n LOUDOUN
Pg. 4 | n LEESBURG
VOL. 7, NO. 18
Pg. 8 | n EDUCATION
Pg. 10 | n OBITUARIES
Pg. 29 | n PUBLIC NOTICES
We’ve got you covered. In the mail weekly. Online always at LoudounNow.com
Pg. 30
MARCH 24, 2022
Deputies Fatally Shoot Woman Armed with Knife BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
Renss Greene/Loudoun Now
The Loudoun County flag flies in front of the county seal on the government center in Leesburg.
Supervisors Settle on 89-Cent Tax Rate for $3.5B Budget BY RENSS GREENE
rgreene@loudounnow.com
Loudoun supervisors have finished their work on the $3.5 billion Fiscal Year 2023 budget, setting the county up for a new real estate tax rate of $0.89 per $100 of assessed value, a dramatic cut that nonetheless will lead to a higher bill for the average homeowner, and the first cut
to the personal property tax rate in three decades. For the homeowner with the average $636,200 residential property, the new tax rate, a nine-cent cut from the current rate, will result in a tax bill about $200 higher this year. In 2023, the personal property tax rate, which taxes things ranging from cars, to office equipment, to the racks of servers
inside data centers, will drop five cents to $4.15 per $100 of value. Supervisors began looking at trimming back that tax after warnings from county budget officers that the county was becoming too reliant on that tax—specifically the revenues from data centers—and that it could make for unpredictable revenues.
The Virginia State Police is investigating the fatal shooting involving a woman armed with a knife at a Potomac Falls apartment building by Loudoun County deputies Friday morning. According to the Sheriff’s Office, shortly after 4 a.m. March 18, deputies responded to an Ellicott Square residence for a reported domestic-related incident. Deputies arrived to find a 15-year-old female inside the apartment with stab wounds. A second woman who was armed with a knife exited the apartment and refused instructions to drop the weapon. She allegedly lunged at the deputies and was shot, according to the report. As deputies rendered aid to her, other deputies entered the apartment and located a 38-year-old woman and three juveniles inside. The woman and a 15-yearold girl suffered stabbing wounds in the altercation with the suspect, Faubricia Virtaux Gainer, 36, of Reston. Gainer was taken to Reston Hospital Center, where she died.
BUDGET continues on page 43
POLICE SHOOTING continues on page 43
Give your child a competitive advantage! #1 Private High School in ˀ Loudoun County
Dulles Campus near the intersection of Routes 28 & 606
Lower School Middle School High School
703-759-5100
www.FairfaxChristianSchool.com
ECRWSS Postal Customer
Permit #1374 Merrifield VA
PAID
PRESRT STD U.S. Postage
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 2
MARCH 24, 2022
Thinking of Selling? Retiring, Remote Work Moving Closer to Family?
Now is the Best Time To Sell UNDER CONTRACT |
$929,000
12851 APRIL CIRCLE | LOVETTSVILLE
COMING SOON
PHILOMONT EQUESTRIAN PROPERTY WITH BARN AND POOL.
INVENTORY REMAINS LOW IN THIS SELLER’S MARKET BUT IT WON’T LAST
Call Leslie. 703.728.9811
JUST LISTED |
$1,495,000
35059 SUNNY RIDGE ROAD | ROUND HILL
$1,330,000 MULTIPLE OFFERS WITH ESCALATIONS
21111 MILL BRANCH DRIVE | $1,295,000
RED CEDAR LEESBURG
★★★★★
1&
&
,(
68&
“Leslie provided excellent service to us in selling our home. She advised us in staging our home and even provided props to make the home look more presentable. She worked very <($56 (6 hard during the negation period to insure that we were not saying yes to unresonable 6)8 (5 / (;3 demands from the buyers. She is very easy to work with and very professional. I would use her again the next time we sell!”
(
SOLD |
Call Leslie First!
Leslie Carpenter MBA
703.728.9811
,
703.728.9811|ONE LOUDOUN 44679 Endicott Drive, Suite 200, Ashburn, VA 20147 |
There are listings … and there’s
listed by leslie
| listedbyleslie.com | leslie@listedbyleslie.com
Compass Real Estate is a licensed real estate broker. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity.
R E A LT O R
®
MARCH 24, 2022
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 3
Community Rallies Support for Ukraine War Victims BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
Leesburg leaders and residents gathered on the Town Green on Friday evening to demonstrate support for the people of Ukraine following the invasion by Russian forces. The next afternoon a crowd gathered again in the historic district for a concert fundraiser for the war-ravaged residents. Friday’s vigil sponsored by the Leesburg Town Council opened with the singing of the Ukrainian national anthem by Nikolay Zapisochnyy. In her address, Mayor Kelly Burk said the event was intended to send a message around the world. “We’re here on the Leesburg Town Green to tell the Ukrainian people that the people of Leesburg are with you. We are horrified at the cruelty and the destruction that has befallen your proud and glorious nation,” Mayor Kelly Burk said. “No country should be invaded, blown up, burned down, and violated the way that Ukraine has experienced these last few weeks. This invasion is illegal, immoral and disgusting.” Burk highlighted Ukraine’s centuries-long history of statehood and defending human rights. “The mayor and the Leesburg Town Council want all to know here and now and across this country that we value,
Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now
Those gathered on the Town Green for Friday night’s vigil display Ukrainian flags.
appreciate and stand with the Ukrainian people as they struggle and fight for freedom.” Sofiya Lukomsky grew up in Ukraine and has lived in the U.S. for the past
22 years. Once a Ukrainian, always a Ukrainian, she said. “Lots of civilians are dying in Ukraine. Dying while sleeping in their houses, while trying to escape occupied
territories, while standing in lines to get food and medication,” she said. “Just three weeks ago, Ukrainian people—like you and me—were coming home from work, stopping by the grocery store, taking kids to after-school activities, cooking dinner, watching Netflix, and making plans for spring and summer vacation. Most people were making plans. Making plans because three weeks ago they had a future, which was shattered by the force of missiles,” she said. Lukomsky highlighted three things that could be done to help. “We can donate. We can welcome refugees. And we can help to protect the sky over Ukraine.” “Ukrainians are very strong. Their amazing unity should be an example for all of us. We need to be united in order to help Ukraine. One person can do little. But we are many. We are the people of the United States of America. Together we can help. Slava Ukraini,” she said. Lukomsky’s 11-year-old daughter Alisa also spoke. “Everyone in Ukraine is struggling. They’re not able to live a normal life anymore and they’re scared for their lives. It is sad to see a once beautiful country is now destroyed by bombs. All of the people in bunkers. All of the people standing in line waiting for food and medicine. UKRAINE VIGIL continues on page 42
State Approves Rt. 7, Rt. 50 Renaming; County Opposes Purcellville Request BY NORMAN K. STYER AND RENSS GREENE nstyer@loudounnow.com greene@loudounnow.com
The Commonwealth Transportation Board unanimously approved Loudoun County’s request to rename Rt. 7 and Rt. 50 and restore their historic names as part of a broader effort erase names associated with the Confederacy, the slave trade or racism from public streets, buildings, and parks. But the Town of Purcellville threw a wrench into that work when last week the state board approved the town’s request to rename the section of the Rt. 7 Bypass inside the town limits as the Billy Pierce Memorial Pike, and the county government will seek to have that decision reversed citing safety concerns.
The state board voted unanimously on Feb. 15 to approve Loudoun County’s request to rename those roads within its borders. The work to rename those roads began in December 2020, when county supervisors launched work to find and inventory segregationist and Confederate symbols in Loudoun. Eventually the county board voted to restore the roads to their previous names, Leesburg Pike for Rt. 7 and Little River Turnpike for Rt. 50. As part of that process, the county asked the three towns that include portions of the Rt. 7 Bypass to endorse the Leesburg Pike name. The Leesburg and Round Hill town councils did so; the Purcellville council opted to rename its section of the highway in honor of the Purcellville native who went on to be a
noted choreographer, dancer, and studio owner in New York City, credited with inventing the Black Bottom dance that became a national craze in the 1920s. In its resolution, the Purcellville council noted were no addressable structures on that section of the highway and that the only cost would be the creation and placement of signs denoting the name, which the town would pay. And on March 15, the CTB adopted a resolution approving the town’s request. However, two days later, County Administrator Tim Hemstreet sent a letter to Purcellville Town Manager David Mekarski raising concerns about the confusion that could arise from having a small section of the highway known by a different name. “Loudoun County does not support this action, as it will nega-
tively affect the safe and efficient delivery of public safety services,” Hemstreet wrote. “This name change would not take place at an easily identifiable geographic feature such as an intersection, but at jurisdictional boundaries, on or near overpasses. The change in street name at a jurisdictional boundary will be confusing to 9-1-1 callers, who may be unaware of the name change and provide incorrect information when calling for emergency services. This situation will in turn put a burden on the public safety answering point, to include the telecommunicators who answer the emergency and non-emergency calls, to ROADS RENAMED continues on page 42
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 4
Loudoun
ON THE Agenda
County Publishes Revised Election Districts BY RENSS GREENE
rgreene@loudounnow.com
The Loudoun County Office of Mapping and Geographic Information has finished producing a local election districts map to reflect changes made on the fly by county supervisors at their March 15 meeting. The map is under review by staff members and, unless it is found to have critical problems, will be sent to a public hearing on May 11, the next step in redrawing the election districts for county supervisors and School Board members. Under the law the map’s districts must be drawn with roughly proportional populations based on 2020 census data; county supervisors in the face of Loudoun’s continued rapid growth had originally directed staff members to also consider expected future growth in the county. However, the map adopted Tuesday may be beyond the acceptable 5% difference in district populations before it ever sees an election, particularly in the new southwestern district. Among other changes, supervisors added an area to that district that is currently under development, the Birchwood at Brambleton, to be with the rest of Brambleton.
rgreene@loudounnow.com
The Loudoun County government may seek proposals for public-private partnerships around waste reuse and hydrogen green energy at the county landfill. County supervisors voted unanimously March 15 to direct county staff members to scope out a Request for Information solicitation on waste reuse partnerships and potential public-private partnerships, the first step to possi-
Board OK’s Lightridge High School Plans Supervisors have signed off on a Commission Permit to co-locate a future elementary school on an existing 117-acre school site. The school division’s plans call for a high school and two elementary schools on the same site— Lightridge High School, Hovatter Elementary School, and the new elementary school. The Planning Commission approved that proposal unanimously. Supervisors unanimously ratified the commission’s decision on March 15.
Loudoun Station Drive Renamed for Metro
While that district already is near the upper population threshold, there are more than 800 housing units still to be built. Supervisors voted to move ahead with that map on a 5-4 vote. County staff members plan to bring an evaluation of that map to the April 5
board meeting, giving supervisors another chance to vote on it. If that map is voted down, they are also considering a previous draft of the map has already undergone staff review. See details of the county’s redistricting effort at loudoun.gov/redistricting. n
Loudoun Could Seek Waste Reuse, Hydrogen Green Energy Proposals BY RENSS GREENE
MARCH 24, 2022
bly partnering with a private company to generate energy at the county landfill in the future. Supervisor Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling), who brought the proposal to the board, said it would be consistent with the county’s previous commitments to work toward green energy. “Now, more than ever, we need to leave no stone unturned in looking for ways to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and shift toward more renewable energy,” Saines said. County staff members will report back to the board’s finance committee
in July with estimates around scope of work, timeline, estimated and costs and recommendations. Saines’s office recommended hiring a consultant expert to help put together a public Request for Information if supervisors get to that stage. The county previously has launched a commercial clean energy loan program and a revamp of the county energy strategy, among other projects. Saines said Loudoun has the opportunity to get in on the ground floor with that technology and be among the first in Virginia and the world. n
County supervisors have approved a suggestion by Supervisor Sylva R. Glass (D-Broad Run) to rename Loudoun Station Drive to avoid confusion. The county’s Ashburn Metro station is located on Loudoun Station Drive. Glass said she has heard from constituents that that is confusing, since Loudoun Gateway Station is on a different street miles away. The county board voted unanimously March 15 to rename the road Ashburn Metro Drive.
Ashburn Recreation Center Gets Budget Bump The county board has moved $6.5 million from its capital projects contingency fund to cover the cost of a construction contract for the Ashburn Recreation and Community Center. The county will award the $82.9 million contract to Costello Construction of Maryland. It will also be funded with $5 million in bonds and $5 million in cash proffers. The new center at 43190 Van Metre Drive will include a 50-meter competition pool, a leisure pool, a spa, a full-size gymnasium, an eight-classroom community center, a multi-purpose room with teaching kitchen, a fitness center, changing rooms, and offices and spectator seating. Outside the building plans include a multi-use trail around the ON THE AGENDA continues on page 6
MARCH 24, 2022
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 5
SHE GAVE ME MY LIFE BACK
Local clinic has a modern, medical solution to treat your Peripheral Neuropathy and is seeing incredible results!
“It started out as a normal outing. My wife and I had to run to the grocery store. We were driving down the road casually going over our shopping list when the car ahead of me started to slow down anticipating the yellow light. I started to move my foot from the gas to the brake as any normal person would do when they see brake lights in front of them but I couldn’t. I couldn’t feel my foot. The car kept moving forward and I just couldn’t get my foot on the brake. And CRUNCH! I finally came to a stop when I hit the car in front of me.”
This was the case with Dan. “I said I wasn’t going to drive again. What if that had been a pedestrian?” It is terribly common that peripheral neuropathy and its debilitating symptoms interfere with a person’s ability to live their life. Dan was now reliant on his wife to drive him around, even the simple pleasure of cruising down to play golf or taking her out to dinner was outside his capabilities. And even more common, Dan’s general practitioner and several specialists told him there was nothing they could do other than prescribe him pills that would ease the pain of his neuropathy.
“I can’t lie,” confides Dan. “I was skeptical at first. The folks down at my pain center told me there was nothing that could be done and then there’s a doctor right here in Loudoun who tells me she can help. Turns out she was right! About three months after treatment I was able to confidently drive myself to my appointments! My wife and I celebrated by buying ourselves a new car! It’s hard to put into words how incredible this is, quite frankly [Rachal] gave me my life back.”
While FIREFLY specializes in acupuncture and it’s definitely part of their protocols in treating neuropathy, the real secret is in a more modern medical solution called ATP That’s where Rachal Lohr and her staff Resonance BioTherapy™. “This technology at FIREFLY come in. “About 75% of was originally developed by NASA to expedite our current patients come to us healing and recovery” shares Terri, a Senior suffering from the same condition Patient Care Coordinator at the clinic. “It’s like as Mr. Dan,” tells Rachal. watering a plant. ATP Resonance BioTherapy™ stimulates the blood vessels to “The first stage is pain.” shares Rachal Lohr, “They’re in constant pain from neuropathy grow back around the peripheral nerve and and it prevents them from not only living Acupuncturist of FIREFLY Acupuncture & their lives but more importantly, it prevents provide them the proper nutrients to heal and Wellness. “You feel burning, tingling, repair.” sharp pains, or you feel like you’re walking them from enjoying it. Depending on the severity of their nerve damage, we on tacks or marbles. This pain eventually You can learn more about Rachal and Firefly typically see tremendous progress in 3-4 subsides and the numbness sets in. by visiting FIREFLYAcuAndWellness.com. months of treatment. I like to say we’re in Unfortunately the numbness brings with the business of making your golden years If you’re ready to schedule a consultation call it a whole other host of problems.” (703)263-2142 and do so quickly. FIREFLY is golden.” a very intimate clinic and the staff takes pride in their ability to take their time with each Visit www.FIREFLYAcuAndWellness.com to learn more patient so they are very limited in their ability and to take advantage of their New Patient Offer! to take on new patients.
This tragic story was shared with us by Dan S. an Ashburn resident who has peripheral neuropathy. And while no one was hurt in this accident, Dan S. had suffered almost everyday of his life with tingling and burning in his feet until numbness set it and he could no longer feel even the brake pedal beneath his foot.
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 6
MARCH 24, 2022
Supervisors Mark Women’s History Month BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com
County supervisors marked Women’s History Month in March with a series of ceremonial resolutions March 15 celebrating the month, the Girl Scouts and Loudoun’s National Women’s Soccer team. The four women on the board have also been wearing white on the dais to honor the month. This year marks the 110th anniversary of Girl Scouts, which was founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low with a small gathering. Today more than 2.5 million Girl Scouts around the country celebrate the tradition with nearly 60 million former Girl Scouts. The county boardroom was packed with Girl Scouts last week. The same night, the board also recognized the Washington Spirit, the pro soccer team now based at Segra Field, for last year winning their first National Women’s Soccer League championship. They finished their 2021 season with a
ON THE Agenda continued from page 4
property, a large courtyard with seating, a splash play area and playground equipment. Construction is estimated to begin this spring. More information is online at loudoun.gov/5261/Ashburn-RecreationCommunity-Center.
Affordable Housing Loan Increased by $750K The county board has approved a request by Winn Development to increase
Renss Greene/Loudoun Now
Supervisors and Girl Scouts gather for Women’s History Month and that organization’s 110th anniversary in the county boardroom on March 15.
finishing the season with a 9-0-3 record, and individual team members also made a splash. Goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe was named the 2021 National Women’s Soccer League Goalkeeper of the Year for the second year in a row, and forward Trinity Rodman was named the National Women’s Soccer League Rookie of the Year after becoming the youngest player to be
drafted into the league. And a resolution marking the month also celebrates some of the influential women in Loudoun’s own history, including abolitionist and educator Margaret Mercer; Loretta Janeta Velazquez, who disguised herself as a soldier and took part in the Battle of First Manassas; the influential and wealthy Ida Lee Rust for
a county loan from $4 million to $4.75 million as the company seeks to acquire Sommerset Senior Apartments. Winn Development applied for Affordable and Special Needs Housing Funding from the state Department of Housing and Community Development but was not awarded funding. The company will be applying again but may not receive enough funding, representatives said. If the company is successful in acquiring the development, it would provide 102 units of below-market rental housing for single adults, couples, and families by converting market rate apartments. The loan comes out of the $5 million in fund
balance approved for the county’s new Rental Housing Acquisition and Preservation Loan program.
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap. All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-9753.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Planned March 26 The first Loudoun County Household Hazardous Waste collection event for 2022 is scheduled for Saturday, March 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Leesburg Park and Ride, 19730 Sycolin Road in Leesburg. Loudoun residents may bring hazardous waste from their homes to the event, free of charge. Typical hazardous waste includes fluorescent light bulbs, dry-cell
whom Leesburg’s Ida Lee Park is named; Anna Hedrick, one of the first female lawyers in Virginia; outspoken leader in the local civil rights leader Marie Moton Medley-Howard; nationally known artist and first chairwoman of Loudoun’s Planning Commission Vinton Liddell Pickens; and educator Rosa Lee Carter. Today, there are public places in Loudoun named after many of those women, and their work in shaping Loudoun today—such as Loudoun’s longstanding strict sign ordinances, a legacy of Pickens who was known for cutting down roadside signs— can still be felt. The resolution also notes the women who have previously served on the Board of Supervisors, including the first female chair of the board, Dale Polen Myers, who attended. Supervisors also passed a resolution marking the change in law last year permitting County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) to be formally recognized by her choice of gender or gender-neutral title. Previously her office was officially designated “county chairman.” n batteries, paint thinner and mineral spirits, sealants and solvents, bleach, pesticides and herbicides, pool chemicals, hobby chemicals and other substances. Other hazardous waste such as motor oils, explosives, medical waste, and electronics will not be accepted. The limit per household is 15 gallons of liquid waste in containers not larger than five gallons, and 40 pounds of solid waste in containers not larger than five gallons. More information, including details on what will and will not be accepted, is at loudoun.gov/hhw. n
Cochran Family Dental Welcoming all new patients!
What we offer • • • • • •
LOUDOUN’S
LoudounNow
2021
W I N N E R
FAVORITE
W I N N E R LoudounNow
2020
LOUDOUN’S
FAVORITE
Cheerful, serene, state of the art office Digital x-rays (reduces radiation by 90%) We file all dental benefit claims Cosmetic Dentistry (veneers, white fillings, and Zoom Whitening) Crowns and Bridges, all phases of Implants, Root Canals and Dentures We offer periodontal therapy to restore your oral health as well as oral cancer screening.
Conveniently located in the Village of Leesburg 1503 Dodona Terrace #210 • Leesburg, VA 20175 • 703-771-9034 Mon. & Wed.: 8am - 6pm • Tues. - Thurs.: 7am - 4pm • Fri.: CLOSED • 24hr Emergency Service
fairhousing@dpor.virginia.gov • www.fairhousing.vipnet.org
Visit our website: TheLeesburgVADentist.com
LoudounNow
2 0 1 9
LOUDOUN’S
FAVORITE
LoudounNow
W I N N E R
LOUDOUN’S
FAVORITE 2018
MARCH 24, 2022
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 7
Politics
Pio Elected Loudoun County Republican Committee Chairman BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com
The Loudoun County Republican Committee on Saturday elected Scott Pio its new chairman. He plans to take the party in a new direction that emphasizes conservative family values and election security. Pio “It’s going to be a very big strategy change. I personally ran for this office to have a strategy change. … Too long have we sat down and not done enough to change our voters’ mind about things,” Pio said. Pio takes over the helm from former Chairwoman Sharon Sadler. The committee reported that 704 members cast votes in the election for a new chair. Pio, a Sterling native, ran against incumbent David Reid for 32nd House District seat in 2021. Reid was re-elected, with Pio receiving 39.8% of the vote. That race was emblematic of Loudoun Democrats surviving the red wave that swept Virginia in 2021. Gov. Glenn Youngkin won 50.6% of the statewide vote, but only 44.2% of the vote in the county. “The seven-year plan is to flip Loudoun from blue to red. We’re going to change the 10 or 15 percent losses we’ve been suffering and were going to convert them into the losses that we’ve had into two percent three percent wins,” Pio said. Much of Pio’s vision for the party is rooted in education, which was a flashpoint issue for Republicans during the gubernatorial and statehouse races, as Youngkin frequently pointed to the Loudoun County School Board’s handling of cultural issues and a sexual assault scandal. “The attack on parents and the attack on kids from the school system and the state has not done well for anybody. I’m a parent of the school system. I’m not going to take this sitting down, I’m going to start standing up and taking the county back,” Pio said. Parents and activists, concerned over pandemic-related school closures, progressive social policies, and the administration’s supposed culpability in the sexual assault of a student, flooded the division with Freedom of Information Act requests and mobilized a School Board member removal effort. Pio is a father of two, and said he sees
family values as a powerful motivator for voters. “We’re going to start sharing conservative ideas about the Constitution. We’re going to start sharing conservative ideas about the family. We’re going to start sharing conservative ideas that we really care about what happens to the kids in the community,” he said. “We’re going to start doing this on one of the largest scales
you have ever seen the republican party undertake.” Pio’s focus will be on re-energizing the GOP voting base. “To be fairly candid with you, I’m not as well-versed on the county issues as I could be. I’m not a Board of Supervisor. I don’t attend School Board meetings as much as I should or could,” he said. “I can’t speak about what the board of super-
visors are doing versus affordable housing, versus even the innerworkings and the details of the schools. We’re going to start checking our voters in because they have been checked out for far too long because we have not done enough work as the Republican Party,” Pio said. Though Pio sees opportunity to turn out PIO continues on page 9
Your Weekend Awaits with McEnearney in Loudoun County
April 2 Building a Permaculture Garden Bed in Your Backyard Nature Composed, 12 S Pendleton Street, Middleburg, VA 20117 2:00 – 4:00 PM I naturecomposed.com This event is free to the public to come and learn how to build garden beds in your backyard using permaculture methods. A permaculture garden is a design that mimics nature so that you can garden organically, encourage the right wildlife and have a low-maintenance yard all in one hit.
April 10 Sipping for Sprout Stone Tower Winery, 19925 Hogback Mountain Road, Leesburg, VA 20175 12:00 – 4:00 PM I For tickets and more information: bit.ly/SippingforSprout A robust silent auction, wine tastings, live music, food and fun for kids. Join us as we raise funds to support Sprout Therapeutic Riding and Education Center.
April 22 & 23 The Fox & Pheasant Pop-Up Event McEnearney Associates, Realtors®, 11 W Washington Street, Middleburg, VA 20117 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM I thefoxpheasant.com The Fox & Pheasant, a home decor store, invites you to shop at their pop-up location at McEnearney Associates in downtown Middleburg.
McEnearney Associates, Realtors® – Residential/Commercial/Land, Farm, and Estates 107 N King Street, Leesburg | 11 W Washington Street, Middleburg | www.McEnearney.com | Equal Housing Opportunity
PAGE 8
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
MARCH 24, 2022
Leesburg
Hayley Milon Bour/Loudoun Now
Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk, left, and Town Council member Suzanne Fox were on opposing sides of a vote on the new town real estate tax rate Tuesday, March 22.
Leesburg Adopts $153M Budget, 17.74-cent Tax Rate BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com
The Leesburg Town Council adopted its Fiscal Year 2023 budget Tuesday night, and it includes considerable use of its unassigned fund balance to pay for priorities identified by the council in a strategic planning session last spring. Town residents should expect to pay more in taxes next year, driven by a considerable rise in residential assessments. On average, at a real estate tax rate of 17.74 cents per $100 of assessed value, monthly increases jump to $10.08 for single-family homes; $5.17 for townhomes; and $1.69 for condominiums. Council members on March 22 approved that tax rate by a 6-1 vote, with council member Suzanne Fox voting against, pointing to the higher tax bills. She said that caps off two years of hardship and comes amid historic inflation rates. “We are asking families to tighten their belts just a little bit more, and instead we’re looking at spending a little bit more, and I’m having a hard time with that one,” she said. Mayor Kelly Burk said for the first
time, she did not receive a single phone call or email from Leesburg residents about the budget. “I think that the public is aware that we’re going through this budget process and feels that it is a budget that meets the expectation for the services. Leesburg is a very desirable place to come to live and work, and part of that is because of the services that we provide,” Burk said. “And I think the Leesburg public realizes that there is a cost associated with those services, and they’re willing to move forward on them.” The $153 million budget includes five new positions in the General Fund—two in IT; one to oversee the rewrite of the Zoning Ordinance and adoption of capital intensity factors for the town; a small business development coordinator; and a full-time position added by the council during Monday’s work session that will oversee energy savings in the town and assist the emergency management coordinator. The adopted budget also includes considerable use of the town’s unassigned fund balance to fund several council priorities, all one-time expenses, in both the General Fund and Capital Improvements
Program, to the tune of $4.2 million. This is attributed in large part to a growth in revenues and an influx in federal funding that has allowed Leesburg reserves to eclipse the town policy of maintaining an amount equivalent to 20% of General Fund expenditures. Some of those unassigned fund balance spending items include a new economic development strategic plan; the rewrite of the Zoning Ordinance; IT upgrades; several requests from town boards and commissions, including $15,000 to develop a Potter’s Field memorial at Ida Lee Park; and $150,000 for smart technology in the Town Hall parking garage. Other General Fund enhancements not funded out of the unassigned fund balance include an additional $500,000 for the town’s annual snow removal budget; $75,000 to lease space for the small business development coordinator and potentially the Loudoun Small Business Development Center with the Mason Enterprise Center’s impending closure; and $80,000 to mothball the recently-acquired Wirt Street property that could one day be converted into town government offices. Both the Town Council and town staff will see cost-of-living adjustments of 2%,
the first time since 2014 for staff and the first time ever for the council, which added itself into the equation following majority support at Monday’s work session. Town staff members are also eligible for pay-for-performance raises of up to 4%. The council considered proposals to increase its own annual salaries by up to 10% but could not find majority support to make that change. Currently the mayor draws an annual salary of $16,200 and council members $15,600, respectively. Elsewhere in the budget, the Utilities Fund’s $52.8 million Fiscal Year 2023 budget includes funding for three new positions and $21 million in capital projects. A 4.5% rate increase for water and sewer users is planned for the year as part of the fourth year of the five-year plan adopted by the council. The six-year Capital Improvements Program lists 81 projects, including 14 new projects. Fiscal Year 2023 includes $52 million in funding for 46 projects. The adopted budget is expected to be available at leesburgva.gov/budget in the coming days. n Deputy Editor Renss Greene contributed to this report.
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
MARCH 24, 2022
AROUND Town
PAGE 9
Pio continued from page 7
Town Launches Online Petitioner Signups
Researching Court Records Instruction Offered
Members of the public who wish to speak at a Leesburg Town Council Meeting, during the petitioners’ section or a public hearing may now sign up in advance on the town website. The online forms will open at 5 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to each Town Council meeting and will close at 4 p.m. the day of the meeting. There is no limit to the number of speakers. Speakers will be called forward in the order in which they sign up. People may still register in-person at the meeting. According to Eileen Boeing, Leesburg’s clerk of council, the new online form was created because she was receiving phone calls and emails from potential speakers, wanting to sign up in advance. To sign up to speak at the next Town Council meeting, go to leesburgva.gov/agendas.
Circuit Court Judge Jeanette Irby will teach Researching Court Records program on Thursday, April 7 beginning at 10 a.m., in the lower-level meeting Irby room at Thomas Balch Library. Irby will discuss how to use court records and other resources for data that are frequently overlooked in genealogical and historical research. She will demonstrate how to mine court records for clues that can be used to collect information for genealogical research. Examples of these records include real estate records, chancery suits, estates, and indexes. Pre-registration is required for this event by calling 703-737-7195 or emailing balchlib@leesburgva.gov. n
more conversative voters, he praised officials who he sees as GOP standard-bearers in the county. “Geary Higgins is the strong persona of the GOP. I would say that Sheriff Chapman is a strong representative of the GOP. There are many conservatives who are living the conservative lifestyle and a patriotic lifestyle. I do believe that there are many, many, many conservatives in the county and we are not doing enough to go after them. Or doing enough to go after our soft R’s or our soft D’s,” he said. Of one of the most divisive topics challenging the Republican party, the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol, Pio said he does not have an opinion. But, the controversy that sparked the incident that left four people dead, is a very real issue to Pio. “I don’t know if I have an opinion on January 6. I don’t know all the details of it so I can’t make assumptions. What I can tell you is that conservatives are very worried and concerned and want to have clean and fair elections. We are doing work to guarantee that Virginia and Loudoun County has clean and fair elections,” he
said. Pio frequently spars with his local liberal foes on Twitter, a tendency that Democrats have tried to use to their advantage for fundraising. After the LCRC election, the Loudoun County Democrats sent out an email to supporters pointing to a tweet from Pio suggesting that removing vessels from the oceans might lower sea levels. Pio indicated that those jabs are a part of the political game. “Good for them. I don’t mind,” Pio said of the fundraising strategy. Some of his more eyebrow-raising tweets have included exchanges with County Chair Phyllis Randall, suggesting that there should be a men’s history month and that mid-20th century, outdated school curricula on slavery are acceptable history lessons. He said that the Twitterverse is a contortion of the populace where radical views pit users against each other. “Too often the politicians who are tweeting about me, the local ones and also in the senate, they have not been listening to the other half. They know that they have enough voters in Loudoun County that they don’t have to listen to the other half. We’re going to change that by changing voting demographics in Loudoun,” he said. n
COMPLETE KITCHEN & BATHROOM
DESIGN & REMODELING BASEMENT REMODELING CABINET WHOLESALER
QUARTZ & GRANITE COUNTERTOPS FABRICATION & INSTALLATION 4.9
74 GOOGLE REVIEWS
22446 DAVIS DRIVE #109 STERLING, VA 20164
QUICK TURNAROUND TIME
FREE ESTIMATE
703.956.9470 WWW.GRANITECENTERVA.COM
PAGE 10
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
MARCH 24, 2022
Education
Survey Says Language, STEM Programs Most Appealing BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com
Loudoun parents are in favor of new language and information technology programs and academies being offered by the school division, according to a new survey. The survey, distributed by the school division in February, included responses from 6,628 parents, who rated their levels of interest across a wide array of options. “This also will be considered as part of the upcoming Strategic Plan. One focus of this plan will be the expansion of opportunities for students,” division spokesman Wayde Byard said of the survey. Department of Instruction staff mem-
bers shared survey results with members of the School Board’s Specialized Programs & Centers Committee on March 15. The most popular program was a Dual Language Immersion Academy for elementary school students, with 56% of respondents indicating they were very interested. There was similar support for a World Languages Academy for elementary school students, with 54% of respondents very interested. “I’m glad to see the world language program remaining in the budget given where it ended up on the survey,” Ian Serotkin (Blue Ridge) said. He was a strong proponent of including World Languages funding in next year’s budget. Additionally, 47% of participants said they were very
interested in a World Languages Academy for middle school students. High school STEM programs also were popular. Fifty-five percent of respondents were very interested in an Information Technology Academy, and 48% in a Computer Integration Engineering and Design Program. Renee Dawson, assistant director for Community Connections and Computer Science, said the staff would use the data to analyze current programs and course offerings to look for opportunities to build upon programs. “We are going to continue to explore business partnerships, grant funding and other community support for potential academies,” she added.
Improvements Sought for Park View High School BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com
Fed up with asbestos, mold, and cramped spaces, Park View High School community seems to have bent the ear of the school division, airing its grievances over the aging facility to Chief Operations Officer Kevin Lewis on March 16. Sterling district representative Brenda Sheridan was in attendance along with roughly 60 members of the community, and said it was the most enthusiastic engagement she’s seen in while. Amy Gazes, Park View PSTA president, has been mobilizing the call for updates to the building alongside other members of the community. The school opened in 1976 and was last renovated in 2004. Students and teachers complain of water leaks, asbestos, and damaged ceiling tiles. Additionally, supporters of renovations say that spaces such as classrooms and the cafeteria are too small. Students complain that at times the lines in the cafeteria are too long to serve all the students, and many students eat on the floor. Gazes said her son is in the late lunch period, at which point the cafeteria has normally run out of food. Gazes and other community members say it’s an equity issue. She is glad that parents have opened their eyes and are calling for change. “It’s all these really old eastern county schools. They don’t really care. Sterling
Loudoun Now file photo
Brenda Sheridan (Sterling) was impressed by the parental support for renovations and improvements to Park View High School during a PTSA meeting on March 16.
Park Is definitely the worst of the older schools, because no one really complains. I don’t think they even know how bad it is because they’re just so grateful their kids have somewhere to go,” she said. Gazes said the budget for Park View is deceptive in that it includes funding for W.O. Robey High School, which is housed in the building. The FY 2023 budget includes $42 million for improvements to both schools, slated to begin in July 2022. That includes the addition of five classrooms, which Gazes said hardly keeps
pace with the growth of enrollment at the school. Most of the funds will go to renovate athletics facilities, a reconfigured security vestibule, and the expansion of W.O. Robey High School. “At the end of the day, they’re not going to be able to bill these together. We’re trying to get the separation,” she said. Art teacher Sophie Fowler has taken to social media to call for change. “When our students look around them and see the crumbling infrastructure that is the building where they are supposed to get a quality education they begin to measure their worth compared to that,” Fowler wrote. Fowler and others have inspired students, who started an Instagram account, PVHequity, to share issues observed in the facility. Gazes was largely positive about the meeting with Lewis, and said she feels optimistic the School Board will include improvements to the school in its next budget. Many parents complained about the windows that leak when it rains, and invited Lewis and his crew out the next day to observe. It did indeed rain, the windows did leak, and the crew was on site to witness it. The division will send a crew in to do facility assessments this summer. “What they said has to happen, their team has to come in and go through and see really where they’re at and then come back with a number. Then they’ll go back to the drawing board,” Gazes said. n
She said the staff would consider space, availability and appropriateness for new programs. Serotkin suggested that scaling programs based on interest should be considered. The survey included less popular categories, such as an Agricultural Education Academy and Environmental Academy. “For some of the more niche programs … I just want to perhaps caution that just because something has a low level of interest doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do the program,” he said. “You maybe set that program to accommodate 20 or 30 students instead of 200 students. But there still could be an overriding or community interest in doing some of these.” n
SCHOOL notebook Eagle Ridge Student Wins Regional Spelling Bee Harsha Dinesh, an Eagle Ridge Middle School seventh grader, won the virtual Loudoun County Regional Spelling Bee on March 10. Dinesh correctly spelled Ushuaia, Caracas, and Chantilly, among other words. He was the runner-up in last year’s bee and will represent the county at the 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC, on June 2. Mercer Middle School eight grader Deveshwar Sudhakar was the runner-up.
Blue Ridge Middle School Students Compete in Culinary Challenge Students from the Blue Ridge Middle School culinary team competed in the Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge on March 5 against five other teams. The theme of the competition was “Farm to Table.” The students prepared Confetti Skillet with Beurre Bosc Pears as their lunch showcase dish and Payne’s Farm Hash as their breakfast showcase dish. FACS Teacher and Team Sponsor Holly SCHOOL NOTEBOOK continues on page 11
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
MARCH 24, 2022
PAGE 11
COVID Relief Funds to Address Head Start Transportation BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com
The School Board will vote to appropriate $149,747 in COVID relief funds to the Head Start Program, providing free preschool for young children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. During its meeting on March 15, the Finance and Operations Committee voted 3-0 to send the proposed appropriation for the funds to the full board’ action agenda. Of the funds, $119,650 came from the American Rescue Plan, and the remaining $30,097 from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. The federally funded Head Start Program is available to children who will be 4-years-old by September 30th of the school year- though in some area of western Loudoun and Sterling a child can be 3 years old by that date to qualify for the program. The proposed allocation would use the funds to purchase a 14-passenger school activity bus, which the division said will
SCHOOL notebook
Community Builders Program Accepting Applications
continued from page 10
Myers said that the competition gives students workplace readiness skills. “It is wonderful to have middle school students taking advantage of co-curricular opportunities like this. It could not have been done without the full support of the administration at Blue Ridge Middle School,” she said. Principal Brion Bell praised the students’ efforts. “Each participating student beamed with school pride and accomplishment. They nailed the challenge,” he said.
One Smile At A
help improve school attendance and increase parent engagement during in-person events. Also in the proposal is the purchase of two Ford Escapes and three Zonar Fleet Management kits. “The Ford Escapes will allow office staff to deploy to all areas of the county to support students and families. Multiple staff members would be able to drive to families that do not have access to transportation, and the vehicles would be large enough to carry the needed resources,” according to the proposal. Finance and Operations Committee chairman Jeff Morse (Dulles) asked administrators whether upkeep for the vehicles had been factored in to the proposal, or if the division would be required to add to future budgets. Brenda Sheridan (Sterling) said that during her time as a Head Start liaison, the program had to cover taxi, Ubers, and gas costs. The additional vehicles would offset those costs. The additional funding will be used for salaries and supplies. The item will appear on the full board’s April 5 consent agenda. n
The Claude Moore Community Builders Program is accepting applications for its 2022-2023 class. Program participants volunteer with nonprofits throughout the county, in tandem with “mentors,” students who have already been through the program. Last year, students representing 15 high schools, volunteered over 3,000 hours at 34 nonprofits. The program is open to 10th-12th graders who are residents of Loudoun County. Interested students should go to loudounyouth.org. n
CABINET SHOWPLACE
One Smile Time At A Time
One Smile At A Time
Offering the latest technologies & newest treatment optionsOffering the latest technologies & newest treatment options Invisalign™ - Digital Imaging Invisalign™ - Digital Imaging Russell Mullena free Dodona consultation Terrace SE Ste 201, Russell 703-771-9887 Mullen Call orCall text us us for a for 1509 DDS, MS complimentary consultation!
Leesburg, VA 20175
Call us for a free consultation 703-771-9887
1509 Dodona Terrace SE Ste 201, (703) Next to the Russell Mullen Call or text us for a 771-9887 Leesburg Wegmans! complimentary consultation! Leesburg, VA 20175 DDS, MS
(703) 771-9887
Find us!
Fine Cabinetry for the Entire Home
Next to the Leesburg Wegmans!
www.mullenortho.com
Find us!
www.mullenortho.com
DDS, MS
www.cabinetshowplace.com
540.338.9661
210 N. 21st St., # E Purcellville, VA 20132
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 12
MARCH 24, 2022
Public Safety
Loudoun Fire-Rescue photo
The scene of the March 17 fire on Oliver Court in Purcellville.
Resident Rescued from Purcellville Townhouse Fire Firefighters rescued an occupant through a third-floor window of a burning
townhouse in Purcellville last week. At 6:46 p.m. March 17, county dispatchers received a 911 call from a person reporting their Oliver Court house was on fire and they were trapped in their bedroom. Fire-rescue crews from Purcellville, Round Hill, Lovettsville, Hamilton, Philomont, Leesburg, Moorefield, and Mount Weather were dispatched to the scene. The first firefighters arrived in approximately 4 minutes, finding a townhouse with smoke showing from the front of the building. Employing a rapid intervention task force crews simultaneously worked to extinguish the fire and rescue the trapped resident using an aerial ladder. During the rescue process, a firefighter experienced an emergency. The firefighter was removed through the same window as the resident. Both the resident and the firefighter were transported to a hospital for evaluation and treatment. The firefighter has since been released while the resident remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
The Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire was accidental, caused by a failure of a toaster on a kitchen countertop. The agency estimated the dollar loss as a result of the incident at $200,000. Two adults and three children were displaced and are receiving assistance from the American Red Cross.
Leesburg Police Department
The Leesburg Police Department released these images of the suspect in the March 19 shooting in the Heritage Square neighborhood.
Suspect Sought in Adams Drive Shooting The Leesburg Police Department is in-
vestigating a Saturday night fight involving the discharge of a firearm. Just before 10:30 p.m. March 19, Leesburg Police dispatchers received multiple reports of a fight in progress involving gunshots being fired on Adams Drive. Several subjects were reported to be involved, including a black male in a white T-shirt who was firing a gun. As officers responded, callers advised that the participants fled on foot. Officers established a perimeter, but did not locate the suspect. Officers searched the area and found property damage from the shooting. No injuries were reported. Anyone who can identify the pictured person of interest, or who has information about the incident and has not already spoken with law enforcement is asked to contact Detective M. Pacilla at 571919-8275 or at mpacilla@leesburgva. gov. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call the Leesburg Crime Line at 703443-TIPS (8477). Information may also be sent using TIPSUBMIT via text. Text 274637 (CRIMES) and begin your message with LPDTIP. n
Spring into a Life You’ll Love at Lansdowne Heights! BRAND NEW ROOMS AVAILABLE! *LIMITED AVAILABILITY* Come live your life in full bloom here at Lansdowne Heights. Call 703-936-7300 today to schedule your personalized tour of our community! 19520 Sandridge Way | Leesburg, VA 20176 | LansdowneHeights.com
MARCH 24, 2022
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 13
a program of
Our Community’s Largest Day of Giving
Early Giving Begins on March 15
MARCH 29 Give Choose 24 Hours of Giving Midnight to Midnight
GIVECHOOSE.org
PAGE 14
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
MARCH 24, 2022
Business
Workforce Resource Center Opens in New Space BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com
Loudoun County leaders on March 16 cut the ribbon on the new Workforce Resource Center in Leesburg’s Autozone shopping center at the corner of East Market Street and Fort Evans Road. Workforce Resource Center Program Manager Shelly Rodriguez said the new location offers both better visibility and allows for more innovation. “The previous location at the Shenandoah Office Building was limited in its visibility to only those customers who were visiting that building for specific county services. The new center’s also a more modernized locations that allows for more flexible use of space and how services are delivered,” Rodriguez said. Virginia Career Works Northern Region Executive Director David Hunn applauded Rodriguez and her staff continuing to provide services during the pandemic, and Loudoun County government for paying for the center out of its own pocket. “I’ve been in this business for over 35 years, but this is probably one of the best labor markets for job seekers we’ve ever
Renss Greene/Loudoun Now
Government officials and business leaders celebrated opening of the new Loudoun Workforce Resource Center in Leesburg’s Autozone shopping center March 16.
seen. And this is going to be such a perfect resource for all of the Loudoun County job seekers moving forward,” Hunn said. “Because we are a wealthy county, because we’re a county with a high median income, there is an assumption that we
have no need and that people are not looking for stuff, but the fact that we had 6,000 people come through this workforce center before COVID does say something,” said County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (DAt Large).
County Government Awards $4.94M in Business Grants LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT
Loudoun Economic Development awarded 124 Business Reinvestment and Recovery Grants, totaling approximately $4.94 million in funding allocated by the Board of Supervisors from the county’s federal American Rescue Plan Act allocation on March 17. “My board colleagues and I are very proud of this direct investment into Loudoun’s economy, supporting startups and established enterprises that share a strong vision for the future,” County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) stated in the announcement. “The COVID-19 pandemic created many challenges for Loudoun residents and businesses, and those challenges can best be addressed through innovation and reinvention.” Loudoun Economic Development worked with the board of supervisors to design the grant program to fund innovative solutions that accelerate business growth for companies that pivoted in the
wake of COVID-19. The grants range in size from less than $7,000 to the maximum of $50,000. “This was a highly competitive process with more than 750 project applications, and I commend the Board of Supervisors for recognizing the unique need from the business community, as well as the opportunity that comes with this investment,” stated Loudoun Economic Development Executive Director Buddy Rizer said. “We expect a strong return on this investment, in terms of job creation, business growth and tax revenue.” Of the 124 grants, more than half will support minority-owned business ventures, 38% will support women-owned enterprises, and 14% will support veteran-owned companies. Additionally, six recipient businesses identify as LGBTQowned and five identify as disability-owned, according to the announcement. The complete list of businesses can be viewed at LoudounBusinessFund.org. “Our department conducted a very
thorough, inclusive and transparent review, and ultimately funded more grants than we initially envisioned,” Rizer stated. “When you look at the awardees, you will see businesses that really applied the word ‘innovation’ to their individual area within the market, their service or their product. Many of them are also multipliers who will use the grant awards to purchase services and products from other Loudoun businesses that strengthen their reinvention project.” The announcement put a spotlight on a few of the grant recipients. Bright Yeast Labs in Sterling shifted to providing local breweries with yeast optimized for canning as the industry pivoted from in-person customers. With grant funding, the labs will engineer new yeast strains to better meet the demands of the county’s craft brewery industry. Sharp Line Cuts Barbershop is an Ashburn-based, Black-owned business that will use this grant to become accredited as a professional barber academy and ex-
The Workfroce Resource Center provides no-cost resources and equipment to both job seekers and businesses and is a Virginia Career Works affiliate. More information and job opportunities can be found at loudoun.gov/wrc. n pand its hybrid training facility. Long Stone Farm, a woman-owned business near Lovettsville, pivoted from restaurant sales to a direct-to-consumer model during COVID-19 helping local shoppers avoid supply chain delays. Following the grant award and recent opening of its second retail location in Paeonian Springs, the farm will double its beef and chicken production for consumers. Michelle Lindsay Photography, a woman-owned business in Leesburg, pivoted from the high-touch service of newborn photography to a flexible and private studio space. The grant will help the studio expand to offer space to other creative Loudoun entrepreneurs. Loudoun Now also was awarded a grant, to support enhancements to its website operations, the development of news apps, and the acquisition of equipment to expand its multi-media reporting projects. For a full list of grant recipients, additional information on the Business Recovery and Reinvention Grants, go to LoudounBusinessFund.org. n
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
MARCH 24, 2022
PAGE 15
ANNOUNCEMENTS EatLoCo Celebrates Fifth Anniversary
What began with seven local vendors in 2017 has grown to serve more than 120 local/regional farmers and vendors providing fresh vegetables, locally sourced baked goods, dairy products, gourmet meats, and craftworks at EatLoco’s weekly One Loudoun and Brambleton Farmers Markets. On Saturday, founder Dan Hine will be joined by other community leaders in celebrating the success of the program with a formal ribbon-cutting event at the One Loudoun market, starting at 10 a.m. EatLoco will give away reusable bags, small toys for the kids, raffles and even some gifts from their vendors. EatLoco partnered with Loudoun Hunger Relief, which collects any leftover produce each week from the farmers markets to distribute at its local pantries. EatLoco also co-hosts an annual Diaper Drive with the NOVA Diaper Bank, which last year collected over 3,000 diapers for local families from market customers and vendors. For additional information go to eatloco.org.
Post your job listings at NowHiringLoudoun.com Town of Leesburg Employment Opportunities Please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs for more information and to apply online. Resumes may be submitted as supplemental only. EOE/ADA. Regular Full-Time Positions
LMG Opens Medical Spa at Stone Springs
The Loudoun Medical Group has opened its Stone Springs MedSpa by LMG, offering a comprehensive array of non-invasive, FDA-approved rejuvenation services and medical-grade skincare products. Residents are invited to visit the newly renovated space at 24430 Stone Springs Boulevard, Suite 100A on the Stone Springs Hospital campus. The medspa combines the medical expertise of the Loudoun Medical Group with advanced aesthetic technology and luxurious treatments for a fresh take on skin and body care services. Stone Springs MedSpa by LMG was designed with the client’s comfort in mind and includes touches of luxury throughout. Specialized treatments include safe and effective light and laser treatments, hair reduction services, injectables and dermal fillers, as well as the latest award-winning technology intended for full face and body contouring. Esthetician services include eyelash lifting and tinting, facials, chemical peels, dermaplaning treatments, skincare consultations, and product recommendations to support clients’ goals. To learn more at stonespringsmedspa.com or call 703-858-3070. n
Position
Department
Salary Range
Closing Date
Biosolids Operator: Trainee, I, II, or Senior Deputy Director of Utilities
Utilities
$50,000-$97,512 DOQ
Open until filled
Utilities
$93,438-$159,968 DOQ
Open until filled
Deputy Procurement Officer
Finance
$67,175-$115,044 DOQ
Open until filled
Enterprise GIS Manager
Information Technology
$76,426-$130,688 DOQ
Open until filled
IT Systems Administrator
Information Technology
$70,374-$120,339 DOQ
Open until filled
Police Officer
Police
$62,000-$89,590 DOQ
Open until filled
Project Manager
Utilities
$76,426-$130,688 DOQ
Open until filled
Stormwater & Environmental Manager
Public Works & Capital Projects
$82,999-$141,929 DOQ
Open until filled
Utility Plant Operator: Trainee, I, II, or Senior
Utilities
$50,000-$97,512 DOQ
Open until filled
Utility Plant Technician or Senior Utility Plant Technician
Utilities
$50,000-$89,790 DOQ
Open until filled
Zoning Analyst
Planning & Zoning
$56,956-$97,512 DOQ
Open until filled
Flexible Part-Time Position Position
Department Library Assistant
Hourly Rate
Closing Date
Thomas Balch Library
$20.51-$33.42 DOQ
Open until filled
Parking Enforcement Officer
Finance
$16.86-$28.85 DOQ
Open until filled
Senior Engineer
Plan Review
$55.00-$70.00 DOQ
Open until filled
To review Ida Lee (Parks & Recreation) flexible part-time positions, please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs. Most positions will be filled at or near the minimum of the range. Dependent on qualifications. All Town vacancies may be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel 67 and Verizon FiOS Channel 35. NHLEmployerCard2.pdf
1
9/3/19
10:58 AM
Microsoft Corporation currently has the following openings in Leesburg, VA (job opportunities available at all levels, e.g., Principal, Senior and Lead levels). Data Center Operations Manager: Work w/ Datacenter Campus Director & Datacenter PMs to drive & implement consistent programs across datacenter. https://jobs-microsoft.icims.com/jobs/27094/job
C
M
Multiple positions available. Some positions req travel and/or permit telecommuting. For details (if applicable), including job descriptions, minimum reqs, and how to apply, visit the website address listed. EOE.
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
See the full job listings at NowHiringLoudoun.com
DRIVERS NEEDED Regular & CDL Call 703-737-3011
PAGE 16
Community Leadership Award Winners Name Grant Recipients LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT
The five winners at this year’s Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership Awards have named the five organizations to receive $1,000 grants from the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties. Each winner at the annual awards ceremony designates an organization to receive a grant from the Foundation. “The Community Foundation is proud support the Loudoun Chamber’s recognition of community leaders as a grant sponsor for the Community Leadership Awards,” Community Foundation President and CEO Amy Owen said. “Each of the winners have given back so much to the Loudoun Community through their time, resources, and talents.” Tina Johnson, founder and lead strategist of the CEO Consulting Group, winner of the Executive Leader category, selected the Breeze Makenzie Foundation. The CEO Consulting Group, which also won in the Small Business category, selected the Loudoun First Responders Foundation. Valerie Pisierra, executive director of Loudoun Cares and winner of the Nonprofit Executive category, selected Loudoun Cares’ assistance fund. Kindra Dionne, founder and CEO of PurposeWorx and winner of the Young Professional category, selected The New Ag School. And Northwest Federal Credit Union, winner of the Large Business category, selected ECHO. To learn more about the Loudoun Chamber’s Community Leadership Awards, go to loudounchamber. org/community-leadership-awards. To learn more about the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties, visit CommunityFoundationLF.org. n
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
MARCH 24, 2022
Nonprofit
HSLC Seeks Short-Term Foster Families The Humane Society of Loudoun County needs short-term foster guardians to host older kittens and cats when they arrive from partner shelters. The foster families are asked to open their homes for approximately two weeks while cats go through the process of updating their vaccinations and testing. Veterinarian costs are covered by HSLC. Fosters provide travel to the vets, food, litter, and socializing. Once the foster cats are fully vaccinated and determined to be healthy, they will be placed at the Catty Corner Café, at 116
Loudoun Now file photo
The future home of the Catty Corner Café in Leesburg where area residents will be able to meet cats and kittens available for adoption.
E. Market St. in Leesburg opening April 1. The café will feature coffee and sweets on the first floor while the second-floor lounge area will serve as a temporary home to cats who are being offered for adoption. Guests will be encouraged to visit the lounge, spend time with the cats. The program is a collaboration between Catty Corner Café owner Heather Donahue and Humane Society. Learn more at humaneloudoun.org or email the HSLC Foster Coordinator at foster@humaneloudoun.org. n
NAPE Awards $85K to Coalition to Salute Heroes The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes was awarded an $85,000 grant at the 2022 North American Prospect Expo Summit to help fund its recently launched “America’s Little Helpers” program. “What an honor to be among the recipients of the NAPExpo annual charity awards program,” said David Walker, president & CEO of the Leesburg-based coalition dedicated to rebuilding the lives of severely wounded veterans of the global War on Terror. “Our entire team is greatly appreciative of this distinction. We are a small charity, and this contribution means a great deal to us. We take great pride in operating efficiently, and that the lion’s share of contributions we receive goes directly to wounded veterans and their fam-
ilies. NAPExpo’s support will do much good.” America’s Little Helpers was one of three nonprofits selected for grants. The program provides the children of wounded and disabled veterans with resources, support and outlets to help them cope and thrive while living with the effects of their parent’s mental and physical war wounds through in-person and online support. Since its establishment in 2004, the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes has provided support to thousands of America’s combat-wounded veterans. The organization is distinguished from other veteran-focused groups by its direct financial assistance to America’s wounded veterans. Its Emergency Financial Aid program has
stopped foreclosure proceedings on veterans’ homes and kept their vehicles from being repossessed. Its Heroes Thanking Heroes program provides transitional, part-time, flexible employment to nearly 50 combat-wounded veterans or their primary caregivers, enabling them to make phone calls from their homes, usually to personally thank donors for their contributions to the coalition. For more information on the Coalition, go to saluteheroes.org. Combat-wounded/disabled OIF/OEF/ OND veterans are invited to join the Coalition and expand their camaraderie network by enrolling in the Veteran Circle program at saluteheroes-vetcircle.org. n
Call Issued for Crossroad Music Festival Performers BENEFIT is returning to venues in downtown Leesburg on Sept. 17 for its 2022 Crossroads Music Festival. The event features original music performances from regional artists for an evening of music that supports community nonprofits. The nonprofit is extending a call for musicians to perform during the festival, which features live music on stages throughout downtown Leesburg. Bands, singer-songwriters and other musicians who are interested in joining BENEFIT and offering their time and talents are encouraged to submit their information through the online application form at benefit.live/performers by April 19. A final lineup of performers will be an-
nounced in early May. Established in 2017, Bands Empowering Nonprofits with Engagement and Fundraising Improving Tomorrow (BENEFIT) is a coalition of musicians and community leaders uniting people with music to raise funds and awareness for nonprofits serving children in Loudoun County. “BENEFIT’s 2022 Crossroads Music Festival is an opportunity for musicians to give back to the community while doing what they love—performing live music,” Amy Bobchek, BENEFIT co-founder, said. “I’m a musician and if you are like me, you know that it is a great feeling to be able to bring joy to someone by connecting with them through music. Then
multiply that feeling by knowing that your 60-minute set is helping raise funds for nonprofit organizations that serve children in your community.” A new item for musicians interested in performing at this year’s festival is the option to be a venue “host band,” providing sound and lighting for all performances taking place at their assigned venue. Each venue host band will receive a stipend as well as recognition at the event. Performers interested in being a host band can select the “Optional: Host Band” checkbox when completing the online application form. For more information go to BENEFIT.Live. n
MARCH 24, 2022
SPRING 2022 REAL ESTATE & HOME IMPROVEMENT
PAGE 17
g n i r p S & Home Improvement REAL ESTATE
MARCH 24, 2022
PAGE 17
MARKET UPDATE: Sales Slow as Inventory Wanes The Dulles Area Association of Realtors this week released its February market report, noting the continuing trend of slowing sales. There were 368 sales in the county last month, 84 fewer than a year ago—an 18.6% drop. Sales have slowed compared to previous year seven in of the past eight months. January marked the largest year-over-year drop off, a 33.4% decline, since the market starting cooling in September. Sales increased in the Ashburn and Aldie areas, but dropped significantly in Chantilly and Leesburg, according to the data. There were 508 pending sales in Loudoun County in February, 48 fewer than the same month last year. Pending sales have slowed for nine straight months. DAAR analysts attribute the market slowdown to the shortage of inventory in the county. Supply remains very low. There were just 167 active listings in county at the end of February, which is 18 fewer listings than last year. There were 587 new listings in the county in February, 21 fewer than a year ago. The number of new listings has declined each February since 2017, when there were 778. Upward price pressure continues to be a big factor in the housing market, according to the association. The median sales price in Loudoun County in February was $628,306, a 7.4% increase from last year—a gain of $43,000. Aldie, Chantilly and Sterling saw prices increase by 15% or more. The median list price has reached $628,306, and sellers are getting 103% of their asking price on average with listings on
Tori Trusdale
the market for an average of 15 days. In 2017 the median sales price was $429,000 and listings remained on the market for an average of 44 days. n
Get the Jump on Home Those Improvement Chores
The weather is here. Ready to dive into those long-delayed spring home improvement projects? By starting now, you’ll likely get ahead of the demand for the contractors you need to get the job done right. Once summer arrives, you’ll likely find longer waits and higher prices. Whether you’re seeking to knock out routine maintenance chores or enhance your home’s curb appeal here are some top projects to think about.
Stain Your Deck
Many contractors recommend staining or sealing your deck at least every two to
three years. As with many home-improvement projects, preparation is key. Before dragging the pressure washer out of the shed, use a deck cleaner and brightener to better prepare the wood for a new protective layer of stain or sealant.
Repair Winter Storm Damage
Most homes sustain at least a few problems during the winter months. Finding and addressing them now can prevent larger problems down the road. Look for roof leaks, dampness in the basement, damaged shingles, or pinpoint roof leaks, loose or warped fence boards and other such items.
Clean Out Gutters and Downspouts
April showers are on the way and overflowing gutters and downspouts can cause water damage to your house. Scoop out loose debris and then use a high-pressure nozzle on a hose to flush them out.
Repair Siding and Trim
Be sure siding is tight and caulked where it meets trim. Where wood windowsills or sashes area showing signs of rot, use epoxy wood filler to repair the HOME IMPROVEMENT continues on page 21
Entrepreneur’s Home Organizing Business Staying Busy with Spring Cleaning BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com
To most, a jammed junk drawer or mile-high laundry pile are projects to side-eye, but to Loudounbased professional home organizer Tori Trusdale, those pesky projects are nothing to fear. From growing up as a Girl Scout to babysitting as a teen, Trusadale has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and a love of helping people. Last year, she put those skills to task, founding her home-organizing business, Tru Belongings. “I let people know that my mission is to make their house feel like a home. Whether that is, they have teenagers who don’t know how to TRU BELONGINGS continues on page 22
PAGE 18
SPRING 2022 REAL ESTATE & HOME IMPROVEMENT
WE ARE EXPANDING! at Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury
MARCH 24, 2022
Act now by making a priority deposit on a remaining home!
The future is now, as Phase One is underway! We are adding 97 extraordinary residences to our community for exquisite senior living. Each new Villa apartment has a corner location and will feature open floor plans, energy efficiency, large patios, and personal garages with immediate access to every amenity on our 87-acre campus. Live in a neighborhood of natural beauty and give yourself financial security with our Lifecare Program knowing a full continuum of care is available if necessary.
Only three remaining two-bedroom apartments in Phase One. Call (540) 665-5914 to schedule an appointment, or RSVP for a virtual Sneak Peek at SVWC.ORG/VILLATOURS
30 0 WESTM INSTE R -CA NTE R BU RY D R IV E • WINC H EST E R, VI RG I N I A
VILLA FLOOR PLANS Ranging in size from 1,186 SF to 2,036 SF
MARCH 24, 2022
SPRING 2022 REAL ESTATE & HOME IMPROVEMENT
PAGE 19
Easy Ways to Make Your Household More Earth-Friendly up in landfills. Label food items in your pantry and fridge and organize them by date to help ensure you consume food before it spoils. If you see that you’ve prepared too much of a certain item, freeze it. Of course, many foods produce unavoidable scraps. Use them to create stock or compost them. Composting will reduce your home’s contribution to landfills while enriching your garden. Bonus: it’s also a great way to reduce yardwork waste.
Make an Impact Today
Want a quick project you can complete in an afternoon? Swap out incandescent lightbulbs for energy efficient LEDs. According to the EPA, residential LEDs— especially ENERGY STAR-rated products—use at least 75% less energy, and last up to 25 times longer. Consider making Earth-friendly changes at home. A few tweaks can reduce your household’s impact on the planet. n
Kathy Shipley Excellence in Real Estate RE/MAX Premier Each office independently owned and operated www.KathyShipley.com | kathyshipleyremax@comcast.net 540.822.5123 | 703.314.5539 | 571.210.7355
(StatePoint) Is it time to green up your act at home? Here are just a few tweaks you can make to substantially reduce your environmental footprint.
Make Appliance Upgrades
Home appliances are improving all the time, with many newer models designed specifically with efficiency in mind. If your home appliances, such as your washer, dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator, and HVAC system, are on the older side, it may be time to replace one or more of these items. Over time, you’ll offset the upfront cost with reduced energy bills. Plus, you’ll be helping protect the climate. Look for ENERGY STAR-rated products, which have met strict EPA standards.
Optimize Heating and Cooling
North American Technician Excellence (NATE) offers the following energy-saving tips to help you keep your home comfort system running at peak performance: • Change your air filters monthly, or as directed by the manufacturer. • Add weatherstripping and caulk around windows and doors to improve your home’s insulation. Improperly insulated walls, floors, attics, basements, and crawlspaces waste energy and can also lead to moisture imbalance. • Install a programmable thermostat to help regulate temperatures.
• Don’t keep clutter near your HVACR units, and don’t store anything next to them that could impede ventilation. Likewise, keep vents and returns free of obstructions. Don’t lay carpet over vents, place furniture over or in front of them, or obstruct airflow. • Dry air feels cooler than moist air. A simple humidifier may make your home feel five degrees warmer. • Even the most efficient system can suffer if it’s not properly maintained. For optimum comfort and sustainability, make sure all your HVACR installation, maintenance and other work is performed by a NATE-certified technician. NATE-certified technicians have demonstrated their knowledge of today’s increasingly sophisticated heating and cooling systems by passing a nationally recognized test developed and supported by all segments of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning industry. Better installation and service means your equipment will run at peak efficiency. Visit natex.org for additional HVACR energy-savings tips and resources, and to find a NATE-certified technician in your area.
NEW LISTING
UNDER CONTRACT
$875,000 LOVETTSVILLE TOWN CENTER Lovely colonial in desirable neighborhood. Over 3,000 Square feet on three finished levels. Great floor plan with large family room. Upgraded kitchen with granite. Large deck and rear fenced yard. Heated two car garage. Perfect location that allows walks to movies on the green, restaurants, coffee shop and shopping. Grocery store coming soon to Lovettsville.
UNDER CONTRACT UNDER CONTRACT
$599,000 STEPHENS CITY This delightful, sun filled, upgraded home will not disappoint the most discriminating buyer. Beautiful kitchen with everything upgraded. Large island with wood top. Bright family room with gas fireplace, built in book cases and french door leading to private deck. Custom wainscoting, trim and hardwood floors through out the entire home. The 6 acre lot feels like a sanctuary with organic gardens, green house, seasonal creek and hiking trail with foot bridge. This one really is a perfect.
$675,000 ONE ACRE, LOVETTSVILLE Opportunity knocks for someone who is looking to fix up this nice home in great neighborhood. At the very end of the lane on a beautiful one acre private lot, minutes to town. So much could be done to make this 4 bedroom 2.5 bath home delightful. Hardwood floors through out most of the whole house. Large family room with lovely brick fireplace. Nice size bedrooms. Breezeway leads to one car garage. Beautiful private lot with no HOA. So many possibilities for this property. Being sold strictly as is. If you are looking to make a property your own do not miss this opportunity.
Reduce Food Waste
American food production uses 10% of the nation’s total energy budget, 50% of its land, and 80% of its freshwater, according to FoodRescue.net. Unfortunately, up to 40% of all food ends
Original owners have designed and lovingly maintained this gorgeous custom home. Large gourmet kitchen with abundant cabinet space, center island with cook top and separate desk area. Sliding doors leads to rear deck with iron railing. Amazing family room with white custom built in cabinets and veneer stone front gas fireplace. Family room steps to a light filled sunroom overlooking the back yard. Main level office with french doors. Upper level offer 4/5 bedroom and 3 full baths. Finished lower level with theater room, rec room and full bath. 3 car garage. Amazing sunsets can be enjoyed on the concrete patio with pergola. 3 acres with no HOA.
UNDER CONTRACT
$395,000
PAGE 20
SPRING 2022 REAL ESTATE & HOME IMPROVEMENT
MARCH 24, 2022
SPRING CLEANING: Is Your ‘Junk’ Worth a Fortune? (StatePoint) If your family is like most, you have “junk” in your basement, garage, or attic, such as sports cards, memorabilia and toys. Before you toss them out during spring cleaning, consider that the prices of sports cards, games and other ephemera are skyrocketing. How can you determine if your stuff is valuable and, if it is, how can you sell it? A widely accepted rule for sports cards, memorabilia and toys is that older items are worth more. However, these days even more recent items are also commanding high prices. “Vintage sports cards from the early periods of a sport are almost always highly collectible, especially of Hall of Famers,” says Al Crisafulli, auction director at Love of the Game Auctions, an internet sports and memorabilia auction that helps families sell collectibles. “But don’t assume sports cards or other memorabilia have to be old to be valuable. Modern cards of such stars as Tom Brady, Mike Trout, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter and others can sell for lots of money.“ He is offering tips to help determine if
early 1900s, look for tobacco and candy brands, such as Old Judge, Piedmont, Sweet Caporal or American Caramel. Really old sports memorabilia from the 19th and early 20th century, such as photographs, postcards, bats, gloves and balls are also collectible. When opting to sell sports items, consider a specialty auction, such as Love of the Game, which has the expertise to professionally research sports items and maintains lists of bidders specializing in this area, to get top dollar. More information is available at loveofthegameauctions.com.
Modern Cards
your belongings are valuable:
Older Sports Cards
Cards from the 1960s and earlier are collectible, and those from before the
Now Including Northern Virginia COOLING • HEATING • PLUMBING
A/C OR HEATER PROBLEMS?
SAME DAY TUNE-UPS • REPAIRS NEW INSTALLATIONS
GUARANTEED OR IT’S FREE!
*
Terms apply. See website for details.
PLUS! WHEN YOU BUY A NEW HEATING & COOLING SYSTEM
YOU SAVE $
1000
UP TO
LIMITED TIME ONLY! See website for details.
®
(571) 207-9571 SnellHeatingandAir.com
WHEN YOU BUY A NEW COOLING & HEATING SYSTEM
YOU SAVE $
1000
UP TO
LIMITED TIME ONLY!
1940s can be extremely valuable. Bigname Hall of Famers like Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Lou Gehrig, Honus Wagner, Mickey Mantle and others bring high prices. With old cards from the 1880s and
Prices on recent baseball, basketball and football cards have risen rapidly. The three keys are condition, star power and cards from early in player careers. Do you have major current stars, like Mike Trout, Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady and LeBron James? Or do you have greats from the recent past, like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Derek Jeter JUNK continues on page 21
Build Bui Bu uilild ld your you yo our ur backyard bac ba ack cky kya yar ard rd oasis. oas oa asisisis. is
COOLING • HEATING • PLUMBING SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS!
LIMITED TIME ONLY!
PROTECT YOUR SYSTEMS ALL YEAR
HEATER A/C $ $79 TUNE-UP 59TUNE-UP IN THE FALL
PLUS! NO BREAKDOWN GUARANTEE COOLING • HEATING • PLUMBING SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS!
• 24/7 SERVICE • ZERO EMERGENCY FEES • NIGHTS, WEEKENDS & HOLIDAYS TM
Reserve Your Visit in 30 SECONDS © By SNELL Heating & Air Conditioning. All Rights Reserved. VA: #2705171530 ELE GFC HVA PLB #2705135480. *No Breakdown Guarantee: If your A/C or heater breaks down for any reason during the season after our tune-up, we’ll refund the cost or put it towards the cost of repair.
Visit our showroom at 36328 Bell Road in Round Hill and discover how to bring your vision to life! frederickblock.com 540-441-3304
MARCH 24, 2022
Home improvement
SPRING 2022 REAL ESTATE & HOME IMPROVEMENT
Service Your HVAC system
need a fresh coat of paint.
It’s a good idea to have an HVAC contractor check out your system and replace filters now to ensure you won’t be trying to find one available during the dog days of August when they will be booked up with other jobs.
Improve Attic Insulation
Spruce up the Landscaping
continued from page 17 area. It’s a great time to address areas that
Insulation isn’t just to keep out the
winter chill. Good attic insulation will
help keep down those summer heating bills, as well.
Junk
Spring is the best time to plant trees and it is best to prune dormant trees and shrubs before they begin producing foliage. And it is a good time to aerate your lawn and spray for weeds. n
Memorabilia
continued from page 20 or Joe Montana? Check if your cards are denoted as Rookie, Prospect, Draft Pick or other indicators they’re from a player’s first season. And condition is king, as cards that look pack fresh with sharp corners and a well-centered image command the highest prices. Additionally, unopened packs and boxes from almost any year can be valuable.
PAGE 21
Do you have old advertising posters depicting sports stars or famous entertainment personalities together with food, tobacco or sporting goods brands. Many original signs, store displays and promotional items are collectible, especially those dating from the early 1900s into the 1960s. But low-quality reproductions aren’t. Look for memorabilia spotlighting sports heroes, superheroes, early Walt Disney characters and Star Wars subjects. So, while you’re spring cleaning that attic, basement or garage, don’t rush to the garbage. n
SAVE $150 Outdoor Solution
Dream, Dre r am, Build, re Build ld, ld d, Enjoy Enj En njoy o STAMPED CONCRETE OVERLAYS INTERIORS EPOXY FLOOR SYSTEMS DECORATIVE CONCRETE commercial concrete CONCRETE STAINS RESURFACING
118 S. Cameron Street Winchester, VA 22601
Custom Pet Protection With Our Boundary Plus® Family of Products At Invisible Fence® Brand, we’ve pioneered and modernized the pet containment industry by providing you with a customized outdoor solution and training designed specifically for your home and your pet’s needs. The result? Complete confidence in your pet’s safety both indoors and outdoors.
703-968-6500 | InvisibleFence.com SCAN TO LEARN MORE
©2022 Radio Systems Corp. All Rights Reserved. *Limited time offer valid on new professionally installed Boundary Plus pet fence. Offer may not be combined with other discounts, promotions, coupons or previous purchases. Valid only at participating Authorized Dealers.
PAGE 22
SPRING 2022 REAL ESTATE & HOME IMPROVEMENT
MARCH 24, 2022
Tru Belongings
away, storing items, those are hard to come by,” she suggested. She also regucontinued from page 17 larly partners with local nonprofits, such as Mobile Hope, so she has a good grasp keep their room clean, or if it’s a husband of what organizations need for donations. and a wife who’re struggling to get along Beyond beatifying and simplifying because one is a neat freak and the other is homes, Trusdale is passionate about helpmessy,” Trusdale said. ing people create dedicated spaces for Her father, a professional handyman, mental health and selfcare in their homes. taught her all about home improvement. She herself converted a spare bedroom in “I learned from him that there is peak her home into a yoga studio. season and then it slows down. March, “I especially love helping ladies, maApril, May are super busy,” she said. mas and entrepreneurs create a space to cleaning•isSnow a real thing. I am really recharge. For some it might be a space to Asphalt Shingles • Roof Repairs • Duradek •“Spring Skylights Guards pushing that, let’s get you ready for Spring play their guitar,” she said, and that readMetal Roofing • EPDM (Rubber Roofing) • Gutters • Gutter Screens • and moreing corners and craft rooms are also popand the nice weather. Curate environments to host guests when it warms up.” ular. “It really varies, I always talk to my While decluttering is a popular service, clients beforehand and see what stresses she also packs and unpacks. them out, what will help, and what is your “I personally don’t love the packing vision for the space.” part, but I love the unpacking part, and Trusdale’s biggest tip for a tidier home helping people get settled into their new for families? home,” she said. “Make a no-shoe rule in your home. Asphalt Shingles • Roof Repairs Often, clients will have heaps of items The reality is, most families have kids, gles • Roof •Repairs • Snow Guards oof Repairs Duradek• •Duradek Skylights•• Skylights Snow Guards to dispose of. Trusdale’s specialty is re- pets, multiple people living in the home. Duradek •Skylights • Snow Guards selling things online. She said she’s devel- When you think about where our shoes go ubber Roofing) • Gutters • Gutter Screens • and more DM (Rubber Roofing) • Gutters • Gutter Screens • and more MetalShingles Roofing •EPDM •Gutters Asphalt • Roof Repairs (Rubber • Duradek •Roofing) Skylights • Snow Guards oped an eye for what will sell on Facebook and we’ve normalized walking in homes in our shoes,” she said. Metal Roofing • EPDMGutter (RubberScreens Roofing) ••and Guttersmore! • Gutter Screens • and moremarketplace. “Some hot commodities are anything She said a bench or shelf near the enrelated to storage,” she said. “I just sold tryway for footwear will signal to guests a hutch last week and got like ten inqui- that your home is a no-shoe zone. ries. So, anything that’s for putting things Learn more at truebelongingsco.com. n ••\\\\\\\
LVROOFING.COM • 540.338.4400
••\\\\\\\
NG.COM • 540.338.4400 OOFING.COM • 540.338.4400 LVROOFING.COM • 540.338.4400
UPGRADE YOUR
SPRING WITH MOHAWK SAVINGS
SALE ENDS APRIL 20
loudounvalleyfloors.com
|
ASK ABOUT SPECIAL FINANCING
ASHBURN (703) 724-4300
PURCELLVILLE (540) 338-4300
MARCH 24, 2022
SPRING 2022 REAL ESTATE & HOME IMPROVEMENT
PAGE 23
We’ll be there in the darkest moments. 703.880.9850
®
THE STANDBY POWER PEOPLE ®
We Have Generators In Stock!
Generac Home Standby Generators automatically provide you backup power during a utility power outage – whether you’re home or away. Whether it’s for a few hours or several days, your family and home are protected. Generator Supercenter is the #1 Generac dealer in North America. We have the experience and expertise you need. From design, local permitting, installation and long-term maintenance support, we are there for you. That’s why they call us the Standby Power People. ®
© CHS NOVA 2022
FREE Whole Home
Surge Protector* with a generator purchase from Generator Supercenter of Virginia. *Terms and conditions apply, call for details.
Schedule Your Free Estimate Today!
Generator Supercenter of Virginia www.GeneratorSupercenterNOVA.com Visit our showroom at 21005 Ashburn Crossing Drive, Suites 125-130, Ashburn, VA
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 24
Towns
AROUND towns
Purcellville Council Cuts Tax Rate Over Mekarski’s Objections BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
The Purcellville Town Council on Tuesday unanimously voted to reduce the real estate tax rate to 21 cents for the Fiscal Year 2023 budget even as Town Manager David A. Mekarski continued to urge a greater investment in the staff and efforts to promote long-term fiscal stability. In introducing his proposed budget March 16, Mekarski proposed keeping the town’s 22-cent real estate tax rate despite calls from several councilmembers to cut at least a penny from the rate in response to high growth in property values over the past year. Mekarski said holding the current rate, when combined with the average 11.72% increase in assessments, would cost the average homeowner $50 next year while adding $405,000 to the General Fund. To reduce the tax rate to 21 cents, the council will have to reduce the proposed $12.8 million General Fund budget by $174,000. The town levies a separate 3-cent tax for its Parks and Recreation Fund, creating an effective real estate tax rate of 24 cents per $100 of assessed value. Water and sewer service rates are proposed to increase by 3% and 5%, respectively. While the council will be debating areas of the proposed budget over the next several weeks, it faced a deadline Tues-
day to set the tax rates to meet the deadline needed for the county government to prepare tax bills. The town this year is joining the cooperative agreement with the county under which property owners receive combined bills for county and town taxes. Mekarski argued that the money generated from holding the tax rate steady will provide more opportunities to invest in the town’s quality of life and more fairly compensate its 85 employees—all for a cost to residents that he equated to buying one latte a month. In going with the 21-cent rate, council members agreed that sharply rising property values and inflation are hitting many residents hard and contributing to the stress experienced during the pandemic. Mekarski is proposing $919,000 to increase town staff pay, including a 6% cost of living increase, a pool for performance incentives of up to 5%, and pay band classification adjustments based on years of service. The town manager is seeking to add one full-time staff member, an IT systems analyst to help move to the town to cloud-based services and spearhead cybersecurity efforts in all departments. While the pay increases comprise the bulk of the $1.25 million in new initiatives Mekarski is proposing, his budget identifies $1.1 million in additional departmental requests that were not recommended for funding in FY 2023, including five new staff positions.
Among the unfunded positions, Mekarski highlighted the need for an economic development specialist whose mission would be to recruit new businesses and help existing businesses stay in town and expand—efforts he said would be critical to achieve long-term sustainability of the town’s fiscal position. He said one goal was to achieve a better balance between revenue coming from homeowners and commercial sources. Today, about 83% of revenues come from residential sources. He said a goal should be 70% residential and 30% commercial. Mayor Kwasi Fraser criticized that metric, calling it poor justification to seek a staffing increase. Vice Mayor Christopher Bertaut and Councilman Tip Stinnette joined in discounting the value of that target. Councilwoman Erin Rayner said she strongly supported hiring an economic development staffer to focus on filling empty commercial spaces in town. Fraser and Bertaut said that no new personnel or marketing studies were needed; instead, they said, businesses would best be supported by ensuring transparent and predictable government operations. The council asked Mekarski to set priorities for the two dozen departmental requests for which he did not recommend funding. Following the March 22 vote to set the tax rates, the council is scheduled to hold an April 12 budget public hearing. n
Snickersville Turnpike Added to Historic Register LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT
The Snickersville Turnpike corridor is among nine historic places newly listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register. The commonwealth’s Board of Historic Resources approved the additions during its quarterly meeting March 17. The application was sponsored by the Snickersville Turnpike Association and compiled by historic preservationist Jane Covington. The new listings also include a recreational services facility in eastern Virginia for Black soldiers during military segregation in the 1940s, one of the Shenando-
ah Valley’s earliest apple processing and storage facilities, and the sprawling farm of one of Southwest Virginia’s most prominent political figures and industrialists. Snickersville Turnpike stretches between Aldie and Bluemont. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources provided this description of the area: “Before colonial traders and settlers began using it for exploration and commerce in the 18th century, the route served as part of a migratory and hunting footpath for the Sherando American Indians. Chartered in 1810 and completed in 1829, the 15mile turnpike passes through the late-18th and early-19th century villages of Phi-
MARCH 24, 2022
lomont and Mountville. It crosses over the historic Hibbs Bridge and winds between agricultural vistas of the Loudoun Valley. In the 19th century, the Snickers Gap Turnpike Company developed the route for commercial use by adding toll gates and adapting the road for wagon travel. The turnpike provided overland transportation for Loudoun’s agricultural products, but deteriorated for over half a century following the Civil War, before it was restored in the 20th century for automobile travel. Today, the turnpike follows its original 19th- and 20th-century alignment, serving the local community, farmers, and tourists alike.” n
HILLSBORO Ukraine Concert Lineup Announced The Town of Hillsboro, in conjunction with the Hillsboro Preservation Foundation, will host a UkraineAid Concert in The Gap to raise funds to support relief efforts for the people of Ukraine. Performers for the concert include Calgary, The Talton Brothers, Joey & The Waitress, Out of The Coop, Jim Steele. Also, a group has organized to perform as “Young Voices for Peace” and a number of local musicians from various groups, dubbed “The Hillsboro All-Stars,” are planning to perform. The benefit concert will also feature area food vendors, restaurants, wineries and breweries providing food and beverages, starting at 5 p.m. on April 2. “We are thrilled with the response and willingness to donate time and energy to support and show solidarity with the brave people of Ukraine,” said Hillsboro Mayor Roger Vance. “We want to especially thank the Cooley-Dooley Foundation for a generous contribution and to Jeff Darby and OHM Productions for managing the concert sound.” Those interested learning how they can support the relief effort may contact the Town Office at 540-486-8001 or email info@hillsborova.gov.
LOVETTSVILLE Opening Day for Community Park Set The Board of Supervisors and the county’s Departments of Parks, Recreation and Community Services and Transportation and Capital Infrastructure will celebrate the grand opening of the Lovettsville Community Park with a ribbon cutting Saturday, AROUND TOWNS continues on page 25
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
MARCH 24, 2022
AROUND towns continued from page 24
April 2, starting at 10 a.m. The public is invited to attend the ceremony and enjoy the park’s amenities. The park is located at 12565 Milltown Road, across the street from the Lovettsville Community Center, and is connected to the Lovettsville Elementary School. The 90-acre park includes equestrian trails and an equestrian arena, walking trails, an “off-leash” dog park, community gardens, a pond, an amphitheater, rectangular athletic fields, diamond athletic fields, concession stand, restrooms, and parking lots. For information about facility hours, programs and rentals, go to loudoun.gov/prcs or call 703-430-9480.
PURCELLVILLE PD Officers Post Achievements Lt. Barry Dufek graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy Program at Quantico. He completed the 10-week program in intelligence theory, terrorism and terrorist
mindsets, management science, law, behavioral science, advanced law enforcement communication, forensic science, and fitness training for selected officers. During his time in the National Academy Program, Dufek was selected to be an international mentor of a fellow law enforcement officer from São Paulo, Brazil. In addition, he completed the optional 34-mile swim, which included 2,176 laps, obtaining the coveted “blue brick,” on top of also completing the “Yellow Brick Road” challenge, a 6.1-mile run and obstacle course built by U.S. Marines. The Police Department also announced the promotion of Officer Raymond Starkey to the rank of Corporal. He was selected to fulfill an acting corporal position, while undergoing an eight-week mentoring and training program by senior supervisors. Starkey is a Loudoun Valley High School graduate who attended Northern Virginia Community College before transferring to George Mason University. He served as a police officer for the Prince William County Police Department for more than five years before returning home to join the Purcellville department in 2019. n
UKRAINEAID
FREE CONCERT HILLSBORO’S GAP STAGE SATURDAY, APRIL 2 5 – 8 p.m. Proceeds & Donations Benefit SAVE THE CHILDREN & WORLD FOOD PROGRAM Ukraine Relief
CALGARY THE TALTON BROTHERS JOEY & THE WAITRESS OUT OF THE COOP JIM STEELE YOUNG VOICES FOR PEACE
THE HILLSBORO ALL-STARS & SPECIAL GUESTS
FORD’S FISH SHACK MARKET IN THE GAP PIZZA DOUKÉNIE WINERY
OLD 690 BREWING COMPANY
SPECIAL THANKS TO: COOLEY DOOLEY OHM PRODUCTIONS LOUDOUNNOW CHIP BECK PURCELLVILLE COPY SIGNS BY DESIGN WESTERN LOUDOUN COMMUNITY CHURCH
As part of an upcoming project to replace aging infrastructure, the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail from east of Claiborne Parkway to Tuscarora Park in Leesville will not be accessible from April 11-15. Detour signs will be posted for the public’s safety.
Use your phone’s camera or QR reader app to visit the project page directly.
Food & Beverages
Bring your posters of support and join together for a candlelight vigil for the people of Ukraine
W&OD Trail Detour: April 11-15
Visit DominionEnergy.com/trail to learn more.
PAGE 25
PRESENTED BY THE TOWN OF HILLSBORO & THE HILLSBORO PRESERVATION FOUNDATION HILLSBORO’S OLD STONE SCHOOL 37098 CHARLES TOWN PIKE HILLSBORO, VA 20132
FOR THE LATEST EVENT UPDATES & INFORMATION VISIT OLDSTONESCHOOL.ORG
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 26
MARCH 24, 2022
THINGS to do
Loco Living
LOCO LIVE Live Music: Acoustic Soul
Friday, March 25, 5:30 p.m. Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg Details: lostbarrel.com These regional favorites pay tribute to legendary classic rock, blues, R&B and American roots artists.
Live Music: Jim Steele
Friday, March 25, 6 p.m. Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville Details: flyingacefarm.com Join local favorite Jim Steele for an afternoon of fun covers and originals.
Live Music: Chris Bowen
Friday, March 25, 6 p.m. 1836 Kitchen and Taproom, 34 E. Broad Way, Lovettsville Details: 1836kitchenandtaproom.com Enjoy an evening of great tunes from Western Loudoun singer/songwriter and one-man band Chris Bowen of the Bone Show.
Live Music: Eaglemania
Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now
Anthony Santos and Sharanya Maddukuri capture larvae, a brook salamander and a crayfish during a screening of aquatic life in Tuscarora Creek. The screening is one of the biological assessments of water quality conducted as part the local stream monitoring program.
The Environmentalists Earth Day Extravaganza and Student Environmental Showcase Set for April
BY JAN MERCKER jmercker@loudounnow.com
Over the past two years, Loudouners have come to appreciate the importance of getting outside more than ever. The county’s young environmentalists are tapping into that newfound passion with environmental events in April. Loudoun’s Earth Day celebration returns better than ever Saturday, April 23, and the county’s annual Student Environmental Action Showcase is back in-person Tuesday, April 26.
Lexi Howard’s Earth Day Mission
Think of Lexi Howard as Loudoun’s very own Johnny Appleseed. Last year, the young environmentalist made a splash with her ambitious Project Pollinate during her senior year at Heritage High School. Now, an environmental
studies major at Virginia Commonwealth University, Howard is still passionate about increasing environmental awareness in her home county. She’s a driving force behind this year’s Earth Day Extravaganza organized in conjunction with the county’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services department. The family-oriented event is slated for Saturday, April 23 at Franklin Park near Purcellville. “I really wanted an opportunity for kids to start getting involved in fun environmental stuff and realizing how amazing it is and what they can contribute to their own communities and also getting adults to be more aware of their own environmental impact in a very lighthearted sense,” Howard said. Over the past several months, Howard has worked with Elizabeth Mowe, a recreation programmer with Loudoun PRCS, to bring Earth Day to fruition. The event
features a range of environmentally focused nonprofits and activities including t-shirt tote bags, wildflower seed bombs, a scavenger hunt, local bird identification, DIY bird feeders, fishing tutorials and other fun activities. Howard is an alumna of the Youth Conservation Leadership Institute run by the Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District. She made headlines last year with Project Pollinate, an eight-month effort focused on educating the community on the importance of pollinators and native plants and planting pollinator gardens with a team of volunteers. “It was absolutely amazing and it was really successful,” Howard said. “I felt like I could see my own impact in the community.” ENVIRONMENTALISTS continues on page 30
Friday, March 25 and Saturday, March 26, 7 p.m. Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com The top-notch Eagles cover band returns to the Tally Ho for two shows. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $50 for VIP seats.
Live Music: Chris Timbers Band
Friday, March 25, 8 p.m. Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville Details: monksq.com Get the weekend rolling with the chillaxed music vibes of the Chris Timbers Band.
Live Music: Cary Wimbish
Saturday, March 26, 1 p.m. Bear Chase Brewing Company, 18294 Blue Ridge Mountain Road, Bluemont Details: bearchasebrew.com Richmond-based Wimbish returns to Bear Chase with traditional country, bluegrass, classic rock, and blues songs along with crowd-pleasing originals.
Live Music: Lost Corner Vagabonds
Saturday, March 26, 2-5 p.m. Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro Details: doukeniewinery.com Whether it’s rock, country, R&B or a heartfelt ballad, The Lost Corner Vagabonds dig deep to reach those places that feel like home.
Live Music: Freddie Long
Saturday, March 26, 2 p.m. Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville Details: flyingacefarm.com Long is part introspective singer/songwriter, part bluesy classic rocker for a perfect winery afternoon vibe.
THINGS TO DO continues on page 27
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
MARCH 24, 2022
THINGS to do continued from page 26
Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville Details: monksq.com Mercy Creek returns to Monk’s with their signature earthy, edgy, aggressive folk-rock.
Live Music: Robert Mabe Trio
Live Music: Hard Swimmin’ Fish
Saturday, March 26, 5 p.m. Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg Details: lostbarrel.com Mabe is a stellar banjo player and singer/songwriter from the hills of North Carolina. His unique style covers a wide range of music from bluegrass to jazz, Irish and roots tunes.
Saturday, March 26, 8 p.m. B Chord Brewing, 34266 Williams Gap Road, Round Hill Details: bchordbrewing.com Hard Swimmin’ Fish brings a versatile blues sound covering everything from Mississippi country blues to the urban Chicago sound and beyond. Admission is free.
Live Music: Rowdy Ace Trio
Live Music: Patty Reese
Saturday, March 26, 6 p.m. Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro Details: harvestgap.com Celebrate Saturday with a fun mix of country and rock tunes from Rowdy Ace Trio.
Sunday, March 27, 1 p.m. Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts Details: vanishbeer.com Reese is a regional roots rock favorite with a soulful, bluesy voice.
Live Music: Crosstown Funk
Live Music: Acoustic Moose
Saturday, March 26, 6 p.m. Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts Details: vanishbeer.com Crosstown Funk brings old-school dance, disco and soul tunes to Vanish.
Live Music: Two By Sea
Saturday, March 26, 7 p.m. Crooked Run Fermentation, 22455 Davis Drive #120, Sterling Details: crookedrunbrewing.com Two By Sea is back at Crooked run with original rock ‘n’ roll.
Live Music: Mercy Creek
Saturday, March 26, 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 27, 1-5 p.m. Maggie Malick Wine Caves, 12138 Harpers Ferry Road, Neersville Details: maggiemalickwinecaves.com Acoustic Moose is a south-central PA duo featuring acoustic guitar and dynamic vocal harmonies. They’re back at Maggie Malick’s with a wide variety of folk rock, blues and classic rock favorites.
Live Music: Adriel Genet
Sunday, March 27, 2-5 p.m. Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro Details: doukeniewinery.com Franco-American musician Adriel Genet performs.
THINGS TO DO continues on page 28
PAGE 27
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 28 original songs inspired by revival folk, retro, rock, classical and contemporary pop in Doukenie’s 21+ pavilion.
BEST BETS
Sunday, March 27, 7 p.m. Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com
musical about the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community. Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and other favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring
MARCH 24, 2022 Clairee and local social leader, M’Lynn, whose daughter Shelby is about to marry a “good ole boy.” Tickets are $25.
COMING UP Lucketts Breakfast with The Easter Bunny Saturday April 2, 8:30-10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.-noon Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road, Lucketts Details: facebook.com/luckettscc Hop on down to the old schoolhouse for an epic egg hunt, games and fun along with a delicious continental breakfast. Two seatings are available. Tickets are $5 per person in advance.
CHRIS TIMBERS BAND Friday, March 25, 8 p.m. Monk’s BBQ monksq.com
THINGS to do continued from page 27
Live Music: Miguel Aubertin
Sunday, March 27, 2 p.m. Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville Details: flyingacefarm.com Wind down with Aubertin’s repertoire of joyful songs with a reggae flair.
Live Music: The High Kings
LOST CORNER VAGABONDS Saturday, March 26, 2-5 p.m. Doukenie Winery doukeniewinery.com
Catch the renowned Irish folk group The High Kings in Loudoun as they round out an East Coast tour. Tickets are $39.75
LOCO CULTURE ‘Seussical Jr.’
Friday, March 25 and Saturday, March 26, 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 27, 3 p.m. Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville Details: artsforallloudoun.org Arts For All’s all-inclusive cast presents the beloved
THE HIGH KINGS Sunday, March 27, 8 p.m. Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com
to life in this musical extravaganza. Advance tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students, children and seniors. Add $5 at the door.
‘Steel Magnolias’
Saturday, March 26, 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 27, 2 p.m. StageCoach Theatre Company, 20937 Ashburn Road, Suites 115 and 120, Ashburn Details: stagecoachtc.com StageCoach presents the beloved play set in Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana with characters including wisecracking Truvy, the town’s rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, eccentric millionaire Miss
Hillsboro UkraineAid Concert Saturday, April 2, 5-10 p.m. Hillsboro Old Stone School, 37098 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro Details: oldstoneschool.org Hillsboro’s benefit concert to support relief efforts in Ukraine features live music from The Talton Brothers, Joey and The Waitress, Jim Steele, Out of the Coop, The Hillsboro All-Stars and other favorites. Food, wine and beer will be available for sale. Admission is free. Proceeds and donations will go to Save the Children and the World Food Program.
Live Music: Tab Benoit Thursday, April 7, 7 p.m. Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com The noted blues guitarist from the bayous of Southern Louisiana graces Leesburg with his one-ofa-kind style. Tickets are $35.
MARCH 24, 2022
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 29
Obituaries Hopkins. She fought breast and skin cancer, successfully until this final bout with advanced melanoma. She faced every setback with grit and determination. She never quit loving life, truly a soul who enjoyed sunrises and sunsets, and every moment in between. Nancy is survived by her husband Larry Rountree, daughters Lillian Rountree of Fairfax, Margaret Edwards (Jon) of Point
Nancy Grace Rountree Nancy Grace (Greene) Rountree slipped from the tight embrace of her husband and daughter into the Lord’s loving arms on Sunday, March 13, 2022. She had a short battle with cancer, but mercifully did not suffer too long or greatly. A Leesburg resident, she enjoyed living in Northern Virginia for thirty years in Reston, Fairfax, Ashburn, Broadlands and finally at Lansdowne Woods. Nancy was born June 5, 1962 in New York, NY but spent her childhood in China, Maine. She graduated from John Carroll University in Cleveland intending to be a teacher. She then embarked on a career in training and training development that took her all over the country. Nancy’s skills in specialized training over computer networks and then via internet webinar development led to decades of federal contractor positions in the defense and intelligence community. She considered her work as service to her country, receiving numerous citations and awards in recognition of her dedication to excellence. Her motto in training focused on the employee getting the information and skills they could use: “Teach me what I need to do my job!” Her love of training grew from her love of people. Nancy had a big heart and time for everyone, trying to join every group imaginable. She enjoyed travel, photography, painting, playing in a band, knitting, collecting teapots, online genealogy, and going on new adventures. She tried sky-diving and even worked a few seasons in the ground crew at the Flying Air Circus in Bealeton, Virginia. Nancy faced severe health challenges, struggling with diabetes and kidney disease for decades, on dialysis several years and receiving a transplant at Johns
James Braxton Simms Age 86 of Hamilton, Virginia
James (Jimmy) Braxton Simms born December 17, 1936 to Anderson Simms, Jr. and Evelyn Elois Smith Simms in Purcellville, VA. He was the third of seven children. Jimmy was born and raised in Purcellville, Virginia. As a young boy, he went to Carver School and went on to graduate from the historical black high school, Douglas High in Leesburg, VA. He was in the Class of 1956. He was an avid sportsman in school. He played both football and basketball while attending Douglas and played baseball in the county leagues. He also coached in the Upper Loudoun Little League Football and was a mentor to many of his players. Jimmy often reminisced about his time growing up in Loudoun County and affectionately talked about the people who molded his life, his lifelong friends and especially the elderly. Jimmy attended Grace Annex United Methodist Church in Purcellville under the ministry of Rev. Otis Jasper. He always compared every church he attended to his home church. None could light a candle to his experiences of Grace Annex, but he never lost his faith in God. Jimmy married Mildred (Millie) Lacey of Marshall, VA, the mother of his children in 1961. Of this union was born, Marlon Braxton, Lacey Martyne, Troy Arvene, and Melissa (Missy) Ann. Jimmy was always a hard worker and had many jobs as a young man. He worked construction, dry cleaning business, and worked with his uncle, Maurice (Greasy), in the upholstery business. In
of Rocks, MD, son Morgan Rountree (Heather) of Myrtle Beach, SC, brother Timothy Greene of China, ME, and sister Jill Bernier of Brunswick, ME. She cherished her grandchildren, her nephew and nieces. Her parents Frederick Greene and Dorothy Cook of China, ME, predeceased her, along with her first husband, David Kaplan of Fairfax, VA. A public Viewing on Friday, March 25,
6-8 PM and a public Service celebrating Nancy’s life Saturday, March 26 at 10:30 AM will be held at Loudoun Funeral Chapel in Leesburg, VA. A private family interment will follow at Union Cemetery in Leesburg. The family requests that instead of flowers and gifts, please give generously to your favorite charity. Nancy supported too many causes to just pick one.
the early 70s, he became the first black Police Officer in Purcellville. In 1975, Jimmy moved to New Jersey after the warden, his brother in law, hired him as an Corrections Officer at the Essex County Jail in Newark, NJ. He became affectionately known as “Kojak” by co-workers and inmates alike. During his years working at the jail, he developed many relationships with his colleagues. Many of them saw him as a father figure, grandfather figure, friend and confidante. There he worked until his retirement in April 2011 when he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer. He remarried in 2001 and raised three stepchildren, Ahmid, Al-Nisa and Anthony. He stayed in New Jersey until his final visit to Virginia to see his family in June of last year. It was at that time that he became too ill to return. He remained under the loving care of his two daughters, Lacey and Missy until he took his final breath at Inova Rehab in Leesburg, VA while holding his dear sister Vivian’s hand. Jimmy was a no-nonsense type of person. He was just as comfortable in a pair of old holey jeans as he was in his uniform or a three piece suit with his hat, cufflinks and suspenders. He treated everyone with dignity and respect from the homeless people on the streets that he cared about and gave money and odd jobs around the house to the inmates he was assigned to senior leadership and the dignitaries he was associated with. Some of Jimmy’s hobbies included watching and playing golf, cooking, watching old western movies and a variety of cooking channels, reading the newspaper and going to yard sales and estate sales. He would read every section of any newspaper and kept up with current events in which he enjoyed discussing. He enjoyed watching the history channel and learning past history and also debating it’s importance. He loved the game of golf which stemmed from being a caddy at the local segregated golf club. He and his golf buddies would play golf at every opportunity. He developed a love for cooking when his mother gave him a cookbook at an early age. He cherished that cookbook
and it remained with him always. He catered many dinner parties and functions for others during the holidays where he cooked and deep fried turkeys for people who asked because Jimmy could never say no to anyone. Because of his love for cooking, Jimmy’s dream was to own his own restaurant. Jimmy hosted an annual cookout for about 18 years where he blocked off the city street in front of his home to host neighbors, friends and family. Hundreds of people would attend every year. These cookouts became legendary. He shopped, prepped, cooked, grilled and baked so everyone could have a great time. Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents Anderson Jr. and Evelyn Simms. His sister Betty Collier (Albert). He leaves to mourn, his children Marlon (Adeline)Simms, Alexandria, VA, Lacey (Rico-deceased) Simms Grayson, St. Louis, VA, Troy Simms, Purcellville, VA, Melissa (Michael Sr.) Quarles, Stafford, VA, his stepchildren Ahmid Douglas, Mcdonough, GA, Al-Nisa Williams, Locust Grove, GA, Anthony Drakeford, Vauxhall, NJ. His siblings Reginald (Marion)Simms, Vivian Ramey (Clayton-deceased), Marvin (Tommy) (Marie) Simms, Larry (Patricia) Simms all of Purcellville, VA, and Ronnie Simms, Fuquay Varina, NC. His first wife Millie Simms, with whom he remained friends. His grandchildren Akere’ and Hugh-Brent Simms, and Brandon Grayson, step-grandchildren Michael Jr. (Crystal) and Marcus (Tiffany) Quarles, Makai Williams, Anaiya, Alani and Tashawn Drakeford, two great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Viewing and visitation will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. at First Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 216 Loudoun Street, Leesburg, VA 20175. Interment – Grace Annex United Methodist Church, Lincoln, VA Arrangements By: Lyles Funeral Service, Serving Northern Virginia, Eric S. Lyles, Director 1-800-3881913 www.lylesfuneralservice.net
PAGE 30
PUBLIC NOTICE LOUDOUNNOW.COM
MARCH 24, 2022
Legal Notices
to make a change in the world,” Ulland said. “It really warms my heart to see them working so hard on these things.” continued from page 26 Emma’s fellow YCLI participants, Anthony Santos, Sharanya Maddukuri and This month, the Leesburg Town CounCooper Niess, are now all certified stream cil honored Howard with the 2021 John monitors and will showcase their water W. Tolbert Environmental Achievement quality projects this year’s SEAS. Award for her efforts with Project PolliVDOTatProject: PRLO-053-178 (UPC 111470) Emma’s project involves working with nate. Federal Project: CMAQ-5A01 (859) Howard said she’s always been a “sci- NOVA Parks to install two signs identience kid” and ramped up her interest in fying Tuscarora Creek where it passes the environment as she moved through underWednesday, the W&OD Trail inApril Leesburg. 27,She2022 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM high school. is also drafting a guide to High help nonprofits Woodgrove School, Purcellville, Virginia “I knew that I wanted to make a huge and others interested in creating signs to Design Public Hearing impact. I knew that I have the power in- navigate the process. Loudounto County Dept. of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure (DTCI) is holding a Public Hearing on the side myself … I grewThe up wanting do VDOT Project: PRLO-053-178 (UPC 111470) Emma said her idea hatched while Western Loudoun Park & Ride Construction Project between Route 690 (Hillsboro Road) and Route 611 (Purcellville big things” Howard said. working with her mom on stream Federaldesign Project: CMAQ-5A01 (859) Road), Route 7. The purpose of the meeting is to presentVDOT the preliminary for the minimum 250 Howard continues to spreadjust thenorth word of monitoring Project: PRLO-053-178 (UPC 111470) projects. She noticed that Wednesday, April 27, 2022 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM space parking facility and to receive public input. among local youth, giving talks at school Loudoun’s waterways are largely unFederal Project: CMAQ-5A01 (859) clubs. Jennifer Venable, education speWoodgrove High School, Purcellville, Virginia identified on roads and bridges. Emma cialist with LSWCD says Howard’s influFind out about the major design features for the Park & Ride project. The hearing will be held at Woodgrove High initially envisioned signage on roadways The Loudoun County Dept. of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure (DTCI) is holding a Public ence is in part responsible for her largest Wednesday, 27, 2022will6:00 School, 36811 Allder School Road, Purcellville, Va. Loudoun County representatives andApril their consultants makePM – 8:00 PM Hearing on the Western Loudoun Park & Ride Construction Project between Route 690 (Hillsboro but after running into administrative roadYouth Conservation Leadership Institute a presentation beginning at 6 p.m. and be available to answer questions once presentation isnorth completed. Road) and Route 611the (Purcellville Road), just of Route 7. The purpose of the Virginia meeting is to present Woodgrove High School, Purcellville, class ever during the current school year– blocks, she pivoted to focus her efforts on the preliminary design for the minimum 250 space parking facility and to receive public input. the W&OD trail. She’s hoping to have her with four high school-aged students. Project information is available on the project website www.loudoun.gov/westernparkandride and can be&reviewed out about the major design features for the Park Ride project. (DTCI) The hearing will be held Loudoun Dept. of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure is holding a at Public Hearing Creek by JuneCountyFind Howard also is a leader in the DC re- sign in place at TuscaroraThe Woodgrove High School, 36811 Allder School Road, Purcellville, Va. Loudoun County representatives after the hearing at Loudoun County Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure located at 101 Blue Western Loudoun Park & Ride Construction Project between Route 690 (Hillsboro Road) and Route 611 (Pu with the goal of creating awareness and gion’s participation in the international and their consultants will make a presentation beginning at 6 p.m. and be available to answer questions Seal Dr., SE, Ste. 102 Leesburg VA 20177, 703-777-0396, or TTY/TDD 711. Please call ahead tomeeting assure the appropriate just north of Route 7. The purpose of the is to present the preliminary design for the minim once the presentation is completed. City Nature Challenge organized by the mindfulness as families Road), and individuals available to answer your questions. Property impact information, relocation assistance policies, and space parking facility and to receive public input. iNaturalist initiative. personnel The globalare chalenjoy Loudoun’s waterways. Project is available and on theat project and can be tentative construction schedules are available for your review on theinformation project website thewebsite abovewww.loudoun.gov/westernparkandride address. lenge, which encourages amateur natu“People come to these streams–they reviewed after the hearing at Loudoun County Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure located at 101 Blue Seal Dr., SE, 102Park Leesburg VA 20177, 703-777-0396, or TTY/TDD ralists to spot and identify wildlife using play in them, they haveFind design features forSte.the & Ride project. The hearing will711. be Please held at Woodgro fun,out butabout they the major calland ahead toCFR assure the appropriate personnel are available to answer your questions. Property impact In compliance National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 23 Parts 771 an environmental document the iNaturalist app, takes place April with 29 the 36811 School Road, Purcellville, Va. Loudoun County representatives and their consultants w might have no idea what School, stream this is,”Allderinformation, relocation assistance policies, and tentative construction schedules are available for your in the form of a Categorical Exclusion (CE) has been prepared, which includes a Preliminary Noisetoaddress. Analysis. Pursuant once the presentation is complete through May 2. a presentation beginning atthe 6 p.m. beand available answer questions review on projectand website at the above Emma said. to the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106 and 36 CFR 800, information concerning the potential effects Loudoun’s Earth Day Extravaganza And while work from Emma and her Inthe compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 23 CFR Parts 771 an takes place Saturday. of April from 10improvements on properties the23 proposed is alsoinformation included inis environmental document. Project available on the project website www.loudoun.gov/westernparkandride fellow YCLI students will be highlightenvironmental document in the form of a Categorical Exclusion (CE) has been prepared, which includes and can be r a.m. to 2 p.m. at Franklin Park’s event PreliminaryCounty Noise Analysis. Pursuant toof theTransportation National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106 and 36 located at 1 the hearing at aLoudoun Department and Capital Infrastructure ed at this year’s Studentafter Environmental field. CFRmeeting, 800, information concerning potential effects of the proposed on properties is Give your comments through the chatVenable feature during the public through the the online survey form, or711. by improvements Seal Dr., SE, Ste. 102 Leesburg VA 20177, 703-777-0396, or TTY/TDD Please call ahead to assure the app Action Showcase, underscores also included in the environmental document. For more information on to theMr. Tyler Cockrell at the address listed above. All mailing them comments must be receivedProperty by May 7,impact 2022. information, You personnel are available to answer your questions. relocation assistance polic that the event is not just for high school City Nature Challenge, go toyour comments to dtci@loudoun.gov. Please reference may also e-mail “Public Hearing Western Loudoun Park & through Giveschedules your comments through the-chat feature during the on public meeting, the online survey tentative construction are available for your review the project website and at the above add students with sophisticated projects. In citynaturechallengedc.org. form, or by mailing them to Mr. Tyler Cockrell at the address listed above. All comments must be Ride” in the subject past line.years, some of her favorite submisreceived by May 7, 2022. You may also e-mail your comments to dtci@loudoun.gov. Please reference “Public HearingEnvironmental - Western Loudoun Policy Park & Ride” in the subject line. Saving Streams at SEAS 2022 In compliance National Act (NEPA) and 23 CFR Parts 771 an environmental do sions have been from elementary schoolwith the Loudounprotecting County ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with For Emma Lloyd, in the form of a Categorical Exclusion (CE) has been prepared, which includes a Preliminary Noise Analysis. P students simply capturing the joy of being Loudoun County ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in VI the andfamily. Title VII in of the thenatural Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information in regard to your civil rights on this Loudoun’s waterways Title runs in to the National Preservation Section andRights 36 CFR world. Loudoun students in Historic accordance with Title VIAct, and Title VII of106 the Civil Act of800, 1964. information If you need moreconcerning information in the potentia or need special assistancethrough for persons disabilities or regard limited English proficiency, project to your civil on this project or need special assistance persons with disabilities or limited At 14, Emma is alreadyproject a certified stream ofwith thecan proposed onrights properties iscontact also included inmanager thefor environmental document. kindergarten grade 12 regis- improvements English proficiency, contact project manager name at the phone numbers listed above. name of at the the2021phone numbers listed above. monitor. She’s also a member ter for the showcase through April 5. State Project: 22 Loudoun Youth Conservation LeaderThe third annual Loudoun Student Give your comments through the chat feature during the public meeting, through the online survey form ship Institute. Her project to create signs PRLO-053-178, C501, P101 CMAQ-5A01(859) UPC: 111470 State Project: PRLO-053-178, C501, P101 them Federal Project: CMAQ-5A01(859) UPC:Project: 111470 Environmental Action Showcase takesto Mr. mailing Tyler Cockrell at the address Federal listed above. All comments must be received by May 7, 20 for waterways along the W&OD trail is a place Tuesday, April 26 from 5also to 8e-mail p.m. your comments to dtci@loudoun.gov. Please reference “Public Hearing - Western Loudoun may highlight of this year’s Student Environin in Ashburn. Ride” the subject line. mental Action Showcase planned April at Trailside Middle School Students in grades K through 12 can reg26. 3/24 & 4/7/22 ister to showcase their projects by April 5. ensures nondiscrimination and equal Loudoun County employment in all programs and activities in accordan “The main focus of this project is to The public is invited to attend the event. Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information in regard to your civil right create a sense of connection to people and For more information and to register, go project or need special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact project m the streams which will hopefully create a NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED VEHICLES n to loudounnature.org. sense of stewardship to protect and conname at the phone numbers listed above. This notice is to inform the owner and any person having a security interest in their right to reclaim the motor serve the streams,” Emma said. vehicle herein described within 15 days after the date of storage charges resulting from placing the vehicle in Emma’s mom Amy Ulland is the Amy Ulland and several YCLI students custody, and the failure of theC501, owner orP101 persons having security interests to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle State Project: PRLO-053-178, Federal Project: CMAQ-5A01(859) UPC: 111470 within the time provided shall be deemed a waiver by the owner, and all persons having security interests of all stream monitoring program coordinator will also be participating in the Loudoun right, title and interest in the vehicle, and consent to the sale of the abandoned motor vehicle at a public auction. for the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy. Wildlife Conservancy/Town of PurcellThis notice shall also advise the owner of record of his or her right to contest the determination by the Sheriff Ulland is working with Venable of LSthat the motor vehicle was “abandoned”, as provided in Chapter 630.08 of the Loudoun County Ordinance, by ville-sponsored event “Creek Critters of WCD to support young environmentalists requesting a hearing before the County Administrator in writing. Such written request for a hearing must be made the Catoctin” Sunday, March 27 from 1 within 15 days of the notice. with a passion for protecting Loudoun’s to 4 p.m. at the Chapman-DeMary Trail YR. MAKE MODEL VIN STORAGE PHONE# waterways. 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA KMHWF25S95A146330 ASHBURN TOWING 703-585-8770 “This is really exciting to see the en- in Purcellville. Registration is required 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER JTEGD21AX50111941 AL’S TOWING 703-435-8888 3/17 & 3/24/22 thusiasm and dedication of these students for this free event. For details and regisand to see how motivated they are to want tration, go to loudounwildlife.org.
Environmentalists
Western Loudoun Park & Ride PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE Design Public Hearing
Western Loudoun Park & Ride & Ride Western Loudoun Park
Design Public Hearing
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
MARCH 24, 2022
PAGE 31
Legal Notices PUBLIC HEARING The LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS will hold a public hearing in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room, County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, at 6:00 p.m. on WEDNESDAY, April 13, 2022 in order to consider:
The Loudoun County Office of Housing has prepared the CDBG Program FY 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan for submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by May 15, 2022.
Copies of the proposed Plan are available and may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200. The Plan is also available online at www.loudoun. gov/cdbg. Written comments on the Plan may be submitted to the attention of the CDBG Program Manager Eileen Barnhard at the Loudoun County Office of Housing, P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, Virginia 20177 or by email eileen.barnhard@loudoun.gov. Comments will be received until April 13, 2022. Board of Supervisors Public Meeting to approve the Plan will be held on April 13, 2022, at the Loudoun County Government Center, Board Room 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia at 6:00 pm.
HUD has designated Loudoun County as qualified for Urban County participation in the CDBG program and entitled to receive CDBG funding directly from HUD. HUD regulations require the adoption of the above referenced Plan, which outlines the County’s housing and community development needs, priorities and objectives, and proposed use of the federal funds for the ensuing CDBG program year.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING USE OF EMINENT DOMAIN PROPERTY OF: Kirkpatrick Farms Community Association, Inc
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) 2022-2023 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN AND SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENTS
Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-1901 et seq., the Board of Supervisors shall consider the adoption of a resolution approving a proposed public use and directing the acquisition of real property for such public use by condemnation (eminent domain). The subject property consists of portions of three (3) parcels located along the north side of Braddock Road (Route 620) in Aldie, Virginia. The subject property is proposed to be used for public street right-of-way, permanent waterline easements, permanent public access easements, and temporary construction easements for the construction of the road expansion project in Loudoun County, Virginia. The subject properties are more particularly described as follows:
Components of the Annual Action Plan include, without limitation, descriptions of:
§ § § § §
Federal and other resources expected to be available; Leveraging of resources and how match obligations will be met; The activities to be undertaken; The geographic distribution of investment; and Planned homeless and other special needs activities.
In accordance with HUD requirements, 24 CFR §91.105 Citizen Participation Plan, a Substantial Amendment is required when there is a change in the purpose, scope, location, or beneficiaries of an activity with regard to a previous FY approved Annual Action Plan. The following projects and activities will be reprogrammed from the specific years’ programs and activities into to PY19 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan for the activity Loudoun County Habitat for Humanity in the amount of $323,926.22 and Public Services Activity NVDC Oral Health Care Program in the amount of $4,071.86 in PY16 2016 Annual Action Plan and $12,008.98 in PY17 2020 Annual Action Plan for a total of $16,080.84. Reimbursements to the subrecipients of the activities indicated below have been made and the file is complete. Activities with unexpended funds are attributed to the completion or cancellation of the activity within the program year. Unexpended funds from completed or cancelled activities are then reprogramed into a new activity to be expended.
12
2015
IDIS IDIS Subrecipient Activity Number 134 ARC of Loudoun Co.
15
2018
170
Town of Leesburg
$46,872.00
$9,721.00
16
2019
181
Good Shepherd Alliance
$30,000.00
$2,783.72*
16
2019
180
Arlington Partnership $200,000 for Affordable Housing
$200,000
16
2019
187
Town of Leesburg
$74,596.91
$74,596.91
16
2019
186
Latino Economic Dev. $20,071.73 Corp.
$1,288.14*
17
2020
199
INMED/Healthy Families
$77,924.00
$4,465.31**
17
2020
201
Good Shepherd Alliance
$47,404.37
$7,543.67**
17
2020
206
INMED/Opp. Center
$211,770.00 $13,571.02
17
2020
205
Cornerstones
$200,000.00 $25,703.00
Program Program Year
Fiscal Year
Original Award
Unexpended Funds to be Reprogrammed
$485,544.24 $334.29
Detail Activity completed Reprogram unexpended funds Activity completed Reprogram unexpended funds Activity completed Reprogram; unexpended funds Activity cancelled reprogram funds Activity cancelled Reprogram funds Activity completed Reprogram unexpended funds Activity completed Reprogram unexpended funds Activity completed Reprogram unexpended funds Activity completed Reprogram unexpended funds Activity completed reprogram unexpended funds
Note:*PY 2016 $2,783.72 + $1,288.14 = $4,071.86 ** PY 2017 $4,465.31 + $7,543.67 = $12,008.98 Total= $16,090.84
Property to be acquired from Kirkpatrick Farms Community Association, Inc. - Parcel 001 (PIN#: 249-40-4135): Approximately 4,765 square feet for public street purposes, 4,738 square feet for a permanent waterline easement, and 9,168 square feet for a temporary construction easement on Kirkpatrick Farms Community Association, Inc. property located on the north side of Braddock Road (Route 620) in Aldie, and located on a parcel more particularly described as PIN#: 249-40-4135 in the Dulles Election District. Property to be acquired from Kirkpatrick Farms Community Association, Inc. - Parcel 008 (PIN#: 206-36-0144): Approximately 7,768 square feet for public street purposes, 208 square feet for a permanent public access easement, and 8,348 square feet for a temporary construction easement on Kirkpatrick Farms Community Association, Inc. property located on the north side of Braddock Road (Route 620) in Aldie, and located on a parcel more particularly described as PIN#: 206-36-0144 in the Dulles Election District. Property to be acquired from Kirkpatrick Farms Community Association, Inc. - Parcel 011 (PIN#: 206-26-3370): Approximately 5,552 square feet for public street purposes, 637 square feet for a permanent public access easement, and 9,918 square feet for a temporary construction easement on Kirkpatrick Farms Community Association, Inc. property located on the north side of Braddock Road (Route 620) in Aldie, and located on a parcel more particularly described as PIN#: 206-26-3370 in the Dulles Election District. A complete copy of the full text of the above-referenced proposed resolution, as well as a plat and vicinity maps serving to further identify the subject property, is available and may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”).
APPL-2021-0002 APPEAL OF ZCOR-2019-0172 CLS Bldg C, LC; CLS Phase 1, LC; CLS Phase II, LC; and Comstock Loudoun Station L.C., of Reston, Virginia, have submitted an application for an appeal of the November 12, 2019, Zoning Administrator determination, ZCOR-2019-0172, which granted approval of administrative changes to the approved Concept Development Plan for ZCPA-2015-0014, Loudoun Station Gramercy District, pursuant to Section 6-1216(A) of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, including a modification to the road network for the Loudoun Station Gramercy District and an alteration to the orientation of some buildings within the Loudoun Station Gramercy District. The subject property is zoned PD-TRC (Planned Development-Transit Related Center) under the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance and is also located within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60 aircraft noise contours. The subject property is approximately 10.7 acres in size and is located north of the Dulles Greenway (Route 267) and south of Shellhorn Road (Route 643) in Ashburn, Virginia, in the Broad Run Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 089-36-1174 and is owned by Au Loudoun Station, LLC.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
PAGE 32
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
MARCH 24, 2022
Legal Notices APPROVAL OF A BOUNDARY LINE AGREEMENT TO CHANGE THE BOUNDARY LINE BETWEEN LOUDOUN COUNTY, VIRGINIA, AND THE TOWN OF LEESBURG, VIRGINIA
ZOAM-2022-0001 GROUND-MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY GENERATION FACILITIES
Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-3106 et seq., the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors hereby provides notice of its intention to approve a Boundary Line Agreement with the Town of Leesburg, Virginia, (“Town”) to change the existing boundary line between Loudoun County, Virginia, (“County”) and the Town. The proposed boundary line change would incorporate into the municipal limits of the Town a land area containing 35.13 acres, more or less, being all of the property identified as Loudoun County Parcel Identification Numbers (PINs) 234-29-4515, 234-29-0522, and 234-39-2601, owned by Compass Creek Parkway, LLC (At Home), CC Outparcel, LC (Peterson Companies), and Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust, and the portion of the abutting right-of-way of Compass Creek Parkway fronting along the western side of PIN 234-39-6010 containing 2.65 Acres, more or less, of dedicated right-of-way (“Subject Property”).
Pursuant to Virginia Code §§15.2-2204, 15.2-2285, and 15.2-2286, and a Resolution of Intent to Amend adopted by the Board of Supervisors on February 15, 2022, the Board of Supervisors hereby gives notice of proposed amendments to the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance (“Zoning Ordinance”) in order to establish new, and clarify and revise, regulations and definitions to address a January 13, 2022, Attorney General Opinion (AGO) that impacts the County’s ability to regulate the location of ground-mounted solar energy generation facilities. The amendment proposes revisions to Article 5, Additional Regulations and Standards, Section 5-100, Accessory Uses and Structures, Article 8, Definitions, and such other Articles, Sections, Subsections, and provisions of the Zoning Ordinance as necessary to implement and maintain consistency with the foregoing amendments or as otherwise necessary to correct typographical errors, section and subsection numbering, and formatting within, update cross-references to, and further clarify the requirements of, the above-mentioned section(s) of the Zoning Ordinance. The proposed text amendments under consideration include, without limitation, the following:
The new location of the boundary line between the County and the Town would correspond generally to a line extending southeasterly from a point located along the Town’s western boundary, which point also is located along the western boundary of land owned by the Town of Leesburg and adjacent to Leesburg Executive Airport (PINs 234-49-1255 and 234-50-6397), to a point joining the northern parcel line of PIN 235-29-7431 and then southwesterly along the northern boundaries of PINs 235-29-7431 and 234-192469, then northwesterly along the eastern right-of-way of Compass Creek Parkway to a point opposite the exit ramp from the Dulles Greenway (PIN 234-37-8457), then west across Compass Creek Parkway to the southern right-of-way of the exit ramp, which is also a part of PIN 234-37-8457 , then northerly along the western right-of-way of the Compass Creek right-of-way to the southern boundary of the Town of Leesburg. The Subject Property to be incorporated into the Town is located adjacent to the south and west sides of the current municipal limits of the Town, in the Catoctin Election District, and is depicted on the below map.
(Zoning Ordinance Amendment)
Amendments to Article 5, Additional Regulations and Standards, Section 5-101, Permitted Accessory Uses and Structures, Subsection (A), Residential, and Subsection (B), Commercial and Industrial: • Establish new, and clarify and revise, existing, regulations to add “Ground-mounted solar facility” and “Ground-mounted solar energy generation facility” to the lists of permitted accessory uses and structures when serving only the uses located on the same lot where the ground-mounted solar facility or ground-mounted solar energy generation facility is located. Amendments to Article 8, Definitions • Establish new, and clarify and revise, the existing definition of “Electric Generating Plant and Transmission Facility” to specify that the definition of the use includes the term “Utility Generating Plant or Transmission Facility” and includes “ground mounted solar facilities,” “ground-mounted solar energy generation facilities,” and other types of solar generating panels as contemplated by Virginia Code §56594 that serve lots other than the lot where a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility is located. The public purposes of these amendments are to achieve the purposes of zoning as set forth in Virginia Code §§15.2-2200 and 15.2-2283, including, without limitation, furtherance of the public necessity, convenience, general welfare and good zoning practice and facilitating the creation of a convenient, attractive and harmonious community.
SIDP-2021-0003 XCAL SHOOTING SPORTS & FITNESS SIGN DEVELOPMENT PLAN (Sign Development Plan)
Caliber Club Sports Inc. of Frederick, Maryland, has submitted an application for a Sign Development Plan to request alternative sign regulations for permitted signs in order to modify: 1) the total aggregate sign area; 2) the maximum number of signs; and 3) the maximum area for any one sign for signs for Commercial Office and Industrial uses. The subject property is being developed pursuant to ZCPA-2014-0008, Commonwealth Center, in the PD-IP (Planned Development-Industrial Park) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, and pursuant to Section 5-1202(E) alternative sign regulations for permitted signs may be requested with the submission of a Sign Development Plan. The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District and within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60 noise contours. The subject property is approximately 5.4 acres in size and is located on the south side of Harry Byrd Highway (Route 7) and on the north side of Russell Branch Parkway (Route 1061) at 44950 Russel Branch Parkway, Ashburn, Virginia, in the Broad Run Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 039-16-7892. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Mixed Use Place Type)), which designate this area for a compact, pedestrian-oriented environment consisting of a vertical mix of Residential, Commercial, Entertainment, Cultural, and Recreational uses.
SPEX-2021-0003 QUARLES PETROLEUM FUEL STATION (Special Exception)
A copy of the draft Boundary Line Agreement may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”).
Quarles Petroleum, Inc. of Fredericksburg, Virginia, has submitted an application for a Special Exception to permit an Automobile Service Station use in the PD-GI (Planned Development - General Industrial) zoning district. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed use is listed as a Special Exception use under Section 4-604(X). The subject property is located outside of but within one (1) mile of the LDN 60 aircraft noise contour. The subject property is approximately 4.9 acres in size and is located north of Overland Drive (Route 2962) on the east side of Pebble Run Place (Route 2963) at 23560 Pebble Run Place, Sterling, Virginia, in the Dulles Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 123-19-1239. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area Suburban Industrial/ Mineral Extraction)) which designate this area for large manufacturing, contractor with outdoor storage, and other productive uses.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
MARCH 24, 2022
PAGE 33
Legal Notices CMPT-2021-0002 & SPMI-2021-0001 GLOBAL PLAZA SUBSTATION (Commission Permit & Minor Special Exception)
Virginia Electric and Power Company of Glen Allen, Virginia, has submitted an application for Commission approval to permit development of an Electric Utility Substation, Distribution in the PD-IP (Planned Development – Industrial Park) zoning district. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance and requires a Commission Permit in accordance with Section 6-1101. The modification of the Additional Regulations applicable to the proposed Electric Utility Substation use is authorized by Minor Special Exception under Section 5-600, Additional Regulations for Specific Uses, pursuant to which the Applicant requests the following modification: ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION §5-616(D), Additional Regulations for Specific Uses, Utility Substations
PROPOSED MODIFICATION Modify the Type C Buffer Yard requirements along the southern and eastern perimeters to eliminate the required landscaping and reduce the ultimate buffer width.
The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District and the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, between the Ldn 60-65 and outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60 aircraft noise contours. The subject property is an approximately 4.6-acre portion of a larger parcel that is located in the east quadrant of the intersection of Pacific Boulevard (Route 1036) and Relocation Drive (Route 775) and on the west side of Fitness Court (Route 1700) in the Broad Run Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as: PIN
PROPERTY ADDRESS
045-39-6350
N/A
045-39-9350 (portion)
N/A
The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Employment Place Type)), which designates this area for a Mix of Office, Production, Research and Development, and Flex space as Core uses at a recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of up to 1.0.
ZMAP-2020-0004, ZMOD-2020-0008, ZMOD-2020-0009 & ZMOD-2020-0010 FLEETWOOD SOUTH (Zoning Map Amendment & Zoning Modifications)
PHD Associates, LLC, of Melville, New York, has submitted an application to rezone approximately 86.97 acres from the Transitional Residential – 3 (Upper Broad Run and Upper Foley (TR3-UBF) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance to the R-4 ADU (Single Family Residential – 4, ADU Development Regulations) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in order to develop 246 single-family residential units at a density of approximately 2.8 dwelling units per acre. The applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance modifications: ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION
PROPOSED MODIFICATION
§3-404 (C)(1), Single Family Residential, Lot Requirements for Suburban Design Option, Yards, Front.
To reduce the front yard for single family detached units from 25 feet to 20 feet.
And §3-404(C)(2), Single Family Residential, Lot Requirements for Suburban Design Option, Yards, Side.
To reduce the side yard for single family detached units from 9 feet to 5 feet. To reduce the rear yard for single family detached units from 25 feet to 20 feet.
And §3-404(C)(3), Single Family Residential, Lot Requirements for Suburban Design Option, Yards, Rear. §7-703(B)(1), Single Family Residential District, Lot and Building Requirements, Lot Width. And §7-703(D)(1), Single Family Residential District, Lot and Building Requirements, Lot Coverage. And §7-703(F)(2), Single Family Residential District, Lot and Building Requirements, Other Regulations. §1-205(A), Interpretation of Ordinance, Limitations and Methods for Measurements of Lots, Yards and Related Terms. Lot Access Requirements.
Reduce the required lot width for single family detached, suburban, from 50 feet to 40 feet minimum. Increase maximum lot coverage for single-family detached units from 35 percent to 48 percent maximum. To permit single family detached units to front on a private road rather than a public road.
To permit single family detached units to front on a private road rather than a public road.
The subject property is located within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, outside of but within one mile of the Ldn 60 aircraft noise contours, and within the Floodplain Overlay District (FOD), minor floodplain. The subject property is approximately 87.2 acres in size and is located on the east side of Fleetwood Road (Route 616), west of Evergreen Mills Road (Route 621), and south of Sleeping Woods Court (Route 616) in the Blue Ridge Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as:
PIN
PROPERTY ADDRESS
244-49-5748
23208 Sleeping Woods Ct., Aldie, Virginia
244-49-0257
23266 Sleeping Woods Ct., Aldie, Virginia
244-39-3372
N/A
244-28-8559
23504 Fleetwood Rd., Aldie, Virginia
244-39-0937
N/A
244-29-0197
N/A
The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Transition Policy Area) in the Transition Small Lot Neighborhood Place Type which designates this area for predominantly single-family home neighborhoods designed in a cluster arrangement that includes a focal point such as a civic use, park, or green at a density of up to four dwelling units per acre.
ZCPA-2020-0003 TRUE NORTH DATA
(Zoning Concept Plan Amendment) Compass Data Centers IAD I LLC of Dallas, Texas has submitted an application to amend the existing proffers and Concept Development Plan (“CDP”) approved with ZMAP-2017-0003, True North Data in order to: 1) allow for the option to consolidate three buildings into one building footprint; and 2) increase the maximum building height from 35 feet to 56 feet with no resulting change in density. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The subject property is partially located within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60 aircraft noise contour, partially within the QN (Quarry Notification) Overlay District - Luck Note Area, and partially within the FOD (Floodplain Overlay District). The subject property is approximately 97.12 acres in size and is located on the north side of Sycolin Road (Route 625), on the south side of the Dulles Greenway (Route 267), and on the west side of the Goose Creek, on the northwest side Belmont Ridge Road (Route 659), in the Catoctin Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 194-10-2562. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 Comprehensive Plan (Transition Policy Area (Transition Light Industrial Place Type)), which designate this area for low-traffic Industrial and Employment uses at a recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of up to 0.6. Unless otherwise noted in the above notices, copies of the above-referenced amendments, applications, ordinances, and/or plans and related documents may be examined by request at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies, or electronically at www.loudoun.gov/lola. This link also provides an additional opportunity for public input on active applications. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”). In addition, for detailed instructions on how to access documents using LOLA, to request that documents be emailed to you, to receive physical copies of documents, or to arrange a time to view the file at the Loudoun County Government Center, please email DPZ@loudoun.gov or call 703-777-0246 (option 5). Board of Supervisors public hearings are available for live viewing on television on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings. All members of the public who desire to speak will be heard as to their views pertinent to these matters. Public input may be provided by electronic means at Board public hearings. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, will be accommodated without advanced sign-up during the hearing, however, members of the public are strongly encouraged to sign-up in advance. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on April 1, 2022, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on April 13, 2022. If you wish to sign-up in advance, call the Office of the County Administrator at (703) 777-0200. Citizens will also have the option to sign-up during the public hearing. Citizens may also submit written comments by email sent to bos@loudoun.gov. Any written comments received prior to the public hearing will be distributed to Board members and made part of the minutes for the public hearing. Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory or mental disability to participate in this meeting, please contact the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200. At least one business day of advance notice is requested; some accommodations may require more than one day of notice. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings. BY ORDER OF:
PHYLLIS RANDALL, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 3/24 & 3/31/22
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 34
MARCH 24, 2022
Legal Notices ORDER OF PUBLICATION
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TOWN OF PURCELLVILLE, VIRGINIA
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316
Estimated Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2023 July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023
Case No.:
Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 15.2-2506, the Town of Purcellville, Virginia hereby gives notice of a public hearing to receive comments on the Town Manager’s proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022 and ending June 30, 2023 (“FY23”). The public hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 7:00 PM in the Town Council Chambers of the Purcellville Town Hall, located at 221 South Nursery Avenue. At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views concerning the budget will be heard. Citizens wishing to provide comments on this item can email their comments to info@purcellvilleva.gov by 4:00 PM on April 8, 2022. To participate in the meeting and provide your comments virtually, please visit the Town’s website for instructions on how to join the meeting. The budget contains a plan for all contemplated expenditures and all estimated revenues and borrowings. The budget is prepared and published for informative and fiscal planning purposes only. The following is a brief synopsis of the budget proposed for FY23, relative to the Town’s appropriations in FY22: REVENUES
EXPENDITURES
Year Ending 6/30/22 Appropriated General Fund
Year Ending 6/30/23 Proposed
General Fund
Local Revenue
9,953,028
11,585,608
State Revenue
1,147,089
1,203,434
Federal Revenue
0
0
Total Operating Revenue
11,100,117
12,789,042
CIP Revenue
Year Ending 6/30/22 Appropriated
Year Ending 6/30/23 Proposed
General Town Operations
9,793,250
11,478,741
Debt Retirement
1,306,867
1,310,301
Capital Outlay
1,183,850
916,728
12,283,967
13,705,770
Total
1,183,850
916,728
12,283,967
13,705,770
Local Operating Revenue
607,112
727,845
Parks & Rec Operations
500,246
620,979
CIP Revenue
125,000
585,918
Debt Retirement
106,866
106,866
732,112
1,313,763
Capital Outlay
125,000
585,918
732,112
1,313,763
Total Parks & Recreation Fund
Total
Water Fund
Water Fund 2,377,317
2,340,188
Availabilities
309,048
437,818
Other Revenue
367,501
1,061,253
Total Operating Revenue
3,053,866
3,839,259
CIP Revenue
2,325,000
777,538
5,378,866
4,616,797
3,421,424
3,408,128
Total Wastewater Fund Wastewater Fees
Water Operations Debt Retirement Capital Outlay Total
2,748,062
3,339,073
305,804
500,186
2,325,000
777,538
5,378,866
4,616,797
3,028,256
3,211,068 874,013
Wastewater Fund Wastewater Operations
Availabilities
259,200
367,200
Debt Retirement
859,269
Other Revenue
206,901
309,753
Capital Outlay
150,000
265,270
3,887,525
4,085,081
4,037,525
4,350,351
Total Operating Revenue CIP Revenue Total Total Budget
Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Isabella S. Montenegro Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Jeffrey Wayne McGowan, putative father The object of this suit is to hold a 3rd permanency planning review hearing pursuant to Va. Code Sections 16.1-282.1, 63.2-906 and 63.2-910.2 for Isabella S. Montenegro. It is ORDERED that the defendant Jeffrey Wayne McGowan, putative father appear at the above-named Court and protect his interests on or before April 19, 2022 at 2:00 pm. 3/24 , 3/31, 4/7 & 4/14
Parks & Recreation Fund
Total
Water Fees
JJ044218-05-00
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
150,000
265,270
4,037,525
4,350,351
22,432,470
23,986,681
Total
PUBLIC NOTICE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) The Town of Leesburg will accept sealed proposals electronically via the Commonwealth’s e-procurement website (www.eva.virginia.gov), until 3:00 p.m. on April 14, 2022 for the following:
RFP No. 500640-FY22-38 Hauling and Disposal Services of Non-Stabilized Sewage Sludge, Wastewater, and Grit Screening and Scum The Town of Leesburg is soliciting proposals to establish a term contract to provide sewage sludge hauling, and disposal services of sewage sludge including grit screening and scum material produced at the Town’s Water Pollution Control Facility. For additional information, visit: http://www.leesburgva.gov/bidboard 3/24/22
Total Budget
David A. Mekarski, AICP
22,432,470
23,986,681
3/24 & 3/31/22
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
MARCH 24, 2022
PAGE 35
Legal Notices NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TOWN OF PURCELLVILLE, VIRGINIA Effective July 1, 2022
The Purcellville Town Council will hold a public hearing in the Council Chambers at 221 S. Nursery Avenue, Purcellville, Virginia on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 7:00 PM for the purpose of receiving comments on the ordinance setting (1) Tax Penalty and Interest in accordance with transition to Loudoun County tax billing program, (2) new Business License category for Other, (3) new fee for Plats for Site Plan, (4-7) increasing water and wastewater revenue rates and fees, and (6-7) increasing water meter fees. Rates and fees are effective July 1, 2022 with the exception of Tax Penalty and Interest. The public hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 7:00 PM in the Town Council Chambers of the Purcellville Town Hall, located at 221 South Nursery Avenue. At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views will be heard. Citizens wishing to provide comments on this item can email their comments to info@purcellvilleva.gov by 4:00 PM on April 8, 2022. To participate in the meeting and provide your comments virtually, please visit the Town’s website for instructions on how to join the meeting. 1) Tax Penalty and Interest: Penalties and Interest on Real Estate and Personal Property Tax set in accordance with transition to Loudoun County tax billing program effective January 1, 2022. (Va. Code § 58.1-3916) Category
2021 Tax Rate or Fees
2022 Tax Rate or Fees
Changes
Penalty
10%
Set in accordance with transition to Loudoun County tax billing program.
Set in accordance with transition to Loudoun County tax billing program.
Interest
10% per annum
Tax Penalty and Interest
2) Business License: Tax on value of gross receipts (Va. Code § 58.1-3703) Category
Current Rates and Fees
Advertised Tax Rate or Fee - FY 2023
Business License Tax:
Rates per category / value of gross receipts
Rates per category / value of gross receipts
Other
n/a
$.17/$100 gross receipts
Change New License Category
3) Site Plan: new fee for Plats (Va. Code § 15.2-2246, 15.2-2241) Application Category / Type
Current Rates and Fees
Advertised Tax Rate or Fee - FY 2023
Change
n/a
$500 plus cost of Town Attorney review
New fee
Site Plan Plats (easement, corrections, etc)
4) Utility Water Usage Rates: includes an overall 3% water revenue increase for In and Out of Town. Out of Town customer usage rates are double the in Town rates for water. No change in Tiers (Virginia Code § 15.2-2119) Category
Current Rates and Fees
Advertised Tax Rate or Fee - FY 2023
Change
Tier 1
$7.88 / $15.76
$8.12 / $16.23
3% increase
Tier 2
$13.80 / $27.60
$14.21 / $28.43
3% increase
Tier 3
$17.74 / $35.48
$18.27 / $36.54
3% increase
Tier 4
$21.68 / $43.36
$22.33 / $44.66
3% increase
Water Supply System Water Usage Rates Per 1,000 Gallons Per Tier RATE (in/out of town)
Water Supply System Tiers
Tier 1
Tier 2
Tier 3
Tier 4
Single Family
0 to 7,000 gal.
7,001-14,000 gal.
14,001-20,000 gal.
20,001 and over gal.
5/8"
0 to 7,000 gal.
7,001-14,000 gal.
14,001-20,000 gal.
20,001 and over gal.
3/4"
0 to 22,000 gal.
22,001-45,000 gal.
45,001-64,000 gal.
64,001 and over gal.
1"
0 to 28,000 gal.
28,001-56,000 gal.
56,001-80,000 gal.
80,001 and over gal.
1.5"
0 to 47,000 gal.
47,001-94,000 gal.
94,001-135,000 gal.
135,001 and over gal.
2"
0 to 84,000 gal.
84,001-169,000 gal.
169,001-241,000 gal.
241,001 and over gal.
3"
0 to 184,000 gal.
184,001-368,000 gal.
368,001-526,000 gal.
526,001 and over gal.
4"
0 to 317,000 gal.
317,001-635,000 gal.
635,001-907,000 gal.
907,001 and over gal.
6"
0 to 677,000 gal.
677,001-1,354,000 gal.
1,354,001-1,934,000 gal.
1,934,001 and over gal.
8"
0 to 1,185,000 gal.
1,185,001 - 2,369,000 gal.
2,369,001 - 3,385,000 gal.
3,385,001 and over gal.
Non-Single Family
Utility Customer Classes Defined: Single family:
Water and/or sewer service provided to an individually metered single family residential home
Non-Single Family:
Water and/or sewer service provided to a master-metered multi-unit/multi-family dwelling or non-residential (commercial, industrial, and institional)
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 36
MARCH 24, 2022
Legal Notices 5) Water Administrative Service Fee Rates: proposed 3% increase in Administrative Fee Rates (Va. Code § 15.2-2119) Category
Current Rates and Fees
Advertised Tax Rate or Fee - FY 2023
Water Administrative Service Charge
Current
Advertised
Change
(Fixed Fee Based on Meter Size)
Same In-Town & Out of Town Rates
Same In-Town & Out of Town Rates
3% Increase result in change below:
5/8"
$15.20
$15.66
$0.46
3/4"
$48.65
$50.11
$1.46
1"
$61.15
$62.98
$1.83
1.5"
$102.35
$105.42
$3.07
2"
$183.15
$188.64
$5.49
3"
$399.60
$411.59
$11.99
4"
$689.00
$709.67
$20.67
6"
$1,469.80
$1,513.89
$44.09
8"
$2,572.20
$2,649.37
$77.17
6) Water Meter Fee: fee for new water meters. Out of Town customer rates are double the in Town rates. (Virginia Code § 15.2-2119) Category
Current Rates and Fees
Advertised Tax Rate or Fee - FY 2023
Change
Water Meter Fee (based on Meter Size and Type): Applies to Installation of Any New Water Meter
Current In-Town Fees / Out-of-Town Fees
Advertised In-Town Fees / Out-of-Town Fees
Increase of
5/8" Meter
$415 / $830
$427 / $855
3%
3/4" Meter
$481 / $962
$495 / $991
3%
1" Meter
$565 / $1130
$582 / $1164
3%
1.5" Meter
$779 / $1558
$802 / $1605
3%
2" T-10 Meter
$1003 / $2006
$1033 / $2066
3%
2" HP Turbine Meter
$1299 / $2598
$1338 / $2676
3%
3" HP Turbine Meter
$1960 / $3921
$2019 / $4039
3%
4" HP Turbine Meter
$2984 / $5968
$3074 / $6147
3%
2" T/F Compound Meter
$2646 / $5292
$2725 / $5451
3%
3" T/F Compound Meter
$3573 / $7146
$3680 / $7360
3%
4" T/F Compound Meter
$4811 / $9622
$4955 / $9911
3%
6" Meter
At Cost
At Cost
No changes from current fees
8" Meter
At Cost
At Cost
No changes from current fees
Water Supply System
7) Sewer Utility Rates: The proposed rates include an overall 5% sewer revenue increase. Out of Town customer usage rates are double the in Town rates for sewer. (Virginia Code § 15.2-2119) Category
Current Rates and Fees
Advertised Tax Rate or Fee - FY 2023
Change
Wastewater Usage Rate (In–Town Rate)
Flat rate $16.07 per 1,000 gal.
Flat rate $16.87 per 1,000 gal.
5% increase
Wastewater Usage Rate (Out of Town Rate)
Flat rate $32.14 per 1,000 gal.
Flat rate $33.75 per 1,000 gal.
5% increase
Wastewater Administrative Service Charge
Current
Current
(Fixed Fee Based on Meter Size)
Same In-Town & Out of Town Rates
Same In-Town & Out of Town Rates
5/8"
$16.00
$16.80
$0.80
3/4"
$51.20
$53.76
$2.56
1"
$64.30
$67.52
$3.22
1.5"
$107.65
$113.03
$5.38
2"
$192.65
$202.28
$9.63
3"
$420.35
$441.37
$21.02
4"
$724.70
$760.94
$36.24
6"
$1,546.10
$1,623.41
$77.31
8"
$2,705.30
$2,840.57
$135.27
Wastewater System Wastewater Collection System: (Usage Rates Per 1,000 Gallons)
3/24 & 3/31.22
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
MARCH 24, 2022
Legal Notices ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE 1-211.1; 8.01-316, -317, 20-104 Case No. 22-966
LOUDOUN COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT 18 EAST MARKET ST., LEESBURG, VA 20176 Yvonne Thompson v. David James Thompson, THE OBJECT OF THIS SUIT is to obtain a divorce a vinculo matrimonii. IT is ORDERED that David James Thompson appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before May 20, 2022 at 2:00 PM.
Loudoun County Public Schools Reserve at Holly Springs Proposed School Attendance Zone Change
ATTENTION NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN LOUDOUN COUNTY
On March 8, 2022, the Loudoun County School Board initiated an abbreviated attendance zone change process that proposes to assign all of the Reserve at Holly Springs community (as well as adjacent parcels at 42888, 42908, 42934, 42937 Buffalo Run Lane and 43123 Hollyspring Lane) to the Cardinal Ridge Elementary School, J. Michael Lunsford Middle School, and Freedom High School attendance area. The attendance zone change would take effect in fall 2022, with the start of the 2022-2023 academic year.
Nonprofit organizations seeking exemption from Loudoun County real and/or personal property taxes for the 2023 tax year may file an application with the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue by the April 1, 2022 deadline. Most charitable nonprofit organizations are not automatically exempt from local property taxes in the Commonwealth, even those that may be exempt from federal income taxes. The filing of an application with the Commissioner of the Revenue is the necessary first step to obtaining a local real estate or personal property tax exemption. Completed applications should be returned to the Commissioner of the Revenue with a postmark by April 1, 2022, for consideration this year. Any exemption, if granted, would be effective January 1, 2023.
The School Board is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the attendance zone change on April 5, 2022, to be followed by action on the proposed change later the same evening. Additional information on this proposed attendance zone change is posted on the Loudoun County Public Schools webpage (https://www.lcps.org/Page/241804), including detail on how to sign-up to speak at the April 5 hearing. Written comment may be sent to lcpsplan@lcps.org; all correspondence and information received will be shared with the School Board. The April 5 meeting will be held at the Loudoun County Public Schools Administration Building (21000 Education Court, Ashburn) and begin at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will also be broadcast live on Comcast Channel 18 and Verizon Fios Channel 43, as well as viewable via simultaneous webcast on the Loudoun County Public Schools website (www.lcps.org). Persons who need translation/interpretation assistance or a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, in order to participate meaningfully in the April 5, 2022 public hearing and meeting, should contact the Superintendent's Office at 571-252-1020 at least three (3) days prior to the meeting. Beverly I. Tate, Director Loudoun County Public Schools Department of Support Services, Division of Planning Services 21000 Education Court, Ashburn, Virginia 20148 Telephone: 571-252-1050 Email: lcpsplan@lcps.org 3/17, 3/24 & 3/31/22
3/17, 3/24, 3/31 & 4/7/22
ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:
JJ045042-01-00
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Anthony Rodriguez Castro Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Carlos Barnica, putative father The object of this suit is to hold a permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Anthony Rodriguez Castro. It is ORDERED that the defendant Carlos Barnica, putative father appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his interests on or before April 4, 2022 at 3:00 pm.
PAGE 37
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:
JJ043373-03-00
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Ezra Zipporah Fisher Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Sheila Fisher, mother The object of this suit is to hold a dispositional hearing for review of initial foster care plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-281 and 16.1-278.8 for Ezra Zipporah Fisher. It is ORDERED that the defendant Sheila Fisher, mother appear at the above-named Court and protect her interests on or before April 6, 2022 at 3:00 pm. 3/10, 3/17, 3/24 & 3/31/22
Robert S. Wertz, Jr. Commissioner of the Revenue Loudoun County Leesburg Office 1 Harrison Street SE First Floor
TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Sterling Office 21641 Ridgetop Circle Suite 100
TO CONSIDER A PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING ZONE ON WIRT STREET BETWEEN W. MARKET STREET AND CORNWALL STREET NW
Mailing Address: PO Box 8000, MSC 32 Leesburg, VA 20177-9804
The LEESBURG TOWN MANAGER will hold a public hearing in Lower-Level Conference Rooms 1 and 2 at Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. on a proposed Residential Permit Parking Zone designation on Wirt Street between W. Market Street and Cornwall Street NW. This Public Hearing is in accordance with Section 32-240(b) of the Town Code. Additional information concerning this proposed Residential Permit Parking Zone is available by contacting Calvin K. Grow, Transportation Engineer at 703-771-2791 or email at cgrow@leesburgva.gov. At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views regarding this matter will be heard. Person requiring special accommodations should contact the Clerk of Council at 703-771-2733, one day in advance (TTD 703-771-4560). 3/24 & 3/31/22
3/10, 3/17, 3/24 & 3/31/22
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
Applications are available online at www. loudoun.gov/cor. For information or assistance, please contact my office at trcor@ loudoun.gov or 703-737-8557 weekdays 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Phone: 703-737-8557 Email: trcor@loudoun.gov 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24 & 3/31/22
ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:
TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISISON PUBLIC HEARING
TO CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT TO ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLE 3 REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCEDURES FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVISING THE CONTENTS OF PUBLIC HEARING PLACARD 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, April 7, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176 to consider Zoning Ordinance Amendment TLOA-2022-0001 revising the following Section of the Zoning Ordinance: 1.
Sec. 3.1.9.B.2 Contents of Placards revising information to be included on a placard notice of public hearing.
Copies and additional information regarding these proposed Zoning Ordinance amendments are available at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the second floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by calling 703-737-7009 and asking for Christopher Murphy, Senior Planning Project Manager. This zoning ordinance amendment application is identified as case number TLOA-2022-0001. 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) 771-2434 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711. 3/24 & 3/31/22
JJ045892-01-00
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Luisa Fernanda Chevez Abrego Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Elmer Salin, putative father The object of this suit is to hold an adjudicatory hearing pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-252 for Luisa Fernanda Chevez Abrego, and; hold a dispositional hearing for review of initial Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-278.2 and 16.1-281 for Luisa Fernanda Chevez Abrego. It is ORDERED that the defendant Elmer Salin, putative father appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his interests on or before March 16, 2022 at 3:00 pm (Adjudicatory) and April 13, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. (Dispositional). 3/3, 3/10, 3/17 & 3/24/22
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 38
MARCH 24, 2022
Legal Notices TOWN OF MIDDLEBURG VACANCIES – TOWN COMMITTEES
ABC LICENSE
The Middleburg Town Council is accepting letters of interest/resumes from individuals who wish to be considered for service on the following committees: Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA). The BZA hears and decides appeals from any determination or interpretation of the Zoning Administrator; applications for variances; and, applications for interpretation of the zoning map, including disputed district boundaries. Members must be residents of the Town of Middleburg. This appointment is to fill an unexpired term which expires December 31, 2025. Normally, terms are for a five-year period. Appointments are ultimately made by the Judges of the Loudoun County Circuit Court. The BZA meets on an as-needed basis. Middleburg Sustainability Committee (MSC). The Middleburg Sustainability Committee is responsible for advising the Town Council on environmental issues. They are responsible for developing recommendations for environmental action plans and for the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) resolution. Their goal is to increase community awareness about environmental issues, such as the value of recycling, the importance of preserving water quality and the methods for conserving energy. The Committee meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.; and, in work session on an as-needed basis. Terms are for a two-year period. Middleburg Streetscape Committee. The Streetscape Committee is responsible for developing and annually updating a management plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal or disposal of trees and shrubs along town streets and in public areas. They also are responsible for organizing the annual Arbor Day event held in the town. The Streetscape Committee meets at 8:30 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month; and, in work session on an as-needed basis. Anyone interested in serving on any of these committees is asked to send a letter of interest/resume, to include any relevant qualifications, no later than April 15, 2022 to the following:
Mina Hanna (WWMLLC), trading as EATaliano, 43150 Broadland Center Plaza #178, Ashburn, VA 20147 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a retail on or off premises wine and beer license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Wassem Waheb, Owner/Manager Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200. 03/24 & 3/31/22
Loco Service Providers Cleaning R&D Cleaning Service, LLC Residential - Commercial Move In/Out - Carpet Cleaning
Mayor and Members of Town Council Town of Middleburg P. O. Box 187 10 W. Marshall Street Middleburg, Virginia 20118 Attn: Committee Vacancies
Excellent References - Reasonable Rates Licensed & Insured - FREE ESTIMATE
CALL MARLENE
(703) 303-1364 Email: rdcleaningserv@gmail.com R&D Cleaning Service LLC RDCleaningservice.com
WE ACCEPT:
Letters of interest may be included in a public agenda packet. Applicants who do not wish for their contact information to be made public should indicate this in their letter of interest. 3/17 & 3/24
TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
LVCU 2022-0001 APPLICATION FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT The LOVETTSVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing on the following item at their meeting at 7:00 pm on April 6, 2022, at the Lovettsville Town Hall Council Chambers located at 6 East Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, VA 20180 If the public hearing is canceled for any unforeseen reason, the public hearing will be held during the next Planning Commission regular business meeting. Written comments regarding this item can be submitted to clerk@lovettsvilleva.gov by 3:00PM on the day of the meeting. Members of the public may access and participate in public comment electronically or at the Town Hall. LVCU 2022-0001, Application for a Conditional Use Permit to allow AT&T to add a backup, self-contained 30 kilowatt diesel generator atop a 4-foot by 10-foot concrete pad within the existing AT&T equipment area. To consider an application for a Conditional Use Permit filed by AT&T Mobility of Hanover, Maryland, to amend an existing conditional use permit, LVCU 2017-0001, and install an emergency power generator and automatic transfer switch at the Town water tank located at 14-A Quarter Branch Road. The subject parcels front on Potterfield Drive, Lange Drive and Quarter Branch Road and are further identified as Loudoun County Parcel Identification (PIN) Numbers: 333-45-9227 and 333-45-9794. No changes are proposed to the existing antennae or equipment onsite. The application is available on the Town website and is available for review at the Town Hall between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm weekdays or by special appointment, holidays excepted. Call 540822-5788 for more information or visit www.lovettsvilleva.gov. In the event the meeting is cancelled, the public hearing will be convened at the next regular scheduled meeting at the same time and place. If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact John Merrithew, Zoning Administrator for the Town of Lovettsville at (540) 755-3004 or by email at jmerrithew@lovettsvilleva.gov. 3/24 & 3/31/22
LoudounNow.com
CONSTRUCTION Construction
CONSTRUCTION Construction
Kenny Williams Construction, Inc. * Decks & Screen Porches * Additions * Fences * Garages * Finished Basements * Deck Repairs Free Estimates
703-771-8727
C ustom C onstruCtion A dditions • r epAirs Blue Ridge Remodeling, Inc. 540-668-6522
www.kennywilliamsconstruction.com Licensed • Insured • bonded
www.brrinc.net Purcellville, VA
Serving Loudoun County for 35 years.
Since 1976 • Free Estimates Licensed & Insured
Class A Contractor
Construction
Decks
HOME IMPROVEMENTS BY CONSTRUCTION SPECIALISTS 31 Years of Construction Experience Christopher Trent, Contractor
Free Estimates, Basements, Small Jobs, Decks, Drywall, Trim Specialist, Painting, Fences Now Featuring Bed Bug Removal! Licensed & Insured
Serving Northern VA for over 15 years
Now taking orders for all type deck projects
571.577.7300
Decks C & BROTHERS Cristian Arias
contractor VA, DC HIC LISENCE
DECKS, PATIOS, AND STONE WORKS LICENSED BONDED & INSURED | LEESBURG, VA
240-413-5827 Free Estimate 240-413-5873 candbrothers@gmail.com www.candbrothers.com
Upgrade your Resource Directory advertisement with an “Enhanced Listing” online!
Call Susan today for details and incentives!
703-770-9723
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
MARCH 24, 2022
PAGE 39
Loco Service Providers EXCAVATING Excavating
Doors Roofing
Fencing
Loving Fence
NEW INSTALLATION, REPAIRS & PAINTING BOBCAT SERVICES LICENSED & INSURED
WESLEY LOVING 1824 HARMONY CHURCH RD HAMILTON, VA 20158
GARAGE DOORS Garage Doors
Gutters
540-338-9580 LOVINGFENCE@AOL.COM
Handyman C & Brothers Home Improvement, LLC 20 Years of Experience Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling, Decks, General Handyman Services FREE ESTIMATES!
Cristian Arias 240-413-5827 | 240-413-5673 | candbrothers@gmail.com Licensed, Bonded & Insured | References Available
Landscaping
Land Clearing
HARDSCAPING • LANDSCAPE WALLS PATIO AND WALKWAY INSTALLATION RETAINING WALLS • STONE WORK
Landscaping
Veterans LLC Land Rescue We Give You Back the Land You Already Own
Mowing and landscaping mulching, spring and fall cleanups sod, core Aerating and over seeding, excavating, Ponds, Horse arena, horse burial, retaining walls, patios, stonework, demolition, asphalt, hardscapes
Lovettsville, VA Veteran Owned & Operated VA, MD & WV Residential & Commercial
571-490-1879 luckettslandscaping.com a1chilly@aol.com
703-718-6789 major@veteransllc.us www.veteransllc.us
540-668-9005
Serving Loudoun County since 1989
Roofing
Painting
Interior & Exterior
More Than 20 Years of Experience FREE ESTIMATES
(703) 597-6163
AngelOchoa1103@Yahoo.com Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/OchoasPainting
Also selling bulk material such as mulch, topsoil, filled dirt and stone.
No job too big or too small
North’s Custom Masonry Retaining & Decorative Walls • Stonework Fire Pits, Fireplaces & Chimneys Repointing Brick, Concrete DIS 20% C on Pa OUNT and Paver Driveways ver P atio & Walk wa
ys
s
Call Brian 540.533.8092
Angie’s List Member • Free Estimates, BBB, Lic/Ins.
Expert Tree Service
Basement Finishing Bathroom & Kitchen Remodeling Granite/Marble Installation Interior/Exterior Carpentry Crown Molding Rotted Wood Repair/ Replacement Hardwood Floor Installation, Sanding & Refinishing Carpet Installation Power Washing
Video Production
Masonry Providing The personal professional touch to each of our customers.
Expert Tree & Stump Removal Hes Company, LLC 703-203-8853
15% OFF
HOA Maintenance • Tree Planting • Lot Clearing Storm Damage Pruning • Trimming • Crowning • Spring Clean Up Mulch • Roofing and Decking Available JohnQueirolo1@gmail.com • www.hescompanyllc.com
Licensed & Insured • Member Angie’s List & BBB • Affordable
Siding
Tree Removal NORTH’S TREE SERVICE & LANDSCAPING Your Complete Tree & Landscaping Company
Tree Removal • Lot Clearing • Pruning Trimming • Clean Up • Deadlimbing Uplift Trees • Grading Private Fencing Masonry Work • Grading Driveways Family Owned & Operated
Honest & Dependable Service 24 Hr. Emerg. Service • Satisfaction Guaranteed
18 Liberty Street SW
(540) 533-8092 Windows & Power Washing POTOMAC WINDOW CLEANING CO.
Window Cleaning: Inside & Outside • By Hand • Residential Specialist
(703) 356-4459
Family Owned & Operated | Licensed • Bonded • Insured Working Owners Assures Quality & Knowledgable Workmanship
Ask about our Soft Wash, No Damage, Low Pressure Cleaning using Rotating Soft Brushes to Clean Brick, Stone, Siding & Decks The Montgomery Family Thanks You for your Interest
Windows Roofing
Lic./Ins. Free Estimates Angie’s List Member • BBB
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 40
MARCH 24, 2022
Opinion Time To Give On Tuesday, our community nonprofits—with the support of the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties—will participate in the year’s biggest fundraiser. The annual Give Choose campaign has raised more than $2.6 million since its inception in 2014. Last year alone, supporters contributed more than $800,000 to 122 local charities. As we emerge from the challenges of the pandemic, the needs have not been reduced. For many families the economic stress has increased. Youth have lost educational and social opportunities. There are mounting concerns about mental health and domestic violence. It is our network of nonprofit organizations that provide many of the programs that form our community safety net. Tuesday, March 29 is the largest day of giving to support that work. It’s an online campaign that requires only a few clicks and a donation of as little as $10 to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors in need. Chances are you’ve already seen the funding appeals showing up in your email boxes and social media feeds during the two-week early giving period. Don’t be so quick to dismiss those invitations. In fact, it would be worthwhile spending time on the campaign website— givechoose.org—to explore more deeply the missions of the over 100 participating charities and better understand the breadth of creativity and depth of commitment undertaken by these largely volunteer groups. You’re likely to find a cause worthy not only of your donation, but also your time. And they, no doubt, would be glad to put your helping hands to work. The campaign is open for 24 hours starting at midnight Tuesday. Take time this year to make difference. Your impact is only a click away. n
Norman K. Styer, Publisher and Editor nstyer@loudounnow.com
Published by Amendment One Loudoun, LLC
EDITORIAL Renss Greene, Deputy Editor rgreene@loudounnow.com
15 N. King St., Suite 101 Leesburg, VA, 20176
Jan Mercker, Reporter jmercker@loudounnow.com
PO Box 207 Leesburg, VA 20178 703-770-9723
Kara C. Rodriguez, Reporter krodriguez@loudounnow.com Hayley Milon Bour, Reporter hbour@loudounnow.com ADVERTISING Susan Styer, Advertising Manager sstyer@loudounnow.com
Loudoun Now is delivered by mail to more than 44,000 Loudoun homes and businesses, with a total weekly distribution of 47,000.
Tonya Harding, Account Executive tharding@loudounnow.com Vicky Mashaw, Account Executive vmashaw@loudounnow.com
LETTERS to the Editor Stand Together Editor: I begin with a clarification I should not have to state—I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican. I do not endorse the current president nor the immediate past president. However, I have and will continue to vote in each election. Of recent, it seems that vote is always cast to the candidate that is the lesser of two evils. Something must change that. There is a major shift going on in our political landscape. Over the past several years, I have witnessed members of each political party lobbing ever-increasing insults and accusations at one another. While this has always been a part of American politics, our current political landscape is not status quo. The average American, who typically does not engage everyday politics has suddenly become a political activist. The premise of these insults and accusations has a direct correlation to the “perceived” views of the other side. Don’t be fooled. The “perceived” views are created and flamed by the very people you and I have elected to office. They are using us as puppets and chess pieces in a game to push their own personal agenda(s). We have been convinced that to achieve victory, one’s chosen party must be in power. This is simply not true. When you have a properly functioning
government with healthy negotiations, there will be victories on both sides of the aisle, regardless of party majority. It is the political extremists from each party (wolves in sheep’s clothing), and you know who I am referring to, that are creating the roadblocks to the true intent of the framers of our Constitution. When was the last time a beneficial, bi-partisan bill was passed? In the private business world, you and I would be fired for this type of inaction. So why should we tolerate this in the government world? This is on the politicians; not us. We must hold them accountable. Let’s all stand up to say enough is enough, use our collective voices to be heard, and exercise our right to vote. I’m not going to suggest you vote D or R, but I will suggest we stop voting for the extremists in any political party; the individuals that lack civility, are incapable or unwilling to engage in fair negotiations, or the ones that push false conspiracy theories (yes this comes from both sides of the aisle). These are the corrupt politicians that are turning brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor, friend against friend and slowly destroy our democracy. At the end of the day, aren’t we all Americans? Political views aside, we LETTERS TO THE EDITOR continues on page 41
MARCH 24, 2022
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
Readers’ Poll
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: County supervisors landed at an 89-cent tax rate. How did they do?
LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: How are rising gas prices affecting you?
LETTERS to the Editor continued from page 40
have like ideals and strive for similar things—love, health and happiness. It is time to end the strangle hold elected officials have on us Americans. Standing together, we are stronger. — Jim Vogt, Purcellville
Another Disaster Editor: For the past 75 years, Virginia has been a “Right to Work” State, a law that has kept our businesses competitive and prevented out of state union interference. In 2020, Gov. Ralph Northam signed a Democrat bill allowing local governments to pass ordinances recognizing public service unions as representative agents for collective bargaining. In December, 2021, Loudoun County passed an ordinance allowing collective bargaining for the County’s public work force, some 3,000 employees. The Loudoun Education Association Teachers Union was not included pending the resolution of several outstanding issues and future approval. While the public service unions are primarily focused on wages, benefits, working conditions and labor disputes for their members, teachers’ unions also demand “a seat at the table” when it comes to running public school systems. They want a say in what they will teach, when they will teach and how they will teach our children. Over the past two years, teachers’ unions have shut
PAGE 41
Share your views at loudounnow.com/ polls
down school systems across the country with COVID mask mandates, vaccine mandates and even demands for zero student infections. Where administrators gave into their non-negotiable demands, students suffered the consequences. But that’s only the beginning of union interference. Teachers’ unions have strongly promoted the introduction and teaching of transexual ideologies, to the point of encouraging students without parental consent to question their own gender identity and confronting students too young for a sex education class with pornographic materials. These unions also push the teaching of critical race theory, indoctrinating innocent children of all ages with extreme Communist ideologies of oppressed versus oppressor, racist ideologies of superior versus inferior human beings, and outright lies that this country from its founding until today is fundamentally racist and therefore illegitimate. Unions that impose these radical teachings are intentionally “imprinting” students for the rest of their lives. This approach was used by Hitler’s Nazi Party and remains in use by communist regimes to indoctrinate children from an early, formative age. Teachers’ unions in the U.S. openly profess their leftist ideologies and tactics. They have actively opposed parental involvement in their child’s education up to and including suing parents who inquired about class curricula and protecting teachers proselytizing the most radical ideologies. Terry McAuliffe’s campaign debate gaffe, “that parents do not have a role in what schools teach their kids”, is right off the homepage of union websites. Terry was making a campaign pledge to get union votes and campaign
contributions, 97% of which go to leftist Democrats. Disenfranchising parents from their children’s education, allows the unions, radicalized teachers and leftist school boards to control the narrative and dictate what our children learn. For Loudoun County, a powerful, overreaching union aligned with a woke School Board would be another disaster for LCPS. Teachers most certainly deserve a decent pay scale, compensation and legal protection from a hostile work environment including discrimination, abuse, unfair dismissal, and sexual harassment, but they shouldn’t have to join a union to get them. — Tony Virgilio, Leesburg
Free Speech Editor: Once again, Ben Lenhart has written a great piece in The People’s Constitution [March 10] comparing U.S. implementation of the US Constitution to Russia and the Ukraine invasion. However, I take issue with his statement that “Americans have been free to express even very strong anti-war views (or anti-government views on any other topic).” It seems like this was (is) not the case regarding speech on how best to fight Covid-19. Anyone who didn’t toe the party line regarding vaccines, masks, distancing, etc., was condemned, lost their jobs, shamed, removed from social media, suspended from school, etc. How much better might we have fared if we were able to openly debate pros and cons of various policy actions instead of causing so much harm to our children by closing schools and harm to our fellow citizens by closing their places of work,
worship, and recreation? Nor is it the case for many hot button topics. I think all of us need to consider whether we allow people to have their say and try to listen and understand their point of view instead of immediately declaring them pariahs and shunning them. — Julia Graves, Leesburg
Excessive? Editor: This is in response to a constituent letter from Catoctin District Supervisor Caleb Kershner in which he criticizes the amount of the money spent on the schools. He says it is too much. It would be helpful if Mr. Kershner were to list those areas where he thinks the money is excessive or ill spent. To do less is to object simply to a number and might appear to be just another whack at schools which is a popular sport these days. It is clear from the letter that schools are his favored target. Another of Mr. Kershner’s objections is to the amount of new money requested for schools. From what I read, the county is growing and building new schools is one consequence. These must be adequately staffed, heated, etc., which make the request reasonable. Mr. Kershner further states the money should help the School Board get “its house back in order.” That is an amorphous judgment without specific charges or a fair trial. The School Board, I’m certain, would welcome enlightenment on that point, as would Mr. Kersher’s constituents. — FW Lillis, Leesburg
PAGE 42
Ukraine vigil continued from page 3 All of the people who are in hospitals,” Alisa said. “Everyone in Ukraine is scared and they don’t know what is coming next or what to expect because every day is different than before. When you don’t know what is going to happen to you tomorrow, that is terrifying. I’m lucky and everyone who doesn’t have to do this is lucky. We can’t forget the people who have to go through this horrible event. Let’s all honor all the brave Ukrainians who are fighting for their country in this war.” The Rotary Club of Ashburn and BENEFIT organized the fundraising concert at Black Walnut Brewery on Saturday afternoon. Between band performances, sever-
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
al Ukrainian Americans spoke about the condition’s their family members face in their home country. “In 24 days, everything just went upside down,” one said. Her brother and his family escaped over the border only one day after a bomb fell 50 yards from their home. She said the numbers of casualties are far higher than are being reported in western media—sharing reports that morgues are too full to accept the bodies of those dying in apartment buildings coming under fire by Russian missiles— and an untold number of refugees are dealing with freezing temperatures and those left behind, including many senior citizens left with adequate food, water or medication. Cluster bombs have scattered lethal mines around neighborhoods, adding danger to common activities, she said.
MARCH 24, 2022
She also said fleeing Ukrainians who are forced into Russia are used as props for the government’s propaganda. “So, no one wants to do that. They prefer to die rather than go to Russia.” Another speaker, a native of Kyiv, told of the experience of her sister, who had to leave behind her husband and son as she escaped to safety over the border. She found care with a family of volunteers who provided food and clothing to her. “We were amazed at the kindness and goodness of people who rose to the occasion and gave their help to them. That’s really something commendable at a time when other people show other qualities. “It’s really standing out, these two forces: the goodness and something evil. I don’t have other words to call that,” she said. n
Roads renamed continued from page 3 correctly pinpoint where a caller is located, as well as on first responders to be aware of this change while attempting to reach the caller’ s location by the most efficient means necessary. This will affect not only Loudoun County Fire and Rescue unit response, but other agencies such as the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, the Virginia State Police, the Virginia Conservation Police, the Purcellville Police Department, and responders from other jurisdictions,” Hemstreet wrote. Additionally, Hemstreet raised concerns about the time and effort needed to update the Computer-Aided Dispatch system and the cost of planning and posting new road signs. “The County intends to immediately petition the Commonwealth Transportation Board to reverse its decision to approve the request of the Town of Purcellville to name a portion of Route 7 as Billy Pierce Memorial Pike and request that the entirety of Route 7 within in the County be named Leesburg Pike,” Hemstreet wrote. Some Commonwealth Transportation Board members expressed concern in February about renaming the road in pieces—even after the vote in February, only the parts of the roads in Loudoun have been renamed. Rt. 7 was named Harry Byrd Highway between the Shenandoah River and Loudoun’s eastern border. Without further action, there will remain a
Renss Greene/Loudoun Now
Harry Byrd Highway will now be known as Leesburg Pike, at least in most of Loudoun.
section of road just under three miles long still named for Byrd in Clarke County. And after March’s vote, the road is named Billy Pierce Memorial Pike for an approximately two-mile stretch where it crosses through the Purcellville town boundaries. Loudoun Fire-Rescue Chief Keith Johnson and other county staff members came to the Purcellville Town Council meeting Tuesday night. He suggested the town back off officially renaming the stretch of road and instead pursue a more visible memorial sign on the road while the road officially remains named Leesburg Pike. He pointed to extensive work elsewhere in Loudoun County to
eliminate confusing road names, meant to streamline the work for dispatchers and first responders. Johnson reported the fire and rescue crews have responded to 67 incidents on that two-mile stretch of road since 2019, and the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office has reported 614 incidents. Purcellville Police Chief Cynthia McAlister agreed with those safety concerns when seconds matter. “If there’s a horrific crash out there on that two-mile stretch that is technically the town, or one of my officers is in trouble and I’ve got officers coming in from Clarke County or wherever else, and they’re saying a name that nobody
Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now
Sofiya Lukomsky speaks during the March 19 vigil supporting residents of Ukraine.
has ever heard. … I don’t want anyone’s life to be in danger just because they got confused on a little two-mile strip of roadway.” Purcellville councilmembers responded by wondering whether the county’s Computer-Aided Dispatch System could instead be updated to reflect the multiple names 911 callers may call the road. “Our original intent was not to halfstep this process. We wanted the road to be identified as Mr. Pierce road, not just a marker, because we can put a marker anywhere in the Town of Purcellville,” said Mayor Kwasi Fraser. Council members asked Johnson to return with more information about changing the CAD system before they make a decision. “If you guys can’t unscrew this, and there’s no way to make CADS work that way, then you just tell us you can’t do that,” said CouncilmanTip Stinnette. Rt. 7 was named for segregationist lawmaker and state governor Harry Byrd Sr. in 1968, at the height of the civil rights movement. Byrd led “massive resistance” to close Virginia’s public schools rather than integrate them. Rt. 50 was named for Confederate Col. John Singleton Mosby in 1980. The county government will bear the estimated $621,000 cost to replace the road signs, and Loudoun supervisors have also directed county staff members to develop a grant program to offset related costs for businesses with addresses along those roads. n
MARCH 24, 2022
Budget continued from page 1 During budget deliberations county supervisors trimmed a half-cent off the real estate tax from County Administrator Tim Hemstreet’s budget proposal. Much of that came by trimming back some supervisor-led initiatives rather than county department staffing requests. Actions included slowing the program to roll out body-worn cameras for Sheriff’s Office deputies by canceling a staffing addition to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office, trimming the dedicated revenue source for affordable housing, cutting staff support for collective bargaining with county employee unions. Supervisors also cut funding for a central location for the Department of Economic Development’s small business and minority-owned business programs; those will now move around facilities in the county such as libraries. The county also is delaying local administration of the Health Department for a year. However, with money left over to spend on Monday night before reaching the threshold to push the rate up again, supervisors also added some programs that weren’t proposed for funding or which they had earlier cut, including for traffic deputies stationed as Sheriff’s Office stations around the county, staffing to support the county’s transit system, commonwealth’s attorneys to support the General District Court, a compliance auditor for the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office, a staffer to help handle scheduling leagues and other users of county athletic facilities, and funding to keep a western Loudoun service center open at the former animal shelter near Waterford when renovations are complete later this year.
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
Monday’s final night of budget deliberations also returned to longstanding tensions among supervisors, the School Board and Commonwealth’s Attorney Buta Biberaj. Supervisors unanimously expressed frustration that once again, no school division representatives attended the budget work session despite an invitation. “The absence of an LCPS representative is unacceptable,” said Supervisor Sylvia R. Glass (D-Broad Run), herself a teacher. “We need you here to answer questions. I know that you have people on here that want to support LCPS, and you know, we need someone here to— I’m looking at empty chairs. I don’t even know who to speak to.” School Board member Andrew Hoyler (Broad Run) said he was surprised that no one from LCPS was at the meeting. “Sending a 500 page document/memo in place of sending actuals humans does nothing to rebuild our relationship with our supervisor counterparts,” Hoyler said. The school division’s $1.08 billion request for funding was $75 million increase over last year’s county funding request even as school enrollment still has not returned to pre-pandemic levels. It also was a late-breaking surprise to county budget officers who said they had previously heard a lower estimate of the school district’s budget. Hemstreet rearranged his budget proposal to try to accommodate that higher request; his proposal sent $53.7 million more to the school system than last year, but was still $21.5 million short of the request. Several county government priorities were axed to free up more money for the schools. School Board members will now have to reconcile their budget request with available funding. That will also depend on state funding; the General Assembly has not yet passed a budget.
PAGE 43
Hoyler was the lone vote against the first iteration of the budget because of the potential shortfall. “I thought we could have made more progress than what we did,” Hoyler said. “I was happy a number of my cuts passed, saving over $1,000,000, but there’s still work to be done. I worry many of the proposed cuts when reconciliation rolls around will end up affecting our students, such as the fine arts stipends we passed in a 5-4 vote.” The continued absence of school leaders from county budget meetings did prompt supervisors to revisit how they share revenues with the school system for next year. Following an 8-1 vote, with Supervisor Sylvia R. Glass (D-Broad Run) opposed, the board’s finance committee will reevaluate what portion of county tax revenues should go to the school division. Traditionally, county leaders have benchmarked 66% of new tax revenues for allocation to the school division as a starting point. But the taut relationship between the boards resulted in no reduction to Hemtreet’s recommended school funding, despite a push from supervisors Caleb E. Kershner (R-Catoctin) and Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) to cut just over $12 million from the budget Monday. Buffington argued that would have funded teacher raises and no more. Commonwealth’s Attorney Buta Biberaj also again faced criticism from the dais. Biberaj has argued throughout her term that her office is understaffed, and continued that push for more positions this year, but won limited additional staffing. Supervisors approved four new positions for her office this year, for a sexual assault response team. County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said “there is no way we can just ignore what happened this year, with the
Police shooting continued from page 1 Her body was transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Manassas for examination and autopsy. The stabbing victims were taken to Loudoun Inova Hospital for treatment of injuries described as non-life-threatening. No deputies were injured. The Virginia State Police is conducting the investigation at the request of the Sheriff’s Office. Once completed, state police will turn its investigative findings over to the Commonwealth’s Attorney for review and final adjudication. Commonwealth’s Attorney Buta Biber-
Hayley Milon Bour/Loudoun Now
The Virginia State Police is investigating an incident in which Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office deputies fatally shot a woman who was allegedly wielding a knife at a Potomac Falls apartment building.
aj issued a statement noting her office does not have staffing to conduct independent investigations but will review the investi-
gative findings of the Virginia State Police and report any decisions following that. The procedure is similar to that em-
case where a person lost their life.” Last year, Regina Redman-Lollobrigido was allegedly killed by her husband with a hammer, after he was released on bond pending another trial for allegedly abducting, strangling and assaulting her. Biberaj’s office has been criticized for recommending more people for pre-trial release—including for violent crimes— and for falling participation in diversion programs like drug court and the mental health docket. “I continue to be alarmed that Community Corrections has to continue to come to us for more funding for more positions because the commonwealth’s attorney allows these people, violent criminals, dangerous criminals, to be released from jail simply with a GPS monitor,” said Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg). Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) pointed out the Board of Supervisors has now heard that concern from multiple directors of Community Corrections, and said there was “clear communication” from that department and the Sheriff’s Office with concerns in that case. “The consequences of being wrong in that instance are fatal, and we’ve now seen that,” he said. And Randall pointedly moved to direct the equivalent amount of funding for an assistant commonwealth’s attorney instead to the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter, a nonprofit that does not fall under county government but receives direct funding support from the county. That position would be a liaison with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. Supervisors approved that funding unanimously. Supervisors will hold their final vote on the county budget, formalizing all the edits made during budget work sessions, April 5. n ployed in 2013 when Loudoun deputies fatally shot a woman at the Sterling Costco. The woman was a contractor handing out food samples and became agitated, welding a knife. She was shot when she allegedly lunged at deputies and attempts to use a TASER were unsuccessful. Following that investigation, then Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Plowman brought no charges against the deputies. In that case investigators relied on video footage from security cameras in the store; however, the shooting was not caught on camera. Since then, the Sherriff’s Office has invested in body-worn cameras for deputies. At least one of the deputies involved in the Ellicott Square case were equipped with cameras. n
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 44
MARCH 24, 2022
10% OFF
kitchen and bathroom remodeling (minimum job required $40k)
We do inspired remodels that make you WANT to stay in your kitchen and relax in your baths! Visit our showroom in Leesburg, meet with an expert and find your inspiration.
213 Crescent Station Terrace SE Leesburg | 703.793.8307 | VIRGINIAKITCHENANDBATH.COM