Loudoun Now for March 2, 2023

Warm Winter Worries Winegrowers

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

In January, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s station at Dulles Airport recorded the highest average temperature for that month since at least 1962, at 42.3 degrees Fahrenheit.

This winter’s unusually warm weather has Loudoun farmers, especially winegrowers, once again worried about this year’s crops and livestock.

The weather is particularly concerning for fruit growers. If grapes or fruit trees start budding again too soon, it could leave them vulnerable to a hard freeze, still a real possibility in the months ahead.

Circuit Court Dismisses ‘Indoctrination’ Lawsuit Against Schools

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

A Circuit Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit from 11 Loudoun County Public Schools parents seeking to overturn the School Board’s policy protecting rights of transgender and gender-expansive students.

It is the second time the court has tossed out the lawsuit, which challenged

two policies for equal opportunity and gender identity protections. The court allowed the plaintiffs to file an amended motion after the first decision, which they did.

This time, Chief Judge Douglas L. Fleming Jr. dismissed with prejudice— meaning that count cannot be filed again—the amended complaint’s allegation that the school district had violated state law assuring that a parent has

“a fundamental right to make decisions concerning the upbringing, education, and care of the parent’s child.”

During oral arguments in January, attorneys for the plaintiffs repeatedly said their complaint was about the school district hiding information about children from their parents— School Board policy makes reference to a Virginia Department of Education policy outlining privacy protections

for transgender and gender-expansive students. Opponents of those protections have said they amount to schools hiding information about students’ gender from parents. But Fleming wrote the plaintiffs had not presented any evidence of that happening.

“Indeed, at oral argument, Defendants’ LAWSUIT continues on page 34

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Fabbioli Cellars owner and winemaker Doug Fabbioli shows some of his vines on Feb. 28. Unusually warm temperatures could mean the vines come out of their spring hibernation early, making them vulnerable to a late frost.

WARM WINTER continues on page 35

Georges Mill Farmer to Run for County Chair, Against Party Politics

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

Eighth-generation farmer Sam Kroiz, who with his family runs Georges Mill Farm near Lovettsville, will run as an independent candidate for Loudoun chairat-large with his new “No Party” party.

“It’s about being the total opposite of parties—an anti-party party,” he said.

Kroiz‘s No Party party handles no money, has no leader and puts nobody on the ballot under its name. It reflects the theme of his campaign overall—a frustration with and rejection of two-party politics, especially in local elections.

Kroiz said he’s not against the people in either party, and in fact hopes to appeal to them, especially if their beliefs don’t fit neatly into either side of what he called the “binary trap” of choosing between Republican and Democrat. He said political parties do not serve those people.

“If you have an opinion on something, can you make your party be for that? Because some people can, and if you can, then yeah, you shouldn’t vote for me, because you’ve got this party locked up and

you have everything lined up. You have it in the binary trap,” he said. “But if you can’t call somebody and get the party to represent what you want, then you should be on my team.”

Kroiz said he sees a different distinction

for voters than being Republican or Democrat—he said the distinction is between being loyal to a political party or not.

“I’m kind of lost, like a lot of people are. I’m politically homeless in terms of partisan politics, and a lot of times, when

people think that, it’s like, ‘oh, you’re a wishy-washy moderate.’ No, I have beliefs and principles, but the partisan sands are shifting underneath that,” he said.

And, he said, he wants to fight against the echo chambers and siloing of political beliefs he sees, both because it’s the right thing to do and to give an independent candidate a chance. With national politics creeping into local races, he said he wants to redefine the debate from “Democrat or Republican” to “in a political party or not.”

“Party affiliation should be, like, a stain on you. It should be a negative. I want people to think of party affiliation as a negative thing, and it should be, because of how corrupt they are,” he said. He said he’s hoping to recruit independent candidates for every race in Loudoun.

He said despite the name, the No Party is fundamentally positive, and he has a positive vision for Loudoun. He referenced George Washington’s 1976 Farewell Address, in which the first American president warned at length against powerful political parties.

KROIZ continues on page 34

Wasike Ruled Insane in Leesburg-area Murder

BY NORMAN K. STYER AND HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com nstyer@loudounnow.com

Circuit Court Judge James E. Plowman ruled that Melvin H. Wasike was not guilty of murder by reason of insanity in the brutal 2021 home-invasion stabbing of a Leesburg-area man.

Following two days of testimony Feb. 13-14, the bench trial reconvened Thursday for closing arguments.

During the two-day bench trial, it was undisputed that Wasike kicked in the door of Michael Fadely’s Barclay Woods home in the early morning hours of Nov. 14, 2021, and stabbed Fadely and his fiancée, Laura Munoz in the hallway outside their bedroom before fleeing. The attack lasted less than three minutes. Fadely died at the scene.

The case reconvened Feb. 23 for closing arguments and Plowman’s ruling.

At the beginning of the trial, Wasike entered an insanity plea, supported by the review of three psychologists who found he suffered from schizophrenia and was

delusional at the time of the attack.

County prosecutors focused on the fact that Wasike did not mention to investigators that he was hearing voices telling him to harm anyone before the attack and that it was only in a “selfserving” statement later that he made that claim.

Plowman said the evidence showed a worsening of Wasike’s schizophrenia over the past four years culminating in his stabbing of Fadely and Munoz. He added that all three reports from psychologists who conducted evaluations of Wasike found that he met at least one of the three possible criteria for a not guilty by reason of insanity finding. Each report agreed Wasike did not understand the consequences of his actions.

Plowman said that Wasike would be remanded to the temporary custody of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and undergo hospitalization and psychological evaluation.

The judge said he felt the mental health system had failed as Wasike’s family sought to find treatment for his

increasingly erratic behavior but repeatedly found no available mental health services.

“The most disturbing and frustrating fact to me personally … was Mr. Wasike being turned away from emergency mental health facilities,” he said.

The case began when a deputy was called to the home on Nov. 13, 2021, after a man, later identified as Wasike, had come to the victim’s house claiming to be looking for someone at the residence. Security video from Fadely’s home showed Wasike coming to the house three times that afternoon, twice to the front door and another in an apparent search to find an unlocked door around the back.

The deputy called to the scene to take a report on the suspicious behavior was still in the area when Wasike returned a fourth time. Wasike was questioned by the deputy and ordered to not trespass on the property again.

Driving a different car, Wasike returned at 4:32 a.m. the next day, kicking in the front door, running up the stairs and assaulting Fadely and Munoz. Fadely was stabbed multiple times with a large

kitchen knife and died at the scene. Munoz, who jumped on Wasike to try to stop the attack, was stabbed in her side.

A recording of the 911 call Munoz placed at the time of the attack was played during the opening day of the trial. In it was heard 90 seconds of terror and screaming as the two victims fought with their attacker.

Deputies arrested Wasike later that morning, as investigators used his cell phone information to find him parked near Reservoir Road a few miles away.

Wasike was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated malicious wounding, and breaking and entering while armed with intent to commit murder.

Investigators said there was no prior link between Wasike and the residents, and no motive for the attack.

Wasike told investigators that he heard voices and believed that Farely and Munoz were the devil and a witch who had shape-shifted to human form. Wasike said he believed he was God and needed to kill the devil to save the planet . n

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now Eighth-generation Georges Mill farmer Sam Kroiz will run this year for Loudoun County chair at-large, and against what he called the “binary trap” of party politics.

Loudoun

Board Distributes $2.5M in ARPA Money to Nonprofits

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

The Board of Supervisors on Feb. 21 approved distributing just under $2.5 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to 13 nonprofits, following an arduous process for those application process capped with controversy.

The grants come as nonprofits across the range of safety net services continue to report higher needs, and is the last batch the county’s funding from the federal program. It has also been a long time coming for the nonprofits. The Board of Supervisor’s finance committee began discussing how to divvy up the funds in January 2022.

After conversations with nonprofit leaders still facing increased demand, the board in April changed plans from funding colocation of services to funding emergency needs like hunger, domestic violence, mental health and rent assistance. From that pool, $250,000 was also set aside to fund an assessment of childcare needs in the county. The money arrived in June and applications opened in September.

Nonprofits have faced more involved applications and reporting requirements for funding than similar federally funded grants to for-profit businesses during the pandemic. The latest round of funding also comes with strings attached—non-

profits can fall under three separate sets of federal rules for reporting on how they manage and spend the money, including the federal government’s general audit rules for groups getting funding, the Social Security Act, and U.S. Treasury regulations.

The county’s application also involved a range of questions on the impact of COVID-19 on nonprofits’ clients, service population demographics, descriptions of

ARPA FUNDING

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Rizer to Lead Regional Economic Development Alliance

STAFF REPORT

Loudoun Department of Economic Development Executive Director Buddy Rizer has been named chair of the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance.

“Virginia is consistently rated among the best states in which to do business and Northern Virginia is a large driver of that success,” Rizer stated. “In fact, of all the Fortune 500 companies based in the greater D.C. area, two-thirds have chosen to locate in NOVA. A strong collaborative relationship between our individual jurisdictions makes this market attractive

to companies looking to join a thriving and diverse economic community.”

Rizer is joined by Vice Chair Patrick Small from the Manassas Department of Economic Development and Secretary/ Treasurer Christina Winn, Prince William County Department of Economic Development.

The group was born out of the 2018 effort to attract Amazon’s HQ2 to Northern Virginia. Four jurisdictions and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership partnered to pitch a regional brand to Amazon, successfully attracting one of two new Amazon headquarters buildings to Arlington. As a result of that work, in 2019 10 jurisdictions across the area joined to create the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance. It is one

of 18 regional economic development coalitions in Virginia.

“Regional collaboration integrates resources, talent, and assets to maximize economic development,” Virginia Economic Development Partnership President and CEO Jason El Koubi stated. “The NOVA EDA makes a highly marketable region even more competitive, and I look forward to the great opportunities this partnership will catalyze under Buddy Rizer’s leadership this year.”

The NOVA EDA includes economic development offices from Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax City, Fairfax County, the City of Falls Church, Fauquier County, Loudoun County, the City of Manassas, the City of Manassas Park, and Prince William County. Learn more at novaeda.org. n

Leesburg, Purcellville Job Fairs Planned

The Loudoun Workforce Resource Center is planning job fairs in Leesburg and Purcellville to feature local employers with fulltime, part-time and seasonal job openings.

Immediate job openings are available in customer service, education, finance, government, hospitality, law enforcement, leisure, non-profit, retail, staffing, transportation and waste management.

Job seekers are encouraged to attend one of the preparatory “Ready, Set, Go to the Job Fair” workshops, register in advance, and dress professionally and bring multiple copies of their resume. To sign up for a workshop, register for a job fair, and learn more visit loudoun.gov/loudounjobfair.

For more information about the Workforce Resource Center call 703-777-0150 or go to  loudoun.gov/wrc.

Mental Health, Substance Abuse Programs Offered

Loudoun County continues offering mental health education and substance abuse prevention programs in March. All programs are free, but seats are limited and registration is required, except for Rapid REVIVE!.

Adverse Childhood Experiences training is a one-hour program raising awareness of potentially traumatic events in childhood that are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness and substance use problems in adulthood. Register and learn more at loudoun.gov/ childhoodadversitytraining.

Mental Health First Aid teaches people how to recognize, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. A virtual Youth Mental Health First Aid session, for adults who interact with youth, is planned March 22. Register and learn more at loudoun.gov/mhfirstaid.

And the Commonwealth of Virginia’s REVIVE! training

ON THE AGENDA continues on page 5

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

A Loudoun Hunger Relief volunteer sorts, loads and distribute bags of food inside the nonprofit’s food pantry.

Rizer

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Dulles Airport to Get $20M for New Concourse from Infrastructure Law

STAFF REPORT

Dulles Airport will get another $20 million for its planned new 14-gate concourse from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA-10) announced Monday.

That funding, from the bill’s Airport Terminals Program, joins another $49.6 million the project already received. It would replace gates built in the 1990s at the eastern end of Concourse A, where many regional-flight passengers currently go outdoors to access their planes via the walkways and stairs. Passengers instead will be able to board their flights using jet bridges. Connected to an Aerotrain station, the new concourse will be nearly

ON THE Agenda

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teaches about opioid overdoses and naloxone for reversing overdoses. Loudoun offers both Rapid REVIVE!, a shortened six-minute version of the program, and Virtual REVIVE!. Rapid REVIVE! is available anytime. Learn more and register at loudoun.

four times larger than the current facility.

“I’m proud that our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is making this new terminal at Dulles possible to improve the ease and quality of travel for regional and commuter passengers,” Wexton stated. “From improved roads to expanded broadband to support for major local transit priorities like this, the investments that we delivered in the infrastructure law are already benefiting Virginians every day. I’ll continue working with local leaders to ensure this once-in-a-generation legislation meets the needs of every community in VA-10.”

The Airport Terminals Program provides $1 billion annually for five years for airport terminal grants. n

gov/rapidrevive or loudoun.gov/reviveespanol for training in Spanish, and learn more about REVIVE! at loudoun. gov/revive.

For more information on the prevention and intervention services offered by the Loudoun County Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services, visit loudoun.gov/mhsadsprevention. n

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JUST SHY OF ONE ACRE IN LEESBURG

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Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now People take their luggage across a crosswalk outside the famous terminal building at Washington Dulles International Airport.

ARPA funding

continued from page 4

services, evidence of their effectiveness, use of evidence-based practices, service level projections, a sustainability plan, an evaluation of partnerships with the county and other nonprofits, and a review of previous compliance reporting.

At the end of that process, county staff members produced two plans for disbursing funds, recommending one that spread the money among only eight nonprofits instead of 13. That—and discussions in the board’s finance committee about why the five nonprofits in the other plan were left out—led to outcry from some nonprofit groups.

Crossroads Jobs founder and Executive Director Carol Smith called on supervisors and the staff to correct the record from the dais Feb. 21. At the previous committee meeting, she said, county staff members “presented a narrative that the additional five nonprofits in scenario two, including Crossroads Jobs, posed a risk to the county due to their lack of capacity to perform these duties. This narrative was not supported by evidence.”

She said in a follow up meeting with county staff members, “staff emphatically

stated that Crossroads Jobs’s performance reporting was above reproach.”

“Our reputation was challenged. I respectfully urge you to ensure that a clear, unambiguous correction to the record is made during tonight’s meeting, both from the dais and in writing,” she said.

A Place to Be, which provides music and performance-based therapy, was another of the five nonprofits cut out in the staff-recommended plan.

“We are requesting that staff clarify to the public that A Place to Be has demonstrated a history of compliance with grant reporting requirements,” Executive Director Judy Hanley said. “Nonprofits rely on their reputations to provide critical safety net services to Loudoun residents.”

She pushed to spread the money further, arguing nonprofits are known for their ability to leverage funding to make money go further and attract yet more contributions.

“It is important to stress that the population we serve is disproportionately impacted by COVID-19,” she said. “A significant number of our clients have special needs. They were not in school, they were socially isolated, they were not able to fully benefit from their [Individualized Education Programs]. They have struggled immensely from the constant changes, fear, anxiety, loneliness and confusion in their lives. We

Loudoun Nonprofits Awarded ARPA Funding

have seen real setbacks for these children and young adults.”

And as has happened before when Mobile Hope was cut out of government funding recommendations, the nonprofit rallied a crowd of supporters to the boardroom— as well as putting out signs on the street in Leesburg.

“It wasn’t until I joined the board of Mobile Hope that I started to understand the importance of the integrated solution and provisioning they give these kids that allows them to move out of the programs of homelessness,” Rob Guerra said. “… If they’ll get through the programs that we require them to get through, we empower these kids to break free from the $7.25 an hour work world, and be able to get themselves either trade school training, educational training, something to help them to break free. If we don’t do that, if we don’t have the funding to do that, homelessness is not going to decrease.”

Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) pointed out the board has granted Mobile Hope more than a million dollars, including previous ARPA funding, and pointed back to the years of work to create a review process that would get supervisors—and politics—out of nonprofit grant decisions.

“You can’t get into this and play favor-

ites, and that’s the problem for me, and that’s why I have always supported staff recommendations as long as we conduct some oversight of it and it’s valid from a process standpoint,” he said. “I understand there are those who disagree with the outcome of it, but I can’t judge that, because I’m not in the room, I’m not a professional, I don’t know how to judge that. That’s why we have the process set up the way that we do.”

But the board majority broke with the staff recommendation and voted to spread the money among more nonprofits. Supervisor Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn) questioned staff ’s work.

“Because I believe the efficacy in the methodology is suspect, the only fair way to do it is to give a little bit of money to every nonprofit that qualified,” he said.

Vice Chair Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) lamented the controversy that accompanies transparency.

“It’s not fun. Plain and simple it’s not fun. I wish the public didn’t see the staff report,” he said.

After a vote to approve the staff-recommended funding plan failed, supervisors voted 7-0, Chair Phyllis J. Randall (DAt Large) and Supervisor Sylvia R. Glass (D-Ashburn) absent, to pass the broader funding plan. n

County Gears Up for Federal Infrastructure Funding

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

County staff members are working to maximize the amount of funding Loudoun gets from the $1.2 trillion federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Already they conservatively predict the bill could funnel tens of millions of dollars into local projects, bringing some of taxpayers’ federal money back home.

The bill funds more than 350 programs across more than a dozen federal agencies. Only half of the money has had funding guidance provided or been released. And, county staff members reported, about 40% of the money is up for grabs through competitive grants.

“As the IIJA rolls out throughout the nation, the federal agencies will be looking at complex projects that have really large price tags. And one of the issues that we wanted to make sure we got ahead of was that we would have multi-departmental plans that would help us maximize the organization and the structure of these applications, and also to put those plans into funding goals,” Department of Finance

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and Budget Division Manager Megan Cox told the Board of Supervisors’ finance committee on Feb. 14. “So, to be able to actually take the hard work that’s gone into the [Capital Improvement Program], gone into other board-approved plans, and ensure that we have some funding goals that are associated with those.”

She said county department heads started talking about that plan last April, putting together strategies to align applications for grants to help fund the county’s capital plans with the priorities laid out in the bill and by the Biden admin-

istration. That means a focus on fighting climate change, reducing the county’s energy and carbon impact, creating jobs with competitive salaries for American workers, economic strength, and advancing racial equity and equity in access and opportunity focused on underserved and disadvantaged communities, as well as on multimodal transportation and pedestrian access and safety.

Staff members plan a series of issue papers to help the county’s lobbyists, government liaisons, and state and federal representatives make the case for funding

Loudoun projects.

They have conservatively programmed $40 million of IIJA funding into the county’s capital budget. Winning more would free up more local funding or debt capacity.

The county has already applied for or is working toward funding on a range of projects through various grant openings, including county energy audits, transition the county fleet to zero-emission vehicles, a W&OD overpass over Sterling Boulevard, multi-modal transportation around the Silver Line, and building portions of Shellhorn Road and Northstar Boulevard. n

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

Leesburg

End to Free Downtown Parking Brings Changes

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Starting this week visitors to downtown Leesburg will find a different parking experience.

March 1 marked the end of the town’s free parking promotion that began before the holidays last November. That annual fee-waiver period was extended because of renovations in the Town Hall parking garage that reduced the number of available spaces.

While work continues in the garage, the town will reinstate fee collections starting Wednesday morning along with restricting use of spaces in the underground section to those with monthly parking permits. The first two hours of parking in the garage will be free.

Collections also will resume for onstreet parking with bigger changes in order.

While the parking meters have been covered for more than three months, in recent days they also have been replaced with signs providing instruction for using the town’s app-based parking payment system, ParkMobile. Starting this week, all on-street parking fees will be paid electronically—either through the app, a text, an online payment link—or by making a phone call. Also, the town will resume enforcement of the two-hour maximum parking limit, which is intended to ensure the spaces turnover throughout the day.

Town to Retain Scaled-back King St. Dining Program

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Leesburg will continue closing off a block of King Street to allow expanded outdoor dining starting this spring, albeit on a scaled-back, Friday-only basis.

The program began in 2020 as an effort to bolster some downtown restaurants during a time when state law limited indoor gatherings in the early months of the pandemic. The town paid for the closure of King Street between Market and Loudoun streets on Friday and Saturday evenings and allowed restaurants in that block to place tables on the sidewalks. Later, the program was expanded to include hours on Sundays, as well.

Although the restrictions on indoor restaurant seating ended in May 2021, the program continued Friday and Saturday nights during 2021 and 2022.

Those with handicapped placards or license plates may park for up to four hours. On-street parking limits and fees are enforced from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Town Public Information Officer Kara Rodriguez acknowledged that the changes may not be easy for everyone at the onset, but said the majority of people paying onstreet parking fees already have been using

the ParkMobile app.

“We have hope for as seamless as possible transition,” she said.

For those unable to pay using a phone, the town suggests using the Town Hall garage, where credit cards are accepted, or one of the free-parking lots in town, the Liberty Street lot or the Pennington lot and garage on Church Street

complex. n

FAA Plans to Close Remote Tower at Leesburg Airport

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@louduonnow.com

A notification from the Federal Aviation Administration that it plans to end the remote air traffic control tower program at Leesburg Executive Airport in June has town leaders scrambling for ways to keep the safety service going.

Since 2015, the airport has been a testing ground for a remote tower system developed by Saab Inc. that uses high-definition cameras and displays, maneuverable optical and infrared cameras, microphones, and a signal-light-gun to provide data to air traffic controllers at a remote tower center located just outside airport property on Miller Drive. Controllers used the system to direct aircraft movements and space in

the air and on the airport grounds. The remote technology is an alternative to building a brick-and-mortar air traffic control tower at the airport.

While once experimental under the control of the FAA Office of NextGen, it was deemed operationally viable in 2021, although it has not received final certification. Leesburg’s system is one of two remote towers under evaluation, with the other in Fort Collins, CO. The FAA has not certified any remote tower system for use in the National Airspace System.

Airport Manager Scott Coffman was notified of the decision to close the operation last week. On Tuesday, the town issued a statement to publicize the action and highlight efforts to work with the town’s Capitol Hill delegation to maintain

the remote tower operations. Coffman was told the FAA plans to shut down the program June 14.

“Leesburg has worked cooperatively with both the FAA and SAAB for many years as our primary focus regarding air traffic control is on safety, and ensuring that those services remain at the airport as they do today. With more than 75,000 takeoffs and landings each year, we believe air traffic control services are necessary for safe operations and growth at the Leesburg Executive Airport,” Coffman said in the statement.

Contacted Tuesday afternoon, Airport Commission Chair Dan Dunkel and representatives of the two fixed based operators at the airport said it was too soon to make comments on the situation. n

During Monday night’s Town Council work session, the town staff asked whether the program was still needed and should continue.

While the cost of staffing the full program for another year, $183,600, is included in Town Manager Kaj Dentler’s proposed budget, Deputy Director of Parks & Recreation Kate Trask provided three options for the council to consider. In addition to continuing with the Friday/Saturday night program, the staff suggested limiting the street closures just to Friday nights, which are most popular, or further limiting them to the first and third Fridays each month. During the recent Town Council planning retreat, Dentler advocated closing the streets only once a month during the First Friday celebrations, noting the pandemic-era purpose of the expanded program had passed.

Most council members on Monday said they viewed the program as an investment in downtown businesses, with some even looking for ways to expand it with more outdoor music or sidewalk sales for retail businesses. Trask cautioned that adding activities into the closed block

KING ST. DINING continues on page 9

near the courts

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Starting March 1, on-street parking in downtown Leesburg was convert to the ParkMobile payment system.

Council Looks to Accelerate Lighting for W&OD Trail, Parks

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

The Leesburg Town Council took its first dive into the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget Monday night with a review of the $415.5 million six-year Capital Improvements Program.

Under the plan, the town will spend $50 million next year on 46 projects, with the construction of the Police Station addition, a Town Shop expansion, more downtown streetlight replacements, and work at the airport among the highest-dollar items.

Of the 82 projects in the long-term plan, it was an item proposed for construction in fiscal year 2028 that got the most attention during the work session.

Council member Ara Bagdasarian raised the prospect of accelerating the schedule for a new proposal to install lighting on the W&OD Trail in the downtown area. The $2.4 million project would add 12-foot-tall streetlights along the trail between its two intersections with Catoctin Circle, a distance of about 1.2 miles. According to the project description, the goal is to provide a safe

route for evening pedestrian travel while connecting residential areas downtown.

Also, Mayor Kelly Burk asked about adding a new project to install ground-level trail lights in Raflo and Georgetown parks to improve safety. Parks and Recreation Director Rich Williams said that work is expected to cost $230,000.

A majority of council members agreed that the staff should consider those items.

While Town Manager Kaj Dentler urged council members to propose any changes to the CIP schedule as early as possible in the budget process, moving up the trail project may involve more than just juggling funding.

Director of Public Works and Capital Projects Renee Lafollette said current staffing levels would make it difficult to add anything to the department’s current workload. She told the council that she recently learned that one of the town’s three project managers would be leaving the staff and warned that recruiting new engineers is challenging in the current employment climate. With new college graduates landing six-figure salaries and

substantial signing bonuses, Lafollette said it was hard for the town to compete for that talent.

According to NOVA Parks Executive Director Paul Gilbert, several jurisdictions are considering lighting plans for the W&OD Trail in urban downtown areas, with Herndon completing that work a few years ago. Such a project would require coordination with both NOVA Parks, which owns the trail, and Dominion Energy, which holds easements for transmission lines along the route.

Gilbert said a key consideration would be to ensure the lighting project would accommodate the park authority’s plans to develop dual trails in the corridor, providing separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists.

“Looking into the future, we can see that the urban hubs along the trail will likely have separated pedestrian and cycling lanes and lighting in the downtown areas,” he said.

The Town Council’s next budget work session is scheduled for March 13, with a review of the Utility Fund and the first round of votes to make changes to Dentler’s proposal. n

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would provide more challenges for ADA compliance.

There also was support for continuing the program in some form so that the still-under-development Mainstreet organization would have the option to take it over as one of its promotional events. With support for Friday-only closings providing a significant cost savings, Dentler suggested that those funds could be earmarked for allocation to the Mainstreet nonprofit once it is up and running.

According to the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget that funds a full-scale continuation of the program, police coverage is the largest cost at $114,900. Staffing from the Parks and Recreation Department is budgeted for $25,500 with another $2,800 for the Streets Division staff.

Limiting the program to Fridays only is expected to reduce the costs to just over $31,000.

The program is expected to run each Friday from April through the fall as weather allows. n

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Education

Byard’s Motion to be Tried Outside Loudoun Denied

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

Loudoun County Public Schools Public Information Officer

Wayde Byard’s motion to change venue for his felony perjury trial was denied Feb. 23.

parties in the case because Attorney General Jason Miyares and Governor Glenn Youngkin had repeatedly called residents “victims of the alleged cover up by LCPS and the Defendant as spokesperson for the County.”

had done and calling Loudoun County residents “victims” since May 2022.

Tuscarora Teacher Awarded Grant from Wolf Trap

Justin Daniel, a performing arts teacher at Tuscarora High School, was one of eight public high school teachers in Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC, to receive one of Wolf Trap’s Grants for High School Performing Arts Teachers. Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts helps fund music, dance and theater projects in classrooms.

Byard

Loudoun County Circuit Court Judge James E. Plowman denied the motion without prejudice, ruling attorney Jennifer Leffler of LefflerPhillips’s argument for per se disqualification was not appropriate in the case.

“Per se disqualification means the prospective juror’s status alone renders that juror incapable of being fair and impartial,” according to the motion for a change in venue.

Leffler had argued that the entire jury pool of Loudoun County is interested

Math in Action at Blue Ridge Middle School

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

Eighth grade advanced math students at Blue Ridge Middle School used their math skills to create scale models of everyday objects including a white board, die earring, and street sign.

It was project-based learning for a unit in Joy Pritz’s geometry class.

Pritz, a teacher at the Purcellville school for the past eight years, said geometry lends itself to fun projects like this and allows more creativity from the students.

She said the project ideas come from the chapters in the geometry book, including about scale models. Pritz told her students to keep it simple and to find something out of a junk drawer or a random game piece.

“The kids love to do it. Their creativity

“In characterizing the citizens of Loudoun County as victims of the alleged cover-up by LCPS officials, and by indicting the Defendant for allegedly furthering that cover-up through his testimony before the special grand jury, the Governor and Attorney General have adopted and systematically publicly disseminated the theory that Loudoun County residents, as stakeholders, are interested parties to this case,” Leffler argued in the motion.

The motion contained 18 pages of evidence that included tweets from both the governor and the attorney general as well as news stories. Leffler argued in a pre-trial hearing Thursday that the Attorney General, the one prosecuting the case, set it up to not be a fair trial by constantly talking about what the school division

Plowman asked how their statements and their labeling of county residents as victims carried any legal authority and noted the tweets were public and available to everyone, not specifically to Loudoun residents.

Leffler argued she believed Loudoun residents would be more focused on what was being said about their county while residents of other counties wouldn’t be as focused. She had suggested the change to Fairfax but said she would be fine with any county.

The prosecutor from the Attorney General’s office argued the trial should be held in Loudoun and in Loudoun’s courthouse because it was a crime committed against Loudoun. He said the burden to prove the defendant couldn’t get a fair trial was on the defense and said there wasn’t

BYARD

DENIED continues on page 13

The annual program gives financial awards to support area public high school teachers “who are working to bring new and exciting performing arts experiences to their students,” according to a press release. All grantees and their students are invited to participate in a day of learning at Wolf Trap, followed by an evening performance opportunity at The Barns at Wolf Trap on April 24.

Daniel and his students will work with professional playwright Paris Crayton III to turn folktales by local staff and community members into a collection of plays that will be published and donated to local libraries as a reminder of the community’s diverse heritage.

Social Emotional Learning Day March 10

The School Board voted Feb. 28 to make March 10 Social Emotional Learning Day.

SEL is “the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions,” according to the proclamation.

is so amazing, I’ve been teaching here for eight years and every year I see something I never thought of,” she said.

She said although she told them to pick something simple, it involved more work than one would think. The project required measuring every aspect of the

object, down to the font size of any logos then scaling it up or down.

“A lot of them had family help them. They got really creative and used things

MATH IN ACTION

continues on page 13

The proclamation designates the second Friday in March as SEL Day within division schools. Schools throughout the division are invited to celebrate all week through SEL activities that support students and adults, student connections, com-

SCHOOL NOTEBOOK continues on page 12

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now Blue Ridge Middle School students Diana Leskiv, Claire O’Connor, Henry Nardiello, Dru Donohue, Ethan Burget, Quinn Hetherington and Margaret Enloe show off their geometry projects with their teacher Joy Pritz on Feb. 21.

MOTION

Odyssey of the Mind Returns to In-Person In Loudoun

STAFF REPORT

Forty-four teams from Catoctin Region 14 and 42 teams from Dulles Region 16 filled Riverside High School on Saturday for the first in-person Odyssey of the Mind tournament since COVID closed schools March 2020.

The program teaches students how to develop and use their creativity to solve problems and the teams were ready to show off their creative solutions.

“Circumstances have limited us to virtual tournaments throughout Virginia for the past three years,” Region 14/16 Director Tom Coate said. “It was wonderful to see everybody back in person! Being able to feel the sheer level of creative energy in the building once again was fantastic.”

Region 14/16 Director Sheryl Lemma agreed. “It was wonderful to hear from so many first-time participants, coaches, judges and parents about how much they enjoyed the experience, how impressed they were with the creativity they saw in the students, and how they can’t wait to come back again next year.”

Lemma said they are looking forward to building the program back up to the ro-

bust program they had in 2019-2020.

Trophies for first place and certificates for second and third place winners were handed out at the awards ceremony Saturday night.

Additionally, two special honors were given out by the Odyssey of the Mind Regional Board.

Lindsey Lesar, the school coordinator from the newly opened Elaine E. Thompson Elementary School, was given the OMer Award for her efforts to start the Odyssey of the Mind program at the school as well as find coaches, students, judges and volunteers to support 11 teams. The nomination credited Lesar for “building up this robust program” and “providing an opportunity for so many students to grow and demonstrate their creativity.” The OMer Award recognizes individuals or teams that embody the “spirit of Odyssey of the Mind.”

Lesar said she was surprised and honored by the award. “While I am incredibly grateful for the recognition of the dedication that goes into building a large Odyssey of the Mind program at a new school, the success is really attributed to our school community,” Lesar said. “I’m

extremely proud of our school.”

The Ranatra Fusca award was given to the Problem 3 team from Belmont Ridge Middle School for what the nominating judges called their “truly ‘outside the box’ solution to the ‘wall’ and ‘Trojan horse’ components required by this year’s Classics problem, The Walls of Troy.”

The Belmont Ridge Middle School team formed pre-COVID while they were students at Steuart W. Weller Elementary School and competed in virtual competitions at the State and Worlds level in 2021, according to coach Doug Cossa.

After placing first at virtual States last year and attending the in-person World

Finals at Iowa State University, Cossa said the team of now 6th graders “set out early last fall to think of the most creative story line about overcoming an obstacle.”

“They are determined to go to World Finals again—especially for the pin trading!” Cossa said.

The Ranatra Fusca award celebrates exceptional creativity or risk-taking.

Teams from each Region who placed first in their long-term Problem and grade-based Division were invited to advance to the Virginia State Competition, which will be held at Tuscarora High School on April 15.

To learn more about the Odyssey of the Mind program both locally and worldwide, go to nwvoices.org and odysseyofthemind.com. n

Loudoun County Odyssey of the Mind teams advancing to states:

REGION 14

Problem 1: Pirates and the Treasure

Division 1: Round Hill Elementary School

Division 2: Blue Ridge Middle School

Problem 2: Because iCan

Division 1: Hamilton Elementary School

Division 2: Harper Park Middle School

Problem 3: The Walls of Troy

Division 1: Cardinal Ridge Elementary School (tie)

Division 1: Lincoln Elementary School (tie)

Division 2: Harmony Middle School

Problem 4: Where’s the Structure

Division 1: John W. Tolbert Elementary School

Problem 5: The Most Dramatic Problem Ever!!!

Division 1: Francis Hazel Reid Elementary School

Division 3: Tuscarora High School

SCHOOL notebook

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munity and family engagement to promote SEL.

The board also voted to recognize the work social workers do for the school system and to proclaim March as National Professional Social Work Month.

Applications Open for the English Standards Revision Committee

The VDOE English Program is looking for nominations from superintendents to

REGION 16

Problem 1: Pirates and the Treasure

Division 1: Cedar Lane Elementary School

Division 2: Farmwell Station Middle School

Problem 2: Because iCan

Division 1: Cedar Lane Elementary School

Division 2: Farmwell Station Middle School

Problem 3: The Walls of Troy

Division 1: Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School

Division 2: Belmont Ridge Middle School

Division 3: Riverside High School

Problem 4: Where’s the Structure

Division 1: Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School

Division 2: Farmwell Station Middle School

Problem 5: The Most Dramatic Problem Ever!!!

Division 1: Dominion Trail Elementary School

Division 2: Farmwell Station Middle School

serve on the English Standards Revision Committee to review the K-12 English Standards of Learning this summer.

Nominees should be teachers, principals, administrators, content specialists, reading specialists, or other educators who have expertise in the content area and current standards. Qualified individuals who would like to serve on a committee to review the K-12 English Standards of Learning must submit an application through the web-based process, Instruction Committee Application Processing System. The application will require a professional reference and division approval. Applications are due March 10. n

Math in Action

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from around the house like random PVC pipes or wood,” she said. “They were being resourceful and creative and recycling.”

Dru Donohue, 14, chose the white board in Pritz’s class. He said after getting help from two other students to measure it, he used a smaller white board and cut it to fit the scaled down version.

Quinn Hetherington, 14, made a scaled-up version of one of her favorite earrings, a die.

She used modeling clay and measured the height and width of the square to make sure it matched. She said the hardest part was finding the right sized wire to match her real earring.

Ethan Burget, 14, made a scaled-down street sign. He said he got the idea from an old street sign his mom got that had his sister’s name on it. He pointed out he used the exact metal and font as the original sign for his very, very tiny sign.

Byard motion denied

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a single case brought up in the defense’s motion that could validate their claims because per se disqualification happens in very few instances. He argued it’s okay for potential jurors to have heard about the case—they just can’t form an opinion if they are going to be a juror.

Plowman agreed.

“It is astonishing to imagine that we can’t find an impartial jury in a community of this size,” Plowman said.

He said if lawyers find they can’t seat a jury when the time comes because potential jurors aren’t impartial, then Leffler could file another motion to change venue.

Byard has been the school division’s public information officer since 2000. On Dec. 12 indictments against Byard and former superintendent Scott Ziegler were unsealed. The special grand jury empaneled to investigate how the school division handled two on-campus sexual assaults committed by the same student issued a felony perjury indictment against Byard.

The grand jury accused Byard of lying under oath during testimony Aug. 2, 2022. If convicted, he faces a sentence of up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

Byard has been on unpaid leave since December 12. His perjury trial is set for June 20. n

He said on his first attempt, he got the spacing wrong on the letters. The second attempt, it was slightly out of proportion, which required him to make adjustments.

“I made this in two attempts. It only took me 20 minutes,” he said.

Claire O’Connor, 14, made a scaleddown cake box. She said she used the carboard from the original box and printed off scaled-down versions of the packaging.

Henry Nardiello, 14, made a scaled-up version of a blue Joy-Con, a game controller from his Nintendo Switch, out of modeling clay.

Pritz said other projects include a

scaled-up Rubik’s cube that actually works, and a Magic 8 Ball made out of cake. She said she graded the cake on the spot and then everyone got to eat it.

“My expectation is, as long as it looks ok and the math matches up, it counts,” she said.

Students can take their project home or leave it at school on display in the class or in the library.

Pritz said she still has projects from students over the past eight years in her classroom. She said she loves to do projects like the scale models because they help her students see real life applications

of math.

“I hear back from students who enjoyed geometry and appreciated the push of the class, and because of that they are doing better in their high school math course,” she said.

Asked what advice they would give to next year’s geometry students who will be undertaking the same project, Margaret Enloe, 14, said “don’t procrastinate.”

“Remember you are going for a grade, not perfection,” she added.

“Choose something easy. It takes longer than you think,” Diana Leskiv, 14, said. n

Public Safety Loudoun Jail Detainee Files $7M Lawsuit; Denied Release to Treatment Center

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@louduonnow.com

Weeks after filing a $7 million civil lawsuit against the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office, a 22-year-old Hamilton man charged in a 2020 sexual assault again was denied bond Thursday.

Richard Piland III faces two felony charges in connection with the alleged assault of an acquaintance while she was asleep in a Waterford home on July 25, 2020.

He was arrested in the case on Aug. 4, 2020.

While in the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center he frequently has been a combative and noncompliant detainee, cited numerous times for assaulting jail workers and a member of the medical staff, and has been held in solitary confinement.

SAFETY briefs

Deputy Injured in Walmart Shooting Returns to Duty

More than two years after he was seriously injured in a shooting at the Sterling Walmart, Deputy First Class Camron Gentry has returned to duty, the Sheriff ’s Office announced.

On Jan. 2, 2021, Gentry responded to the Walmart at Dulles Crossing Plaza to deal with a suspected shoplifter. While taking the suspect in custody, the suspect pulled out a gun and shot at Gentry and two security workers before fleeing the store.

Gentry was shot multiple times, spent 43 days in the hospital and underwent numerous surgeries.

“This is an incredible story of survival and bravery as DFC Gentry continues to recover from his injuries. The LCSO is proud to witness DFC Gentry return to work and to support him through his

Family members have attributed the outbursts to his refusal to take his medications, being placed on the wrong medications, or not getting needed mental health treatment during his incarceration. Piland briefly was released on $5,000 bond in April 2021 to undergo treatment at an inpatient center, first in Salem, then in Ephrata, PA. However, the staff at the Pennsylvania center removed him early from the 30-day treatment program for noncompliance, dropping him off at a Loudoun County homeless shelter. His bond was revoked and since then he has been held at the Adult Detention Center.

The civil suit, filed in Federal District Court on Feb. 2, concerns a Feb. 3, 2022, incident at the jail in which corrections officers hit him with pepper spray to make him comply with their instructions. He then was strapped to a chair and taken to a shower to wash off the spray. In the shower, he was hit with scalding hot water for 45 seconds, leaving skin burns that required treatment. Body cam footage of the incident has been released as part of

recovery process,” the agency stated in the announcement. “DFC Gentry continues to exhibit the same bravery in his recovery as he did the night he was seriously injured.”

Gentry returned to duty last week and has been assigned to the Training Division.

The assailant, Steven E. Thodos, was convicted in May on two charges of attempted capital murder of a police officer, aggravated malicious wounding, using a firearm in the commission of a felony, and grand larceny. He faces 20 years to life in prison when he is sentenced March 20.

LCSO Investigate Jewelry Heist

The Sheriff ’s Office is investigating an armed robbery Saturday night at Dulles Town Crossing in Sterling.

According to the report, deputies were called to the Dulles Eastern Plaza at approximately 9:10 p.m. Feb. 25 for a report of an armed robbery. The victims reported that they were in a parked vehicle, three people ran up, broke the windows, and removed multiple cases containing jewelry imported from India. During the robbery, one of the suspects held a knife to the throat of one of the victims. One of the victims sustained injuries described as

the case.

The lawsuit, which describes the actions as malicious and sadistic, seeks $2 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. The corrections officer, Deputy Robert Capella, and Sheriff Michael Chapman are named as defendants. The Sheriff ’s Office has denied any unlawful treatment of Piland and cited a faulty shower as contributing to the scalding. The agency has not yet filed a formal response to the lawsuit.

In Circuit Court on Feb. 23, Piland’s attorneys again sought to have him released on bond and taken to a Pennsylvania inpatient treatment center in advance of his trial, now scheduled to begin April 24.

Appearing before Judge Stephen E. Sincavage by a video feed from the jail, Piland said although he has wrestled with mental health problems for several years during which he was prescribed an assortment of medication, he believes his condition has stabilized and that he would benefit from treatment in a social setting that the hospital would provide.

minor and was treated at the scene.

The suspects fled the area in a gray or white SUV driving toward Nokes Boulevard. One of the suspects is described as a white male wearing a green ski mask, gloves, and a black hooded jacket.

Anyone who was in the area and may have seen anything is asked to contact Det. Sean McCormack at 703-777-1021. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Loudoun County Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919 or submit a tip through the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office app.

Loudoun Fire Chief, Firefighter Honored with State Awards

Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System Firefighter/EMT Meghan Gruber and Chief Keith Johnson were among the honorees from across the state to be honored at the 2022 Governor’s Fire Service Awards on Feb. 22.

Gruber was awarded “Firefighter of the Year” for her heroic actions during a house fire in which a teenager and a fellow firefighter were rescued. In March 2022, she was among the responders to a house fire in Purcellville where her quick search located a 15-year-old girl in a second-floor bedroom, and coordinated the rescue.

His attorney, Jessica McCollum, said that the treatment would provide the best chance for him to remain stable and competent to stand trial.

County prosecutors opposed the release, saying Piland’s history of violence and noncompliance presented a clear danger to the community.

If bond were denied, McCollum requested Piland be transferred to jail in another jurisdiction to avoid potential repercussions from the Loudoun jail staff following the filing of the lawsuit.

Sincavage denied the bond motion, saying that Piland’s history provided the court with no confidence that he would, even with a high level of supervision, comply with instructions and that he continued to present a danger to the community. There also was concern about whether he could be relied upon to return for trial, he said.

Sincavage said he had no objection to Piland being transferred to another jurisdiction to be held pending trial, but he would not order it. n

Gruber previously was recognized with awards including Loudoun Fire-Rescue’s Walking Heart for successful resuscitation, and outside her shifts volunteers to help train Loudoun Fire-Rescue recruits.

Johnson was awarded the Virginia Fire Chief’s Association’s Glenn A. Gaines Leadership Legacy Award, which recognizes an individual who exemplifies the ability, character, and dedication to excellence and displays leadership attributes portrayed by its namesake, a former FEMA Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator and Fairfax County fire chief.

The award recognizes a recipient for mentoring, teaching, and sharing outstanding contributions, and highlights Johnson’s contributions to the fire service in Virginia and as an outspoken advocate for the health and safety of both citizens and first responders.

The Governor’s Fire Service Awards, established in 2002, are part of the annual Virginia Fire Chiefs Association Expo and Symposium in Virginia Beach, and are facilitated by the Virginia Department of Fire Programs and the Virginia Fire Services Board. n

Gentry

Piland

Nonprofits Backpack Buddies Working to Meet Increasing Needs

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

As food costs and supply chain delays compound with high inflation, some of Loudoun’s youngest residents are impacted the most, especially on the weekends.

Backpack Buddies Foundation of Loudoun County has been helping to feed Loudoun County students since 2013.

It’s a private, grant writing, nonprofit organization that funds programs—16 across the county—that provide meals to food-insecure children on the weekend. Its partners use the grant money to buy and send that food home with students in their backpacks on Fridays.

The foundation’s mission, according to its website, is to “ensure no school-aged child goes hungry.”

It started with Daniel Hampton, a Rotary Club leader, to address the needs of children who rely on schools for most of their meals. Hampton’s efforts grew into a nonprofit that has served the county for 10 years.

Erin Lombardi, the owner of E.L. Strategic, a marketing firm that represents the nonprofit, is trying to get the word out that the foundation needs help if it’s going to continue to feed food insecure students across the county.

“Up until essentially this year, BBFL has been really proud to fully fund, without question, every grant request that has come across our plate,” Lombardi said. “This is the first year we are afraid we won’t have all the funding available.”

She said inflation and the reduction of SNAP benefits have led to a massive surge of requests from their partners—totaling $60,000 in needs in the past 30 days.

“We really need the community’s help,” she said.

There are several ways residents and businesses can pitch in. One is an ongoing fundraiser that allows people to sponsor a child for a weekend for $25, a month for $100 or an entire year for $500.

Another way is a fundraiser hosted by Belly Love Brewing in Purcellville. From 6 to 8 p.m. on March 1, the brewery will donate 10% of tap fees to one of BBFL’s partners, Purcellville-based Better a Life food pantry.

Lombardi said they are focusing on getting out into each community and planning fundraisers to benefit specific

programs “to keep the dollars in that hyper-local community.”

She said the Belly Love fundraiser is to meet a specific grant goal Better a Life has requested. In addition to the pledge from Belly Love, there will be a raffle March 1 at the brewery for a meal for eight prepared by private chef and caterer Natalie Ramos, owner of Fleur de Cuisine. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and opportunities to sponsor kids.

Lombardi hopes they can raise the $4,000 Better a Life needs, but she said they would be thrilled if they go above that.

Another fundraiser is a raffle on their Facebook page for a pair of tickets to a Washington Capitals game. Raffle entries are bought by sponsoring a child for a weekend ($25) which gets three entries, for a week ($50) and seven entries, or for a month ($100) for 15 entries. She said they are trying to raise $2,500 for a partner’s grant request.

Lombardi said the nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser is Friendsgiving, which happens every fall. In the past they have relied on that one mega-fundraiser to carry them through the year, but this year, she said, because of the influx of grant requests they need funding faster to fill those requests.

BBFL has given $1 million in grants to Loudoun County partners since 2013. It provides grants to partners who serve 78 of 96 Loudoun County Public Schools. Ninety-four cents of every donated dollar is distributed through food program grants, according to BBFl’s website. For more information, go to bbfloudoun.org n

Contributed BBFL

Shawn and Ashley Mitchell and Kirsten and Yuri Shabanowitz at the 2022 “Friendsgiving” event hosted by Backpack Buddies Foundation of Loudoun County. “Friendsgiving” is a large yearly fundraiser for the organization.

PowerHouse Tops Out on First Data Center Project

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

PowerHouse Data Centers on Friday celebrated the topping out milestone of its first Northern Virginia facility.

Located on Beaumeade Circle just blocks from the MAE-East internet hub, the two-story, 265,000-square-foot ABX-1 data center is the first of three planned by the company in Loudoun County.

Built on a 10-acre site, the ABX-1 campus will deliver 45 megawatts in six data halls, with an ability to expand to 80MW. The company also has acquired 43 acres of the former AOL campus along Pacific Boulevard where three three-story data center buildings are planned. Along Arcola Boulevard, Powerhouse has 23 acres where it plans two two-story data centers. Construction on those projects is expected to begin next year—representing a billion-dollar investment among the three projects over the next three years.

Doug Fleit, co-founder and CEO of PowerHouse’s parent company American Real Estate Partners, said the Beaumeade property is one of the most connected sites on the globe.

Speaking to the construction team at the Feb. 17 topping out celebration, Fleit said a key challenge to developing the site was bringing still more power into the heart of Data Center Alley. While a new substation was likely needed, surrendering five acres for that use was a tough sell.

However, after working with Dominion Energy a new plan was developed, creating a 300MW substation on only 1.5 acres of the ABX-1 campus—providing enough power for that project as well as three or four other data centers in the area.

In addition to touting a productive partnership with Dominion Energy, Fleit commended the work of the county government.

“They have a lot of smart, hardworking, dedicated people at the county, but it starts at the top,” he said, citing local leaders’ dedication to high quality projects and commitment to collaboration with the industry.

Loudoun County Economic Development Executive Director Buddy Rizer said that over the past 16 years, more than $50 billion has been invested in the county’s data centers. He welcomed the PowerHouse partnership into the mix.

Dulles Realtors Report Slower Sales, but January Home Price Surge

STAFF REPORT

The Dulles Area Association of Realtors released its January 2023 Loudoun County Market Indicators Report on Wednesday, showing sales activity continuing to slow but home prices trending upward amid a continued market rebalance.

“While Virginia as a whole saw its slowest January market in eight years, here in Loudoun County a record low 196 sales were recorded this past month,” 2023 DAAR President Allan Marteney stated. “And though this might seem

alarming, this rebalancing of the market can be expected following the frenzy of the past few years. For buyers, this means more negotiating power as homes sit on the market longer, while sellers can expect stability in home values.”

January saw 196 sales in Loudoun, 33% fewer than the previous January. The sharpest decrease was in the 20175 Leesburg ZIP code.

Pending sales also continued to fall, with 303 pending sales, 20% fewer than a year ago. The largest drop was in the 20148 Ashburn ZIP code, followed by 20175 and the 20165 Sterling ZIP code.

Loudoun County Economic Development Executive Director Buddy Rizer signs the topping out beam for the ABX1 data center in Ashburn during a Feb. 17, ceremony.

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

“What you do with this building is just starting, it’s the beginning of something special. It’s the creation of a new company that is enabled by the infrastructure that Loudoun County has to offer. We’re able to work together to create something that is just entirely unique,” Rizer said. “We look at what we’ve created here in Loudoun County, and some people look at it and they think, ‘well, we got a lot of that.’ Well, it’s not that we don’t have a lot of it. We have the most important assets for the future of this country. It’s just critical that we continue to build on that.”

Also joining in the topping out celebration were Loudoun Supervisors Sylvia Glass (D-Broad Run) and Kristen Umstattd (D-Leesburg).

After the ceremony, company leaders and other dignitaries signed a steel beam it was raised to the top of the building and fixed in place. n

Sales prices also decreased in 20175 and the 20132 Purcellville ZIP code. But the median sale price in Loudoun overall increased 11.6% in January compared to the year before, to $658,457. The biggest price jumps were in the 20105 Aldie ZIP code and 20176 Leesburg ZIP code.

And the number of active listings continues to grow. At the end of January, there were 324 active listings in the county, more than double the number of active listings the year prior. Listings grew 328.6% in the 20164 Sterling ZIP code and 215.4% in the 20176 Leesburg ZIP code.

See the full report and learn more about the Dulles Area Association of Realtors at dullesarea.com. n

JK Moving Selected for DoD’s SkillBridge Program

JK Moving Services was recently selected as an authorized SkillBridge Partner and welcomed its first graduate as a new employee. The Department of Defense program helps any rank service member who is exiting military life transition to new opportunities.

“We are honored to be working with SkillBridge and excited to tap into the outstanding talent of members of our Armed Forces who are leaving the service. SkillBridge connects us with officers and enlisted members that are a good match and helps them make the move to the private sector,” JK Moving President David Cox stated. “We are military-friendly and look forward to JK becoming a great career choice for even more of those who have served.”

The JK Moving SkillBridge Program gives active-duty military members who will soon transition into civilian life a chance to gain work experience through specific industry training and development. SkillBridge matches civilian opportunities to service members’ job training and work experience and permits service members to use the final 180 days of their service to train with an industry partner while continuing to receive military compensation and benefits.

The first JK SkillBridge graduate is a Navy veteran who joined the JK team after earning his commercial driver’s license. With the pilot portion of the program complete, JK Moving has already accepted six more service members into its SkillBridge program.

Employers Invited to Leesburg Job Fair

Leesburg’s Department of Economic Development will host a Career Expo for students and recent graduates on Sunday, March 26. The event will take place at Tuscarora High School from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

continues on page 17

Sam Huff Collection Goes to Auction

STAFF REPORT

More than 230 items collected by Pro Football Hall of Fame member Sam Huff will be put to auction March 10 at the Loudoun County Fairgrounds.

The Washington football great and longtime Middleburg-area resident died Nov. 13, 2021, at age 87.

His estate has hired Loudoun-based Damewood Auctioneers to sell his collection of sports memorabilia, including his Hall of Fame ring, his WVU letterman jacket from the 1950s, his collection of signed footballs, gold Pro Football Hall of Fame jackets, and personal memorabilia, letters, and mementos from the Washington Redskins, New York Giants, and West Virginia University.

“Mr. Huff’s life can be summed up with one word: excellence,” said Craig Damewood, founder of Damewood Auctioneers. “His focus in life was undeniable. At every turn in his professional career Sam Huff was committed to being excellent as a Mountaineer, a Giant, and a Redskin. He carried this commitment to his time with Marriott, and later in the Washington Redskins radio broadcast. This auction is filled with items from a charmed

BUSINESS briefs

continued from page 16

Local businesses are invited to participate by submitting a request form at leesburgva.gov/careerexpo. There is no cost to participate. Priority for limited vendor spaces will be given to businesses located within the town limits and to business sectors that offer diverse employment opportunities. Notification of acceptance will be sent by March 10.

For more information, contact Business Development and Retention Manager Melanie Scoggins at mscoggins @leesburgva.gov or 571-271-1206.

Catoctin Creek Campaign Supports Industry Diversity

During Women’s History Month in March, Catoctin Creek Distilling Co. will donate $1 to the American Craft Spirit Association’s STEPUP Foundation for every bottle sold and every cocktail posted on

Contributed Sam Huff was a third-round draft pick of the New York Giants in 1956, winning the NFL championship that year. He moved to the Washington team in 1964, playing five seasons. He finished his football career with 30 interceptions, 17 recovered fumbles and five touchdowns. Following his football career, he continued to find success as a broadcaster and horse breeder.

life well-lived.”

The auction will be held online and in-person starting at 10 a.m. March 10. The collection will be available to preview from noon to 6 p.m. March 9. For more information, go to damewoodauctioneers.com. n

Facebook or Instagram that tags @catoctincreek with the hashtag #sipforequality.

The STEPUP Foundation provides underserved and underrepresented individuals with the training, encouragement, and opportunities needed to enter the craft spirits community through a comprehensive year-long, immersive internship program.

Becky Harris, Catoctin Creek’s co-founder and chief distiller, said she understands the challenges craft distillers, especially women, face every day to make their presence known, and as an ACSA board member seeks to increase diversity and provide more opportunities in the industry.

This donation program is estimated to cover the cost of STEPUP interns to attend the American Craft Spirits Association Conference in 2024, which will help women and underrepresented individuals discover more job opportunities in the spirits industry. n

Town Council Approves Commuter Lot

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

The Purcellville Town Council approved the county’s plans for a long-debated commuter park-and-ride lot Tuesday night.

While action was required that night to meet a deadline for the county government to retain state funding for the project, little of the debate council’s 1.5hour debate dealt with the 250-space parking lot.

Instead, members were concerned

Purcellville Launches Town Manager Search

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

Following the Purcellville Town Council vote to terminate Town Manager David Mekarski and appoint John Anzivino as interim manager earlier this month, the town now has a recruitment plan and schedule in place to fill the post.

The goal is to have the town

Davis Proposes $6.5M Budget in Middleburg

about the design of a planned new access road to the Woodgrove High School campus. That road was included in applications for the nearby Fields Farm sports complex. However, the county this month withdrew those plans after years of delay in the review process and continuing objections from member of the council and Planning Commission. Instead, the Board of Supervisors plans to purchase 143 acres just outside town limits potentially to accommodate those uses.

With the withdrawal of the park plans, an effort to change the alignment of the

government’s next leader in place by mid-June.

During Tuesday’s council meeting, Anzivino outlined his proposed plan to find a replacement. The process begins with one-on-one phone interviews with council members over the first two weeks of March to develop a profile of the ideal candidate. The next step would be to post the job through a variety of recruitment sites and receive applications. The schedule allows a month for this step. From mid-April to late April, the staff will review the submitted applications and conduct background checks before recommending a final pool of five to seven applicants to the council. The council will then conduct interviews beginning in May and select a top choice by late May, which will be followed by

already approved school access road to move it away from homes in the Mayfair neighborhood and add buffering also came off the table, although County Administrator Tim Hemstreet wrote to the town that negotiations on that issue could continue. That pledge was made a condition of the commuter lot approval.

Mayor Stanley J. Milan voted against the parking lot application, saying he had little confidence that the Hemstreet or the

COMMUTER LOT continues on page 19

contract negotiations. The plan indicates that by mid-to late-June the town should have a new town manager.

Anzivino warned that the town may have a difficult time hiring a candidate.

“I want you to be aware the town faces a highly competitive market for candidates and may be challenged to find a suitable candidate in your initial efforts. Hopefully, that will not occur, but we all should be aware of that potential,” he wrote in his report to the council.

The search also may be complicated by Anzivino’s short-term commitment to serve in the interim position. He plans to leave at the end of May, but offered to continue to help the council through the final steps of the search, as he has for many other communities as a municipal government consultant. n

Lovettsville Council Adopts New Ethics Code

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

The Lovettsville Town Council on Thursday adopted a new Standards of Conduct and Ethics for Town Government.

The document is similar to the previous Standards of Ethics, which was adopted Jan. 9, 2020, and outlined 14 specific standards required of elected and appointed officials.

The new document, drafted by council member Brandon Davis and contributed to by other members of the council, added more organization to the document including a statement purpose and scope.

It states its purpose as, “to uphold trust in government and provide assurance for constituents that the Lovettsville Town

Government is committed to transparent and fair dealings, as well as comity.”

It states the scope of the standards applies to all council members, commission members, committee members, the vice mayor and mayor and outlines three categories of impact: execution of duties, transparency and fair dealing and dignity of the office.

Some of the specific expectations listed include executing their oath in good faith on behalf of the town, ensuring financial resources be used only for the furtherance of town business, regular attendance of meetings, compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, avoiding the formation of relationships that would have the appearance of improper influence, respecting confidential information and ab-

stention of behavior that would call into question or tarnish the reputation of the town.

The document also specifies that council members who miss three consecutive meetings or four meetings over two months without good cause and members who fail to attend six consecutive obligatory meetings without good cause shall both, “be considered to have abdicated their duties,” and, “be subject to censure [and] stripped of committee assignments.” Members who fail to attend three or four consecutive meetings shall also agree to forfeit any entitlements or stipends for the quarter in which the absences occurred.

The motion to adopt the document carried 5-0 with one vacancy on the council. n

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Middleburg Town Manager Danny Davis on Thursday presented his proposed fiscal year 2024 town budget, seeking a 12.2% increase in the General Fund and a 6.4% increase in the Utility Fund.

In total, the budget increases by $633,640—10.8%—to $6,494,533.

The Town Council is proposing a reduced real estate tax rate this year in the face of increasing assessments, but expects significant increases in revenue from its meals and hotel taxes—which comprise 56% of all General Fund income— as well as investment earnings, for a $542,800 bump in the General Fund.

Davis is recommending a 4% cost of living adjustment for employees along with an average 2% in performance-based raises. The largest increase in the $5 million General Fund will be in debt service and capital projects, a line item slated to grow from $270,000 to $495,000, largely attributable to the $10.5 million Town Hall project.

Increases in Utility Fund revenue are attributed to a proposed 3% rate increase, as well as a rebound in the water consumption rates that had been in the decline in recent years, and construction of new homes. The proposed $1.5 million Utility Fund budget is a $91,000 increase over the current year.

Among the new initiatives in the budget are adding more community events. The town is planning to take over operations for the annual Independence Day activities, to add a Founders Day or Middleburg Day event in March 2024 and to bring back the Wellness Fair that previously was organize by the town’s Sustainability Committee. Davis said the focus will be on building community-level events “that are less about bringing visitors in from the outside and more about bringing our community together.”

Also, Davis earmarked $1 million to support the renovation of MIDDLEBURG BUDGET

continues on page 19

Anzivino

Middleburg budget

continued from page 18

the town’s historic Asbury Church property pending the results of an ongoing needs assessment.

One area of focus targeted by the council during Davis’ presentation was the town’s utility rates. Mayor Bridge Littleton raised the issue, noting the town’s rates are the highest among Loudoun’s other utility providers and requested a more detailed review of those charges.

The council plans its first budget work session during its March 9 meeting, with additional sessions planned March 23, April 13, April 27 and May 11, and a final vote expected May 25. Also scheduled are a March 23 public hearing on the real estate tax rate and a May 11 public hearing on the budget and utility rate increases.

The proposed budget may be viewed on the town website. n

Commuter lot

continued from page 18

county would follow through.

“I was prepared to say ‘yes’ thumbs up,” he said, charging that the county had by “sleight of hand” reverted to the original plans for the road.

He also denied characterizations that the town had delayed the review or obstructed the park plans. “I feel like the town is being coerced to be the bad guy,” he said.

The council approved the county’s park-and-ride applications with 12 conditions, outlining specific design preferences such as landscape buffering, light pole height limitations and well-marked pedestrian paths. The conditions also include a memorandum of understanding that allows for the use of the lot to be used by the town for public events.

The final mitigating condition states, “The county will discuss a reasonable alignment and buffer of the Fields Farm Park Road and the school access road with the town staff to come to a mutually agreeable alignment, along with a reasonable level of landscape buffering from the residential community along with the possible connection to Mayfair for emergency and public use similar to that previously provided to the town council.”

The council approved the commuter lot 5-2. Council member Mary F. “Boo” Bennett joined Milan in opposing the application. n

February 20, 1955 – February 13, 2023

Olga Elizabeth Penney Garber of Leesburg, VA died from cancer and went to be with her Lord on February 13th at the age of 67.

Olga was born February 20th in 1955 in Washington, D.C. to Walter Francis and Leonie Snatager Penney. Her father Walter was a cryptanalyst during WWII, a brilliant mathematician who spoke seven languages and passed on to his children his passion for puzzles, chess, and correct grammar. Her mother Leonie was a Holocaust survivor who was the first woman in all of Holland to graduate with a Master’s Degree in Economics, and who came to America after the War to build a new life. Walter and Leonie married in 1951, and the family moved to Greenbelt, MD in 1957, where Olga and her brothers spent their childhood and teen years. The Penney family traveled to Leonie’s native Netherlands several times throughout these years. Olga graduated from Parkdale High School in 1971; from UMD with her B.S. in General Sciences in 1975; and earned her Master’s Degree in Computer Science in 1977.

When Olga was 18, she went through hard times that caused her to contemplate suicide; however, she felt a strong impression that before she took her own life, she should read the Bible. So she did—and she started in First Kings, just to be different. Her readings led her to meet and fall in love with Jesus, with Whom she walked for the next fifty years of her life. She maintained a passionate love for God’s Word throughout these decades, memorizing many verses, passages, and books, and even taking three years to copy the entire Bible out by hand. (She figured if it was good enough for the kings of ancient Israel, it was good enough for her!)

Obituaries

Upon graduating college, Olga spent the summer of 1977 in Oregon, where she met Jonathan Lee Garber. They met in May, were engaged in September, and married in October. They spent their first years of married life in Dallas, OR before moving with daughters Leah and Mary Rose to Corvallis, OR in 1983. The family relocated to Egypt for 18 months in 1984; while there, they had the opportunity to travel to Israel, Cyprus, Greece, and several countries in Western Europe.

In 1991, the family moved to a farm in Philomath, OR, with the family now including sons Jonathan and Benjamin. During these years, Olga enjoyed walking the windswept hills, biking, swimming, planting trees, gardening, and raising various animals. With additional sons Joseph, David, and Thomas, the Garbers moved to Leesburg, VA in 1998, where Jon and Olga lived until moving in with daughter Rose in 2023. From the mid-1980s until Thomas’ high school graduation in 2015, Olga faithfully and rigorously home educated all seven of her children. She also enjoyed reading to and walking with her grandchildren.

Throughout her married life, Olga did her best to stretch Jon’s income by leading her family to live frugally. She then funneled the savings into numerous family trips, from domestic travels to visit family on the east and west coasts (before and after the 1998 move) to cruises with destinations ranging from Alaska to the Bahamas to Bermuda. Olga also visited Ghana, Mexico, and Peru while Leah, Benjamin, and Rose lived in those countries in 2009, 2015, and 2019 respectively. She also joined a team from her church that went to Romania in 2016.

Olga’s generous heart was reflected in her many acts of ministry and service, including teaching ESL, collecting food for several food pantries, and distributing supplies to needy communities, for many years.

Olga is survived by Jon, her husband of 45 years, and their children Leah Garber; Rose (Michael) Focht; Jonathan Garber Jr.; Benjamin Garber; Joseph Garber; David Garber; Thomas Garber; seven grandchildren; brother Bernard (Julie) Penney; and eleven nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her parents and her older brother Walter.

In the last six weeks of her life, Olga was visited by over 80 friends and family members, a testimony to the depth and

breadth of the impact she had through her consistent ministry of encouragement. Many have shared how a kind spoken, typed, or written word from Olga comforted or cheered them, and how blessed they were to see the evident love Olga had for all around her.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at Chantilly Bible Church in Chantilly, VA at 2:00 on March 4th, 2023. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to Romania Reborn (www. romania-reborn.org), an orphan care mission that was very dear to her heart.

Gregory Lee Stowers

Gregory Lee Stowers, 66, originally of Loudoun County, VA passed away January 27, 2023. Born March 4, 1956, he was the son of the late Claude Swanson Stowers, Sr. and the late Ellen Kirkpatrick “Granny” Stowers. He was a 1974 graduate of Loudoun Valley High School. Greg grew up on a dairy farm in Waterford and was involved in 4-H from a young age. He was a skilled carpenter, employed by Elmore Construction Company for many years, later working in the Richmond area for Design Line Remodelers and Deep Run Renovations. Greg is survived by a daughter, sister Carol McComb of Purcellville, brother Joseph Stowers (Candy) of Christiansburg, several nieces and nephews. Greg was preceded in death by his brothers Claude Swanson Stowers, Jr. and John Aldridge Stowers.

Please join the family for a memorial service at 11am on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at the New Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 12942 Lutheran Church Road, Lovettsville, VA 20180.

Online condolences may be left for the family at https://sheridanfuneralhomeva. com/FuneralsandObituaries/gregory-leestowers/

Olga Elizabeth Penney Garber

LoCo Living

Spreading Love Through Food

Anna Sudha Community Kitchens Opens Dulles Storefront

BY JAN MERCKER jmercker@loudounnow.com

During the most challenging months of the pandemic, Loudouners from all walks of life found ways to support their neighbors. For Sterling resident Nupur Agarwal and her team of volunteers, food is an expression of community care.

After serving more than 2,000 free meals in its first year, Anna Sudha Community Kitchens, launched in Agarwal’s home in 2021, opened a storefront in Dulles Town Center in January.

“We envision a community where good-quality, nutritious, home-cooked food is accessible. We believe it will strengthen our feelings of community, bonds and hope as food brings us all together,” said Lopa Shah, a volunteer and spokesperson for the nonprofit.

The nonprofit has a three-pronged approach to serving the community. Volunteers offer pay-what-you-can vegetarian takeout meals at the new Dulles Town Center location Monday

THINGS to do

LOCO LIVE

Live Music: Kelley Jeanne

Friday, March 3, 5 p.m.

Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights

Details: facebook.com/harpersferrybrewing

Kelley Jeanne brings “glitter and grit” with a combination of classical techniques and a bluesy vibe.

Live Music: Chris Bowen

Friday, March 3, 6 p.m.

Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950

Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville

Details: flyingacefarm.com

Kick back with great tunes from Western Loudoun singer/songwriter and one-man band Chris Bowen of the Bone Show.

Live Music: Frayed Knots

Friday, March 3, 6 p.m.

Schmidt’s BBQ, 14 Loudoun St. SE, Leesburg

Details: facebook.com/schmidtsbbq

Local favorites The Frayed Knots shake things up with their uniquely interpreted and arranged rock repertoire and some new tunes.

Live Music: Dave Mininberg

Friday, March 3, 7 p.m.

Belly Love Brewing Company, 725 E. Main St., Purcellville.

Details: bellylovebrewing.com

Well known for his work with the band 7th Son of WV, Mininberg brings a blend of originals, classic rock, blues and country.

Live Music: The Bill Pappas Project

Friday, March 3, 7 p.m.

MacDowell Brew Kitchen, 202 South St. SE, Leesburg

Details: macsbeach.com

through Thursday. Anna Sudha also offers meal delivery service with six Northern Virginia pickup locations and a growing catering business. The nonprofit attracts clients from all income levels with fresh takeout meals, meal delivery and catering, allowing marketpriced clients to subsidize charitable efforts. The organization provides both meals and financial donations to local and international charities. In its first year, Anna Sudha raised $11,000 for community giving initiatives and distributed more than 2,000 free meals, while supporting nonprofits including Mobile Hope, Loudoun Literacy Council, Embry Rucker Shelter in Reston, and Carpenter Shelter in Alexandria.

Agarwal, Shah and many of the kitchen’s volunteers have roots or family connections in India, and the organization also supports charities in India, including the Sphoorti Foundation serving underprivileged and orphaned children, the Lotus Petal Foundation which focuses on education and nutrition

and the Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development which focuses on empowering women in rural communities through microfinancing and other initiatives.

“We feel that, as a community, we need to give back home,” Shah said. “One always hopes at the end that folks turn around and give back–whether it’s back to your roots or the roots you have here. … There’s a lot of giving and a lot of goodwill.”

The project started in Agarwal’s Sterling kitchen in August 2021 as the pandemic inspired her to offer fresh prepared meals to people in need.

“I wanted to dedicate my life to serving people,” Agarwal said.

Agarwal and her core group of volunteers wanted to go beyond pantry items with fresh prepared foods.

“We found that there was food available, but it was shelf-stable. We figured that there was a need: people are laid off and

SUDHA KITCHEN continues on page 22

The Bill Pappas Project brings a high-energy fusion of blues, rock, funk and jazz, taking audiences on a musical road trip from Texas to Chicago and beyond.

Live Music: Cash Unchained

Johnny Cash Experience

Friday, March 3, 8 p.m.

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

Details: tallyhotheater.com

Celebrate the life and music of the Man in Black, from the early days at Sun Records to the later years with the American Recordings. Tickets are $15.

Live Music: Ginada Pinata

Friday, March 3, 8 p.m.

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

Details: monksq.com

Shepherdstown-based Ginada Pinata taps the influences of jazz, funk, rock, fusion, trance and drum and bass and blends them to create an organic vibe.

Live Music: Beltway Rockers

Friday, March 3, 8 p.m.

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg

Details: spankyspub.com

This high-energy group serves up classic rock tunes that will keep you dancing all night.

THINGS TO DO continues on page 21

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

From left, nonprofit spokesperson Lopa Shah and founder Nupur Agarwal gather with the volunteer team at Anna Sudha Community Kitchens’ new space in the Dulles Town Center mall.

Friday, March 3, 7 p.m. MacDowell’s macsbeach.com

THINGS to do

continued from page 20

Live Music: Tommy Gann

Saturday, March 4, 1 p.m.

Creek’s Edge Winery, 41255 Annas Lane, Lovettsville

Details: creeksedgewinery.com

Drawing on influences from soulful rock to contemporary pop, Gann’s songwriting offers depth, wit and stimulating melodies.

Live Music: Acoustic Soul

Saturday, March 4, 2 p.m.

The Barns At Hamilton Station, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton

Details: thebarnsathamiltonstation.com

Acoustic Soul’s Steven Shaffer and Bruce Turner are a guitar and vocals duo who pay tribute to legendary classic rock, blues, R&B and American roots artists.

Live Music: Summer and Eric

Saturday, March 4, 5 p.m.

Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg

Details: lostbarrel.com

This DMV duo plays a fun, eclectic and unexpected mix of music from the past and present, as well as original tunes.

Live Music: Berlin Calling

Saturday, March 4, 7 p.m.

MacDowell Brew Kitchen, 202 South St. SE, Leesburg

Details: macsbeach.com

It’s a rocking evening of ’80s favorites from Berlin Calling.

Live Music: Higher Education

Saturday, March 4, 7 p.m.

Crooked Run Fermentation, 22455 Davis Drive #120, Sterling

Details: crookedrunbrewing.com

This Maryland-based trio crafts a unique blend of psychedelia-soaked roots and raw, riotous rock ‘n’ roll.

Live Music: No Laughing Matter

Saturday, March 4, 8 p.m.

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg

Details: spankyspub.com

Regional favorite NLM is back at Spanky’s with an evening of fun covers.

Live Music: Low Water Bridge

Saturday, March 4, 8 p.m.

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

Details: monksq.com

Low Water Bridge returns to Monk’s with bluegrass and country from the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Live Music: Gary Smallwood

Sunday, March 5, 2 p.m.

BEST BETS

Friday, March 3, 8 p.m. Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville

Details: flyingacefarm.com

Celebrate Sunday with Gary Smallwood’s locally famous classic rock, country rock and blues.

Live Music: Every Avenue

Thursday, March 9, 8 p.m.

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

Details: tallyhotheater.com

The beloved pop-punk band hits Leesburg as part of their “A Light in the Dark” tour. Makeout and Unwell

Presents Zlatomir Fung, Cello

Join

Sunday, March 12th, 4 PM

Waterford Old School 40222 Loudoun St., Waterford, VA

Tickets: $40 adult, $20 student

Seating is limited: book early!

Major credit cards accepted

For Tickets & Info, visit www.waterfordconcertseries.org

Sunday, March 5, 2 p.m. Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery flyingacefarm.com

open. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $50 for VIP seats.

LOCO CULTURE

Author Talk: Michael and Kelly Lang

Thursday, March 2, 7-8 p.m.

Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road NW, Leesburg

Details: library.loudoun.gov

Leesburg authors Michael and Kelly Lang discuss their book “The Miracle Child: Traumatic Brain Injury and Me,” which covers the tragic car accident that fractured their lives while revealing the power of

persistence, faith, acceptance and commitment to family.

‘A Raisin in the Sun’

Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 5, 2 p.m.

Seneca Ridge Middle School, 98 Seneca Ridge Drive, Sterling

Details: sterlingplaymakers.org

The Sterling Playmakers take on Lorraine Hansberry’s iconic play about a Black family in the 1950s on Chicago’s South Side. Tickets are $18.

THINGS TO DO continues on page 22

THE BILL PAPPAS PROJECT

CASH UNCHAINED JOHNNY CASH EXPERIENCE

GARY SMALLWOOD

Why I

LO VE Loudoun

For Women’s History Month we connected with Donna Fortier, who founded Mobile Hope in 2011, a Loudoun based nonprofit that helps at-risk, precariously housed or homeless youth in the county, empowering them to become self-sufficient. In September 2022, the organization opened the charity “couture” thrift store Graffiti & Silk in Purcellville.

Favorite place to eat in Loudoun

Where to start? Mama Lucci’s in Leesburg if you’re in the mood for Italian or Greek, Ford’s Fish Shack for seafood, My Deli & Café in Purcellville for great sandwiches and the new Pupatella in Leesburg. I also love the wonderful Rescue BBQ and BKD bagels.

Favorite place for a craft beverage

I’m a nerd so I rarely go out because of my busy work week, but I like the atmosphere at Lost Rhino Brewing and Bluemont Vineyard has great views.

our December Christmas Village where our campus is transformed into a Winter Wonderland, and we distribute thousands of presents wrapped by our volunteers to give to deserving kids.

How did Graffiti & Silk come about?

It was the creation of my colleagues Amy and Allyson. Nonprofits are always trying to raise money—what better way than to provide a great shopping experience and a safe place for our kids in crisis to go lend a hand and learn a skill.

What sets it apart from other thrift/vintage stores?

The community events and activities. From our kids creating their own designer items to talks by famous authors to dog fashion shows, there’s always something fun and different going on.

THINGS to do

continued from page 21

Spring Bling Fine Arts and Crafts Show

Saturday, March 4, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Ida Lee Recreation Center, 60 Ida Lee Drive NW, Leesburg

Details: leesburgva.gov

Shop for unique handcrafted gifts for Easter, Mother’s Day and graduations. Admission is free.

MSVA: Sing Her Song

Saturday, March 4, 4 p.m., St. James’ Episcopal Church, 14 Cornwall Street, Leesburg and Sunday, March 5, 4 p.m., Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1090 Sterling Road, Herndon

Details: msva.org

The Master Singers of Virginia celebrate the choral repertoire of contemporary women composers, including Caroline Shaw’s “And the Swallow” and Elaine Hagenberg’s majestic “Alleluia.”  The second half of the program features several MSVA favorites, including an arrangement of Sting’s beloved “Fields of Gold.” Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for students.

Donna Fortier CEO/Founder, Mobile Hope

BY VISIT LOUDOUN

Sudha kitchen

continued from page 20

can’t afford to go and buy fresh produce,” Shah said. “We know Indian cooking and we obviously wanted to do something and do it well, so we started with Indian food. … The idea was to make it accessible and available to everybody, so the price point has always been low.”

As Anna Sudha grew, organizers first moved to the shared commercial space at Frontier Kitchen in Chantilly. But Agarwal and her volunteers dreamed of their own storefront. When the former Cookol-

Best secret place/hidden gem Graffiti and Silk in Purcellville and SimplyBe Coffee in Leesburg.

A must-see place for an out-of-town visitor

Driving Loudoun’s back roads. From busy towns to horses running in fields to vineyards and breweries, the county has everything for those who like the great outdoors. Oh, and our soonto-open Graffiti & Silk Leesburg, on our Leesburg campus.

Favorite event in Loudoun

Leesburg’s Halloween Parade. Our Mobile Hope kids decorate our float and hand out candy to all the people lining the streets. My other favorite is

ogy space at Dulles Town Center became available in early 2023, they jumped at the opportunity.

“We said we can do bigger things, better things, more organized things in a bigger space,” Shah said.

With more than 300 volunteers, the nonprofit runs as a collective. No one has job titles and founder Agarwal intentionally keeps a low profile.

“All our roles are as important as a CEO or as a founder. You take away one of us and things won’t work. We want everybody to be able to feel pride and commitment and take credit for everything that

How should people in Loudoun commemorate Women’s History Month?

Recognize all that women do. I run a company that has a staff of 90% women. It’s heartwarming to see our strong young girls in crisis working to become empowered when they are surrounded by the strong, independent women. While we have a lot of male involvement (and some on staff), never underestimate the power of women, especially when they have a passion for something. n

Visit Loudoun strives to bring tourists to the county, but locals can be tourists too.  In this series we ask Loudoun residents to tell us about the joys, secrets and delights of their own backyard. Discover something new and share your local adventure with Visit Loudoun using #loveloudoun

we do. We are a team and not an individual,” Shah said.

Shah says foot traffic has taken off since the kitchen’s move to the mall space, allowing it to expand its reach and provide more opportunities to other nonprofits.

Anna Sudha is working with Loudoun Youth Inc. to host a bake sale Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 5.

For Agarwal, the availability of a new, higher-traffic storefront was perfect timing for the nonprofit’s next steps.

”The whole story is sort of divine,” she said, adding that the nonprofit’s name combines Hindi words for

‘Legends and Bridge’

Saturday, March 4, 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 5, 2 p.m.

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

Details: stagecoachtc.com

C. Stephen Foster’s campy comedy imagines Bette Davis, Joan Crawford and Judy Garland sharing a New York apartment in their retirement years, plotting a comeback and fighting for top diva status. Tickets are $28 for in-person seats, $25 for a livestream. Performances run weekends through March 26.

Lift Every Voice Choir Festival Sunday, March 5, 4 p.m. Leesburg Community Church, 835 Lee Avenue SW, Leesburg

Details: loudounchorale.org

The Loudoun Chorale presents an afternoon of uplifting choral music featuring diverse groups from across Loudoun. Admission is free. Donations benefit Loudoun Hunger Relief and Mobile Hope.

food and nectar.

“It’s the nectar of love,” Agarwal said. “Our mission is providing love through food.”

Anna Sudha Community Kitchens offers pay what you can takeout meals Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its Dulles Town Center storefront at 21100 Dulles Town Circle, Suite 190. For more information or to place a meal delivery or catering order, go to anna-sudha.org. The Loudoun Youth Inc. bake sale takes place Saturday, March 4 and Sunday March 5 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Dulles location. n

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

Summer Internship

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

Construction Project Manager/Project Engineer

Meridien Group, LLC is seeking a motivated, qualified individual to handle all aspects of construction project management. Duties include Preparing, scheduling, coordinating and monitoring the assigned projects. Monitoring compliance to applicable codes, practices, QA/QC policies, performance standards and specifications.

Interacting daily with the clients to interpret their needs and requirements and representing them in the field.

We are looking for an accountable project engineer/project manager to be responsible for all engineering and technical disciplines that projects involve. You will schedule, plan, forecast, resource and manage all the technical activities aiming at assuring project accuracy and quality from conception to completion.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Engineering/Construction Management or relevant field

• Prior federal government project experience is preferred, but not required

• Entry-level/mid-level Position

Contact Info:

Katherine Hicks

208 South King Street Suite 303 Leesburg, VA 20175

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

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 15, 2023, in order to consider:

ESTABLISHMENT OF TEMPORARY POLLING PLACES

(To be Effective for the June 20, 2023, Primary Election)

Pursuant to Virginia Code §§15.2-1427 and 24.2-305 et seq., the Board of Supervisors gives notice of intent to propose for passage an ordinance providing for temporary polling places during the June 20, 2023, primary election. The purpose of the ordinance is to provide for temporary polling places for use in three precincts during the June 20, 2023, primary election.

The proposed ordinance is described below, by reference to the affected election precincts.

In the Algonkian District:

1. Due to construction/renovation at the Algonkian Elementary School, the polling place for the Algonkian precinct will be moved from the Algonkian Elementary School located at 20196 Carter Court, Sterling, VA 20165 to River Bend Middle School located at 46240 Algonkian Parkway, Sterling, VA 20165 for the June 20, 2023, Primary Election only.

2. Due to construction/renovation at the Potomac Falls High School, the polling place for the Potomac Falls precinct will be moved from the Potomac Falls High School located at 46400 Algonkian Parkway, Sterling, VA 20165 to the River Bend Middle School located at 46240 Algonkian Parkway, Sterling, VA 20165 for the June 20, 2023, Primary Election only.

In the Leesburg District:

1. Due to construction/renovation at the Cool Spring Elementary School, the polling place for the Cool Spring precinct will be moved from the Cool Spring Elementary School located at 501 Tavistock Drive, SE, Leesburg, VA 20165 to the Loudoun County Office of Elections located at 750 Miller Drive, SE, Suite C, Leesburg, VA 20175.

A complete copy of the full text of the above referenced ordinance and maps showing precinct boundaries and polling places are on file and available for inspection at the Office of the County Administrator, 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”). In addition, this information is available for inspection at the Loudoun County’s Office of Elections website at www.loudoun.gov/vote

PROPOSED CONVEYANCE OF COUNTY PROPERTY Grant of Easement to Loudoun County Sanitation Authority 23862 Evergreen Mills Road

Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-1800 et seq., the Board of Supervisors shall consider granting a 15 foot wide easement and right of way to Loudoun County Sanitation Authority d.b.a Loudoun Water through and across a portion of County property known as the Bernie Hanson Park for the purpose of installing, laying, constructing, operating, repairing, altering and/or maintaining an underground public water utility for the transmission of public water. Said easement will service the planned residential development known as Parkside Village. The subject property is located on the east side of Evergreen Mills Road (Route 621) and north of Founders Drive (Route 2315) in Ashburn, Virginia, in the Blue Ridge Election District The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 201-37-3570.

Copies of the draft deed of easement and plat showing the location of the above-listed conveyance, and associated documents, are available for review 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 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”)

PROPOSED REPEAL OF CHAPTER 825, COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ASSESSED CLEAN ENERGY (C-PACE) FINANCING PROGRAM, AND ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW CHAPTER 826 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF LOUDOUN COUNTY

New Chapter 826

Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (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 repeal the existing Chapter 825, Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Financing Program, of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County and propose for passage an ordinance to establish a new chapter of the Codified Ordinances, Chapter 826, “Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Program.” The purpose of the proposed repeal and replacement of the C-PACE

ordinance is to allow the County to participate in the Virginia Statewide C-PACE Program pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-958.3.H.

Full and complete copies of the full text of the above-referenced proposed amendments are available and may be examined at the Office of the County Administrator, 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 THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF LOUDOUN COUNTY

Chapter 648. Nuisances

Pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 15.2-1427 and 15.2-958, the Board of Supervisors gives notice of its intention to amend Chapter 648, Nuisances, of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County. The purpose of this amendment is to provide the County with the ability and direct authority to remove, repair or secure any building, wall, or any other structure that might endanger the public health or safety of other residents of such locality.

The proposed amendments to Chapter 648 will be effective upon adoption by the Board of Supervisors.

A complete copy of the full text of the above-referenced proposed amendments are available and may be examined at the Office of the County Administrator, 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”).

SPEX-2022-0026 & ZMOD-2022-0035

ENCOMPASS HEALTH EXPANSION

(Special Exception & Zoning Ordinance Modification)

Encompass Health Corporation of Birmingham, Alabama, has submitted an application for a Special Exception to expand a Medical Facility use in the PD-IP (Planning Development-Industrial Park) zoning district. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed use is listed as a Special Exception use under Section 4-504(D). The applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance modification(s):

ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION

§5-1102(F), Adjustments to Parking Requirements

PROPOSED MODIFICATION

To permit a parking reduction due to the nature of the facility

The subject property is located within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, between the Ldn 60-65, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60 aircraft noise contours. The subject property is approximately 9.16 acres in size and is located on the north side of Millstream Drive (Route 2626), and west of Stone Springs Boulevard (Route 2625), at 24430 Millstream Drive, Stone Ridge, VA 20105, in the Dulles Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 247-20-1488. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Mixed Use Place Type)), which designate this area for Residential, Commercial, Entertainment, Cultural, and Recreational uses at a recommended Floor Area Ration (FAR) of up to 1.0.

ZMAP-2021-0022, ZMOD-2021-0086, ZMOD-2021-0087, ZMOD-2022-0042

ZMOD-2022-0043 & ZMOD-2022-0044

UNIVERSITY CENTER LAKEVIEW (Zoning Map Amendment & Zoning Modifications in the Rt. 28 Tax District)

LAKEVIEW 1 LC, of Fairfax, Virginia, has submitted an application to rezone approximately 21.55 acres from PD-RDP (Planned Development – Research and Development Park) zoning district under the 1972 Zoning Ordinance to the R-24 (Townhouse/Multifamily) zoning district under Affordable Dwelling Unit regulations of the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop 597 multifamily dwelling units at 27.7 dwelling units per acre. The applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance modification(s):

ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS

§3-702(A), R-24 Multifamily Residential, Size and Location.

To allow access to lots created after rezoning to be provided by private roads.

Legal Notices

ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS

§3-707(B), R-24 Multifamily Residential, Building Requirements, Building Height.

§5-1102, Table 5-1102, Off Street Parking and Loading Requirements, Number of Parking and Loading Spaces Required.

§5-1404(D), Landscaping, Buffer Yards, Screening, and Landscape Plans, Buffer Yards, Buffer Yard Widths and Plant Requirements.

§5-1408(B)(2)(d), Landscaping, Buffer Yards, Screening, and Landscape Plans, General Landscape Provisions, Plant Unit Requirements.

To increase maximum building height to 60 feet without additional setbacks from streets or lot lines for each foot of increased height.

To modify the parking requirements for Multifamily Residential to permit a minimum of 1.5 parking spaces per two- and three-bedroom affordable unit.

To decrease the width of portions of required Buffer Yard Type A to 8.5 feet.

To increase the maximum percentage of shrubs from 30 percent to 80 percent permitted within the Buffer Yard Type A.

The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District, the Route 28 CB (Corridor Business) Optional Overlay, and the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60 airport noise contour. The subject property is approximately 21.55 acres in size and is located north of Harry Byrd Highway (Route 7), south of George Washington Boulevard (Route 1050), and east of Riverside Parkway (Route 607) in Ashburn, Virginia, in the Algonkian Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 039-35-5892 and PIN: 039-25-8839. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area ((Suburban Mixed Use Place Type)) which designate this area for compact, pedestrian-oriented environments with opportunities for a mix of Residential, Commercial, Entertainment, Cultural, and Recreational uses at a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of up to 1.0.

CMPT-2022-0008 & SPEX-2022-0043 GOOSE CREEK SUBSTATION EXPANSION

J. Kevin Curtis of Dominion Energy Virginia, of Glen Allen, Virginia, has submitted applications for Commission approval to permit a Utility Substation, Transmission, and Special Exception to allow the Utility Substation, Transmission use in the JLMA-20 zoning district. These applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance. The proposed use requires a Commission Permit in accordance with Section 6-1101 and is listed as a Special Exception use in the JLMA-20 zoning district under Section 2-1303. The subject property is located within the Quarry Notification (QN) Overlay District (Luck Note

TOWN OF LEESBURG

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 to consider Zoning Ordinance Amendment TLOA-2022-0009 to revise the following provision of the Zoning Ordinance:

Article 11, Section 11.3 Number of Parking Spaces Required – amending this section to reduce the number of required parking spaces for the hotel and motel uses in the B-1, Community (Downtown) Business District.

Copies and additional information regarding this proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment are available at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by calling 703-771-2774 and asking for Brian Boucher, Deputy Director. Mr. Boucher can also be reached by email at bboucher@leesburgva.gov. This Zoning Ordinance amendment application is identified as case number TLOA-2022-0009.

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

3/2/23 & 3/9/23

Area), partially within the Airport Impact Overlay District (AIOD) (partially outside of but within one mile of the Ldn 60 noise contour), and partially within the Floodplain Overlay District (FOD) (major and minor floodplain). The subject property is approximately 34.32 acres in size and is located north of Cochran Mill Road (Route 653) and south of Crosstrail Boulevard at 41990 Cochran Mill Rd, Leesburg, Virginia, in the Leesburg Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 151-45-9554. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Leesburg Joint Land Management Policy Area ((JLMA Employment Place Type)) which designate this area for light and general industry employment uses at a recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of up to 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).

Board of Supervisors public hearings are available for live viewing on television on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and 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. Public input may be provided by electronic means at Board public hearings. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, will be accommodated without advanced sign-up during the hearing, however, members of the public are strongly encouraged to sign-up in advance. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on March 3, 2022, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on March 15, 2023. 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

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE DRAFT LOUDOUN COUNTY FAIR HOUSING PLAN

Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 6:00pm

Location: Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development

Olmstead Room, 1st Floor 106 Catoctin Circle, SE Leesburg, VA 20177

&

Loudoun County is one of eight participating jurisdictions that are working collaboratively to develop a regional fair housing plan also known as the Regional Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice, located at https://www.mwcog.org/community/planning-areas/housing-and-homelessness/fairhousing/. Loudoun County is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to “affirmatively further fair housing.” The regional analysis will fulfill this HUD requirement and aims to increase collaboration, innovation, and effectiveness of strategies to further fair housing throughout the metropolitan area, including Loudoun County. The plan will become final in 2023.

The Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development invites residents to provide comments on the draft fair housing plan for Loudoun County at https://www.mwcog.org/community/ planning-areas/housing-and-homelessness/regional-fair-housing-plan-comment-form/. The public comment period opened on January 31, 2023, and closes on March 31, 2023. Residents will also be able to provide comment at a public hearing to be held on March 8, 2023, at 6 p.m.

The public hearing will include an overview of the Loudoun County sections of the fair housing plan including goals, past achievements, and data on affordable housing and barriers to fair housing in the County, and will be held at the offices of the Department of Housing and Community Development indicated above. All citizens and organizations are invited to present their views and comments.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability or need language assistance in order to participate in this meeting, please contact the Department of Housing and Community Development at 703-737-8323 at least one business day in advance of the public hearing. Some accommodations may require more than one day of notice. An Assistive Listening System is available at the meeting.

NOTICE OF TOWN COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLE 11 FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVISING PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HOTEL/MOTEL USE IN THE B-1 DISTRICT

Legal Notices

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TOWN OF HAMILTON PLANNING COMMISSION

Notice is hereby given that the Hamilton Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Office located at 53 E. Colonial Highway, Hamilton, VA to hear public comments considering a draft comprehensive update of the 2003 Town of Hamilton Comprehensive Plan (“Plan”):

Pursuant to Code of Virginia Section 15.2-2223, the Hamilton Planning Commission has completed a Plan review and proposed revisions to maps, text and policies. The draft Plan updates, rewrites, removes or adds new Goals, Policies, Action Items, and Maps. While the 2003 Plan was developed, reviewed and adopted by both the Town of Hamilton (“Town”) and Loudoun County (“County”), this Plan update was prepared by the Planning Commission over a number of years in parallel with, but separate from the County’s own Plan update, which was completed in 2019.

Proposed updates and amendments to specific Plan Chapters include:

Introduction

• Updates the purpose and basis of the Comprehensive Plan, the relationship of the Comprehensive Plan for the Town of Hamilton and its revised Joint Land Management Area (JLMA) with the County’s 2019 Comprehensive Plan, as well as the setting and history of the Town of Hamilton.

Population and Growth Management

• Updates population estimates and forecasts to reflect growth during the past 2 decades

• Revises Goals, Policies & Action Items to reflect progress and change since 2003

Land Use

• Updates Existing Land Use and Existing Zoning tables and Existing Zoning Map

• Revises and updates land use goals, policies and action items for the Town

• Updates recommended land use policies for the Hamilton JLMA

• Adds a Future Land Use Map with associated land use policies for each of the following land use categories:

• Public/Semi-Public: Includes government properties and places of worship that are envisioned to remain in public/semi-public use for the foreseeable future.

• Commercial Core: Includes existing properties in the downtown core zoned C-2 Retail Sales & Service district consistent with the 2003 Plan. Uses include retail, office and personal services.

• Commercial Transition: This new category includes properties abutting W. Colonial Hwy between Rogers and Laycock Streets. Most are surrounded by public/institutional uses or next to the commercial core and can serve as a transition between the higher density core and single-family neighborhoods. Current uses, including retail, office and personal services, as well as residential uses, should remain as permitted uses. Adaptive reuse of historic buildings is encouraged.

• Residential-Max 6 Dwelling Units per Acre (DUA): Includes townhouses along Sydnor St. developed at a maximum of 6 dwelling units/ acre.

• Residential-Max 4 DUA: Includes the properties on Ladysmith Court, which are small lot single-family homes and a small apartment building.

• Residential-Max 2 DUA: Includes most of the existing residential lots within town, consisting of single-family detached homes on lots of approx. one-half acre or larger.

• Residential-Max 1 DUA: Includes areas of town that are developed with single-family detached lots of approximately 1 acre or larger.

Community Facilities & Services

• Updates text and Map to reflect new community facilities in Town and the JLMA

• Updates goals, policies and action items to reflect changes in population, facilities, and services since 2003

Natural Resources

• Streamlines text to reflect that Town and JLMA are mostly developed and removes data more readily available and updated by other agencies; Removes maps that are available through County and other agencies

• Updates goals, policies and action items to reflect the development status of the land in and around Hamilton

Transportation

• Updates traffic count table and text to reflect changes since 2003, including sidewalk improvements completed.

• Revises Map to include updated sidewalks and pedestrian trails in Town and JLMA.

• Maintains focus on pedestrian and vehicular safety through Town in updated goals, policies and action items.

Housing & Community Development

• Updates housing data and table to reflect changes in housing stock since 2003.

• Updates table of area subdivisions and text on community institutions to reflect growth and change since 2003.

• Includes goals, policies and action items related to maintaining and enhancing housing and community services.

Economic Development

• Adds text recommending the proposed new commercial transition area along W. Colonial Hwy. to provide additional opportunities for business growth in the Town while maintaining small town character.

• Updates and expands goals, policies and action items related to encouraging new businesses.

Historic Resources:

• Updates the list of historic sites to include new sites surveyed since the 2003 Plan was adopted.

• Updates and consolidates former two historic chapter maps into new Historic Resources Map to show all surveyed sites in the immediate Hamilton area and a proposed Hamilton historic district boundary resulting from a 2003 County reconnaissance-level architectural survey of the Hamilton area.

• Updates goals, policies and action items to continue progress recommended in 2003 Plan to document and encourage preservation of the Town’s historic resources, including an application to list the Hamilton area historic district on the Virginia Landmarks Register and National Register of Historic Places, which are honorary designations without associated regulations on private property.

Annexation

• Continue policy to study feasibility and fiscal impacts of annexation of JLMA land into the Town limits.

• Focus on annexation of lands in commercial use on the east and west ends of Town as first priority. All interested persons should appear and provide comments at the above time and place. If a member of the public cannot attend, comments may be submitted by mail to PO Box 130, Hamilton, VA, 20159-0130 or by email to zoning@hamiltonva.gov. Comments received by 12:00 noon on the day of the hearing will be distributed to Commission members and made part of the public record. Copies may be viewed in the Town Office between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and at www.hamiltonva.gov Anyone needing assistance or accommodation under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act should call the Town Office at (540) 338-2811.

2/23 & 3/2/23

TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE

SOLICITATION OF APPOINTMENT TO TOWN COUNCIL

ABC LICENSE

Breanne Brady trading as Cowbell Kitchen, 26 North King Street, Leesburg, Virginia. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Mixed Beverage license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Breanne Brady, 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.

3/2 & 3/9/23

ABC LICENSE

Badeer Fahmy trading as C N B Cut LLC, 23520 Overland Dr., Suite 126, Sterling, Virginia. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a ABC commercial lifestyle center to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Badeer Fahmy, 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.

2/23 & 3/2/23

The LOVETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL currently has a vacant Council Member seat with a term that expires December 31, 2024. An appointment can be made by Town Council in anticipation of a special election on November 7, 2023. Any person qualified to vote in town elections is eligible for appointment. Council Members appointed to fill vacancies on the Council shall have the rights, privileges, powers, duties and obligations of an elected member.

All interested parties must complete an Application for Town Service that can be found on the Town’s website at www.lovettsvilleva.gov/government/council-subcommittees and submit to the Town Clerk before 4:30 P.M. on Friday, March 10, 2023. Submission can be made via email at clerk@lovettsvilleva.gov or in-person at the Lovettsville Town Hall, 6 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm weekdays, holidays excepted.

2/23/23, 3/2/23

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, April 12, 2023, in order to consider:

ADOPTION OF THE PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY ANNUAL PLAN FOR LOUDOUN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 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 (FY24) for the Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development Housing Choice Voucher Program. The draft plan provides information on current housing programs and the resident population served.

A copy of the full text of the above-referenced plan is available and may be examined at the Loudoun County Department of Housing & Community Development, Front Desk, 1st Floor, 106 Catoctin Circle, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia 20175 from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday or call (703)7378213 to request hard copies or electronic copies. Documents are also available for viewing at all ten (10) branch locations of the Loudoun County Public Library during regular business hours. Library hours and locations can be found at: https://library.loudoun.gov/contactus. 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”).

Board of Supervisors public hearings are available for live viewing on television on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40 and 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. Public input may be provided by electronic means at Board public hearings. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, will be accommodated without advanced signup during the hearing, however, members of the public are strongly encouraged to sign-up in advance. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on March 31, 2022, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on April 12, 2023. 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

ABC LICENSE

Gael, LLC trading as Pollo Inti 2, 544 Fort Evans Rd NE, Leesburg, Virginia 20176-4098.

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Retail Wine and Beer On and Off Premises and Mix Beverage license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Gael, LLC

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.

3/2 & 3/9/23

2/23 & 3/2/23

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

Case No. CL-22-6446

LOUDOUN COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT

18 East Market St., Leesburg, VA 20176

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re MARLON JAHELL FRANCO ECHEVERRIA VS ANTHONY JAHELL ECHEVERRIA

The object of the suit is to: CHANGE NAME OF MINOR. It is ORDERED that MARLON ANTONIO FRANCO appear at the above-named court and protect his interests on or before April 28, 2023 at 9:00 AM 2/23, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16/23

TOWN OF LEESBURG

NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLE 6 NONRESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, ARTICLE 8 PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS, ARTICLE 9 USE REGULATIONS, ARTICLE 11 PARKING, LOADING AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS, ARTICLE 12 TREE PRESERVATION, LANDSCAPING, SCREENING, OPEN SPACE AND OUTDOOR LIGHTING, AND ARTICLE 18 DEFINITIONS RELATING TO ESTABLISHING DATA CENTER USES

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 16, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 to consider Zoning Ordinance Amendment TLOA-2022-0006 revising the following Sections of the Zoning Ordinance:

1. Sec. 6.5 B-3, Community Retail/Commercial District to establish Data Center as a special exception use in the B-3 District.

2. Sec. 6.7 I-1 Industrial/Research Park District to establish Data Center as a by-right use with minimum use standards in the I-1 District.

3. Sec. 8.6 PEC, Planned Employment Center District to establish Data Center as a by-right use with minimum use standards in the PEC District.

4. Sec. 9.2 Use Table to reflect Data Center as permissible uses in the B-3 and I-1 Districts with applicable use standards.

5. Sec. 9.3.6.2 Data Center to establish minimum use standards applicable to all data center applications.

6. Sec. 9.8 Flex Industrial Business Park amending Table 9.8.4 Allowable Uses in Flex Industrial/ Business Park Developments to add Data Center and remove Electronic Data Storage Center.

7. Sec. 11.3 Number of Parking Spaces Required to establish the minimum number of parking spaces required for data center uses.

8. Sec. 11.9 Number of Off-Street Loading Spaces to establish minimum number of loading spaces required with data center uses.

9. Sec. 12.8 Buffers and Screening to establish minimum buffer and screening requirements applicable to data center uses.

10. Sec. 18.1 Terms Defined establishing definitions for Data Center and Dedicated Utility Substation. Copies and additional information regarding this proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment is 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 703-737-7009 and asking for Christopher Murphy, Senior Planning Project Manager. This zoning ordinance amendment application is identified as case number TLOA2022-0006.

At this hearing all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Clerk of the Commission at (703) 7712434 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

3/2/2023 & 3/9/2023

FIND OUT ABOUT THE COUNTY’S REAL ESTATE AND CAR TAX RELIEF PROGRAMS FOR ELDERLY OR DISABLED RESIDENTS

Commissioner of the Revenue, Robert S. Wertz, Jr., encourages eligible property owners at least 65 years old or totally and permanently disabled to learn about Loudoun’s property tax breaks for eligible residents. Qualified program participants are relieved of 100% or 50% of the real estate taxes on their primary dwelling and lot up to 3 acres and may have their car taxes reduced. The qualifying net worth limit for real estate relief is $920,000, excluding the home and up to 10 acres. The qualifying gross combined income limit for real estate relief is $77,000. Disability income, income of a relative providing bona fide care, and $10,000 of income of a spouse or relative in the home is excluded from the $77,000 limit for real estate relief. The net worth and income limits are $195,000 and $52,000 for car tax relief.

The Commissioner’s Office will be holding information sessions at the following locations and times to explain the county’s tax relief program and answer residents’ questions. Attendance is free and no signup is required. For additional information, please contact the Tax Exemption and Deferrals Division at 703-737-8557 or taxrelief@loudoun.gov.

Legal Notices

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2023 - JUNE 30, 2024

In accordance with the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, § 15.2-2506, the Leesburg Town Council will hold a public hearing on:

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 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 provide written and oral comments on the Town’s proposed budget for fiscal year July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. If the public hearing is canceled for any unforeseen reason, the public hearing will be held during the next Town Council regular meeting.

TOWN OF PURCELLVILLE IN LOUDOUN COUNTY, VIRGINIA

RESOLUTION NO. 23-01-01

PRESENTED: JANUARY 10, 2023

PRESENTED: JANUARY 3, 2023

ADOPTED: JANUARY 10, 2023

A RESOLUTION: PRESCRIBING FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2023: THE DATE, TIME, AND PLACE OF REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE TOWN COUNCIL; THE WORK SESSION FORMAT OF THE SECOND REGULAR MEETING EACH MONTH; CANCELLATION OF REGULAR MEETINGS THAT FALL ON A LEGAL HOLIDAY; THE CONTINUATION OF REGULAR MEETINGS FOR HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS; AND NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADJOURNED MEETINGS

BE IT RESOLVED that the regular meetings of the Town Council shall be held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm at Town Hall, located at 221 S. Nursery Avenue, in Purcellville, Virginia, in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, unless said date, time, or place is canceled or otherwise scheduled in accordance with § 2.2-3707 of the Code of Virginia; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all Council meetings shall end no later than 9:30 PM unless any meeting is otherwise extended by majority of Council members present and voting recognizing that completion of an agenda item commencing prior to the designated ending time may not be finished unless voted on to extend an additional 30 minutes; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the second regular meeting each month shall take the form of a work session, limited to in-depth discussions of one or two items. If necessary, public hearings and action items may be taken up by the Town Council at a work session, but should be avoided; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Council and Town Council’s committees, commissions, and boards shall recess for the month of August, 2023, the Town Council shall cancel its meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 26, 2023 and close town offices as an extra paid holiday for staff due to the Christmas holiday; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that should a day established by the Town Council as a regular meeting day fall on any legal holiday, the meeting shall be canceled by virtue of this adopted Resolution, without further action by Town Council; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if the Mayor, or Vice-Mayor if the Mayor is unable to act, finds that weather or other conditions are such that it is hazardous for members to attend a regular meeting, the Mayor, or Vice-Mayor if the Mayor is unable to act, shall declare such finding to all members of Town Council and the public as promptly as possible, and the regular meeting agenda items shall automatically be continued to the next regular meeting of Town Council. All hearings and other matters previously advertised shall be conducted at the continued meeting without further advertisement; and

This budget is prepared for informative and fiscal planning purposes only. Such preparation, publication, and approval shall not be deemed to be an appropriation. No money shall be paid out or become available to be paid out for any contemplated expenditure unless and until there has first been made an annual, semiannual, quarterly, or monthly appropriation for such contemplated expenditure.

Copies of the proposed budget are available on the Town website and for inspection at Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, and at the Thomas Balch Library, 208 West Market Street. Questions should be directed to Clark G. Case, Director, Department of Finance and Administrative Services, at 703-771-2720. 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.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE MIDDLEBURG TOWN COUNCIL

The Middleburg Town Council will hold a public hearing beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, 2023 to consider AN ORDINANCE TO VACATE A PORTION OF S. PICKERING STREET RIGHTOF-WAY AND CONVEY IT TO THE FUN SHOP, INC. The portion to be vacated runs from the north side of W. Federal Street to the dead end and is currently unimproved.

The hearing will take place at the Town Office, 10 W. Marshall Street, Middleburg, Virginia. Interested persons may appear at such time and place and present their views. Those who are interested in participating in the public hearing remotely may do so by calling (540) 3396355. Anyone who is interested in participating remotely is encouraged to notify Rhonda North, Town Clerk, no later than 4:00 p.m. the day of the meeting at rnorth@middleburgva.gov or by calling the Town Office at (540) 687-5152. The proposed ordinance may be reviewed online at www.middleburgva.gov/313/Public-Hearings or in the Town Office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.

The Town of Middleburg strives to make its hearings accessible to all. Please advise of accommodations the Town can make to help you participate in the hearing.

2/23 & 3/2/23

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that regular meetings of the Town Council may be continued from day to day or from time to time or from place to place, not beyond the time fixed for the next regular meeting, until the business before the governing body is completed. Notice of any regular meeting continued under this section shall be reasonable under the circumstances and shall be given to the public contemporaneously with the notice provided to the members of the public body conducting the meeting; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all prior rules governing the date, time, and place of regular meetings of the Town Council are hereby replaced.

Cross References

Code of Va. § 15.2-1416. Regular meetings. Code of Va. § 2.2-3707.D. Notice of meetings

PASSED THIS 10th DAY OF JANUARY, 2023.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that Virginia Electric and Power Company (VMRC #2023-0226) is requesting a permit from the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to impact 72 linear feet of Broad Run for the installation of stormwater infrastructure associated with the construction of an electrical substation adjacent to Arcola Mills Drive in Loudoun County.

You may provide comments on this application (VMRC #2023-0226) at https://webapps.mrc.virginia. gov/public/habitat/comments/. We will accept comments by the USPS provided they are received within 15 days of this notice to: Marine Resources Commission, Habitat Management Division, 380 Fenwick Road, Bldg 96, Hampton, VA 23651.

Legal Notices

ABC LICENSE

West End 1915 LLC trading as West End Wine Bar & Pub, 36855 W Main St, Purcellville, VA.

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Mixed Beverage Restaurant to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

West End 1915 LLC, 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.

2/23 & 3/2/23

ATTENTION NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN LOUDOUN COUNTY

Nonprofit organizations seeking exemption from Loudoun County real and/or personal property taxes for the 2024 tax year may file an application with the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue by the April 3, 2023 deadline. Most charitable nonprofit organizations are not automatically exempt from local property taxes in the Commonwealth, even those that may be exempt from federal income taxes. The filing of an application with the Commissioner of the Revenue is the necessary first step to obtaining a local real estate or personal property tax exemption. Completed applications should be returned to the Commissioner of the Revenue with a postmark by April 3, 2023, for consideration this year. Any exemption, if granted, would be effective January 1, 2024.

Applications are available online at loudoun. gov/cor. For information or assistance, please contact my office at trcor@loudoun.gov or 703-737-8557 weekdays 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Robert S. Wertz, Jr.

Commissioner of the Revenue

Loudoun County

Leesburg Office 1 Harrison Street SE First Floor

Sterling Office

Loudoun Tech Center 46000 Center Oak Plaza

Mailing Address: PO Box 8000, MSC 32

Leesburg, VA 20177-9804

Phone: 703-737-8557

Email: trcor@loudoun.gov

3/2,

PUBLIC NOTICE

INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) POLICE STATION EXPANSION

The Town of Leesburg will accept sealed bids electronically via the Commonwealth’s e-procurement website (www.eva.virginia. gov), until 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, for the following:

IFB NO. 20001-FY23-38

POLICE STATION EXPANSION

The Town of Leesburg is soliciting sealed bids from prequalified contractors to provide construction services for the Police Station Expansion project. The Town of Leesburg will only consider bids submitted by Contractors who were prequalified pursuant to Request for Qualifications (RFQ) No. 20001-FY23-37 Pre-Qualification for Construction - Police Station Expansion. Contractors who were not previously prequalified pursuant to the above-mentioned RFQ are not to submit a bid and will not be considered for award.

Work includes a new building addition, renovation of the existing building, adding secured and unsecured parking, and all incidentals related thereto. The existing police station building will be occupied during construction with phased construction in order to minimize impacts to police operations.

For additional information, visit: http://www.leesburgva.gov/bidboard

3/2/23

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ041604-07-00, JJ041604-08-00; JJ043080-04-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Diana Gissel Medina Lainez and Gabriela Medina Lainez

Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v.

Jose Medina, Putative Father

The object of this suit is to hold a foster care review hearing and review of foster care plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282 and 16.1-281 for Diana Gissel Medina Lainez and Gabriela Medina Lainez, and; hold a hearing on placement in a qualified residential treatment program pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1281(E) for Diana Gissel Medina Lainez.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Jose Medina, Putative Father appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his interests on or before March 22, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.

2/9, 2/16, 2/23 & 3/2/23

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LOUDOUN COUNTY IN RE: ESTATE OF EVELYNN BELLE WARE ) FIDUCIARY 17950 SHOW CAUSE ORDER AGAINST DISTRIBUTION

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

It is ORDERED that the creditors of, and all others interested in, the Estate do show cause, if any they can, on the 3rd day of March, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. before this Court in its Courtroom, against the payment and delivery of the Estate of Evelynn Belle Ware, deceased, to the payees without refunding bonds.

2/23 & 3/2/23

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ046150-04-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Marjorie Cruz

Loudoun County Department of Family Services

/v.

Endenilson Alavarado, putative father & Unknown Father

The object of this suit is to hold a permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Marjorie Cruz.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Endenilson Alavarado, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or April 11, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

3/2, 3/9, 3/16 & 3/23/23

TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL

LEGAL NOTICE and NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

An Ordinance proposing to sell and grant a Franchise Agreement for electricity distribution, transmission and sale in the Town of Lovettsville, Virginia, and for installing broadband facilities for use by third parties and Inviting Bids therefor. Further details regarding this Invitation For Bid can be found in the “Project Requests for Bids” section of the Town of Lovettsville website at: https://www.lovettsvilleva.gov/project-request-for-bids/ or a copy is available the Town of Lovettsville Town Hall.

AN ORDINANCE

To grant the right for the term and upon the conditions herein stated to use the streets and alleys of the Town of Lovettsville, Virginia, and to acquire, construct, install, operate, maintain and use, and to the extent now construct or installed to operate, maintain and use, poles, towers, structures, attachments, wires, cables, conduits, ductways, manholes, handholes, meters, appliances and other equipment necessary or useful in the distribution, transmission or sale of electricity in, over, along, on and under the streets and alleys of the Town of Lovettsville, for the purpose of distributing, transmitting and selling electricity at any point within the corporate limits of the Town of Lovettsville as the same now exist or may hereafter be extended or altered, together with the right to attach, operate, and maintain, additional cables, including but not limited to fiber optic cables, wires, attachments, and other transmission facilities, and all equipment, accessories and appurtenances desirable in connection therewith, including the right to increase or decrease the number of wires for the purpose of transmitting voice, text, data, internet services, and other communication services, including the wire and attachments of third parties; the right to lease or license the right to transmit signals, data, or other communications through broadband facilities to third parties as may be useful or practical, including the rights to transmit third party data and the right to lease or license surplus communications capacity to third parties through broadband facilities; and the right to install such additional pole, guys, and anchors on said property as may be necessary for the purposes of the safety and stability of broadband facilities.

The LOVETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL will open and review any and all bids, including those submitted from the floor, then close bid submission, and hold a public hearing on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 6:30 pm in the Town Council Chambers, 6 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia, for the purpose of awarding a Franchise Agreement to the most responsible and responsive bidder that aligns with the best interests of the Town of Lovettsville. The Town reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

All persons desiring to speak will be given an opportunity to do so at this meeting.

A copy of the full text of the Ordinance is available for review at the Town Hall between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm weekdays or by special appointment, holidays excepted. Call 540-822-5788 for more information or visit www.lovettsvilleva.gov. In the event the meeting is cancelled, the public hearing will be convened at the next regular scheduled meeting at the same time and place.

2/16, 2/23, 3/2/23

Legal Notices

TOWN OF PURCELLVILLE IN LOUDOUN COUNTY, VIRGINIA

RESOLUTION NO. 23-01-03

A RESOLUTION:

PRESENTED: JANUARY 19, 2023

ADOPTED: JANUARY 19, 2023

PRESCRIBING: (1) THE DATE, TIME, AND PLACE OF REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE TOWN OF PURCELLVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION; AND (2) THE PROCESS TO CONTINUE A REGULAR MEETING FOR UNFINISHED BUSINESS OR HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS.

BE IT RESOLVED that the regular meetings of the Town of Purcellville Planning Commission shall be held on the first and third Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm at Town Hall, located at 221 South Nursery Avenue, in Purcellville, Virginia, in the Town Council Chambers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all regular meetings of the Planning Commission shall end no later than 9:30 pm unless the meeting is otherwise extended for a time certain by a majority vote of the Commissioners present, recognizing that the completion of an agenda item commencing prior to the designated ending time may be finished; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that should a regular meeting of the Planning Commission: (i) need to be continued to complete unfinished business; or (ii) need to be rescheduled due to hazardous conditions, then such meeting shall automatically be held on the Thursday immediately following such regular meeting. All hearings and other matters previously advertised for the regular meeting shall be conducted at the continued or rescheduled meeting without further advertisement; however, notice shall be given as provided in subsection D of § 2.2-3707 of the Code of Virginia; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in order to reschedule a regular meeting due to "hazardous conditions," the Chair, or the Vice-Chair if the Chair is unable to act, shall: (i) make a written finding that weather or other conditions are such that it is hazardous for members to attend the regular meeting; and (ii) declare as promptly as possible to all members of Planning Commission and the press that the regular meeting must be continued to the Thursday immediately following the regular meeting. All hearings and other matters previously advertised shall be conducted at the rescheduled meeting without further advertisement; however, notice shall be given as provided in subsection D of § 2.2-3707 of the Code of Virginia; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all prior rules governing the date, time and place of regular meetings of the Town of Purcellville Planning Commission are hereby replaced; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town of Purcellville after its adoption.

Cross References Code of Va. § 15.2-2214. Meetings.

PASSED THIS 19th DAY OF JANUARY, 2023.

ATTEST:

LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS FOR:

ARTS, CRAFTS AND CLASSROOM SUPPLIES, RFP No. 588787 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, March 31, 2023.

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

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

3/2/23

ABC LICENSE

Master A INC trading as Potomac Taphouse, 44921 George Washington BLVD, Ashburn, Virginia 20147-4032.

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Wine and Beer On and Off Premises, Mixed Beverage Restaurant license sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Mina Bebawy

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.

2/23 & 3/2/23

ABC LICENSE

Lovettsville Cooperative Market Inc. trading as Lovettsville Cooperative Market - The Co-op, 11 Town Center Drive, Suite 150, Lovettsville, VA 20180-8543.

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Convenience Grocery Store to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Glenn Willard, Member, Board of Directors

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.

3/2 & 3/9/23

Town of Round Hill Planning Commission PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

The Round Hill Planning Commission will hold a public hearing in accordance with Sections 15.22204, 15.2-2285, and 15.2-2286 of the Code of Virginia on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Round Hill Town Office, 23 Main Street, Round Hill, Virginia for the purpose of receiving public comment on a proposed amendment to the Town of Round Hill Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission meeting and public hearing will also be held via Zoom and can be accessed electronically using information including on the meeting agenda, which will be posted on the Town's Website, www.roundhillva.org.

CPAM 2022-01 is for a proposed amendment under Chapter 11- Land Use. This chapter is a tool for decision makers (elected officials and planning commissioners) to guide growth and development in Round Hill, for developers as they seek new projects, and for residents and others to make known their desire for growth and change in the future.

CPAM 2022-01 is for a proposed amendment of 11-3 Future Land Use Map to extend the Central Commercial District. 11-3. The Future Land Use Map shows desired future uses of parcels.

CPAM 2022-01 is only in reference to the following parcels:

11 Main Street 18 Main Street

12 Main Street 22 Main Street

13 Main Street 26 Main Street

14 Main Street 28 Main Street

15 Main Street 3 Mulberry Street

Copies may be viewed in the Town Office, 23 Main Street, Round Hill between the hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, or at www.roundhillva.org. Anyone needing assistance or accommodations under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act should call the Town Administrator’s Office at (540) 338-7878.

Any interested person may attend the public hearing, in person or electronically, at the above time and place to present his or her views. If a member of the public cannot attend, written comments may be submitted to hwest@roundhillva.org by Noon on the day of the public hearing. All written comments received will be provided to the Commission Members at the public hearing and made a part of the public record.

If this public hearing is postponed, it will be rescheduled for Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 7:00 PM.

Manuel Mirabal, Chairman Round Hill Planning Commission

2/23/23 & 3/2/23

NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED VEHICLES

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.

Missing Voices

Every decade or so it seems our local political parties increasingly chase fringe agendas that simply are lost on the core electorate. Now with one pox-on-both-of-your-parties candidate already out of the box, 2023 could be one of those years.

Pendulum swings have long been a hallmark of Loudoun politics. They are most often caused by party leaders who fritter away their ballot box successes by gradually pushing more extreme policies that eventually alienate the more moderate majority that is the key

Data Center Threats

Editor:

To say that Virginia Data Centers are a topic of concern is an understatement. Data center impacts range from local air, water, soil, and noise pollution; to exorbitant price of land excluding other businesses; to jeopardizing achieving Virginia’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction mandates. Yet, there is no legislative branch responsible to ensure that impacts are mitigated.

At the federal level, one Virginia member of Congress, MOC, views data center regulation as a state issue, not a federal issue. When one data center proposal impacted a National Park, our MOC supported

to retaining their office.

In an era when those most active in politics are guided chiefly by overtly partisan media and their own social media echo chambers, the opportunity for disconnects from rank-and-file voters only grows.

At this early stage of the local campaign season, it is difficult to know where the missing voices of the moderate middle will fall, but there is no doubt they will be heard on Election Day. The question now is: Are there any candidates who can hear them from inside their partisan bubble? n

LETTERS to the Editor

opposition. But doesn’t the globally highest concentration of data centers in Data Center Alley constitute a security threat as a highly valuable terrorist target?

Bills introduced to the Virginia General Assembly, HJ522/SJ240 (Study; Department of Energy; impacts of data center development; report. Directs the Department of Energy to study the impacts of data center development on Virginia’s environment, economy, energy resources, and ability to meet carbon-reduction goals) was passed in the Senate but failed in the House. During the Senate committee hearing, one legislator surprisingly voted against the study bill, stating that local governments

review data center applications and can regulate them. The problem is that the breadth and depth of data center impacts in Virginia are not known, hence the proposed study bill. Localities are operating in the dark, (or choosing to ignore adopted policies), case by case for data centers.

At the local level in Loudoun County, our Board of Supervisors has recently acknowledged that data centers, while a significant source of revenue also has undesirable impacts and require better oversight. The Loudoun County 2019 Comprehensive Plan has two Norman K. Styer, Publisher and Editor - nstyer@loudounnow.com EDITORIAL Renss

Jan

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Hanna

Data Centers Partner with Educators on New ‘Classroom-to-Career’ Pathways

BY DANIELLE NADLER

It’s not new news that the tech industry has more well-paying jobs than it can fill with qualified workers. In Virginia alone, there are more than 30,000 unfilled computer science positions.

But, on that front, there is a success story in the making.

Thanks to an investment in state dollars, paired with strategic donations from tech companies that have a presence in Northern Virginia, local public schools in Loudoun County are now equipped to address the problem at its root.

The first chapter to this success story really began in 2020, when the Loudoun Education Foundation (LEF) won a $2.4 million Go Virginia Grant. With these funds, Loudoun County Public Schools created the Virginia K-12 Computer Sci-

LETTERS to the Editor

continued from page 32

new Sustainability Policies (page 207208) that include data centers. However, there are no ordinances in the proposed Zoning Ordinance Rewrite to implement them and there is no plan to amend the Zoning Ordinance to add them. Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Chapter 4 Land Use Performance Standards includes data centers on p. 42-46. While Supervisors reference performance standards as a tool to manage/regulate data centers, these standards primarily address data center appearance/façade and landscape requirements plus one statement prescribing the time for backup generator testing. There is nothing requiring data center developers to minimize adverse pollution, business diversity, or greenhouse gas emissions impacts.

While the VA General Assembly voted against learning more about data centers, we already know that:

1. Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is proposing to lift data center air permits;

2. Gov. Youngkin announced that Amazon Web Services plans to invest $35 billion for data centers in Virginia by 2040;

ence Pipeline. This “classroom-to-career” pipeline integrates computer science concepts into curriculum in each of the county’s 60 elementary schools and, at the secondary school level, students can take standalone courses such as robotic design, programming, cybersecurity, and software design, and go on to gain real-world knowledge through internships.

Companies with a data center presence in Loudoun County, including Amazon Web Services, Google, Equinix and Microsoft, have continued the work by investing in specific STEM programs within LCPS. And the Data Center Coalition, an industry organization that represents data center companies nationwide, has spearheaded meetings with leaders from Loudoun County Public Schools and Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) to highlight NOVA’s data center operators program and data center careers, and discuss collaborative opportunities to build a data center workforce pipeline.

In another example, Google and Equinix donated funds through LEF to

3. For every dollar lost through Virginia Economic Development Partnership Data Center Tax Exemption Incentive Virginia only recoups 72 cents;

4. According to one industry analyst, Loudoun supervisors are responsible for placing data centers in the wrong location.

5. Residential demand for electricity has flattened over the past 10 years, but data center demand will outstrip all other commercial uses combined.  Doesn’t Virginia deserve better? Let your legislator at every level of government hear your concern.

— Natalie Pien, Leesburg

Essential Knowledge

Editor:

The recent Loudoun Now story about the new interpretive sign concerning Lewis Bell at Balls Bluff Battlefield was as interesting as it was disappointing.

Aside from the historically illinformed and divisive political personalities present, the fact is the actions of Lewis Bell have long been known to anyone with even a cursory interest in the battle, or capable of reading a book. That he now has a marker is good.

Knowledge of history is essential to a functioning society, despite the warped political class dystopian efforts to make it conform to present day norms.

support a summer math program for middle school students from populations underrepresented in STEM career fields. Most of the students who participated in the summer program, known as LCPS BEAM Summer Math Academy, made significant enough improvement that they actually moved up to the advanced mathematics track the following school year. That’s tangible progress that is changing the trajectory of students’ lives and, ultimately, career opportunities.

Amazon Web Services also partnered with LEF to create an “AWS Think Big Space” at Leesburg’s J.L. Simpson Middle School. This space is now serving as a training hub for K-12 educators throughout the Shenandoah Valley and Northern Virginia, as they learn how to best teach computer science and integrate it into their curriculum. The space will also be a hands-on learning lab for students throughout Loudoun County.

In addition to these critical classroom investments, data center companies are supporting students and their families

The contention that Bell’s story was ‘introduced’ by Lovettsville resident James Morgan’s 2004 book A Little Short of Boats, is incorrect. The credit belongs to Hillsboro’s Byron Farwell in his 1990 work Ball’s Bluff, and likely others before him.

As a lifelong Civil War buff, I possess both works personally signed by both gentlemen.

Farwell wrote over a dozen books, with a specialty in military history. As a collector, I looked up his number in the phone book, and asked if I could intrude to have him sign my “Farwell collection.” Graciously, he described his house in Hillsboro. I knew it well. Twenty minutes later I was at his door bookstack in hand. I ended up staying for dinner. He, and Mrs. Farwell, were the most interesting dinner companions one could ever hope for.

He gave lecture/tours of Ball’s Bluff to Marine officers from Quantico and mentioned that I should attend his next lecture. I didn’t for whatever reason. It is a regret to this day. On a local level, he was outspoken in his activism to preserve Loudoun, as well as mayor of Hillsboro. Look up his Washington Post obituary for entertaining reading.

None of this is to detract from Mr. Morgan, rather, it is to give credit where credit is due. Farwell would be proud of Lewis Bell’s recognition. He likely

closer to home. Members of 7x24, a group that represents those who work in the data center industry, regularly show up to volunteer for LEF’s Backpack Coalition program, which provides weekend meals for food-insecure students and their families. AWS has also donated to fund food meal pantry programs, helping to feed more than 1,000 local students each week.

Thanks to these significant investments and charitable efforts, the Northern Virginia data center community is inspiring greater interest in computer science education and providing local students with a pathway to pursue STEM careers. As the daughter of a school teacher, product of public schools, and now parent of a young one, I am grateful for the support of these industries that are investing in our education system and providing for a brighter future for our students. n

would have been appalled, as am I, at the ignorance of the politicos at the dedication.

For years, a quote by Harry Truman was taped to the shelf over my desk; “The only thing new in the world is the history you don’t know.” Few things could be more correct today.

— Chris Manthos, Leesburg Say No

Editor:

Supervisors are considering funding for “critical” mental health crisis center.

Chair Randall tried something similar to this when she wanted to take over Loudoun County Health Department run by Dr. Goodfriend as part of the state health department. The difference is she gets to add millions of dollars to the county budget that she will control instead of state funding.

Don’t buy her largesse with Loudoun dollars. She already spends too much money. This liability is on her and the Board of Supervisors for not getting the job completed with the General Assembly. She wants to use Loudoun taxpayers as an ATM for her pet projects. Say no.

— Jonathan Erickson, Sterling

Danielle Nadler is the Executive Director of the Loudoun Education Foundation.

Nadler

Kroiz

continued from page 3

Washington in that address wrote the “Spirit of Party” “serves always to distract the Public Councils and enfeeble the Public administration. It agitates the Community with ill founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions.”

“I’m only anti-party because parties themselves are the biggest impediment to politicians from either party delivering on so many popular campaign promises,” Kroiz said. “I’m running against both parties, but for people.”

It will be Kroiz’s second run for a seat on the county board. In 2019, he ran for Catoctin District supervisor as an independent, garnering 2,792 votes for 17.4% of the vote. That put him third behind Democratic candidate and now-Planning Commissioner Forest Hayes with 36.1% of the vote, and the winner, Republican Supervisor Caleb A. Kershner with 46.6% of the vote.

“In my race, I could have gotten a lot worse, for the numbers. I feel like I won the argument, but I just got swamped by the whole partisan game. And so, I really feel like that I need to attack that head on, which is what I’m trying to do with a No Party,” he said.

With his campaign announcement, he steps into one of Loudoun’s highest-dollar

Lawsuit

continued from page 1

counsel admitted that standing could be shown if a parent pleaded that he asked a school employee for information about his child and, because of Policy 8040, that information was not shared.

“Reviewing the allegations of the amended complaint, the court does not find any such allegation,” Fleming wrote.

The parents’ lawsuit protested the School Board’s policies on equal opportunity and the rights of transgender and gender-expansive students, but struggled to find legal footing. The original lawsuit alleged taxpayer dollars were being used to advance a “woke” agenda, or race and gender indoctrination. In his previous decision, Fleming wrote the original complaint was “so replete with broad, conclu-

races. In the 2019 race, Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large)’s campaign raised almost a half-million dollars, and her Republican opponent John Whitbeck raised just shy of $700,000. That’s only monetary donations, not including inkind donations.

“There’s so many decisions [the Board of Supervisors makes] that defy logic and defy the public interest and public comment, so I can only assume that it’s because of these campaign donations that are in the tens of thousands of dollars to both sides,” he said. “And money helps, but if people actually paid attention, it really should hurt. And that’s part of my goal, to make it hurt.”

“The more folks want to donate to me the better, I’ll take it, but it’s got to be because you believe in what I’m doing, and I’m certainly not going to change my plans

sory statements that it cannot be said to clearly inform the factual basis of Plaintiffs’ claims,” and the complaint was “but a wholesale, broadside attack on what the School Board is teaching in the schools, bereft of a single real complaint of injury, or threatened injury.”

The equal opportunity policy holds the board is “committed to providing for an equitable, safe and inclusive learning and working environment,” and commits to that principle “for all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, age, or genetic information.” It was amended in December 2020 to add ancestry, sexual orientation, and gender identity to the protected categories, in anticipation of new rules from the Virginia Department of Education.

for it,” Kroiz said.

He said the most important issue in the county is rural, western Loudoun, and said that will be something he’ll have to explain to eastern Loudouners.

“They look at things like Purchase of Development Rights, assistance on conservation easements, they kind of see that as charity. … They see it as a spending, but it really is cost avoidance for pennies on the dollar,” he said, pointing to the public cost to buy and retire development rights on land versus allowing homes to be built and then building all the roads, schools, and other infrastructure necessary to support them.

But he said he doesn’t have many specific policies in mind for the office.

“It’s not so much specific things as just an entirely different way of approaching all business,” he said.

Kroiz pointed to two votes to expand the Transition Policy Area, a land planning area designed to buffer the rural west from suburban development to the east. During work to update the comprehensive plan, the Board of Supervisors in 2019 voted to expand the transition area into the Rural Policy Area for the first time since its creation.

At a May 29, 2019, work session, supervisors voted unanimously for a motion first introduced by Randall that “the Board of Supervisors encourage no further expansion of the boundaries in the Transition Policy Area beyond the adoption of the Loudoun 2019 Comprehensive Plan.”

“The Transition Policy Area is meant to do something specific, and if we keep expanding the boundaries, then it will not be

The School Board’s policy on the rights of transgender and gender-expansive students, adopted in August 2021, directs school staff members to refer to students by their consistently asserted name and gender pronouns, at the request of the student or their parent or legal guardian. It also directs the staff to allow those students to participate in interscholastic, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities according to their gender identity, noting those students must comply with the policies of the Virginia High School League or other organizations sponsoring those programs. It was written to meet the requirements of state legislation and state Department of Education rules.

Fleming also dismissed the suit’s other counts, including allegations that the parents’ state constitutional rights had been violated. It’s a finding that, even granting the facts stated in the case, there still was

able to do the specific thing that it’s meant to do,” Randall said at the time.

Then earlier this month, on Feb. 7, the Board of Supervisors voted to do it again anyway, moving the Red Hill community—which they had considered moving during the comprehensive plan deliberations, then decided against—out of the Rural Policy Area and into the transition area after all, with Randall voting in favor.

“I look at that as a promise that she’s not going to personally do it again, and then she just did it again. Now, I kind of half expected that to happen, and she has her reasons, but there’s plenty of reasons for any number of places in the rural area. You can come up with reasons all day long,” Kroiz said. “… She was only able to do it because her only competition electorally was a Republican that would probably do the same thing, or maybe even potentially even worse. And so we’re caught in this trap. The only thing I can think of is that people just need to run and give some better options.”

But he also hastened to add he respects and admires Randall and her work, and doesn’t dislike her personally.

“I’m happy to give her a credit for a lot of things. She’s done some good things. I’m not saying that she’s all wrong by any means, you know? And that’s the thing, it’s like this partisan trap, or this binary trap, where it’s either she’s all good, or she’s all bad. I’m saying she’s good in some ways, and she’s bad in others, and we need more than two choices,” he said.

Kroiz’s campaign website is sam4chairman.com. n

not a cause for legal action—a response attorneys and legal textbooks casually define as a defendant responding “so what?”

The plaintiffs had alleged the school district infringed upon a constitutional right to direct their children’s upbringing.

“While Plaintiffs’ brief is long in rhetoric on this point, the extent of their legal argument to show the scope of that asserted right and how Defendants’ actions constitute a cognizable infringement thereof is to cite the Virginia Constitution’s equal protection and due process clauses,” Fleming wrote.

The demurrers leave the door open for a second amended complaint on the remaining counts, including the alleged violation of constitutional protections and the requests for declaratory judgement against the school district and for the court to appoint a special master to oversee the school district’s compliance. n

“I’m only anti-party because parties themselves are the biggest impediment to politicians from either party delivering on so many popular campaign promises.”

— Sam Kroiz, Candidate, Loudoun County Chair

Warm winter

continued from page 1

“We know there’s going to be another wave of cold coming,” Fabbioli Cellars owner and winemaker Doug Fabbioli said.

Compared to their late summer splendor, the grapevines aren’t much to see right now—they are leafless and pruned back for the winter. But when they start to wake up from their winter dormancy and get ready to start growing again, the plants will start to weep fluid from the pruned ends of the vines as the plant starts to push sap through the plant again, something winemakers call “bleeding.”

He said so far his grapevines haven’t shown those signs of waking up from the winter, but grapes in other areas like Charlottesville have.

“Our teachings are that the frosts can come up all the way into Mother’s Day, middle of May, and if our shoots are out and exposed, some of us have ways to protect against frost, but that only works to a certain degree, and sometimes it doesn’t work at all,” Fabbioli said. “… So we can lose our whole crop.”

He pointed to the possibly record-setting bloom for Washington, DC’s famous cherry blossoms this year, which could see their earliest season yet. The National Park Service’s indicator tree, which the service monitors to predict peak season, was already showing buds as of Feb. 23.

“It’s sad when we lose the cherry blossoms and we can’t see the flowers, but cherry blossoms are a sign of fruit, and we’re in the fruit business here in the vineyards,” Fabbioli said. “And when we lose our shoots, our early sprouts, that takes all of our fruit with it.”

If that happens, the vines will make a second push, but will have already lost much of their stored energy on the first buds. Fabbioli said the second round of buds produce maybe a fifth as much fruit.

“The problem is, you still have to train and spray and manage that vineyard accordingly, so you take on all the expenses but none of the fruit to help offset that expense,” he said.

But farmers are also nothing if not persistent and adaptable.

Fabbioli has a frost system called a “cold air drain” to help protect the vines once they start to grow. His vineyard workers will pull tarps over the vines, and large fans push the colder air in low-lying areas of the rolling vineyards straight up into the air, drawing in warmer air from higher parts of the land. It’s not perfect—a strong wind can disrupt the system.

At Great Country Farms, the orchards grow peaches, nectarines, cherries, apricots, plums, apples, and pears. It’s one of a collection of family businesses on the mountain in Bluemont that also includes Bluemont Vineyard, Dirt Farm Brewing and Henway Hard Cider. And Great Country Farms General Manager Andrew Taylor said if the weather stays on its current track, it’s not a big problem for the fruit trees.

“Our frost date is May 10, May 12, that kind of timeframe in this area, so it worries us knowing that we have basically two and a half more months to really worry about the cold,” he said. “When things do open up, things are in full blooms, we do have some precautionary practices that we implement.”

That can mean starting fires around the orchard to warm things up, or even, counterintuitively, spraying water on the trees to so they’ll ice over—the ice around the buds keeps them at a relatively cozy 32 degrees while the temperatures around them dip into the 20s or below.

“But knowing that we still have two months to go, we don’t want to be doing that every night. Once or twice it’s fine, but it just takes more work,” he said. “But with that being said, if things continue on the track that they’re on, and we’re staying right about 30 degrees for the next two months, we’re just going to have an early season.”

Some loss of fruit is even good. Taylor said the farm workers will intentionally thin out the fruit on peach trees, for example, to improve the quality of the

definitely change the harvest time, as far as when things are ready and things that are out of my control as a farmer. But what varieties grow well here, if this becomes the rule, you’re going to have to change that,” he said.

Van Vlack is also the urban/ag conservationist at the Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District and serves on the Loudoun Farm Bureau board. He said unusual weather patterns can affect all kinds of agriculture.

“I think everyone who does veggies and things like that, you’re always worried that when you have really warm weather, a lot of the insect issues that sometimes are mitigated by the fact that there’s a good hard freeze, you may have way more insect eggs get through than would in a normal year,” he said.

Fabbioli said the pattern of strange weather year after year can’t be ignored— it’s farmers feeling the effects of climate change.

fruit—it allows the tree to direct more of its resources to each peach, avoids disease, allows more direct sunlight, and lets the fruit ripen more evenly. If a strong wind or just the right amount of freeze does some of that work for them, so much the better.

“Nature always bats last, and we take that seriously,” he said. “You can do all these things, you can stress all you want, but at the end of the day nature’s going to have the final word, and I think our job as farmers is to kind of work with nature and take what we can get.”

“It’s not so much the freeze itself. It’s that if it gets so warm early, and the process of maturing has begun, then they become more sensitive to that change in weather,” Chris Van Vlack said.

Van Vlack farms hay and grain at his business Hanging Rock Hay, and said the effects of the warm winter can be seen in his fields, too.

“The one thing that is just really weird looking at right now is being in late February and driving past some of the fields that I have in wheat, and seeing them really start to green up and start to grow at a time when they really should still be totally dormant,” he said. “It remains to be seen how that will affect it, if there’s going to be any sort of disease problems related to that.”

It is possible for the wheat crop to feel a late freeze, he said, but for now he’s not too worried. But he said eventually changes in weather patterns could force changes even for his relatively hardy crop.

“If things just keep on going, it will

The 42.3-degree average temperature this January edged out the previous warmest January, in 2006, when the NOAA reported average 41.8-degree temperatures. Before 1990, the average January temperature most years did not climb into the 30s, and until that year never broke 40 degrees. Since then, average temperatures in the 20s have been the rare exception.

“It’s changes and extremes, and you just sort of have to be prepared for them. We are lucky that we are in the mid-Atlantic and not in an area like the desert southwest,” Van Vlack said. “…We’re lucky that we’re just looking at weird stuff here, whereas other agricultural areas are looking at absolutely lifechanging prospects.”

He said long-term changes in weather patterns could mean a nationwide change in the face of agriculture, making warmer, drier areas that previously worked with irrigation no longer viable.

“Even for folks who are probably skeptical that climate change is happening—I think there’s still people in the agriculture community who have different opinions about why it’s happening—I think everyone is saying, yeah, there’s a lot of changes that have occurred, that people are going to have to adapt to,” he said. “We’re going to have to grow more food where we have adequate rainfall. I think that’s a nationwide change we’re going to, if we’re going to have to plan to grow food in different places than where we’ve relied on.”

“We may have to go back to doing produce and livestock farming in areas where we have seasons,” he said. n

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

A dormant bud on a grapevine at Fabbioli Cellars awaits the spring growing season.