Loudoun Now for Jan. 31, 2019 by Loudoun Now

LOUDOUN COUNTY’S COMMUNITY-OWNED NEWS SOURCE

LoudounNow

[ Vol. 4, No. 11 ]

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Loudoun hockey: a youth movement

[ January 31, 2019 ]

Reopen But Not Whole Businesses Warn of Federal Shutdown’s Long-term Effects BY DANIELLE NADLER

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Professor Nasser Maksoud guides students through a lesson on multimedia software at Northern Virginia Community College.

Region Teams Up to Grow Tech Talent BY RENSS GREENE AND DANIELLE NADLER

ith the largest data center market in the U.S. and many other technology companies from startups to household names based in the region, Northern Virginia is increasingly known for technology. But as economic development officials and businesses have warned, that meteoric growth is happening faster than companies can find qualified workers to fill those new jobs. There are tens of

thousands of vacant tech jobs in the region. Last August, Virginia Economic Development Partnership President and CEO Steven Moret said Virginia appears to have the biggest gap between demand and supply for qualified tech workers of any state in the country. But the past year has also seen leaders in government, business, and education get serious about training the next generation to fill those jobs. “We’ve got to think about it from the ground up,” said Sharon Virts, former Loudoun County Economic Development Advisory Commission chairwom-

an, and herself a successful entrepreneur after founding and growing FCi Federal. “It can’t just be something we add on to a class. We have to merge it into our kids’ lives.” Virts is also vice chairwoman of the GO Virginia Region 7 Council, part of a statewide initiative feeding funding into ideas designed to make big changes to Virginia’s economy. Region 7 covers Northern Virginia and the almost 2.5 million people living here. And that council recently approved a $1.2 million

Although the president and Congress reached a tentative deal late last week to reopen the federal government, many Loudoun County business leaders say they could be feeling the negative effects of the 35day shutdown for months or even years from now. About a dozen Loudoun-based business owners huddled around a table at Old Ox Brewery in Ashburn last Thursday to share with U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) how the government’s closure has impacted their business’ bottom line. They included owners of restaurants, breweries, wineries, federal government contractors, and mom-and-pop shops like ReLove It in Purcellville. Jeff Powell, CEO of Strongbridge LLC, said he’s already seen that it’s gotten tougher to recruit IT talent. “The mindset used to be come work for the government or a contractor because it’s less risky—less pay, but less risky. Well that’s changing.” Landing talented employees may get even tougher with Amazon’s H2Q moving into the area, Kaine added. “The talent pool issue is huge.” Chris Burns, president and co-owner of Old Ox Brewery, rattled off several ways the shutdown has hurt his bottom line. Many of his regular customers haven’t been in all month, and the average check is also down. “Our business is down significantly—to the tune of 25 percent this month. We’ve never had a down January.” Plus, he can’t get federal approval for his labels, which means the new releases he had planned for January through March will have to wait. “I

TECH TALENT >> 8

SHUTDOWN >> 42

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Loudoun United Chief Operating Officer Adam Behnke poses for a photo with the team’s newly named head coach Richie Williams.

Loudoun United Names Head Coach, Eyes August Stadium Opening BY DANIELLE NADLER Loudoun United FC has announced that former D.C. United midfielder and three-time Major League Soccer Cup winner Richie Williams will be the team’s first head coach as its inaugural season begins in spring. Williams will work directly with D.C. United General Manager and Vice President of Soccer Operations Dave Kasper, D.C. United Head Coach Ben Olsen, and Loudoun United FC Technical Director Dane Murphy. The team held a press conference

Tuesday afternoon at the National Conference Center to formally introduce Williams to the Loudoun community. After accepting the job last week, Williams said he’s gotten to work right away. He and other team leaders are building the roster of players ahead of the team’s first game March 9. “We have a new opportunity to develop players, identify prospects in an area that’s rich with soccer talent while also competing at a high level in the USL Championship,” Williams said. “We have been working hard behind

the scenes to build our roster for 2019 and we’ve got some work to do before our March 9 USL opener against Nashville. I’m looking forward to the challenge and can’t wait to get to know the Loudoun United fans.” Jason Levien, D.C. United CEO and managing general owner, told those at the press conference, “To get someone with his pedigree and his experience— as a player, as a coach, as a Virginia grad—is incredible.” Williams was on D.C. United’s first LOUDOUN UNITED >> 42

BUDGET CLOSE UP

School Psychologists in Line for Pay Raises; Social Workers Ask for Equal Treatment BY DANIELLE NADLER Superintendent Eric Williams has said for the past two years his goal is to gradually improve pay for the school system’s non-teaching positions, but it will take time. The operating budget he’s drafted for next fiscal year recommends that school psychologists be next in line for significant raises. That’s in large part because Loudoun County has seen an exodus of school psychologists to Fairfax County and other school districts to the east that offer higher salaries, just as its working to bolster its mental health support for students. But the school social workers, who often work in tandem with psychologists, are asking that they not be left be-

hind. The social workers—along with psychologists, school counselors, and student assistance specialists—are part of the newly established mental health teams that have been created at every middle and high school in the county. Williams’ spending plan includes a 1.5 percent cost-of-living increase for social workers, along with every other classified, administrative, and auxiliary employees. For psychologists, Williams’ recommended budget earmarks $977,000 to increase their salaries. He’s proposing two new “salary lanes” with a 20-step salary scale rather than a 25-step scale. Each step generally represents a year with the school division. That change would result in an average increase of 21.3 percent, or $16,536, for each step.

For example, a psychologist at step five would be paid $69,403 each year, rather than $57,643; and one at step 10 would be paid $82,367 rather than $65,745. “Even with these improvements, we still would not lead all of our comparators,” Williams said. Six of the 11 people who spoke at a Jan. 24th public hearing on the budget asked the board to consider raises for school social workers. Karyn Walsh said a school social worker helped turn her special needs daughter’s life around. She was facing bullying and doubting her abilities in high school, and the school’s social worker encouraged her when she BUDGET >> 43

INDEX Loudoun Gov........................... 6 Leesburg............................... 10 Politics................................. 14 Public Safety......................... 15 Education.............................. 16 Ask the Experts.................... 19 Biz........................................ 24 Nonprofit............................... 25 Our Towns............................. 26 LoCo Living........................... 30 Public and Legal Notices....... 35 Obituaries............................. 36 Help Wanted.......................... 37 Resource Directory................ 38 Opinion................................. 40

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Legislators push priorities in Richmond

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Del. Reid, Former Foster Child, Pushes for Foster Care Improvements BY DANIELLE NADLER

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Del. David Reid (D-32), said improving the foster care system will take a team effort— from state and local government and the nonprofit community.

rience; she went on to work as a legal secretary, in large part thanks to the state’s willingness to let her stay at the children’s home after she turned 18 and offer her business school classes. “For me, the process was very positive because it gave me opportunities I would not have otherwise gotten,” Reid said, referring to his college education. The legislator introduced his bill, HB 1728, to allow for former foster children to continue to have a relationship with their birth parents, even after they are adopted.

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Among the nearly 2,000 bills filed in the General Assembly this session, there is one that is particularly personal for Del. David A. Reid (D-32). Reid, who spent his formative years in Virginia’s foster care system, has introduced a bill that would allow for post-adoption contact and communication between children and their birth parents in cases where deemed appropriate. Reid, who’s in his first term representing the Ashburn area in the House of Delegates, was placed in foster care at 10 years old after his mother left the family and his father was on his own to raise five children in Rockbridge County. “We were living in a four-room house with an outhouse and woodstove to heat the place,” Reid said. “When I was 10, my dad decided he just wasn’t able to take care of us the way he felt we needed to be taken care of.” So he handed his children over to the state. Reid lived in what was then called the United Methodist Children’s Home in Richmond, which was thought of as an orphanage where children would live until they were young adults. But Reid was adopted by friends of his father’s at age 16. They helped him get into college in Oklahoma, where he became the first in his family to earn a college degree. Reid describes his experience with Virginia’s foster care system as positive. His sister also had a good expe-

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Randall Pushes for County-Funded Purchase of Development Rights BY RENSS GREENE County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) has proposed studying a much-talked-about program that would see the county government buy the rights to develop green properties, then retire them to ensure those properties stay unbuilt. Like a transfer of development rights program, which would allow landowners to protect their land by selling development rights to another private person or company to be used elsewhere, purchase of development rights has been talked about more frequently as Loudoun works to revise its comprehensive plan. It has support from organizations like Save Rural Loudoun and the Loudoun County Farm Bureau. Loudoun has an existing but unfunded Purchase of Development Rights program. Although it remains on the books, the program was abruptly defunded in 2004 when a newly-elected Board of Supervisors took dramatic steps to reverse the previous board’s planning—particularly around conservation—during

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

The old historic road bed of Downey Mill Road just outside the village of Taylorstown, one of the county’s oldest settlements, runs along the Catoctin Creek. History goes back a long way in Loudoun County and Taylorstown is one of the county’s oldest settlements.

its first meeting. Although many of the 2004 board’s actions have since been reversed and the PDR program remained on the books, funding has never been restored to the program. The Planning Commission’s latest draft of the new comprehensive plan has no reference to a purchase

of development rights program, and commissioners have expressed opposition to both purchase and transfer of development rights. In particular, commissioner Cliff Keirce (Broad Run) argued a transfer program would unfairly increase PDRs >> 9

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Religious leaders and members of several faith communities meet Monday, Jan. 28.

Faith Leaders Push for Coordinated Charity Strategy BY RENSS GREENE During a meeting of more than two dozen religious leaders from across Loudoun on Monday, members of the faith community discussed options to organize their charitable efforts for maximum impact. Christ Church of Lucketts lay pastor Kurt Aschermann first asked the meeting’s organizer, County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large), to help congregations find the small nonprofits for which the support of a small church could make a difference. “Because I think parishes and synagogues and mosques—we’d all take

one,” Aschermann said. “…Help us identify the little guys that a check of $10,000 from one us could make the difference between them surviving and not surviving.” Others suggested creating a formal council organized under the county government, such as Fairfax County’s Faith Communities In Action, a network of religious organizations and government agencies, and similar organizations in Montgomery County, MD and Washington, DC. But one thing is clear, said Mike Trivett, director of community outreach at Christian Fellowship Church: there is a need for better coordination.

People at the meeting Monday said they want to help where it’s most needed and build upon one another’s efforts, rather than duplicating them. Howie Levin, executive director of OneHeartDC along with leading several other faith-oriented organizations, and a member of the Loudoun Pastors Consortium, suggested focusing even more closely. “There’s a lot of random caring going on and it’s great, and there will be dozens of issues that can be addressed that way,” Levin said. “But what if there were three to five that were truly the CHARITIES >> 9

Commission Signs Off On Metro Development The Loudoun County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a plan that would bring 843 new homes and a George Mason University campus to Loudoun near the future Ashburn Metro station. The development would also come with a 15.5-acre site for a future elementary or middle school. Where the Beaverdam Run crosses the property, 11 acres would be set aside for a wetlands park. Today the Broadlands Wetlands Ecological Park stands there, featuring boardwalks over a large creek. It is another in a series of large, mixed-use developments proposed around Loudoun’s future Metro stops as the county prepares for the day Metro trains start running into Loudoun. Thirty-seven acres of the almost 65-acre development is owned by George Mason University, which is contemplating a satellite campus alongside the 261 homes including townhouses and apartments, school site and public park on its property. The development is on the southern side of the Dulles Greenway from Waxpool Road, across Mooreview Parkway and to Old Ryan Road. The eastern edge of the property is less than half a mile from the future Ashburn Metro station near Loudoun Station. The developer would also provide almost 100 price-controlled homes to the county’s Affordable Housing Unit and Unmet Housing Needs programs, along with building bus shelters, signals and trails on Demott Drive, Waxpool Road and Mooreview Parkway, asphalt trails alongside Demott and Waxpool, and other transportation improvements. Commissioners voted 8-0-1, with Commissioner Kathy Blackburn (Algonkian) absent to endorse the project. The application now goes to the county Board of Supervisors for a public hearing, deliberation and final vote. Requests for comment to George Mason University have not yet been returned.

Input Sought for Human Services Strategic Plan The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties is partnering with Loudoun County and local nonprofit organizations to develop a five-year human services strategic plan for the county, which will provide a roadmap for implementing improved, coordinated systems of care that meet the huBRIEFS >> 7

[ BRIEFS ]

Supplemental Real Estate, Personal Property Tax Due Payments for supplemental real estate and personal property taxes are due Tuesday, Feb. 5. Payments postmarked after Feb. 5 will incur a 10 percent late payment penalty, and additional interest at the rate of 10 percent per annum will be assessed. The due date will not be extended for bills where assessment questions have been filed with the Board of Equalization. Payment can be made using electronic check, VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. There is a fee added to payment card transactions. Payment can be made online at loudounportal.com/taxes, on mobile devices through the Link2Loudoun app, by phone at 1-800-269-5971. Payment can also be made by mail to County of Loudoun, P.O. Box 1000, Leesburg, VA 20177-1000, or in-person at the offices of Treasurer H. Roger Zurn Jr. in Leesburg and Sterling.

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man service needs of Loudoun County. The strategic plan will focus on services such as affordable health care, child care and housing as well as funding and advocacy. The plan is being developed through a collaborative effort by the Loudoun County government, the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties and the Loudoun Human Services Network. Representatives of these groups are serving on the Human Services Strategic Plan Steering Committee, which is developing the strategic plan. As part of this effort, a series of meetings will be held Friday, Feb. 8, to take public comment on the county’s human services needs and recommendations on how to meet those needs. Local human services professionals will be attending the day-long series of meetings. The input sessions are: 9 and 10:30 a.m. for government and public services employees, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for patients and clients of nonprofit or county human services, 1:30-3 p.m. for business leaders and community members, and 3:30-5 p.m. for nonprofit executives and volunteers. The meetings will take place at HealthWorks for Northern Virginia, 163 Fort Evans Road NE (third floor meeting room)

in Leesburg. Anyone with questions about the meetings may call 703-7793505, ext. 2 or email info@CommunityFoundationLF.org. The steering committee is scheduled to make final recommendations on a strategic plan to the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors in the fall of 2019.

January 31, 2019

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January 31, 2019

Tech talent << FROM 1 program to expand cybersecurity and data center education centered around Northern Virginia Community College. “We have a huge talent pipeline problem in the region, and not just here in Virginia, but in Maryland and DC,” Virts said. “We’ve got about 35,000 some-odd cyber and tech jobs that are coming open in the next few years, and we want to be able to fill them with people here in Virginia to contribute to our economy.” That project, the Northern Virginia Tech Talent Pipeline, will bring together the resources of NVCC, George Mason University, Fairfax County Public Schools, and other local governments, including Loudoun. Among the project’s elements is putting together a website to act as a shared resource for the region, including labor market data, training and education programs, and financial assistance, and internship and job opportunities; expanding the community college’s Tech Talent Pipeline Employer Collaborative; creating a shared communications and promotional campaign; and refocusing educational programs on what students need to pass credential exams and getting hands-on learning.

Schools Put Students in the Action The Loudoun County school system is already on board to equip the next

generation of tech workers. Already, students are learning to code starting in kindergarten at the school system’s computer science immersion schools: Meadowland, Moorefield Station and Round Hill elementary schools. This year, Superintendent Eric Williams is proposing integrating computer science into every elementary school in the county over the next three years. He’s also proposing expanding the school system’s offering of elective computer science classes in middle and high school and integrating computer science and computational thinking into the curriculum at five middle schools. NVCC is also making enormous strides in preparing students for the growing number of tech jobs, according to Julie Leidig, provost at the college’s Loudoun Campus. This past fall, the college announced it was teaming up with Amazon Web Services to launch a new associate degree specialization in information technology and cloud computing. The degree program will be one of the first cloud computing programs in the nation offered by a community college. Cloud and distributed computing were highlighted by LinkedIn as the number one in-demand skill over the past three years. Amazon Web Services also launched its only apprenticeship program on the East Coast through NVCC. That program has five tracks, in topics such as data center tech, network tech, and solutions architect. NVCC also created space for more students in its associate of applied science in cybersecurity on all five of its

campuses. Leidig said cybersecurity has been the college’s fastest-growing degree program for several years. Last fall, the community college also revamped its engineering technology associate of applied science degree by adding two new specializations. The college added a data center operations technology specialization specialty at its Loudoun Campus, and a mechatronics specialty at its Manassas Campus. Leidig said the community college has worked closely with industry leaders in Northern Virginia for years to create new degrees, new specializations, and certificate and apprenticeship opportunities—all with the goal of equipping the workforce to meet the tech industry’s demand. “We recognize the tremendous need for technology workers not only in Loudoun County but all across our region. At NOVA, we’re doing everything we can to supply our many talented students of all ages with the skills they need to fill the available jobs,” she said. “Our next big push will be to expand apprenticeships and internship opportunities to help our graduates transition into jobs.” NVCC student Bianca Nacu said she decided to get into the school’s cybersecurity program after thinking about her job prospects. “I was actually a music major before this, and I found that the opportunities for that field weren’t the best for me,” Nacu said. “So I was exploring more majors and I decided on this because my brother-in-law and I had talked about it in the past. And then, you know, the money is also good.”

She said she has found the field interesting, and it has changed the way she looks at the technology-saturated world around her—whether it means being frustrated when her friends are not more cognizant about the threats associated with connecting to public Wi-Fi and posting their locations on social media, to having a less talked-about perspective on the monthlong federal government shutdown. “Clearances weren’t being processed…so I do think that right now the country is very vulnerable to attacks because of that shutdown,” Nacu said. From here, she hopes to transfer to George Mason University, but said although she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree, the industry certifications are key. The community offers several industry certificates, including cloud computing and database specialist. And Nacu said something the region’s businesses would no doubt be thrilled to hear: “I am so set on staying in Virginia,” Nacu said. “Over these past few years, it’s become very apparent that Northern Virginia and DC are becoming … a very hot spot for technology.”

Businesses Look for Someone to Pay The new commitment to tech training was also evident through a huge incentive package to draw a new Amazon headquarters to Crystal City— which went beyond the typical tax breaks and cash incentives and was TECH TALENT >> 42

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PDRs << FROM 6 density around people in the east to benefit people in the west. But although the county’s previous jab at the program met with some criticism, Randall’s staff aide Laura TeKrony said it was a success. “It conserved 12 easements and protected more than 2,545 acres,” TeKrony said. “The county committed $8.9 million at that time through the county’s open space preservation fund, but it was matched with more than $4.2 million from non-county grants and donations.” She pointed out other Virginia counties including Fauquier and Clarke have purchase of development rights programs. In theory, it would

rgreene@loudounnow.com give the county government more ability to directly target certain land for conservation that transfer of development rights, by using taxpayer dollars instead of relying on a market. “The county can decide what resources it wants to protect, and it’s very proactive in the sense that it’s a county-directed program,” TeKrony said. And since the county’s last run at the program, she said, many more opportunities for outside funding have come available. “I don’t think she’s saying we have to have it, but it doesn’t make sense to not include it in the discussion,” TeKrony said. County supervisors are expected to vote on whether to launch a study of the program at their meeting Feb. 5. rgreene@loudounnow.com

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most pressing issues of the community, and we said we can solve them?” Randall cautioned that there is likely no room in the county budget in the coming year for the government to start a new office, and further that her office does not have the staffing to do much more than communicate. But the religious leaders in the room shared their contact information with each other, taking a first step toward organizing and coordinating more closely

January 31, 2019

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among themselves. Originally organized as a meeting around the federal shutdown, Randall kept the meeting on the schedule even after the shutdown ended, citing the lasting impacts not only on federal employees, but federal contractors and other businesses and people who felt the ripple effects of the shutdown. “In Loudoun County you have to hurt quietly—you’re not allowed to hurt out loud,” Randall said. “Because we’re the best county in the country, I think that, but we’re also Pleasantville. Everyone’s OK all the time.”

[ LEESBURG ]

[ BRIEFS ] Council Approves 2 More Public Art Displays

January 31, 2019

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Customers talk with District Hemp Botanicals staff members about CBD-infused foods and remedies, like anti-insomnia and anxiety capsules.

District Hemp Opens in Downtown Leesburg BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ District Hemp, the first hemp-based cannabidiol store in Virginia, opened its second store in Leesburg on Friday. District Hemp was founded in 2017 as a pop-up concept in Washington, DC, community markets. It opened the commonwealth’s first hemp-based store in Manassas later that year. The expansion to Leesburg comes as the use of industrial hemp is clearing legal hurdles at the state and federal levels. The legalization provisions in the federal 2018 Farm Bill, adopted in December, are expected to open up a $22 billion market by 2022. “I am so blessed to have the opportunity to help so many people through the use of hemp,” stated owner Barbara Biddle. “We’re proud to be on the forefront of the effort to educate the broader community about the benefits of hemp and CBD products.” The store offers hemp oils, teas, bath balls, vaporizers, and infused dog treats, among many other products. Legalized industrial hemp products contain lower concentrations of THC and higher concentrations of cannabidiol, or CBD, than marijuana. Biddle said the first weekend in Leesburg was a busy one as she introduced a new community to the store’s

More public art is headed to Leesburg, following two approvals by the Town Council last week. The council voted 4-2-1 to approve a new sculpture at the Leesburg Skatepark on Catoctin Circle. The 13-foot-high sculpture by Lovettsville artist Jeff Hall celebrates the users of the site, with silhouettes of skateboarders, in-line skaters and BMX bikers featured. At its center, the sculpture will also bear a silhouette of the skate plaza’s namesake, Eric Brown, who as a young teen was the driving force behind fundraising for the initial skate park. Council members Suzanne Fox and Tom Dunn dissented on the vote, and Councilman Josh Thiel was absent. The council also approved the temporary installation of a sculpture of Martin Luther King Jr., in time for February’s Black History Month. The King sculpture is also the work of Hall, who is also the sculptor creating the statue of Stanley Caulkins that will be displayed on King Street. He has loaned the town the mock-up version of the 9-foot-tall, 200-pound bronze statue he made for the Martin Luther King Library in Aurora, CO. Hall will install and uninstall the sculpture, so there will be no financial or work-related cost to the town. Local school teacher Tammy Carter, also one of the organizers of the annual MLK Day festivities in town, suggested the town display the statue during Black History Month. The sculpture is on display on the main floor of Town Hall. The vote to approve the installation of the King statue passed 6-0-1, with Thiel absent.

More Commission Vacancies Filled

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

District Hemp Botanicals Owner Barbara Biddle talks with Leesburg Town Councilman Neil Steinberg on the day of her shop’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.

offerings. On being the first in the state to offer the products, she said it’s been nice to be a pioneer of the movement and to help educate the public. She and her staff have already encountered their share of public misconceptions at the Manassas store, and she said she is prepared for some of that in Leesburg, too.

District Hemp is located at 19 Wirt St. in downtown Leesburg. Among those participating in Friday’s grand opening celebration were Leesburg Town Council members Suzanne Fox, Ron Campbell and Neil Steinberg. For more information, call the shop at 571-364-8663 or go to districthempstore.com.

The spots on Leesburg’s citizen-led advisory bodies are slowly filling up. At last week’s Town Council meeting, several more seats were filled. Councilman Tom Dunn found support for four appointments—Mary Harper to the Airport Commission, Andrew Boardman to the Economic Development Commission, Jenny Klug to the Public Art Commission, and Paul Sheaffer to the Environmental Advisory Commission. Councilwoman Suzanne Fox also filled two vacancies, with the appointments of Jack Curtis to the Technology and Communications Commission and Patricia Hatfield to the Tree Commission.

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Town Council Approves Utility Rate Increases in Leesburg

January 31, 2019

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ Customers of Leesburg’s water and sewer system can expect higher bills later this year. The Town Council voted last week on several Town Code amendments and an updated fee schedule that will see rates rise by an average of 4.5 percent per year for the next five years, beginning with the next fiscal year that starts July 1. For the average residential customer using 14,000 gallons per quarter, that translates to a $40 annual increase in fiscal year 2020. By the fifth year of the plan, in fiscal year 2024, those same customers can expect to spend on average $54.42 more per quarter. Over several meetings, the council had heard repeatedly from both the consultant overseeing the rate study, as well as town staff, that the town continues to make up for keeping utility rates artificially low for years. Beginning in the early 2000s, Leesburg found itself in legal hot water with the 100 percent surcharge it imposed on its out-oftown customers. The Loudoun Circuit Court ruled in 2009 the rates were unreasonable, but that decision was later overturned by the state Supreme Court. Since then, five-year rate studies and the resulting rate increases have become commonplace to pay for capital expenses for the utility system—an asset valued at more than $400 million—as well as increased operating expenses as both the town’s customer base, and thus the need for more employee manpower, grows. The increased revenue from the new

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Water tanks sit near the intersection of Battlefield Parkway and Fort Evans Road in Leesburg. Utility rates for residents will go up an average of 4.5 percent per year for the next five years.

rates will also allow the town to move to a 40-year replacement cycle, which equates to about $10 million in capital expenditures per year. Proposed staffing additions to support the increase in the town’s population, meeting service levels, and avoiding staff burnout total new 18 positions between fiscal years 2020 and 2024. As an enterprise fund, the Utilities Fund is self-supporting and does not impact town taxes, so revenue generated

from water and sewer fees must be sufficient to cover the cost of maintaining the systems and debt service obligations as well as Utilities Department personnel. The 4.5 percent per year increase is less than the over 7 percent per year increase for the past five years. Councilman Ron Campbell suggested that the council set as its goal that the next needed increase be even less than the one put in place last week.

“Every five years I think we can set forth an expectation that [any increase] is going to be lower than 4.5 percent, if we’re being responsible and reinvesting back in the system,” he said. “It’s somewhat painful but we do need to point out the original increase [in the past five years] was 7.8 percent. We have brought that down,” Mayor Kelly Burk said. “Water service is probably one of the most important things we provide. It really is important we maintain it the way it needs to be maintained.” Council members Suzanne Fox and Tom Dunn voted against the new fee schedule, but did support the other Town Code changes. Councilman Josh Thiel was absent for the meeting. In explaining her vote, Fox said she was “not convinced” by the growth estimates and revenue projections put forth by town staff and the rate consultant. She pointed to forthcoming commercial projects, like the Loudoun United soccer stadium and Compass Creek development. The former will be an outof-town utility customer, while the latter property is being eyed for inclusion into the town. Both of those utility customers alone could contribute a substantial amount of revenue to the utility system, and Fox said she doubted whether those, as well as other, future commercial and residential projects were captured in the numbers put before the council for review. The council deferred discussion to a later work session on several sections of the Town Code. krodriguez@loudounnow.com

Because of You

The Salvation Army of Loudoun County wishes to thank the following individuals, organizations, and companies for “Doing the Most Good” in our community this past Christmas. Thanksgiving Dinner

All Volunteers Boy Scout Troop 1907 Laurie Broglio The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Hamilton Giant Food, Purcellville Giant Food, Leesburg Junior Optimist International Club, Dominion High School Junior Women’s Club of Loudoun, Leesburg Leesburg United Methodist Church Loudoun County Salvation Army Advisory Board Members & Honorary Board Members Mama Lucci Restaurant, Leesburg Round Hill United Methodist Church Wegmans Food, Leesburg

Red Kettle Kickoff

All Volunteers Mayor Kelly Burk Giant Food, Leesburg Loudoun County Salvation Army Advisory Board Members & Honorary Board Members Rock Ridge High School Songsters Choir

Red Kettle Bell Ringing

All Volunteers Ashburn Rotary Club Matt Broglio (SignUpGenius) Mayor Kelly Burk Dominion High School Key Club Harmony United Methodist Church Men Junior Optimist International Club Leesburg Daybreak Rotary Club Leesburg Optimist Club

Loudoun County Salvation Army Advisory Board Members & Honorary Board Members Loudoun County Salvation Army Corps Members & Employees Purcellville Rotary Club Rock Ridge High School Key Club Rotary Interact Club of Loudoun Valley and Woodgrove High Schools Stone Bridge High School Key Club Sterling Rotary Club

Angel Tree

All Volunteers Deborah Addo Brambleton Welcome Center, Ashburn Mayor Kelly Burk Catoctin School of Music Dulles Town Center Heritage Highland Community, Lovettsville Inova Loudoun Hospital, Doctors and Nurses Junior Optimist International Club Marcey Kellogg Tamara Ketterman Lansdowne on the Potomac Leesburg United Methodist Church Loudoun County Salvation Army Advisory Board Members & Honorary Board Members My Guys Moving Company One Loudoun Neighborhood Association, Ashburn Summit Bank and Insurance Sharon Thomas Waste Management Young Men’s Service League, Grace Winter

Toy Shop

All Volunteers Junior Optimist International Club Marcey Kellogg Tamara Ketterman Loudoun County Salvation Army Advisory Board Members & Honorary Board Members Sharon Thomas Toys for Tots Grace Winter (Volunteers & SignUpGenius)

Christmas Day Patient Visitation

All Volunteers Inova Loudoun Hospital Staff Loudoun County Salvation Army Advisory Board Members & Honorary Board Members

Feed the Hungry of Loudoun Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church St.Theresa Catholic Church St. John the Apostle Catholic Church Dranesville Church of the BrethrenHerndon St. Francis Episcopal Church

“

Volunteers are inspiring people who give of their time, talent, and wealth for helping others. We want to thank you for your hard work and contributions throughout the season. You are always here for us when we need you.

”

Captains Pradeep & Priscilla Ramaji

Loudoun County, Virginia

http://virginiasalvationarmy.org/loudouncountyvacorps/

GENERAL ASSEMBLY SNAPSHOT

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Del. John J. Bell (D-87) HB 2067 would prohibit discrimination in government jobs on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, recently a hot-button issue on the Loudoun County School Board. This bill has been referred to the Committee on General Laws. HB 2069 would prohibit candidates from getting campaign contributions from public service corporations such as utilities. This bill is in a subcommittee of the Committee on Privileges and Elections. HB 2667, Bell’s controversial bill to begin limited distance-based tolling on the Dulles Greenway in exchange for extending guaranteed annual toll

Dr.Brian BrianCochran Cochranand andhis hisstaff staff atat Dr. Cochran FamilyDental Dentalare are Cochran Del. Karrie K. Delaney (D-67) Family HB 1659 would require clergy to recommitted to providing a comprehensive dental office port suspectedcommitted child abuse to the au-to providing a comprehensive dental office thorities, with an exemption for when with caring andgentle gentlestyle stylethat thatwill willserve servemost mostall allof of with aacaring the doctrine of their religion would and require that be kept secret. A subcommittee of the your House Committee for dental your family’s dentalneeds needs under one roof.Insurance Insurance family’s under one roof. The- Village at Leesburg facing Fri.: 8am 1pm •trusted 24hr Emergency Service care to the citizens Courts of Justice has recommended Cochran has provided dental 703-771-9034 Loudoun for1313 years. 703-771-9034 ofof Loudoun years. Route 7 between Wegmans and 1503 Dodona Terrace for sending the billfriendly to the Committee on friendly office offering budget wise payment options.Dr. Dr. LA Fitness payment office offering budget wise options. WHITENING of Loudoun for 13 years. Suite 210 WHITENING Visit our website at: TheLeesburgVADentist.com Visit our website at: TheLeesburgVADentist.com Appropriations. Sen. Jill Holtzman VoVisit our website: TheLeesburgVADentist.com Conveniently located in Visit our website: TheLeesburgVADentist.com Conveniently located in Leesburg, VA 20175 gel (R-27) has introduced a similar bill SPECIAL WHITENING SPECIAL TheVillage Village atLeesburg Leesburg facing care The atlocated facing Cochran has provided trusted dental care tothe the citizens Conveniently indental Cochran has provided trusted to citizens Use yourbenefits benefits before theend end in the Senate. Use your before the Route 7 between Wegmans and 703-771-9034 Route 7 between Wegmans and 1503 Dodona Terrace SPECIAL ofthe theyear yearand andreceive receiveaaFREE FREE The Village atLA Leesburg facing HB 2643 would limit1503 tolls Dodona in I-66 toTerrace of LAFitness Fitness Teeth Whitening Kit withevery everyend Loudoun for 13 years. your benefits before the Visit ourMon website at: TheLeesburgVADentist.com Suite210 210for Teeth Whitening Kit with $15. This bill isof inof theLoudoun House Commit13 years. Suite StartUse your day with the Route 7 between Wegmans & Wed: 8-6pm and Mon & Wed: 8-6pm 1503 Dodona Terrace

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Crossover day for the Virginia General Assembly is Tuesday, Feb. 5— meaning each chamber of the assembly has until then to pass any bills it wants to see made law, except for the budget. Any bills that have not passed the chamber where they were introduced by then will be left for another year. Loudoun’s representatives in Richmond continue to push their priorities through. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the bills they’re working on that are still alive in the General Assembly:

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HB 1716 would expand the definition of “sexual abuse” to include intenFri: 8-1pm • Sat: 8-1pm (Once/month) Useyour your benefits with before theoffer. end Use the end Not tobenefits be combinedbefore any other tional touching of any part of victim’s 24hr Emergency Service of the year and receive a FREE of the year and receive a FREE body, either on the skin or the material covering the body, if the victim is unTeethWhitening WhiteningKit Kitwith withevery every Teeth der the age of 13 and the act is commitMon & Wed: 8-6pm Mon & Wed: 8-6pm scheduledcleaning cleaningor orprocedure. procedure. scheduled ted with the intent to sexually molest, Tues & Thurs: 7-4pm Offer Expires January 2016. & Thurs: 7-4pm Offer Expires January 1,1,2016. arouse, or gratify any person. Tues This bill Pleasepresent presentcoupon coupontotoreceive receivethe theoffer. offer. is in the House Committee for Courts Fri:8-1pm 8-1pm Sat:8-1pm 8-1pm(Once/month) (Once/month) Please Fri: • •Sat: of Justice. Not to be combined with any other offer. Not to be combined with any other offer. 24hr EmergencyService Service 24hr Emergency HJ 653 would request the Department of Health study the possibility of placing naloxone in automated exter-

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January 31, 2019

[ POLITICS ]

Ahmad, Drennan Join Race in 87th House District LOUDOUN NOW REPORT The campaign to replace Del. John Bell in the 87th House District ramped up over weekend with two more candidates formally jumping in. Hassan Ahmad is an immigration attorney living in Sterling who selected the second anniversary of President Trump’s travel ban targeting Muslim countries to formally announce intent to seek the Democratic nomination. There are two other candidates already in that race, Akshay Bhamidipati and Suhas Subramanyam. On the Republican side, retired U.S. Air Force Col. Bill Drennan became the first Republican to enter the race. Bell announced last year he planned to leave the seat and to instead campaign for the 13th Senate District, where incumbent Richard H. Black is stepping down at the end of his term, Dec. 31. Bell has held the seat for two terms, since 2016. Ahmad, who is campaigning as a progressive Democrat, got more involved in local politics after volunteering as an attorney at Dulles Airport assisting passengers who had been affected by the Trump Administration’s travel ban. “When I arrived that night at the airport, I saw Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, and secularists—whether directly impacted by the ban or not—

Bill Drennan

Hassan Ahmad

standing together as one people united in affirming the values of our country. They stood up for a community targeted unjustly. Those were the real heroes. That was the moment when I decided I had to do more. I arrived at the airport that night as an immigration attorney, but I left as an advocate,” Ahmad stated. Along with a legal practice that focuses on the areas of citizenship, immigration, and asylum law, Hassan is a member of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee, a board member of the Virginia Coalition for Immigrant

Rights, the Dulles Justice Coalition, the Governor’s Asian Advisory Board, and a member of the Commonwealth Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which was created by former Gov. Terry McAuliffe after the Charlottesville riots. He is a graduate of Tulane Law School and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He is barred in Maryland and Virginia. He and his wife, Rabiah Ahmed, live in Sterling with their three children. Drennan is a United States Air Force Academy graduate who logged more

than 800 hours of combat time and also served as President Ronald Reagan’s Air Force Aide for three years. The South Riding resident held a variety of flying, staff and command positions before retiring as a colonel after a 30-year career. Drennan said his top campaign priorities are working to ease the “traffic trauma” by investing more in the district and county road system, strengthening the local parent-student-teacher partnership in the district’s public schools to better prepare students for the hi-tech future, and growing the robust local economy while keeping taxes reasonable. “It’s more important than ever that District 87 have a strong advocate in Richmond for common sense, sustainable solutions to the challenges facing the diverse, dynamic and growing population in District 87. Traffic, education and the economy impact all District residents, be they Republican, Democrat, or Independent. I will work so that District 87 continues to lead the County and the State into a better future for our kids and grandkids,” Drennan stated. Drennan and his wife, Shiu Ying, have lived in South Riding for 12 years. They have two sons and one grandson. The 87th House District covers portions of eastern Loudoun and northern Prince William counties.

Wexton Appointed to Science, Space and Technology Committee U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA10) has been appointed to the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. “I’m honored to be appointed to the broad-reaching Science, Space and Technology Committee, representing Northern Virginia’s voice on issues that will benefit our local communities and businesses,” she stated. “My district is home to the Dulles Tech Corridor — often referred to as the ‘Silicon Valley of the East’—which hosts one of the largest concentrations of telecom and satellite companies in the world. More than 70 percent of the world’s internet traffic passes through Loudoun County’s digital infrastructure, making our district a key player in the world’s technology economy. Companies who call VA10 home, like Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Iridium Com-

munications, Boeing’s Aurora Flight Sciences, are leaders in this industry, driving our country’s potential for space exploration and discovery to new horizons.” The committee has jurisdiction over much of the non-defense federal research and development portfolio and exclusive jurisdiction over the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Science Foundation, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The committee also has authority over research and development activities at the Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service, and the De-

Jennifer Wexton

partment of Homeland Security. Earlier this month, Wexton was

also appointed to the House Committee on Financial Services.

[ PUBLIC SAFETY ]

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Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

School Resource Officer Jason Gadell patrols the hallways of Freedom High School with Safety and Security Specialist Eric Barbini.

major jurisdiction in Virginia to put a school resource officer in every school. Talk of assigning deputies to elementary schools was brought up by parents last year after a Lucketts Elementary School employee was threatened by an acquaintance. For several weeks, a deputy patrolled the campus until the situation was deemed safe. Superintendent Eric Williams has never requested school resource officers for the elementary schools, but the budget he’s drafted for next fiscal year does propose funding to add a dean at each elementary school. Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Ashley Ellis explained to the School Board earlier this month that hiring a dean for every school was the top request of elementary principals. She said they would provide leadership support and improve the schools’ overall safety. “They foster a safety and security of schools, particularly at the elementary level where there are no school resources officers,” she said. The School Board will adopt an amended version of the superintendent’s budget on Feb. 5; from there it will be sent to the Board of Supervisors as a formal funding request. Supervisors will begin their budget deliberations with a presentation of a proposed budget by County Administrator Tim Hemstreet on Feb. 13.

Early Morning Traffic Stop Nets Suspected Drug Dealers Two men were arrested early Sunday morning after a large amount of marijuana, THC oil and cash was found in their possession during a traffic stop. According to the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office, a deputy pulled the car over on Tall Cedars Parkway near Rt. 50 shortly after 2 a.m. Jan. 27 after seeing a vehicle traveling erratically. During the traffic stop, the deputy smelled marijuana. A search of the vehicle found lots of it—4.17 pounds—along with 16 vials of THC oil and $8,130 in cash. Parker A. Shepherd, 28, of Washington, DC, and John J. Aguilar, 27, of Burke, were both charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Shepherd was released on a $2,500 secured bond, and Aguilar was released on a personal recognizance bond. An arraignment hearing was scheduled for Jan. 30.

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Republican candidate for Loudoun’s Chairman At Large seat, John Whitbeck, and Sheriff Mike Chapman have called to put deputies in every Loudoun elementary school. Currently, the Sheriff ’s Office assigns specialized deputies, school resource officers, to every Loudoun middle school and high school, except Leesburg schools, which are staffed by the Leesburg Police Department. Loudoun’s School Resource Office program began in 1996 with one deputy serving three high schools. Last year, the program received the National Association of School Resource Officers Model Agency of the Year Award. “We’re fortunate to have one of the best SRO programs in the nation thanks to the great work of Sheriff Chapman and his outstanding team,” Whitbeck stated. “Now it’s time to complete the program by expanding it to all of our elementary schools.” Chapman, who announced the measure jointly with fellow Republican and challenger to incumbent County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large), and referred to it in a press release as “the plan he and Whitbeck will implement,” called the proposal “a non-partisan issue and one that I think we should prioritize immediately.” “Putting an SRO in every elementary school along with other school safety measures initiated by LCPS, local law enforcement and fire and rescue, will clearly demonstrate that Loudoun intends to have the safest schools in the nation,” Chapman stated. Chapman said the plan calls for hiring 13 new school resource officers each year for four years, for a total of 58—one for every Loudoun elementary school. He said the program could be funded with $10.5 million in start-up costs and through vacancy savings in the department, as open positions for deputies have gone unfilled. Chapman said he does not expect hiring those officers to impede his ability to hire and fund other necessary positions, and said the sheriff ’s office has a lower vacancy rate than the count government as a whole. According to the press release, the plan would make Loudoun the first

EATLOCO

January 31, 2019

Whitbeck, Chapman Call for Deputies in Every Elementary School

January 31, 2019

[ E D U C AT I O N ]

[ SCHOOL NOTES ]

Progress Made on Suspension Rates Among Minority, Special Ed Students BY DANIELLE NADLER School administrators recently delivered a bit of good news to the Loudoun County School Board—they are seeing continued progress in closing the gap in how frequent minority students and students with disabilities are disciplined compared to their classmates. Asia Jones, assistant superintendent of Pupil Services, told the School Board earlier this month that, through what she called “restorative practices,” her team is working with school administrators and teachers to reduce students’ suspension rate, especially among minority students and those with disabilities. She reported that last year the suspension rate was 1.94 percent among black students, down significantly from six years earlier, when it was 4.36 percent. The suspension rate among Hispanic and white students also dropped during that six-year stretch, from 2.55 percent in 2011-2012 to 1.84 percent for Hispanic students, and from 1.24 percent for white students in 20112012 to 0.87 percent last school year. The rate has also dropped significantly among students with disabilities, from 5.71 percent in 2011-2012 to 0.74 percent last school year. “While the desired outcome is to continue to improve the overall suspension rate, there is much to be applauded in the intervention work that is happening to produce these results,” Jones said. The average number of suspension days is still higher for Hispanic students than the rest of their peers. Hispanic students were suspended an average of 4.22 days last year, while their black classmates were suspended on average of 3.76 percent and 3.84 percent for white students. Black and Hispanic students are also referred to the principal’s office much more frequently than their white classmates. Last year, it was at 17.27 percent among black students, 14.25 percent among Hispanic students, and 9.87 percent among white students. Jones said that the county’s unified mental health teams—which were established in the past couple of years— are helping to identify students who are frequently referred to the office for discipline problems. Then they work with principals and teachers to address the problem. In many cases, they offer teachers more support in the classroom or tailored professional development on classroom management. “We also work with principals to review the data as part of their school improvement plans and address those levels of disproportionality,” Jones said. She also noted that Loudoun County suspends its students much less frequently than other nearby school districts. One percent of Loudoun’s 79,000 students faced suspension last year, as compared to 1.74 percent in Fairfax County and 3.5 percent in Prince William County. She pointed to the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program that’s

Danielle Nadler/Loudoun Now

Seneca Ridge Middle School students in Wendy de la Torre’s English Language Learners class work on a science assignment.

We’ve heard loud and clear that cultural competence training is a need. We expect to make significant progress in this area next year.” — Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Ashley Ellis

been introduced in every Loudoun school over the last few years. It helps educators create plans to prevent poor behavior, particularly for students who would benefit more from counseling than a week out of school. Several board members thanked Jones and her team for their work to find alternatives to out-of-school suspension. “That means we have students who are in school,” said School Board member Debbie Rose (Algonkian), who sits on the Discipline Committee. “Yes, there are consequences for actions, but we get them back in school and that is so important for everyone.” Several School Board members who were elected in 2011, including Rose, made improving the county’s discipline model one of their goals on the campaign trail. “This has personally been important for me,” Rose added. She asked Jones whether teachers or principals feel they cannot suspend a student when needed for fear of driving up the county’s rate. “I haven’t personally heard that,” Jones replied. “I believe everyone wants to help students and to provide supports and alternative routes as op-

posed to out-of-school suspensions. They’re focusing on building healthier relationships between students and staff.” Joy Maloney (Broad Run) pointed out that the school system has work to do in improving the disproportionality rates, especially among Hispanic students. Jones said the goals the board set “were quite ambitious” and her team will continue working toward them. “Overall, however, at its heart we are showing that these numbers are lower, and we recognize that suspensions sometimes must occur.” Wendy Caudle Hodge, president of the Minority Student Achievement Advisory Council, said she’s happy to see the rates improve but she wants to see more progress made. “The individual students are not see the progress, they’re not feeling the progress,” she said. MSAAC’s top goal this year is to see implicit biased training be mandatory for all Loudoun County Public Schools employees. “The upper level administrators have it, but it’s not mandatory for teachers … They are the ones making the referrals, and making the judgement calls on whether this is a situation they can deescalate in the classroom or whether it’s necessary to take it to administration.” The school division’s administration team has also identified that as a goal. The superintendent’s proposed budget earmarks $200,000 to create a new position, equity and cultural competence specialist, and fund the development of equity and cultural competence curriculum. “We’ve heard loud and clear that cultural competence training is a need,” Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Ashley Ellis said at a meeting last week. “We expect to make significant progress in this area next year.” dnadler@loudounnow.com

Patrick Henry Wins 12th Moot Court Championship Patrick Henry College in Purcellville has won its 12th national moot court championship. In addition to winning first place at the American Moot Court Association national tournament in Orlando on Jan. 20, the college finished with three teams among the top eight in the nation. PHC speakers also won five of the top 20 speaker awards. Mike Patton, of Kansas City, MO, and Keely Wright, of Louisville, KY, won the championship. Other notable Patrick Henry team placements include: Thomas Doan/Benjamin Phibbs (semi-finalists), and Marina Barnes/Kyle Ziemnick (quarter-finalists). Senior Clare Downing ranked third in individual speaker awards, Michael Patton ranked ninth, Keely Wright ranked 12th, Micah Bock ranked 14th, and Samuel Bock, 22nd. Moot court is a competitive forensics event where participants provide oral arguments in an environment similar to the U.S. Supreme Court. Justices frequently interrupt the presenters to challenge assertions and to test the presenter’s knowledge of relevant case law. The 2018-19 season featured over 400 teams from colleges across the nation competing in 13 national qualifying tournaments. Patrick Henry is the only college to have won the championship more than once.

LCPS Holds Middle School Gifted Info Session Parents and guardians who are considering referring their middle school child for gifted services and who are interested in learning more about Loudoun County Public Schools’ middle school gifted education services are invited to attend an upcoming gifted information session. The final session is 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, at the LCPS Administration Building, 21000 Education Court in Ashburn. The session is tailored for parents of students who are currently in grades six, seven and eight. The sessions will be presented by gifted education resource teachers and will address program goals, services, the screening and identification process and important dead-

SCHOOL NOTES >> 18

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January 31, 2019

School Board Declines to Reopen Attendance Boundary Process for Beacon Hill Area BY DANIELLE NADLER After a lengthy debate among Loudoun County School Board members last week, Chairman Jeff Morse (Dulles) declared there was not a consensus to initiate the process to redraw attendance boundaries for secondary students in the Beacon Hill area. Board members Jill Turgeon (Blue Ridge) and Eric Hornberger (Ashburn) spoke in favor of launching an abbreviated boundary process for families in the CL 05 planning zone—which includes a portion of the Beacon Hill, Catoctin Ridge and Leeland Heights neighborhoods as well as Leeland Orchards. But, in a straw vote, Beth Huck (At Large), Debbie Rose (Algonkian), Tom Marshall (Leesburg), Brenda Sheridan (Sterling) and Morse voted against it. Joy Maloney (Broad Run) was absent for the discussion. Chris Croll (Catoctin), who initially requested that the board discuss whether to look into reassigning the secondary students in those neighborhoods, ultimately voted to not open up the process. In 2016, families in those neighborhoods were reassigned from Leesburg’s Frances Hazel Reid to Kenneth Culbert Elementary School, 9 miles west in Hamilton. They maintained their middle and high school assignments, at Smarts Mill and Tuscarora in Leesburg. That has meant that those students—currently about 24 middle

school students and 64 high school students—attend Leesburg secondary schools while most of their elementary classmates go off to schools in western Loudoun. Culbert is the only elementary school in the county that has its students go on to attend four different middle schools and high schools. “I felt it was worth discussion since the zoning in that area is unusual,” Croll said. “Personally, I have mixed feelings about supporting this change due to the lack of unity in the neighborhood.” At Croll’s request, the board discussed whether to look at reassigning secondary students in those neighborhoods to Harmony Middle School in Hamilton and Woodgrove High School near Purcellville. Croll said a survey sent to households just in Beacon Hill—not all of the households in the effected planning zone—indicated 60 percent of families in that neighborhood preferred to attend schools in western Loudoun. But all but one of the 15 parents who approached the board at its Jan. 22 meeting said they prefer to attend schools in Leesburg. Among the speakers was Todd Stafford, who has children at Smarts Mill and Culbert. He said if the School Board were to change the boundaries for the Beacon Hill area neighborhoods, it would be setting a bad precedent. “This request was made by a subset of a subset of CL

There is no problem. Nothing has to be fixed. Why go through this? — Tom Marshall, Board member

05’s constituents,” he said. “Is LCPS prepared to provide such due process to all residents who are unhappy with the current school assignments?” Most board members agreed. “Are we going to go around the county and find every split feed and mess with boundaries?” Morse said. Marshall added, “There is no problem. Nothing has to be fixed. Why go through this?” Morse also noted that any students in those neighborhoods who prefer to attend western Loudoun schools can request to do so through the school division’s special permission policy, which allows students to transfer to any school that has space. “For those who do want to go to western Loudoun schools, great, there’s space.” dnadler@loudounnow.com

[ SCHOOL NOTES ] << FROM 16 lines. Questions about the middle school gifted information sessions may be directed to the SPECTRUM teacher at your child’s school. Spanish interpreters will be available at the information session.

Registration Open for Summer in the Arts The Summer in the Arts catalog is now posted on the Loudoun County Public Schools website. Summer in the Arts is an arts enrichment program for rising sixth- through 12th-graders. The program offers a wide range of classes including instrumental, vocal, theater, visual arts, dance, literary and robotics. It is held June 17-27 at Heritage High School in Leesburg. Registration for the popular program begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 6. View the catalog of classes at lcps.org/ Page/78249.

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How Do I? Ask a Local Expert How do I get spyware off my computer? When should I prune my backyard apple tree? How can I eat healthier? Those are among the everyday questions that should find answers from local authorities in Loudoun Now’s new Ask the Expert program. Local professional representing their specific industry segment will be posting monthly or weekly columns on the newspapers’ website. They’ll provide information on industry trends, discuss common concerns they see in their daily routines, answer readers’ questions and offer consumer tips. The program begins rolling out this week with the first roster of experts—several of whom are featured in this special section—and will grow in the weeks ahead. To read the column, go to loudounnow.com/expert.

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Sleep plays a vital role in overall health. When we are not getting adequate quality sleep our bodies work against us. Sleep deprivation and sleep disorders like sleep apnea, increase your risk for obesity, heart failure, stroke, hypertension, dementia, sexual dysfunction, mood disorders and diabetes. An estimated 70 million Americans have sleep apnea, yet nearly 80 percent remain undiagnosed and unknowingly at risk for a host of potentially life-threatening ailments. Less than five hours of sleep per night doubles the risk of cardiovascular diseaseâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the leading cause of death in America. Just three consecutive days on that schedule can damage brain cells. The good news is sleep apnea and other sleep disorders are treatable, and the Comprehensive Sleep Care Center is here to offer solutions that will help you rest easier, feel better and reduce your risk for potentially dangerous health complications. We can help you sleep well and live better! 19441 Golf Vista Plaza #230 Lansdowne, Virginia 20176 www.comprehensivesleepcare.com 703-729-3420 8 convenient locations

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Contamination can mean a variety of things. Food waste is a common contributor to contamination, including half empty food containers and items like greasy pizza boxes. Another contributor is nonrecyclable items that find their way into curbside recycling bins. The American Recyling Center Plant Manager says the most common nonrecyclables tend to be “plastic bags, metal clothes hangers, diapers, Christmas lights and garden hoses.” Batteries, especially ones containing lithium, are another major contributor according to our Operations Manager. Some of these items can be recycled elsewhere, but not in a Single-Stream Facility.

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My gas logs won’t light! What do i do next? 1. Check to see if you have fuel to the fireplace. Check your lp tank and natural gas line to make sure you have fuel. 2. If you have gas to the fireplace, and have not used your fireplace in a few months, purge the air from the lines and attempt to light the logs one time. Hold the pilot button down for 1 – 3 minutes to allow the air to bleed out. Sometimes, small bugs or spiders may close the pilot tubes, and you need to clean them out. 3. Once you have the system lit, and the pilot light does not stay on, the thermocouple may need to be replaced. 4. If you have a remote starter, check the batteries in the remote and receiver and make sure they are new and fresh for the fall start up. This is a must do every fall. 5. You can also use a can of compressed air (purchase at a computer store) and blow any dust, bugs, or debris that may have accumulated over the late spring and summer. If you have newer logs with electronic controls, these logs are considerable more sensitive and may require more

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23 January 31, 2019 ASK THE EXPERTS

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[ BIZ ]

[ BRIEFS ] Board Leaders to Address Chamber

January 31, 2019

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

From left, Amy Owen, Chuck Kuhn, Tom Toth Sr. and Lisa Kimball at the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting Friday. Kuhn and his company JK Moving were both honored for their community services.

Loudoun Chamber Honors Community Leaders, Passes Torch BY RENSS GREENE The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce honored leaders in the Loudoun community and passed the torch to its new chairman during its annual meeting Friday, Jan. 25. Looking back on 2018, the organization’s 50th year, the chamber’s annual Community Leadership Awards recognized three people and two companies for their service to the community. Chuck Kuhn, founder of JK Moving services, was named the executive leader of the year. Last year, under his leadership his company created the JK Community Farm, which grows and donates fresh produce to distribute through Loudoun Hunger Relief. Kuhn, who was also recently awarded the Mosby Heritage Area Association’s Heritage Hero Award for his work, said there’s still more he hopes to do. “We’ve got great plans for 2019 and 2020,” Kuhn said. “I think we’re off to a good start with Loudoun Hunger Relief who are here tonight, and our plans and hopes and dreams for ‘19 and ‘20 far exceed what we did in ‘18, and thanks for the opportunity.” JK Moving Services was also named outstanding community leader in the large business category. And JK Moving Vice President Brian McGuinness also promised more work ahead. “Loudoun County’s a great county to work in and to live in, and yet there are still so many people who are in need,” McGuinness said. Carol Jameson, CEO of Healthworks of Northern Virginia, was honored in the nonprofit executive leader category and said it was an honor to work with other chamber members. “Another joy that I think all of us in the nonprofit world share is working with our clients, because they welcome us into their lives, often in very difficult circumstances,” Jameson said. “And their welcoming us really enriches our soul.

We are incredibly lucky to be able to work with them.” Megan Imbert of Symantec Corporation was announced as the honoree in the young professional community leader category to screaming and applause. “We all have a story and we’re all struggling in some different ways, and I think if we all show a little bit more love and compassion and kindness, we’ll have a ripple and ultimately that will create a wave,” Imbert said. And Loudoun Now was named the outstanding community leader in the small business category. Publisher and editor-in-chief Norman K. Styer recalled jumping headlong into launching a new newspaper three years ago, and thanked the investors, advertisers, and readers who support the paper. “The bottom line is, in our business, we know that we succeed when our community succeeds, and we succeed when you succeed,” Styer said. The chamber’s annual meeting was also a passing of the torch from outgoing chairman Mitch Sproul, who said when he and his family came to Loudoun, the chamber became the portal to build relationships within their new community. “There were moments—and they were fleeting—when I wondered whether this volunteer time was worth it,” Sproul said of his work with the chamber. “They were fleeting. It is with great pleasure and joy and truthfulness that I say to you yes, exclamation mark, yes, it was worth it.” He said the time and talent he invested in the chamber “has been returned and rewarded back to me several times over.” He awarded the 2018 Chairman’s Award to Mark Baker and Amy Owen. The chamber board of directors’ new chairman, Arc of Loudoun CEO Lisa Kimball, made history simply by taking the gavel. She is the first nonprofit executive to lead the organization. She also promised a busy year ahead, including efforts to diversify both the people and

businesses represented in the chamber to reflect a diversifying Loudoun. “The chamber is relatively diverse as well, but we’ve got some work to do to ensure that all embers of Loudoun’s business community know that they are welcomed and valued by our chamber,” Kimball said. She encouraged chamber members to do what they can for their community. “Whatever your passion, whatever your talents, I guarantee there is a family, a child, a senior whose life will be forever changed for the better because you made the choice to share yourself with them,” Kimball said. “And in doing so, there’s a big secret: you’re going to gain far more than you ever give. The Loudoun County Chamber stands ready to make the connections to give back and pay forward.” Finalists in the executive leader category also included Dr. Edward Puccio, Inova Loudoun Hospital; Tony Stafford, Ford’s Fish Shack; and Cyndi Urbano, AlphaGraphics. Finalists in the nonprofit executive leader category included Paul Donohue, ECHO; Hillsboro Vice Mayor Amy Marasco, The Nature Generation; and Kim Tapper, A Place to Be. Finalists in the young professional community leader category included Bo Machayo, chief of staff to Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large); Erin Rayner, formerly Community Outreach Director for then-Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA-10), now of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s; and Colleen Shumaker, Paul Davis Restoration. Finalists in the outstanding community leader large business category included The National Conference Center, K2M, and Merritt Companies. Finalists in the community leader small business category included AlphaGraphics, Insight Into Action Therapy, and Thirty Seven Media & Marketing Group. rgreene@loudounnow.com

The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce will kick off its 2019 PolicyMaker Series with the annual Loudoun Board of Supervisors Breakfast on Friday, Feb. 8. The event will be held 8-10 a.m. at the Belmont Country Club in Ashburn. Featured at this year’s event will be the County Chairwoman Phyllis Randall (D-At Large); Vice Chairman Ralph Buona (R-Ashburn); Supervisor Geary Higgins (R-Catoctin), who vchair of the Transportation and Land Use Committee; and Supervisor Matt Letourneau (R-Dulles), who chairs of the Finance/Government Operations and Economic Development Committee. Tickets for the breakfast meeting are $60 for members and $90 for non-members. For registration and details, go to loudounchamber.org.

Mann Reappointed to College Building Authority Charles Mann, the former Washington Redskins lineman who leads sales and business development for Verity Commercial, has been reappointed by Gov. Ralph Northam to a new term on the Virginia Collage Building Authority. The authority was established in 1986 to address technological equipment deficiencies in public institutions of higher education and manages the pooled bond program launched in 1996 to finance specific capital projects at public institutions of higher education in the commonwealth. Mann, an Ashburn resident, is the longest serving members of the authority board, first appointed in 2013.

Workforce Resource Center Offers Needs Evaluations The Loudoun Workforce Resource Center is offering a new service to local businesses. The center’s employer services staff will conduct a no-cost review of local businesses, which in turn will help determine how the center can better meet their needs in the areas of recruitment, connection to community resources, employee training and informational seminars, as well as opportunities to partner with the center. To get started, business representatives may complete an online form at loudoun.gov/ businessneeds. After submitting the form, the business will be contacted by Employer Services Coordinator Michael Bozeth for an in-depth analysis. For more information, contact Bozeth at 703-777-0688 or Michael.Bozeth@loudoun.gov.

[ NONPROFIT ]

January 31, 2019

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE

Volunteers Launch Veterans Service Dog Training Group BY NORMAN K. STYER A new volunteer group is gearing up to provide highly trained service dogs at no charge to help military veterans with physical or mental disabilities. MK9s Service Dogs is working closely with Loudoun-based veterans’ organizations to identify veterans in need and community sponsors to help pay for the purchase and care of the dogs in training. The group is led by founder Michele Khol, the wife of a disabled veteran and a mother of an active duty Naval officer, who has trained service dogs for more than 17 years. Khol got her start in training service dogs with Guiding Eyes for the blind. She and her family raised 18 services dogs for the organization. She then worked more than six years with another veterans’ service dog organization before launching her own program this year. Khol said the program is focused on providing highly trained dogs that are carefully matched with their veteran. “We first identify the veteran. Once the veteran has been identified and we know what his particular needs are to help mitigate his disability, then we go out to the breeders we have relationships with and select a puppy based on what the veteran needs,” she said. MK9s’ first trainee, a yellow lab named Beck, is expected to graduate the 15- to 18-month training process in June and will then be dispatched to help a Marine veteran who has post-traumatic stress disorder and battles anxiety. Beck is trained to do routine tasks, like retrieving keys, wallet or phone (he really likes retrieving his dog bowl). But he also will closely monitor his veteran’s anxiety level and alerting him to take a breath or take a walk when the stress builds. Beck can even find the best path to help him exit a building and get into open space. Scent imprinting using worn clothing and modern technology of audio texts and videos from the veteran help build the important bond over the long training period. “Beck hears Joey’s voice every day,” Khol said.

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.

The veterans are required to participate in hands-on training at least once a month and the training team also works closely with therapists and other members of the veteran’s support team to ensure the work is being coordinated. “Our ultimate mission is we want the veteran to be able to get back out and live life to the fullest and be part of their community and their family and doing things that they want to be able to do,” Khol said. Currently the organization has enough volunteer puppy mentors and is building a medical and veterinarian support team. The next step is to identify local veterans in need and start them in the vetting process. Also, they want to build the community donations that will be used for the purchase, feeding and medical care of the puppies. The all-volunteer group has no office space, salaries or other overhead, but needs to cover the roughly $7,500 per cost through community sponsorships. “We all have jobs; we are not working at this to be our source of income. This is our way of giving back to those who have done so much for all of us,” Khol said. “It is important for us to help veterans. All of us love dogs and have either military backgrounds, Secret Service, police have worked with dogs or have dogs. They understand the benefit of having a dog,” she said. “They have seen just how much the dogs can make an impact on the lives of their partners.” Volunteer Jim Klock is in line to be the mentor for MK9s next puppy. “It’s all about helping veterans in our area get the help they need,” he said. ‘We see really big things happening.” “We’re excited because Loudoun County has been so welcoming to us,” Khol said. To learn more about how to nominate a veteran for a service dog or to contribute the organization’s efforts go to mk9servicedogs.org. You also can follow the puppies’ progress at facebook.com/mk9servicedogs.

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.

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Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Beck, the first puppy trained by MK9s Service Dogs, is set to graduate in June and assist a Marine veteran suffering post-traumatic stress.

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January 31, 2019

[ OUR TOWNS ]

[ TOWN NOTES ]

Purcellville Could Swap Land with County for Fields Farm Projects BY PATRICK SZABO Negotiations over a boundary line adjustment between the Town of Purcellville and the county government will begin soon, making room for $55 million in planned county construction projects. The Town Council voted unanimously last week to authorize Town Manager David Mekarski to condense the town’s annexation process and move forward with a deal that could transfer 4.4 acres to the county in return for 4.9 acres. The boundary line adjustment would happen near the 24.24-acre Fields Farm property north of Rt. 7 and would bring a proposed, county-built 3,100-footlong road connecting Mayfair Crown Drive with Rt. 690 into the town limits for the town to maintain with money allocated to it by the state. Construction of the $7.8 million road would begin in spring 2020 and, when completed in fall 2021, would provide a second entry to Woodgrove High School and the 254-home Mayfair neighborhood. According to the town’s annexation policy, the process can be condensed if the annexation “results in a minor adjustment to the municipal boundary” or if it’s “unrelated to a proposed development project.” The Fields Farm Park Road would create a connection between main arteries—Hillsboro Road and Purcellville Road and would provide access to the county’s planned, $31 million, 50-acre Fields Farm Park sports complex, which include four baseball fields and five new rectangular athletic fields. That project is slated to begin construction in 2022 and wrap up by 2024. The parking lot for that complex will double as the 330-space Western Loudoun Park and Ride Lot, which will cost the county $8.3 million and should begin construction in winter 2022 and

Trent Ogilvie, president of Rockwool North America, has written a letter defending the environmental measures his company is taking in response to concerns from Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring about plans for an insulation factory in nearby Ranson, WV. On Jan. 11, Herring wrote to Ogilvie and Rockwool President and CEO Jens Birgersson citing mounting concerns from Loudouners about the proposed plant’s environmental impact in Virginia. Today, every town but Lovettsville has passed a resolution expressing concern about the plant or calling for its construction to be halted to delayed, and after a briefing from the citizens organization Loudoun Against Rockwool the Lovettsville Town Council may take up a similar resolution at its next meeting. “It is not clear to my staff that you

Winery to Host Super Bowl Tasting Event 868 Estate Vineyards is set to host its seventh annual Super Bowl Elevated Tasting event for residents to meet up, talk about the big game and enjoy some snacks paired with wine from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. this Friday and Saturday, Feb 1-2, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Sunday, Feb. 3. The winery’s own Chef Author will prepare traditional football snacks like cheeseburger sliders, mac and cheese bacon balls, buffalo chicken pita, peanut-chocolate sausage and Reese’s cookie cake. Each snack will be paired with a different wine. For more information, call the winery at 540-668-7008 or go to 868estatevineyards.com.

LOVETTSVILLE Special Towen Council Election Next Tuesday

County plans envision the construction of five rectangular athletic fields, four baseball fields, a connector road and a commuter lot on about 50 acres of land within Purcellville’s town limits.

be completed by spring 2023. The county also plans to start construction on its Rt. 7/Rt. 690 interchange in 2022. That project should be completed by spring 2025 and is halfway through the $7.9 million design phase. The town is planning a 10-foot-wide shared-use path along the Fields Farm Park Road connecting Woodgrove with the Rt. 7/Rt. 690 interchange as part of

its goal to extend pedestrian connectivity northward from the center of town. Town staff members will now compile an application for a boundary line adjustment to submit to the county before bringing it to the Town Council for a vote to proceed with the application process. pszabo@loudounnow.com

Rockwool Defends Plant’s Environmental Impact By Renss Greene

HILLSBORO

have presented any modeling on the downwind dispersion of these hazardous air pollutants,” Herring wrote. “It is difficult for me to understand how you can proceed with building such a facility, even if tolerated by EPA and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, without understanding the potential harms to human health, the natural environment, and ultimately to the economy of affected Virginia communities.” Herring also wrote that Rockwool will use less-effective air pollution control equipment than other available technology. “I take very seriously any actions that may endanger Virginians, impact their health, or damage their property,” Herring wrote, requesting the company provide modeling of the dispersion of hazardous air pollutants downwind from the Rockwool plant, which generally blows into Virginia. Ogilvie wrote to say that work has

The Town of Lovettsville will hold a special election Tuesday, Feb. 5 to determine which two Town Council candidates will sit on the dais for the next few years. Councilwoman Rebekah Ontiveros and former Planning Commissioner Buchanan Smith are on the ballot for a term ending June 30, 2020. Councilman David Steadman will be on the ballot for a term ending June 30, 2022. The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at residents’ usual polling locations. Absentee voters have until Saturday, Feb. 2 to vote in person at the county’s Voter Registration Office at 750 Miller Dr. SE, Suite C, Leesburg, VA 20175. For more information on the election, call the town office at 540-822-5788 or the county’s office of elections at 703-7770380.

Fire Station Annexation Nearly Official

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Trent Ogilvie, president of Rockwool’s North American subsidiary ROXUL, with a rendering of the future plant on display in the company’s Kearneysville office.

already been done and sent to Gov. Ralph Northam. According to Ogilvie, ROCKWOOL >> 29

The Lovettsville Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company property is one step away from officially being drawn into the town limits. The Town Council voted unanimously last week to direct the Planning Commission to prepare and recommend an amendment to the town’s 2011 Comprehensive Plan to add in the recently annexed 15.38-acre Lovettsville Volunteer Fire and TOWN NOTES >> 27

[ TOWN NOTES ]

Resident Searches for Kidney Donor Battling kidney disease for the past three decades, Lovettsville resident Amy Lynn Samulenas has been in search of a kidney donor for the last three years. Samulenas, 38, was diagnosed with the disease at 10 years old. She was more recently diagnosed with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, which is causing her kidneys to shrink. She’s now looking Amy Samulenas for a donor with O positive or negative blood type. Although Samulenas has had some close calls with possible donor matches, the kidney she needs has eluded her thus far. In the meantime, she travels to Walter Reed Medical Center to receive nearly four-hour dialysis sessions three days a week. “Without the dialysis I would not be here,” she said. Anyone who thinks they might be a candidate for donation should reach out to Vilda Brown, the living transplant coordinator at Walter Reed, to set up series of tests and evaluations to ensure that they’re healthy enough for the transplant.

PURCELLVILLE 5 Appointed to Town Committees, Boards The Purcellville Town Council appointed five residents to four town committees and boards last week. The council appointed Chris Bertaut and Brandon Gibson to the Economic Development Advisory Committee with terms ending September 2020 and September 2019 respectively. It appointed former councilman Doug McCollum and John Payne to the Board of Zoning Appeals with terms ending September 2019 and September 2023 respectively. It also appointed Mina Anderson to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board with a term ending October 2019. The town is still looking to fill up to four spots on the Tree and Environment Sustainability Committee, up to three spots on the Purcellville Arts Council and one spot on the Board of Zoning Appeals.

WATERFORD Community Groups Plan Envision Loudoun Meeting The Waterford Foundation, the Waterford Citizens’ Association, the Taylorstown Community Association, Journey Through Hallowed Ground and the Lincoln Community League will host a community meeting to discuss the county’s Envision Loudoun 2040 Plan from 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13 at the Waterford Old School. Sponsored by the Loudoun County Preservation & Conservation Coalition, the meeting will see the groups work through Envision Loudoun, the rewrite process for the county’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Residents are invited to attend and voice their opinions on the plan and how they feel it might impact their quality of life. For more information, go to loudouncoalition.org.

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Rescue Company property off Berlin Turnpike. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and recommend a Comprehensive Plan amendment to the Town Council for a final vote. Zoning Administrator Josh Bateman said that could happen by March or April. This is the final step in an annexation process that started being discussed in 2015, when former Mayor Bob Zoldos suggested that the property be brought into town limits upon learning that the county would build a $14.5 million fire station there. Since then, the volunteers submitted an annexation application to the town, which the Town Council approved in June 2018. In September, the Board of Supervisors and the Town Council both voted to approve a boundary line agreement.

The successful donor match will be asked to visit Walter Reed for initial testing at no cost. For more information, contact Brown at 202-390-2474 or vilda.o.desgoutte-brown.civ@mail. mil.

January 31, 2019

<< FROM 26

January 31, 2019

Purcellville Finds Permanent Solution for Country Club’s Cut-Through Traffic Woes BY PATRICK SZABO Nearly a year after the Town of Purcellville began addressing concerns of cut-through traffic in the Country Club Hills and Catoctin Meadows neighborhoods, those residents now have a permanent solution to the years-old problem. The Town Council on Jan. 22 confirmed that the signage restricting traffic from turning into the communities during morning and afternoon peak hours has given town staff and residents the results they were looking for and would remain in place permanently. The council also discussed 11 initiatives recommended by Town Manager David Mekarski aimed to stabilize the volume and speed of traffic and to increase pedestrian safety there. After hearing residents’ concern about traffic toward the end of 2017, the town created the Technical Advisory Committee—led by then-Interim Public Works Director Dawn Ashbacher and made up of town and county staff members and traffic experts— in February 2018 to discuss possible solutions with residents. The committee met six times between March and November. Last February, the town installed 10 removable barriers on Glenmeade Circle that didn’t cut off cut-through traffic, but rerouted it to the western end of the neighborhoods. Town counts found that traffic increased by about 350 vehicle trips along West Country Club Drive and by about 400 along Glenmeade Circle—Catoctin Meadows’ main artery. In May, the town installed signage that restricts traffic from using the neighborhood as a shortcut avoiding the downtown area. From 6-9 a.m.,

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Signage has restricted turns from Country Club Drive onto 33rd Street in the Country Club Hills neighborhood from 4-6 p.m. since last May.

Main Street traffic is prohibited from turning onto 33rd Street. From 4-6 p.m., 21st Street traffic is prohibited from turning onto Ashleigh Road and Country Club Drive traffic is prohibited from turning onto 33rd Street. The town removed the barriers three weeks later, leaving the signage in place. According to town data collected in June, that decision decreased average daily vehicle trips along West Country Club Drive by 285 and along Glenmeade by 256. The town found that solution to work best among the three. “The ultimate goal [of the pilot projects] was to provide pedestrian safety and to manage traffic cut throughs,” Mekarski said. Stefanie Egee, a West Country Club

Drive resident and a mother of two, said that she’s happy with the decrease in traffic and that she and her family feel safe now. “We’re resting easy and not as concerned,” she said. “We’re happy.” To keep traffic at bay from, Mekarski is recommending that the town adhere to a set of precautions. His first three recommendations deal with traffic volume and include ideas to keep the restrictive signage in place; have the town staff continue to monitor Google Maps and WAZE to ensure they don’t route traffic through the neighborhoods; and have the Public Works Department conduct quarterly, one-week traffic counts. If traffic exceeds 75 vehicle trips

during a one-hour period, or if the total average daily volume exceeds 500 vehicles, the town may take additional action. Mekarski’s next four recommendations relate to traffic speed and enforcement and include ideas to continue using radar signs and have the police department implement six initiatives—hold a speed gun demonstration with residents, use radar to deter speeders, set a 5 mph threshold for traffic stops, enforce stop sign and turn violations at least one day each week, set up a ghost car (an unoccupied police cruiser) at least one day each week and conduct quarterly or biannual traffic counts. Mekarski also had one idea to improve pedestrian safety that would have town staff members explore options for installing sidewalks along Country Club Drive. According to a staff report, the town would discuss any feasible options with community residents to determine how to proceed. Although drainage ditches in many front yards might pose some problems with sidewalk installation, Mekarski said that options exist if the town can secure permanent easements from residents. He said that sidewalks “could go a long way toward enhancing the community and providing safety [to residents].” Egee said that, while she doesn’t feel sidewalks are needed now that traffic counts are down, they might be warranted if those numbers go back up. The Town Council will vote on Mekarski’s recommendations and to close out the pilot programs at its Feb. 12 meeting. pszabo@loudounnow.com

Hillsboro Honors Community Leaders During the annual State of the Gap program, the Hillsboro Town Council called attention to the efforts of several community leaders—in fact the whole community received accolades. The council presented two Community Service Awards. The first was to the whole community for their willingness to pitch in on numerous endeavors, from designing and building the outdoor Gap stage, to volunteering at events, to helping lobby the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority to fund the town’s traffic calming improvements. The second was presented to the Hidden View Bed and Breakfast owners Cheri and Ray Shields, who jumped in as a new business to help with many town projects and created the popular Boo in the Gap event. The Business Award was presented to the Baki family’s Hillsborough Winery and Brewery, as a business that provides exceptional community service and through philanthropic giving, funding and actions that

Contributed

Mayor Roger Vance presents The Governance Award to Chip and Susan Planck for their efforts to promote rural preservation and agriculture.

better the lives of individuals in the region The Innovation Award was presented to Bruce Davis, owner and

founder of the Waterford Telephone Company, which brought broadband service to the town’s residents and businesses.

The Governance Award was presented to Chip and Susan Planck, for their decades-long efforts to promote rural preservation in western Loudoun by mentoring young farmers, demonstrating how even a 10-acre farm can sustain a family, and most recently demonstrating a sustainable, clustering model when developing their land just north of town. The Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to George and Nicki Bazacco, owners of Doukenie Winery. Mayor Roger Vance described Nicki Bazacco as a “thought leader and true powerhouse” in Loudoun. She participated in numerous region-wide boards, the Loudoun hospital board, the county comprehensive planning committees and the inaugural board of our Hillsboro Charter Academy. The couple also was recognized for their commitment to rural preservation by putting their winery and hundreds of acres on the mountainside under conservation easements.

Purcellville Seeks to Extend Fireman’s Field Maintenance Contract BY PATRICK SZABO

before presenting those findings to the Town Council. “Public safety is paramount,” he said. Mekarski also mentioned that the utility and electric accounts for the field and tabernacle would need to be separated, since they were merged when Alexander took over management of the entire 15.89-acre complex in January 2018 as part of the Town Council’s plan to generate more revenue from the town-owned property. Once that’s done, the county will pay for utility and electric usage at Fireman’s Field, Alexander will pay for it in the tabernacle and the town will pay for it at Dillon’s Woods. pszabo@loudounnow.com

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After the management of Fireman’s Field in Purcellville changed hands, it will soon return to Loudoun County’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Service.

Rockwool << FROM 26 the Northam administration, writing in response through the Office of Secretary of Natural Resources Matthew Strickler, stated that the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality found that work satisfactory. “In all cases, the modeled impacts of these pollutants are well below (in most cases, by at least an order of magnitude) the applicable standards,” the administration wrote. Ogilvie also offered to return to Richmond to meet with Herring and his staff in person, although such a trip may not be necessary—Herring lives in Leesburg. He had written to Northam in response to an appearance on DC news radio station WTOP, in which Northam was asked about Rockwool’s plans and expressed concern about their impact on environmental quality and public health in Virginia. In that email, he wrote “an exceptionally robust body of scientific research and analysis that underpins the determination that the ROCKWOOL facility in Ranson will

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have no negative consequences in Jefferson County, or in neighboring counties such as Loudoun.” He further emphasized that even in the theoretical worst-case scenarios by which emissions are regulated, “the ROCKWOOL emissions will be well below the already stringent standards. Actual emissions will be even lower.” He also wrote that Rockwool has agreed to cover the cost of installing air quality monitors, managed by an independent third party and producing publicly available data, to start measuring background air quality as baseline for comparison when the Ranson plant opens. “We want to be good neighbors in Jefferson County and beyond, including counties such as Loudoun, and we look forward to continuing our engagement with the entire community,” Ogilvie wrote. The council of every town in Loudoun but one—Lovettsville—has adopted a resolution opposing the construction of the insulation factory. And Lovettsville Town Council is slated to pass a similar resolution at its regular meeting Thursday. rgreene@loudounnow.com

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last April, said that he’s happy to hear that the town sees the benefit of continued county maintenance. “I’d like to see a long-term agreement in order to ensure consistency, proper operations and maintenance, and reduced costs for our youth leagues,” he said. “Wouldn’t it be great if [the youth league] returned home.” Mekarski said “the invitation is certainly always open [for the league to return].” The town staff has already met with the county to discuss the possibility of a new contract, Mekarski said that he would do a walk-through with county staff to determine which areas of the field are in need of upgrades or repairs

January 31, 2019

Following last year’s management turnovers at the Town of Purcellville’s Fireman’s Field complex, the county parks department could return to its roles as the sole operator of the athletic fields for this year and next. The Town Council voted unanimously last week to authorize Town Manager David Mekarski and Town Attorney Sally Hankins to negotiate a new contract for the maintenance, operation and management of Fireman’s Field with the county for a period ending June 30, 2021, with an option to extend that another five years. The proposed termination date corresponds with that of the

town’s contract with Shaun Alexander Enterprises for the management of the Bush Tabernacle. Mekarski said that if the town strikes a deal with the county, he and Hankins would bring the contract before the Town Council for a vote. If that happens, he said that the town could save up to $40,000 in field maintenance via in-kind contributions from the county, but would miss out on advertising revenue opportunities. Supervisor Tony Buffington (R-Blue Ridge), who was the first to suggest to the town that the county resume maintenance of the field when the Upper Loudoun Youth Football League left after playing 49 seasons at the complex

[ LOCO LIVING ]

[ THINGS TO DO ] LOCO CULTURE

January 31, 2019

Leesburg First Friday Friday, Feb. 1, 6-9 p.m. Downtown Leesburg Details: leesburgfirstfriday.com After its annual January hiatus, First Friday is back with highlights including the MCO group show at Tryst Gallery, live music from Nathaniel Davis at Art Sweet Art, wine tastings and live music all over downtown. Go to the website for a list of scheduled events and performances.

Author Talk: Julie Seely Saturday, Feb. 2, 2-3:30 p.m. Brambleton Library, 22850 Brambleton Plaza, Ashburn Details: library.loudoun.gov Seely discusses her book “Skinny House,” the story of her grandfather Nathan who built and lived in the historic 10-foot wide, three-story home in Mamaroneck, NY. Nathan, one of the first black home builders in the state, helped fellow African-Americans who moved north during the Great Migration. Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Ashburn Ice House General Manager Rob Lorenzen talks to his Mini Mites players before heading into their practice routines.

NIGHTLIFE

As Hockey Booms Nationwide, Young Loudouners Hit the Ice BY JAN MERCKER

or ice-loving Ashburn siblings Dylan, Keelyn and Brennyn Anderson, learning to skate was like learning to walk, and the rink is a second home. They are among a growing number of Loudoun kids who are getting into ice hockey, mirroring a national trend that’s been fueled by the expansion of the National Hockey League. A 2017 Aspen Institute study showed that ice hockey is one of only three youth sports that increased participation between 2008 and 2017, with a 60 percent rise in participation during that time. Locally, interest has grown thanks in part to a wide range of programming at the Ashburn Ice House, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. And skaters will have more options than ever this spring, with the opening of the new Ion International Training Center in Leesburg. Ashburn Ice House General Manager Rob Lorenzen, a former collegiate hockey player, hits the ice several times a week to work with the rink’s youngest hockey enthusiasts in the Mini Mite house league for skaters 6 and younger. “What’s most gratifying in teaching the young kids is to see the confidence that they gain. ... Once they’ve mastered the skating, they get a skill that a lot of their friends can’t do, and the confidence that it brings to them on and off the ice is amazing to see,” Lorenzen said. For the past several years, Ashburn Ice House has been introducing young players to the sport through a program

Courtesy of Colour Theory

Live Music: Colour Theory Friday, Feb. 1, 7-9 p.m. Blend Coffee Bar, 43170 Southern Walk Plaza, Ashburn Details: blendcoffeebar.com Get a taste of this new NoVa-based alt rock trio. No cover.

Live Music: The Skip Castro Band Friday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m. Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

A young hockey player dressed in a Washington Capitals jersey practices his ice-skating during the Mini-Mite group at the Ashburn Ice House.

launched by the Washington Capitals and the NHL. The Future Caps Learn to Play program lets new players ages 5 to 9 try hockey without having to initially invest in equipment. The $215 fee includes eight weeks of instruction plus head-to-toe equipment, including skates they can keep. “That initiative has sparked a lot of interest at a younger age which is very positive,” Lorenzen said. “It takes all that fear out of it for the parents and makes it easier for people to try it and get engaged in the game.” To join the Future Caps program,

children do need to know how to skate, so Lorenzen recommends one of the center’s most popular programs—the Learn to Skate class. Every winter 600 to 800 skaters between the ages of 4 and 13 get their start in Ashburn, Lorenzen said. “That’s really where you have to start,” Lorenzen said. “Without those basic fundamentals of skating, you’re not going to have success in a hockey class that’s geared to teaching you the finer points of the game—puck hanCAPS KIDS >> 32

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com The band’s four core members have been playing rhythm and blues, swing, boogie woogie and rock ‘n’ roll for more than four decades with their signature groove and spirit. Tickets are $20 in advance, $40 for VIP seats.

Live Music: Serene Green Friday, Feb. 1, 8 p.m. B Chord Brewing Company, 34266 Williams Gap Road, Bluemont Details: bchordbrewing.com The original tunes from this Pennsylvania-based bluegrass

MORE DO DO >> 31

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Details: bchordbrewing.com Ginada Pinata taps into the influences of jazz, funk, rock, fusion, trance and drum and bass, while American roots duo Herb & Hanson express themselves with guitar, mandolin and voice. Tickets are $10 online or at the door. • •

[ THINGS TO DO ] << FROM 30 quartet are rooted in members’ shared love of traditional bluegrass. Tickets are $10 in advance or at the door.

‘White People’ Performance and Discussion

Saturday, Feb. 2, 6-9 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 2, 3-6 p.m.

Dragon Hops Brewing, 130 E. Main St., Purcellville

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These veteran musicians from Virginia and Maryland play a mix of country and rock favorites that fans know and love. No cover.

Loudoun’s Multicultural Advisory Committee hosts two community discussions to explore racial biases with a local production of J.T. Rogers’ play “White People” followed by a question and answer session and small group discussions. The events are open to adults and youth 13 and older. Pre-registration is required.

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg

‘Crazy Over Love’

Details: tallyhotheater.com

StageCoach Theatre Company, 20937 Ashburn Road, Suites 115 and 120, Ashburn

Front man Gabe Badillo channels the sound and energy of Dave Matthews while recreates the ’90s contagious live jam chemistry. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of show.

Live Music: Mystery Machine Saturday, Feb. 2, 8 p.m.-midnight MacDowell Brew Kitchen, 202 South St. SE, Leesburg Details: macdowellsbrewkitchen.com

Lucketts Bluegrass: Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers

Live Music: Ted Garber

Details: luckettsbluegrass.org

Saturday, Feb. 2, 8 p.m.

Mullins and crew return to Lucketts to thrill audiences with their heartfelt singing and inventive instrumental arrangements. Tickets are $17 at the door.

Garber is a genre-bending multi-instrumentalist whose BluesAmericanaRock combines classic showmanship with a captivating singersongwriter sensibility. His smokey, bluesy vocals, howling harmonica riffs and screaming guitar licks take us on a musical journey from the Big Apple to the Big Easy, hovering in the Mississippi Delta before heading south of the border. No cover.

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Loudoun news on the go ...

Details: stagecoachtc.com David Tyson combines theater comedy, improv, and magic combine in a fastpaced, one-man theater noir performance. Tickets are $20. Advanced purchase is recommended. Drinks will be available for sale.

Saturday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m.

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Saturday, Feb. 2, 6 p.m.

You’ll be out on the dance floor with Saturday night funk from this DMV-based crew. No cover.

Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville

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Friday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m.

Live Music: RowdyAce Trio

Saturday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m.

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ON STAGE

Claude Moore Recreation Center, 46105 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling

Live Music: Crowded Streets: The Dave Matthews Band Experience

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Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road, Leesburg

LIBATIONS

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Loudoun County Winter Barrel Tasting Saturday, Feb. 2, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Details: loudounwine.org The Loudoun Wineries Association presents its inaugural barrel tasting

MORE DO DO >> 33

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January 31, 2019

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Caps Kids

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<< FROM 30

WHO: New players 5-9 years old

dling, passing, shooting.” One of Lorenzen’s young students, 5-year-old Harrison Gopal, started playing hockey at 4. “I really like to go really fast,” said Harrison, who’s also a competitive swimmer. After learning to skate, players can move on to hockey skills classes and playing recreation league hockey. For players who develop their skills and want more, there are numerous select and travel teams based out of the rink, from elementary to high school age. For Josh and Debra Anderson, both avid skaters, proximity to the Ashburn Ice House was a factor in their decision to move to Ashburn in 2004, and all three of their children were on the ice by age 3 or 4. Now, 12-year-old Dylan and his 8-year-old sister Brennyn play on travel hockey teams, while middle sister Keelyn, 10, has moved from hockey to figure skating. “It’s a family sport for us,” said Josh Anderson, who continues to play in an adult league. Travel hockey is a big commitment in terms of time and money, but for Debra Anderson, a former figure skater, it’s worth it. The kids love it, she says, and travel for tournaments lets them spend time together as a family and see new things. A recent trip to Buffalo with Brennyn’s team allowed them to see a frozen Niagara Falls. “We’ve had them in other things. They just sort of gravitate toward hockey,” she said. “I like the fast-paced game and keeping up with your skills and having a good time,” said Dylan, a seventh-grader at Trailside Middle School, who

WHEN: Eight-week sessions starting Feb. 23 and March 30 WHERE: Ashburn Ice House, 21595 Smith Switch Road DETAILS: ashburnice.com/futurecapsltp

plays for his school club team and a travel hockey for the Ashburn Xtreme hockey club. The chance to visit new places, the sense of camaraderie with teammates and getting to know players from other places also come into play. “I like getting to meet new people and talk to people on and off the ice,” Dylan said. Hockey is also one of a few team sports where kids often play co-ed up to and even in high school. Brennyn, a second grader at Belmont Station Elementary School, is the only girl on her team for now but doesn’t mind a bit. “Throughout our 20 years, we continue to see young girls take to ice hockey and play right alongside of the boys,” Lorenzen said. Advances in equipment have made the sport safer, Lorenzen added, giving parents a comfort level with the sport, and the exhilaration and sense of teamwork he loved as a young player are still there for a new generation. “I think it’s the speed of the game and the camaraderie you form with your teammates. The speed of the game is fast and always moving,” Lorenzen said. “And the bond you form with your teammates is lasting.” jmercker@loudounnow.comW

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Credit: Debra Anderson

From left, Keelyn, Dylan and Brennyn Anderson of Ashburn caught the hockey and figure skating bug from parents Debra and Josh. Dylan and Brennyn play competitive hockey while Keelyn has moved on to figure skating.

[ THINGS TO DO ]

event at more than a dozen participating wineries. Tickets are $40 in advance at Eventbrite. Check out the website for a list of participating wineries and select your check-in winery when purchasing tickets.

including the Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Mint Julep, Sazerac, Pisco Sour and other old school favorites.

COMING UP

January 31, 2019

<< FROM 31

On e Sm O S il i l e At A T im i e Offering the latest technologies & newest treatment options Invisalign™ - Digital Imaging

Valentine’s Cork Crafting at Winery 32

Call us for a free consultation 703-771-9887 Russell Mullen

1509 Dodona Terrace SE Ste 201, Call or text us for a complimentary consultation! Leesburg, VA 20175

Winery 32, 15066 Limestone School Road, Leesburg

(703) 771-9887

Details: winery32.com Celebrate Valentine’s Day by creating your very cork heart with materials provided by the winery at this fun, free event.

Find us!

Science on Tap: Birds, Bats and Wind Turbines

DDS, MS

Next to the Leesburg Wegmans!

www. mullenortho. com

Tuesday, Feb. 5, 6:30 p.m. Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn Details: oldoxbrewery.com The latest in the science series put on by Loudoun County Public Library and Old Ox Brewery features Mona Khalil, who leads the U.S. Geological Survey Energy and Wildlife Research Program, discussing solutions in the works to reduce the impact of renewable energy production on wildlife.

Throwback Thursday Happy Hour at The Conche

Marty Shoup/Blue Lion Multimedia

Tales & Ales Friday, Feb. 8, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn Details: novatalesandales.com

Thursday, Feb. 7, 4-7 p.m. The Conche, 1605 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg Details: the-conche.com The Conche celebrates Thursdays with throwback pricing on classic cocktails

The third edition of Loudoun’s new storytelling show fosters community through the power of story—the funny, the inspiring, the mind-changing and everything in between. Free-will donations benefit the Ryan Bartel Foundation.

Direct from our newsroom to your mailbox. LOUDOUN CHAMBER’S 2017 NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR

1968

FIFT Y YEARS

2018

Money Talks. Now, Teach it to Hug. From memorial funds, to scholarships funds, to donor-advised funds, we can help you make a difference that never ends.

Loudoun Now is mailed to 43,000 homes and businesses in selected ZIP codes each week. If you do not receive the newspaper in the mail, you may purchase a subscription. The cost is $39 per 52 issues. For addresses outside Virginia, the cost is $50. To get the paper delivered every week, visit loudounnow.com/subscribe Or mail this form to with your check to:

Loudoun Now

To receive our newsletter every day via email, visit loudounnow.com/newsletter First name _____________________________________________ Last name _____________________________________________ Company name ________________________________________ Telephone _____________________________________________ Address 1 _____________________________________________ Since 1999, the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties has helped generous donors support a variety of charitable causes in our region. We salute the leaders who wrapped their vision and commitment—and arms—around this community to create and sustain a permanent charitable resource.

Won’t You Join Us?

CommunityFoundationLF.org  (703) 779-3505

City ___________________________________________________ State _______________________________Zip ________________

Loudoun Now PO Box 207 Leesburg, VA 20178

Sunday, Feb. 3, noon-4 p.m.

January 31, 2019

SKIP CASTRO 02/01/19 DOORS: 7:00PM

CROWDED STREETS: THE DAVE MATTHEWS BAND EXPERIENCE 02/02/19 DOORS: 7:00PM

LITZ 02/08/19 DOORS: 7:00PM

Eaglemania! 02/09/19 DOORS: 7:00PM Contributed

NIRVANNA 02/15/19 DOORS: 7:00PM

MARSHA AMBROSIUS 02/16/19 DOORS: 7:00PM

Trial by fire: tribute to journey 02/22/19 DOORS: 7:00PM

The Skip Castro Band was a fixture of the East Coast music scene in the 1980s and continues to perform at sell-out shows today.

Skip Castro Band Brings the Boogie Back to Leesburg Few rock bands can claim 40 years playing together with the original line up; that’s even rarer for a group of road warrior rockers who started playing sticky-floor college barrooms in the 1970s. The Skip Castro Band is among the exceptions. Their show Friday at the Tally Ho Theater in Leesburg comes early in their 2019 tour as the band continues to sell out East Coast venues for their solo gigs and also share stages with national favorites including NRBQ and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. The group formed in 1978 in Charlottesville, connected by a passion for swing, boogie-woogie and rock. For the quartet—Danny Beirne on vocals and keyboards, Charlie Pastorfield on vocals and bass, Corky Schoonover on drums, and Bo Randall on vocals and guitar— the passion continues into their 60s.

During the early 1980s, the band released three albums, but only one survived into the CD era. But it is that first recording’s title track, “Boogie at Midnight,” that continues to serve as the band’s most enduring anthem—one that’s sure to be included in Friday night’s playlist. After a decade of relentless touring when they played scores of bars, music halls and clubs between Boston and Atlanta, the band stopped playing full time. Today, the band plays select dates a couple of times a month in those familiar stomping grounds. The Tally Ho stage is now included as a favored spot where the band will work to ensure those in the crowd adequately get their boogie on. Tickets for Friday’s show are $20-$40. Doors open at 7 p.m. For details, go to tallyhotheater.com.

Hot Picks

Keller Williams 02/23/19 DOORS: 8:00PM

Guitar legends live! 03/01/19 DOORS: 7:00PM

Sister Hazel 03/02/19 DOORS: 7:00PM

Saliva 03/07/19 DOORS: 7:00PM

Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers Saturday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m. Lucketts Community Center luckettsbluegrass.org

Ginada Pinata

Saturday, Feb. 2, 8 p.m. B Chord Brewing Company bchordbrewing.com

Crowded Streets The Dave Matthews Band Experience Saturday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m. Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

Legal Notices

TO CONSIDER REZONING, CONCEPT PLAN AND PROFFER AMENDMENT APPLICATION TLZM-2017-0006, CORNERSTONE CHAPEL REAL ESTATE

The subject property consists of 2.195 acres owned by Cornerstone Chapel Real Estate, and is located on Sycolin Road adjacent to Cornerstone Chapel’s Sycolin Road entrance across from Tolbert Lane. The property is zoned PEC, Planned Employment Center, and is further described as Loudoun County Parcel Identification Number (PIN) 190-15-8432. Rezoning/Concept Plan & Proffer Amendment Application TLZM-2017-0006 is a request by Cornerstone Chapel Real Estate to rezone the property to B-3 (Community Retail/Commercial District) and amend the current Concept Plan and Proffers of ZM98 and TLZM-2008-0001 to permit construction of an auxiliary parking facility for the adjacent Cornerstone Chapel. The subject property is in the Southeast Planning Area, and The Town Plan designates this property as “Community Office” on the Land Use Policy Map. This designation allows primary uses such as office and emerging technologies, as well as retail and services for employment uses such as restaurants, retail and service uses, with a recommended density of .60 FAR (Floor Area Ratio). There is no building proposed, so FAR is not affected. Additional information and copies of these applications 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 (MondayFriday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by contacting Scott E. Parker, Senior Planning Project Manager, at 703-771-2771 or sparker@leesburgva.gov. At these hearings, all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations at the meeting should contact the Clerk of the Council at (703) 771-2733 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

Pursuant to Va. Code § 15.2 2239, the Leesburg Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday, February 7, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, to solicit public comment on the proposed Fiscal Year 2020-2025 Capital Improvements Program (CIP). The preliminary proposed CIP contains $204,381,300 in capital projects for the six-year period from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2025. The following table reflects proposed Fiscal Year 2020 requested funding totaling $51,918,400. CATEGORY

FY 2020 AMOUNT MAJOR PROJECTS

ADMINISTRATION

$1,218,300

• Management costs associated with administering the Capital Improvements Program

GENERAL GOVERNMENT

$5,440,000

• • • •

Capital Asset Replacement Program Downtown Improvements Police Station Expansion Replacement/ Upgrade of the Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management System for the Police Department

STREETS AND HIGHWAYS

$37,176,000

• • • • • • •

Route 15 Bypass / Battlefield Parkway Interchange Town-wide Bus Shelters E. Market Street / Battlefield Parkway Interchange Evergreen Mill Road Widening Miscellaneous Roadway, Pedestrian & ADA Projects Morven Park Road Sidewalk Improvements Route 15 Bypass / Edwards Ferry Road

STORM DRAINAGE $326,000

• Tuscarora Creek Flood Mitigation

AIRPORT

$3,247,000

• Airport North Hangars • Airport Taxiway & Runaway Lighting Rehabilitation

UTILITIES

$4,511,100

• Sanitary Sewer Pump Station Upgrades • Town-wide Waterline & Sanitary Sewer Improvements and Repairs. • Water Pollution Control Plant: Storage Tanks – Recoating and Rehabilitation; Digester Boiler Replacement; and Gas Train Replacement

Copies of the proposed CIP Summary with a complete list of projects are available in the Department of Finance & Administrative Services, Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. by calling 703-737-7008. At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views concerning this matter will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-7712434, three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

1/31/19 & 2/7/19

1/24/19 & 1/31/19

LoudounNow.com

just a click away

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § § 1-211.1; 8.01-316, -317, 20-104

Case No.:

CL 119233

Loudoun County Circuit Court 18 East Market St., Leesburg, VA 20176 Sandra Henriquez /v. Josue Ricardo Rodriguez The object of this suit is to: Divorce. It is ORDERED that Josue Ricardo Rodriguez appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interests on or before March 1, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. 01/24/19, 01/31/19, 02/07/19, 02/14/19

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § § 1-211.1; 8.01-316, -317, 20-104 Case No.:

LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL SEEKS PUBLIC INTEREST IN SYCOLIN COMMUNITY CEMETERY SITE The Leesburg Town Council is seeking any interested party(ies) regarding the care and maintenance of the area known as the Sycolin Community Cemetery located on Town-owned property adjacent to the Leesburg Executive Airport, 1001 Sycolin Road SE, Leesburg, VA. Council will be discussing this topic at its February 11, 2019 Work Session. Any and all interested parties are encouraged to submit their interest in the property via email to Council@ leesburgva.gov or mailed to 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176, in advance of the meeting no later than 5:00 p.m., February 11, 2019. Questions regarding the cemetery property may be directed to Public Information Officer, Betsy Arnett, at PIO@leesburgva.gov. 1/17/19, 1/24/19, 1/31/19, 2/7/19.

CL104231

Loudoun County Circuit Court 18 East Market St., Leesburg, VA 20176 Tiffany Davis /v. Damon Davis The object of this suit is to:

file for divorce. It is ORDERED that DAMON DAVIS appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interests on or before March 1, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. 01/10/19, 01/17/19, 01/24/19 & 01/31/19

To advertise contact

Classifieds: 703-770-9723

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 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 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2019 AT 7:00 P.M. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176, to consider Rezoning, Concept Plan and Proffer Amendment application TLZM-2017-0006, Cornerstone Chapel Real Estate.

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING 2020-2025 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM

January 31, 2019

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF TOWN COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING

January 31, 2019

For Rent

Legal Notices

Office Space for Rent

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING SETTING TAX RATES ON PERSONAL PROPERTY FOR TAX YEAR 2019 AND AMENDING LEESBURG TOWN CODE, APPENDIX B – FEE SCHEDULE (SECTIONS 20-22; 20-24) In accordance with the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended §§ 15.2-1427, 58.1-3000, 58.1-3007, 58.1-3503, 58.1-3506, 58.1-3515, and 58.1-3520, the Leesburg Town Council will hold a public hearing on:

We offer private offices, shared and dedicated desks, virtual offices, day passes, large conference rooms and small conference rooms. Call or email today for more information. info@leesburginnovation.com (703) 348-8605

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For Rent Farm tenant house near Leesburg. 2 bedrooms, 1 bath. Deck. $1200 per month. Reduced rent for farm qualified tenant willing to help. Email inquiries to Kelly at wctenanthouse@aol.com. Voicemails can be left at 571-277-5615. Messages will be returned in the order they are received.

Tuesday, February 12, 2019, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA. at which time the public shall have the right to present oral and written testimony on the following proposed amendments to the Leesburg Town Code:

[ OBITUARY ]

• The Town Manager proposes tax rates for personal property (per $100.00 of assessed value) for tax year 2019 to remain unchanged: o Aircraft = $0.001 o Motor vehicles = $1.00 o Tangible personal property (excluding public service corporations) = $1.00 o Bank capital = $.80 per $100.00 of the net capital of banks located in the Town. • Appendix B – Fee Schedule (Sec. 20-22): Creating separate tables for real taxable property and personal taxable property, and making clear the classification of manufactured/mobile homes. • Appendix B – Fee Schedule (Sec. 20-24): Deleting this section from the fee schedule and clarifying that tangible personal property include motor vehicles in the table corresponding to section 20-22. Copies of the proposed ordinance are available for public examination prior to the public hearing in the office of the Clerk of Council at Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA, during normal business hours. For more information about the ordinance, please contact Clark G. Case, Director of Finance and Administrative Services at 703-771-2720. Persons requiring reasonable accommodations are requested to contact Eileen Boeing, Clerk of Council at 703-771-2733, three days in advance of the public hearing. For TTY/ TTD services, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711. 1/31/19; 2/7/19

Loudoun Now Employment Ads Post your job, get responses.

Mailed weekly to over 42,000 households. Online Always.

703-770-9723

Caroline Wilson Walter Arthur Caroline Wilson Walter Arthur was born April 24, 1930 in Mayfield, Kentucky, the youngest of two children, to Dr. Earle Charles and Grace Geneva Walter. She passed away on January 17, 2019 in Richmond Virginia. Caroline grew up on High Contente Farm in Mayfield, where she loved to ride horses and lived a happy life. She graduated from Hollins College with a degree in Art History. With specific instructions not to marry a pilot, she

began her career as a Stewardess for American Airlines in Nashville,TN. On her first flight, she met co-pilot Claude Arthur, and they were married a year later in November 1953, beginning their life together in Nashville,TN. moving to Leesburg, Virginia in 1962 where they lived for over 40 years, and eventually relocating to Richmond, Virginia in 2005. She raised three perfect children and was active in the Leesburg Garden Club where she was president. She sold real estate, had many friends and loved her life in Loudoun County. She is survived by her children: Mary Walter Arthur of Reston, VA, Claude Clement Arthur III of New Orleans, LA, Charles Hampton Arthur of Richmond, VA (Sara Murray Arthur). She also is survived by her three grandchildren: Caroline Astor Midkiff of San Diego, CA, Josie Nena Arthur and Loudoun Paul Arthur of Richmond. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Leesburg Garden Club P.O. Box 2006, Leesburg VA 20175. Services will be private to the family.

[ D E AT H N O T I C E ] John Philip Huber

March 2, 1963 - January 22, 2019 John Huber of Leesburg, VA, passed on Jan. 22, 2019. Born in Denver, CO, on March 2, 1963, John was a son of the late Robert Ambrose Huber, and Georgia Mae Bohrer Huber. He leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Georgia Huber; son, Wyatt, of Purcellville, VA; former wife, Carol Huber, of Stone Ridge, VA; siblings, Michael R. Huber and wife, Shellie, of Luray, VA, Patty Huber, of Leesburg, VA, Danny Huber and wife, Wendy, of Leesburg, VA, James Huber of Leesburg, VA; 13 nieces and nephews, Jeremy, Sarah, Patrick, Aaron, Kyle, David, Molly, Tyler, Bryan, Nicholas, Brooke, and Corey; and great niece and nephew, Alexis and Camden.

The family received friends from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019 at the Loudoun Funeral Chapel, 158 Catoctin Circle, SE, Leesburg, VA 20175. A Mass for Christian burial began at 1 p.m. on Monday at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, 55 Oakcrest Manor Drive NE, Leesburg, VA 20176. Interment followed in St. John’s Catholic Church Cemetery, Leesburg, VA. Please share condolences with the family www.LoudounFuneralChapel. com

Ruth M. Reynard

April 09, 1938-January 19, 2019 Ruth M. Reynard passed away peacefully on January 19, 2019 at INOVA Loudoun Hospital. She was one of 13 children to William and Maud Carl (both deceased).

Ruth was predeceased in death by her parents, and husband of 41 years, Robert H. Reynard. Surviving are her daughters, Renee Reynard, of Purcellville, VA and Robin and husband, Stephen Hendrickson, of Ranson, WV; sister Gladys Carl of Arlington, VA, and brother Philip Carl of Canton, OH; and grandchildren, Denise Koehler (24) and Gwen Hendrickson (10). A memorial service will be held in the spring. Please feel free to contact daughter Robin at ruthreynard@icloud. com for further details.

Doris Mae Godish

January 22, 1930 - January 27, 2019 Doris Mae (Moon) Godish, age 89, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, January 27, 2019.

She is survived by her devoted husband John Godish; loving mother of Richard Moon, Larry (Rita) Moon, Scott Moon and Lizzie Reed. Doris is also survived by two sisters and three brothers, two grandchildren, Kyle and Ashleigh Godish and her special friend, Elaine Ritzinger. She is preceded in death by her first husband Lawrence Moon. Friends may call on Thursday, January 31, from 6-8pm at Loudoun Funeral Chapel, 158 Catoctin Circle, SE, Leesburg, VA. A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 1, 2019 at 10:00am at Leesburg Community Church, 835 Lee Avenue SW, Leesburg, VA, with interment at Culpeper National Cemetery at 2:00pm. Please share online condolences with the family at www. loudounfuneralchapel.com.

Get paid to Wave!

Call or Text (571) 306-1955, leave your name, number and best time to reach you. Come have some fun and get paid at the same time.

LoudounNow.com

Regular Full-Time Positions Position

Department

Salary Range

Closing Date

Accounting Associate II

Finance

$42,767-$73,221 DOQ

Open until filled

Airport Operations & Maintenance Specialist

Airport

$45,995-$79,129 DOQ

Open until filled

Certified Police Officer (VA DCJS)

Police

$53,233-$96,835 DOQ

Open until filled

Information Technology Director

Information Technology

$88,989-$152,350 DOQ

Open until filled

Utility Plant Operator: Trainee, I, II or Senior

Utilities- Water Supply

$39,384-$85,514 DOQ

Open until filled

Utility Plant Supervisor or Utility Plant Operator: Trainee, I, II or Senior

Utilities- Water Pollution Control

$39,384-$100,856 DOQ

Open until filled

Utility Plant Technician Trainee or Utility Plant Technician

Utilities

$42,767-$79,129 DOQ

Open until filled

To review Ida Lee (Parks & Recreation) flexible part-time positions, please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs. Most positions will be filled at or near the minimum of the range. Dependent on qualifications. All Town vacancies may be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel 67 and Verizon FiOS Channel 35.

Construction Superintendent: Meridien Group, LLC is seeking a motivated, qualified individual to provide on-site coordination for all phases of construction projects, including coordinating subcontractors, material and equipment, ensuring that specifications are being strictly followed, and that work is proceeding on schedule and within budget. The Project Superintendent shall be responsible for scheduling, inspections, quality control, and job site safety. Part-time or full-time positions offered depending on availability.

Contact Info: Katherine Hicks 208 South King Street Suite 303 Leesburg, VA 20175

Send Resume to: khicks@meridiengroupllc.com Office: (703) 777-8285

Busy family practice in Lansdowne, VA seeking a full time LPN or MA. Pediatric and or family practice experience preferred. EHR experience highly recommended. We offer health, dental and vision insurance as well as direct deposit, 401k and many other benefits. Please send your resume to lgray@lmgdoctors.com or fax to 703-726-0804, attention Lisa.

Loudoun Now Classifieds In the mail weekly. Online always. 703-770-9723

Town of Leesburg Employment Opportunities Please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs for more information and to apply online. Resumes may be submitted as supplemental only. EOE/ADA.

Listen to music while you work! Dance, have fun! No experience needed. You need to be energetic and outgoing. This is a part time position, $13/hr! Flexible hours.

January 31, 2019

Employment

January 31, 2019

Closing Date

Open until filled Open until filled Open until filled Open until filled Open until filled Open until filled Open until filled

Resource Directory LoudounNow Classifieds | In the mail weekly. Online always. | 703-770-9723 | loudounnow.com Accounting/Taxes

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[ OPINION ]

January 31, 2019

Our Mission Last week, this newspaper was among those selected for recognition during the Chamber of Commerce’s Community Leadership Awards. It is not an honor we take lightly, but it does provide a level of confirmation that we are making progress on our core mission. When the newspaper was created three years ago, we hoped to make a difference. This tells us that maybe we are. This would not be possible without the support of our roster of local investors who put checks on the table to support our brand of community journalism. This would not be possible without our advertisers, some of whom jumped aboard in the earliest days without knowing how many papers we would print or how the newspapers would be distributed. This would not be possible without our small team—individuals

[ LETTERS ]

who come to work every day to try to make life in Loudoun a little better. And many who sit through a lot of long government

High Hurdles

meetings so you don’t have to.

Editor: Patrick Szabo’s article “Loudoun Firefighters Fight for Better Cancer Coverage Under Workers’ Comp Rules” was a welcome focus on the hazards firefighters face protecting the public. I have one noted disagreement, however. It is not true that “for workers who are injured on the job, securing workers’ compensation is often a straightforward task.” I have been representing injured workers, including police and firefighters, in workers’ compensation cases for over 40 years. I was involved in the early legal fights over the Heart/Lung law about which Mr. Szabo writes. An entire section of the reference book I authored, “The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Case Finder,” is dedicated to the Heart/Lung law. I can assure you, obtaining workers’ compensation is not a straightforward task. This is a popular misconception: that suffering an injury at work automatically entitles you to workers’ compensation coverage. That this is not true is illustrated simply by the growth of the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission over the past 40 years as the need to adjudicate disputes in workers’ compensation has grown. In addition, the Virginia Court of Appeals has, since its creation in 1985, issued volumes of decisions specifically dealing with workers’ compensation. Injured workers are hurt, broke and scared. Their income has been stopped, they have medical bills piling up, and they are injured. Resolution of entitlement to the benefits of the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act can take months, and sometimes years. The process is anything but straightforward, as Cathy McCray is

The bottom line in our business is that we know that we succeed when our community succeeds, when our businesses flourish, our nonprofits have the resources they need, and when government leaders (and voters) make intelligent, informed decision. That is the community leadership we strive to provide regardless of the awards that might follow. Thank you.

Share Your Views Loudoun Now welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should include the name, address and phone number of the writer and should be a maximum of 500 words. Letters may be sent by email to letters@ loudounnow.com or by mail to PO Box 207, Leesburg, VA 20178.

LoudounNow Published by Amendment One Loudoun, LLC 15 N. King St., Suite 101 • Leesburg, VA, 20176 PO Box 207 • Leesburg, VA 20178 703-770-9723 Norman K. Styer Editor nstyer@loudounnow.com Danielle Nadler Managing Editor dnadler@loudounnow.com Margaret Morton Senior Writer mmorton@loudounnow.com Renss Greene, Reporter rgreene@loudounnow.com

Kara C. Rodriguez, Reporter krodriguez@loudounnow.com Patrick Szabo, Reporter pszabo@loudounnow.com Jan Mercker, Reporter jmerker@loudounnow.com Douglas Graham, Photographer dgraham@loudounnow.com

Advertising Director Susan Styer sstyer@loudounnow.com Display Advertising Tonya Harding tharding@loudounnow.com Display Advertising Pam Stamper pstamper@loudounnow.com Classified Advertising Ashley Fertig afertig@loudounnow.com

finding out. The addition of a cancer presumption to the Heart/Lung law should make the process easier for the valiant men and women who are exposed to carcinogens while protecting the public. — Peter M. Sweeny, Leesburg

Passing the ERA Editor: Once again, our country has the opportunity to enshrine the Golden Rule in our Constitution. “Treat others as you would have them treat you” is required in the Christian faith and also an integral belief of Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and every other major religion. The Equal Rights Amendment simply states, “Equality of rights under the law shall not be abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” That means equality under the law regardless of whether you are a man or a woman. That means treat each other fairly—just as you would want to be treated. That is the Golden Rule. While this principle has been in the state constitution of Virginia for almost half a century, bringing it into our country’s Constitution would set it in stone. The Constitution is not yet interpreted to fully provide this protection. The Equal Rights Amendment is about family and treating sons and daughters fairly. It’s about valuing and respecting each person. It’s about love. I am writing to encourage you to do all that you can to pass the Equal Rights Amendment. — The Rev. Jason Duley, Sterling Senior Pastor, Galilee UMC and Chapel

Baker Remembered for Curiosity, Wit “What I loved about him was how curious he was,” she said this week. He would ask her questions such as: What do you like to talk about? What are you going to do this morning? What are you are looking forward to? Page described Baker as being very affectionate, with a wry sense of humor, as well as a great sense of the absurd. “He was just a very, very ‘sparkly’ individual.” A man of many talents, he loved baseball, about which he was very knowledgeable; wrote musical comedy; loved all kinds of music—blues, old-fashioned rock songs—and “had a beautiful singing voice,” Page said. Leesburg resident Eeda Dennis got to know Baker through her late husband, diplomat Alfred Dennis. “He was a great admirer of Russell—and no matter where, he would make sure he could get the European edition of the New York Herald Tribune so he could read his columns—no easy thing to find in a French village in the dead of winter.” When she met Baker, “I lost my heart to him,” and the two couples became dear friends. It was at her suggestion that her husband asked Baker if he would like to have lunch with him—an invitation that was quickly accepted. That first lunch morphed into a wonderful weekly lunch foursome that has continued to the present day.

Dennis also cited Baker’s gift for friendship and his “faithfulness” to his friends. “If you were his friend, you knew it,” she said. Another longtime friend and member of the lunch group, Joe Motheral, treasures his participation in the weekly gatherings. He first met Baker in Bluemont years ago, when Baker was invited to speak at a fundraiser for the fire department. “He was a very nice person, always very friendly,” he said. “If you didn’t know he’d had such an historic career, you never would had guessed it—he was very down to earth and very modest.” At one point, Motheral wrote a story about Baker, and sent it to him for his review. He got a very sober call from Baker, to the effect that “I’ve got a problem with it.” “I thought, oh my God!” Somewhat quaking, Motheral asked what the problem was. He needn’t have worried. “That’s a great story,” Baker said. “But you didn’t put any of my failings in it!” One of Loudoun’s best visual chroniclers, Sarah Huntington, also fondly remembered her session with Baker a decade ago. She photographed Baker at ease in the back garden of his West Market Street home in for a book she co-authored in 2012 with the late Gale Waldron, “In Their Own Words: Recollections of an Earlier Loudoun.” Huntington said Baker was a wonderful person to work with, warm and

Photo: Sarah Huntington

Sarah Huntington photographed Russel Baker at ease in the back garden of his West Market Street home in for a book she co-authored in 2012 with the late Gale Waldron, “In Their Own Words: Recollections of an Earlier Loudoun.”

friendly, thoughtful and very articulate, with a good sense of humor. “I had expected to be nervous, and was rather intimidated—but he put me at my ease right away—it wasn’t at all intimidating,” she said. He talked about his role as Masterpiece Theatre host on television— which he had found a very different medium than print— one that had “taken some adjusting to.” She remembered he was interested in the subject of photography in general. “I had come with two cameras, including my big old-time camera— which he loved.” “He was very relaxed, and very generous with his time.”

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After a long career as a newspaperman, novelist, humorist and double Pulitzer Prize winner, Russell Baker died Monday in his Leesburg home at the age of 93. Born Aug. 14, 1925, in the western Loudoun hamlet of Morrisonville, Baker was a columnist for The New York Times from 1962 to 1998 and hosted Masterpiece Theatre on PBS from 1992 to 2004. He won his first Pulitzer for distinguished commentary in 1979 for his Observer columns. His second came in 1982 for his autobiography, “Growing Up,” including his childhood in Morrisonville in western Loudoun. He lived on West Loudoun Street in downtown Leesburg. As the plaudits for the legendary newsman rolled in this week around the country, Baker is also being remembered by a number of his Loudoun friends. Waterford resident and photographer Susanne Page first got to know Baker and his wife, Mimi, in the 1980s when she and her husband, author Jake Page, were living in the village. Later, the Pages went out west for a number of years, but Susanne returned to Waterford after her husband’s death in 2016. She immediately reconnected with Baker, who had also lost his beloved partner, Mimi, who died in 2015, and they resumed their friendship. His family invited her to spend time with her old friend—so she’d just go and hang out with him.

REMEMBERENCE

January 31, 2019

BY MARGARET MORTON

January 31, 2019

Tech talent << FROM 8 largely built around beefing up technology education, to make sure the tech giant and those around it can find qualified employees. As part of the deal to land Amazon, Virginia will work to double the annual number of graduates with computer science or closely related degrees, hoping to add 25,000 to 35,000 graduates over the next 20 years. That includes an investment fund or colleges and universities to expand their programs, spending $375 million to expand George Mason University’s Arlington campus and a new Virginia Tech campus in Alexandria. The state will also spend $50 million on science, technology, engineering, math, and computer science education

Loudoun United << FROM 3 roster in 1996. He made 191 MLS appearances for the team from 1996 to 2002, winning eight trophies including three MLS Cups, two MLS Supporters’ Shields, a CONCACAF Champions’ Cup, a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and an InterAmerican Cup. He was inducted into the D.C. United Hall of Tradition in 2011 for his service to the club. The midfielder also represented the U.S. Men’s National Team and earned 20 caps for his country from 1998 to 2002. He started his coaching career as an assistant coach for his alma mater, the University of Virginia, following his retirement as a professional player in 2005. The next year, he transitioned back into Major League Soccer after being named New York/New Jersey

Shutdown << FROM 1 can’t brew them not knowing how long it will be before I can sell them,” Burns said. “There are 7,000 craft breweries in the nation so there is going to be an enormous backlog.” The shutdown also pushed back the opening of Old Ox’s second location in Middleburg by about 120 days, Burns said. “And I’m paying on that asset now. That’s not a comfortable place for me to be in as a small business owner.” Bonnie Archer, owner of Zephaniah Winery, is in a similar situation. Because her team couldn’t get bottle labels approved, they missed their scheduled bottling date for their latest wine release. But they still had to pay the bottling company $4,000 to hold their spot in the queue. “That is a challenge for us,” Archer said. Joe Linza, founder and CEO of science and technology company Lynker Technologies, said he was forced to decide whether to furlough his employees or keep them working knowing he will likely never get reimbursed. Some of the company’s contracts with the government include hiring industrial divers who dive under massive bridg-

in public schools and expanding internships for higher education students over the next 20 years. “There is a deficit of talent, here and across the country,” Virts said. “It’s not just here, and it’s something that we as a community need to work together on.” And she said that means starting in primary school. “We’ve got to start thinking about these kids young and getting them excited about careers in the computer and technology areas so it’s something they want to do when they’re little,” Virts said. In her own experience growing FCi Federal, a federal contracting company, she said finding talent is always a challenge. “What complicates it is when you need people with these kinds of credentials and these kinds of certifications, and then you add the layer of clearances on top of it,” Virts said. “Finding talent and

developing talent that’s clearable. Top Secret clearances are not easy to get.” All that will help people like Michael Whitlock, the business development manager at Sabey Data Centers. Already established in markets to the west, Sabey is making inroads in the DC region’s market—which means hiring. “It’s just so competitive out here where you can throw a rock next door and be in another data center, and these new recruits, they can come in and just have their pick of whatever they want to do,” Whitlock said. For Sabey, he said, sometimes that means offering more money, but often it means offering a workplace culture. “This is a place where you can come and … your talent can be utilized in so many ways, and your voice is definitely heard here,” Whitlock said. “I like to say, with me, it’s not a dictatorship. It’s open here, everybody has an opinion here,

and everybody has a certain role they can play.” His own daughter is studying to work in data centers, and he and the company have donated time to help train up more workers—whether it be dropping into classes at NVCC, or taking in interns and showing them the ropes. “Feeding into the ecosystem is the only thing that is going to provide sustainability for the data center world,” Whitlock said. “It’s not going to stop anytime soon. It’s going to just keep booming and booming and booming, so it’s in your best interest to feed into the ecosystem, and give back, and just water the seeds and watch them come up.”

MetroStars assistant coach in 2006. He was named interim head coach in 2008 and was in charge of the newly-branded New York Red Bulls for eight matches between June 2006 and August 2006. Williams would take the helm as interim head coach again in 2009 following the departure of Juan Carlos Osorio. In 2011, Williams was hired as head coach of the U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team and transitioned over to work with the U-17’s at the national level months later. Williams left the USMNT setup following the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup and then re-joined Major League Soccer as Real Salt Lake’s assistant coach. Loudoun United’s first home game is scheduled to be played May 3, but the team will likely play its “home away from home” games, as one of the team’s executives put it, at D.C. United’s Audi Field in Washington, DC, until the team’s headquarters and stadium at Bolen Park near Leesburg is done.

Work on the complex is underway— the county has cleared the site and will hand it over to D.C. United to begin construction next month. Loudoun United Chief Operating Officer Adam Behnke said the work is on schedule to be ready to host a home game Aug. 9 against the Charlotte Independents. The team will play 11 home games at the new stadium this year, with the last of the season Oct. 19 against the New York Red Bulls. Levien said Loudoun United’s arrival is timely. “In the 20th century, Loudoun County was known as horse country. In early in the 21st century, it was talked about as wine country. And now, Loudoun County is going to be known as soccer country.” As the team’s season begins, Loudouners will have plenty of opportunity to meet the players, Williams, and other team leaders. The team is organizing reading programs in which players will regularly visit Loudoun

schools and read to students. The team is also partnering with Loudoun Soccer, FC Barcelona, Leesburg Football Club and other youth soccer organizations to build up the next generation of players through clinics, workshops and camps. “That’s one of my favorite parts—the work we’ll be doing in the community,” Behnke said. “Without the community support, I don’t see us being successful.” Season tickets for the 11 games scheduled in the new stadium are on sale now. Cost starts at $132 for seats in the supporters section and $165$495 for sideline seats. Premium seats are also available starting at $935, and include padded seats in the first three rows of center midfield, plus all-inclusive food and beverage

es to ensure they are safe for boats to navigate. “Their capabilities are critical to our nation … so we’ve continued to pay those people, but you can imagine that our cash flow is getting tight.” Angela Mitchell, with government consulting company Arm Consulting, said the shutdown has hurt her ability to grow her business because banks are nervous about lending money to government contractors. “We have high skilled employees working for us, scared whether they can pay for health care, and afford room and board.” Eric Byrd, manager of Loudoun’s Small Business Development Program, and Tony Howard, president and CEO of the Loudoun County Chamber, told Kaine some of the worst effects of the shutdown will not be felt for another few months. Businesses leaders are not investing in growing their businesses because of the economic uncertainty and the freeze of loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. “My concern, as a business coach, is many of these businesses are using their cash reserves now and it’s going to take time to build those reserves back up. They’re at risk should something else happen,” Byrd said. “So this is all going to have a delayed effect on things.” “How is it possible to make a long-

term plan when you don’t know where your revenue is coming from,” Howard said, adding that it makes the county’s economy unstable. “This isn’t good for the brand identify of the region.” Michael Oaks told the senator this is the slowest his shop, ReLove It in Purcellville, has been since it opened 10 years ago. “I had to cut my employees’ hours about 20 percent. … The public’s got to realize it trickles down and effects everybody.” Kaine said he believed there are enough Democrats and Republicans open to working through President Donald J. Trump’s proposal to agree on a compromise. The president needs Congress’ approval to spend $5.7 billion to tighten border security as well as other immigration provisions. Kaine said he agrees that the president raises four key issues that need to be discussed: more border security funding, changes to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program, changes to the status of immigrants who came to the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status, and the asylum program. Kaine thinks the president went too far with the asylum portion of his proposal, but the three other portions include “very negotiable points.” Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA-10)

also sounded optimistic that the Senate and House leadership tasked with negotiating an agreement will come to an agreement on a bill that is acceptable to Congress. “Whether it will be acceptable to the president remains to be seen,” she said. What’s especially frustrating, she added, is that homeland security is one of the areas of the budget that usually gets bi-partisan support. “So the politicization of this is disappointing,” she said. Several lawmakers, including Kaine and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (DVA), are proposing legislation that would prevent future government shutdowns. Kaine’s proposal would prevent the Senate from taking up any legislation besides an appropriations bill when Congress and the White House are in a stalemate. Plus, it would put in place bills that would fund the government month by month while lawmakers work to find an agreement on the long-term appropriations bill. “I see bipartisan interest on both sides to try to never do this again,” Kaine said.

rgreene@loudounnow.com dnadler@loudounnow.com

dnadler@loudounnow.com

Budget

Foster Care << FROM 5 “The intent is to at least make sure that a social worker or someone is notifying the birth parents, as well as the child if he is 14 years or older, that they could enter into this voluntary communication and contact agreement, as long as it’s in the child’s best interest,” Reid said. The legislation provides exceptions if the parents’ parental rights were terminated because of abuse.

General Assembly << FROM 13 nal defibrillator (AED) cabinets across the state. This bill is in a subcommittee of the House Committee on Rules.

Del. Dave A. LaRock (R-33) HJ 683 would require the state to permanently maintain separate transportation funds, and prevents that money from being used for other purposes, commonly known as the “transportation lockbox.” This is a first step in passing a state constitutional amendment. A subcommittee of the House Committee on Privileges and Elections has recommended approval. HB 2799 would require distance-based tolling on the Dulles Greenway, that the owners get no more than a “reasonable return,” and that the State Corporation Commission launch an investigation into whether the Greenway’s current tolls meet those requirements. It also requires full disclosure of the Greenway’s finances, meeting many of the local Board of Supervisors’ wishes for tighter Greenway oversight. This bill is one of several competing bills on the topic, and is in a subcommittee of the House Committee on Commerce and Labor.

Del. David A. Reid (D-32) HB 1704 would require that public colleges and universities give everyone who is accepted the Financial Aid

Blue Ridge District seat on the School Board, urged the board to adopt a budget that makes it so every employee can afford to work and live in Loudoun. “Propose a budget that we can point to and say, enthusiastically and without reservations, yes, this meets all the needs of all of our students,” he said. “Our English-language learners, our students with disabilities, our gifted students, everyone in-between, lifting the entire community up, together.” The School Board is scheduled to adopt its budget Feb. 5 and present it to the Board of Supervisors as a formal funding request Feb. 11.

“Out of the relationship with my foster parents, I have this extended family. And I still have a good relationship with my dad,” Reid said. “I want to make sure that other children have similar opportunities.” Reid’s legislation is one of a half dozen bills related to foster care that are working their way through the General Assembly. Many of those are in response to a newly released report from Virginia’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission that found that the commonwealth ranks 49th worst in the country for youth who age out

of foster care without permanent connections—on average about 500 youth each year. The report also unveiled that most jurisdictions’ Family Services Departments are extremely understaffed, with case workers shouldering caseloads of 15 or more children. Reid said that it may take a few years to fully respond to the report’s findings with solutions. “I’ve come to appreciate that it’s really a challenge to be able to solve all the problems all at once,” he said. “As long as we recognize that there are some problems and we’re moving in the right direction to solve

them, then we can make incremental improvements along the way.” Some of the shortfalls identified in the study can be improved through law changes, Reid added, but in other cases it will require members of the public, local governments and nonprofits to step up. Loudoun County Department of Family Services Director Glenda Blake declined to comment on the commission’s study.

Shopping Sheet developed and made available by the U.S. Department of Education—otherwise the college can’t get state funding. The Higher Education subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations has recommended supporting this bill. HB 2476 would mandate that if a college or university’s average tuition increases over the last 10 years exceed the average tuition increases of all the public colleges, they cannot raise tuition the next year. Tuition and mandatory fee increases are capped at the annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index multiplied by a factor based on the size of the increase in the undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees over the past 10 years. The House Education Committee recommended approving this bill, after which it was sent to the Committee on Appropriations.

Housing and Community Development study Virginia’s permitting processes for broadband deployment and renewable energy construction projects. This bill is in the Senate Committee on Rules. SB 1634 would allow any town to establish an economic revitalization zone to give incentives for buying real estate for economic development, a power currently only available to cities. This bill is the Senate Committee on Local Government. SB 1766 would direct the state Board of Pharmacy to conduct a two-year pilot program of a controlled substance tracking system, compliant with the federal Drug Supply Chain Security Act. This bill is in the Health Professions subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Education and Health.

for evaluating transportation projects in Northern Virginia from the Virginia Department of Transportation to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. This bill has passed the Senate and is in a subcommittee of the House Committee on Transportation.

Del. Kathleen Murphy (D-34) HB 2024 would allow retired law enforcement officers to continue to receive retirement benefits while working as school security officers. This bill is in the Compensation and Retirement subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations. HB 2132 would expand the crime of abuse and neglect of an adult to include abuse and neglect people 60 years of age or older. Currently that law only applies to incapacitated adults. This bill is in the House Committee for Courts of Justice.

Sen. Jennifer B. Boysko (D-33) SJ 311 requests the Department of

Sen. Richard H. Black (R-13) SB 1010 would require health insurers to include coverage for long-term antibiotic therapy for people with Lyme disease. This bill is in the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor. SB 1154 would create a traffic infraction for drivers who do not give full time and attention to driving or exercise due care and decrease speed as necessary to avoid a collision. This bill, which creates an infraction less serious than reckless driving, has been a priority of Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman but opposed by Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Plowman. The bill is in the Senate Committee on Transportation. SB 1468 would shift responsibility

dnadler@loudounnow.com

Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel (R-27) SB 1713 would require school boards to include training for bad weather, unsafe conditions loading or unloading, students on the wrong bus, and other situations where student safety is at risk when training bus drivers. This bill is in the Public Education subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Education and Health. SB 1547 would require the Board of Medicine to regulate the practice of music therapy and set requirements for licensure to practice music therapy. This bill is in the Health Professions subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Education and Health.

Sen. Barbara A. Favola (D-31) SB 1133 would allow the Greenway to apply for annual toll increases equal to the increase in the Consumer Price Index plus 1 percent until 2029, and requires the Greenway to start distance-based tolling at $1 per mile. This bill is in the Senate Committee on Transportation. SB 1141 would require the Board of Education and local school boards to include prevention of human trafficking in family life education. This bill has passed the Senate and is in the House Committee on Education.

needed it most. “We knew our child could do it but somebody else saw it too,” Walsh said. “Whatever you can do for the social workers, as parents, we would greatly appreciate it.” Nicolo Porto, a Potomac Falls High School graduate who now works as a social worker at Mercer Middle School, said he’s proud to work with an experienced team of social workers and psychologists. “But I fear the wealth of experience and talent in this department could go elsewhere.” Chairman Jeff Morse (Dulles) asked

tion of the previous year. He also noted that eight candidates for psychologist positions declined offers for the current school year because of compensation. Administrators are also studying social workers’ compensation, Williams said, but he expects the earliest they could get larger raises is next January, halfway through fiscal year 2020. The alternative is to shift money from elsewhere to try to provide them similar raises as psychologists. Several other speakers also asked for better pay for both teachers and those in non-teaching positions, so employees can focus on students, not on a long commute or a second or third job. Ian Serotkin, who’s running for the

January 31, 2019

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Williams about his rationale behind recommending raises for psychologists but not social workers. “Their roles as defined by our job descriptions are remarkably similar.” Williams said he understands the social workers sense of urgency. “We’re undergoing a multi-year process to look at the salaries, but we can’t look at all the positions at once,” he said. “The reason we chose psychologists this year is we saw significant increases in how much Fairfax County pays psychologists and many who turned down employment.” Seven of the school system’s 43 psychologists left Loudoun County Public Schools from October 2017 to September 2018—more than double the attri-

January 31, 2019

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