Loudoun Now for March 7, 2019 by Loudoun Now

LOUDOUN COUNTY’S COMMUNITY-OWNED NEWS SOURCE

LoudounNow

[ Vol. 4, No. 16 ]

[ loudounnow.com ]

Ashburn champion spells three-peat

[ March 7, 2019 ]

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

In September, the county approved John Robic’s plan to build 40 780-square-foot homes on his property along Rt. 9 west of Hillsboro. To date, seven are unfinished and visible from the road.

Tiny Home Concept Taking Hold in Loudoun, Causing Stir Among Residents BY PATRICK SZABO Micro-cottages and tiny homes might be the housing option of the future—especially in areas like Loudoun where the cost of living is unbearable for some— but for now, they’re sparking a bit of resident concern.

The recent advent of stand-alone dwelling units designed to be less—and oftentimes far less—than 1,000 square feet in total floor area seems to have taken hold in Loudoun, with multiple projects proposed and one that’s already under construction. These aren’t the recently-popularized tiny homes that sit

on wheels and can be towed from place to place, though. These are homes built with permanent foundations that happen to be abnormally small and are built with a two-fold concept—to pack more dwelling units onto a given property and to provide residents with an affordable housing alternative in a county where a

one-bedroom apartment typically goes for somewhere around $1,500, according to listings on Zillow and Apartments.com. One way projects like these are moving forward is the county’s Zoning Ordinance definition of a “country inn,” which allows for 1-40 guest rooms and for guests TINY HOUSES >> 47

Employee Pay, Human Services Needs Dominate Budget Hearings BY RENSS GREENE About 50 people spoke during public hearings last week on the county budget, almost all of them asking county supervisors to approve funding already in County Administrator Tim Hemstreet’s draft budget for county employees, human services agencies and nonprofits. Members of the Service Employees International Union Virginia 512 pressed supervisors to keep on track in the second year of a three-year project to catch the county up to the rest of the region on county staffing levels and pay. Earlier in their term, supervisors heard that the county government had lagged far behind the county’s own population growth, resulting in government employees who work more for less money

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Members of SEIU Virginia 512 asked the Board of Supervisors to stay the course on proposed countywide raises and an ongoing project to bring employee wages and staffing numbers level with other jurisdictions in the Northern Virginia region.

than their colleagues in other Northern Virginia jurisdictions. Child Protective Services social worker Brenda Dettaas said she and her husband live outside Loudoun and still must work multiple jobs to make ends meet. “Our children joke sometimes that they need to call CPS because they’re neglected,” Dettaas. said. “I used to laugh, but then I thought about it.” “Please support the raises, and please support adequate staffing, so that we can improve the life of local families and of our own employees, and that we can make Loudoun a place where people want to work as well as live,” said another CPS employee, Lisa Grieble. “Unfortunately, the truth is that we are BUDGET HEARINGS >> 47

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INSIDE

3 March 7, 2019

Plan for STEM library shelved

Westpark development plan under review

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

From right, Healing Virginia forum organizers Rizwan Jaka of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society and NAACP Loudoun President Pastor Michelle C. Thomas address a crowd that includes Attorney General Mark Herring and his wife, Laura.

Healing Virginia:

Faith, Political Leaders Seek Actions to Combat Racism during Summit BY NORMAN K. STYER Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring on Sunday night addressed a crowd gathered at Mt. Zion Methodist Church in Leesburg to discuss ways to combat systemic institutional racism. The Healing Virginia program was organized by Loudoun faith leaders. While Herring is a familiar face at such gatherings, this was his first appearance since his revelation that he once donned black makeup when dressing up as a rapper—a confession that came days after the disclosure of a racist photo on Gov. Ralph Northam’s medical school yearbook page and his admission he had dressed up as Michael Jackson. Those blackface controversies, along with white supremacist rallies in Char-

lottesville and the more recent outrage over an offensive Underground Railroad exercise in a Loudoun elementary school provided the context for the community meeting, which was aimed to identify actions that Herring and other political leaders could take to better combat racism. The two-hour session was led by NAACP Loudoun President Pastor Michelle C. Thomas and Rizwan Jaka of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society. Topics included questions of how to get an African-American judge elected in Loudoun’s courts, how to strengthen hate crime laws and more effectively criminalize acts of intimidation and harassment by the KKK and white supremacists, and how to better teach the history of racial oppression and discrimination in Loudoun schools—

including the addition of blackface, among other omissions, to the curriculum. “The reason racism is still a problem is because it is engrained in America’s systems,” Thomas said. “We can’t just chant. We can’t just march and protest. We must move our marching and protests to the place where change happens, which is new policies.” Herring, who sought to expand hate crime laws during the recent assembly session, sat in the front row as reform options were discussed. While there have been calls for Herring, Northam and Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, who has been accused of sexual assault by two women, to resign, Herring found support in the Leesburg

National Conference Center Marketing Partnership Announced Soccer fans crowded into The National’s Black Olive Bar and Grill in Lansdowne on Saturday night to get the first look at the jerseys that will be worn by their hometown team. Loudoun United will kick off its inaugural season this weekend in Nashville. The National has signed on as the team’s jersey sponsor and the team uniforms display the conference center’s logo. “In soccer there isn’t a more highly sought-after opportunity than the frontof-jersey partner as it essentially takes on the identity of the club. We couldn’t think of a better, local partner to embark

on this historic first-of-its-kind journey in Loudoun County,” Loudoun United FC Chief Operating Officer Adam Behnke said. “We are extremely proud to wear their name across the country to represent The National. They provide the best quality service, accommodations and standard that any organization would be lucky to have.” The National also will serve as “Home of Loudoun United” and will host the visiting teams, youth teams, and guests of events taking place at the Loudoun United Stadium during 2019. The National will also offer an overnight stay LOUDOUN UNITED >> 46

Loudoun youth get ready to rock

HEALING VIRGINIA >> 46

Loudoun United Kicks Off on Saturday BY NORMAN K. STYER

Lovettsville eyes $1.5M town office expansion

INDEX

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Loudoun United goalkeeper Calle Brown shows off team’s jersey during a special event March 1 at The National.

Loudoun Gov........................... 4 Leesburg................................. 8 Politics................................. 10 Education.............................. 12 Public Safety......................... 16 Nonprofit............................... 18 Biz........................................ 20 Our Towns............................. 26 LoCo Living........................... 32 Public and Legal Notices....... 37 Help Wanted.......................... 40 Obituaries............................. 41 Resource Directory................ 42 Opinion................................. 44

March 7, 2019

[ LOUDOUN GOV ]

[ BRIEFS ]

Supervisors Swap STEM Library for Roads in Construction Schedule

BY RENSS GREENE County supervisors have pushed back plans for a first-of-its-kind science-oriented public library to make room in the county’s budget for more transportation projects. The county’s budget includes funding for a science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, library, which would include a STEM-focused collection, meeting rooms, state-of-the-art technology and equipment, and a 500seat auditorium. Funding for the $47.4 million project was planned to begin in fiscal year 2021, which begins July 2020. But supervisors say they didn’t know much about the project, and that it won’t be ready by then. “I think we need to understand better what the project is, what exactly is the vision,” said finance committee Chairman Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles). “And the board, I think, really needs to buy into it and make a decision as to whether we really want to invest the money into it.” Loudoun Public Library Board of Trustees Chairman Mark Miller said the county’s libraries are “essentially the same,” varying only in size. He suggested the STEM library could change that, collocating at the Academies of Loudoun campus near Leesburg. “It’s more a science-technology re-

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Board of Supervisors finance committee Chairman Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles).

search library, and the vision is framed in the sense that we’re trying to expand the educational reach and spectrum of what the libraries offer, and to one day add the humanities portion on the other end of that spectrum,” Miller said. Instead, supervisors asked the county budget staff to push plans for that library further into the future and develop options for how that $47.4 million could be used to advance transportation

projects, such as sidewalk connections to Metro stations, or plans for a roundabout at Rt. 50 and Trailhead Drive. Supervisors on the finance committee will hear the results of that work March 12, when they plan to recommend an updated version of the county’s Capital Improvement Program to the full Board of Supervisors. rgreene@loudounnow.com

County Approves Loan for Affordable Senior Housing Project in Sterling BY RENSS GREENE County supervisors have approved a loan to finance 98 affordable, age-restricted homes in the Mt. Sterling development between Bartholomew Fair Drive and Potomac View Road in Sterling, next to Costco and Cascades Overlook. The county will loan the developers, a partnership between the for-profit affordable housing developer Edmondson and Gallagher Property Services LLC and non-profit affordable housing developer Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing, almost $6 million and waive $100,000 in fees. That will mean loaning out almost a quarter of the $24.5 million remaining in the county’s Housing Trust. The developer is seeking several sources of funding, including state grants and a $200,000 Community Development Block Grant, and has agreed that any funding it obtained through those sources would reduce the loan amount needed from the county. Over the 40-year life of the loan, based on the full $5.975 million principal, the developer will pay back $12,176,859. The developers proposed to build 98 apartments designed to be accessible to elderly residents and kept price-controlled for 75 years. The proj-

March 28 Deadline for Tourism Grant Application Loudoun County’s annual Tourism Grant process is underway with the posting of the fiscal year 2020 grant application at www.loudoun.gov/TourismGrant. The grant program is designed to support local tourism initiatives and events that drive tourists to Loudoun County. Nonprofits, municipalities, and businesses in Loudoun County are invited to apply for funding for projects to attract regional and national visitors to Loudoun County. Loudoun County’s tourism grants are designed to help develop initiatives to bring more visitors to Loudoun County, increase overnight stays in Loudoun hotels, and enhance the overall attractiveness and marketability of the county as a destination. Funding from the program is to be spent solely on initiatives that increase tourism or qualifying tourism promotions consistent with state code and the Board of Supervisors’ Restricted Transient Occupancy Tax funding policy. For FY 2020, which begins July 1, supervisors have prioritized funding partnerships between multiple organizations, including tourism and hospitality-related businesses. Any organization interested in submitting a request for funds must complete the grant application online. Applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. Friday, March 29. Additional information about the process, as well as a link to the online application form, may be found at www.loudoun. gov/TourismGrant. Questions about the process may be directed to Grants Coordinator Shalom Black in the Department of Management and Budget by email at nonprofits@ loudoun.gov or by phone at 703-737-8186.

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The site of a plan for, among other things, 98 affordable, age-restricted apartments.

ect will also have on-site services and programming for its residents. The apartments will be priced for people making 30 percent or 50 percent of the area median income—in 2018, from $24,650 to $41,050 for a single person. The apartments will be 30 percent more energy efficient than building

code standards under the National Green Building Standard, which sets requirements for water efficiency, sustainable construction materials, indoor air quality, and operations and maintenance efficiency. Ten of them will be accessible to moSENIOR HOUSING >> 5

Loudoun County Commissioner of the Revenue Robert S. Wertz Jr. is accepting applications from nonprofit organizations seeking an exemption from Loudoun County real and/or personal property taxes for the 2020 tax year. The deadline to apply for the exemption is April 1. 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. Completed applications should be returned to the CommissionBRIEFS >> 7

Senior housing << FROM 4

— Supervisor Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling)

ing to move away— is “huge.” However, supervisors also said this application, in which Vice Chairman Ralph M. Buona (R-Ashburn) said the county has “boldly gone where we’ve never gone before,” has also been a learning experience and has unearthed questions in the county’s new venture to help finance affordable housing projects with loans. Buona wondered how county policy should balance and prioritize income levels, numbers of units, and amenities among affordable housing projects. “We all have the same goals and the same intentions,” Buona said. “We all want to maximize the use of this trust.” The price-controlled apartments will join 144 full-price condominiums with elevators and underground parking and 74 townhouses in the development, a project that replaced previous plans for 440 full-price, age-restricted homes on the site. Supervisors unanimously approved the loan.

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bility-impaired people, and two will be designed for visually- and hearing-impaired people. A further 10 units will be set aside to provide housing for seniors experiencing chronic homelessness, including services to support those seniors. Those 98 units are 10 more than the minimum requirement of the county’s Affordable Dwelling Unit program. County staff members project throughout their 75 years, at full capacity the apartments would house 176 people. “This is going to benefit a lot of folks, not just in Sterling, but all of Loudoun County,” said Supervisor Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling). “It’s helping us get to meet some of our needs. … Obviously, we’re not going to meet all of them, but this is definitely going to start the process, and get us hopefully moving forward and bringing more of these applications to our doorstep.” Supervisor Suzanne M. Volpe (R-Algonkian) reflected on the change from seven years ago at the beginning of her first term, when the county’s affordable housing efforts were limited. “I’m very happy that all of this has opened us up to having an applicant come through saying, ‘how can I be creative, how can I be dynamic, how can I increase the yield for a diversity of housing,’” Volpe said. County Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said offering seniors options to age in place—without hav-

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5 March 7, 2019

This is going to benefit a lot of folks, not just in Sterling, but all of Loudoun County.”

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March 7, 2019

Loudoun County Launches Conservation Easement Assistance Program To help protect historic, cultural and environmental resources, qualified Loudoun County landowners can now apply for financial assistance to place their land under conservation easement. A conservation easement is a voluntary, legal agreement that permanently limits uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values. According to the Piedmont Environmental Council, in 2018, 1,313 acres of land were put under conservation easement in Loudoun, bringing the total to 58,862 acres. That includes protecting miles of streams, acres of wetlands, farmland and forest, and nearly 1,000 acres of historic districts and Civil War battlefields. For calendar year 2019, the county has established a fund of $150,000 to launch the new conservation easement assistance program. Supervisor Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) proposed the program. According to a county report from 2018, Loudoun is one of the top three counties in Virginia in both the number of conservation easements and the total acreage they cover. It ranks seventh among Virginia counties for percentage of land protected by a conservation easement, at 14 percent of Loudoun’s land. Neighboring Fauquier County has the largest portion of its area under easement, at 26 percent. The program will help with the upfront costs of placing land under conservation easement, including the costs of stewardship, attorney’s services, land appraisal and survey fees, and process-

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

An eastern bluebird hunts for bugs in early spring.

ing and document fees. Funding for half of these costs or $15,000, whichever is less, will be provided to land trusts working with landowners who qualify. Landowners must have a household income of the Area Median Income or lower, currently $117,200. The land to be placed under conservation easement must be located in Loudoun County, be capable of being subdivided except parcels in the Agricultural and Forestal District Program; maintaining the property as a permanent open space should conform with the county’s comprehensive plan; and the property must not already be under conservation easement or otherwise restricted from development, except parcels under the

Land Use Assessment program or enrolled in the Agricultural and Forestal District program. The county will make an online application available for one month twice a year: March 1 and September 1. Half of the $150,000 funding will be reserved for each application process. Should the March application process not use the entire $75,000, the remaining funds will roll to the September application process. If one or both sessions have more applications than funding, the County will weigh the applications against each other based on the number of development rights relinquished and the historic/cultural resources preserved. Those with the highest scores

will be awarded as funding is available. Landowners interested in the possibility of placing their land under a conservation easement should contact a land trust to begin the process. Since easements are generally granted in perpetuity, an outside party must be responsible for the monitoring and maintenance of the easement. If the land is eligible and the land trust agrees, the land trust will apply on the landowners’ behalf and will hold the easement for current and future property owners. For more information about conservation easements in Loudoun County, visit loudoun.gov/conservationeasements or email conservationeasements@ loudoun.gov.

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Land Trust of Virginia Formalizes Baldwin Farm Protection Fund

7 March 7, 2019

BY RENSS GREENE

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Pamela Baldwin holds a photo of her late husband Malcoml at their home, WeatherLea Farm.

idea to honor him with a fund at the Land Trust of Virginia to help protect small farms from development, taking some of the pressure off of those farmers. People began donating to the idea immediately, even though no fund had yet been formally established. According to Land Trust of Virginia Executive Director Sally Price, to date approximately 40 people have donated almost $10,000 to the nascent fund. She said that, along with the county’s own new grant program to help defray the cost of setting up conservation easements, should help several farmers protect their land. The formal language adopted by the Land Trust’s Board of Directors in January says the fund is established specifically to help farmers who wish to set up a conservation easement with the Land Trust, but can’t afford it. To contribute to the Land Trust of Virginia or the Malcolm Forbes Baldwin Fund, visit landtrustva.org/support. rgreene@loudounnow.com

[ BRIEFS ] << FROM 4 er of the Revenue postmarked no later than Monday, April 1, for consideration this year. Any exemption, if granted, would be effective January 1, 2020. Organizations that are unsure of their status may contact the Exemptions and Deferrals Division of the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue at 703-737-8557 or at trcor@ loudoun.gov. Applications are available online at www.loudoun.gov/NonprofitTaxExemption. Nonprofit organizations that have already received an exemption from Loudoun County property taxes need not file an application.

Ride Free on Loudoun Transit to Metro Stations Through March Passengers will ride free on Loudoun County Transit buses that provide connections to the Wiehle-Reston East and West Falls Church Metrorail sta-

tions through March 30. The free rides will be available on all Loudoun Transit routes that serve Metrorail stations. Bus schedules can be found online atwww.loudoun.gov/ bus-schedules. The free bus rides are part of the ISHARE66 Commuter Choice program designed to reduce traffic congestion and promote alternative modes of transportation through the Interstate 66 corridor. Anyone who currently drives alone to work on I-66 inside the Beltway may be eligible to receive other ISHARE66 commuter incentives by switching to a carpool, vanpool or transit. In addition to the free bus rides, other commuter incentives include $100 gasoline cards for new carpools, $500 toward expenses for new vanpools, and up to $300 in Smartrip cards for new premium commuter bus riders. Details about the incentives are available at ishare66.org. More information is online at www. loudoun.gov/commute or by calling 703-771-5665.

25399 Loudon Now MAR2019.ai

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On Jan. 26 the Land Trust of Virginia’s Board of Directors formally established the Malcolm Forbes Baldwin Fund to help pay for conservation easements to protect farm properties from development. Plans for the fund first emerged late last year, almost immediately after the death of longtime conservationist and pioneering environmental attorney Malcolm Baldwin. Baldwin had spent his life fighting for the environment, convening the first national conference on environmental law in the then-new field, serving as senior environmental law and policy specialist at the White House Council on Environmental Quality during the administration of President Jimmy Carter, and helping local officials in Sri Lanka to establish that country’s environmental laws and policies, among other work. In 2002, he retired to WeatherLea Farm in Loudoun, turning his energy to growing grapes, raising sheep and protecting rural lands. He co-founded Save Rural Loudoun, helped create the Lovettsville Cooperative Market, and was active with the Virginia Farm Bureau, the Loudoun County Rural Economic Development Council and on the boards of the Piedmont Environmental Council and the Land Trust of Virginia. He also placed his own family’s WeatherLea Farm under a conservation easement managed by the Land Trust. Under a conservation easement, landowners agree to give up development rights on their property, also setting up an agreement with a qualifying organization to monitor the land and receive some tax benefits. But those easements can be costly to set up, running into tens of thousands of dollars and legal fees and other costs. After his death in November 2018, Baldwin’s family members had the

March 7, 2019

[ LEESBURG ]

Commission to Review Golf Club Property Development Plan BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ A controversial plan for a residential development on the Westpark Golf Club property is entering the public review phase this week. The Leesburg Planning Commission has scheduled its first public hearing on a Town Plan amendment for the golf course property which, if approved, would convert just under 14 acres designated for community office development and open space to allow for medium-density residential development. Also proposed is an amendment to convert 4.39 acres from community office designation to open space. Lennar, the contract purchaser for the entire 142-acre property, plans to construct 96 townhouses on the property. According to a staff report, the applicant intends to retain the remaining acreage as open space by restricting future development, and transfer that open space to the town. In previous community meetings, Lennar representatives suggested the town could use the open space for a new town park, or at least to preserve the remaining vista of the golf course property. In its justification for the Town Plan amendment, the homebuilder points to the Town Plan’s call for a “high quality housing stock that accommodates future population and workforce” and said the proposed development would achieve exactly that. It also points to the current state of the golf course property and clubhouse, which the report admits has seen better days, and “in some measure stick[s] out like a sore thumb in these residential neighborhoods.”

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

The latest plans for a townhouse development on the Westpark Golf Club would preserve much of the property as town-owned open space, but the golf course operation would likely cease.

“If the open space is maintained, which is the applicant’s intention, then additional homes would complement, rather than detract from, the area,” the report states. Those who live near the Westpark property have been vocal since news that the property was for sale broke in late 2017. CalAtlantic Homes, which would later merge with Lennar, has been under contract to purchase the property since shortly after it was listed for sale and has held several community meetings with updates on proposed development. What they have largely heard is an outcry from the public to preserve as much of the golf course property as possible, with many nearby residents bemoaning the fact that their golf course views could soon make way for more housing. They’ve also continually highlighted the flooding often experienced on the property and questioned how that could impact

or impede any development. The Town Council has been just as involved as the months have passed since the property’s sale was announced. Initially, council members questioned whether the town could purchase the property and continue to operate it as a municipal golf course. However, a feasibility analysis conducted by the town staff shed doubt that the golf course could be a revenue-generating operation after the cost of needed improvements, potential debt service obligations and ongoing maintenance were taken into account, Thursday’s public hearing is set for 7 p.m. in Town Hall Council Chambers. Once the commission issues its recommendation, the Town Council will have final approval authority on whether to sign off on the Town Plan amendment. krodriguez@loudounnow.com

[ BRIEFS ] Community Forum Planned on Lynching Memorials A panel discussion on plans to erect historical markers at the site of three lynchings that occurred in Loudoun County between 1880 and 1902 will be held Thursday, March 14 at the Douglass School. The program was organized by students pursuing master’s degrees at the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University. The panel will feature past Loudoun NACCP President Phillip Thompson, current Loudoun NAACP President Pastor Michelle Thompson, members of the Black History Committee, local leaders and residents who will discuss the history of the lynchings and the importance of remembering the victims—Page Wallace, Orion Anderson, and Charles Craven. The students—Tanja Thompson, Jordan Mrvos, Bethany Holland, and Audrey Williams—are learning facilitation techniques and how to guide facilitated discussions on sensitive issues with groups and audiences with varied viewpoints and life experiences. Learn more at eventbrite.com by searching for “Loudoun County Lynching Memorial Discussion.”

Town of Leesburg

The Leesburg Executive Airport has been awarded $80,000 to rehabilitate its runway and taxiway lighting

Airport Receives State Funding

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Two more Leesburg apartment complexes are getting new ownership. The Kushner Companies is buying The Manor and The Manor East on Fort Evans Road. Last month, the 416-unit Bellemeade Farms Apartments complex was sold to Capital Square 1031.

Kushner to Purchase Leesburg Apartments BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ Looks like the Trump real estate empire is expanding in Loudoun. Kushner Companies of New York, run by Charles Kushner, the father of President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, has reportedly agreed to pay more than $1 billion for a package of Lone Star apartment complexes

in Maryland and Virginia, as first reported by The Wall Street Journal. The deal encompasses 6,030 units across 16 properties that boast an average occupancy rate near 95 percent. The purchase includes two apartment complexes in Leesburg—The Manor, with 198 units, and Manor East, with 164, both located along Fort Evans Road. Home Properties, owned

by Lone Star Funds, has acquired The Manor in 2006 for $7.1 million and purchased the Manor East in 2012 for $16.2 million. A message left for a representative of Kushner Companies was not returned. An employee at The Manor apartments declined comment for the article. krodriguez@loudounnow.com

The Leesburg Executive Airport is one of 14 airports in the commonwealth to be awarded Virginia Aviation Board funding in a recent award cycle. The airport was awarded $80,000 towards its runway and taxiway lighting rehabilitation project. In total, VAB awarded $4.55 million to fund 18 projects across the airports. In a press release, Virginia Department of Aviation Director Mark Flynn noted that is the highest award ever distributed by the board. “Public-use airports in Virginia are vital to the success of any region’s economic development efforts,” stated Rod Hall, chairman of the VAB. “Our investment in these 14 airports will only help the communities they serve.” The VAB estimates that aviation is a $23 billion economic engine in the commonwealth of Virginia that employs more than 146,000 people.

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The former Cooley Gallery on North King Street is undergoing renovations as downtown Leesburg prepares for a retail revival.

clothing store owned by veteran retailers Ben and Tara Wegdam. Their third Zest store will open a at 32 S. King St., space formerly occupied by the Leesburg Antiques Emporium. krodriguez@loudounnow.com

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Downtown Leesburg’s booming restaurant industry will need to make room for two new retail offerings that could make the county seat a fashion destination in itself. Misguided Angels recently announced plans to open a new location at 14 S. King St. in April. The store, with locations in Brambleton and Great Falls, offers “affordable elegance” in women’s fashion, from apparel to shoes to handbags and accessories. The boutique store includes offerings from both up-andcoming and established designers. Taking up the space formerly occupied by The Cooley Gallery at 9 N. King St. is another fashion purveyor. The Lucky Knot, a family-owned small business, calls itself the leading destination for casual, preppy, nautical and resort-inspired wear for both men and women. Andrea Ploutis and sisters Athena Kohilas, Stavroulla Kokkinis and Stella Koukides opened their first shop in 2012 and operates in Alexandria, Annapolis, MD, and Baltimore, MD. A springtime opening is anticipated. Also expected to open this spring on South King Street is Zest women’s

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9 March 7, 2019

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March 7, 2019

[ POLITICS ]

Attorney to Run for Catoctin District Board Seat Hamilton resident Caleb Kershner will run as a Republican for the Catoctin District on the Loudoun Board of Supervisors. Two-term incumbent Geary Higgins, who is leaving the seat to run for the state Senate, is among those endorsing the attorney. “Loudoun has offered me and my family a unique way of life, one that I’m committed to preserving and improving for all Loudoun families to enhance their quality of life,” Kershner stated in his March 4 announcement. “Having grown up in 4-H and on a working farm, I know the importance of preserving open space and our beautiful countryside for future generations.” He cited investments in transportation, preservation of small schools and support for small class sizes, and increasing broadband access as his top priorities. “I am running to advance policies that make commuting and living in Loudoun safe and affordable for young families like mine. I am committed to keeping taxes and the costs of living low and giving Loudouners efficient, customer service oriented local government,” he stated. “Residents deserve choices that fit their lifestyle: smartly planned and convenient communities in the east, and countryside living with modern convenience in the west.” Kershner is a partner with the law firm Simms Showers, LLP, in Leesburg,

Caleb Kershner

representing clients in a variety of areas including nonprofit, business, employment, personal injury, estate planning, criminal and family law. “I am running because I have the legal experience and financial background to be a thoughtful and unwavering advocate for Catoctin families by protecting taxpayer dollars, ensuring sufficient and high-quality services for both the growing east and the rural west, and championing fair application of our laws and regulations towards all Loudoun residents and businesses. In doing so I will achieve solutions that make commuting and living affordable, preserve our open space and rural economy, create more good-paying jobs, and increase pathways to student success,” he stated. “Caleb has my strongest endorse-

ment to serve as the next Catoctin District supervisor,” Higgins stated in the campaign announcement. “His experience growing up on a farm, background in business finance, and career as an attorney for both the county and private sector give him an impressive range of knowledge that will serve the district well. He has the passion and ability to govern in a way that will preserve the way of life in western Loudoun we love and enjoy. He will bring balanced and practical solutions to Loudoun’s transportation and land use pressures and will work hard to preserve and grow our rural economy.” Commissioner of the Revenue Bob Wertz and Lovettsville Town Council member Michael Dunlap also endorsed Kershner. Kershner was born in Rockport, ME, and grew up on a farm near Frederick, MD. He moved to Loudoun County in 1995 and lives in Hamilton with his wife, Whitney Emblidge Kershner, and sons Colton, Tristan, Brayden, and Weston. He earned a degree in finance and his law degree from George Mason University. Prior to joining his law firm, he worked as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney in Loudoun and as director of federal relations at Home School Legal Defense Association. He serves on the Loudoun County Fair and Associates board and has been a member of the Lovettsville-Waterford Ruritans.

Ohneiser Launches Independent Run for County Chair Former School Board member Robert Ohneiser announced Tuesday he is running for the county chairman at-large position on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors as an independent. “I believe Loudouners are quite tired of hearing self-serving partisan rhetoric from political climbers who spend most of their time taking from the public trough instead of having a demonstrated legacy of volunteering to help Loudoun as I have with over 40 man years of serving Loudoun,” Ohneiser wrote in an email announcing his candidacy. He said the Board of Supervisors should focus on “efficiency, fairness and full community support.” “As a recently retired attorney with Loudoun elected official experience combined with decades of Loudoun-based community volunteerism, I am uniquely capable of managing the county agenda working full time with both parties to move defined problems to successful resolution,” Ohneiser wrote. He served on the Loudoun County School Board representing the Broad Run District for OHNEISER >> 11

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coordinating with Fairfax County to address issues around Dulles Airport and dealing with the state and federal government. Ohneiser recently retired as an attorney, having also served in executive roles at other businesses and having served on the Board of Education of West Paterson, NJ, now known as Woodland Park. “Being Chairman is a full time, serious job not a part time endeavor to build up one’s law firm or operate as a ceremonial head distracting precious county resources on ad hoc issues of distraction,” Ohneiser wrote. Ohneiser joins a race against incumbent Chairwoman Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large), a Democrat seeking a second term, and Republican challenger John Whitbeck.

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eight years beginning in 2003. In 2011, he unsuccessfully ran for the At-Large position on the School Board, and in 2015 unsuccessfully ran for Commonwealth’s Attorney as the Democratic candidate. In 2018, when former School Board member Eric DeKenipp left his seat early, he endorsed Ohneiser to be his replacement, although the School Board selected Chris Croll to fill the seat. In his campaign announcement, Ohneiser voiced concern about the cost of Metrorail and the school budget, claiming the school budget “may push the already unfair property tax rate upward by over 30 cents.” Ohneiser also wrote that he would not accept any campaign contributions for the countywide race. “As the only candidate who takes no campaign contributions, I will not be beholding to any developer, Richmond required party obedience or other lobbyist influences,” Ohneiser wrote. He said his priorities include pushing the property tax rate back below one dollar per $100 of assessed value for the first time since 2008; addressing traffic problems on Rt. 9 and Rt. 15, including that he will “require” the Virginia Department of Transportation to meet its own published minimum standards and the owners of the Greenway to provide discounts to Loudouners, both issues under state authority; and

March 7, 2019

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Ohneiser

[ E D U C AT I O N ]

[ SCHOOL NOTES ] Richards Tapped to Lead Harrisonburg Schools

March 7, 2019

The Harrisonburg City School Board announced Tuesday that Michael G. Richards has been hired as the district’s next superintendent. Richards served as chief of staff for Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Eric Williams for the past four years. According to announcement, Richards was given a three-year contract through June 30, 2022, at a salary of $176,000 per year. He’ll take up his new duties May 1. Richards took the newly created chief of staff post following the retirement of a longtime deputy superintendent and served as William’s second in command. He came to Loudoun after working as the director of data and accountability with the Del Valle Independent School District in Texas.

Teen Trafficking Forum Planned Wednesday Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Ashrita Gandhari, a sixth grader at Stone Hill Middle School, is the 2019 Loudoun County Spelling Bee champ.

For Loudoun’s Spelling Champ, It’s a Three-Peat to Nationals After 13 rounds of competition over more than three hours Thursday night, Stone Hill Middle School student Ashrita Gandhari emerged as the champion in the 2019 Loudoun County Spelling Bee. The 11-year-old sixth grader topped a field of 80 elementary and middle school spellers to win the honor of representing Loudoun in the Scripps National Spelling Bee that will be held starting May 27 at the Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, MD. Her final challenge word was “séance,” a meeting at which people attempt to make contact with the dead. Ananya Balachander, a seventh-grader from Eagle Ridge Middle School, had a chance to win the bee in round 11, but incorrectly spelled “alliaceous.” Of the four finalists, only Ashrita survived round 12 to face the championship word in round 13. It is the second year in a row that a speller from Stone Hill Middle School took top honors at the regional spelling bee. Harper Park Middle School eighth grader Sarah Chang was the runner up. Those who didn’t advance during the Feb. 28 competition should not be too discouraged, however. They lost to one of the best youth spellers in the country. This won’t be Ashrita’s first trip to the national spelling bee; it will be her third. For the past two years, she competed as a representative of Franklin Elementary School in North Andover, MA. As a fourth grader she made it all the way to the top 40. Her family moved to Ashburn last

The Loudoun County Public Schools’ Department of Pupil Services will present “Protecting Our Youth: A Conversation about Teen Trafficking for Parents and Teens” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, at Stone Bridge High School. Teens and parents are invited to learn about the dangers of teen trafficking. Traffickers are targeting young people from every socio-economic group, race and gender across the country—and Loudoun is no exception. The program will feature former Detective Bill Woolf and Jodi O’Hern of the Just Ask Prevention Project.

Loudoun Teams Battle in Regional Science Bowl

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Ashrita Gandhari is greeted by family members and supporters following her victory in the Loudoun County Regional Spelling Bee.

year pursuing work opportunities. And Ashrita kept rolling at her new school, winning Stone Hill’s school-wide spelling bee. The national spelling bee is broadcast on ESPN, but you may have the opportunity to see Ashrita on the big

screen even before that Memorial Day weekend competition. She is one of four Indian-American spellers—and the only girl—featured in a new documentary, “Breaking the Bee,” which will be screened during the SXSW Festival in Austin, TX, this week.

The Virginia Regional Middle School Science Bowl competition was held Saturday at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in Newport News. Two Loudoun teams were among the 19 invited to the competition. Participating teams faced off in a question-and-answer format, where contestants were quizzed on their knowledge of math and a range of science disciplines, including biology, chemistry, Earth science, physics and energy. The team from Farmwell Middle School in Ashburn placed first in the initial round-robin tournament and finished fifth overall following the double elimination portion. Over the course of the day, the team was challenged with more than 220 questions. Students from Trailside Middle School also competed.

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of the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation’s iteration of Read Across America Day. The annual program, headed by the National Education Association, commemorates Theodore “Dr. Seuss” Geisel’s birthday and celebrates reading. The students got the chance to read from a few of the author’s most iconic books and compete in obstacle courses, relay races and other games on the same indoor field that the Redskins practice on. Wide Receiver Cam Sims and cornerbacks Joshua Holsey and Greg Stroman were also on hand participating in the games and reading activities alongside the students. After a warm up on the practice field’s end zone, the students split into groups and tried their hands at some Dr. Seuss trivia, which had them working to figure out the author’s real name

and list as many of his books as they could. The students then rotated around the field in five stations—a “Cat in the Hat” Play 60 obstacle course, “The Foot Book” matching relay, a “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” coloring station, a game against the clock themed after “The Lorax” and an “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” reading corner with two Redskins cheerleaders. Sims said that he enjoys getting the chance to interact with the kids, especially when he’s unable to be with his daughter. “We just came to support the kids,” he said. “They’re challenged physically and mentally.” The Redskins Charitable Foundation, in conjunction with KIPP DC, also held a ribbon cutting ceremony this week for the newest of 42 Loads of Love Laundry Centers across D.C., Maryland and Virginia. That program was launched by Redskins long snapper Nick Sundberg and his wife in 2017 to help children in under-resourced communities gain access to clean clothes. pszabo@loudounnow.com

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Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Washington Redskins Wide Receiver Cam Sims and Cornerback Joshua Holsey help elementary school students in Dr. Seuss trivia during the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation’s Read Across America Day event.

15 March 7, 2019

Courtesy of Jenn Yates

A team from the Academies of Loudoun—Alec Correa, Bruce Caylor, and Danielle Malloy—present their entry of beef lettuce wraps, honeydew cantaloupe, and fruit salad to the judges during the Real Food for Kids competition on Saturday.

Students Compete to Improve School Menus It was the seventh year for the Real Food for Kids’ Culinary Challenge, held Saturday in Alexandria, but it was the first year with a Loudoun team in the competition. The nonprofit program is focused on elevating school food through collaboration with school districts and engagement with administrators, students and parents about healthy eating. A three-member team from the culinary class at the Academies of

part of the prize, the meal will be part of the school lunch menu next year in the five participating school districts. The event was judged by a panel that included celebrity chefs Spike Mendelsohn and Cathal Armstrong and Bonnie Benwick, deputy food editor of the Washington Post. Chef Ype Von Hengst of Silver Diner served as the student advocate for the 11 teams presenting school lunch dishes and was a judge of the 13 teams creating breakfast and smart snack options.

Loudoun—Alec Correa, Bruce Caylor and Danielle Malloy—competed with 10 other teams from Fairfax, Prince William, Arlington, and Montgomery County high schools and middle schools. They were charged with creating a school lunch dish that meets USDA guidelines for school meals. An additional 13 teams created breakfast and smart snack options. The team from Takoma Park Middle School in Montgomery County, MD, took first place with a Winter Bowl. As

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An image taken from a student-shot video of Feb. 28 fight between a student and a school resource officer in the Dominion High School cafeteria.

Student Charged After Fight with School Deputy Lunchtime at Dominion High School was disrupted Feb. 28 when a student assaulted a school resource officer in the crowded cafeteria. According to the Sheriff ’s Office, the altercation happened shortly after 1 p.m. when a member of the school’s administrative staff was attempting to have the student go to the office. The student refused multiple times and assaulted the staff member. The deputy assigned to the school approached the student and attempted to calm him down. The student then turned and assaulted, with a fist fight erupting until the student was subdued and removed. The deputy was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The student refused medical treat-

ment. He was taken to the Loudoun Juvenile Detention Center. The student faces felony charges of obstruction of justice by force and assault on a law enforcement officer and misdemeanor charges of assault on a school official, disorderly conduct, and destruction of property.

Protest at Madison’s Trust Sparks Security Review A Friday morning incident at Madison’s Trust Elementary School in Ashburn has prompted a review of access procedures and security at school campuses. According to the Sheriff ’s Office report, deputies were called to the school just before 10 a.m. March 1 for a report of men being disorderly in the main office. Six people dressed in black entered

the school’s vestibule by following a parent and student who staff members had cleared to enter and who activated the electronic door access. The group entered the office and some members showed identification and asked to speak with a school administrator to discuss how school leaders were addressing racism concerns sparked by the controversial reenactment of the Underground Railroad that had occurred there weeks earlier. After being told by a school administrator he could not discuss personnel matters, the group left the office chanting “no justice, no peace.” Deputies met the group exiting the school and discussed their actions. One claimed they were representing a Black Panther Party. Deputies concluded they were conducting a protest and had made no threats toward the school or the school staff. No criminal charges were filed. As a precaution, a school resource officer remained on campus for the rest of the school day. The Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office is reviewing in more detail how the group entered the school’s vestibule and office and is working with school administrators and security staff to identify concern about controlling public access to schools.

Fire Destroys Philomont Home, Under Investigation The Loudoun County Fire Marshall’s

Credit: Loudoun County Fire-Rescue

Crews battle a Feb. 25 house fire on Greggsville Road near Philomont

Office is investigating the cause of a Feb. 25 fire that destroyed a Philomont home. According to Loudoun Fire-Rescue, the fire was reported just after 2:25 p.m., last Monday on Greggsville Road. Although the first units arrived on the scene in less than three minutes, the two-story, single-family home was heavily involved in fire that was spreading to other portions of the home. Water was trucked to the rural site by tankers and also pulled from a nearby pond. High winds contributed to the spread of the fire to the adjoining field and fence row. The fire was brought under control within 40 minutes. Two adult residents were displaced and were able to stay locally with friends. The damages were estimated at $450,000. No injuries were reported.

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Hundreds Party the Night Away at YMCA’s 32nd Annual Chocolates Galore BY PATRICK SZABO

The champagne was flowing Friday night at YMCA Loudoun’s 32nd annual Chocolates Galore & More event at Lansdowne Resort.

The DJ at Chocolates Galore & More works to appease the musical likes of nearly 1,000 people.

Mrs. District of Columbia America 2018 Leiah Rocheleau poses for a photo with a Chocolates Galore & More attendee.

A Chocolates Galore & More attendee peruses the silent auction table.

More than 800 people escaped the freezing rain Friday night by packing into Lansdowne Resort’s banquet hall to enjoy some of the county’s best food and a night of partying and giving back to the community. YMCA Loudoun County held its 32nd annual Chocolates Galore & More at Lansdowne Resort and Spa. The event featured food and desserts from 23 area restaurants and caterers, ranging from coffee shops and bakeries to steakhouses and senior living communities. After a few hours of dining, socializing, dancing and voting, eight of those businesses were crowned winners for their taste and appearance. A panel of judges made up of Jason Reaves, Salamander Resort’s executive pastry chef; Marcus Repp, Lansdowne Resort’s executive chef; Daniela Williams, the owner of Cucinamore; Gail Hooks, the owner of Delectable Dining By Chef G; and Jenna Brownell, the manager at Whippoorwill Farm, voted Lady K’s Catering for best taste desert, Sweetz Bakery for best presentation dessert, 5 Tara Indian Cuisine for best taste hors d’oeuvre and Waltonwood Ashburn for best presentation hors d’oeuvre. The Peoples’ Choice awards went to Sweetz Bakery for best taste dessert, Nothing Bundt Cake for best presentation dessert, Eddie Merlot’s for best taste hors d’oeuvre, and Generations Gourmet for best presentation hors d’oeuvre. YMCA Loudoun also presented the Loudoun County Department of Family Services with its Partnership of the Year Award. Friday’s event was sold out for a second year in a row, with an unofficial count of $70,000 raised. That money, along with proceeds from the silent auction, the Send a Kid to Camp program and raffle tickets, will benefit YMCA Loudoun’s Caring for Community Program, which provides scholarship and financial assistance to the county’s youth, enabling them to participate in different YMCA programs like preschool, after school programs and summer camps. Although the event has become more popular than ever, YMCA Loudoun Business Director Kasia Bochenek said that the organization at this point has no plans to move to a larger venue next year. “We are very pleased that Chocolates has become one of Loudoun County’s most popular social events of the winter season,” she said. “The growing popularity of this event means the Y can better fulfill its mission and serve more children in Loudoun County.” pszabo@louodunnow.com

YMCA Loudoun Executive Director Angel Cerritos makes a few opening remarks at the 32nd annual Chocolates Galore & More event.

Audrey Messina of the Very Virginia Shop talks about the fudge and other chocolate her shop has to offers.

Chocolates Galore & More attendees gather on the dance floor to dance the Electric Slide.

A Sweetz Bakery employee prepares a tower of lime, passion fruit and chocolate macarons.

A Shoe’s Cup & Cork employee presents a platter of kabobs.

Waltonwood Ashburn’s Chef Beth Siatta presents the senior living community’s “Waltonwood Wonder” dish.

[ NONPROFIT NOTES ] Loudoun Literacy Council Expands with HEAL Program Loudoun Literacy Council is teaming up with Williamsburg-based Literacy for Life to bring the award-winning HEAL Program to the county. The Literacy for Life HEAL Program addresses the problem of low health literacy, which is pervasive and can result in life-threatening complications for patients. The long-term goal of the program is for Loudoun County participants, predominantly English language learners, to access medical services with increased knowledge and confidence so they can better manage

their overall health and the health of their families. Two LLC instructors have trained for the HEAL Program, and classes will launch in April and run through 2020. “We are truly appreciative for the opportunity to partner with Literacy for Life and address the important issue of health literacy,” stated Executive Director Nikki Daruwala. The HEAL Program in Loudoun County is funded by the Coverys Community Healthcare Foundation. Development of the HEAL Program has been supported by the Williamsburg Health Foundation and the Ber-

nardine Franciscan Sisters Foundation. It has served more than 1,000 people since inception in 2012. Founded in 1980, the Loudoun Literacy Council provides instruction on basic literacy, fundamental math skills, English language, job skills and credentialing preparation, financial literacy and health literacy.

Registration Open for FinishLyme 5K/1K In its ninth year, the event known as the LoudounLyme 5K/1K is getting a NONPROFIT NOTES >> 19

Courtesy mfinishlyme.org

The FinishLyme 5K/1L (formerly the Loudoun Lyme 5K/1K) will be held on May 19 at Fairfax Corner.

[ NONPROFIT NOTES ]

Rummage Sale Collections Begin It’s time to start cleaning out the closets, garages and basement to sort out those items you’ll likely never use again—items that are the fuel for the annual Ladies Board Rummage Sale. This will be the 81st year for the massive yard sale that helps pay for equipment purchases at Inova Loudoun Hospital and nursing scholarships. Volunteers will collect donations from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at Inova Loudoun Hospital in Lansdowne and the Inova Loudoun Medical Campus on Cornwall Street in downtown Leesburg.

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new location and a new name. Registration is open for DryHome’s FinishLyme, which this year will be held at Fairfax Corner on May 19. The event features a 5K race and 1K family fun run, along with vendors and experts offering information on the dangers of tick-borne diseases. The race raises funding to find a cure for Lyme disease. To date, FinishLyme has raised more than $419,000 to support research and advocacy efforts. Registration is $35 for adults and $25 for children under 14. After May 16, registration for both will increase by $5. To learn more or register, go to finishlyme.org.

While a variety of donations are needed, there is a special request for gently used, new or designer clothes, shoes and accessories, as well as home goods and furniture. Organizers request that items be packed in boxes with lids and flaps shut and that clothes and non-breakable items are packed in plastic bags. Generally accepted categories include furniture, antiques, sports equipment, books and media, clothing, home goods, holiday decorations, linens, lamps, toys, etc. For a complete list of what can be accepted, go to LadiesBoard.org/donors.cfm. Additional Donation Days will be held Saturday, May 11; Saturday, Sept. 7 and Saturday, Sept. 28 at the same locations. Donations also may be made by appointment by calling 703-7712985 or sending an email to RummageLadies@gmail.com. The sale will be held Oct. 19-20 at the Morven Park Equestrian Center near Leesburg. Ladies Board raises several hundred thousand dollars each year toward special needs equipment at Inova Loudoun Hospital and pledged a $1 million for the Cornwall Cares project. The Ladies Board awards more than $100,000 in nursing scholarships annually.

March 7, 2019

<< FROM 18

March 7, 2019

[ BIZ ]

[ BIZ NOTES ]

Loudoun Farmers, Producers Market Goods ‘Speed Dating’ Style

BY PATRICK SZABO Nearly two dozen of Loudoun’s farmers and producers on Monday tried their hands in a few rounds of “speed dating”—only this iteration of the fast-pace matchmaking event induced business deals rather than romantic relationships. Visit Loudoun, Loudoun Economic Development and the Virginia Cooperative Extension teamed up to host the second Loudoun Producers Marketplace, which connects local producers and growers with buyers. The event was held at Chefscape in the Village at Leesburg and featured a “speed dating” format for 20 buyers—including restaurants, hotels and catering companies—to move from table to table to talk business with 19 producers that included Blackwater Beef, Catoctin Creamery, Bluemont Vineyard, the Locksley Farmstead Cheese Co. and Veritaz Artizen Chocolate. Each time a producer struck a deal with a buyer, they would ring a Loudoun County branded cowbell to give the room an audible reminder that the marketplace was more than just a place to learn about new products, but also a venue to conduct business. Jamie Pantel, the owner and manager of SunPower Farm near Round Hill—which sells free-range lamb, duck, quail and chicken to high-end restaurants—said she set up a booth at the marketplace because of the accessibility it provided her, noting that she’s

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Each time a producer struck a deal with a buyer at the Loudoun Producers Marketplace, they rang a cowbell to apprise the room of their success.

typically too busy farming and making food to market her products and connect with buyers on such a personal level. “I think it’s an excellent and very needed venue,” she said. “To connect the chefs who are very busy with the farmers and producers I think is a really wonderful opportunity for both of us.” Pantel said that she was able to conduct “quite a bit” of business during the event’s two hours of face time with buyers.

Alan Myers, the director of purchasing for The National Conference Center, said that, while he’s been to food shows with “big-time distributors” like Cisco, he’s never been to an event with so many local producers before. During his rounds at the marketplace, Myers met four producers that he said the conference center plans to do business with. “For the most part, I came in here [to see] what’s here, what’s new, MARKEPLACE >> 22

Corcoran Honored for Service to VA Wine Industry; Loudoun Wines Win 7 Golds Local wines were shut out of the top spots in the Governor’s Cup competition this week, but one of Loudoun’s industry leaders was honored for his accomplishments. The Virginia Wineries Association on Feb. 26 presented Jim Corcoran, of Corcoran Vineyards, with the Gordon Murchie Lifetime Achievement Virginia Wine Marketing Office Award. C o r c o r a n Loudoun winemaker started Corcoran Jim Corcoran Vineyards near accepts a lifetime Waterford with achievement award his wife, Lori, in from the Virginia 2002 and was in- Wineries Association. strumental in the creation of the Virginia Wine Distribution Company, which revolutionized the way smaller wineries in the commonwealth could sell their products to restaurants and stores. He also served on its board for many years. Corcoran also helped form the Virginia Wine Council and, as chairman,

Seven Loudoun wines were presented gold medals: • 50 WEST VINEYARDS, 2015 Aldie Heights Cuvee • BOXWOOD ESTATE WINERY, 2015 Reserve • CREEK’S EDGE WINERY, 2017 Cabernet Franc • DOUKÉNIE WINERY, 2016 Vintner’s Reserve 2016 • FABBIOLI CELLARs, 2015 Tannat • GREENHILL WINERY AND VINEYARDS, 2017 Chardonnay Reserve • SUNSET HILLS VINEYARD, 2015 Mosaic.

This year’s top winners—the 12 wines selected for inclusion in the “Governor’s Case”—were: • HORTON VINEYARDS, 2016 Petit Manseng, judged as the year’s best wine

spent countless days in Richmond working with state legislators. Since 2010, he has served on the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

• BARBOURSVILLE VINEYARDS, 2017 Vermentino Reserve • EARLY MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS, 2016 Eluvium • GLEN MANOR VINEYARDS, 2015 Cabernet Franc • KING FAMILY VINEYARDS, 2016 Mountain Plains • KING FAMILY VINEYARDS, 2016 Meritage • PARADISE SPRINGS WINERY, 2015 Meritage • VIRGINIA WINE WORKS, 2016 Hamlet Vineyards Eltham • VIRGINIA WINE WORKS, 2016 Michael Shaps Petit Manseng • VIRGINIA WINE WORKS, 2016 Michael Shaps Raisin d’Etre White • VIRGINIA WINE WORKS, 2015 Michael Shaps Tannat • VIRGINIA WINE WORKS, 2014 Upper Shirley Zachariah

The award was presented during the Governor’s Cup Gala in Richmond when the results of the statewide wine competition, with more than 500 entries, were announced.

Students Invited To Career Expo More than 75 local businesses will be recruiting employees at the seventh annual Leesburg Career Expo for students and recent graduates from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Tuscarora High School. Aimed at high school students, college students, and recent graduates, the expo offers job seekers the opportunity to meet face-to-face with prospective employers from a variety of industry sectors including retail, sales, hospitality, technology, trades, recreation, and more. Available positions include full-time, part-time and seasonal, as well as entry-level salaried positions and internships. A full list of participating employers is on the event website at leesburgva.gov/careerexpo. Many employers will be hiring on the spot. Job seekers are encouraged to skip the registration line at the event by preregistering via the website. Attendees should wear business attire and bring copies of their résumés. For more information, contact Barb Smith at bsmith@leesburgva.gov or 703-669-2202.

Signatures of Loudoun Nominations Sought The Signatures of Loudoun awards program gives Design Excellence Awards to buildings where people conduct business. The public is invited to nominate places where Loudoun works, learns, shops or plays. Nominations must be received by March 29. “It’s important to the Loudoun economy that our business facilities look inviting to customers and feel comfortable for employees,” stated Loudoun Economic Development Executive Director Buddy Rizer. “The look and feel of our commercial structures helps make Loudoun a great place to live, work, play and learn.” Loudoun organizations can self-nominate, and brokers, developers and architects also may nominate their clients or projects. There is no cost to submit a nomination. Winners will be announced during a June meeting of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, and celebrated with a special reception. Loudoun Economic Development and the Loudoun County Department of Planning and Zoning cosponsor the Signatures Awards program with the Loudoun County Design Cabinet, an all-volunteer, award-winning group of professional architects, planners and engineers. To view the past 14 years of BIZ NOTES >> 22

21 March 7, 2019

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Marketplace << FROM 20

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what’s cool—just looking for ideas,” he said. Another marketplace buyer was Hillsboro Mayor Roger Vance, who was looking to find vendors for the town’s six annual events. Vance said that his town is committed to fueling those events with food and beverages that are “100 percent local” and that his time spent talking with producers on Monday was “extremely successful.” Visit Loudoun President CEO Beth

Erickson said the marketplace was a success and that the organizations would take a look at the data they collected to determine how often they should host the event, mentioning that three times a year might be a good number. “I think any time that we can create an opportunity for small producers to be sold through to our hospitality community is a win,” she said. “Our goal of making connections from a business-to-business standpoint has been met.” pszabo@loudounnow.com

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[ BIZ NOTES ] << FROM 20

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Stutts Named CFO for HCA Northern Virginia The HCA Virginia Health System has appointed Miah Stutts as the chief financial officer of its Northern Virginia market effective Feb. 25. She will oversee financial operations at Reston Hospital Center, StoneSprings Hospital Center, and DoStutts minion Hospital. With over a decade of experience in healthcare, Stutts most recently served as the CFO for HCA’s Medical City Denton. Prior to joining the HCA Northern Virginia Market, Stutts served in various roles in the Dallas Market including vice president of finance for Medical City Dallas and CFO for HCA’s Medical City Lewisville. She began her career with HCA Internal Audit. “We are excited to welcome Miah to our leadership team. Her experience provides a solid foundation in all aspects of financial management in dynamic markets,” stated John Deardorff, president and CEO of Reston Hospital Center and HCA’s Northern

Virginia market. “She brings a strong background in strategic development, process improvement, and hospital operations in a variety of hospital settings. Under her leadership, her facilities have experienced marked improvements in financial metrics and key strategic initiatives.”

It’s Wedding Preview Weekend in Loudoun Loudoun has one of the most robust wedding scenes in Northern Virginia and to showcase the county’s unique offerings, Visit Loudoun will host its annual Weddings in Loudoun Open House on Saturday and Sunday. More than 25 wedding venues and 65 wedding vendors will be available to meet with couples looking to tie the knot in DC’s Wine Country. The free, self-guided tour gives couples a chance to stop by exclusive vineyards and rustic barns as well as cozy inns, historic homes and a luxury resort. Many venues are set up like mini wedding shows, complete with wedding professionals that span from photographers and DJs to event planners, florists and caterers. Participants are invited to kick off the tour each day with a complimentary breakfast at Ford’s Fish Shack and pick up maps, brochures and snacks at the Open House Welcome Centers located in the Visitor Center at Leesburg’s Market Station and in the historic Purcellville Train Station. For details go to visitloudoun. org/weddings/2019-weddings-inloudoun-open-house/

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25 March 7, 2019

/khov_VA

/khov.VA

[ OUR TOWNS ]

[ TOWN NOTES ] ALDIE

March 7, 2019

NOVA Parks Plans 13 History Field Trips

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

The 1,250-square-foot, 44-year-old Lovettsville town office could be expanded to more than three times its current size under plans being considered by the Town Council.

Ritter Proposes $1.5 Million Town Office Expansion Plan BY PATRICK SZABO Following more than a decade of back-and-forth between town staff and council members, an idea to more than triple the size of Lovettsville’s town office could be taking shape. Town Manager Rob Ritter presented the Town Council on Thursday night with a plan that could expand the 1,250-square-foot town hall into a 4,180-square-foot building on the same site with double the office space. That project could cost the town $1.5 million to complete, with $1 million allocated for construction and $500,000 for site work. Ritter said that additional staff hires in the past decade have led to overcrowding in the office, relegating Assistant Town Manager Harriet West and

Administrative Specialist Lisa Mullen to desks in the council chambers and forcing Town Engineer Karin Fellers and Utilities Director Steve Gates into a trailer office out back. The office also does not meet multiple ADA requirements, a shortcoming highlighted recently when a visitor fell at the main entrance. Town Council meetings are also frequently overcrowded, with only 14 seats available for the public. Residents often pull chairs from staff members’ offices into the hallway near the main entrance to listen in on the meeting. “We need to do something,” Ritter said. Under the proposal by PMA Architecture, the existing building would be

Loudoun’s Other Municipal Spaces Lovettsville isn’t the only town wrestling with space needs for their growing municipal governments. In Loudoun’s six incorporated towns, the offices range anywhere from the size of a one-bedroom apartment to a Gatsby-sized mansion. Here’s a snapshot.

LOVETTSVILLE EXPANSION >> 30

NOVA Parks will host a 13part field trip series throughout Loudoun County beginning this Thursday, March 7. Each session will be held on Thursdays at 6:30-9:30 p.m. from March to June and will begin at the Old Granary Visitor Center at Aldie Mill. Rich Gillespie, a 30-year history teacher and the historian emeritus for the Mosby Heritage Area Association, will lead registrants through presentations, discussions and weekly field trips that will have them visiting Mt. Zion Church, Waterford, Purcellville, Ball’s Bluff Battlefield in Leesburg, Lincoln and Harper’s Ferry. The Loudoun Museum, the Loudoun Preservation Society, the Lovettsville Historical Society, the Mosby Heritage Area Association, the Purcellville Historical Society, the Short Hill Historical Society and the Waterford Foundation will co-sponsor the series. Registration is $195 per person. For more information and to register, go to novaparks.com.

HILLSBORO Breaux Vineyards Hosts Merlot Vertical Tasting Breaux Vineyards will hold a Merlot Vertical Tasting this Saturday, March 9. Visitors are invited to the winery to sample and discuss with winemaker Josh Gerard eight vintages of its award-winning Merlot. Guests will also be treated to a three-course gourmet meal and chocolate truffles. Tasting sessions will last two hours and are scheduled for 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. Admission is $80 per person and $70 for club members. Seating is limited. To make a reservation, go to breauxvineyards.com.

LOVETTSVILLE Hamilton

PMA Architecture

PMA Architecture’s floor plan for a proposed Lovettsville town office expansion shows a 4,180-square-foot building with seven individual offices and a nearly 1,000-square-foot Town Council chambers.

The Town of Hamilton’s staff and council has been using its 1,035-square-foot town office for nearly a century. Following the Hamilton Fire in 1926—which destroyed six businesses, four homes and did $100,000 in damage—the town office moved into the former Morrison Drug Store on Colonial Highway, according to the book “Snippets of Hamilton’s Past.” Mayor Dave Simpson said that the office, which occupies the end of a three-unit building, has adequately accommodated not MUNICIPAL SPACES >> 30

Smith, Steadman Sworn In to Council Seats Councilmen Buchanan Smith and David Steadman were sworn in to their new office by Loudoun County Deputy Clerk Laura Boudreaux last Thursday night. They were the winners of the Feb. 5 special election. Smith won a seat on the dais with only three votes over former interim Councilwoman Rebekah Ontiveros, who was appointed to the council in October to fill a vacancy. Smith’s term expires in June 2020. TOWN NOTES >> 31

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Purcellville’s Basham Simms Wastewater Facility could be the location of a new 125- to 175-foottall cell tower in the coming years.

Purcellville Plans New Cell Tower at Basham Simms

• Provides long-term reliability and durability without excessive maintenance • Delivers operational system flexibility to meet future needs • Complies with mandatory standards to ensure safety and reliability • Minimizes impact to the local area and environment The initial plan includes a new transmission line approximately one-half mile long. If approved by the State Corporation Commission (SCC), it will connect to an existing transmission line near Loudoun County Parkway. We want to share our plans and hear your views prior to submitting our project application. Stop by our open house to learn more about what this project will mean for you and your community. Community involvement is an important part of our project planning and development.

OPEN HOUSE Tuesday, March 19, 2019 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Arcola United Methodist Church Ruth Hall 24757 Evergreen Mills Road Dulles, VA 20166 (drop by anytime during these hours)

For more information, please contact us by calling 888-291-0190 or sending an email to powerline@dominionenergy.com. You can also visit our website at DominionEnergy.com/virtualopenhouse.

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areas of town that have better coverage to conduct business. The town has been looking to install a new cell tower at the Basham Simms property, which abuts the Hirst Farm community, since 2017. If the town installs one there, it would be on ground that’s 41 feet higher than the ground where the Maple Avenue water tower stands. According to a September 2017 staff report, a 125-foot cell tower would cost $198,805 to install, while a 175-foot tower would cost $233,533. Staff members estimate that if it charges each of the four cellular carriers $1,500 per month to sit atop the new tower, with a 5 percent lease increase every five years, it would pull in $360,000 in the first five years and $378,000 between years six and 10. That would allow the town to break even on a 175-foot tower by the end of the fourth year, with an additional $54,467 in profit at that point. For a 125-foot tower, the town could break even by the end of the third year and pocket an additional $17,195 of profit. By year 10, the town could net up to $540,000 of profit through leasing space to cellular carriers, which could be used to pay down the town’s $30 million of wastewater debt, according to the report. Aside from providing residents and businesses with improved cellular coverage, a new tower could also act as an extension of a town-wide broadband initiative that began with a pilot program at the Fireman’s Field complex in October 2017. If the cell tower is built and the town installs its own antennas on it, residents in that area could have access to free WiFi and town staff could get its own private radio network. As for the cellular antennas that were moved from the water tower last summer, Suez Water Systems Consultant Brad Brown said in October that they could be re-installed as early as March. The town staff will present council members with its implementation plan for the new cell tower at the April 9 Town Council meeting.

Following at least four years of cellular coverage problems plaguing hundreds of Purcellville residents, the town is on track to provide a more permanent solution. The Town Council last week voted unanimously to direct the town staff to create an implementation plan for the design and construction of a 125to 175-foot-tall cell tower to be located on the Basham Simms Wastewater Facility that will improve cellular signal strength, patch coverage gaps and provide the town with improved water meter reading and police radio systems—along with bringing in more revenue via cellular carrier leases. The drive to advance plans for a new cell tower comes nine months after residents in the Hirst Farm and Locust Grove neighborhoods in the southwestern portion of town began experiencing additional problems with poor cellular coverage. In June 2018, when the town-initiated repairs to the Maple Avenue water tower, the AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon cell antennas located atop the tower, 205 feet above ground, were moved to a temporary tower hold them 110-150 feet in the air. The antennas’ lower height has given many residents in the southern part of town headaches when making phone calls. Councilman Nedim Ogelman said that also created safety concerns because residents haven’t just had their calls dropped, but they often are unable to make calls. “There is a significant likelihood that people trying to reach 911 services from that neighborhood might not be able to get through,” he said. “That is the dominant grounds for pursuing it.” Police Chief Cynthia McAlister also said the weak cell coverage is a major concern. “That’s one of my big worries … is having calls dropped and us not being able to get to people,” she said. Vice Mayor Ryan Cool said that because of the coverage problems, many parents have been unable to get a hold of their children and teleworkers have had to leave their homes and drive to

Our plan is to build this new switching station and associated infrastructure line in a manner that:

BY PATRICK SZABO

We are in the planning stages to build a new 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line and switching station near the intersection of Evergreen Mills Road and Arcola Road in eastern Loudoun County — across from Dulles Airport. The switching station, along with new transmission infrastructure, is needed to accommodate increased demand and to maintain reliable electric service in the area.

621

PROPOSED EVERGREEN MILLS SWITCHING STATION

This map is intended to serve as a representation of the project area and is not intended for detailed engineering purposes.

pszabo@loudounnow.com Dom_Loudoun_EvergrenMills_4.45x13.5.indd 1

3/4/19 1:14 PM

DOMINION ENERGY IS PLANNING A NEW TRANSMISSION PROJECT IN YOUR AREA.

March 7, 2019

COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE

March 7, 2019

Let us clean up, weed and mulch so you don’t have to.

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Retired Loudoun County Sheriff’s Deputy First Class Victor LoPreto is focused on living his life day-by-day for the moment after working for 37 years in law enforcement.

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Longtime Western Loudoun Resource Officer Retires BY PATRICK SZABO After 37 years of police work, seven of which were dedicated to western Loudoun’s communities, Victor LoPreto is moving onto the next chapter of his life. LoPreto, a former deputy first class with the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office, has worked in and around Loudoun’s western towns for the past 12 years. Since 2012, he’s acted as the region’s community resource officer, working to keep western Loudoun’s six towns up to date with news and events from the sheriff ’s office and to build relationships with residents. LoPreto, 61, retired last month and relinquished those responsibilities to newcomer Deputy Ben Fornwalt. The road that led LoPreto to retirement has been a busy one that landed him in multiple jobs in different jurisdictions throughout the past

four decades. There’s never been a time in LoPreto’s life where he hasn’t been around law enforcement. His father was a police officer with the New York Police Department in the ‘60s and ‘70s, and his grandfather was a part of the department’s Mounted Unit in the ‘20s and ‘40s. His uncle also spent 43 years with the NYPD, working as a community resource officer with similar responsibilities to those that LoPreto had while working in Loudoun. LoPreto never worked as a police officer in New York, though. That’s because his friend suggested that he apply for a job with one of the nation’s most promising up-and-coming police jurisdictions in the 1970s—the Fairfax County Police Department. After spending three years in the Army stationed in Missouri, LoPreto LEPRETO >> 29

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Lovettsville Mayor Nate Fontaine presents recently retired Loudoun County Sheriff’s Deputy First Class Victor LoPreto with a proclamation declaring March 22 “Victor LoPreto Day” in town, with Deputy Ben Fornwalt, Captain Dave Hibberd and Councilman David Steadman alongside.

LoPreto

pszabo@loudounnow.com

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Retired Loudoun County Sheriff’s Deputy First Class Victor LoPreto poses with his western Loudoun community resource officer replacement, Deputy Ben Fornwalt.

followed through. Hired by Fairfax in 1982, LoPreto spent the next 15 years working at the Reston District Station. Although he said the first six years were fairly uneventful, he said that it was around 1988 when crack cocaine made its way into the mainstream that law enforcement turned inside out, increasing felony arrests from about one or two a year to one or two a day. “It got busy real fast—it was crazy,” LoPreto said. At that point, LoPreto was appointed to the Reston Pathway Patrol, which had him policing the community on a multi-terrain motorcycle. About eight years later, LoPreto said the department had the drug outbreak contained, at which point he went onto the midnight shift as a master police officer for the next two and a half years. LoPreto retired from Fairfax County in 2006 as a second lieutenant. Two months later, he started work in Loudoun. Originally, LoPreto planned to stay in Loudoun for five years before retiring and moving with his wife to the Outer Banks, but that all changed as time went on. A few years after being hired, he was tapped to work the midnight shift in western Loudoun. When Sheriff Mike Chapman was elected in 2012, LoPreto was appointed to the role of community resource officer out west, which allowed him to see that area of the county in a different light, literally. He worked in that role for the next seven years until his retirement early last month. “You got to walk away some day—might as well go out at the top of your game,” he said. During his time in western Loudoun, LoPreto said his most memorable experience came in July 2015, when he organized the “Love in Lovettsville” parade for Tony Porta, a military veteran who lost his arm and was severely burned by an improvised explosive device explosion in Iraq. LoPreto said that because the event took place at the same time the police and fire Olympics were held, he was unsure if he and the community could pull it off, but they did. “It’s just one of those things where it just happened to come together,” he said. “You couldn’t have asked for a better event.” LoPreto said that his most memorable experience in law enforcement came in October 2002 when the DC sniper was killing people at random around the region. At that point, LoPreto was working as a lieutenant in Fairfax and was solely responsible for shutting down a portion of I-66 and Rt. 267 when the sniper killed a woman in the Seven Corners Home Depot parking lot. He said that during those three weeks, he and his colleagues worked 12-16 hour days most of the week, a period he remembers as “probably the most intense time in police work.” For his service in western Loudoun, the Lovettsville Town Council has

29 March 7, 2019

<< FROM 28

declared March 22 as “Victor LoPreto Day” in town—marking the date LoPreto was sworn in as a Fairfax County police officer 37 years ago. Retired for a month, LoPreto said that he has no concrete plans for the future, but that he would be working on maintenance on his Leesburg home, where he and his wife have lived for 30 years, and on their Outer Banks beach home. He said that he’d start making longterm plans come January next year. “Let’s just live and let live and see what happens,” he said.

March 7, 2019

Lovettsville expansion << FROM 26 converted into a modern Town Council chamber with up to 36 seats for residents attending meetings. The expansion would include seven offices, a conference room and twice the amount of parking, from 20 to 40 spaces. Ritter noted that 70 percent of the existing parking is taken up by seven Town Council members and seven town staff members on meeting nights, leaving only six spaces for residents and others. Ritter also presented the council with a less expensive option to consider—to rent a doublewide trailer for ex-

Municipal spaces

tra space. Ritter said that could cost the town $90,000 in the first year to rent and set up, with up to $20,000 annual rental rates in subsequent years. He said there would be two downsides to that option, however. During the month the trailer is set up, Fellers and Gates would need to find space in the already congested office. He said that renting a doublewide would also be a decision to kick the can down the road. “It would be a temporary fix for five to 10 years,” he said. The debate over whether to build a larger town office has been ongoing since 2008. In 2013, the town hired PMA Architecture to conduct a Needs Assessment and Preliminary Site Evaluation for $57,000. That report found that the town needed 5,800-square-feet of office space—nearly five times more

than what it currently has. The town then paid the firm an additional $5,000 to evaluate other potential town office sites. Between 2015 and 2016, then-town manager Lazlo Palko sought to purchase land for a new office, but was unable to do so. The town staff then put together a report outlining plans to replace the singlewide trailer office with a doublewide for $100,000. Although that option was presented to the Town Council as part of the fiscal year 2018 town budget, the council removed funding for the project. In early 2018, then-town manager Sam Finz hired PMA to develop a new town office expansion concept plan for $8,000. The Town Council, however, opted to not move the project past the conceptual phase and removed pro-

even more appealing event and meeting space.

<< FROM 26 only the town’s two full-time staffers, but also Town Council meetings. In its more than nine decades of operation, the office has seen multiple upgrades to its lighting, electrical and sewer system, but has retained virtually the same layout. “By and large, we’re happy with it,” Simpson said. With the town’s 2015 purchase of the old fire station next door, Simpson said that the office could move into the property’s 2,835-square-foot fire bay or adjacent 1,248-square-foot house if needed in the coming years.

Hillsboro One of the oldest and most versatile town offices in all of western Loudoun is the Town of Hillsboro’s Old Stone School. The 8,000-square-foot building was constructed in 1874 as a home for the Locust Grove Academy, which operated there until 1966. A decade later, the Hillsboro Community Association saved the building from demolition by agreeing to lease it from the county in exchange for conducting major restoration projects. Although the county transferred the building’s ownership to the town in 2006, it wasn’t until 2017 that the community association ceded full management control to the town. The school now plays host to not only Town Council and committee meetings, but also other events and meetings like the Western Loudoun Community Church’s Sunday services, Loudoun Valley Ki Aikido’s classes, Boy Scout meetings, Ruritan meetings and annual town-organized events. After adding WiFi service through the Waterford Telephone Co. in December 2017, town leaders plan future improvements to make the building an

Lovettsville Lovettsville’s 1,250-square-foot town office dates back more than four decades, but has a history that goes back another century. Former mayor Elaine Walker said that when the Town Charter was reactivated in 1950, the Town Council met in then-mayor George Grubb’s home before moving to the Brown Funeral Home, which is now home to the 1836 Taproom. The council later met in the home of former county supervisor Robert McClain and his wife, former councilwoman Beatrice McClain, before it moved to the Farmers and Merchants Bank building, now the home of BB&T, in 1964. A decade later, when the town grew from 99 to 496 acres, the Town Council decided to build its own office for $28,000 on property that formerly housed a slaughterhouse operation. According to the book “Lovettsville: The German Settlement,” the exact site of the existing town office was once the location of holding pens for cattle. The decision to build a new town office allowed the Lovettsville Historical Society and Museum to move into the property’s butcher shop. The first Town Council meeting in the new town office was held Sept. 25, 1975. The Town Council will hold a public hearing on Feb. 28 to solicit resident input on the idea of moving forward with town office expansion plans. Already, the town has spent $70,000 on initial assessments detailing the needs for and potential sites of a new town office in the last six years. Ritter’s proposed Fiscal Year 2020 budget also includes $140,000 for the design of a new town office.

Middleburg Unlike other towns, Middleburg went from a large meeting space to a smaller one when it decided to build its own

town office. The Town Council originally met in the 9,150-square-foot Middleburg Community Center, which was built in 1948. When Harold “Bud” Morency built the 2,096-square-foot town office in 1964, the staff moved over while the council continued to meet at the community center. It was in the 1970s that the council chambers and upstairs offices were added to the office building, which was purpose-built to look like a residential home to blend in with the surrounding community. The town’s police department also occupied the second-floor space until the mid-1990s. The town is now looking at alternative sites for a new town office. Already, it’s conducted a site plan to determine how much space it will need.

Purcellville The Purcellville Town Hall is the largest in western Loudoun, with a footprint that’s double the size of the next largest town office. Going back to the town’s incorporation in 1908, the town hall was located in the 2,024-square-foot building at the corner of Main Street and Hatcher Avenue that the Purcell Gun Store now calls home. With the garage acting as a storage unit for the public works and police departments, the two upstairs bedrooms were used as the Town Council chambers. In 1990, the town moved across the street into the 7,800-square-foot building that formerly operated as a Safeway and is now home to Dragon Hops Brewing. According to former town manager Rob Lohr, the town converted two-

posed funding for all town office upgrades from the fiscal year 2019 budget. Ritter in January carried on with Palko and Finz’s push to expand the town office by proposing to include $140,000 in the fiscal year 2020 budget to pay for the design of a town office expansion. Because the Town Council expressed some concern that a new town office wouldn’t benefit the taxpayers, it decided to hold a public hearing, but no residents showed up to comment on the matter. The Town Council is set to vote on the fiscal year 2020 budget at its March 14 meeting, at which point it could choose to include or remove funding for the town office expansion. pszabo@loudounnow.com

thirds of the building into office space for the growing town staff before the police department moved to its Hirst Road location a few years later. In 2011, the town purchased the former Purcellville Baptist Church on Nursery Avenue and converted it into a 15,324-square-foot town hall, which has three levels, centralized Town Council chambers, three conference rooms and an upstairs committee room that was formerly an open choir loft. Town Manager David Mekarski said that although the town hall is at capacity in terms of staff, there are no current plans to expand. He said that when the police department moves to a new location in the coming years, some staffers could move there to free up space.

Round Hill Round Hill’s Town Office is both old and new. The Town Council originally met in the current Ford’s Store office a century ago and moved around three times before returning to the same building decades later. In the early 1900s, the Town Council met on the second floor of the building, which then-mayor George Ford, the former state senator who secured the town’s incorporation in 1900, operated as a general store. According to former Town Treasurer Betty Wolford, the town rented a small space in the 112-year-old Patterson Building—now home to the Savoir Fare catering company—in the 1970s before it moved to a small room in the back of the 106-year-old Round Hill Grocery store building in 1980. Ford’s Store was donated to the town after the death of George Ford’s son, Charles, in 1954. Three decades later, the town undertook a major renovation of the building. Completed in early 1988, the 2,466-square-foot building has been home to the town office ever since. Town Administrator Melissa Hynes said that the town has no plans to expand or move its town office in the foreseeable future.

[ TOWN NOTES ] Steadman was elected in an uncontested race for a term ending in June 2022. He was also appointed to the Town Council in October to fill another vacancy.

The Town Council last week voted unanimously to approve a year-round sponsorship opportunity for businesses to put their names on every town-sponsored event in a given year. The new sponsorship package will include platinum, gold, silver and bronze sponsorship opportunities for $8,250, $3,750, $1,800 and $900 respectively. Sponsors will be able to take advantage of perks at the town’s MayFest, Movies and Concerts on the Green, Oktoberfest, Light Up Lovettsville, Movie in July, Wintertainmentfest and Berzerkle on the Squirkle events. Platinum sponsors will receive perks like premium booths, stage time and complimentary event tickets. They will also, along with gold and silver sponsors, get their business names published on posters, the town website, T-shirts and in social media tags. Bronze sponsors will get similar perks at a lesser level. Those who pay in full each year by March 1 will get a 5 percent discount. Payments can also be made in three equal installments on March 1, June 1 and Aug. 1. For more information, contact Vice

Lovettsville Soliciting ‘LOVE’ Sign Proposals Residents are invited to submit a proposal for the design and creation of Lovettsville’s very own “LOVE” sign. The drive to install the sign that promotes Lovettsville’s town character is part of the nearly 50-year-old “Virginia is for Lovers” brand, which was designed to promote travel and tourism in Virginia. The town’s “LOVE” sign will be one of more than 100 located in towns across Virginia, two of which are featured in Purcellville and Leesburg. Submissions are due by April 15 and should include an image of the design, a list of proposed materials and estimated costs. They can be emailed to clerk@lovettsvilleva.gov. The winner will be announced on May 1. For more information, call Kaarin Nelson at kaarin_nelson@yahoo.com.

Daddy Daughter Dance This Month The Lovettsville Community Center will hold its 12th annual Daddy Daughter Dance from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 23. Dads and their daughters are invited out to enjoy dancing, refreshments and a commemorative photograph. Admission is $20 for father-daughter duos and $10 for each additional child. Space is limited and there is no on-site registration.

To learn more, call the community center at 540-822-5284 or email lovcc@loudoun.gov. To register, use activity code 302706-01 at loudoun. gov/webtrac.

MIDDLEBURG Salamander Resort to Host Biz Buzz The Middleburg Business and Professional Association will hold its first Biz Buzz of the year from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 12 at Salamander Resort. Business owners and local professionals are invited to attend the event to network, showcase their services and get up to date on the latest news and events happening in the Middleburg community. The event is free to association members and $10 for everyone else. To learn more, email info@visitmiddleburgva.com. To RSVP, go to facebook.com/middleburgbusiness.

PURCELLVILLE Donations Sought for Book Sale The Purcellville Library Advisory Board will be accepting book donations from March 16 through April 21 for the Spring Book Sale. Adult and children’s hardbacks and

paperbacks in good condition will be accepted, as well as CDs, DVDs, books on CD, and video games. Donations may be left in the lobby of the Purcellville Library during library hours. Magazines, cassette tapes and VHS tapes, plus text books and travel guides older than five years are not being accepted for the sale. All proceeds from May 4-5 sale go directly to Purcellville Library programs. Volunteers who can spare a few hours a week also are needed. Those interested should leave their name and email address at the library front desk and will be contacted.

Franklin Park Presents Internet-Themed Play Imagine, Create & Explore Collaborative Arts will host a middle school play at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 9 at the Franklin Park Arts Center. The middle school group will perform a play centered on themes of the internet titled, “The Internet is a Distract—Oh! Look a Kitten…” The half-hour play will follow protagonist Micah who has 20 minutes to finish a paper on “The Great Gatsby” but gets pulled into the rabbit hole that is the internet when checking a couple facts. It will feature zany characters, hilarious scenes and internet kittens. Tickets are $8 at the door. For more information, go to franklinparkartscenter.org.

Make Your Commute a

SLAM DUNK

Free Rides on Metro Connect Buses EFFECTIVE: March

4 – March 30, 2019

ROUTES: Loudoun County Transit to/from the Wiehle-Reston East

and West Falls Church Metrorail Stations

Loudoun’s ISHARE66 Incentives Program is funded through revenue from the I-66 tolls collected during peak period inside the Beltway in partnership with NVTC.

Visit loudoun.gov/ishare66

Council Approves Year-Round Sponsorship Offer

Mayor Jim McIntyre at 540-454-2306 or jmcintyre@lovettsvilleva.gov.

March 7, 2019

<< FROM 26

[ LOCO LIVING ]

[ THINGS TO DO ] LOCO CULTURE

March 7, 2019

Friday Night Paint Friday, March 8, 5-8 p.m. Loudoun Street Studios, 2A Loudoun St. SW, Leesburg

Details: dominiqueann.art Join artist Dominique Ann for an evening of guided painting. Tickets are $30 and include supplies. Optional happy hour at SideBar before the class.

Courtesy of loudounwildlife.oreg

Birding Banshee Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Scott Kinney, the owner of Shamrock Music Shoppe in Purcellville, poses with a Fender Jaguar in his shop’s showroom.

Learning to Rock LoCo Style

BY JAN MERCKER f you still think music lessons mean learning “Fur Elise” with a grouchy, blue-haired piano teacher, think again. These days, Loudoun kids are hitting the ground running with rock ‘n’ roll favorites thanks to performance-focused music instruction from some decidedly cool schools. From east to west, the county’s most popular music schools put performance front and center, giving students a chance to shine and get their groove on while still getting solid grounding in technique. Top school owners agree: it’s all about tapping into student passion. Ashburn’s School of Rock franchise celebrated its 10-year anniversary last month, with group performance at the heart of its formula. “What we’re trying to do is create musicians, which means they can literally do anything they want. They can play in a band. They can write their own original music. They can go onto music school, whatever their goals are,” said owner Laura Bollettino. “Some of our students are going to go onto engineering school, but hopefully they’ll always have music as a passion.” At School of Rock, each student not only gets private instruction, but also participates in a group experience beginning at the advanced beginner stage and performs several “full blow rock shows” each year, setting both shortterm skills goals and longer-term performance goals. “What we see is that these shortterm goals that they’re working on with their teacher privately and in the group setting really develop amazing

Saturday, March 9, 8 a.m. Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, 21085 The Woods Road, Leesburg Details: loudounwildlife.org Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy leads a walk at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, a diverse 695acre park in the heart of Loudoun County. Its streams, trees, shrubs and fields attract a wide range of species, make it a birding hotspot.

Weddings in Loudoun Open House Weekend Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Countywide Details: visitloudoun.org Whether you’re starting to plan your dream wedding or just looking for those last little details, the Weddings in Loudoun Open House is a self-guided tour that lets you check out nearly 30 venues and meet with service professionals including caterers, photographers and florists. Details on venues and vendors

Douglass Elementary Spring Festival Saturday, March 9, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Courtesy of Ashburn School of Rock

From left, Zenia Dehaven, Sumi Gray and Jahan Misra perform during a recent School of Rock show.

skills quite quickly,” Bollettino said. “In the process, they make a ton of friends, they get very tight knit, they find other kids that have the same passion, the same drive.” Beginner students start with private instruction and the school’s Rock 101 introductory group program before moving onto other performance options. The school offers an audition-based house band that plays gigs around the region, along with the School of Rock national all-star group that tours around the U.S. In some cases, School of Rock students branch off and form their own bands, like the beloved Ashburn-based teen girl group

Stone Cold, winners of last year’s Loudoun Youthfest Battle of the Bands. “We want to get them playing a song or two as soon as possible because that increases your confidence and the fun factor,” Bollettino said. Stone Bridge High School senior Sumi Gray, 18, started at School of Rock nine years ago at age 9, after taking private guitar lessons for several years before that. She now plays bass in the school’s elite house band. “The performance aspect kind of helps you evolve more as a musician. Performing in front of an audience and SCHOOL OF ROCK >> 34

Frederick Douglass Elementary School, 510 Principal Drummond Way, Leesburg Details: lcps.org/fdouglass This family-oriented community event features games, a bounce house, food and silent auction. Admission is free.

Morven Park Nooks and Crannies Tour Saturday, March 9, noon-1:30 p.m. Morven Park, 17195 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg Details: morvenpark.org The Morven Park mansion is full of hidden spaces never before seen by the public. This 90-minute tour with Morven Park’s director of preservation lets participants

MORE THINGS TO DO >> 33

THINGS TO DO ] NIGHTLIFE Live Music: Mandatory Recess

Lovettsville Historical Society Lecture: The Potomac Home Brigade

Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn

Sunday, March 10, 2 p.m.

Details: oldoxbrewery.com

Saint James UCC, 10 E. Broad Way, Lovettsville

March madness at Old Ox means the coolest covers from Mandatory Recess, from Tom Petty to Kings of Leon.

Details: Details: lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org

Friday, March 8, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Travis Shaw of the Mosby Heritage Area Association discusses the Maryland-based Home Brigade that served as a refuge for Union Army supporters from Virginia, including 40 men from Loudoun.

All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-9753.

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

LIBATIONS Mac and Cheese Wine Pairing

It might be cold outside but we sure are having fun inside!

Saturday, March 9, 5 p.m. Bogati Winery, 35246 Harry Byrd Highway, Round Hill Details: bogatibodega.com The creamy saltiness of macaroni and cheese makes it an incredibly wine-friendly food. This tasting lets you sample four different mini mac and cheese bites paired with just right Virginia wines. Tickets are $18, and advance reservations are required.

RHVFD Chili Cook-off Fundraiser Sunday, March 10, noon-4 p.m. Dirt Farm Brewing, 18701 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont Details: dirtfarmbrewing.com Sample tasty chilis from western Loudoun’s top restaurants to benefit Round Hill Volunteer Fire Department. Chili tastings are by donation, and the event also includes a raffle with great prizes.

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; We Grow Old because we stop playing.”

Courtesy of The Robert Mabe Band

Live Music: Robert Mabe and Friends

- George Bernard Shaw

Friday, March 8, 7-10 p.m. Crooked Run Brewing, 205 Harrison St. SE, Leesburg Details: crookedrunbrewing.com This stellar banjo player, singer/songwriter, from the hills of North Carolina covers a wide range of music from straight ahead bluegrass to jazz, Irish, and roots music.

An Assisted Living Community

ON STAGE

Dave S., Spring Arbor Resident Since 2007

703.777.9300 AnAssisted Assisted Living Community An Assisted Living Community An Living Community Spring Arbor of Leesburg Courtesy of The Reagan Years

‘80s Night with the Reagan Years

What a great place to enjoy life. Call and visit us today!

springarborliving.com

Residential Assisted Living

237 Fairview Street NW, Leesburg, VA “Office Location Through 2010” 5 Wirt Street SW, Leesburg, VA

Friday, March 8, 7 p.m. Courtesy of Sterling Playmakers

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

‘The Philadelphia Story’

Details: tallyhotheater.com

Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 10, 2 p.m. Seneca Ridge Middle School, 98 Seneca Drive, Sterling

Five talented musicians perform the best ’80s pop, rock, new wave and heavy metal for one of the East Coast’s best ‘80s tributes. Tickets are $15 in advance.

Details: sterlingplaymakers.com

Live Music: Jumpin’ Jupiter

Sterling Playmakers present the spirited, 1930s high comedy about the transformation of Tracy Lord, an heiress divorcee from Philadelphia’s Main Line who finds herself torn between three suitors, one of them her ex-husband, on the eve of her second marriage. Tickets are $15.

Friday, March 8, 8-11 p.m.

Disney on Bells

Monk’s BBQ, Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville Details: monksq.com Jump out of winter with Americana, rock ‘n’ roll, country, bluegrass, rockabilly and beyond. No cover.

Saturday, March 9, 6:30 p.m.

Live Music: Colin Thompson Band

Our Savior’s Way Lutheran Church, 43115 Waxpool Road, Ashburn

Friday, March 8, 8-11 p.m.

Details: vabronze.org Join the Virginia Bronze for a fun-filled evening of Disney favorites on hand bells from “The Lion King” to “The Little Mermaid.” Children are invited to dress as their favorite Disney characters. Admission is by donation.

B Chord Brewing Company, 34266 Williams Gap Road, Round Hill Details: bchordbrewing.com One of the country’s rising star roots music guitarists, Thompson brings a high-energy evening of rock, blues and soul.

MORE THINGS TO DO >> 35

Call & visit today 703.777.9300 Call & visit today! Call Arbor & visit today Call & visit today Spring of Leesburg Spring Arbor of Leesburg

703.777.9300 703.777.9300

237 Fairview Street Leesburg, VA 20176 237 Fairview StreetNW, NW, Leesburg, VA 20176 703-777-9300 email: LBMKTG@HHHunt.com LBMKTG@HHHunt.com

Spring Arbor of Leesburg Spring Arbor of Leesburg springarborliving.com springarborliving.com 237 Fairview Street NW, Leesburg, VA 20176

237 Fairview Street NW, Leesburg, VA 20176 email: LBMKTG@HHHunt.com email: LBMKTG@HHHunt.com

springarborliving.com springarborliving.com

explore some of the mansion’s secrets. Bring a small flashlight. Tickets are $20.

March 7, 2019

<< FROM 32

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

March 7, 2019

School of Rock << FROM 32 on a stage with a bunch of other people expands your knowledge in a different way,” Gray said. “I really think that I wouldn’t be as good of a musician now if I didn’t perform on a stage in front of people. I feel like that kind of pushes you to be better, too. If you’re actually working toward a performance, there’s a real reason for you to get better. … It pushes people more and makes better musicians, and it’s also fun.” Across the county, Scott Kinney, owner of Shamrock Music Shoppe on Purcellville’s Main Street, also takes a heavily student-focused, performance-based philosophy. The longtime drummer and guitarist, who’s the model for Rodrick Heffley, the heavy metal-loving older brother in the beloved “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series by Kinney’s brother Jeff, draws on his own musical education when crafting his own approach to instruction. “I wanted to learn to play Kiss songs and AC/DC. I don’t remember the teacher ever saying, ‘What do you want to learn?’” Kinney said. Kinney’s approach involves tapping into students’ passions and interests and using those to create long- and short-term goals. As soon as they step in the door, Kinney works to find where each kid’s interests lie and runs with it. “I find the hot spot and try to set up a road map with the first month’s goal,” he said.

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

Scott Kinney, the owner of Shamrock Music Shoppe in Purcellville, talks about the passion he and his staff seek to instill in kids through music instruction.

Shamrock’s walls are covered with student-created guitar neck-shaped goal charts, loaded with contemporary and classic rock hits. For Kinney, it’s all about making sure that students want to be there, and the fun of a performance-oriented approach makes that happen. “What we don’t want to have happen is that we’re just the next activity until the more important thing comes along,” Kinney said. “We want to create a priority. … I’m trying to make sure that mom and dad didn’t push them towards this because, if they push them towards this, they’re going to have to push them towards the practice chair. I want them to have to pull them off the practice chair.” Kinney opened Shamrock Music Shoppe on 21st Street in 2010, shortly after moving to Purcellville with his

family. In 2015, the shop moved across the street to the town’s former post office. But Kinney still uses the upstairs room at the old space, now Jack’s Run Brewery, for concert-style student showcases. Last month, Kinney and his students restarted the Shamrockers house band program after a hiatus following the move to the new space. This handpicked group of high school students will practice once a week and begin playing gigs, and eventually ramp back up to three or four school bands. “They’re going to be playing old Scorpions and heavy Black Sabbath,” Kinney said. “It’s what they want to do.” At Shamrock and other favorite music schools, instructors play a big part in student engagement and enthusiasm. “A lot of it is the people I hire,” Kinney said. “I know very quickly if they’re one of us or not. It’s the spark in the eyes and you can tell. ... That’s a big component of the success of our thing. I hire people who really care.” Down the road at Lovettsville-based Loudoun Music Instruction, beloved owner/instructor Frank Keim is celebrating 15 years this year. Keim is the founding father of one of the county’s best-known teen bands, The Immortals, pulled from top students, along with a number of other in-house bands. While Keim last year passed the baton on running the bands to student mentors, he continues to offer the kind of performance-based instruction young people want. “Our concerts—not recitals ‘cause we don’t learn to be juke boxes or re-

WANT MORE? • For more information on Ashburn’s School of Rock, go to locations.schoolofrock.com/ ashburn. • To learn more about Shamrock Music Shoppe, go to shamrockmusicshoppe.com. • To learn more about Loudoun Music Instruction, go to loudounmusic.com.

cords and just regurgitate ... we perform—are a huge part of the confidence and growth process,” Keim said. His instructional philosophy involves first helping students to believe in themselves and build confidence, then teaching them the language of music, including music reading, followed by technical skills with an emphasis on rhythm. The final component, Keim said, is performance and the importance of creating a relationship with the audience. “I get zero requests for the classical training of my youth,” Keim said. “Everyone wants to be current and rock— the parents and kids. They also seek the precision and poise that performing requires. … In sessions, I let the student steer, no matter the age. It is their time, not mine. They tell me what they like and I try my best to shut up and listen. I want to hear their voice first, every week. When I sense their passion and learn about them, I know I have an ‘in’ to begin teaching them what they need to be great performers.”

Jesus Christ, the Son of God Alicia Bruce Photography

Guest Speaker: Glenn Colley March 13-15 THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN PURCELLVILLE

Gold and seven delicious Silvers. DoukÉnie Winery brings home the Governors Gold and seven of his Silvers. Join us and raise a glass to success and good taste!

Monday–Thursday 10am-5pm | Friday–Sunday 10am-6pm 14727 Mountain Rd., Purcellville, VA | (540) 886-6464 www.doukeniewinery.com

Alicia Bruce Photography

Jesus’ Transfiguration Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

The Killing of Jesus Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

The Proof That Jesus is God’s Son Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Glenn Colley was born in Houston, Texas and is a third generation preacher. He graduated from Freed-Hardeman University in 1981, has been preaching for 39 years, and has been married to Cindy for 40 years. He is the pulpit minister for the West Huntsville Church of Christ in Huntsville, Alabama.

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN PURCELLVILLE 604 YAXLEY DRIVE PURCELLVILLE, VIRGINIA 20132 540.338.0070

THINGS TO DO ] Details: tallyhotheater.com

Raise the Roof Gala for Loudoun Habitat for Humanity

Dark, blues-infused psychedelia and a little mayhem from RVA. Tickets are $10 in advance.

Saturday, March 9, 6-11 p.m. West Belmont Place at the National, 18980 Upper Belmont Place, Leesburg Details: loudounhabitat.org

Saturday Night Groove with Chris Timbers and INDI Makeyzo

Saturday, March 9, 8-11 p.m. Lovettsville Game Protective Association, 16 S. Berlin Pike, Lovettsville Details: lovettsvillegameclub.com Take a trip back in time with best of Elvis by a look alike/sound alike. Admission is $10.

Open Rehearsal with Swing Shift Big Band

Saturday, March 9, 7 p.m.-2 a.m.

Tuesday, March 12, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

MacDowell Brew Kitchen, 202 South St. SE, Leesburg

Trungo’s 2C Loudoun St. SW, Leesburg

Details: macdowellsbrewkitchen.com

Swing Shift, Trungo’s, and the Loudoun Jazz Society are partnering to revive the tradition of the open rehearsal. Check out this 18-piece band with no cover and no minimum. Guest musicians are invited to sit in during the second set.

This special double header features the unique alternative soul sound of the Chris Timbers Band followed by a compelling mix of reggae, soul and R&B from INDI Makeyzo. No cover.

www.middleburghumane.org

Santana Santana is great with other dogs and cats and would do well in a multi-animal home. He is a very social dog who does well with children.

Details: facebook.com/loudounjazz

COMING UP Waterford Concert Series: Brooklyn Rider Sunday, March 17, 4 p.m. Waterford Old School Details: waterfordconcertseries.org

Photo by Ashly Covington

Live Music: The People’s Blues of Richmond Saturday, March 9, 7 p.m. Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg

The Waterford Concert Series kicks off its new season with the high-energy string quartet Brooklyn Rider performing its “Healing Modes” program, intertwining five new works from women composers with Beethoven’s Op. 132 quartet which celebrates his triumph over deafness and illness. Tickets are $35 for adults, $15 for students. Five concert subscriptions are available for $135.

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

Loudoun Now

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Loudoun Now PO Box 207 Leesburg, VA 20178

The eighth annual Raise the Roof Gala features a cocktail reception, formal dinner, auction, program and dancing. Tickets are $160 per person.

Elvis Tribute LoCo Style

(540) 364-3272

35 March 7, 2019

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admin@middleburghumane.org

March 7, 2019

The Music City Maturation of Mike Meadows

BY ANDREW PARKER

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

80s NIGHT WITH

THE REAGAN YEARS! 03/08/19 DOORS: 7:00PM

PEOPLES BLUES OF RICHMOND 03/09/19 DOORS: 7:00PM

That 70’s party with superflydisco 03/15/19 DOORS: 7:00PM

sponge 03/16/19 DOORS: 7:00PM

LOUDOUN YOUTHFEST’S BATTLE OF THE BANDS FINAL BATTLE! 03/22/19 DOORS: 6:00PM

Carbon Leaf 03/23/19 DOORS: 7:00PM

Teaming with other artists and moving to Nashville has taught Virginia native Mike Meadows a lot about music and the songwriting process. The multi-instrument singer-songwriter performs Saturday, March 9 during the Songs, Stories & Gas Money series at the Barnes at Hamilton Station Vineyards. “Loudoun County has done such a great job curating a community of songwriters, musicians and music lovers,” Meadows told Get Out Contributed Loudoun. “I’m grateful to be a small Meadows is a Virginia native who has toured part of such a great annual concert with Taylor Swift has learned much about series.” He described those in attendance at his previous SS&GM per- songwriting, and life, in Nashville. formance as being “one of the most attentive, kind audiences ever.” tive for Meadows’ growth as a comMeadows has been playing guitar poser and performer. “As a songwritsince age 8, and singing nearly as er, getting to work for someone who long. He received a bachelor’s degree takes that craft so seriously makes in cello from James Madison Uni- the job that much more interestversity. His accomplishments as a ing,” he said of Swift. Another thing musician include playing guitar, bass he’s learned from her—and anybody guitar, cello, mandolin, and harmon- who’s enjoyed that level of success— ica, while serving as a songwriter, is the amount of hard work they put producer and performer. He doesn’t in every day. “You can’t fake that. If attribute his musical influences to you do, people know it.” one path, instead noting that he’s Meadows has played with a handstill held onto an appreciation for his ful of different artists in rock, pop parents’ music, which includes James and country over the years. Since the Taylor, Simon and Garfunkel, and last time he played SS&GM in 2017, folk music from the 1960s and 1970s. Meadows has been working on a new “I remember buying the first Pearl album and spending time with his Jam album on cassette and listening wife and two children. In addition to pretty much nothing but that for a to Taylor Swift’s Reputation Tour year straight,” he said. during 2018, he’s also worked with Meadows attributes much of his Leesburg’s Todd Wright and Taylor success in the music industry to be- Carson, and a few other local artists. ing fortunate to “connect certain “Being a native Virginian,” he said, dots” and continue getting chances to “this place makes me feel very much collaborate with great artists. He was at home.” in the “right place, right time” when Another collaboration occurred he met the band leader for Taylor when Meadows and Wright teamed Swift during a 2007 tour with George with Ryan Newell from Sister HaStraight. They kept in touch and in zel to write a song called “On and 2009, when one of Swift’s players de- On” about four years ago. “I hadn’t cided to stop touring, Meadows was thought about it in years and I was asked to take his place. really excited to hear that they Swift’s passion for music and work wanted to use it for their new EP,” ethic can only be described as posi- Meadows said. It’s on the EP “Fire”

that was released in February. How does Meadows navigate the ever-changing music industry in 2019? With common-sense positivity. “When people ask me if I have any advice about getting a gig and what I’ve learned from Nashville,” he said, “my usual response is: ‘Don’t be a jerk.’ There’s so many great players out there that get into music their own way simply by treating people with less respect than they deserve.” Meadows added that “nobody wants to hang out with a person like that.” “[Moving to Nashville] expanded my horizons in the realm of the singer-songwriter scene,” Meadows said. “The Nashville songwriting scene is very much a collaborative community.” And it’s there that he’s partnered with many artists and kept himself humble by looking around at all the talent. “You can go out and see music seven nights a week and get your mind blown by some aspect of what’s happening on stage, every time.” The Nashville atmosphere even has benefits on the days where an artist isn’t feeling overly creative, is generally lacking inspiration, or dealing with a full-blown case of writer’s block. “This is one of the things that makes writing songs with other people such a luxury,” Meadows said. “Some days if you’re not firing on all cylinders, someone else in the room can be having a great day, and it almost helps you rebound.” Writing songs by yourself is a completely different muscle, he added. “Either the inspiration is there for a song or it isn’t.” Songs, Stories, & Gas Money is presented by Don Chapman and Stilson Greene. Doors at the historic Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards open at 7:00 p.m. – advance tickets are $15 or $20 upon arrival. For more details, go to thebarnsathamiltonstation.com or call 540-338-5309.

Hot Picks

THE CAPITOL STEPS 03/24/19 DOORS: 7:00PM

BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY 03/27/19 DOORS: 7:00PM

Electric Lynne Orchestra:

THE ELO SHOW!

03/29/19 DOORS: 7:00PM

Peoples Blues of Richmond w/Bluewreck and Radii Saturday, March 9, 7 p.m. Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

Ginada Piñata

Only Lonesome

Saturday, March 9, 5:30–8:30 p.m. Harpers Ferry Brewing harpersferrybrewing.com

w/Big Howdy Saturday, March 9, 7 p.m. Lucketts Community Center luckettsbluegrass.org

Legal Notices

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 21, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 W. Market Street, Leesburg VA 20176 to consider the following:

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. 3/7/19 & 3/14/19

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

Case No.:

CA18-55

Loudoun County Circuit Court 18 East Market St., Leesburg, VA 20176 Ali Sharkawi /v. Mohammed El Laymouni The object of this suit is to: Adoption. It is ORDERED that Mohammed El Laymouni appear at the above-named Court and protect his/ her interests on or before May 3, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. 02/14/19, 02/21/19, 02/28/19, 03/07/19

NOTIFICATION OF DECLARATION OF LAND PATENT One, Allen, Sheila affirmed, under oath, declare and state that one is assigns, of allodial right, and title to lands acquired by a legal description for this property as a portion of original land patent grant. I am an assignee of Grant Deed and Beneficiary of land patent, for which was recorded in the General Land office, by Captain Daniel McCarty, in Stafford County, Virginia in 1709, Book number 3 page 248, by Captain Daniel McCarty on the Second Day of February 1709, Grant Patent number 248. I bring the land patent forward retroactive to the issue date of 1709 containing which we are assigns to the partition described as: Lot 37A, section 15B, CASCADES, as the same is shown on a plat attached to the deed of boundary line adjustment recorded in Deed Book 1351 at page 1296, among the land records of Loudoun County, Virginia. Any part to these claims for specific lands shall be made within thirty (30) days, by certified mail return receipt, of first public notice in writing, to Sheila Allen, 47798 MacGill Court, Sterling, VA 20165, including adverse claimants office and title. February twelve, year of our lord, two thousand and nineteen. 2/14, 2/21, 2/28, 3/7/19

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TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2019 - JUNE 30, 2020 In accordance with the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, §§ 15.2-2503, 15.2-2504 and 15.2-2506, the Leesburg Town Council will hold a public hearing on: Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA At which time the public shall have the right to provide written and oral comments on the Town’s proposed budget for fiscal year July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. If the public hearing is canceled for any unforeseen reason, the public hearing will be held during the next Town Council regular meeting. SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES

GENERAL FUND UTILITIES FUND CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND NORTHERN VIRGINIA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY TOTAL EXPENDITURES- ALL FUNDS

FY 2019 ADOPTED $58,990,160 $26,936,703 $16,589,315 $24,463,785

FY 2020 PROPOSED $60,946,298 $30,199,187 $13,973,300 $33,434,000

Increase (Decrease) $1,956,138 $3,262,484 ($2,616,015) $8,970,215

$126,979,963

$138,552,785

$11,572,822

FY 2019 ADOPTED $58,345,160 $25,757,303 $16,589,315 $24,463,785 $1,824,400 $126,979,963

FY 2020 PROPOSED $60,368,799 $28,170,087 $11,220,300 $33,434,000 $5,359,599 $138,552,785

Increase (Decrease) $2,023,639 $2,412,784 ($5,369,015) $8,970,215 $3,535,199 $11,572,822

SUMMARY OF REVENUES

GENERAL FUND UTILITIES FUND CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND NORTHERN VIRGINIA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY USE OF FUND BALANCE ACROSS ALL FUNDS TOTAL REVENUES- ALL FUNDS

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. 02/28/2019 & 03/7/2019

Amendments to various subsections of Zoning Ordinance Section 7.10 Crescent Design (CD) District to permit additional modifications to allow for development and redevelopment of land consistent with principles of traditional urban design in accordance with the guidelines provided in the Crescent District Element of the Town Plan. Proposed modifications include, but are not limited to: 1. Increase the number of building stories (but no increase in maximum building height); 2. Building setbacks adjacent to residential uses and property lines; 3. Percentage of building frontage on the required Build-to Line; 4. Permit utilization of B-1 parking standards and tandem parking; 5. Street access requirements; 6. Allow uses to be added to the use list of a district; 7. Specify that Town Council shall have authority to decide on all modification requests as part of a rezoning or special exception; and 8. Limit the availability of these proposed modifications to legislative applications. Copies and additional information regarding these proposed Zoning Ordinance amendments are available at the Department of Planning & Zoning located on the 2nd floor of Leesburg Town Hall, 25 W. Market Street, Leesburg VA 20176 during normal business hours (Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.), or by contacting Brian Boucher, Deputy Director, via email at bboucher@leesburgva.gov, or via telephone at 703-771-2774. This zoning ordinance amendment application is identified as case number TLOA-2019-0003.

March 7, 2019

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION 7.10 (CRESCENT DESIGN DISTRICT) TO INCREASE AVAILABLE MODIFICATIONS IN THE DISTRICT

March 7, 2019

Legal Notices NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL The Lovettsville Town Council will hold a public hearing on the following item at their meeting at 7:30 pm on March 28, 2018 at the Lovettsville Town Office located at 6 East Pennsylvania Avenue:

Ordinance to Expand the Boundaries of the Frye Court Service District Consideration of an ordinance to expand the boundaries of the Frye Court Service District for the purpose of adding fourteen (14) parcels created in 2018 by the subdivision of land owned by Timothy E. and James M. Keena, also known as the Keena Subdivision. The Frye Court Service District was created by ordinance in 2003 for the purpose of establishing a special tax on the properties directly served by the Frye Court Sanitary Sewer Pump Station to ensure that the maintenance, inspection, repair and replacement needs of the pump station would be adequately funded by the properties directly served thereby. The additional parcels that will be directly served by the pump station are:

Notice of Public Hearing Town of Lovettsville Planning Commission The Lovettsville Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the following items at their meeting at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at the Lovettsville Town Office located at 6 East Pennsylvania Avenue: LVCP 2019-0001: Amendment to the 2011 Comprehensive Plan for Properties Recently Annexed by the Town of Lovettsville Consideration of an amendment to the adopted 2011 Comprehensive Plan of the Town of Lovettsville as previously amended in 2017 and 2018. Pursuant to Section 15.2-2223 of the Code of Virginia, the Lovettsville Planning Commission has initiated amendments to the comprehensive plan necessary to add three parcels of land owned by the Lovettsville Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company to the Land Use Plan and Transportation Plan. These three parcels of land are the same three properties annexed by the Town by simple boundary line adjustment in November of 2018. Proposed revisions to specific sections of the plan include: Map 4: Land Use Plan: Amended as follows (category descriptions are found in Table 3 on Page 44): a. The area corresponding to the planned future locations of the Lovettsville Volunteer Fire and Rescue Station and the Town elevated water tank is designated (i.e. planned) for future “Public/Governmental” uses; b. The area corresponding to the existing Lovettsville Volunteer Fire and Rescue Station and the remaining property frontage along Route 287 (Berlin Turnpike) is designated (i.e. planned) for “General Commercial” uses;

STREET ADDRESS:

TAX MAP #:

PIN #:

22 East Pennsylvania Avenue

//9/H/1/////7/

334-45-5525-000

23 East Pennsylvania Avenue

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334-45-6435-000

24 East Pennsylvania Avenue

//9/H/1/////8/

334-45-5617-000

26 East Pennsylvania Avenue

//9/H/1/////9/

334-45-6012-000

6 Frye Court

//9/H/1////10/

334-45-6908-000

8 Frye Court

//9/H/1////11/

334-45-6304-000

b. Streetscape and street improvement projects for which policies were added to Chapter 6: Transportation in 2018 are added to the map;

12 Frye Court

//9/H/1////12/

334-45-5800-000

c. The map is updated to include streets planned in 2017 which have since been constructed; and

14 Frye Court

//9/H/1////13/

334-45-5396-000

Keena Subdivision Lot 14

//9/H/1////14/

334-45-4792-000

3 Stone Jail Street

//9/H/1////16/

334-45-4207-000

5 Stone Jail Street

//9/H/1////15/

334-45-4602-000

4 Stone Jail Street

//9/H/1////23/

334-45-2493-000

6 Stone Jail Street

//9/H/1////22/

334-35-2888-000

8 Stone Jail Street

//9/H/1////21/

334-35-3185-000

The proposed ordinance and map are available for review at the Town Office between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm during weekdays or by special appointment, holidays excepted. Call (540) 822-5788 for more information or contact Joshua A. Bateman, Planning Director and Zoning Administrator at jbateman@lovettsvilleva.gov. In the event the meeting is postponed, the public hearing will be convened on the next regularly-scheduled meeting at the same time and place. 02/28/19, 03/07/19, & 03/14/19

c. The area corresponding to the property frontage along Lutheran Church Road is designated (i.e. planned) for “Commercial Transitional” uses; and d. The remaining area of land which does not have frontage on an existing public street is designated (i.e. planned) for “Light Industrial” uses. Map 6: Transportation Plan: Amended as follows: a. The proposed extension of the shared-use trail on South Berlin Pike is added to the map showing that it will be extended to the new southern corporate limits of the Town;

d. Sections of sidewalk and shared-use trail constructed since 2017 are added to the map. LVCP 2019-0002: Amendment to the 2011 Comprehensive Plan for Properties Owned by the Lovettsville Game Protective Association (LGPA) Consideration of an amendment to the adopted 2011 Comprehensive Plan of the Town of Lovettsville as previously amended in 2017 and 2018. Pursuant to Section 15.2-2223 of the Code of Virginia, the Lovettsville Planning Commission has initiated amendments to the comprehensive plan necessary to amend Map 4 (Land Use Plan) as it pertains to the two parcels of land owned by the Lovettsville Game Protective Association (i.e. the “Game Club”) located at 16 South Berlin Pike. Currently, the two parcels are designated (i.e. planned) for “Low-Density Residential” uses. The proposed amendment would amend the designation of the area of the property corresponding to the existing baseball field to “Private Open Space” and the designation of the remaining area of the property, including the existing Game Club assembly building, to “Public/Governmental/Civic.” In addition, the proposed amendment amends the Land Use Plan category description for “Public/Governmental” uses in Table 3 (Page 45) to include private, not-for-profit community service and civic organizations such as the Game Club. The proposed comprehensive plan amendment is available for review at the Town Office between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm during weekdays or by special appointment, holidays excepted. Call (540) 822-5788 for more information or contact the Planning Director & Zoning Administrator at jbateman@ lovettsvilleva.gov. In the event the meeting is postponed, the public hearing will be convened on the next regularly-scheduled meeting at the same time and place. 03/07/19 & 03/14/19

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE MIDDLEBURG PLANNING COMMISSION The Middleburg Planning Commission will hold a public hearing beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 25, 2019 to hear public comments on the following: Comprehensive Plan Amendment 18-01 Privately filed request of P. Daniel Orlich for amendments to the Town of Middleburg, Virginia Comprehensive Plan 2005 (revised August 2007). The request entails a number of elements, including: 1.

Proposing the Land Use section of the Plan to be amended to add an action suggesting the Zoning Ordinance in turn be amended to include a specific definition for “Independent Living.”

Proposing the Land Use section of the Plan to be amended to add an action suggesting the Zoning Ordinance in turn be amended to add Independent Living as a Special Exception Use in the Agricultural Conservancy District. The language would further require the use to be located on a parcel with a min. size of 15 acres and with frontage on Washington St. Density, setbacks and other “developmental details” would be determined in the special exception process (not by specific standards set forth in the Zoning Ordinance).

Proposing deletion of existing language in the Land Use section of the Plan pertaining to limitation on units in assisted living, independent living apartments and universal design cottages. The hearing will take place at the Town Office, 10 W. Marshall Street, Middleburg, Virginia; full and complete copies of the application documents may be reviewed there from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted. Questions may be directed to the Deputy Town Administrator at (540) 687-5152 or by email at wmoore@middleburgva.gov 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. 3/7/19 & 3/14/19

Legal Notices

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 12, 2019 AT 7:00 P.M. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176, to consider Rezoning application TLZM-2018-0006 and Zoning Ordinance Amendment TLOA-2018-0006 to include a portion of the historic Rogers Farm property, also known as White Oak, in the H-1, Overlay, Old and Historic District. The subject property consists of a portion of two parcels that collectively comprise approximately 12.7 acres. The properties are zoned R-4, Single Family Residential, and further described as Loudoun County Parcel Identification Numbers (PINs) 271-10-5459 (Carolyn H. Rogers Estate) and 272-40-4072 (Carolyn Horton Rogers Estate Devisees), and are located at 440 Dry Mill Road SW on the east side of Dry Mill Road across from Loudoun County High School. Rezoning/Application TLZM-2018-0006 is an amendment initiated by the Town of Leesburg to amend the official zoning map to extend the H-1, Overlay, Old and Historic District, to include approximately 12.7 acres of the subject properties. The Town Plan designates this property as “Low Density Residential” on the Land Use Policy Map and specifically identifies the property as one that may be eligible for inclusion in the H-1 Old and Historic District Overlay. Zoning Ordinance Amendment Case Number TLOA-2018-0006 is an amendment to the text of Section 7.5.3 to add a description of the land proposed for this addition to the H-1, Overlay, Old and Historic District. Additional information and copies of these applications are available at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by contacting Lauren Murphy, Preservation Planner, at 703-771-2773 or lmurphy@leesburgva.gov. At these hearings, all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations at the Town Council meeting should contact the Clerk of the Council at (703) 771-2733 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

The Lovettsville Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the following item at their meeting at 7:30 pm on March 20, 2019 at the Lovettsville Town Office located at 6 East Pennsylvania Avenue: LVZA 2018-0003 Zoning Ordinance Amendment to Section 42-2 (Definitions) Consideration of an amendment to Article I (In General), Section 42-2 (Definitions) in order to add, delete, and modify the definitions of certain terms used in the zoning ordinance. The amendment is described in greater detail below: 1. Definitions are added for the terms: Business incubator center; Camp, day or boarding; Conditional use; Drive-through facility; Duplex; Dwelling; semi-independent; Frontage, lot; Garage, parking or parking structure; Retail or production nurseries and greenhouses; Secondhand store; Spa; and Stable, private. 2. Definitions are deleted for the terms: Boardinghouse; Cellar; Dwelling, group; Dwelling, two-family; Garage, communal; Garage, public; Garden apartment; Health official; Lot, irregular; Professional office; Recreational vehicle; Roominghouse or lodginghouse; Story, half; Structure, outdoor advertising; Tourist home; and Travel trailer. 3. Definitions for the following separate terms are consolidated into single definitions: Automobile graveyard or junkyard; Construction or development; and Dwelling or dwelling unit. 4. Definitions for the following terms are substantively amended as follows: a. Bed and breakfast homestay: Amended to mean a business providing overnight lodging accommodations to transient guests, and which contains less than three (3) guest room or suites in an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling or detached accessory building. b. Bed and breakfast inn or bed and breakfast: Amended to mean a business providing overnight lodging accommodations to transient guests, and which contains no less than three (3) and no more than twelve (12) guest rooms or suites. c. Country inn: Amended to mean a business providing overnight lodging accommodations to transient guests and meals to guests and walk-in customers, and which contains more than twelve (12) guest rooms or suites. d. Hotel and motel: The definition of hotel is amended to mean a building providing temporary lodging to transient persons for compensation, having access to rooms primarily from interior lobbies, courts, or halls, which may include additional services such as restaurants, entertainment, and indoor commercial recreational facilities, and which contains more than twelve (12) guest rooms or suites. The definition of Motel is amended to distinguish motels from hotels such that, in the case of the former, direct independent access to, and adjoining parking for, each guest room is provided. 5. The remaining definitions in Section 42-2 are amended as needed for clarity and comprehensiveness. The proposed zoning amendment is available for review at the Town Office between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm during weekdays or by special appointment, holidays excepted. Call (540) 822-5788 for more information or contact Joshua A. Bateman, Planning Director at jbateman@lovettsvilleva.gov. In the event the meeting is postponed, the public hearing will be convened on the next regularly-scheduled meeting at the same time and place. March 7 & March 14

02/28/19, & 03/07/19

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING APPLICATION TO VACATE MONROE AVE. AND CENTER ST. 50’ INGRESS/EGRESS EASEMENTS

In accordance with Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, sections 15.2-2006 et seq., the Leesburg Town Council will hold a public hearing on: Tuesday, March 12, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 25 W. Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 at which time the public shall have the right to present oral and written comments on the proposed application. The following application will be proposed and discussed: An application filed with the Town by Walsh Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh PC, on behalf of Stanley Martin, Inc., the contract purchaser of the underlying property known as “Rogers Farm”, for the vacation of a 50’ Ingress/Egress Easements on a portion of former public street known as “Monroe Avenue” located between Lee Avenue and the Rosestone Court subdivision; and street known as “Center Street” located between Monroe Avenue and Davis Avenue. Copies of the application, associated Plat and proposed Ordinance are available from the Town Clerk, located in Town Hall. Additional information regarding this proposed Resolution is available in the Town Manager’s Office located on the first 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 contacting Eileen Boeing, Clerk of Council at 703-771-2733. At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views concerning this matter will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations at the meeting should contact the Clerk of the Council at (703) 771-2733 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711. 02/28/19, & 03/07/19

TO CONSIDER ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TLOA2018-0006 AND ZONING MAP AMENDMENT TLZM-20180006 TO EXPAND THE H-1 OVERLAY, OLD AND HISTORIC DISTRICT, TO INCLUDE A PORTION OF THE ROGERS FARM PROPERTY ALSO KNOWN AS WHITE OAK

Notice of Public Hearing Town of Lovettsville Planning Commission

March 7, 2019

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

March 7, 2019

Legal Notices

Employment

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TOWN OF LEESBURG, VIRGINIA REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES FOR EXPANSION OF THE LEESBURG POLICE STATION RFP NO. 20001-FY19-34

so you don’

The Town of Leesburg requests proposals for architectural and engineering design services for expansion of the Leesburg Police Station. Proposals shall be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m., Thursday, March 28, 2019, to Mr. Thomas Brandon, Manager, Office of Capital Projects, Town of Leesburg, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176. All proposals must indicate RFP title, number and proposal date on the external shipping material. All questions regarding this request for proposal must be received in writing by email at CapitalBidQuestions@leesburgva.gov until but no later than 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 19, 2019. Interested Offerors should download a copy of the RFP from the bid board on the Town’s website: http://www.leesburgva.gov/bidboard and may be obtained beginning Thursday, February 28, 2019. Contact Cindy Steyer at 703737-2302 or csteyer@leesburgva.gov with questions about obtaining these documents. All addenda issued for this project will only be posted on the Town’s bid board and eVA (https://eva.virginia.gov). Thomas Brandon, Manager Office of Capital Projects 03/07/19 & 03/14/19

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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.

PART-TIME OFFICE ASSISTANT W/QUICKBOOKS EXPERIENCE NEEDED

Regular Full-Time Positions Position

Department

Salary Range

Closing Date

Certified Police Officer (VA DCJS)

Police

$53,233-$96,835 DOQ

Open until filled

Groundskeeper

Parks and Recreation

$42,767-$73,221 DOQ

Open until filled

Utility Plant Technician Trainee or Utility Plant Technician

Utilities

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Open until filled

Position

Department

Hourly Rate

Closing Date

Library Associate

Thomas Balch Library

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Open until filled

Position

Department

Hourly Rate

Closing Date

GIS Intern

Utilities

$15.00

Open until filled

Maintenance Worker

Utilities

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Open until filled

Flexible Part-Time Position

Summer Part-Time Positions

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.

Office in Historic Leesburg seeks an Office Assistant who: • Is able to work independently in a small business environment • Has at least one year of QuickBooks and general office experience • Has bookkeeping, reception, and administrative office skills • Has good verbal and written communication skills • Is eager to learn and grow with the position • The successful candidate would be available to work approximately 4 hours per day, 5 days a week, and would be comfortable joining a team of innovative, highly intelligent software engineers. To apply, email jobs@imagemattersllc. com No phone calls or visits please. Image Matters LLC is a federal contractor, and as such, will give all qualified applicants consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

Employment Physically labor intensive position. Must have valid drivers license and vehicle and be able to lift 30 lbs.

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Part Time Assistance for small Estate Planning law firm in the Purcellville area to assist with scanning, filing and labeling documents one to two (2) days per week. Must be proficient in MS Office and with scanning files, be detail oriented and have strong organizational skills. Part time; salary commensurate with experience. Please send resume to: EPLawResumes@gmail.com

Now Hiring Experienced Auto Technician Job Description: • Be able to repair or replace worn parts and systems such as spark plugs, wheel bearings, brakes, fuel systems, sensors, timing belts, etc. • Test systems and individual parts to ensure proper working and/or evaluate degree of damage. • Identify mechanical and electrical problems with computerized diagnostic equipment. • Must have your own tools. • Great payment - according to experience.

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ROOMS FOR RENT 2 Basement Bedrooms with kitchenette for rent for single individuals in single family home located close to One Loudoun in Ashburn. No Smoking, No Pets. (H) 703-726-6465 (C) 571-277-0188

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[OBITUARIES] Ellen Day Keating Volunteer, activist and advocate JoEllen Day Keating of Waterford died March 1 of lung cancer. She was 75. JoEllen was known for her zest for life, her sense of adventure, her commitment to her community and her advocacy for the dignity and inclusion of all individuals. She was a tireless volunteer on behalf of Loudouners with disabilities and and a devoted supporter of the historic community of Waterford which she called home for nearly 40 years. JoEllen was born November 16, 1943 in Mount Vernon, Washington, the daughter of Joe and Helen Day. The middle of five children in a lively postwar household, JoEllen was known in her hometown for her adventurous spirit and built friendships that she maintained throughout her life. JoEllen attended the University of Washington in Seattle before joining the newly established Peace Corps in 1965 and spending two years serving in rural Panama. The experience ignited her lifelong love of Latin American culture and the Spanish language. When she returned to the Pacific Northwest, JoEllen attended Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. She met her first husband, the late John R. Schroeder, at Western. After their marriage, the couple packed up their Volkswagen Beetle and moved to the East Coast for John’s job with the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. JoEllen worked in regional development for the Organization of American States during their early days in the DC area. She and John and their two daughters made a home and many friends in Alexandria before moving to Leesburg in 1975. JoEllen’s first marriage ended in

divorce. She met and married the love of her life Joseph W. Keating III and moved to the historic village of Waterford in the early 1980s. Joe and JoEllen had two daughters, creating a high-energy blended family of six children. Their quirky historic home on Main Street was the setting for countless family celebrations for four decades. Their daughter Nora was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, launching JoEllen’s decades-long involvement Loudoun’s disability community, a commitment that continued well beyond Nora’s death in 2001. JoEllen was a board member of the ARC of Loudoun and supported the founding of the Aurora School at Paxton Campus in Leesburg. Earlier this year, the Paxton Campus community dedicated a clubhouse space known as Nora’s Room in honor of JoEllen and Joe Keating. JoEllen was a board member and regular volunteer at the Blossom and Bloom thrift store in Leesburg, a non-profit benefiting organizations supporting individuals with disabilities. She was also a supporter of the ECHO program and organized the annual ECHO tennis tournament for several years. JoEllen was an avid and excellent tennis player from the days of the old Loudoun Racquet Club and continued playing into her 70s. She took home the trophy from the annual Waterford Tennis Tournament in both doubles and mixed doubles numerous times over two decades and was known as a fierce and fun partner and competitor. JoEllen served for several years on the Homes Tour committee for the Waterford Fair, and she and Joe opened their Hollingsworth-Lee house to visitors numerous times over the years. Her home was a social hub on Waterford Fair weekends, and every year, the family placed a long bench outside for friends and strangers to stop and chat. JoEllen volunteered at the living history exhibit at Waterford’s historic

Second Street School. She was active in the Waterford Citizens Association and served as secretary for several years. Friends in the village remember her fun and flamboyant costumes in the annual Independence Day parade and her killer pies that regularly took home first place in the holiday bake-off. JoEllen was an active longtime member and former chair of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee and served for many years as Waterford precinct captain. She mentored a new generation of local party leaders while continuing to give her time to candidates. She was committed to social justice and never missed an opportunity to take her grandchildren to the annual Martin Luther King Jr. march in Leesburg. Over the years, JoEllen worked as a teacher for Loudoun County Public Schools and as a field worker for the U.S. Census Bureau. However, her passions were her family and volunteerism. She was a devoted and dynamic grandmother to nine amazing grandchildren. She shared her joyful enthusiasm for life with her grandchildren who have wonderful memories of hiking, skiing, beach vacations and family celebrations at her home. She was a constant and supportive presence at soccer and lacrosse games, swim meets and cyclocross races, school events, graduations and childhood milestones. JoEllen will be much missed by her daughters Janann Schroeder Mercker (Christian) of Lovettsville, Jessica Schroeder (Ron Edwards) of Washington, DC and Molly Keating Milefsky (Greg) of Richmond; stepchildren Kristen Keating Pauchnik (Brian) of Pittsburgh, PA and Joseph W. Keating IV of Shepherdstown, WV and her nine beloved grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers James Day of Arizona, John Day (Maria) of Burlington, WA and Donald Day of Bellingham, WA and her sister Janet Day Minegishi of Tokyo, Japan.

Daughter Nora Keating died in 2001, and Joe Keating died in January, 2018. A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, March 23 at 4 p.m. at the Waterford Old School. Instead of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the ARC of Loudoun in JoEllen’s memory.

Marie Louise Carter Twitchel Marie Louise Carter Twitchel, age 86, of Lascassas, TN, passed away Tuesday, February 19, 2019. A native of Highland, IL, she was the daughter of the late Elbert and Florence Mae Gregory Carter. Mrs. Twitchel was also preceded in death by her husband, Francis Evan Twitchel and two sisters, Mary Lou Vogel and Eileen Elliff. Mrs. Twitchel is survived by her daughters, Bethany Harlan and her husband Kevin of Lascassas, TN, and Nancy Twitchel of Sterling, VA; son, James Twitchel of Deltona, FL; sister, Alice May Story of Orlando, FL; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life was held at 10:30 AM Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at Lascassas Baptist Church with Dr. Kenneth Summey officiating. A funeral service was held 11:00 AM Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the Loudoun Funeral Chapel 158 Catoctin Circle SE Leesburg, VA 20175 with Dr. Alan Stanford officiating. A visitation was held from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Burial followed in the Sterling Cemetery in Sterling, VA. Mrs. Twitchel was a member of the Sterling Park Baptist Church and a homemaker. Online condolences may be expressed at www.loudounfuneralchapel.com

Seeking Geotechnical Engineer You can contribute to our client’s success. Join our team of Geotechnical Engineers and design innovative solutions for Structures & Foundations. We are GeoStructures, Inc., located just a short commute to Purcellville, Virginia. Submit your resume to: employment@geostructures.com today. EOE

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March 7, 2019

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[ OPINION ]

March 7, 2019

More Listening Perhaps since Black History Month was formally established in 1970, no February has sparked as much conversation about racism and racist actions than has been heard in recent weeks. The fact that the commonwealth’s top leaders—top Democrats—have been caught up on the wrong end of scandals has had the effect of leveling the field a bit. Democrats have spent most of the Trump era seeking to paint Republicans as racists and womanizers, but now have delivered a stark reminder that offensive behavior is not reserved for those of only one political stripe. Likewise, the controversy sparked by the slave-chasing exercise at Madison’s Trust Elementary undermined any confidence school administrators could claim that the staff was well-versed in cultural sensitivities and the curriculum was well-grounded accurate historical interpretation. The result is that a lot of people who are used to being on the talking side of such issues realized they need to spend much more time listening—and that provides a fertile environment for significant progress to be made. The School Board’s newly-created equity committee should be a productive forum to advance many long-debated reforms. If members of the long-standing Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee have felt ignored or marginalized in their efforts, it’s clear that the issues they’ve been wrestling with for decades will be given a new spotlight. As long-time advocates of improving the educational opportunities for minority students know, the challenge will be to maintain the sense of urgency as the research and policy work is hashed out in the months ahead. Many have been to this point before, only to see leaders lose interest or duck behind some weak, watered-down policy tweak. The community is engaged and there may be no better opportunity to make real progress. Let’s keep the conversation going.

Correction Last week’s article “County to Study Public Streetlight Program” incorrectly reported that supervisors will study a special tax district to pay for a streetlight program. That proposal was voted down on a 5-4 vote. Loudoun Now regrets the error.

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[ LETTERS ] Rise to It Editor: I want to thank Superintendent Eric Williams and LCPS for their educated and necessary response to the recent “underground railroad obstacle course” scandal at Madison’s Trust Elementary School. Williams’ statement recognized the many ways our students of color are systematically disadvantaged in their individual experiences with academics, achievements, discipline, and advanced programs, and attempts to address the conditions causing these areas of inequality. It’s crucial for school systems to acknowledge that the reality of being a minority often comes with unseen baggage, reflected in disparities of grades, disciplinary write ups, and self-confidence. It’s not uncommon for minority students to become selffulfilling prophecies in areas they’re told they can never excel in, including academic success. We must actively address this pattern, not only when looking at disparities across racial lines, but also its effect on LGBTQ+ youth. It’s vital that we have this conversation now, when bathroom bans have migrated from state laws down to our own school boards’ policies. School often serves as a necessary safe place for these kids, and the administration needs to face that responsibility and rise to it. Chris Croll was heart-wrenchingly right when she said, “We can’t lose any more kids, we just can’t.” — Kearney Quillen, Purcellville

Premature Editor: Loudoun School Board’s 5-4 vote approving the proposal to “add genetic information, gender identity, and gender expression to the list of protected classes in its equal

opportunity policy” appears to be illegitimate. The proposal was initiated by the newly appointed Catoctin District School Board member, Chris Croll. Such an important vote should have been delayed until after the November election. More debate should have taken place, especially concerning the highly controversial subject of young children transitioning to the opposite sex. In effect, our school system is giving its premature imprimatur to what is considered a subject that demands more years of study of its outcomes. I live in Catoctin District. — Rose Ellen Ray, Leesburg

Need Choice Editor: Last week’s vote to infringe upon the individual rights of students and parents at the Loudoun County School Board is the latest example of tyranny by the government monopoly on education. Both sides argued for individual rights and equality, in all insane topics, over what bathroom students are permitted to use. In their anti-science stance, LBGQT activists argued that any student should be able to use any bathroom they wish, regardless of sex. The fact is, we all know sex is determined not by feelings, but by chromosomes. And they cannot be changed. Facts are pesky things. But a moral government can only govern by facts, not emotions. But this highlights yet another much larger issue, individual rights. Now I have the individual right to wake up tomorrow and declare I am golden retriever. I have that right. What I do not have the right to do is LETTERS >> 45

[ LETTERS ]

Late on Race Editor: Mark Herring has been a Loudoun County supervisor, a Virginia senator, and now as attorney general, has a

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good chance at the governorship in 2021. But through it all, his Virginian proclivities to stay politically safe on race and sexism are intact. He acts from a background of access to white privilege in a state that has been blind to its own racism since the first slaves landed on Virginia shores 400 years ago. So what if Mr. Herring has admitted to wearing blackface when he was 19? In a state numb with insensitivity to the rights and dignity of blacks, women, and those of religions other than Christianity, that is not a show of courage. It’s a preemptive defense on the climb to higher office. Mr. Herring was educated in Loudoun public schools and Virginia colleges that have resisted urgency in facing their own raw racism to minimize and preserve Virginia’s longstanding racist traditions. As an attorney, Mr. Herring well knows the 20th Judicial Circuit has never had a black judge. Yet during two recent opportunities to appoint one, he stayed safe politically. Only now, with his own political future threatened, is he “ready to do my part” to address racism. Better late than never, but still, conspicuously late. Mr. Herring, you have already done your part—ignoring abuses in the judicial system in your own county rather than address its absence of nonwhite judges, and tolerating overprosecution of black men in every Virginia county.

Sir, please find your courage. You need to speak truth even to longtime associates, colleagues from law school, and smarmy political allies who dismiss judicial incompetence and deny their own socially-ingrained racial bias. In this election cycle, you must empower your loyal Loudoun voters to replace the tired and ineffective culture of racism and white privilege in the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office and eradicate the childish political games that plague the Office of the Sheriff. You must decry the elective pursuit and prosecution of juveniles, black men, and political enemies of those in power and by contrast, reflexive prosecutorial protection of political allies of the Commonwealth attorney. You must demand that every appointment to the 20th Circuit bench be called from highly qualified candidates of any race and both genders. You must emulate the bravery of blacks, women, and religious minorities who know the risk of speaking truth to power, but do it anyway. Without risk, you won’t be in the race for governor, and we will elect another generic candidate to abuse the insidious power of unearned privilege, because it makes so little difference who wins a race between any two entitled white men. — Beverly Bradford, Lansdowne

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force others to treat me as a golden shepherd and it is pure tyranny for government to force others to treat me as such. For individual liberty only exists until you directly keep others from exercising their individual liberty, free speech and the right to associate. As a side note, the right to associate also directly means the right not to associate. And this latest move by the Loudoun County School Board highlights the immediate need for School Choice in Virginia. It is the parents’ children that attend school, and it is the parents’ money that funds these schools. And as such it must be the parents’ choice what school their kids attend and what school their money funds. To suggest otherwise is immoral and authoritarian. In a study by the Federation for Children, over 67 percent of parents nationwide support school choice, and if we are to be free, this must happen. For then parents could send their children to whatever school their values dictate, and at the same time send their money to those same schools. Those who wish to see gender neutral bathrooms can fund such schools, and those that do not support this recent trend can fund schools that

do not support such. And those that wish to home school can use their money to provide for that education. That is what freedom, morality and liberty look like. Not using the tyranny of government and the majority to force parents and students to accept whatever belief system the government and its agents dictate. For in the end, the government has no money. It only has the money taken, by force of law, from residents in our county and Commonwealth. And it is immoral, as Thomas Jefferson said, to force you to pay for items that violate your deeply held beliefs. If we are to restore sanity, liberty and morality, the immediate passage of school choice in the commonwealth is the only moral answer. So unless your goal is to enslave others to you ideology, we must end the government monopoly on education and free our students and their parents. — S. Chris Anders, Director Virginia Constitutional Conservatives

March 7, 2019

<< FROM 44

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Loudoun United << FROM 3 package for soccer fans attending home games. “The National Conference Center is thrilled to be teaming with Loudoun United as their Official Hospitality Partner,” said Vice President and General Manager Geoff Lawson. “Being the home to Loudoun’s first professional soccer team will allow us to work closely with this community leader and provide a relaxing home base for players, coaches and fans. We look forward to seeing many of you after games and cheering the team on in the Black Olive during away games.” During Saturday’s event, fans also got to meet Loudoun United players, including goalkeeper Calle Brown, a Loudoun County High School graduate; and top DC United draft pick Shinya Kadono. Loudoun United opens the USL Championship season against Nashville SC this Saturday night, March 9. The team isn’t scheduled to play a home game until May 19 and it won’t play at its still-under-construction stadium at Bolen Park south of Leesburg before Aug. 9. nstyer@loudounnow.com

Healing Virginia << FROM 3 audience. “It takes a great deal of courage not only to face mistakes, but also to face the people and that is a testament to your character, sir, and I knew that you would do it—not that you could do it. A lot of people can do things, but they won’t,” Thomas said of Herring’s appearance. “I realized at some point that no one is stepping down. If no one is stepping down, then all we ask is for you to step up. And it’s impossible to step up if you don’t know what the issues are, if you don’t know the concerns in the hearts of the people that were so offended by the things that have happened,” Thomas said. Herring said the conversations about racism occurring around the commonwealth could set the foundation for significant progress and help others learn the lessons that he has. “I am so very sorry that something I did so long ago when I was 19 has added to and contributed to the pain and disappointment,” Herring said. But soon after that incident in college, Herring said he “broke through a lot of the insulating forces that, at the time, had kept me from seeing the existence of white privilege and the feelings and experiences of other people.” In recent weeks, Herring said he’s done a lot of listening about how to move forward. “I’ve heard that Virginians really want to take this moment, this focus on race in Virginia right now, to try to make something good come of it,” he said. “There is a lot of work to be done. I think from the conversations we’ve heard tonight, we can all agree on that.”

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

The National’s Vice President and General Manager Geoff Lawson, front left, and Loudoun United FC Chief Operating Officer Adam Behnke unveiled the team’s 2019 jersey during a March 1 event.

The conversations that have been stirred recently illustrate the need to “address the institutional and systemic racism that we have, whether it is in our healthcare system, in our education system, in our criminal justice system, and our other institutions of power,” Herring said. Much of the conversation on Sunday night focused on the school system. The session was attended by Superintendent Eric Williams and School Board members Joy Maloney (Broad Run), Tom Marshall (Leesburg) and Chris Croll (Catoctin). Last week, the School Board voted to create an ad-hoc committee to promote equity throughout the division, and Williams told the crowd that he and his staff are committed to working with the community to address concerns. Among the highlights of the twohour program was an exchange prompted by a caution by former delegate Randy Minchew that legislation and criminalization, alone, would not stamp out racism and discrimination. “In attacking racism, there is only so much that laws can do,” Minchew said. “While we can put laws on our books, the changing of our desire to banish racism from our country is something we’re going to have to do out of our own hearts. In other words, the legislature is never going to be able to get rid of racism. The way we get rid of racism is by confronting it, not giving it quarter, and by looking deep in our own hearts and realizing that all of us suffer from some elements of that.” Leesburg Councilman Ron Campbell, who also serves as executive director of the Loudoun Freedom Center, said he was impatient with politicians who have been too slow to roll back racist policies government leaders put in place to begin with.

“We are asking the same people and process that created the problem in the first place and we want to go back and say, do the right thing,” Campbell said. Campbell said there shouldn’t be a need for a Civil Rights Voting Act as a constitutional protection against politicians seeking to deny minorities the right to vote. “We’re doing double work and still spinning our wheels trying to solve the problem. Racism we know is the cause, but it also has some really real challenges about how we get rid of it. If we start with our policies and really speak the truth to those policies, I believe we can move something forward for our generation and the next generation,” he said. “We have to continue to ask our politicians no matter who we elect—and who we elect does matter—to engage in our community, not just down in Richmond, because that is where the real work gets done.” The forum also included a discussion of the use of blackface. From the audience, Lisa Kimball recalled a time when two young tennis players dressed up as Venus and Serena Williams, including black makeup, during Halloween. At the time, she congratulated the girls on their tribute to the top athletes and strong female role models, but in light of the recent controversies, she wondered whether her reaction was wrong. “I praised them. I thought they were adorable. They wanted to be these strong, brilliant, successful women. Was I wrong? How do I respond to that?” she said. Attorney Buta Biberaj, the legal redress officer for the Loudoun NAACP, commended Kimball for reflecting on the question. “Who doesn’t want to be either of the sisters? That was coming from a good place. But the awesomeness is in the

conversation: How would that make somebody else feel? And how do you feel when you’re doing it? I don’t know whether there is a right or wrong answer,” Biberaj said. “That is how we’re going to change things by having that conversation. Charles Barrett, a psychologist for the school system, said there is a bright line making blackface unacceptable in all contexts. “In most cases, what we are talking about today is white people coming to terms with [the realization that] not everything is for you, and living in a society in which everything is open to you freely and openly. You can honor Serena Williams. You can honor Venus Williams, but their skin tone and complexion is not for you,” he said. “So, I would say part of the way forward is putting perimeters around how we honor and respect people.” “Until we embed these practices in systemic policy, justice does not really happen. I think one teacher or one parent doing well for their students or their children is great, but I think the work of justice really is about embedding those individual practices in systemic policy,” Barrett said. Herring said the high-profile discussions about racism should yield benefits. “Those conversations that I’ve been having I know are going to continue. I will continue listening and it has been really good to be here in my hometown to hear from friends and neighbors to hear issues that you all are confronting, and what role I might be able to play in helping all of us address those issues, because this is an important moment in time when we have an opportunity to really make a lot of progress.” nstyer@loudounnow.com

Budget hearings

Human Services a Focus Others asked supervisors to continue their support of services for the less fortunate in Loudoun, such as people with physical or mental disabilities. Community Services Board Chairman Angelo Wider said budget increases to the Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services in recent years have already helped, and more is needed. “As a result of your support, the department has improved access and engagement and services for individuals with serious emotional disturbance,

Supervisors Asked to Keep Schools Funded Teachers and members of the Loudoun Education Association supported the school board’s full budget

Tiny houses << FROM 1 to stay for up to 30 days at a time. The concern kicks in there, as some critics claim the projects go beyond the intent of the ordinance to allow property owners to rent out guest rooms in their primary residences and maybe one or two ancillary buildings, like their guest houses. Critics say that building individual dwellings and then calling them “guest rooms” is contrary to what the writers of the ordinance intended, citing this interpretation of the regulation as a “loophole” that property owners are exploiting. One of those concerned residents is Alta Jones, the owner of AltaTerra Farm Bed & Breakfast near Hillsboro and a member of Loudoun’s Rural Economic Development Council. Jones said that she feels the zoning ordinance was written with the overall intent to preserve rural land, specifically in the Agricultural Rural zoning district—where country inns are by-right uses. “There’s loopholes that we need to close,” she said. “We need to limit density.” Jones is primarily concerned about a project taking shape on 42.3 acres of land about 2.5 miles west of the Town of Hillsboro along Rt. 9. There, John Robic is building 40 dwelling units that are 780 square feet in size and include a first floor with a bedroom, a kitchen and a bathroom and a second-floor loft area. It’s all part of a project he’s named the Blue Ridge Country Inn that the county approved last September. That project seems to somewhat mirror a similar one that Robic planned in 2012 on a property about 3.5 miles north along Sawmill Lane. According to county documents, in 2012 he sought to build a “rural hamlet subdivision” on a 115-acre property with 24 individual “micro dwellings” intended for single or double occupancy

Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now

These homes under construction west of Hillsboro have prompted a debate over whether they are an answer to Loudoun’s affording housing challenges or represent a usurpation of rural zoning rules.

that would have each been less than 400 square feet in size. Robic wrote that one of his goals for the project was to “provide affordable housing within the county,” finding that there were no housing options with rent at or less than $1,000 per month in the surrounding area. He wrote that, while renters prefer to live alone, they’re often forced to get roommates to afford paying rent, noting that many are willing to sacrifice dwelling size for privacy and affordability. “Towards this end, we would like to offer county renters a new alternative—VERY small dwellings at under $1,000,” he wrote. To accomplish that, Robic initiated discussions with the county’s Department of Planning, indicating that he intended to eventually apply for a minor special exemption to allow for an increased number of dwelling units per lot under the Zoning Ordinance’s regulations for “accessory apartments and dwelling units.” He met with county staff members but apparently never applied for that exemption. Robic declined to be interviewed for this story. Another tiny rental cottage projects still in the conceptual stage is at Gray-

don Manor near Leesburg, also being explored as a country inn. Although there aren’t any submitted site plans for a country inn at Graydon Manor just yet, David Culbert, the attorney representing the property, did submit a request for zoning determination to County Zoning Administrator Mark Stultz in July asking him to clarify specific Zoning Ordinance language related to country inns. Culbert was seeking to confirm an interpretation, among others, that “a ‘guest room’ or dwelling unit may house more than one occupant,” and that guest rooms can have additional rooms, including kitchens. Senior Planner Mark Depo responded to that request in November, writing that while the Zoning Ordinance does not define “guest room,” previous Loudoun County Zoning Administration opinions “have determined that a ‘guest room’ is not a ‘dwelling unit.’” Depo also wrote that a “guest room” should contain “sleeping facilities” and can additionally contain a bathroom and foyer as accessory elements, but “shall not contain independent cooking (kitchen) facilities.” Graydon appealed Depo’s response to

request—a wish that would be granted under the county administrator’s proposed budget, and that came in for the first time in recent memory within the Board of Supervisors’ fiscal guidance to the schools. “We should be leading the region in our support of education, not just trying to keep up with Fairfax,” said high school business teacher and LEA Chairman David Palanzi. “As a teacher, I have to give assessments to ensure my students grasp what they learned that day,” said Alexis Severo. “So it’s time for your assessment: how many jobs does a teacher need to live in Loudoun County?” “I know that some people think that education’s expensive and some people look at it as an expense, but I’m glad to see that some members of the Board of Supervisors understand it’s an investment,” said Anthony Fasolo. Unusually, nobody at any of the county’s three budget public hearings advocated for cutting taxes below the equalized rate, which is the rate at which the average homeowner tax bill remains the same despite changing— generally rising—real estate values. rgreene@loudounnow.com the Board of Zoning Appeals, which just last week affirmed Depo’s stance. The Graydon Manor owner has 30 days to appeal that ruling to the Circuit Court. Yet another concept, for cottages where people would live on a more permanent basis, is Paul Smith of Tree of Life Ministries’ idea to build a 32 micro-cottage community on the 7-acre Weona Villa Motel property just east of Round Hill. Smith’s idea for square footage in the proposed micro cottages is similar to that of Robic’s Blue Hill Country Inn, at no more than 1,000 square feet per unit. That proposal differs from that of Robic’s and Graydon Manor’s, though, in that it’s not intended for short-term, but instead long-term rentals, like the five apartments Tree of Life operates in Purcellville. Smith said that he’s waiting to hear back from the county staff to determine how county zoning might allow him to build those units in the Agricultural Rural zoning district. Because the property’s existing well and septic system might not be able to sustain the proposed development’s needs, Smith requested the Round Hill Town Council extend municipal utility service to the property. To do that, the town and county governments would need to revise their comprehensive plans to include the property in the Joint Land Management Area—an area outside the town limits that the town provides water and sewer service for. The Town Council was scheduled to vote on a Comprehensive Plan amendment Thursday night. To rectify the “loophole” in the Zoning Ordinance’s language on country inns, Jones said that the Rural Economic Development Council is working to bring a Resolution to Amend the ordinances before the Board of Supervisors, which, if approved, will direct county staff to take a closer look at short-term rental regulations. pszabo@loudounnow.com

undercompensated and undervalued,” said Department of Family Services employee Christi Carmouze. “Last year’s raise was a step toward bringing us up to the other jurisdictions, but more is needed. I’m asking that you support the raise in the county administrator’s proposed budget. I need that raise. I appreciate that raise. That raise won’t still fully bring us up to our peers, but it’s critical for my family to stop living paycheck to paycheck.”

“Our family lucked into moving to Ashburn close to ECHO, where Becky for the first time in her life had a job, a paycheck, friends, a social life, activities, boyfriends, girlfriends—in short, a life,” Arbetter said. “How can we put a price tag on that?” Pointing to his organization’s request for $300,000 from the mental health department to support young adults with disabilities graduating from school, ECHO CEO Paul Donohue said the county should be careful not to backslide. “These young adults are graduating with skills that will atrophy if they are not quickly engaged with programs that will integrate them into the community,” Donohue said. Loudoun Hunger Relief Executive Director Jennifer Montgomery said the proposed funding for human services “reflects the strong commitment on the part of the county to address human services needs, which continue to grow in our county.”

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serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and development and intellectual disabilities,” Wider said. Community Services Board Vice Chair Amy McMullen pointed to the Loudoun District Court’s new mental health docket, speaking of success stories in which through treatment people have found jobs or English lessons for the first time rather than landing in jail. “Keeping the seriously mental ill out of Loudoun jails is a worthy human service and public safety goal,” McMullen said. And a number of people from Leesburg disability services and employment nonprofit ECHO and Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus in Ashburn supported funding for their program, which helps place people with disabilities in jobs and supports their needs in those jobs. “The ECHO-Janelia relationship is a win-win for everyone involved,” said Janelia Research Campus Scientific Operations Manager Todd Laverty. “The ECHO employees care about their jobs and enjoy coming to work every day. Who doesn’t like that?” Robert Arbetter spoke on behalf of his sister-in-law, Becky Whitney, who has a job through ECHO.

March 7, 2019