from page 1 roads are more congested because motorists avoid the Greenway, and questioned the wisdom of the Greenway’s business strategy likely to further reduce the number of vehicles paying tolls.

County Chair Phyllis Randall (D-At Large) told the hearing officers that, while Loudoun is known for its high family incomes, many residents face serious financial strife. “For those citizens, the cost of the Greenway right now can be cost prohibitive. The cost increase would be untenable,” she said.

Under the requested rates, the cost for daily users of the highway could increase by more than $4,000 annually, she said.

“That’s as much as two house payments per year. The cost of the Greenway is out of reach for me, and it creates a road that really is just for the wealthy,” she said.

She predicted the strategy to significantly raise tolls would hurt the Green-

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JANUARY 11, 2024

health issues are diseases of isolation.”

Randall said that COVID contributed to mental health struggles for everyone.

“As a country, we never dealt with the collective grief of losing over a million people,” she said.

Atwood said mental health and substance abuse are closely tied together.

“For many, many people substances are not the problem. They’re the solution to the problem and I think the big barrier for people is a lack of accessible and affordable early intervention preventative mental health medicine,” Atwood said.

She said it was normal for parents to take their children to the doctor for vaccines, physicals, and preventative physical health care, but that same mentality is not common when it comes to mental health.

“There is no parsing out of mental health and substance abuse.” Gupta said.

Spence added that when families do want to find treatment, it’s hard to find it at an affordable price.

“That’s certainly true with mental health services but those are far and above better than access to provisional care and to substance abuse care. In Northern Virginia, there are virtually no beds for children who need inpatient care and there really are no affordable options whatsoever,” Spence said.

Spence also said that sometimes substance-related fatalities or overdoses are not related to mental health disorders, but are just bad decisions made by a child for the first time with a tragic result.

“I had the opportunity to sit down with some families who have lost children who

have said, ‘this is the first time he ever put a pill in his mouth.’ And, somebody said ‘hey, take this. It will help you study.’ And they put it in their mouth and that was it,” Spence said.

Atwood said that it is important for individuals going through recovery to be helped and encouraged by those who have similar life experiences and that almost 100% of the staff at the Chris Atwood Foundation have experience with substance abuse disorder.

“People with lived experience have more drive, more passion, more resourcefulness than anyone else that I’ve ever seen in this field,” she said.

Adams, who works with Atwood’s foundation, agreed.

“It’s important to give them hope and for them to feel a love and the energy to know that somebody cares no matter what situation or position they’ll be in, somebody will stick with them in their journey,” he said.

Kaine, who has been holding roundtable conversations across the commonwealth, said that he’s looking forward to working on legislation to help address the concerns voiced during Monday’s meeting.

“I think that there’s a high likelihood that we are going to take up mental health-related and substance use-related legislation this year in the [Health, Education, Labor and Pensions] Committee,” he said adding that he wasn’t sure if they would address issues one-by-one or with broader legislation.

“This is an area that is very bipartisan,

and everyone is grappling with it,” Kaine said.

He said he was particularly concerned about young teens and young adults taking pills thinking they were Adderall or some other pill to help with attention span issues only to find that they were polluted by fentanyl.

“That’s a more recent phenomenon,” he said. “And that’s probably an education issue so that kids know what the risks are. … So, I think we need to do a lot more there.”

According to the Virginia Department of Health, in 2022 an average of seven Virginians died of a drug overdose every day and 79% of drug overdose deaths involve fentanyl, fentanyl analogs and tramadol.

In 2023 there were 136 overdoses in Loudoun County with 23 of those fatal and the remaining 113 non-fatal. Twenty-two non-fatal opioid-related overdoses were by children under the age of 18 according to the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office.

As of Jan. 8, there have been five non-fatal overdoses in the county with two of those being opioid-related and one of them by a juvenile. LCPS alerted parents on Saturday informing them that a student at Park View High School had been involved in a suspected overdose that did not occur at the school. Half of the juvenile opioid-related overdoses in 2023 involved students at Park View, according to LCSO. n

way’s business performance.

“As these factors will result in a road that will eventually fail. In the end this toll increase may cause TRIP II to see their own demise,” Randall said. “And if that happens, TRIP II will have no one to blame but themselves.”

Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) pointed to the billion-dollar debt TRIP II carries on the private highway three decades after its construction— costs that are getting passed to the toll payers.

“We’re the ones who have been responsible for paying this never-ending debt to the benefit of the company. And tonight, I’m here to say, enough is enough,” he said.

After years of legislatively mandated annual toll increases, the General Assembly changed the parameters to be used by the SCC in evaluation increase requests.

Letourneau said the new law makes clear that tolls must be reasonable value for drivers using the Greenway.

“There is ample empirical evidence that that value is not there for Loudoun’s driv-

ers already,” he said. “Should you approve this rate increase, we may soon start to see tumbleweeds on these lanes instead of cars.”

David Ramadan spent a decade as working to enact toll curbing legislation during his service as a state delegate.

“I can’t believe we’re back. Here we go again. Here come the Greenway asking for more money,” he said.

“The current price discourages use. At $3 it discouraged use. At $8, it is going to stop usage,” Ramadan said, noting the use of the Greenway has declined even in the wake of Loudoun’s rapid population growth.

The former delegate told SCC representatives that the high rate increase may not be the actual goal of the Greenway owners.

Instead, Ramadan said talks are continuing in Richmond to remove the tolls from SCC oversight and to potentially convert the road to a public-private partnership project with taxpayers footing the bill.

“This is nothing but a tactic,” he said.

Ramadan said the SCC should not only

deny the increase, but also consider reducing the current toll rates.

Residents speaking during the hourslong hearing at Freedom High School in South Riding, most frequently described the requested toll increases as “outrageous” and “shocking.” Speakers said they avoid using the road because of its high cost and lamented the impacts the tolls have on retirees with fixed incomes and families living in the area.

Letourneau and other local leaders expressed optimism that the SCC would have the power to deny the rate hikes under the terms of the new state law.

Tuesday’s hearing will continue in Richmond on Jan. 31. A hearing for rebuttal testimony is planned for Feb. 16. The final hearing is scheduled for Feb. 28.

Written comments will be accepted through Jan. 24 at the SCC’s website or mailed to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond Virginia 23218-2118. All comments must refer to case number PUR-2023-00089. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JANUARY 11, 2024

Interchange continued from page 3 Virginia Department of Transportation.

Eighteen community members spoke on the matter, with council members saying 13 more wrote emails that would be added to the meeting’s record. The majority of comments surrounded concerns about the interchange’s effect on a floodplain located on 14 acres of open space owned by the Catoctin Meadows Neighborhood. Other residents said they supported the interchange for its promise to improve traffic flow and public safety.

Hoffman told the council that the floodplain elevation would not be affected by the project.

“After it would be vacated, VDOT would accept responsibility for the maintenance of that area. In essence, what would really be requested is a transfer of maintenance responsibility for that roughly 3.5% of the existing floodplain,” Hoffman said.

Mayor Stanley J. Milan said he was concerned that the county had not come to an agreement with the Catoctin Homeowners Association before bringing the item back before the council.

“You are asking for something from the council on partial information is what I said seven or eight months ago. The totality of it is agreement between all parties, the HOA, and the council. There has not been any movement on this at all with the HOA,” he said.

Hoffman said the county had reached out to the Catoctin Meadows HOA with a proposal but had not received a formal response yet.

When asked what the county would do if the town vacated the easement but an

agreement could not be made with Catoctin Meadows, Hoffman said the county would likely pursue eminent domain.

“I think everyone in this room would agree no one is a fan of anybody declaring eminent domain when it comes to your individual property,” Catoctin Meadows HOA board member Tip Stinnette said.

“However, it does appear we are fans of a body declaring eminent domain when it comes to someone else’s property.”

Stinnette said by vacating the easement the council would be “clearing a path for the county to assert eminent domain.”

But some community members told the council that the county’s negotiations with the Catoctin Meadows neighborhood were not what the council should be considering.

“This moment is to simply decide whether or not to vacate your easement,” Shannon Scharrer said. “Negotiations with the HOA is negotiations between the HOA and the county. Your job here today is to decide whether or not to vacate the easement.”

Others expressed doubt about the necessity or benefits of the three-boxed culverts.

“I happen to live next to the current boxed culvert that is there now and I happen to spend a lot of time on my deck looking at that creek,” Scott Harris said referencing South Fork Catoctin Creek floodplain. “I’ve seen that creek be completely dry and I’ve seen the creek look like something in the Colorado River, rushing rapids, class 5 kind of thing. I have never seen that creek higher than halfway through that culvert in 25 years.

So I would question the need for a second boxed culvert. It sounds like they are trying to use it as a bargaining chip for our neighborhood.”

PAGE 29

Purcellville Volunteer Fire Company Chief Christopher Kermode said he supported the interchange because of the benefits it would provide for public safety, specifically to response times by fire rescue and police.

“Partial vacation of the floodplain easement will provide safer, faster and easier access now and in the future for residents and guests visiting the Town of Purcellville as well as our responding emergency apparatus,” he said. “Having a fully functioning interchange to support traffic in both directions east and west will provide better access to our downtown areas, provide quicker, safer and much less congested exits and entries for students or parents dropping off their kids to Woodgrove High School or Mountain View Elementary.”

Residents also said they were worried that the interchange would pave the way for more development to occur along Rt. 690, while others said it would help the traffic around town specifically during rush hour times and asked the council to consider the whole town.

“I’m begging, please, as the residents who don’t live in the town. … This decision that is before the Town Council affects more than just Catoctin Meadows.

We are a society as a whole,” Scharrer said.

Milan said he was glad to learn more information during the public hearing before voting on the vacation.

“If we vacate this, it’s an end around to a condemnation for this property. …

We are not going to abandon you until we find out what is going on,” he said about the Catoctin Meadows neighborhood.

Milan said he would suspend a vote on the easement vacation “until we get the facts of what is going to happen.” n

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LCM continued from page 1 “We have had dedicated advertisers since our launch in 2015, but their support alone can no longer fully fund the scale of newsroom operations needed to meet our community coverage expectations,” Styer said.

Also, the newspaper does not operate with a paywall, which provides additional revenue to many papers. “Putting up barriers to residents who need to know what is happening in the halls of government and their neighborhoods goes against our public service mission,” Styer said.

As a nonprofit, Loudoun Community Media will be able to rely on a variety of funding sources. In addition to traditional advertising, there will be additional opportunities for direct support from individuals, foundations, and businesses, and the newspaper will expand into other revenue-generating efforts.

“We are looking forward to forging an even stronger partnership with our community and are confident that operating as a nonprofit will provide long-term financial sustainability expanded coverage of areas of public interest,” Styer said. n

In your home weekly, online always at LoudounNow.com

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JANUARY 11, 2024

Opinion Beyond the Talk Published by Loudoun Community Media 15 N. King St., Suite 101 Leesburg, VA, 20176 PO Box 207 Leesburg, VA 20178 703-770-9723

NORMAN K. STYER Publisher and Editor nstyer@loudounnow.com EDITORIAL ALEXIS GUSTIN Reporter agustin@loudounnow.com HANNA PAMPALONI Reporter hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

Sen. Tim Kaine used a meeting of community leaders in Leesburg this week to put a spotlight on the shortfalls in the local—and national—mental health safety net.

It’s not a new topic for the senator or for those on the frontline of our substance abuse crisis.

The urgent calls for greater access to affordable treatment simply are rolling over into a new decade.

While some choose to characterize the problem as a battle at the national borders, this crisis has long been playing out in living rooms across the community. And too often those families facing serious mental health challenges have too few resources available to address them.

It’s been a topic at the state level, as well. Having these life-changing resources available to every family when a crisis arises has long been identified as a critical goal. Several administrations have promised urgent action, with few

accomplishments to show.

This year, Gov. Glenn Younkgin wants to add another $500 million to expand a statewide behavioral health transformation. The package includes $46 million to support a three-year target of providing emergency room alternatives, such as crisis receiving centers and crisis stabilization units, and publicly funded mobile crisis response teams to increase access, and another $58 million to rebuild the state’s depleted behavioral health workforce.

And there is more money to support the mental health for children continuing to wrestle with post-pandemic challenges.

It’s hard to say whether the scale of that package will have a significant impact at the local level, but it is long past time to move the issue from roundtable talks and to provide meaningful improvements to a critical system that uniformly is recognized as failing. n

ADVERTISING SUSAN STYER Advertising Manager sstyer@loudounnow.com TONYA HARDING Account Executive tharding@loudounnow.com VICKY MASHAW Account Executive vmashaw@loudounnow.com

Online always at LoudounNow.com

Loudoun Now is mailed weekly to homes in Leesburg, western Loudoun and Ashburn, and distributed for pickup throughout the county.

Online, Loudoun Now provides daily community news coverage to an audience of more than 100,000 unique monthly visitors.

LETTERS to the Editor Serious Trouble Editor: Can LCPS survive a teacher’s Union?

Probably not.

It’s not like the management of Loudoun County Public Schools is in good shape. It’s not. Over the past two years, LCPS received national and even international notoriety for its woke political activism, incompetence, and outright criminality.

Senior LCPS administrators were dismissed with prejudice. LCPS remains under investigation by the commonwealth’s attorney general. Court cases filed against the county will cost Loudoun taxpayers millions of dollars as a result of the actions taken by former School Board and administration officials. Millions more tax dollars were misappropriated by the administration with School Board approval to fund worthless projects that were never approved in the budget

process.

But the worst damage was done to our children who were being aggressively indoctrinated by LCPS with woke political ideologies of CRT, transgenderism and virulent anti-Americanism—and they continue to bear the consequences. These issues are far from resolved.

The election of a new School Board and appointment of a new school superintendent hasn’t solved the LCPS management issues.

As recently reported in Loudoun Now, one of our new School Board members violated the Federal Hatch Act and ran for office with the political and financial support of the Democratic Party. She may have avoided substantial Hatch Act penalties by resigning her government position, but what does her wrongful deception in getting elected say about the correctness of her future decisions on the board? Should she be removed?

Definitely.

We also have a relatively new school superintendent who hired one of his cronies as the LCPS communications director. Did he follow county, state and federal regulations to hire her? Don’t know. But when you’re talking about a salary and benefits exceeding $300,000 a year, (the equivalent of five full-time teacher’s salaries), we should know if this was legal. Should her hiring be investigated? Definitely, and if illegal, they should both be fired. In any case, the 2023-24 school year is clearly off to a bad start for LCPS management.

Now add to this the issue of a teacher’s union in Loudoun County. The Loudoun Education Association is affiliated with the VEA and NEA, which are both political organizations with their own political agendas. Ninety-Nine percent of their sizeable political donations go to LETTERS continue on page 31

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

JANUARY 11, 2024

READERS’ poll

PAGE 31

CHIPshots

What should be the top priority of the new School Board?

•• 67.7% Get back to basics Increase fiscal •• 18.2% responsibility Approve collective •• 6.8% bargaining Expand educational •• 4.1% offerings

•• 3.2% Increase test scores THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:

What is the most important element of the Washington Commanders rebuild?

Share your views at loudounnow.com/polls

LETTERS to the Editor continued from page 30

electing Democratic politicians who in turn promote VEA and NEA policies and programs. They have no concerns about the quality of education, teacher’s benefits and pay, parents rights, and least of all the education of our children. Under political pressure and the promise of continued campaign funding, former Gov. Ralph Northam and a Democrat-run legislature in Richmond made an exception to Virginia’s long-standing Right To Work statute to allow teachers’ unions to operate in the commonwealth.

Aren’t there enough problems already afflicting LCPS without adding another dimension to the continuing crisis.

LCPS management is already in serious trouble. Approving LEA at this time will be like tossing them an anchor and telling them to swim.

— Tony Virgilio, Leesburg

Your Support Editor, For about 28 years, The Salvation Army of Loudoun has fought poverty in our community. Every day, more and more people have come to The Salvation Army of Loudoun asking for our help. As we are approaching what appears to be

a very challenging and cold winter, can you imagine having no power for heat or for cooking in your home? Many of our clients are facing that reality. Our clients need support with utility bills, diapers, clothing, and emergency food assistance.

We do not expect that the need for our help—and our hope—will slow down anytime soon.

It was critically important to us to conduct an over-the-top Angel Tree program. That we did. We want to thank all the donors and volunteers who made the Christmas season happy and bright for almost 1,400 children from 634 families who received Christmas gifts through our Angel Tree and Sheetz for the Kids programs. We calculated that our community was able to provide 5,580 items of clothing and 6,975 toys. The Salvation Army of Loudoun County’s Angel Tree program is superbly well run and managed by three amazing volunteers along with our staff. More importantly, close to 111 devoted volunteers provided 522 hours of service in our distribution center to assist with the organization and the distribution of the presents. I also want to express our appreciation to Rappaport Management Company at the Village at Leesburg, which donated the site to us. To My Guys Moving, which donated their vehicles and staff to pick up and deliver thousands of gifts to the distribution center. More than 40 businesses, lots of individuals, the faith community, HOA’s, Toys for Tots, and

civic organizations contributed incredible gifts to support the children we knew would not have had gifts for Christmas.

Our community’s outpouring of kindness was extraordinary.

The Salvation Army’s iconic Red Kettle campaign ran from mid-November to Christmas. Kettles were located at Giant, Safeway, Sam’s Club, Hobby Lobby, and Walmart stores in Loudoun. We are very grateful to the many volunteers who manned the kettle, our Kettle Partners, AND to those who filled our kettles with donations. Thank you. Every dollar we raise stays here in our community and directly supports our Emergency Assistance program.

My wife, Major Robin, and I have faithfully served the Salvation Army for about 23 years. We started our service in

the Loudoun Corps in June. We quickly discovered how generous this community is to those who are less fortunate.

Rest assured, your incredible support is phenomenal, and we are extremely grateful. With the help of generous donors and volunteers, The Salvation Army embodied their Christmas theme, “Hope Marches On.” We are truly blessed and humbled by our community’s generosity.

Your support makes so much possible.

Learn more about the work that The Salvation Army of Loudoun does throughout the year at loudoun.salvationarmypotomac.org.

A hearty thanks for all you have provided. Have a blessed 2024.

— Major George Hackbarth Salvation Army of Loudoun

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap.

All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.”

This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-9753.

fairhousing@dpor.virginia.gov • www.fairhousing.vipnet.org

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PAGE 32

JANUARY 11, 2024

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