Loudoun Now for Feb. 18, 2021

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VOL. 6, NO. 12

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

State Legislature Poised to Legalize Pot Local Leaders Raise Safety Concerns

Pg. 19 | n PUBLIC NOTICES

Pg. 21

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Hemstreet Proposes 3-cent Tax Rate Cut

BY RENSS GREENE

BY PATRICK SZABO

rgreene@loudounnow.com

pszabo@loudounnow.com

Within the decade, Virginians could look back to 2021 and remember how odd it was that having or using marijuana could land them in jail—the same as we look back on the Prohibition Era and alcohol. That’s because in the next week, state lawmakers could vote to make pot legal.

In 2017, then-Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed a bill into law permitting those suffering from intractable epilepsy to use Cannabis oil with a doctor’s order. On July 1 last year, it became legal for patients to use Cannabis extracts—such as capsules, oils, creams, lozenges and lollipops—containing certain levels of cannabidiol, or CBD, and tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Another law passed last year decriminalized the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana. Now, anyone convicted of marijuana possession is slapped with a civil, rather than a criminal, penalty and an up-to $25 fine, as opposed to an up-to $500 fine and/ or up to 30 days in jail.

This year, the Virginia General Assembly is likely to pass a bill that would eliminate that civil penalty and legalize the retail sale of marijuana for recreational use.

This month, the House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate passed two separate bills that seek to eliminate criminal penalties for the possession of up to an ounce of marijuana, allow for the cultivation and retail sale of marijuana and establish an automatic expungement process for those previously convicted of certain marijuana-related crimes.

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Northern Virginia Hemp Company Owner and Founder Luke Greer shows off a bit of his hemp product from the 2021 harvest. Greer could become one of the county’s first marijuana growers if it’s legalized this year.

The two bills are similar, although there are some key differences between them, which is why legislators are expected to create a committee to reconcile the differences before sending a single bill to Gov. Ralph Northam for signing. They have until March 1, when the General Assembly’s special session adjourns, to make that happen.

Del. David Reid (D-32), a co-sponsor of the House bill, said that committee would be created once the Senate votes on the House bill and vice versa. He said the committee would feature three to five legislators from each chamber. He said he’s hopeful the House of Delegates and Senate can vote on the bills, reconcile them and send a

finalized version to Northam by March 1.

“Everyone’s intent is to get it done during this regular session,” he said. “…

There’s no reason for me to think right now that this can’t be done.”

But some local officials think it's a bad idea.

Residents Could Have a Say on Pot Shops Under the proposed legislation, a retail marijuana store would be allowed to sell up to an ounce of marijuana in a single transaction to one person 21 years of LEGAL POT continues on page 30

County Administrator Tim Hemstreet has proposed a $3.3 billion county budget funded by a $1.005 real estate tax rate, a 3-cent cut from today’s tax rate.

That is lower than previously projected as real estate values have improved, and lower than the $1.01 tax rate advertised in required legal notices, which serves as highest possible tax rate without having to restart the public notice and input process.

That means supervisors are unlikely to go more than a half cent above Hemstreet’s proposal. And that halfcent increase, he said, would cover the budget requests from all county departments.

Also, the school system’s funding request came in lower than what was available at the $1.01 tax rate, meaning the School Board stands to get its full funding request without raising the tax rate from Hemstreet’s proposal.

The proposed tax rate is lower than supervisors had directed in January, when they instructed Hemstreet to prepare the budget at a penny above the equalized tax rate, the rate at which the average bill is the same dollar amount despite changing property values. His proposal is only TAX CUT continues on page 29

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PAGE 3

Kuhn Family Purchases White’s Ferry; Hopeful of Quick Restart

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

Last week, it looked like the effort to resume the operations of White’s Ferry had hit the final wall.

After a years-long legal battle concluded with a ruling the ferry had no legal rights to its Virginia landing and frustrated by long negotiations seeking to create a new operation agreement, owner Herb Brown was ready to pack it in.

“This is over,” Chuck Kuhn recalled Brown telling him in a phone call last Thursday.

Kuhn, the founder and CEO of JK Moving Services whose family in recent years has invested in the preservation of thousands of acres of rural or environmentally significant land, had been keeping in touch periodically with Brown on the status of the talks with the owners of Rockland Farm, who controlled the

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Chuck and Stacy Kuhn stand on the Virginia landing of White’s Ferry just days after purchasing the operation from its longtime owners. They hope to have the commuter service back up and running quickly.

Virginia landing.

“I said, ‘Herb, don’t do that. It is an im-

portant part of history and it is important to the community. Before you do that, let

me buy it. I’ll buy it,’” Kuhn said.

The terms of the deal came together quickly after that and the acquisition by Kuhn and his wife, Stacy, was announced Friday afternoon.

Established in 1786, the ferry across the Potomac River near Leesburg ceased operation in December after the cables that guide the ferry across the river broke.

With that damage and the ongoing dispute about access to the Virginia landing, Brown suspended operations.

Kuhn hopes to get the ferry back in operation quickly. He’s working with Peter Brown, the majority owner of Rockland Farm, to reestablish the landing rights and has mechanics at work making repairs to the ferry boat. The new guide cables are onsite, ready to be stretched across the river once a landing is secured.

For Kuhn, it is more than a business investment. Like many Loudouners he WHITE’S FERRY continues on page 29

Jury Finds Welsh Guilty of Aldie Double Murder

BY PATRICK SZABO

pszabo@loudounnow.com

Three years ago last month, Mala Manwani, 65, and her adult son, Rishi Manwani, 32, were found shot to death in their Aldie home with a combined 12 bullet wounds through their heads, and another in Welsh Rishi’s leg. On Tuesday, a 12-person jury convicted Brian KuangMing Welsh on two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the jury was out determining an appropriate sentence for Welsh.

According to testimony during the month-long trial, Welsh shot and killed Mala and Rishi Manwani on Jan. 29, 2018 in their Aldie home. Welsh had visited with Rishi the morning of the killings and possessed a gun that forensics experts later matched with the shell casings found at the crime scene.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Buta Biberaj said the jury’s conviction of Welsh ensures the safety of the community.

Circuit Court Judge James P. Fisher told jury members Tuesday afternoon

that they would be tasked with sentencing Welsh to anywhere from 20 years to life in prison for each first-degree murder conviction, and a mandatory minimum of three years in prison for each count of using a firearm in a felony.

Acting Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Barry Zweig did not press the jury to sentence Welsh to the maximum sentence, but Thomas Walsh, Welsh’s defense counsel, asked the jury to impose the minimum sentence: 46 years in all.

One main storyline arose during the four-week trial as Zweig, Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Shara Krogh and Walsh, along with his law partner Mark Petrovich, presented their cases: that Welsh was addicted to opiates and Rishi Manwani was his dealer.

Zweig, in his closing arguments Feb. 10, said Welsh shot and killed Rishi around 10:30 a.m. Jan. 29, 2018 when the two were together in the Manwani’s basement, where Rishi lived. Zweig said Welsh shot Rishi upon seeing him with prescription pain pills and at least $3,000 in cash in his hand. Zweig said Welsh then went upstairs to kill Mala “because he had to.”

He said Mala was trying to escape through the front door when Welsh fired five shots into the back of her head—speculation that Walsh denied.

Zweig pointed out that Welsh had

known Rishi for only eight months and that he had taken $22,000 out of his retirement fund in a 12-month span to purchase drugs.

In the sentencing phase of the trial, Welsh’s brother, Michael, said his brother didn’t abuse prescription pills, but used them out of necessity, since he injured his back in a wakeboarding accident around 2009 and had multiple surgeries. Michael Welsh said his brother was at times in so much pain at night that he couldn’t sleep and that he used the medication to help himself “keep his family going.”

Welsh’s friends and family labeled him as being kind, loving, calm, gentle, affectionate and compassionate. Welsh’s former co-worker said Welsh “always made people laugh” and that she felt “he could never have done these heinous acts.”

Welsh’s best friend said Welsh “was a lover, not a fighter.”

Welsh’s 13-year-old son, Tristan, said his father “was involved” at home and was “a good dad” who was “always there.”

Before Fisher sent the jury off to determine sentencing, Zweig told the jury that the case was a tragedy that “was caused by Brian Welsh.” He asked jury members to consider sentencing Welsh with a focus on punishment, rather than rehabilitation or deterrence.

Walsh argued that rehabilitation, deterrence and punishment were one and

the same. He urged jury members to “have some mercy in your heart.”

“Sentencing is mercy,” he said.

Zweig asked the jury to consider the mercy Welsh showed Rishi and Mala Manwani.

A Disputed Timeline and Murder Weapon Welsh had been arrested for the crime once before, but released due to a lack of evidence. After further investigation, law enforcement arrested Welsh a second time and charged him.

Walsh said Zweig and Krogh were “bookending” the incidents of the case by creating a timeline of events and presenting evidence—and excluding other evidence—in a way that depicted Welsh as the shooter.

“They’re set on that guy,” Walsh told the jury last week as he pointed at Welsh.

He disputed claims that the Manwanis were killed around 10:30 in the morning, or even on Jan. 29 at all. He emphasized that Welsh was busy using his phone around that time. Zweig and Krogh presented evidence that the last unread text message on Rishi’s phone came in at 10:23 a.m. and the last email Mala sent her co-workers was at 10:31 a.m.

WELSH GUILTY continues on page 16

PAGE 4

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Loudoun

ON THE Agenda

County Supervisors Move Toward Gun Restriction Vote

BY RENSS GREENE

rgreene@loudounnow.com

Loudoun supervisors are moving toward a vote on new regulations that would prohibit bringing guns into county government buildings and parks.

The proposed rules would allow concealed carry permit holders to bring guns into county parks, as well as creating exceptions such as for private security workers at county-run or county-permitted events, active duty military personnel carrying out their duties, and reenactments.

Supervisors may also decide to outfit the three main government office buildings—the County Government Center and the Shenandoah Building in Leesburg and the Sterling Service Center on Ridgetop Circle—with screening stations such as magnetometers. That is estimated to cost $50,000 per building, plus $555,000 per year going forward for all three.

The proposal has drawn both outcry from gun rights groups and support from gun safety groups. The Board of Supervisors saw one of their best-attended public hearings in the COVID-19 pandemic era Feb. 10 as people lined up on both sides of the argument, even as snow began to fall outside.

Supervisors Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) and Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin) have opposed the proposed rules, with Buffington’s attempt to table the issue indefinitely was voted down 7-2.

“As we all know, the right to keep and bear arms is protected by our Constitution, it’s protected by our Virginia Constitution,” Kershner said. “And it is the highest possible right you can enjoy, what Supreme Court calls a fundamental right, one that must be must apply the strictest scrutiny possible if government is going to allow it.

But the majority of supervisors continue to support the new rules.

“The problem is, we’ve had a slaughter by firearms in this country going on for about five decades, probably longer,” said Supervisor Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn). “And we keep dancing around the edges of what to do about it, and that’s the problem. The simple data, aggregate data, planet-wide is when there are more guns, there are going to be more deaths by guns.”

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Armed protestors outside the county government center in July 2020.

And Supervisor Sylvia Russell Glass (D-Broad Run) pointed out the “good guy with a gun” argument can be very different for Black people.

“That usually doesn’t work for African-Americans,” Glass said. “I can imagine my sons being able to legally carry a weapon, and they would almost automatically be considered a threat. So there’s a disparity between how Black gun owners are looked at, and between their white gun owner counterparts.”

“Since the 1980s our gun safety laws have been eroded to the point that we are so much less safe,” said Supervisor Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian). “We have opened ourselves to incidents like what happened Jan. 6 at our capitol building.

Gun violence across the country has become disgustingly, disgustingly more commonplace in the form of domestic violence, right-wing activist groups like the Proud Boys, the Oath Keepers, and mass shootings such as Parkland and Las Vegas.”

A number of other jurisdictions such as Fairfax, Winchester and Blacksburg have already adopted similar rules to those Loudoun supervisors are considering.

The evening’s debate was also marked by an attempt to skirt the normal process for changing county ordinances to hold a

vote immediately.

Although the board’s rules of order distinguish between a public hearing— which is only for gathering public input— and a business meeting where supervisors hold major votes, supervisors often suspend their rules to vote on an issue at the public hearing if it is uncontroversial and ready for a vote. County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large), Briskman and Turner sought to push through the new gun ordinance despite the controversy surrounding it, and that doing so required introducing a new ordinance rather than amending the current one, and that the language for a proposed exception for concealed carry permit holders was still being hammered out. Kershner also said he would have prepared alternative motions for the board to consider if he had known they would vote at the public hearing.

Briskman withdrew a motion to suspend the normal rules of order seeing that the majority of supervisors would oppose it.

Facing that, Randall said she was “a little shocked by all the theatrics” of her fellow supervisors, and accused them of putting on a show: “I know we have a bigger audience than we’ve had all of COVID, GUN RESTRICTIONS continues on page 5

Loudoun 2021 Real Estate Assessments Online Now

The value of taxable real estate in Loudoun is nearing a hundred billion dollars, as Loudoun County Commissioner of the Revenue Robert S. Wertz Jr. has published real estate assessments for tax year 2021 online at loudoun. gov/parceldatabase.

Printed assessment notices were mailed to property owners starting last week.

The assessments let property owners know the assessed value of their property as of Jan. 1, 2021, reflecting real estate market activity in 2020. That value will also influence the real estate tax rate supervisors set during budget deliberations to pay for county government and projects. Those tax bills will be due on June 7 and Dec. 6.

Property owners who believe their assessments are incorrect may file an Application for Review with the Commissioner of Revenue online at loudoun.gov/reaa by March 8.

Thereafter, appeals can be made to the Board of Equalization until June 1.

This year, the county’s total taxable real estate is valued at $95.1 billion, an overall increase of 5.8%. The typical existing single family detached home property saw the largest average yearover-year increase in value, at 7.2%, and the average townhome was up 6.4%.

Last year the county’s total taxable real estate was $89.9 billion, a 7.6% increase from 2019.

For more information, go to loudoun.gov/cor, email realestate@ loudoun.gov.

Online Fatherhood Skills Workshops Scheduled The next session of the program sponsored by the Loudoun County Department of Family Services to help fathers build skills to become even stronger dads begins Tuesday, March 2. All fathers are welcome to attend the free, 12-week virtual program.

Area fathers are encouraged to register for the National Fatherhood Initiative’s 24/7 Dad program to strengthen their relationships with their children. The virtual workshops will take place weekly on Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m.

To register, sign up at https://bit. ly/loudounfathers, email Program Assistant Linh Carter at linh.carter@ loudoun.gov or call 703-737-8237.

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

PAGE 5

Loudoun Resident Curator Program Heads to Public Hearing

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

County supervisors are one step closer to launching a program that would allow people to maintain, live in and curate county-owned historic properties.

County staff members have written a proposed ordinance for a resident curator program, which will now go to a public hearing. The new program would give the county a way to preserve and maintain publicly owned historic properties by leasing them to qualified parties with an agreement to manage, preserve, maintain, and operate them. That could include allowing the public to visit the properties.

Applicants to the program would have to demonstrate their financial ability to meet their responsibilities, as well as submit an acceptable work plan.

The county government owns a number of historic structures, such as the E.E. Lake General Store in Bluemont and the Carver School in Purcellville, which have both been renovated, along

Gun restrictions continued from page 4 but let’s not perform to the audience.”

Instead, supervisors voted 7-2 to send the issue to their meeting March 2, with Kershner and Buffington opposed.

Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

The Old Arcola School.

with others that need work, such as the Old Arcola School.

Supervisor Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) first proposed the program in July 2019. Supervisors voted unanimously to send the program to public hearing. The public hearing is not yet scheduled. n

(R-Dulles) criticized the Virginia Constitutional Conservatives, a right-wing group that has opposed the new rules with inflammatory rhetoric. He said the group’s untrue rhetoric “is completely full of lies, and so is difficult for me to listen with any seriousness to anything else that group has to say, when they lie about me and others.”

“Certainly, Chair Randall and myself and others do not want anybody raped or murdered or anything else in a government facility or a public park, and contributing that to the dialogue is exactly what’s wrong with the level of discourse in politics,” Letourneau said.

n

FEMA Puts Up $10M for New Loudoun Reservoir The Federal Emergency Management Agency will award $10 million to the Commonwealth of Virginia to help pay for the construction of a water storage reservoir in a retired Luck Stone quarry near Ashburn.

The quarry will become a reservoir with a capacity of more than a billion gallons. The project includes a new pumping station with four submersible vertical turbine pumps and water transmission mains to fill and discharge water from the reservoir.

The planned reservoir has been part of Loudoun Water’s long-term capacity planning. The reservoir is expected to be up and running in 2023 or 2024, and will be called “Milestone Reservoir.”

It is part of Loudoun Water’s Potomac Water Supply Program, which will pump water from the Potomac River into the new reservoir and then piped to the Trap Rock water treatment facility. n

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FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Leesburg

Burnett Proposes Co-Working Space for Ampersand Building

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com

When local attorney Peter Burnett purchased the building at 338 East Market St., he considered it then, as now, “the ugliest building in Leesburg.”

What started as a Tastee Freez location over the years has also housed a veterinary clinic, a bank, a locksmith shop and, currently, another of Burnett’s projects, the Ampersand Food Pantry. Burnett’s initial plans were to fix the building up and sell it to a bank that desired a better presence on a well-traveled thoroughfare. Plans changed when the bank got new leadership, which left Burnett sitting on a rather expensive piece of real estate.

“I just decided I was sick of waiting for lowball contracts,” Burnett said. “I thought I could figure out a way to redo the building in a way that would help me pay the mortgage on the outrageous price I paid for it and the outrageous cost to redo it.”

The proliferation of co-working spaces, particularly in the era of COVID-19 when traditional office environments are not as desirable, gave Burnett an idea—to create an attractive building with a selection of offices for rent, as well as drop-in spaces.

Although that alone is not necessarily a novel idea, some of Burnett’s other touches certainly are.

For one, he is endeavoring to create the first commercial building in Loudoun County with net-zero energy consumption.

The building will include solar panels on

Contributed

A rendering of plans to remodel the former Tastee Freez building on East Market Street in Leesburg.

the roof, geothermal heating and cooling, all LED lighting, plus the addition of more windows to utilize more natural light, and a styrofoam insulative envelope over the entire outside of the building.

“In the summer and winter [the building] is going to use more energy than it produces but in chillier seasons the solar energy generates more energy than the building needs,” he said. “You produce energy, and all that goes into the meter.”

Burnett said he plans to use as many recycled materials as he can in the building; will put UV filters in the air handler to sanitize the air as it circulates; and will also have a few electric car charging stations available

in the parking lot.

Also unique to the concept is a podcast and YouTube studio which can be rented by the hour.

He expects to have 18 offices available for lease in the little more than 4,000 square feet of space, along with another 10 to 12 cubicle spaces, a conference room, lounge area, and a kitchen. As further attraction to local workers, a 5G pole is right outside of the building, “so the hookup to the internet should be very powerful,” Burnett said.

He is hopeful that the building’s makeover will be just what the area needs.

“The idea of that block within Catoctin Circle to Moms Apple Pie is to animate it,

which is a challenge. To have it be a bit of an invitation or tease to the historic district. I think this building helps with that,” he said.

He is also confident it will be a popular addition to Leesburg. Being located within the HUBZone—an area that gives small businesses priority access to federal procurement contracts—can’t hurt either.

“There’s more and more a sense of people wanting to not be at home but they can’t necessarily go into the office and this provides that middle ground,” he said.

Burnett emphasized there is not yet an end date assigned to his popular Ampersand Food Pantry, which has served more than 70,000 free lunches, and provided diapers and other essentials since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He points to the nonprofit’s two other locations on Harrison Street and Edwards Ferry Road as continuing Ampersand’s mission even after its 338 Market St. location is closed.

“With minor adjustments to the way we assemble the lunches and diapers we could give away the same amount of meals at the other two locations,” Burnett said. He also hopes the nonprofit will be able to host COVID vaccinations when supplies are sufficient.

Burnett recently secured approvals needed from the Planning Commission for modifications of the Crescent Design District’s architectural requirements to move forward with the project. He said he hopes to begin construction on his co-working space in the spring, with a projected opening in the fall. n

Public Invited to Weigh in on Town Plan Draft to make some revisions before beginning the public and legislative review processes. Those processes will kick off this month.

“This draft represents a first step in further refining the plan through continued outreach and public comment. It is indeed still a ‘work in progress,’ so people may notice a few things that need to be tweaked, edited, and changed. There will be ample opportunities for residents and other stakeholders to further dis-

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com

The first draft of the Legacy Leesburg Town Plan is now available for public review.

The effort to re-write the town’s comprehensive plan kicked off in earnest in 2019, but stalled with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Stantec, the consultant team hired to lead the Legacy Leesburg project with town staff, handed off the first draft to staff last spring, and staff worked with them

Loudoun Now File Photo

A map used in the development of Leesburg’s proposed Town Plan update.

TOWN PLAN continues on page 7

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

Airport Commission Moves Ahead with Committee

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com

The future of the Leesburg Airport Commission looks to be a continued point of discussion throughout the year.

The Town Council last week moved forward with an Airport Commission-endorsed response to Mayor Kelly Burk’s proposed commission changes, presented in January. Rather than moving forward with Burk’s plan to change to both the membership makeup of the commission and some of its roles and responsibilities, the council instead chose to form an ad hoc committee to study the vision, mission, and responsibilities of the commission, along with its membership makeup.

Vice Mayor Marty Martinez was chosen to serve as chairman of the ad hoc committee, and council members Kari Nacy and Neil Steinberg will also serve with him.

From the Airport Commission side, Vice Chairman Dan Duenkel, with Chairman Dennis Boykin assisting, will also be a part of the committee. The committee will also include two airport hangar tenants, Tom Saxon and Charlie Bobbish, and one representative from each of the 11 airport-based businesses will be invited to participate.

There will also be a representative from the Economic Development Commission, to be determined by its members. Airport Director Scott Coffman and Economic Development Director Russell Seymour will provide staff support to the panel. The committee will serve until July 1, unless the council provides an extension. A date for the first meeting has not yet been set.

Burk’s proposal in January drew the ire of Airport commissioners, who said they were caught off guard with no advance notice. Her stated desire to have more of a business-first focus to the airport offended some, who felt that the commission has al-

Town plan continued from page 6 cuss, craft, and refine this document as we ultimately move towards adoption by the Town Council,” stated Scott Parker, one of the project’s co-project managers. “Public input has been, and will continue to be, the cornerstone of this project.

As part of the continuing review process and in response to the ongoing pandemic, the project team will open a “virtual workshop room” to allow residents and business owners to learn more about the draft plan and provide feedback through

ways had an economic development focus.

It was her proposal that led the commission to instead advocate for the ad hoc committee approach.

Burk has been vocal about her preference to see the airport’s current and future fixed-base operators, ProJet Aviation and SK Aviation, respectively, be a part of the Airport Commission. Both had reached out to her with that stated desire, she said.

She had proposed having both represented on the commission as non-voting members, but current commissioners have raised concerns about of fairness. Limiting business representation on the commission to the airport’s two FBOs excludes the other nine airport-based business, they stated, and could have the airport run afoul of its grant obligations.

That same argument was raised during the Feb. 10 commission meeting, and pointedly at Steinberg, the commission’s council liaison. The previous evening, after the council voted to create the ad hoc committee, Steinberg attempted to find support to initiate a Town Code amendment to include the FBOs as ex officio members on the commission. Councilwoman Suzanne Fox did not support a motion to suspend the rules to consider that initiation, so the vote was not taken. However, Steinberg did find support from four of his colleagues to add the topic to the council’s next work session, Feb. 22.

Commissioners questioned Steinberg why he was attempting to make such a change when that is one of the items the not-yet-convened ad hoc committee would be studying.

“Putting them ahead of the study, that blows my mind. Where did that come from,” Commissioner Tom Toth asked.

“Ultimately what the mayor wants she’s getting, putting the FBOs in there.”

Commissioners also pointed out that Scott Kuhn, president and CEO of SK Avi-

ation, who was present during the commission meeting, had never raised objection to the process endorsed by the Airport Commission, nor had he expressed that he felt excluded from commission business. Toth said it was ProJet Aviation CEO Shye Gilad who was the one pressing for immediate changes.

In defending his action, Steinberg said, without naming names, “if you talk to at least one of the FBOs it’s a different picture entirely.”

“We have voices on both sides. We have to listen to all the voices, and we have to make decisions based on what we hear,” Steinberg said. Putting the FBOs on the commission sooner, “is not necessarily a permanent decision either. What comes out of this ad hoc committee will be the determining factor for the structure.”

Boykin emphasized that “you can’t treat businesses unequally because they’re bigger,” and said he’d already heard from two airport businesses on Wednesday that they were prepared to file a complaint.

“You’ve already been briefed that that’s going to be an issue. I don’t understand why you would do that,” he said.

The commission planned to convene again Feb. 16 to discuss Steinberg’s proposal to have the FBOs empaneled immediately on the commission.

Last week, the commission moved forward with the formation of a business operators subcommittee, to serve under the Airport Commission. That subcommittee will have representation from all 11 airport-based businesses and will be included in all commission meetings and correspondence. The members of that subcommittee will select its chair. Boykin said it’s an idea the commission has been working on since the fall and will be a good way for businesses to have more of a voice in commission business. n

surveys and interactive activities. This virtual workshop room will open on Feb. 17, and will remain open until March 3.

In addition to the virtual workshop room, the community will have the opportunity to participate in live discussions with the project team on Feb. 24, at a “Draft Plan, First Look” virtual workshop via Webex. Currently, two workshop sessions are scheduled: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. For planning purposes, attendance at each session will be limited to 75 participants and registration is required.

Additional time slots will be scheduled if registration for either session reaches capacity. Registrants will receive a link to the

Webex via email. The deadline for registration is Sunday, Feb. 21.

“The Draft Plan, First Look virtual workshop is all about hearing from the public,” said co-project manager Rich Klusek. “We want to hear directly from as many people as possible. We will adjust the format of each session, depending on how many people register, to make sure everyone’s voice is heard. We hope that the registration requirement will not deter people from participating. It is only a tool for us to plan for the best way to hear from participants.”

After the “Draft Plan, First Look” virtual workshops, the project team will re-

PAGE 7

Town Suspends Biz Grant Program as Requests Exceed Available Funding

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com

It didn’t take long for Leesburg business owners to submit their funding grant requests this time around.

Just a few days after Leesburg opened applications for its latest round of business grant funding, the program has been suspended as requests have exceeded the available funding set aside by the Town Council.

According to Public Information Officer Betsy Arnett, as of 8:30 p.m.

Monday night, just 72 hours after the application opened, the town received 104 applications requesting a total of $560,000. The Town Council had recently set aside $500,000 to use for new $5,000 or $10,000 grants for eligible town businesses.

“Each of these [applications] will now need to be reviewed to verify if they meet the established criteria for funding. Although a few may not be eligible, most should qualify,” Arnett said.

Should enough applications not qualify that the awarded funding would fall below $500,000, Arnett said that a new application would open to dole out remaining funds. n

fine the plan based on public input and develop a revised draft, which will move on to the Planning Commission for review. Once the Planning Commission is satisfied with the draft plan, they will hold a public hearing, providing another opportunity for public input, before sending the document to the Town Council for adoption.

Links to the draft Legacy Leesburg Town Plan, background videos, virtual workshop room, and registration for the “Draft Plan, First Look” virtual workshops are available at legacy.leesburgva.gov. n

PAGE 8

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

Inova Now Offering Antibody Infusions

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com

The Inova Health System has a new tool in its toolbox in its battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The hospital system is now offering monoclonal antibody infusions to treat COVID-positive patients. The treatment helps the medical staff address what had been a nagging problem—once diagnosed with COVID, how do you prevent the progression to hospitalization, particularly for the elderly and high-risk population? Monoclonal antibodies are one treatment option that, thus far, has been shown to be successful, said Dr. Edward Puccio, the medical director of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Inova Loudoun Hospital.

“What they have shown in people who are all comers that get sick with COVID in the studies is [monoclonal antibodies] decrease emergency department visits or hospitalizations from 4% to 2%. In those people that are high risk it brought it from 9% to 3%. That is primarily what we’re using it for right now,” he said. “[The treatment] targets the spike protein on the outside of the virus. It targets that and acts like your own antibodies do in your body to inactivate the virus and keep it from penetrating cells,” he said.

There have been a couple of monoclonal antibodies approved under the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization— Regeneron, a combination drug with casirivimab and imdevimab; and another combination drug referred to as BAM, or bamlanivimab. Before being admitted to the hospital for his own bout with COVID, former President Donald J. Trump received an infusion of Regeneron, Puccio noted.

At Inova, individuals who have tested positive for COVID and fall into the high-risk category either because of age (65 and over); weight (body mass index over 35); or have chronic illnesses or medical conditions like asthma, kidney disease, diabetes, or immunosuppressive disease, are eligible to receive the treatment. Individuals age 55 and over with heart disease, high blood pressure, or a respiratory condition, including COPD, are also deemed high risk. Even COVID-positive children between the ages of 12 and 17 are eligible for the infusion treatment, if they are in the 85th percentile for their weight or have other medical conditions that deem them high risk.

Contributed

A patient receives a monoclonal antibody treatment at Inova Loudoun Hospital. The treatment is now available for high-risk, COVIDpositive individuals in Inova emergency rooms, and at inpatient clinics.

Puccio explained that infusions take 30 minutes to an hour and look just like receiving a bag of saline from an IV. Following the infusion, patients remain for another hour to be monitored for any adverse reactions, which Puccio said he has yet to see.

“We infuse [the antibodies] into you and it gives your immune system a jumpstart. It can start fighting the virus, it decreases the viral load, it decreases the number of viral particles that can get into the cells and start doing damage, until your own system can rev up. So the sooner you can give it [to a patient] the better,” he said. Playing the waiting game if you fall into one of the high risk categories is not advisable, and could eliminate the infusion treatment as an option.

Patients who need to be admitted to the hospital and require high-flow oxygen or steroids are not candidates for the treatment. To be effective, monoclonal antibody treatment must be given within 10 days of symptom onset.

“Once your system is overwhelmed by the virus and you need to be hospitalized or on oxygen, that boost of monoclonal antibodies hasn’t been shown to be effective. The viral load is just too much and it’s not going to be impactful,” he said.

The treatments do not prevent an individual from getting COVID again, and do nothing to prevent a patient from getting it in the first place, so it is not an option for individuals who are not COVID-positive, Puccio said.

“It only attacks the virus in you right now. If you don’t have COVID, it is useless,” he said.

While they are encouraging anyone who has recovered from COVID to receive the vaccine, Puccio said any individual who has had the antibody treatment should wait at least 90 days before getting vaccinated.

“We don’t want the monoclonal antibodies working against the vaccine,” he explained.

While it’s a new tool to fight COVID, monoclonal antibody treatment is not new. Puccio said the concept has been around since the 1970s and has been performed in medical use since the 1990s, catching on more each decade since.

Monoclonal antibodies can be found in popular anti-inflammatory drugs, like Stelara and Humira, and can be successful in antiviral uses, such as stopping the progression of COVID. “Some people are worried this is some new experimental drug. It’s been around for decades, different kinds of antibodies target cancer cells or other viruses or inflammation. It’s a relatively new treatment, but not just since COVID,” he said.

Since Inova expanded its use of rapid tests, where medical personnel can know within minutes if an individual is COVID-positive, it has allowed doctors to use the infusion treatments for any eligible patients who visit its hospitals system wide, including its emergency rooms in Loudoun. But you don’t have to visit an emergency room to get the treatment, Puccio said.

Inova has infusion clinics in Lorton, Reston and Fairfax, where COVID-positive individuals who fall into the eligible categories for treatment can fill out an online referral form to be scheduled for treatment. That referral form is available at inova.org/covidclinic. Patients can self refer, or be referred by their primary care doctor.

Systemwide, Puccio said Inova has conducted more than 1,000 infusion treatments, but it’s only been a little more than a month since the treatments were able to be done in emergency rooms, not just in the infusion clinics. He encouraged any COVID-positive individual who falls into the high-risk categories to seriously consider getting the treatment.

“Even if you’re having mild symptoms, if you test positive and you’re high risk you can get monoclonal antibodies.

We don’t want you a week later to be hospitalized. Catch it early,” he said.

Inova is also continuing to accept donations of convalescent plasma from those who have recovered from COVID. Appointments to donate plasma can be made at inovablood.org. n

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Loudoun Switches to New Vaccine Signup System Loudoun County this week switched to using the Virginia Department of Health’s statewide COVID-19 vaccine pre-registration system.

In launching the new statewide system, the Virginia Department of Health directed all local health districts to close their pre-registration forms and surveys at 5 p.m. Friday to allow for existing registration data to be transferred to the new system.

People who already submitted a pre-screening survey through the Loudoun County Health Department need not worry: those surveys will be automatically added to the new statewide system. There is no need for those people to complete a new survey in the state system, according to the county.

However, it is possible that people who completed a Loudoun County prescreening will be asked to provide additional information that was not asked for in the county’s survey, such as home address.

Those people will be contacted with instructions.

Beginning on Tuesday, Feb. 16, almost all pre-registration for COVID-19 vaccines in Virginia began flowing through the new statewide system. Fairfax County opted to continue operating a local signup system.

Despite the change, the county health department will continue to work through the waitlist of people who have signed up to be vaccinated. Anyone who has scheduled an appointment through the Loudoun County Health Department should go to that appointment as scheduled.

When it is a person’s turn to be vaccinated, they will be contacted by email, or by phone if they do not have internet access. Long waits—at least several weeks— are still expected because of limited vaccine supply. Currently, according to the county, the best estimate is that anyone who submitted a pre-screening survey may have to wait six weeks or more from the time they registered before their turn for an appointment comes up.

Currently the county is in Phase 1a and Phase 1b of the state’s vaccine plans, with about half of people in Virginia eligible in those phases. Read more about the priorities in Virginia’s Phase 1b under Frontline Essential Workers by Order of Vaccination Planning.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccination efforts in Loudoun County, go to loudoun.gov/COVID-19vaccine. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

SAFETY notes

Public Safety

Sheriff’s Office Investigates Suspected Suicide at Jail

Dozens Greet Deputy After 42Day Hospital Stay

The Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office is investigating the apparent suicide of an inmate at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on Friday night.

According to the report, the inmate was found unresponsive in his cell shortly after 5 p.m. Feb. 12 by staff members conducting a security check. Deputies initiated CPR and ADC medical personnel at the responded to provide emergency medical treatment. Loudoun County rescue personnel arrived and provided additional lifesaving efforts. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The inmate had been in a single cell after being arrested in January on domestic-related charges.

The Office of the Medical Examiner also is investigation the death.

It was the second death reported at the jail. A June 2020 death involving an inmate held in a single cell on felony domestic-related charges and violations of multiple protective orders also was investigated as a suicide.

Suspect Arrested in Sterling Shooting A Sterling man was arrested last week in connection with a Jan. 17 shooting at a Sterling Park home.

According to the Sheriff ’s Office, Jose A. Rivas-Castillo, 27, was charged with aggravated malicious wounding and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Rivas-Castillo was located Feb. 9 at an Andrew Place residence in the Newberry Condominium neighborhood of Sterling. A search warrant of the home located a M-16 rifle, a 40-round magazine, 32 grams of suspected crack cocaine, and more than $1,200 in cash.

Deputies were alerted to the shooting after the victim was brought to the Inova Loudoun Hospital emergency room by friends for treatment of a gunshot wound to the leg. The victim remains hospitalized.

Detectives determined the shooting took place inside a home on South Ironwood Road and the suspect was identified.

Rivas-Castillo was held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.

PAGE 9

BY PATRICK SZABO

pszabo@loudounnow.com

Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Deputy First Class Camron Gentry was released from the Reston Hospital last Saturday, 42 days after he was wounded in a shooting at the Sterling Walmart.

On Jan. 2, Gentry responded to the GENTRY continues on page 10

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Loudoun County Sheriff’s Deputy First Class Camron Gentry was wheeled out of the Reston Hospital on Saturday past a crowd of about 100 police officers, family and friends, six weeks after he was shot during an arrest at the Sterling Walmart.

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FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Nonprofit

Gentry continued from page 9 Walmart off Atlantic Boulevard to aid the store security staff with the arrest of a shoplifting suspect. According to investigators, as Gentry began taking Steven Thodos into custody, Thodos pulled out a gun and fired multiple rounds, striking Gentry and two Walmart loss prevention employees.

Multiple surgeries later, on Feb. 13, more than 100 law enforcement officers from Loudoun and Fairfax counties, along with Gentry’s family and friends, greeted him as he was released from the Reston Hospital’s trauma unit. After being rolled in a wheelchair through the atrium of one of the hospital complex’s medical buildings, Gentry’s parents drove him back to their home in the Stephens City area, where he’ll continue his recuperation.

Gentry and his parents were accompanied by an escort of about a dozen Sheriff ’s Office vehicles.

According to the Sheriff ’s Office, the Jan. 2 shooting at Walmart occurred just before 5 p.m. Police say that after Thodos fired the rounds that struck Gentry, he ran out of the store and engaged in a shootout with another deputy. Thodos was struck in the arm before stealing a pickup truck from the parking lot. He evaded police by driving south along Rt. 28 toward Fairfax County, where he crashed in a residential area and continued to evade Fairfax County Police on foot.

After a nearly two-hour search by dozens of officers, and the help of a Fairfax

Severo Steps Up to Loudoun Youth Presidency LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman talks about Deputy First Class Camron Gentry’s road to recovery, seconds before Gentry was wheeled out of the hospital following a 42-day stay.

Police helicopter and K9 units, police say Thodos was found running behind houses and was taken into custody at 7:20 p.m. on Pennsboro Drive. He was taken to the hospital for treatment to his arm and was released a few days later. The Walmart employees were also released from the hospital last month.

Less than a week later, the Dulles Fraternal Order of Police launched a GoFundMe page to help Gentry with his long-term recovery. That campaign has raised $117,000.

Thodos was charged with 11 felonies: two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated malicious wounding, one count of malicious wounding, four counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, one count of auto theft, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

He is scheduled for a May 13 preliminary hearing in General District Court. n

As a high school freshman in 2004, Alexa Severo participated in Loudoun Youth Inc.’s inaugural Step Up Loudoun Youth program. When she returned from college to begin a career as an elementary school Severo teacher, she served as a judge in the annual competition. For the past five years she has served on Loudoun Youth’s board of directors.

And last week, Severo was installed as the nonprofit’s new president.

She takes over for outgoing President and CEO Jared Melvin, who held the position for the past decade helping to build the organization’s most popular teen programs, the Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition and the Loudoun Youth Leadership Program.

“Last year, Loudoun Youth, Inc. celebrated our 15th anniversary, a tremendous accomplishment. I envision us thriving and leaving an even bigger impact 15 years from now,” Severo stated. “One of my goals is to increase awareness of what we do, connecting even more with the youth of Loudoun and their families so

that everyone in our community knows what Loudoun Youth is and the positive impact we have on both the kids and county as a whole.”

Severo, a lifelong resident of Loudoun County, earned a bachelor’s degree from Christopher Newport University and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction for elementary education from George Mason University. She is in her eighth year teaching second grade for Loudoun County Public Schools.

“Our board is excited to see Alexa take on this new role,” Melvin said. “She brings a great energy and since she’s been both a student participant and a board member, she brings a unique perspective and firsthand knowledge from experiencing our programs as a youth. She has always demonstrated integrity and a passion for our programs and has shown how they truly empower the youth in our community.”

Melvin joined the board of directors in 2009, became president and CEO in 2011.

He will continue serving another term as past president.

Loudoun Youth, Inc. was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in April 2005 with a mission to coordinate community resources to assist in the development of youth programs and to create leadership opportunities for young people. n

Give Choose Campaign Set for March 16 LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

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Tell them you saw it in Loudoun Now.

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The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties is gearing up for the Give Choose that will be held Tuesday, March 16 and is inviting local nonprofits to participate.

Give Choose, an annual day of giving hosted by the Community Foundation, challenges local residents to donate to local nonprofit organizations serving the area. In 2020, Give Choose raised a landmark $620,000 for local nonprofits. Since its inception in 2014, Give Choose has raised more than $1.8 million.

At GiveChoose.org, visitors can choose from among animal welfare, environment, health, human services, education, youth, and arts and culture nonprofits, with donations starting at $10.

Donations may be made up to two weeks in advance, with an early giving period beginning March 2.

Local businesses also participate in Give Choose through sponsorships, which provide a prize pool to be awarded to participating nonprofits throughout March 16.

The Community Foundation has already begun accepting registrations from nonprofits for this year’s event, and invites local nonprofits interested in participating to join by registering no later than Feb. 23. Charities can register to participate and find eligibility information at givechoose.org. Registration is free of charge for participating nonprofits.

For more information email Nicole Acosta at nicole@communityfoundationlf.org or call 703-779-3505, ext. 3. n

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Lowered Rate Necessary to Offset Increased Assessment: The tax rate which would companies and guidwith the published standards. The review levy the same amount of real estate tax as last year, when multiplied by the new total asing them through the was comprised of a detailed self-evaluation sessed value of real estate with the exclusions mentioned above, would be $1.000 per $100 mobility management followed by a thorough review by a panel of assessed value. This rate will be known as the “lowered tax rate.” process. of medical experts that assessed the critical 3.

Effective Rate Increase: The County of Loudoun proposes to adopt a1, tax2016. rate not to exOffer Expires January Craven has more operational and technical components of ceed $1.010 per $100 of assessed value. The difference between the lowered tax rate and Craven present coupon to receive the offer. than 30 years of expethe maximum proposed rate Please would be $0.010 per $100, or 1.0 percent.

This difference will the applicant facility, including represenbe known as the “effective tax rate increase.”

Not to be combined with any other offer. tative case studies and their corresponding rience in the global mobility and expatriate management industries, including strategic Individual property taxes may, however, increase at a percentage greater than or less than final reports. the above percentage.

Learn more at mountcastleplasticsurgery. positions in operations, account management, consulting solutions, and business 4.

Proposed Total Budget Increase: Based on the maximum proposed real property tax rate com. and changes in other revenues, the total budget of the County of Loudoun will exceed last development. Most recently, he served as year’s by 9.9 percent.

HVAC Company to Donate New vice president, Strategic Business Solutions Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic this public hearing may be conducted as an electronic meeting. for Cartus, where he managed the Midwest System to Family in Need Members of the public are encouraged to view the public hearing electronically; however, the Board sales territory. Prior to that, he was vice Room will be open for any members of the public who wish to attend in person with appropriate AllTech Services, headquartered in president of Business Development with physical distancing. Board of Supervisors public hearings are available for live viewing on television Sterling, is looking to donate and install Weichert Workforce Mobility. on Comcast Government Channel 23, Open Band Channel 40 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are a brand-new HVAC system to a family in livestreamed at loudoun.gov/webcast. All members of the public who desire to speak will be heard He is a frequent speaker at regional, Northern Virginia, worth up to $8,000. as to their views pertinent to these matters. Citizens are encouraged to call in advance to sign up to national and global workforce mobility fospeak at the public hearing. Instructions for remote participation will be forwarded to all individuals AllTech Services President Abe Zarou, rums. Having served on numerous Worldwho sign-up in advance and who would like to provide their comments remotely. For this public heara Loudoun County native, said local busi- wide ERC and regional relocation commiting, advanced sign-up will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on March 12, 2021, and no later than 12:00 p.m. nesses have an obligation to their commu- tees, Craven has received Worldwide ERC’s on March 16, 2021. If you wish to sign-up in advance, call the Office of the County Administrator at nity during challenging times.

(703) 777-0200. Citizens will also have the option to sign-up at the public hearing. All speakers will Distinguished Service Award in recognition be limited to two minutes and 30 seconds so that all in attendance may have the opportunity to speak.

“This past year has been unlike anything of his long-term commitment to the adWritten comments are welcomed at any time and may be sent to the Board of Supervisors, 1 Harrison we’ve ever experienced,” Zarou stated. “I’ve vancement of the relocation industry. He Street, SE, Leesburg, Virginia 20177 or by e-mail to loudounbudget@loudoun.gov. If submitting writheard from our customers and they’re holds a bachelor’s degree from Lewis Uniten comments, information or materials at the hearing, 10 copies should be provided for distribution hurting, so we want to do something that versity and is a licensed managing real estate to the Board members and for the Clerk’s records. will pay-it-forward and help thy neighbor. broker in the State of Illinois. He has earned Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. If you reWe’re donating this system in hopes that the Senior Certified Relocation Professional quire any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory or mental disability to participate in this meeting, please contact the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200. At other businesses will follow our example and the Senior Global Mobility Specialist least one business day of advance notice is requested; some accommodations may require more than and give back to a deserving family in their designations from Worldwide ERC. one day of notice. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings. community. It will take all of us working Sterling-based CapRelo launched in together to ensure that all of our neighbors 1997 and handles 10,000 assignments anBY ORDER OF: PHYLLIS J. RANDALL, CHAIR nually, serving locations throughout the survive this horrible pandemic.”

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LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 12

CABINET SHOWPLACE

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Education

Fine Cabinetry for the Entire Home

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Staff at Emerick Elementary School in Purcellville conduct spot checks of students’ temperatures Tuesday before they enter the building for their first day back at school since before the winter break.

www.cabinetshowplace.com

540.338.9661

210 N. 21st St., # E Purcellville, VA 20132

In-person Class Results to Dictate Pace of School Reopenings

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

The return of students to classrooms on Tuesday for the first time since December kicks off an important study period that will help determine whether in-person learning opportunities can be further expanded this spring.

Interim Superintendent Scott A. Ziegler told School Board members last week that his staff will be watching how well educators and students adhere to protocols designed to prevent the on-campus spread of COVID-19 to determine whether in-person learning can be expanded again before the end of the school year.

Administrators will be looking at the possibility of offering four days of in-person learning per week as early as April and then returning to a full-time schedule next fall.

A key factor in those decisions will be advice from public health officials concerning recommendations to maintain physical distancing between individuals in the classroom. Even the newly released Centers for Disease Control guidance intended to promote school re-openings maintains the recommendation that masked students and staff members keep at least 6 feet apart when possible.

Over the past several months, that yardstick has largely defined the capacity of Loudoun’s hybrid learning program. In general, half of the division’s 81,000 students have selected the in-person learning option. In classrooms with students and teachers spaced at least 6 feet apart, half

of those students attend class on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and half on Thursdays and Fridays.

To combine those classes in a four-daysa-week schedule, that separation would have to be reduced.

The Virginia Department of Education guidance largely points to the CDC recommendations, but does provide allowances to reduce separations to as little as 3 feet as long as masks are worn. However, Loudoun County Health Department Director David Goodfriend has warned against packing students more closely together. In part that concern is related to the contract tracing and quarantine protocols. Under the current procedures, if a student tests positive with the virus, those around them in the classrooms would not be required to isolate at home because they would have maintained a safe distance. In a case where students are closer together, those sitting immediately around an infected student could be sent home as a precaution, Goodfriend has said in School Board briefings.

Ziegler said decisions will be made in late March or April to determine whether more students could attend in-person classes more than two days a week. One possibility is that in-person learning could be expanded for elementary school students, who have demonstrated lower rates of transmission.

On Tuesday, hybrid learning resumes for about 18,000 students in grades K-5, the Academies of Loudoun, special education and English language learners. Students in middle and high school are scheduled to return to the classroom for the first time in almost 12 months starting March 3. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

PAGE 13

Claude Moore Awards $114K Grant to Loudoun Education Foundation LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation has provided a $114,000 grant to the Loudoun Education Foundation to boost three programs supporting teachers.

A portion of the grant funding will provide Making a Difference Teacher Grants.

These grants allow teachers to do innovative projects that help their students learn.

Specifically, during the pandemic, the LEF will focus these funds on supporting teachers with distance learning or a hybrid of distance and in-person learning.

Every Loudoun County Public Schools teacher is invited to apply for a grant. The deadline to apply is March 19.

Grant funding also will provide scholarships for LCPS teachers who want to earn an endorsement in a critical need teaching area, such as special education career, world languages, and technical education. The funding will support five $5,000 scholarships. The Claude Moore foundation has helped LEF support this scholarship program for the past 17 years, totaling more than $325,000 for more

than 75 teachers.

A large portion of the $114,000 grant will support the Teaching in Loudoun County program, which provides mentoring and coaching to every LCPS teacher who is new to the profession. About 800 novice teachers will be paired with an experienced mentor to support lesson planning, model lessons, enhance instructional methodologies, deliver targeted professional developments, and provide feedback to improve professional growth.

At a time when public schools nationwide are facing teacher shortages, mentor programs like Teaching in Loudoun County are critical to the success and retention of new teachers.

“The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation’s Trustees know that a quality education starts with giving teachers the tools they need to do their job well,” said LEF Executive Director Dawn Meyer Meyer.

“The funding will result in teachers who feel supported and appreciated by their community and, ultimately, provide deeper learning experiences for students.” n

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LOUDOUNNOW.COM

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

TOWN notes

Our Towns

LOVETTSVILLE One Family Gives Raises Money for Marine Family

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

The Lovettsville Town Council is discussing restructuring the town’s events committee structure to solicit more volunteers to organize events like Oktoberfest.

Lovettsville Council Talks ‘Business-centric’ Events; Considers Committee Open House

BY PATRICK SZABO pszabo@loudounnow.com

With the hope that COVID-19-related restrictions will soon begin to relax, the Town of Lovettsville has begun looking at ways to solicit more support to host the town’s popular annual events.

The Town Council last Thursday night discussed restructuring the town’s events committees to bring in more volunteer support and to make events even more successful than before, especially for intown businesses. The council also agreed to plan a committee open house, in which residents will be invited out to learn about events committees and how they can get involved.

Last week’s discussion followed resignations by multiple committee volunteers late last year.

In November, the council voted to re-appoint to the Oktoberfest Committee resident Andru Spangler—who was removed from committee in June after posting that “Blacks are filled with more hate, than any other race in America” on a North Carolina-based newspaper’s Facebook page—which prompted four com-

munity volunteers to resign from their seats on that committee.

There have been other resignations from town committees in recent years.

According to research done by resident Brian Stearns, 22 people have resigned from their spots on town committees, most since August 2020. Stearns said he found that those 22 people brought with them dozens of other volunteers through the years who have now also stepped away.

Still, Councilwoman Renee Edmonston said it was frustrating to hear talks that the town has a lack of events committee volunteers.

“I think that’s the wrong message,” she said.

Edmonston said many people are just too busy to volunteer on event committees. Councilwoman Joy Pritz said many people feel that volunteering on a town committee is “complicated.” She suggested the town simplify its committee structure.

Edmonston said the town should also host “business-centric” events to help businesses sales. She gave an example of communities in Florida, which, she said, do a good job hosting entertainment and other events for residents and visitors.

“It’s just constant,” she said.

Vice Mayor David Steadman agreed the town should approach event planning with a focus more centered on helping businesses.

“They know how to get the bottom dollar,” he said. “It’s going to only help them in the long run.”

Overall, Mayor Nate Fontaine pointed out that Lovettsville’s events—which includes an annual Oktoberfest event that brings in more than 10,000 visitors each year—are “the envy” of many other jurisdictions in Virginia. He said those jurisdictions marvel at the town’s ability to put on such popular and successful events without the help of a paid event staff.

“These events have been built through years and not just slapped together,” he said.

Fontaine said he would work to put together information on the planning of a committee open house, where committee chairpersons will have the opportunity to provide potential volunteers with detailed information on what their committees do. He said he would come back to the council with those plans in the next two weeks. n

One Family Gives, the nonprofit started by the Lovettsville-area One Family Brewing, announced it had raised donations to support the family of Marine Sgt. Richard “Taco” Madrid, who died from complications associated with COVID-19.

The nonprofit raised the money with the help of the Purcellville Pub. Richard Madrid, who served in the Marines for 24 years, left behind a wife, Veronica, and three kids, one of whom has a severe brain disease and requires 24-hour care. “[Madrid] served our country for 24 years, it’s the least we could do,” said One Family owner David Keuhner. “There’s a reason why our company is named One Family.”

Since Jan. 1, One Family Gives has raised more than $7,000 to help those in need. It has supported Loudoun organizations including Hero Homes, the Boulder Crest Foundation and JK Community Farm.

Learn more about One Family Gives at onefamilybrewing.com.

LUCKETTS Ruritans Announce Grant Program; Scholarship Applications Due in April The Lucketts Ruritans have created a Youth Development Grant Program to invest in learning and development opportunities for children of all ages in Lucketts.

Grant proposals must benefit Lucketts-area youth and must be for a group or organization that promotes youth development.

Grant priorities include a focus on youth education; educational programs, art and cultural experiences; projects that leverage additional resources; projects that include collaboration with other groups; proposals written by youth and for youth; and sports and physical education activities, among other categories.

Applications are due March 26.

Awards will be announced May 14.

TOWN NOTES continues on page 16

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

PAGE 15

Davis Presents $5.3M FY22 Middleburg Budget

BY PATRICK SZABO

pszabo@loudounnow.com

Finances in the Town of Middleburg are bouncing back to levels seen four years prior to the pandemic.

Town Manager Danny Davis presented his $5.3 million Fiscal Year 2022 budget to the Town Council last Thursday night—a spending plan that’s down by 9.4% from FY21 to account for drops in anticipated tax revenues caused by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the proposed budget is down from the current fiscal year, as expected, it’s at about the same level as that of the FY18 budget and down by only $500,000 from FY20’s budget.

In the General Fund, Davis proposed no tax rate increases but accounted for an anticipated $393,521 drop in revenues coming from an expected 6.2% drop in business license tax revenue, an expected 20% drop in meals tax revenue and an expected 10% drop in occupancy tax revenue. The drops in meals and occupancy tax revenue hits the town hard, since it derives 47% of its General Fund revenue from them.

“The upcoming fiscal year remains very much uncertain,” Davis said.

The proposed budget also accounts for an anticipated 4.06% drop in real estate tax revenue. While the average residential real estate assessment increased by 9.15% this year—the average home value in town is nearly $493,000—commercial assessments dropped by 13.8%. Davis said the town staff thinks those assessments should “bounce back soon.”

With an unchanged real estate tax rate of 15.3 cents per $100 of assessed value, the town expects to pull in nearly $16,000 less from the taxes in FY22, down to $503,318 in all.

The proposed budget also plans for a $140,145 decrease in General Fund expenditures, a 2% increase in staff salaries to account for a market adjustment, and the continuation of a merit program that rewards high-performing staffers.

Davis also included a “FY22 COVID” General Fund revenues portion in his proposed budget which the town can use if its finances are more negatively affected by the pandemic than what is expected at this point. Those expected revenues are dropped by 29%.

Davis’ proposed budget also suggests continuing with annual 3% utility rate increases to account for inflation, operations and capital investments. Even with the rate hikes, town leaders anticipate the town will bring in the same amount of revenue in the Utility Fund as it did in FY21, since water

consumption is down.

As for expenditures in the Utility Fund, Davis proposed the town create a Capital Asset Replacement Fund specifically for “significant equipment purchases,” with any unused funds to be rolled into the next fiscal year.

“We know that equipment always breaks down,” he said.

On the capital projects side of town finances, specifically in the General Fund, Davis’ proposed budget puts an emphasis on the $6.5 million town hall project in the General Fund. His proposed Capital Improvement Fund includes $2.5 million worth of work in FY22 and $3 million in FY23.

In December, the Town Council voted to award a $651,800 contract for the architectural and engineering portion of the new town office project to Glavé & Holmes Architecture, which will partner with the North Carolina-based design firm Creech & Associates. It also voted to award a $417,770 contract for construction management of the building to Downey & Scott. The new town office will be built on the same property as the existing town office, which will be demolished.

During his budget presentation, Davis also outlined a few key actions the Town Council took during FY21 amid the pandemic that helped to keep businesses and residents financially stable to some extent.

The Town Council last year voted to provide $200 credits to all utility customers, set up a retail support program in which it reimbursed businesses a portion of the value of the merchandise they sold during sales, hosted a housing assistance program with up to $50,000 in rent and mortgage assistance through the help of the Windy Hill Foundation, provided direct financial support and permitting help for restaurants as they prepared to set up outdoor seating in the winter months, and provided a restaurant support program in which all in-town households received more than $230,000 in meal vouchers to spend at participating restaurants.

“I believe it was due to this quick and significant response that our restaurants remained operational and successful,” Davis said The Town Council will review the proposed FY22 budget during a Feb. 23 strategic initiatives meeting, Feb. 25 and March 11 budget discussions and other meetings leading up to adoption by June 30.

The public may provide input on the proposed budget at any council meeting, may leave a message for the council by calling 540-687-5152 and may provide input at middleburgva.gov/input. n

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PROPOSED REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE The Town of Leesburg proposes to increase property tax levies.

1.

Assessment Increase: Total assessed value of real property, excluding additional assessments due to new construction or improvements to property, exceeds last year’s total assessed value of real property by 3.34 percent.

2.

Lowered Rate Necessary to Offset Increased Assessment: The tax rate which would levy the same amount of real estate tax as last year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of real estate with the exclusions mentioned above, would be $0.178 per $100 of assessed value. This rate will be known as the “lowered tax rate” or “equalized tax rate.”

3.

Effective Rate Increase: The Town of Leesburg proposes to adopt a tax rate of $0.194 per $100 of assessed value. The difference between the equalized tax rate and the proposed rate would be $0.016 per $100, or 9.0 percent. This difference will be known as the “effective tax rate increase.”

Individual property taxes may, however, increase at a percentage greater than or less than the above percentage, depending upon the type of dwelling and individual property assessments.

4.

Proposed Total Budget Increase: Based on the proposed real property tax rate and changes in other revenues, the total General Fund budget of the Town of Leesburg will exceed last year’s by 4.6 percent. The proposed total budget (all funds) of the Town of Leesburg will be less than last year’s by 4.4 percent.

The Town Manager’s proposed Fiscal Year 2022 budget is based on a real property tax rate of $0.184 per $100 assessed value.

A public hearing on the proposed real property effective tax rate increase will be held by the Leesburg Town Council on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chamber, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA, at which time any resident of the town shall have the right to provide written and oral comments on the proposed real property effective tax rate. If the public hearing is canceled for any unforeseen reason, the public hearing will be held during the next Town Council regular business meeting.

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

2/18/21

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 16

Welsh guilty continued from page 3 Zweig also leaned on evidence presented by forensics expert Cara McCarthy that the .22-caliber Browning Buck Mark gun found in Welsh’s father’s possession was the gun that fired the bullets that killed the Manwanis, but the barrel found on that gun did not match the shell casings. McCarthy testified that the barrel had been changed out on that gun.

Zweig said Welsh “orchestrated the disappearance, disposal and destruction of ” that barrel, which was never found.

“Brian Welsh murdered Rishi Manwani using that Buck Mark pistol, and Brian Welsh murdered Mala Manwani using that Buck Mark pistol,” Zweig told the jury last week.

Walsh argued that McCarthy’s examina-

TOWN notes continued from page 14

For more information, email Tom Small at ruritan.grant@gmail.com.

The Ruritans have also announced that applications to their annual scholarship application are due mid-April.

Each year, the group awards scholarships to graduating seniors who attend a public or private high school or are homeschooled and live in Lucketts. The Ruritans will announce the winners at an awards assembly at Tuscarora High School in early June.

To apply for a scholarship, go to luckettsruritan.org/scholarship.

MIDDLEBURG Gaucher Leaves Town After 4 Years Business & Economic Development Director Jamie Gaucher left town Feb. 12 after nearly four years serving in that role.

Gaucher started work in town in July 2017. During the past four years, he helped to bring Old Ox Brewery to town, which provided the Health Center Fund with more money to put toward charitable purposes; helped to organize the town’s first Oktoberfest event, which brought in about 5,000 people; helped to develop the town’s first formal economic development strategy and marketing brand logo; managed multiple processes aimed to restore the historic Asbury Church; helped to implement COVID-19 support programs for restaurants and retailers; and worked with

tion of the gun and shell casings was inadequate, noting that McCarthy said she felt there was a “high certainty” that the Buck Mark’s firing pin matched the shell casings but that she couldn’t say for sure whether or not there might be other guns that have a closer match. Walsh pointed out that the gun was manufactured in 1990 and had undoubtedly been disassembled dozens of times since then.

Zweig stood behind McCarthy’s testimony, saying that she didn’t “go searching for evidence” to frame Welsh.

Overall, Sheriff Mike Chapman said the case was complex and “required extensive evidence analysis.”

Claims of Insufficient Evidence Another assertion made by Welsh’s defense counsel was that investigators ignored certain pieces of evidence.

Walsh claimed investigators didn’t look the Middleburg Business & Professional Association to create Christmas-themed events in December 2020 when the annual Christmas in Middleburg event was canceled, among other accomplishments.

Gaucher’s last day in Middleburg was last Friday. He started a job with the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority on Tuesday.

The Town Council last Thursday passed a resolution of appreciation to honor Gaucher for all he helped the town accomplish.

“Thank you for all you’ve done for all the citizens and businesses here in Middleburg,” said Mayor Bridge Littleton.

Gaucher said it was “a pleasure” to work in Middleburg. “This is not a goodbye for me, I will be back,” he said.

Community Center Offers Posture, Balance Classes The Middleburg Community Center continues to offer classes aimed to help participants improve their posture and balance.

Balance and fall prevention classes aimed to improve balance, strength, posture and mobility are held Wednesdays from 4-5 p.m. Back pain and osteoporosis relief classes aimed to improve posture are held Mondays from 4-5 p.m. Both classes are led by physical therapist Sara Meeks and are appropriate for adults of all ages and abilities.

Those wishing to drop in are required to pay $20 per class. Eight-week packages are available for $120.

For more information and to register, call or text Woody McMahon at 703-628-2880 or email him at woody@sequoiahealth.com.

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

at the evidence presented that Rishi had scrapes and bruises on his face a few weeks prior to his death, which Walsh suggested could have come from a person whom Rishi owed money.

He also said investigators didn’t check for fingerprints on the video gaming controllers found in the basement where Rishi was found; Dep. Gregory Thomas testified he saw the basement television turned on when he found Rishi’s dead body Jan. 31, 2018.

Walsh said investigators also didn’t do enough with Rishi’s wallet, which was found on his chest with no money inside but with DNA that matched a person involved in a 2000 case in James City County. Walsh said investigators should have followed up with the individuals involved in that now-21year-old case.

Walsh also pointed out that investigators didn’t test the bloody fingerprint found on the French door next to Mala’s body. Zweig

said investigators didn’t test that fingerprint because it belonged to Mala.

Walsh also asserted that investigators ignored testimony from a woman who said she saw a man with dark complexion, about 6 feet tall and broad shoulders standing in the Manwani’s backyard with Rishi’s Pitbull on Jan. 30, 2018. Walsh pointed out in the trial that Welsh is a man of smaller stature.

“That ruins their case,” Walsh told the jury last week.

Zweig said the woman who made that claim “made a mistake” in her testimony. He labelled Walsh’s claims of investigators disregarding evidence as being a “red herring.”

While Walsh said the prosecutors were “trying to fit a square peg in a round hole,” Zweig stood behind the evidence he and Krogh presented.

“Mr. Welsh is a square peg in a square hole,” Zweig told the jury last week. n

Juried Art Exhibit Continues Through March 7

town surrounding Loudoun Valley High School and the southeastern corner of town, respectively.

Calls for service in which police were dispatched were down by 271 to 2,332, although officer-initiated activity was up by 385 to 17,774. Traffic stops were down by more than a thousand, to 1,026, and the number of traffic tickets written were down to 687.

According to an early 2020 survey of 271 people, including residents and business owners and their employees, nearly 80% of respondents indicated they felt the Police Department “does a good job of performing its mission.” About 90% indicated they feel safe in the community and close to 80% indicated they felt police officers were responsive.

Read the full report at purcellvilleva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9857/ PPD-2020-Annual-Report.

The juried art exhibit, “Reset, Restart, Refresh,” continues from 12-5 p.m.

Wednesdays through Sundays, and by appointment, at Artists in Middleburg through March 7.

The exhibit was judged by The Byrne Gallery’s Susan Byrne, who selected Dana Lee Thompson’s “Sunday Mornin’ Comi’ Down” for the Anita Wilhelmina Baarns Best in Show Award. Only four people are allowed in the gallery at a time and must wear face coverings.

For more information, email Sandy Danielson at sandy@theartistsinmiddleburg.org or call the gallery at 540-6876600.

PURCELLVILLE Police Arrests Cut in Half in 2020; Crime Down Overall The Purcellville Police Department last week released its 2020 annual report, which shows a decline in crime, traffic stops and arrests—all attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On-scene arrests were down by more than half to 33 and the number of summons issued was down by 25 to 15. The number of people taken into custody was cut in half, down to 18.

The only types of crime that were up in 2020 from 2019 were curfew violations, fraud, aggravated assault, larceny and disorderly conduct. Most of the felony crime—67% of it—occurred in the Loudoun Valley and Crooked Run Districts, which are located in the area of

Town Won’t Apply Biz License Tax Penalties Until April 15 Purcellville businesses have until April 15 to pay their business license taxes.

Per Virginia law, the due date for businesses to submit their applications for the 10% tax is March 1. While penalties usually begin March 2, the Town Council last week voted to not apply those penalties until April 15 in light “of the difficult financial impact of the COVID pandemic and the Town’s State of Emergency,” according to a staff report.

The extension will still provide the town revenue in FY21, which ends June 30.

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

PAGE 17

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. Regular Full-Time Positions Position

Department

Salary Range

Closing Date

Accounting Associate II

Finance

$44,905-$76,882 DOQ

Open until filled

Assistant Town Attorney

Town Attorney’s Office

$75,000-$95,000 DOQ

Open until filled

Building Technician I or II

Public Works & Capital Projects

$41,353-$76,882 DOQ

Open until filled

Capital Projects Manager

Public Works & Capital Projects

$82,999-$141,929 DOQ

Open until filled

Communications Technician (Police Dispatcher)

Police

$45,136-$75,961 DOQ

2/26/2021

Controller

Finance

$79,227-$135,636 DOQ

Open until filled

Deputy Director of Utilities, Fiscal Administration and Customer Relations

Utilities

$86,040-$147,299 DOQ

Open until filled

Police Officer

Police

$53,233-$89,590 DOQ

Open until filled

Senior Engineer (Capital Projects)

Public Works & Capital Projects

$70,374-$120,339 DOQ

Open until filled

NHLEmployerCard2.pdf

Senior Systems Analyst

Information Technology

$70,374-$120,339 DOQ

9/3/19 Open until1 filled

Utilities Project Manager

Utilities

$76,941-$131,689 DOQ

Open until filled

Utility Plant Operator: Trainee, I, II or Senior

Utilities

$41,353-$89,790 DOQ

Open until filled

Utility Plant Supervisor

Utilities

$61,857-$105,896 DOQ

Open until filled

10:58 AM

Flexible Part-Time Position Position

Department

Parking Enforcement Officer

Finance

Hourly Rate $16.86-$28.85 DOQ

Closing Date 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.

C

M

Y

CM

NOW HIRING FLAGGERS

MY

CY

CMY

Full time, to provide traffic control & safety around construction sites. A valid driver license & clean driving record a must.

Star ting $13/hr & scheduled raises & bonuses.

Company-paid medical & dental premiums.

Please fill out an application at trafficplan.com or come to our office on Tuesdays or Thursdays (8am-10am) 7855 Progress Ct. Suite 103, Gainesville, VA

K

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Tractor & Light Construction Equipment Technician Assembly Technician Parts Counter Salesperson At Western Loudoun’s largest equipment service organization.

Experience required. Full benefits package with 401k.

BROWNING EQUIPMENT, INC. Purcellville, VA 540-338-7123 sales@browningequipment.com

See the full job listings at NowHiringLoudoun.com

PAGE 18

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

THINGS to do

Loco Living

LOCO LIVE Live Music: Brian Sauerwald

Chef Foxx Thrives with Pandemic Pivot

Friday, Feb. 19, 5-8 p.m.

Spanky’s Shenanigans 538 E. Market St., Leesburg Details: spankyspub.com Check out this up and coming singer/ songwriter from Harrisonburg for some Friday evening fun at Spanky’s.

Live Music: Nate Ihara

Friday, Feb. 19, 6-9 p.m.

Social House South Riding 25370 Eastern Marketplace Plaza, Chantilly Details: socialhousesouthriding.com DMV-based Ihara has hit the big time as a co-writer and producer, but regional audiences can still catch him behind the mic with his ’80s and ’90s pop-influenced tunes.

Courtesy Jim Steele

Live Music: Jim Steele Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Loudoun chef Erik Foxx sears a small filet, scallops and lobster claw at The Polished Foxx at ChefScape in the Village at Leesburg.

to keep Magnolias afloat during the early days of the COVID lockdown. jmercker@loudounnow.com “It was very awakening, it was very challenging. ... We decided as a kitchen team or Loudoun chef Erik Foxx, it’s all about relationships—with that we were going to do the work, keep customers and with the local food going, wash the dishes, do everything suppliers he’s built close con- to keep the place in good standing,” he said. tacts with over the past decade. But after months of intense pressure, Foxx The longtime chef at Mag- had a lightbulb moment after an especially nolias at The Mill in Purcellville is taking challenging shift. “I looked at the sky and those relationships to a new model as the said if I’m going to do all this, I’m going to COVID pandemic rocks the restaurant in- do it for my family. I’m going to have more dustry nationwide. His new venture, The control over it. ... I wanted to be mobile and Polished Foxx, opened last summer and has do my thing and really market the county ramped up in recent months with holiday as a place where you can get the best of the offerings and partnerships with area winer- best.”

Foxx created his company early in the ies and breweries. summer and left Magnolias at the end of “I saw the restaurant industry changing August.

Th e Polished Foxx offers tradibefore my eyes,” Foxx said. “I wanted to tional large-scale catering, but also moves make sure that after 30 years of doing nothing but hospitality that I continue to teach, into the COVID-inspired niche of private dinners—for two or 20—and embraces the to make my mark.”

Foxx launched his new business last carry-out family meal trend that has surged summer, with a focus on catering on both in the last year. Working with the Loudouna large and small scale, including in-home Go local shopping marketplace, Foxx has dinners for private clients and holiday and also emerged as a leader at the ChefScape family meals to go. The operation is based food incubator, as tenants seek to breathe out of Leesburg’s ChefScape food hall and new life into the space. This weekend, Foxx launches a new pop-up the Foxx on the shared kitchen space.

Foxx made the decision to shift gears af- Rocks Raw Bar & Fishmonger, serving seater several challenging months of working food dishes, including oysters on the half

F

BY JAN MERCKER

shell, blackened gulf shrimp, scallops and mussels.

Foxx grew up in southern Maryland before moving to Northern Virginia as a teen and scoring his first restaurant job at the Fuddruckers in Herndon, which his father opened. At the time, Fuddruckers was a new concept in the fast casual movement, a burger joint known for grinding its own beef and baking fresh buns. The fromscratch approach immediately appealed to Foxx. He then moved onto a kitchen manager job at the Herndon Outback Steakhouse, the chain’s first location in Virginia, before snagging a gig with the Hyatt Regency hotel chain, another significant step in his culinary training.

“I was able to bounce around from hotel to hotel and learn classic techniques,” he said.

Foxx went on to earn an associate’s degree for the business side of his career but emphasizes that his culinary training is 100% self taught on the job.

“Within the kitchen, everything was trial and error and being able to learn from some great folks,” he said.

As Foxx moved west into Loudoun, he got his first head chef job at the old mansion house at Leesburg’s Carradoc Hall, FOXX continues on page 20

Saturday, Feb. 20, 1-4 p.m.

The Barns At Hamilton Station 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton Details: thebarnsathamiltonstation.com Fun covers and originals from a longtime winery circuit favorite.

Live Music: Bailey Hayes

Saturday, Feb. 20, 2-5 p.m.

Breaux Vineyards 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro Details: breauxvineyards.com Saturday sounds mean laid-back acoustic tunes from this Harrisonburg-based singer/ songwriter.

Live Music: Rowdy Ace Duo

Saturday, Feb. 20, 2-5 p.m.

Harvest Gap Brewery 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro Details: harvestgap.com Country, rock, blues, Americana and pop from a local favorite.

Live Music: High Maintenance

Saturday, Feb. 20, 1 p.m.

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts Details: vanishbeer.com Enjoy an afternoon of favorite covers from High Maintenance.

Live Music: Sam C. Jones Duo

Saturday, Feb. 20, 2-5 p.m.

Lost Rhino Brewing Company 21730 Red Rum Drive, Ashburn Details: lostrhino.com This NOVA-based singer/songwriter, known for biting lyrics and heartbreaking melodies, combines theatrical vocals with a catchy folkrock sound.

THINGS TO DO continues on page 21

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

PAGE 19

Obituaries Carole Nottingham Holden Carole Nottingham Holden, 80, of Hot Springs, Virginia.

Passed away quietly on February 11, 2021 with her husband and son by her side.

Carole was predeceased by her daughter, Sherry Holden Mauk; her son, Charles Christopher Holden; her sister, Anne Nottingham Payne; her granddaughter, Lily Holden; and her parents, H.D. Nottingham and Mae O. Nottingham.

Carole is survived by the love of her life for 60 years, Charles F. Holden, 111; her son, Scott Holden (Landon) of Alexandria; her brother, H.D. Nottingham, Jr. ( Pat) of Wilmington, North Carolina. Also left to cherish her are 8 grandchildren along with a number of nieces and nephews.

Carole graduated from Mount Vernon High School in Fairfax County, attended Furman College and The Washington School for Secretaries where her accurate typing speed of 100 words per minute set records. She was called upon constantly at

VA TECH to type research and term papers by professors and students.

Carole has a passion for natural beauty which was evident in the pride she took in her gardens and her skilled flower arranging. She was a Warm Spring Valley Garden Club member as well as a Master Gardner.

Carole was a valuable Board member of the Bath County Library. She was an avid reader and known to read a book a day. In addition she served as a Board member of The Garth Newel Music Center.

Carole was a gourmet cook and was a most gracious hostess for numerous fundraisers. She enjoyed her friends and loved sharing ideas and learning new things.

Due to Covid 19 pandemic, A private burial service will be held at Goose Creek Friends Meeting Cemetery in Lincoln, Virginia. With a celebration of Carole’s life to be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please think of The Hokie Scholarship Fund: Carole Holden Woman’s Golf Team or the Chris Holden “More Better” Men’s Golf Team. VT Foundation, 902 Prices Fork Road, Suite 4601, Blacksburg, Virginia. 24061

Kenneth Spears Kenneth Spears of Purcellville, Virginia, passed away peacefully at the age of 78 on Saturday, February 6, 2021. He was born May 9 th, 1942 in Coretta, West Virginia, The son of the late Claude Spears and Fannie Asbury Spears, he attended Charleston High School in Charleston, West Virginia until age 17 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Kenny was stationed in Germany for three years and met the love of his life. Italia Mucciante Spears, while on leave in Pescara, Italy. He not only fell in love with Italia, he fell in love with her entire family, and the country itself. Kenny learned how to speak Italian to better communicate with his love and her family. After a three year romance and hundreds of love letters, Kenny and Italia were married in Italy on July 16 th, 1964. Kenny brought his beautiful bride back to Herndon, Virginia with the promise to return to Italy as often as possible.

Death Notice Jeffery Wayne Shugars, 51, of Charles Town, WV, died Saturday, February 13, 2021 in Ruby Memorial

He started his career in car sales in Herndon, Virginia and later owned own Chevrolet Dealership in Purcellville, VA. Kenny had a love for his family, country and telling numerous stories of the car business.

He was well known and well loved by all.

Kenny never met a stranger.

He is survived by his son Paul Spears and wife Cindy Spears; daughter Cindy Spears Stewart, a sister, Brenda McDonough of Charlotte, NC; a brother Denny Spears of Fredericksburg, VA; four grandchildren, Alexis, Olivia, Kylee and Tori.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February, 20 th, 2021 at Purcellville Baptist Church with Pastor Jay Ahlemann officiating. Due to current regulations, there will be no visitation before or gathering after. The capacity of the church is restricted to 220 people. For those that wish to attend virtually, there will be a live stream at https://www.purbap.org/specialevent.

Internment at Hillsboro Cemetery will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, (https://curealz.org/).

Hospital, Morgantown, WV. Services with Enders & Shirley Funeral Home, Berryville, VA will be private.

To view the obituary and send condolences online, please visit www.endersandshirley.com.

Janet Becker Kitselman

February 16, 1926-February 2, 2021

Janet Lou Becker Kitselman died Feb. 2, 2021, at Winchester Medical Center after a battle with COVID-19.

Her grandson was at her side and a large and loving group of family and friends surrounded her in spirit. She died exactly 2 weeks shy of her 95th birthday.

Janet Lou Becker was born on Feb. 16, 1926, in Akron, Ohio, to Ella Wilson Belcher Becker and Arthur Vernon Becker.

Raised in Warren, OH, as the oldest of 5 children, she graduated from Warren G. Harding High School in 1945. Jan worked in a factory for a year to pay for college and attended Muskingum College for 2 years.

She was named the runner-up in the Miss Ohio Contest in 1948 before becoming a TWA hostess for several years.

In 1951, she met Lt. Col. Henry Allen Kitselman, Jr. on a blind date. They were married on April 7, 1952 and lived the transient life of a career military family.

Jan and “Kit” enjoyed living in Stuttgart, Germany, and then made homes in Whippany, NJ, Asheville, NC, and Morristown, NJ, as they raised their 2 children, Ella and Allen. In each place, Jan shared her gifts of hospitality and care. As an active member of Morris Plains Presbyterian Church, Jan helped sponsor the “Fresh Air” Program for inner city children from Patterson, NJ, for 3 years.

In 1970, their family found “home” as they moved to Waterford, VA, where Jan would live for most of the rest of her adult life. She lovingly restored her early 1800’s home, Mill End, and it’s gardens, where she did much of the labor in the gardens herself. She was an active member and served on the board of the Waterford Foundation for many years. She worked to save the Second Street School in Waterford (one of the last standing one room schoolhouses for African American children in VA) and worked to raise money and help start what continues as a living history exhibit for children to experience. Jan was the Co-Chair of the Homes Tour and Craft Exhibits for the Waterford Fair for 15 years.

She was the recipient of the Waterford Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award

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

in 2012. She was a long-time volunteer in the Loudoun Hospital long term care and surgical waiting room. Over the years she gave lectures on growing herbs to many garden clubs.

Jan was a FORCE in every aspect of her life! She was sharp, well-read, and did not hesitate to share her opinions with you.

Jan helped bring history and beauty to life for so many, and her gift of hospitality provided welcome to all. She helped us learn to appreciate antiques, family history, and good food, wine and music. She read The Washington Post front to back every day, right up until the day she got sick.

She shared her love of books and poetry.

She taught us how to garden, the art of wreath-making and flower-arranging, and how to appreciate God’s beauty in nature.

Simply put, Jan made everything a little more beautiful.

“Nana,” as her grand and great-grandchildren called her, relished her large and loving family. Her home was a home-base for all, and we will cherish the memories of garden parties, Waterford Fairs, hourslong discussions around the dinner table and the way her face lit up when she saw the guitars come out for a sing-along. Her legacy lives on in family and good friends who will continue to gather, love one another and work to make the world a better place for ALL people.

Jan leaves behind her two children, Ella Susan Kitselman Strowbridge (Robert) and Henry Allen Kitselman III (Laura), 7 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 3 surviving siblings in Ohio, a loving extended family and dear, lifelong friends. There will be a Celebration of Life at a date later in 2021 when it is safe to HUG one another, and there will be a Service of Inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery, where she will take her place alongside her husband.

In lieu of flowers, Jan’s family asks you to do a few things in her honor: wear your mask and take care of one another, read a book, plant something, eat good food, raise a glass and stop and take a moment to relish the beauty of the world around you.

Memorials can be made to Habitat for Humanity (https://www.habitat.org/ support/honor-memorial-gifts) in Janet Kitselman’s name because she believed that “everyone deserves to have a home.”

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

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 20

Foxx continued from page 18 then moved on to run the kitchen at Andy Ghuzlan’s now-closed Bacchus Cafe in Leesburg.

“That was my first laboratory ... and it was off to the races,” Foxx said.

Foxx caught the attention of DC-area celebrity chef Robert Wiedmaier, owner of DC’s Brasserie Beck and numerous other DMV hotspots, opening several restaurants for Wiedmaier’s group. But when the management of Tuskies Restaurant Group called after longtime executive chef Mark Marrocco left Magnolias to start Leesburg Public House, it was an offer Foxx couldn’t turn down. He had moved to Winchester with his wife and four children and couldn’t pass up a juicy opportunity to ditch the commute and focus on all things local.

“When I realized I could change my work environment from concrete to the Shenandoah Valley and spend three hours less in the car— which meant three hours more with the family—it was kind of a no

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Loudoun chef Erik Foxx opened The Polished Foxx at ChefScape in the Village at Leesburg last summer.

brainer,” Foxx said.

Foxx worked to expand on Magnolias’ reputation for bringing upscale but approachable cuisine to western Loudoun and build relationships with local farmers.

“I really got an idea of what western Loudoun means to people from a food standpoint. I was able to kind of push the envelope a little and bring everybody along.

At Magnolia’s you have to have a menu that supports the son that’s visiting from DC

Lester W. Easterday Beloved brother, father & grandfather, Lester W. Easterday of Front Royal, VA passed away on Friday, February 5, 2021 at age of 82 at his home. Born June 26, 1938 to the late Lester & Elva Easterday in Bessemer, WVA. Lester was a veteran who served his country from 1956-1957 as a Field Medic in the United States Army.

Beside his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn, whom he was married to for 46 years at the time of her death, his infant sister Betty and other beloved family members who passed before him.

Lester was a truck driver by trade and

worked for several lumber companies, Arlington Woodworking, Smoot Lumber & T.W. Perry. He retired from T.W. Perry & Weis Supermarket.

He is survived by his daughters Kim McGaha (Blaine) of Round Hill, VA and Leslie Kershner (Derrick) of Front Royal, VA, Grandchildren David Cline (Cat) of Edinburg, VA & Megan Kershner of Front Royal, VA, sisters Ruby Bell (David) of Woodstock, VA & Shirly Hoyt of Manassas, VA and numerous Grand fur babies as well as other extended family members.

Lester will be remembered by his loved ones & friends for his incredible sense of humor & storytelling. His family will cherish the memories from their yearly vacations to the Outer banks, NC with him as he loved this time with his family.

Funeral services were handled by Colonial Funeral Home, Leesburg, VA.

Rev. Odell Calvert Moore Rev. Odell Calvert Moore, 86, of Middleburg, VA departed this life February 6, 2021.

He was born October 12, 1934 in Aldie, VA. He was preceded in death by son, Wendell Moore.

Odell is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Geneva Moore.

One daughter, June Hamlar (David) of Minnesota; grandsons Torrey (Lisa) Moore of Indiana, and Devin (Lindsay) Hamlar; one granddaughter, Jenna Hamlar, all of Minnesota. Four great-grand

children, Noah and Lillian Moore; Grace and Gianna Hamlar.

Due to Covid concerns, service and interment will be private. Funeral service will be live-streamed February 20, 2021 at 11:00 am. The recorded service can also be viewed at this link. https://www. youtube.com/user/carterhg/videos Arrangements by: Lyles Funeral Service, serving Northern Virginia and surrounding areas, Eric S. Lyles, Director, Lic. VA, MD, DC 1800-388-1913.

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

but also the grandma who’s lived here her whole life,” Foxx said. “It really taught me how to do more. It taught me how to take on more.”

Foxx also developed his passion for sourcing local, connecting with local farmers and incorporating their products into his cuisine, balancing the appeal of farm to table with the higher cost of locally sourced ingredients.

“Being at Magnolias allowed me to learn how to buy more expensive products and still remain profitable,” he said. “I just became an extension of the farmers.”

And local sourcing remains a priority at The Polished Foxx.

“Sourcing locally is a trend. It’s always been for me. I really wanted to make sure that I could still embody being a stream for local producers through me to the customers,” he said. “Our support comes from the community, which means our support needs to go to the community—whether it’s the company that makes my T-shirts or farmer David who grows my microgreens.

All that money should go back into the community that we’re in.”

Reducing food waste is another of Foxx’s passions. He’s developed partnerships with Winchester area nonprofits serving children and the homeless and Purcellville’s Tree of Life food pantry to distribute his own food overage. And as home cooks take advantage of pandemic downtime to hone their own cooking skills, Foxx recommends an intentional shift to mindful shopping.

He encourages home cooks to reevaluate the contents of their pantries, donate items they won’t use to local food pantries and move forward with a plan to reduce food waste.

“Being smart about planning out your purchases is where that starts. If you purchase with a plan, you end up with a much more efficient and fresh dinner, lunch, breakfast whatever it is,” he said. “Make sure you’re feeding your family ingredients you feel good about.” n For more information about The Polished Foxx and upcoming Foxx on the Rocks pop-ups, go to facebook.com/thepolishedfoxx or thepolishedfoxx.com.

Jeff Lindemann On February 8th, our beloved Jeff Lindemann passed away. Jeff is survived by fiance Leslie Woll; mother Carol (John) Waitman; father David (Suzanne) Lindemann; brother David (Josie) Lindemann Jr.; sister Anne (Kerry) Blackstone; and nephews Shane, Jake, Dylan, and Joveen.

Jeff had a gravitating spirit, and those who had the gift of knowing him knew the immense love in his heart. A private memorial service will be held later this year. Please consider donating to and supporting Narcotics Anonymous (na.org).

Robert P. Ritchie

82 May 6, 1938 – February 10, 2021 Born May 6, 1938 to the late Phillip and Pauline Ritchie of Hamilton, VA. He grew up in Leesburg, VA and graduated from Loudoun County High School.

Robert (Bob or Bobby) was preceded in death by his wife Mary Jane and is survived by his daughter Laura Barr (&Jeff ) of Summit Point, WV and son Robert Ritchie (&Kate) of Purcellville, VA. He is further survived by his sister Fran Holmbraker of Berryville, VA and his three grandchildren Amber, Jessica and Michael Barr. He served in the Marines from 1956 to 1959 and was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant.

Bob founded a carpentry construction business in 1971 and ran it with his wife of 49 years until he retired in 2015. He often extended his skills voluntarily to individuals and groups with various projects, small and large alike. He was also a proud and active member of the American Legion Post 293 and Marine Corps

League of Loudoun County, VA. Bob and Mary Jane enjoyed traveling to new places up and down the east coast, playing golf, venturing to many NASCAR races and Orioles games. Bob (Paw-Paw) loved being with his family, reading the funny pages, watching the birds and squirrels, attending local bluegrass concerts, enjoying brunch on Sundays, rooting for his grandchildren at their games (even in the rain, snow and freezing temperatures on some occasions).

He enjoyed a good steak, the occasional fried oyster and, of course, a cold beer on ice as well as throwing horseshoes, remaining a true Redskins fan, and listening to bluegrass music anytime of the day. A blessing to many lives, he was a hardworking, straight shooter with a dry sense of humor and kind heart.

Visitation at Halls Funeral Home in Purcellville, VA on Friday, March 5th (5p-8p) with graveside service on March 6th, 2021 at 11a in Hillsboro, VA. Memorial donations to the American Legion Post 293 (www.vapost293.org) or Marine Corps League (www.mclnational. org) preferred, in lieu of flowers

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

THINGS to do continued from page 18

Live Music: Nathaniel Davis

Saturday, Feb. 20, 4 p.m.

Crooked Run Brewing 22455 Davis Drive #120, Sterling Details: crookedrunbrewing.com With his top-notch vocal and guitar work and inventive approaches to both classic and popular music, Davis is a Loudoun favorite.

PAGE 21

44921 George Washington Blvd., Ashburn Details: saigonoutcastva.com Moxie is the latest local favorite to hit one of Loudoun’s newest live music venues with acoustic favorites that make your heart happy.

TICKETS ON (703) 777-1665 SALE NOW! wwww.TallyHoTheater.com

Andrew McKnight Online Concert

DC IMPROV

Saturday, Feb. 20, 7:30 Details: andrewmcknight.net Loudoun-based singer/songwriter takes his annual show at Connecticut’s Vanilla Bean Cafe online this year. Suggested donation is $5.

PRESENTS COMEDY NIGHT IN LEESBURG THE UFO

COWBOY MOUTH

WAILERS 02/19/21

FEB 1

FAREWELL TOUR

FEB 13 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM

FEB 21

Courtesy Jason Masi

Masi returns to Breaux with his signature brand of acoustic soul and R&B. SOUL ASYLUM WITH LOCAL H

FEB 22

LOCO CULTURE StageCoach Bandits Improv Show

Courtesy Delta Spur Courtesy Emma Bailey

Live Music: Emma Bailey

Saturday, Feb. 20, 6-9 p.m.

Social House South Riding 25370 Eastern Marketplace Plaza, Chantilly Details: socialhousesouthriding.com This DMV favorite puts her mark on pop, rock, country and beyond from oldies to the current charts.

Live Music: Moxie

Saturday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m.

Saigon Outcast

Live Music: Delta Spur

Sunday, Feb. 21, 1 p.m.

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts Details: vanishbeer.com These LoCo favorites make their Vanish debut with high energy renditions of contemporary country hits from Zac Brown, Keith Urban and other top acts.

Live Music: Jason Masi

Sunday, Feb. 21, 1 p.m.

Breaux Vineyards 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro Details: breauxvineyards.com

Friday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m.

StageCoach Theatre Company 20937 Ashburn Road, Suites 115 and 120, Ashburn Details: stagecoachtc.com StageCoach’s irreverent improv troupe returns for a socially distanced live show intended for an adult audience. Tickets are $15 in advance.

John Champe Friday Night Live

Saturday, Feb. 20 and Sunday, Feb. 21 Details: champedrama.com Stream this showcase of student written and directed theater from John Champe Drama on demand all weekend long. Tickets are $5.

Catch the smooth, alternative-soul sounds of the Chris Timbers trio in an intimate setting. Seating is limited, and shows frequently sell out. Tickets are $15 in advance.

UNCLE KRACKER

FEB 28

19 W Market St., Leesburg, VA For a full schedule please visit

www.TallyHoTheater.com

CARBON LEAF BROTHERS IN ARMS TOUR

FEB 29

ND 2/7 COBS BA CHRIS JA 2/8 RE FI BY TRIAL 5 ts 2/14-1 Two Nigh IA AN 6 3/ EAGLEM S AR AN YE THE REAG

TRIAL BY FIRE:

A TRIBUTE TO JOURNEY 02/20/21 DOORS: 7PM | SHOW: 8PM

THE ELO TRIBUTE SHOW! 02/26/21 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM

DC IMPROV

Legal Notices

PRESENTS COMEDY NIGHT IN LEESBURG 02/27/21 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLE 8 TLOA-2020-0005 – FUELING STATION WITH CONVENIENCE STORE 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 PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing on THURSDAY, March 4, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176. The purpose of this text amendment is to create a new by-right accessory use called Fueling Station with Convenience Store. The proposed amendments will add use standards for fueling station with convenience store to the following section of the Zoning Ordinance: 1.

Sec. 8.7 PD-CC-SC, Planned Development-Commercial Center-Small Regional Center

Copies and additional information regarding each of these proposed Zoning Ordinance amendments are available at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by calling 703-771-2765 and asking for Michael Watkins, Zoning Administrator. This zoning ordinance amendment application is identified as case number TLOA-2020-0005.

Case No.:

2 NIGHTS OF CROWDED STREETS!

J044816-01-00

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

Cathryn Beers, mother and John Beers, putative father

THE DAVE MATTHEWS BAND EXPERIENCE:

The object of this suit is to hold a status hearing in child in need of services’ matter pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-228 and 16.1-241 for Alexander Beers.

CROWDED STREETS

At this hearing all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Clerk to the Commission at (703) 771-2434, three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

It is ORDERED that the defendants Cathryn Beers, mother and John Beers, putative father appear at the above-named Court to protect their interests on or before March 2, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.

JOHN KADLECIK SOLO ACOUSTI’LECTRIC

02/18 & 02/25/21

02/04, 02/11, 02/18 & 02/25/21

03/05 & 03/06/21 DOORS: 7PM | SHOW: 8PM

03/12/21 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 22

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Legal Notices PUBLIC HEARING The LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS will hold a public hearing in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room, County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, at 6:00 p.m. on WEDNESDAY, March 10, 2021 in order to consider:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT THE PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY (PHA) ANNUAL PLAN FOR LOUDOUN COUNTY HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM Pursuant to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations at 24 CFR Part 903, the Board of Supervisors hereby gives notice that it intends to conduct a public hearing for the purpose of considering and adopting the Public Housing Agency (PHA) Annual Plan (FY22). The PHA Annual Plan provides information on current programs and the resident population served.

A copy of the full text of the above-referenced plans are available and may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”).

AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 209 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF LOUDOUN COUNTY Revisions of Polling Places (Affects the Moorefield precinct in the Dulles District, and the Heritage Church precinct in the Ashburn District) Pursuant to Virginia Code §§15.2-1427, 24.2-306 and 24.2-307, et seq., the Board of Supervisors gives notice of its intention to propose for passage amendments to Section 209, Voting Precincts and Polling Places, of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County for the purpose of relocating polling places of certain existing precincts. The proposed revisions are described below.

In the Dulles District: 1.

The existing Moorefield precinct will be moved to Briar Woods High School.

In the Ashburn District: 2.

The existing Heritage Church precinct will be moved to Broad Run High School.

A complete copy of the full text of the above-referenced proposed amendments to Chapter 209 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County and maps showing precinct boundaries and polling places are on file and available for public inspection at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200. In addition this information is available for inspection at Loudoun County’s Office of Elections website at www.loudoun.gov/vote. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”).

AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 825 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF LOUDOUN COUNTY Changes to C-PACE Program

Pursuant to Virginia Code §§15.2-1427 and 15.2-958.3, the Board of Supervisors gives notice of its intention to propose for passage amendments to Sections 825.01, Purpose; 825.02, Definitions; and 825.04, C-PACE Program; Eligible Improvements, of Chapter 825 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County. The proposed amendments to the County’s C-PACE Program include adding resiliency (flooding mitigation) and stormwater management improvements to the definition of Eligible Improvements and changing the definition of Eligible Property to include residential properties other than residential properties with fewer than five dwelling units.

A complete copy of the full text of the above-referenced proposed amendments to Chapter 825 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County is on file and available for public inspection at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call 703-777-0200. Documents may also be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”).

ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH A NEW CHAPTER OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF LOUDOUN COUNTY RESIDENT CURATOR PROGRAM Pursuant to Virginia Code §§15.2-1427 and 15.2-2306(A)(4) the Board of Supervisors gives notice of its intention to propose for passage an ordinance to establish a new Chapter, Resident Curator Program, of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County. The proposed new Chapter would provide the County a tool to preserve and maintain select County owned historic properties by establishing a Resident Curator Program through lease agreements with private entities. Lessee(s) will manage, preserve, maintain, and operate the historic properties or structures for the benefit of Loudoun County in accordance with established treatment standards that promote historic preservation best practices. Each property will be subject to tailored treatment standards suitable to the site, following federal guidelines and standards for preserving, restoring, and rehabilitating historic properties. Treatment standards for each property will promote historic preservation best practices that will help to protect historic properties.

A complete copy of the full text of the above-referenced proposed ordinance is on file and available for public inspection at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call 703-777-0200. Documents may also be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www. loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”).

SIDP-2020-0005 CHICK-FIL-A RYAN PARK SIGN DEVELOPMENT PLAN (Sign Development Plan)

Chick-fil-a, Inc., of Atlanta, Georgia, has submitted an application for a Sign Development Plan to request alternative sign regulations for permitted signs in order to 1) modify the total aggregate sign area of two drive-through menu boards; 2) modify the total aggregate sign area for three window signs; 3) permit a total of three window display signs; and 4) modify the total aggregate area for three free-standing signs; and 5) permit three additional free-standing signs for a Chick-Fil-A. The subject property is being developed pursuant to ZCPA-2004-0012 and SPEX-2004-0023, Ryan Park Center Restaurants, located in the Planned Development – Office Park (PD-OP) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and pursuant to Section 5-1202(E) alternative sign regulations for permitted signs may be requested with the submission of a Sign Development Plan. The subject property is located within the Airport Impact (AI) Overlay District, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60 aircraft noise contour. The subject property is approximately 5.61 acres in size and is located on the south side of Ashburn Village Boulevard (Route 2020) and east of Shellhorn Road (Route 643), at 43520 Yukon Drive, Ashburn, Virginia, 20147, in the Broad Run Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 089-45-6487. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Urban Policy Area (Urban Transit Center Place Type)), which designate this area for a wide array of economic, entertainment, and community activities uses at a recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) between 1.4 and 2.0.

ZCPA-2020-0007 JOHNSON LANDSCAPE BUFFER - POOL (Zoning Concept Plan Amendment)

Mark D. Johnson of Chantilly, Virginia, has submitted an application to amend the existing proffers and concept development plan (“CDP”) approved with ZMAP-1991-0005 and ZCPA-1995-0006, South Riding, in order to modify an existing 25-foot landscape buffer to allow for the construction of an in-ground swimming pool, deck, and patio, with no resulting change in density, in the PD-H4 (Planned Development – Housing 4) zoning district. The subject property is located within the (AI) Airport Impact Overlay District, between the Ldn 60-65 aircraft noise contour. The subject property is approximately 0.36 acres in size and is located on the north side of Priesters Pond Drive (Route 2239) and the west side of Flintonbridge Drive (Route 2238) at 25815 Priesters Pond Drive, Chantilly, Virginia, in the Dulles Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 129-30-1413. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Neighborhood Place Type)), which designate this area for predominantly Residential uses at a recommended density of four dwelling units per acre.

ZCPA-2020-0003 TRUE NORTH DATA

(Zoning Concept Plan Amendment) Compass Data Centers IAD I LLC of Dallas, Texas has submitted an application to amend the existing proffers and Concept Development Plan (“CDP”) approved with ZMAP-2017-0003, True North Data in order to: 1) allow for the option to consolidate three buildings into one building footprint; and 2) increase the maximum building height from 35 feet to 56 feet with no resulting change in density. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance The subject property is partially located within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60 aircraft noise contour, partially within the QN (Quarry Notification) Overlay District - Luck Note Area, and partially within the FOD (Floodplain Overlay District). The subject property is approximately 97.12 acres in size and is located on the north side of Sycolin Road (Route 625), on the south side of the Dulles Greenway (Route 267), and on the west side of the Goose Creek, on the northwest side Belmont Ridge Road (Route 659), in the Catoctin Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 194-10-2562. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 Comprehensive Plan (Transition Policy Area (Transition Light Industrial Place Type)), which designate this area for lowtraffic Industrial and Employment uses at a recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of up to 0.6.

ZMAP-2018-0014, ZCPA-2018-0013, SPEX-2020-0013, ZRTD-2020-0005, ZMOD-2018-0035, ZMOD-2020-0029 & ZMOD-2020-0032 KINCORA VILLAGE CENTER

(Zoning Map Amendment, Zoning Concept Plan Amendment, Zoning Conversion in the Route 28 Taxing District, Special Exception & Zoning Modifications)

NA Dulles Real Estate Investor LLC of East Setauket, New York, have submitted applications for the following: (1) to rezone approximately 13.14 acre portion of a larger 296.92 parcel from the PD-IP (Planned Development-Industrial Park) zoning district under the 1972 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance (1972 Zoning Ordinance) to the PD-MUB (Planned Development – Mixed Use Business) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance (Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance) in order to permit a 10,000 square foot (SF) civic building and a 100,000 SF central plaza to be located in Land Bay K and to permit additional employment, commercial, and/or residential uses to be located in Land Bays K and L.; (2) an application to amend the existing Proffers and Concept Development Plan (CDP) approved with ZMAP-2008-0021, ZCPA-2012-0014 and ZCPA-2017-0008, Kincora Village Center, in order to a) shift location of the central plaza from Land Bay J to Land Bay K; b) relocate the minimum 55,000 SF Science Museum from Land Bay J to Land Bay A; c) align Roads 8 and 9 to create a street, and

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FEBRUARY 18, 2021

add Roads 14 and 17 in Land Bays F and L, and rename Roads A, B, and C with numerical labels; d) shift the location of a monument sign/entry feature in Land Bay J; e) revise locations and clarify the number of Public/Civic/Institutional Uses to be provided; f) increase the number of multifamily (MF) dwelling units permitted from 1,400 to 2,600 in the PD-MUB zoning district; g) adding Land Bays B, K, L, and/or R to the list of land bays where residential uses are permitted; h) delete the commitment to provide a center for the performing arts; i) delete the commitment to provide a 35,000 SF plaza in Land Bay F; j) revise language to clarify which buildings along Pacific Boulevard will be a minimum of four stories; k) reduce the percentage of buildings in the PD-MUB zoning district that are to have a vertical mix of two or more uses; l) remove the commitment that would require any newly constructed Affordable Dwelling Units (ADUs) and/or Unmet Housing Needs Units (UHNUs) to be in compliance with the EarthCraft program and universal design principles; m) exclude data center square footage from the trigger for providing shuttle service; n) clarify that the road fund contributions will not apply to the New Residential Units or to non-residential uses beyond the non-residential Gross Floor Area (GFA) originally committed with prior approvals; o) reduce the width of non-asphalt trails from 8 feet to 6 feet; p) allow recently approved sign commitments (ZMOD2017-0017 & ZMOD-2017-0018) to be applied to the entire Kincora Village Center application area;; and q) allow the Owners to use on-site, non-potable wells for irrigation purposes with a resulting increase in density from 0.43 Floor to Area Ratio (FAR) to 0.57 FAR; (3) an application to rezone approximately 70.16 acres portion of a larger 296.92 parcel from the PD-MUB (Planned Development – Mixed Use Business) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance as it existed on July 12, 2010, to the PD-MUB (Planned Development – Mixed Use Business) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance as amended from time to time; and (4) a Special Exception to permit impervious surface in the form of raised boardwalk crossings not to exceed 9,150 linear feet in the FOD (Floodplain Overlay District), Major Floodplain. The Special Exception application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed use is listed as a Special Exception use under Section 4-1506(E).

The applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance modification(s): ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION

PROPOSED MODIFICATION

§1-205(A), Interpretation of Ordinance, Limitations and Methods for Measurements of Lots, Yards and Related Terms; Lot Access Requirements.

Allow structures requiring a building permit in the PD-MUB Zoning District to be erected upon any lot which has frontage on a Class I, Class II, Class III road, or private access easement.

§4-1354(B) PD-MUB Planned Development-Mixed Use Business District, Development Standards, Public Plaza, Table 4-1354(B), PD-MUB Planned Development Mixed-Use Business Public Plaza, Requirements Table.

Reduce the minimum area of the required public plaza for a PD-MUB district greater than 100 acres in size from 1% of the total land area of the district, or 3.55 acres (154,638 SF) to a minimum of 100,000 SF.

§4-1354(B)(3) PD-MUB Planned Development-Mixed Use Business District, Development Standards, Public Plaza.

Exclude (a) the buildings in Land Bays N and Q, (b) multifamily stacked townhouses and (c) the civic uses located in Land Bays A and K from the requirement in this section that buildings adjoining a public plaza contain a vertical mixture of uses.

§4-1354(C) PD-MUB Planned Development-Mixed Use Business District, Development Standards, Vertical Mix.

Exclude (a) the buildings in Land Bays N and Q, (b) multifamily stacked townhouses and (c) the civic uses located in Land Bays A and K from the 50% vertical use requirement.

§4-1355(C), PD-MUB Planned Development-Mixed Use Business District, Lot and Building Requirements, Building Height.

Increase the permitted maximum building height from 100 feet to 160 feet in Land Bays B, F, J, and R.

§4-1358(C), PD-MUB Planned Development-Mixed Use Business District, Use Limitations, Street Trees.

Reduce the tree density requirement from one tree per 25 feet along all areas dedicated for vehicular travel, excluding alleys, to one tree per 44 linear feet of block length for streets with on-street parking and to one tree per 35 liner feet of block length for trees with no on-street parking requirement

§5-1303(A)(1), Tree Planting and Replacement, Canopy Requirements, Site Planning.

Allow the 10% tree canopy for sites zoned PD-MUB to be calculated using the entire PD-MUB Zoning District rather than per site plan.

NOTICE TOWN OF LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL MEETING Remote Public Participation Available Members of the public who wish to speak during the petitioners’ section and Public Hearing of the February 23, 2021, Leesburg Town Council Meeting can do so remotely. Information on how to participate remotely can be found on the Town of Leesburg’s website www.leesburgva. gov/agendas or on the agenda that will be posted outside of the Clerk’s Office and in the lobby of Town Hall (25 West Market Street) by close of business on February 17, 2021.

If you need more information, contact the Clerk of Council at eboeing@leesburgva.gov or 703-771-2733.

02/18/21

PAGE 23

The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District, within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60 aircraft noise contour, and is also located partially within the FOD (Floodplain Overlay District). The subject property is approximately 312 acres in size and is located in the southwest quadrant of the Harry Byrd Highway (Route 7) and Sully Road (Route 28) interchange, on the west side of Russell Branch Parkway (Route 1036) and north of West Severn Way (Route 1748), in the Broad Run Election District.

The subject property is more particularly described as follows: PIN

PROPERTY ADDRESS

041-19-4573

21391 Pacific Boulevard, Ashburn, Virginia

040-19-0276

N/A

040-19-3991

N/A

040-18-8480-001 040-18-8480-002

45170 Kincora Drive, Ashburn, Virginia

040-18-3514

N/A

040-10-2389

N/A

The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (2019 GP) (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Mixed-Use Place Type)) and Route 28 Corridor Plan, which designate this area for compact, pedestrian-oriented environments with opportunities for a mix of Residential, Commercial, Entertainment, Cultural, and Recreational amenities uses, at a recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 1.0.

Unless otherwise noted in the above notices, copies of the above-referenced amendments, applications, ordinances, and/or plans and related documents may be examined by request at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies, or electronically at www.loudoun.gov/lola. This link also provides an additional opportunity for public input on active applications. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”). In addition, for detailed instructions on how to access documents using LOLA, to request that documents be emailed to you, to receive physical copies of documents, or to arrange a time to view the file at the Loudoun County Government Center, please email DPZ@loudoun.gov or call 703-777-0246 (option 5).

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic this public hearing may be conducted as an electronic meeting. Members of the public are encouraged to view the public hearing electronically; however, the Board Room will be open for any members of the public who wish to attend in person with appropriate physical distancing. Board of Supervisors public hearings are available for live viewing on television on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings. All members of the public who desire to speak will be heard as to their views pertinent to these matters. Citizens are encouraged to call in advance to sign up to speak at the public hearing. Instructions for remote participation will be forwarded to all individuals who sign-up in advance and who would like to provide their comments remotely. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on February 26, 2021, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on March 10, 2021. If you wish to sign-up in advance, call the Office of the County Administrator at (703) 777-0200. Citizens will also have the option to sign-up during the public hearing. Citizens may also submit written comments by email sent to bos@loudoun.gov. Any written comments received prior to the public hearing will be distributed to Board members and made part of the minutes for the public hearing.

Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory or mental disability to participate in this meeting, please contact the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200. At least one business day of advance notice is requested; some accommodations may require more than one day of notice. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings.

BY ORDER OF:

PHYLLIS RANDALL, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

02/18 & 02/25/21

NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED VEHICLES ABC LICENSE

Joshua David Rose, trading as LoCo Beer & Wine, 102 South Harrison Road, Sterling, Loudoun, Virginia 20164-2716 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Internet Beer Retailer w/ Delivery Permit license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Joshua David Rose (Owner) Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices.

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

02/18 & 02/25/21

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

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

YR.

MAKE

MODEL

VIN

STORAGE

PHONE#

2007 1989 2003 1999

NISSAN FORD LOAD RIGHT INFINITI

SENTRA F150 TRAILER N/A

3N1AB61E27L611983 1FTEF15N6KLA63913 53FBE1225KF048916 JNKCA21A9XT753255

BLAIR’S TOWING BLAIR’S TOWING ASHBURN TOWING ASHBURN TOWING

703-661-8200 703-661-8200 703-585-8770 703-585-8770

02/18 & 02/25/21

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FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Legal Notices NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING COUNTY OF LOUDOUN, VIRGINIA

Proposed Budget for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022 Proposed Tax Rates for Tax Year 2021 Pursuant to Section 15.2-2506 and Section 58.1-3007 of the Code of Virginia, the County of Loudoun, Virginia (the “County”), gives notice of its proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021, and ending June 30, 2022 (the FY 2022 Proposed Budget); and the proposed tax rates on real and personal property for Tax Year 2021, beginning January 1, 2021, and ending December 31, 2021. The budget is prepared and published for informative and fiscal planning purposes only. The inclusion in the budget of any item or items does not constitute any obligation or commitment on the part of the Board of Supervisors of the County to appropriate any funds for that item or purpose. There is no allocation or designation of any funds of the County for any purpose until there has been an appropriation for that purpose by the Board of Supervisors.

The estimated local match for the school budget is $1,042,696,771. This is the local tax revenue proposed for the Loudoun County Public Schools to fund its Fiscal Year 2022 budget for public schools.

Three public hearings on the proposed budget and the proposed tax rates will be held by the Board of Supervisors in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.; and on Saturday, February 27, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. Any member of the public may address the Board of Supervisors on these matters; however, each member of the public wishing to address the Board may speak at only one of the sessions.

The Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room is located in the Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, SE, Leesburg, Virginia. Copies of the FY 2022 Proposed Budget may be examined by request at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The FY 2022 Proposed Budget is also available online at www.loudoun.gov/budget.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic this public hearing may be conducted as an electronic meeting. Members of the public are encouraged to view the public hearing electronically; however, the Board Room will be open for any members of the public who wish to attend in person with appropriate physical distancing. Board of Supervisors public hearings are available for live viewing on television on Comcast Government Channel 23, Open Band Channel 40 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/webcast. All members of the public who desire to speak will be heard as to their views pertinent to these matters. Citizens are encouraged to call in advance to sign up to speak at the public hearing. Instructions for remote participation will be forwarded to all individuals who sign-up in advance and who would like to provide their comments remotely. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on February 11, 2021. If you wish to sign-up in advance, call the Office of the County Administrator at (703) 777-0200.

Citizens will also have the option to sign-up during the public hearing. All speakers will be limited to two minutes and 30 seconds so that all in attendance may have the opportunity to speak. Written comments are welcomed at any time and may be sent to the Board of Supervisors, 1 Harrison Street, SE, Leesburg, Virginia 20177 or by e-mail to loudounbudget@loudoun.gov. If submitting written comments, information or materials at the hearing, 10 copies should be provided for distribution to the Board members and for the Clerk’s records.

The following is a brief synopsis of the budget: Proposed Appropriations Category

FY 2022 Proposed Expenditures

FY 2022 Proposed Revenue

FY 2022 Proposed Local Tax Funding

FY 2021 Adopted Local Tax Funding

Local Tax Funding Variance

OPERATING County General Fund

$694,610,376.30

$214,718,334.00

$479,892,042.30

$423,300,488.63

$56,591,553.67

School Operating Fund

1,492,724,899.00

450,028,128.00

1,042,696,771.00

885,714,899.00

156,981,872.00

School Grant Fund

29,918,334.00

29,918,334.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

School Lease Purchase Fund

10,002,000.00

10,002,000.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

School Nutrition Fund

37,162,564.00

37,162,564.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Children’s Services Act Fund

9,554,193.00

5,869,193.00

3,685,000.00

3,185,000.00

500,000.00

Dulles Town Center CDA Fund

3,500,000.00

3,500,000.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

EMS Transport Program

5,225,000.00

5,225,000.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Housing Fund

5,000,000.00

5,000,000.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

120,847.00

44,980.00

75,867.00

71,645.00

4,222.00

1,995,578.00

1,995,578.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

91,000.00

91,000.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Rental Assistance Fund

9,767,953.00

9,525,563.00

242,390.00

177,390.00

65,000.00

Restricted Use Transient Occupancy Tax

3,065,000.00

3,065,000.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Self-Insurance Fund

5,455,700.00

0.00

5,455,700.00

5,455,700.00

0.00

State and Federal Grant Fund

4,189,545.00

4,189,545.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

$2,312,382,989.30

$780,335,219.00

$1,532,047,770.30

$1,317,905,122.63

$214,142,647.67

County Government

$90,317,178.00

$28,706,176.00

$61,611,002.00

$57,708,419.54

$3,902,582.46

School System

143,034,799.00

5,974,969.00

137,059,830.00

141,137,778.96

(4,077,948.96)

Legal Resource Center Fund Metro Garages Fund Other Special Revenue Funds

Operating Subtotal DEBT SERVICE

Greenlea Tax District Route 28 Special Improvements Fund Tall Oaks Water and Sewer Special Revenue Fund Debt Service Subtotal

44,038.00

44,038.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

12,709,100

12,709,100

0.00

0.00

0.00

60,572.00

60,572.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

$246,165,687.00

$47,494,855.00

$198,670,832.00

$198,846,198.50

($175,366.50)

$257,951,671.64

$144,478,073.94

$113,473,597.70

$65,490,196.36

$47,983,401.34

11,720,000.00

100,000.00

11,620,000.00

11,395,000.00

225,000.00

163,990,000.00

149,626,000.00

14,364,000.00

24,420,000.00

(10,056,000.00)

CAPITAL County Government Capital Projects County Asset Preservation Program School System Capital Projects

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PAGE 25

Legal Notices School System Asset Preservation Capital Projects Financing Fund Major Equipment Replacement Fund Public Facilities Fund

24,543,000.00

0.00

24,543,000.00

24,261,000.00

282,000.00

216,112,276.00

216,112,276.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

4,000,000.00

0.00

4,000,000.00

2,000,000.00

2,000,000.00

3,862,571.94

3,862,571.94

0.00

0.00

0.00

81,836,285.30

58,120,285.30

23,716,000.00

18,637,572.51

5,078,427.49

$764,015,804.88

$572,299,207.18

$191,716,597.70

$146,203,768.87

$45,512,828.83

Unallocated Balance

$0

$0

$0

$3,333,420.00

($3,333,420)

LCPS Reserve

$0

$0

$0

$60,000,000.00

($60,000,000.00)

$3,322,564,481.18

$1,400,129,281.18

$1,922,435,200.00

$1,726,288,510.00

$196,146,690.00

Transportation District Fund Capital Subtotal

TOTAL PROPOSED APPROPRIATIONS

SUMMARY OF PROPERTY TAX RATES

Pursuant to Va. Code § 58.1-3007, the Board of Supervisors gives notice of the proposed increase or other change in certain local property tax rates for Tax Year 2021 as indicated below: Adopted Tax Year 2020

Maximum Proposed Tax Year 2021

All Real Estate (including mobile homes used as residences); and Public Service Corporation Real Estate & Tangible Personal Property (except automobiles, trucks & aircraft) (Va. Code § 58.1-2606)

$1.035

$1.010

Commercial and Industrial Real Estate in Route 28 Highway Transportation Improvement District (Va. Code § 15.2-4607); and Public Service Corporation Real Estate &Tangible Personal Property in the district, except automobiles, trucks & aircraft, (in addition to the general rate applicable to all real estate in the County and the rate for any other service district where the property is located, if applicable)

$0.170

$0.180

Real Estate in the Hamilton Sewer Service District (in addition to the general rate applicable to all real estate in the County and the rate for any other tax district where the real estate is located, if applicable)

$0.000

$0.000

Real Estate in the Metrorail Service District; and Public Service Corporation Real Estate & Tangible Personal Property in the district, except automobiles, trucks & aircraft (in addition to the general rate applicable to all real estate in the County and the rate for any other service district where the property is located, if applicable)

$0.200

$0.200

Real Estate in the Loudoun Gateway-Airport Station Service District; and Public Service Corporation Real Estate & Tangible Personal Property in the district, except automobiles, trucks & aircraft (in addition to the general rate applicable to all real estate in the County and the rate for any other service district where the property is located, if applicable)

$0.000

$0.000

Real Estate in the Ashburn Station Service District; and Public Service Corporation Real Estate & Tangible Personal Property in the district, except automobiles, trucks & aircraft (in addition to the general rate applicable to all real estate in the County and the rate for any other service district where the property is located, if applicable)

$0.000

$0.000

Tangible Personal Property (to include all categories of tangible personal property unless the category and rate is set out separately in this notice), including automobiles and trucks of Public Service Corporations (Va. Code § 58.1-2606 (B))

$4.200

$4.200

Tangible Personal Property Used in a Research and Development Business (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A)(7)); and Machinery and Tools (Va. Code §§ 58.1-3507 et seq.)

$2.750

$2.750

Tangible Personal Property – Motor Vehicles of Eligible Elderly and Disabled (Va. Code § 58.1-3506.1; Chapter 873 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County)

$2.100

$2.100

Tangible Personal Property – Eligible Motor Vehicle of a Qualified Permanently Disabled Veteran (Va. Code § 58.1-3506(A)(19))

$0.010

$0.010

Tangible Personal Property – Aircraft and Flight Simulators (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A) (5)), including aircraft of Public Service Corporations (Va. Code § 58.12606 (B))

$0.010

$0.010

Tangible Personal Property – Heavy Construction Machinery (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A)(8))

$4.000

$4.000

Tangible Personal Property – Motor Vehicles specially equipped to provide transportation for physically handicapped individuals (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A) (14))

$0.010

$0.010

Tangible Personal Property – Eligible Motor Vehicles of Fire and Rescue Volunteers and Auxiliary Members and Auxiliary Deputy Sheriffs (Va. Code § 58.13506 (A)(15), (16) & (32))

$0.010

$0.010

Tangible Personal Property – Satellite Manufacturing, Testing and Operating Equipment within Route 28 Highway Transportation Improvement District (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A) (21))

$0.010

$0.010

Tangible Personal Property – Furniture, Office and Maintenance Equipment (except motor vehicles) owned and used by Homeowners Associations (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A)(24))

$0.010

$0.010

Tangible Personal Property – Motor Vehicles, Trailers and Semi-trailers of Interstate Motor Carriers (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A)(25))

$2.750

$2.750

Tangible Personal Property – Qualifying Wireless Broadband Equipment (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A)(37))

$2.100

$2.100

Tangible Personal Property – Four-wheeled, low-speed vehicles (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A)(38))

$0.010

$0.010

Tangible Personal Property – Motor Vehicles Powered Solely by Electricity (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A)(40))

$4.200

$4.200

Tangible Personal Property – Motor Vehicles of Uniformed Members of the Virginia Defense Force (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A)(44))

$0.010

$0.010

Wild or Exotic Animals kept for public exhibition and properly licensed by the federal government and/or the Commonwealth (Va. Code § 58.1-3506 (A)(23))

$0.010

$0.010

Type of Taxable Property

Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory or mental disability to participate in this meeting, please contact the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200. At least one business day of advance notice is requested; some accommodations may require more than one day of notice. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings.

BY ORDER OF:

PHYLLIS RANDALL, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

02/11 & 02/18/21

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 26

Legal Notices

82,000.00 0.00

00,000.00

ATTENTION LOUDOUN COUNTY BUSINESS OWNERS MARCH 1 DEADLINE Notification of 2021 business tax filing requirements has been mailed to each business and self-employed person on our tax rolls. The notification contains the account number and owner name necessary to report both business receipts and business equipment online.

TOWN OF LEESBURG

BUSINESS LICENSE RENEWAL DUE MARCH 1

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

12,828.83

AMENDING TOWN CODE CHAPTER 24 (OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS), ARTICLE V (OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE AND ORDER), SECTION 24-182 (NOISE ORDINANCE) REGARDING NOISE GENERATED BY GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES ON PUBLIC PROPERTY

,333,420)

In accordance with the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, §§ 15.2-1102, 15.2-980 and 15.2-1427, the Leesburg Town Council will hold a public hearing on:

0.00

78,427.49

0,000.00)

46,690.00

Proposed r 2021

Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 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 amendment to the Town Code: Town Code Section 24-182 (Noise Ordinance): (4) Exceptions. Subsections (3)a.—j. above shall have no application to any sound generated by any of the following:

10

(Intervening sections are unchanged)

80

d. Activities on or in municipal, county, state, United States, or school athletic facilities, or on or in publicly owned property and facilities, conducted by the town or any other governmental entity or institution.

00

00

00

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Business owners who possess a 2020 Loudoun County Business License must obtain a 2021 license by reporting their calendar year 2020 gross receipts and paying the applicable license tax or fee at www. loudoun.gov/efile. The annual FILING and PAYMENT DEADLINE is midnight, March 1. After reporting the business’ receipts online, filers will be provided with a link to pay online as well. Owners of new businesses must obtain a license within 30 days of beginning business. Owners of businesses located in one of Loudoun’s incorporated towns should contact the respective town regarding business licensing requirements.

BUSINESS EQUIPMENT REPORTING DUE MARCH 1 Owners of business equipment that was located in Loudoun County on January 1, 2021, must report it for taxation at www.loudoun.gov/efile. The reporting of original cost, year of purchase, location, and item description for all business equipment in the county is due by midnight, March 1. Resulting semi-annual tax bills for this equipment must be paid to the Treasurer by the May 5 and October 5 deadlines. The reporting of business equipment is made to the Commissioner of the Revenue for all businesses in the County whether within or outside of an incorporated town.

Business owners subject to local business taxes must file annually, even if there is no tax due or property to declare. Address changes and notification of business closure should also be reported at www. loudoun.gov/efile. To protect the safety of taxpayers and staff and slow the spread of COVID-19, we encourage you to connect with us virtually. Most transactions with our office can be done online. For information or filing assistance, please visit www.loudoun.gov/cor or contact my office at btcor@loudoun. gov or 703-777-0260. You may also stop by my offices weekdays, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, however, we recommend you contact our office beforehand as our office hours may be adjusted due to the pandemic.

Robert S. Wertz, Jr. Commissioner of the Revenue Loudoun County Government Center Office 1 Harrison St. SE, 1st Floor, Leesburg

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 Eileen Boeing, Clerk of Council, at 703-771-2733.

Loudoun Tech Center Office 21641 Ridgetop Circle, Ste 100, Sterling MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 8000, Leesburg, VA 20177-9804 Phone: 703-777-0260

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.

E-mail: btcor@loudoun.gov

02/11 & 02/18/21

00

Website: www.loudoun.gov/cor 02//04, 02/11, 02/18 & 02/25/21

00

50

00

10

10

00

10

10

10

10

50

00

10

00

10

2021 TAX EXEMPTION INFORMATION Pursuant to §58.1-3604 of the Code of Virginia, the Loudoun County Commissioner of the Revenue has determined that the 2020 aggregate assessed value of all real property exempted from taxation under §§58.1-3607 and 58.1-3608, and Articles 3, 4 and 5 of Chapter 36 of Title 58.1 of the Code of Virginia is $7,571,397,150. This aggregate assessed value represents 7.4 percent of all real property assessed in the County.

The total reduction in tax revenues resulting from such exemptions is $76,471,111 based on the maximum proposed tax rate of $1.010 per $100 of assessed value.

Robert S. Wertz, Jr. Commissioner of the Revenue Loudoun County Government Center Office 1 Harrison St. SE, 1st Floor, Leesburg

10

Loudoun Tech Center Office 21641 Ridgetop Circle, Ste 100, Sterling

articipate in notice. FM

MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 8000, Leesburg, VA 20177-9804

& 02/18/21

Phone: 703-777-0260 E-mail: realestate@loudoun.gov Website: www.loudoun.gov/cor 02/11 & 02/18/21

ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.:

JJ038628-14-00

, Loudoun County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Sanay Elliyoun-Yousefabad Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v.

Shahnaz Zabihi Khodapasand, mother

The object of this suit is to hold a 7th permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Sanay Elliyoun-Yousefabad.

It is ORDERED that Shahnaz Zabihi Khodapasand, mother, appear at the above-named Court and protect her interests on or before March 30, 2021 at 2:00 pm.

2/18, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11/21

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FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Opinion A Community Approach The Virginia legislature isn’t known for its lightning-fast pace or cutting-edge policy positions. Yet, the General Assembly’s shift from decriminalization to the legalization of marijuana has moved at a breakneck speed just during the past year.

Whether the motivations behind the push are related to addressing long-recognized racial justice inequities or the too-good-to-resist taxation boon, it seems the legislation is on track for passage in the weeks ahead.

A number of local leaders—from the top law enforcement officers to the county chair who has long experience working with those whose lives have been derailed by substance abuse—have voiced concerns. While it will be the state government that most benefits from the taxation windfall and the opening of new economic markets, it will be the localities that will be left to deal with the less desirable consequences. We already know from the opioid epidemic that there are too few local resources available for those pulled under by substance abuse.

The debate may be nearing its end in Richmond, but it has yet to begin in our community. Localities are expected to have options as to whether to permit storefront sales and to limit their number. However, the considerations should be much broader to ensure an adequate safety net is in place.

Getting a wide range of community interests—from law enforcement to social services to rural economic development—around a table to draft a local implementation strategy is a good next step. Although the state legislature moved at record speed on the issue, the initiative will have greater success if Loudoun throws a bit of its “I Byde My Time” motto into the mix. n Norman K. Styer, Publisher and Editor nstyer@loudounnow.com

Published by Amendment One Loudoun, LLC 15 N. King St., Suite 101 Leesburg, VA, 20176 PO Box 207 Leesburg, VA 20178 703-770-9723

EDITORIAL Renss Greene, Deputy Editor rgreene@loudounnow.com Jan Mercker, Reporter jmercker@loudounnow.com Kara C. Rodriguez, Reporter krodriguez@loudounnow.com Patrick Szabo, Reporter pszabo@loudounnow.com

Loudoun Now is delivered by mail to more than 44,000 Loudoun homes and businesses, with a total weekly distribution of 47,000.

ADVERTISING Susan Styer, Advertising Manager sstyer@loudounnow.com Tonya Harding, Account Executive tharding@loudounnow.com

LETTERS to the Editor No Failing Editor: Students are not failing in pandemic learning. Students are surviving.

Every year there are students who do not meet our educational standards for a variety of reasons. Reducing the number of students who are left behind by working to close the opportunity gap has been part of education’s evolution for many years. But failure is not an isolated occurrence.

To suggest students in Loudoun County Public Schools are failing during this tumultuous time is to suggest the educators who are making the best of pandemic learning are also failing. It suggests the school administrators who have gone above and beyond to support their school communities are failing. It suggests the parents at home- some working, some not—are failing in their level of support for their children’s education. It suggests the funds that secure salaries, initiatives, and necessary resources for our students are failing, too.

This is a dangerous road to travel.

Our children are surviving because this past year has not been normal, in any sense of the word. It has been challenging for parents, students and educators alike. For every person, every family, there is a different right answer, but I feel I can confidently say that we all want our students back in school fulltime and on a traditional schedule. However, that is simply not a luxury we can be afforded in the middle of a pandemic.

Safety needs to remain a top priority and we must trust the health experts that

understand the risks involved and follow their guidance. We perform tornado drills, active-shooter drills, and fire drills all in the name of safety for our students and educators. We have cameras inside and outside schools, locked doors, first-aid bags in every classroom and alarm levers to pull throughout buildings—all in the name of safety. This same level of precaution must be expected and applied to protect our students and educators from the risk of COVID-19 as we prepare to open school buildings.

A suggestion by Supervisor Turner to withhold 10% of funding from the education budget until in-person learning can resume in its entirety is detrimental to the 80,000+ children in Loudoun County, not the administrators in the room. Over the past three years, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors has funded the LCPS budget within 1% of the proposed amount. Even with these small adjustments to the proposed budget, programs had to be scaled back, specialists could not be hired, educators were lost because of competitive salaries and initiatives designed to ensure the success of all students were put on the chopping block. Decreased funding by 10% would significantly and harmfully reduce learning opportunities.

With continued uncertainty on community spread within Loudoun, withholding funds from a school district in the middle of a pandemic, due to circumstances outside of their control, would set a troubling precedent for future budget discussions.

Failure to fund schools is a failure to our children.

— Kirsten Shabanowitz, Leesburg

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 29

Readers’ Poll THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION:

What is your priority for this year’s county budget?

The General Assembly is on a path to legalize the use of recreational marijuana during this session. What is your view?

Tax cut continued from page 1 a half-cent above the equalized rate, $1.

Hemstreet’s proposed budget includes restoring the remaining $60 million still frozen in the current budget as a safety net against COVID-19-induced revenue shortfalls; $97 million more for the school system, a 10.3% increase; $9.5 million to keep up with increasing costs such as inflation and rent; $12.4 million in raises for employees; and 150 new hires in 21 different county departments.

The budget proposal serves as a starting point not only for county supervisors’ deliberations on what the county government will be able to do in the next year,

White’s Ferry continued from page 3 has a sentimental attachment to the ferry and also uses it as an important commuter link—one that carries 800 vehicles per day.

“I’ve taken it since I was a kid. Just going over to the Poolsville area and over to northern Gaithersburg and that area, he said. “And then I probably travel on the ferry every other month, we have an office in northern Gaithersburg so if traffic is backed up on the Beltway, we take it over—I look forward to taking it more frequently.”

“White’s Ferry represents a piece of our region’s past as an early commerce route that built and sustained local economies and remains so today,” he said. “This fits with my family’s interest in conserving

Share your views at loudounnow.com/polls

but also for their deliberations on setting a real estate tax rate to pay for it. Currently, the real estate tax rate is $1.035 per $100 of assessed value.

Even though employment was down in Loudoun over the past year during the pandemic, the county has continued to outpace the rest of the region, with employment dropping less than other jurisdictions and expected to grow more quickly as economic recovery begins.

Residential and commercial property values have headed in opposite directions during the pandemic, shifting more of the tax burden onto homeowners. While their property values have continued to climb and houses for sale in Loudoun often still sell in a matter of days, Loudoun’s overall commercial portfolio devalued by 3.5%.

And one industry remains dominant in Loudoun’s revenue sources: the data center industry. This year, the tax on computer equipment will account for about 30 percent of all local tax revenue, conservatively estimated at $586 million. That means data centers alone bring in enough money to cover the entire operational budget for the county government, excluding schools, which get roughly two-thirds of local tax revenues.

Highlights from new spending in the budget include $2.3 million for law enforcement body-worn cameras, $1 million to prepare for administering collective bargaining, just under a million dollars to expand the drug court, and funding for expanding the Youth After School program to all middle schools, a crew to develop the

county’s linear parks and trails system, and new communications positions.

The next step will be to gather public input on the budget, at public hearings scheduled Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 27 at 9 a.m. All three hearings will be at the Loudoun County Government Center in Leesburg, with options to participate remotely.

Loudouners who want to comment on the budget can sign up to do so by calling 703777-0204. They also may leave a message on the Board of Supervisors’ Comment Line at 703-777-0115; email the Board of Supervisors at loudounbudget@loudoun. gov; write to the Board of Supervisors, P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, VA 20177; or leave comments through Loudoun County’s Facebook and Twitter profiles. n

land and history as well as supporting business and the local communities.

White’s Ferry has provided an important and scenic transportation alternative to the swelling demands on our local roads.”

The purchase includes the ferry, the store, and the Maryland shoreline that supports the ferry operation.

The goal is to purchase the Virginia landing site or negotiate a permanent easement with Rockland Farm so that the ferry may continue in perpetuity. The ferry can be operational within seven days of being granted Virginia shore rights, according to the announcement.

“The previous owners of White’s Ferry have done a remarkable job serving the community,” Kuhn stated. “They have sold the ferry with the hopes that we would have a better chance of opening the ferry than he did. We look forward to bringing a fresh perspective to the ferry, enhancing

the experience for riders and making a number of upgrades to the store.”

The Kuhns will begin working with the Coast Guard, Loudoun County, Montgomery County and the owner Rockland Farm to open the ferry. The Kuhns plan to make a number of upgrades to the ferry over the next few years, bringing more operational and environmental efficiencies to improve services.

Other recent investments made by the Kuhn family include: the purchase of the Westpark golf course property in Leesburg with the intention of placing 135 of those acres into a conservation easement for a park and to protect the open space from future development; partnering with Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy to buy and place into conservation easement an 87acre parcel of land in northern Loudoun County called Stumptown Woods that has more native species of plants and wildlife

indigenous to Loudoun and Virginia than is typical; starting the JK Community Farm, a charitable effort designed to alleviate hunger by growing and harvesting crops and livestock and donating them to local foodbanks, on 150 acres of conserved land near Purcellville; the purchase of the Middleburg Training Center, which was placed into conservation easement and is now fully renovated; and purchasing and placing several thousand acres near Loudoun’s historic villages into easement, including Egypt Farm, which had been previously owned by developers, the historic Wolver Hill farm in Middleburg, and recently three farms outside the town of Waterford.

JK Moving Services is the largest independently owned and operated moving company in North America and employs nearly 1,100 people. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 30

Legal pot continued from page 1 age or older, via an automated dispensing or vending machine, a drive-through sales window, an internet-based sales platform or a delivery service. Under the proposed legislation, those stores would be required to set up shop at least 1,000 feet apart from each other.

The legislation will set a tax level for retail sales. Under both bills, the state would impose a 21% tax on marijuana sales. Reid said legislators are still debating that number. He said it could come out to be as high as 30 or 40%.

Both bills also proposed to allow localities to impose a 3% tax on top of the state tax. A town or city tax would be in place of any tax imposed by the county surrounding the jurisdiction.

The legislation also proposes to create a Virginia Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Control Authority to regulate the market, grant licenses to sell marijuana and issue fines. Under the House bill, that board could set a certain number of licensees to grant to retailers, wholesalers, cultivators and product manufacturers, which, Reid said, would ensure there isn’t a Cannabis shop on every street corner in a particular community.

“You have to think about this as a model that was used for the ABC stores,” he said, noting that there is only one ABC store in any given shopping center in Loudoun.

Both bills provide counties, cities and towns with populations of more than 1,000 residents the authority to file a petition with their jurisdictions’ Circuit Court asking that a referendum be held on the question of whether the retail sale of marijuana should be prohibited in that jurisdiction. In Loudoun, that would apply to the county as a whole and the towns of Leesburg, Lovettsville and Purcellville.

County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said she hopes that provision makes it to the finalized bill to provide Loudoun residents the opportunity to decide whether they would like to see local Cannabis shops, if the bill becomes law.

Purcellville Mayor Kwasi Fraser said he, too, would like to see a referendum for Purcellville residents if the bill becomes law. Councilman Ted Greenly, who said he would not like to see retail marijuana sales in town, said he also would advocate for the referendum.

Middleburg Police Chief A.J. Panebianco said he finds it “truly concerning” that the bills propose to disallow smaller towns, like Middleburg, from holding a referendum to allow their residents the chance to opt their towns out of retail sales.

He said that exclusion would force smaller towns to accept a practice that’s “completely off culture or contrary to the desires

of the citizenry.” “[T]o take away the options because of size seems a bit of a strong hand to play,” Panebianco said. “If they are going to give the largest in Virginia the options, why not the smaller areas?”

Virginians Could Possess 1 Ounce of Marijuana Perhaps more controversial, and notable for those who currently use marijuana illegally, is the proposed legislation’s provision establishing that it would become legal for anyone over the age of 21 to possess up to an ounce of marijuana. Anyone carrying amounts in excess of an ounce would be subject to a $25 civil penalty, unless they are found to have more than 5 pounds of marijuana, for which they would be subject to a felony charge and face 1-10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted.

Still, it would be illegal to sell marijuana on the street—local jurisdictions could not collect tax on those types of sales. But, Reid pointed out, both bills do allow for individuals over the age of 21 to cultivate up to two mature marijuana plants and two immature marijuana plants for personal use at home.

Cultivating five to 50 plants at home could result in varying misdemeanor charges. Cultivating 50-100 plants at home could result in a Class 6 felony charge. Cultivating more than 100 plants at home could result in a felony charge with the same punishments as those associated with possessing more than 5 pounds of marijuana.

Public Safety Concerns Loudoun law enforcement and government leaders believe legalization will pose risks in the community, within individual households and on the roadways.

Randall said that while she is in favor of decriminalizing marijuana to help people whose lives have been affected or ruined by the substance—and to help those who are sitting in jail for buying or selling a small amount of marijuana—she is opposed to legalizing it outright.

Randall said marijuana “is a real drug” and that legalizing its sale for profit is not what Virginia should do.

“Selling drugs for money is wrong and it doesn’t matter who’s doing it,” she said.

“This is about money collecting and it is wrong.”

Randall said she’s skeptical of the argument that legalizing marijuana will benefit “communities of color.”

“I got a better idea, don’t put an addictive drug on the street,” she said.

Fraser said he also recognizes “the socio-economic burden and inequities the criminalization of marijuana has placed on communities across our nation” but is also “painfully aware of the destruction to some families and delay of valuable contribution

to society the use of marijuana has caused.”

Randall also highlighted a seemingly counterintuitive provision included in both bills establishing that 25% of the tax revenue generated from retail marijuana sales would be required to go toward “substance use disorder prevention and treatment programs,” according to the bills’ language.

“Are you kidding me?” she said.

Another 40% of the tax revenue is proposed to go toward pre-kindergarten programs for at-risk three- and four-year-olds; 30% to the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Fund; and 5% to public health programs.

Reid said the provision to send tax revenue to treatment programs, if carried into the finalized bill and signed into law, would help fund substance abuse programs for people addicted to all types of drugs, not just marijuana.

Greer said that provision in the legislation is “a tremendous benefit” that would be used to prevent the abuse of marijuana.

“I think it would be a self-correcting issue for the concerns that have been raised against the bill,” he said.

Randall said she’s also concerned about Loudoun’s roadways, since marijuana users will inevitably get behind the wheel, even though both bills propose to make the use of marijuana in a moving vehicle a misdemeanor charge. And although marijuana doesn’t have the same effects on the body as alcohol, it does cause a complacent attitude, relaxes the reflexes and has a long half-life, meaning its effects linger for long periods of time.

Randall pointed out that most marijuana being grown and smoked today is much more potent than the marijuana of decades past. Greer said decades ago, most marijuana contained 5% THC per volume. Now, some strains reach as high as 30%.

“This idea that marijuana is not a dangerous drug and people cannot die when using marijuana, it’s just a fallacy,” Randall said about marijuana’s effects on the highway. “… There’s no way that it can do anything than cause more danger.”

Sheriff Mike Chapman said legalizing marijuana is “almost like legalizing moonshine,” since the proposed legislation has “no standards.” Unlike the .08 blood-alcohol content level allowable when driving, which deputies can check on the side of the road via a breathalyzer test, the proposed legislation for marijuana legalization does not establish a legal limit for the amount of THC a person may have in their blood while driving, and deputies can’t test for that on the side of the road—they’ll need a magistrate to sign off on a search warrant to draw blood.

Purcellville Police Chief Cynthia McAlister said she, too, was concerned that legalizing marijuana would make roads more dangerous and create lengthy processes when testing for THC levels in a driver’s blood.

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

“It’s just more time consuming, more hoops to jump through,” she said.

Reid said although the proposed legislation doesn’t include legal THC levels for driving, the House bill does include additional funding to help law enforcement agencies recognize the indicators of drivers who are under the influence of marijuana.

“It does need to be addressed,” he said of marijuana use behind the wheel.

McAlister said she and her officers would treat marijuana use on the roads just as they do drinkers; they’ll have to be on the lookout for drivers swerving, driving too fast or too slow and they’ll have to consider drivers’ facial expressions and speech when determining if they’ve used too much marijuana.

Chapman said legalization is overall a “huge mistake” because the state has not had enough time to analyze the effects of decriminalizing the substance.

“The consequences of just drugs in general are huge, and then to legalize something that we know is detrimental to your health,” he said. “There really is not an upside to this at all.”

And the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program taught in Loudoun’s public schools will need to be reconfigured, since the program teaches kids to stay away from illegal drugs, which marijuana won’t be if the legislation becomes law.

Chapman said marijuana’s current illegality is enough to stop some kids from using the substance. But if it’s legalized, he said, more youth could experiment with it.

“The messaging is just terrible. It’s terrible for kids,” he said.

Chapman said he’s also concerned about sales outside of retail shops, which will still be illegal. If the retail sale of marijuana is legalized, there inevitably will be more marijuana sales on the streets.

“There’s really no ability for us to enforcement anything. It’s like school’s out,” Chapman said. “My emphasis is on public safety.”

Leesburg Police Chief Greg Brown said he didn’t feel it was appropriate to comment on legislation that has yet to become law.

Reid said that if marijuana is legalized in Virginia, it could provide cost savings for law enforcement, since deputies and officers won’t be taking time to cite and arrest people for possession, book evidence and all the other actions that go along with those types of charges.

From Hemp to Pot: Marijuana Cultivation Beyond cultivating marijuana at home, farmers could cultivate the Cannabis sativa plant in large quantities as a business.

But Loudoun Farm Bureau Board Member and Former President Chris Van Vlack said that kind of business could be a bit diffiLEGAL POT continues on page 31

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Legal pot continued from page 30 cult, considering its similarities with hemp farming.

Van Vlack said that when hemp cultivation was legalized in Virginia, there were few buyers for the crop. Hemp cultivation first became legal in Virginia at a limited level in 1999 and was fully legalized nationally in 2018 under the Farm Bill.

“Unless [hemp farmers] had a signed contract for purchase of their crop, or were processing their crop … they were left holding a lot of hemp they had no market for,” Van Vlack said. “The [future marijuana farmers] who have done the homework, the paperwork, lined up legal buyers, and who are processing to a final product and legally selling may do well. Folks who jump and put an acre of Cannabis in the ground with no plan for marketing or processing it may be left holding the bag so to speak. …

The devil will be in the details as far as how local producers might be able to tap into a legalized market.”

One of those future marijuana growers could be Northern Virginia Hemp Company Owner and Founder Luke Greer, who started his hemp-growing company on his family farm near Purcellville in 2019.

Greer’s first hemp harvest was this year—he grows up to 1,200 Cannabis sativa plants on a one-acre plot—but he said he might be ready to jump into growing marijuana if it makes sense for his business.

“If it’s financially feasible, absolutely,” he said, adding that he would like the legislation to include initiatives for existing hemp growers, who already have experience growing the Cannabis sativa plant.

That Cannabis sativa plant is the same one that produces marijuana. While some strands produce CBD, others produce THC. Greer said that if he were to cultivate marijuana, he would look to grow marijuana plants containing less than 10% THC. Currently in Loudoun, there are more than 20 hemp growers. Greer said the hemp-growing community is a small niche within the county’s agricultural community, and one that’s “very competitive.”

He said Loudoun is a great place to grow the Cannabis sativa plant because the soil here is rich with nitrogen and the climate is humid.

Reid said state legislators are “working hard” to push the House and Senate bills through and get a finalized version voted on and sent to Northam’s desk before March 1.

He said state legislators have gone through the legislation crafting process methodically, and that if a finalized bill is passed and signed into law, its provisions most likely won’t take effect until 2023 or 2024.

“They are committed to doing it right,” he said. n

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PARENTING WITH A PURPOSE

The Loudoun County Community Services Board

BY NEIL MCNERNEY

Within Loudoun County there are several boards and commissions that do quite a bit to help with the running of our government. Most of these bodies have individuals appointed by the Board of Supervisors and are voluntary in nature.

I have been fortunate to serve on an especially important board: The Community Services Board. Recently, I was elected to be the chairman of this board, and I thought it was time to help our residents know more about what we do.

The Community Services Board is an 18-member board of county residents that provides advice to the Board of Supervisors concerning issues of mental health, substance abuse, and developmental services.

We meet regularly with the county department that provides these services and advise them as needed.

In the past, we have worked with many

groups to develop a series of recommendations concerning teen suicide. Our recommendations included increasing awareness of services available and supporting those organizations that are helping teens.

Our main goal, during this budget season, is to help everyone know how important our county services are to the community. Too many of our residents buy into the myth that, since we are the wealthiest county in the U.S., we don’t need to provide for those that don’t have resources. The Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Developmental Services provides help to those that have nowhere else to turn. It is a crucial lifeline to scores of families that wouldn’t be able to find help anywhere else.

If mental health, substance abuse, and developmental services is important to you, there are many ways you can help. One way is to let our county supervisors know that this is a priority to you. The Board of Su-

pervisors will begin hearing from the public concerning budget priorities on Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.; and on Feb. 27 at 9 a.m. You can sign up to support the mental health budget priorities by calling 703-7770204.

If you have an interest in serving on the Community Services Board, please feel free to reach out to me. I can direct you to the steps needed to apply. It is a rewarding way to serve the community. n

Neil McNerney is a licensed professional counselor and author of Homework – A Parent’s Guide To Helping Out Without Freaking Out! and The Don’t Freak Out Guide for Parenting Kids with Asperger’s. He can be reached at neil@neilmcnerney.com.

Addressing the Pandemic’s Mental Health Challenges

BY CHRIS CROLL

Are teens really more depressed during COVID-19? It depends on who you ask.

For many months, parents in local Facebook groups and at School Board meetings have shared that their teens are suffering from debilitating isolation and loneliness brought on, or exacerbated, by COVID-19 restrictions related to the closing of our public schools.

“I’ve shed many tears at the very real threat to the mental stability of my child,” one mom says. Others say they are watching their children suffer from being cut off from all the things that make kids feel good: Friends, school activities, sports, and daily routines. Many parents blame prolonged distance learning for their teen’s mental distress.

Groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease have issued statements imploring schools to safely reopen as soon as possible. Elected leaders have also spoken out in favor of opening schools for the benefit of teen mental health. Some members of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors have even threatened to withhold school funding until a plan to fully reopen our schools is put firmly into place.

But there is another group of parents out there, who are far less vocal, who say their kids are doing better during distance learning than they ever have before. Parents of these teens say that their kids went from being anxious and depressed before the pan-

demic to thriving in the distance learning environment. “My son is less anxious than he ever was when he was going to school in person,” one mom says. “My introverted child loves distance learning and hopes he always has this option,” shares another.

These parents say their children not having to deal with bullying, teen drama or pressure to be social at school has resulted in happier, healthier kids.

So how is it that some teens are hurting so much while others are flourishing? Is social isolation “the great equalizer” that has eliminated factors that lead to depression for some students, but in doing so, has created new mental health issues for others?

And what about youth suicide? News stories from Las Vegas and other parts of the country show that teen suicide is skyrocketing. Parents here in Loudoun worry suicides in our community could also be on the rise (statistics are not typically published for privacy reasons). Other parents in our community wonder if distance learning may be reducing teen suicide numbers since depressed and anxious teens are protected from many social stressors and are being more closely monitored at home by their parents and other caregivers.

We likely will not know the full extent of how the pandemic has impacted teen mental health for some time. What we do know is that teen anxiety, depression, and suicide have been on the rise in our community for many years. We also know that teen suicide is prevalent across all ethnic, racial, socio-

economic, and geographical communities.

Whether your child has struggled with mental health in the past or not, every teen will hit emotional speed bumps at some point in their development.

Parents can help teens build resilience and inner strength by engaging them with programs that teach mindfulness and positive psychology. Community nonprofits, such as Ryan Bartel Foundation, offer free, online, evidence-led “FORTitude” workshops and meetups where teens can learn and practice positive thinking skills.

Loudoun County Public Schools offers teens training in national programs such as, “Sources of Strength,” which encourage students to engage in behaviors that are known to be protective factors against teen suicide, including building strong connections with peers and caring adults.

Whether your teen is suffering or thriving during distance learning, helping them develop skills to ward off negative thoughts and maintain strong connections with others can support a lifetime of positive mental health. n

Chris Croll is a writer, empathy activist and communications consultant. She sits on the Board of the Ryan Bartel Foundation, a youth suicide prevention nonprofit, and lives in Leesburg with her husband and two teenage boys.

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FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Town of Hillsboro Traffic-Calming & Pedestrian Safety Project

ReThink9 Reclaiming Hillsboro’s Main Street

RETHINK9 MILESTONES VISION TO REALITY

Back to the future Before the American Revolution, the “Main Street” of the hamlet known then simply as “The Gap” was well established, serving as a welcome respite for travelers, frontiersmen and pioneers. When the busy mill town of Hillsborough was formally established in 1802, many of the structures standing today were already nestled tight to the road, with most of the others to be built before the Civil War and the rest well before the end of the 19th century. A town of millers, tanners and tradesmen, businesses and commerce serving the needs of the farms and farmers surrounding it, Hillsboro was the center of one of early America’s richest agricultural regions.

Two decades of citizen action reclaims Hillsboro’s “Main Street” 2006 Design Charette

Hillsboro at the turn of the 20th century, with its multiple mills, was the trade and commercial hub of the surrounding region.

Hillsboro’s ReThink9 Renaissance on the Horizon

Rendering of a pedestrian-safe Hillsboro, above. Below, recessed parking bays and sidewalk foundations under construction.

Two centuries later, with the completion of Hillsboro’s ReThink9 road and infrastructure construction, the Town is poised for a renaissance as its Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Calming project will reclaim its historic main street—Charles Town Pike—by allowing safe pedestrian access, safe parking and modern infrastructure to serve residents and businesses alike. As in any era, progress, prosperity and sustainability are dependent on the most modern infrastructure and amenities available, and ReThink9 is delivering those critical 21st-century assets within Hillsboro’s uniquely wellpreserved historic and aesthetic envelope. ReThink9 has already brought a new, safe, town-wide drinking water distribution system, a first-ever stormwater management system and has laid the groundwork for a municipal wastewater treatment system that will address serious environmental and health issues.

2012 Design Public Hearing

2021 Roundabouts

Ready for Economic Revitalization As Hillsboro’s 18th- and19th-century prosperity was driven by the Town’s ability to serve the outlying agricultural region, so its 21st-century sustainability will be built upon its role as the hub to a renewed agricultural and tourism-based rural economy.

Mitigation of congestion, traffic-calming roundabouts, pedestrian safety and accessibility, multi-modal trails, safe parking on Hillsboro’s historic Charles Town Pike, a new visitors center and historic walking tour will beckon tourists. And with safe and abundant drinking water and a modern wastewater collection and treatment system, all underground utilities—including Town-installed and -owned conduit ready for fiber to deliver high-speed broadband—create an environment that is welcoming Mayor Vance blesses Hillsboro’s new well in June 2020, ending a entrepreneurs and right-sized businesses.

20-year boil water notice and expanding business opportunities.

For the latest project updates, visit ReThink9.com