Loudoun Now for April 4, 2024

When, How & Where to Watch It

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.org

On Monday North America will experience another total solar eclipse, just seven years after the last one.

This eclipse marks the third that will cross over the continent in a decade fol-

lowing one last October and the total solar eclipse in August 2017.

While only a small portion of the continent will be in the path of totality—where the moon’s shadow completely covers the sun putting that area into darkness—Loudoun County will experience about 87-90% max coverage, depending

on where you are between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The maximum coverage is expected at 3:19 p.m., according to experts.

A total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and the

ECLIPSE 2024 continues on page 36

Supervisors Adopt $6.9B Budget, 86.5 Cent Tax Rate; Schools Get Full Funding

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

County supervisors on Tuesday adopted the fiscal year 2025 budget totaling $6.9 billion with a real property tax rate of 86.5 cents per $100 of assessed value.

Only Supervisor Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin) opposed the adoption, while Supervisor Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) was absent for the vote.

The 86.5 cent rate is a one-cent reduction, but average bills will still likely increase by $200 this year because of higher property assessments.

The budget fully funds the $1.3 billion request by Loudoun County Public Schools by recognizing an additional $19 million allocated to the division in the state budget, which is still being considered by Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Counting the $19 million, LCPS will receive $131 million more than last year.

The budget also holds the personal property tax rate at $4.15 per $100 of value. Supervisors have discussed separating personal property tax rates on vehicles from com-

BUDGET ADOPTED continues on page 8

Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now

Huge crowds came to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center on Aug. 21, 2017, to view the last solar eclipse visible in the region. The museum will be hosting a similar watch party next week.

National Trust Celebrates Oatlands

‘Reopening’ Saturday

Loudoun Now Taps Experienced Fundraiser as Executive Director

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudoun.org

It has been five months since the National Trust took over management of the Oatlands House and Gardens. On Saturday, families are invited to join in a “grand reopening” of the historic property and get a sample of the extensive community and educational programing it will be offering.

Oatlands, located south of Leesburg along Rt. 15, was established in 1798 by George Carter, who operated a farm, mills, and vineyard on nearly 2,000 acres. By the 1860s, the operations were supported by more than 100 enslaved people.

After the Civil War, in 1903, the property was acquired by William Corcoran Eustis. His heirs donated Oatlands—400 acres including the Greek Revival mansion—to the National Trust in 1965, along with a $500,000 endowment for its upkeep.

In addition to the Federal mansion, the property is notable for its extensive gardens, pioneering propagation

OATLANDS REOPENS

continues on page 37

Vietnam Vets Honored during Leesburg Ceremony

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

A Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony on the courthouse lawn Friday held special significance for two of the county’s Circuit Court judges—Douglas L. Fleming Jr. and James E. Plowman Jr.

Both shared stories of close family members who fought in the conflict that lasted nearly 20 years and claimed the lives of 58,279 U.S. servicemembers. Last year marked the 50-year anniversary of President Richard Nixon ordering the return of the last troops.

Fleming told the story of his father-inlaw, who survived the war but died “an untimely death” years later.

“There were many other casualties that could not be readily counted,” Fleming said. “My father-in-law never spoke of Vietnam. I think that was because he experienced things so profound that they can only be discussed, if at all, among other veterans.”

He said his father-in-law almost never slept during his time in Vietnam because he was worried about night attacks and would smoke cigarettes to keep himself awake.

“Since he felt great responsibility for

the lives of his soldiers, he stayed awake, and he smoked a carton of cigarettes every 36 hours to help him do that,” Fleming said. “That’s 4,000 cigarettes a month. That’s 48,000 cigarettes a year. I have little doubt that this practice—a survival mechanism in Vietnam and a way to stay awake and be available for his Marines—contributed significantly to his untimely death some years later.”

For context Fleming said during World

War II, infantry men in the South Pacific saw approximately 40 days of combat in four years, while the infantry men in Vietnam averaged 240 days of combat in one year.

“Our Vietnam veterans answered their country’s call to duty. They fought with valor. They were the greatest of their generation, and they fought not only to preserve freedom here in America, but freedom for our allies, and especially the people of South Vietnam,” he said.

Plowman shared the story of his father, a bombardier navigator whose plane was shot down while conducting a night strike. Both he and the pilot were declared missing in action.

Plowman never met his father, a missing link that deeply impacted his life.

“When your family and your friends are telling you about your dad and he’s no longer with you, you don’t hear any of the bad stories. You only hear all the good stories. How he was a tremendous athlete, scratch golfer and just very well liked and personable and outgoing and all those things that I wish I could have known myself,” he said.

His parents met in Guam, both the

VETS’ CEREMONY continues on page 17

The board of directors at Loudoun Community Media, the parent nonprofit of Loudoun Now, has named Leesburg resident Kurt Aschermann, an experienced nonprofit fundraiser, as its executive director to run the business side of the weekly newspaper during its transition to a nonprofit model.

“When we set out to hire a worldclass fundraiser, we never imagined we’d find one living a five-minute walk from the newspaper office,” Board Chairman Tony Nerantzis said. “Kurt’s nonprofit experience and commitment to the community is exactly what Loudoun Now needs at this time.”

Aschermann has been a resident of Leesburg for 16 years. Before retirement and the opening of a consulting firm, he served as chief marketing and development officer for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, where he supervised a staff that managed BGCA’s fundraising and marketing operations nationwide. There he created and implemented a fund-raising strategy for the organization that saw national revenue (local clubs, national office combined) go from $350 million to $1.2 billion in a little over 10 years.

“As a longtime resident of Loudoun County, I have always admired the work of Norman Styer and his dedicated team,” Aschermann said. “I’ve also watched nationally as local newspaper after local newspaper has closed because traditional funding models just can’t provide resources needed anymore. I am excited by the challenge of helping Loudoun Now transition to a nonprofit model to guarantee its long-term viability.”

Loudoun Now was founded in

ASCHERMANN continues on page 7

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Bugler Richard Bruns plays taps on the Loudoun County courthouse lawn following a ceremony to honor Vietnam veterans March 29.

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now Oatlands will be open for free tours Saturday as part the National Trust’s grand reopening celebration for the historic property.

Aschermann

Loudoun

Work Begins on Rural Historic Villages Planning

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

After nearly an hour-long discussion Tuesday night, the Board of Supervisors approved the framework to begin updating the Rural Historic Village designation and classification criteria in the comprehensive plan.

The amendment is included in the board’s priorities adopted earlier this year. The 2019 General Plan calls for the county to work with rural historic villages to develop community plans to address concerns including land use, zoning, economic development, resources, facilities, utilities and transportation. Each would have a small area plan designed to assist in the protection and vitality of the community.

Director of Planning and Zoning Daniel Galindo said this policy update, estimated to take nine months, was only the first step in a broader strategy.

A first step is to decide which communities to include in the work.

“The intention for this is to confirm

ON THE Agenda

Solarize VA to Offer Homeowners Free Assessments

County homeowners and small businesses have the opportunity to sign up to learn more about solar power options specific to their property through Solarize Virginia.

The program offers free assessments, streamlined installation and discounted pricing on solar systems from vetted installers. Solarize Virginia also connects participants with information on the current 30% federal solar tax credit and other incentives, including the Solar Renewable Energy Certificates. Property owners in Loudoun also may be eligible for Loudoun County’s Solar Energy Tax Exemption.

Three virtual information sessions will be held Tuesday, April 9 at noon, Wednesday, May 15 at 6 p.m. and Monday, June 3 at 3 p.m.

the list and or make any additions or subtractions to it so that we know the overall number so that if we do need some board support from a financial standpoint to hire consultants, we know what we’re seeking,” he said.

Before the board began discussions a few community members asked the board to consider creating small area plans for some villages even as they work on the

HISTORIC VILLAGES

continues on page 6

NextEra Applies for Western Loudoun NIETC Designation

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

NextEra Energy has filed a request with the Department of Energy to have western Loudoun and parts of Maryland designated as a National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor.

To expedite the permitting and construction process of transmission lines in geographic areas where there is an urgent need for improvement, the Secretary of Energy is authorized to designate any area as a NIETC. That designation allows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue permits for the siting of transmission lines even if state authorities have denied an application.

For Loudoun residents, this means that even if the State Corporation denies

plans for transmission lines, FERC can override that decision.

Loudoun Senior Land Use Field Representative with Piedmont Environmental council Gem Bingol said her organization was contacted by NextEra alerting them of the company’s request.

The deadline to submit proposals for a NIETC designation was Feb. 2. Proposals are being screened and qualifying proposals are expected to be posted in the next week or two.

After that list is released, a 45-day window is opened for the public to submit comments on the proposed designations. The list will also include preliminary boundaries of the corridors and high-level explanations as to why the potential considerations are moving forward.

After the 45-day window closes the

DOE will narrow the list of potential NIETCs and assess each request.

The PJM Interconnection Board of Managers, the entity responsible for coordinating power transmission across all or parts of 13 states including Virginia, approved in December a proposal by NextEra to build a 130-mile 500 kV transmission line, known as the MidAtlantic Resiliency Link, that would cross Loudoun. The line was one of 15 approved by the board to address the reliability needs of the region.

Plans for the line will be submitted to the SCC for approval before the company can begin construction. Bingol said that is expected to happen in December.

NIETC continues on page 7

Solarize Virginia is sponsored by the Local Energy Alliance Program in partnership with the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and participating municipal governments, including Loudoun County. The 2024 program runs through June 30.  Register for the sessions at solarizeva.org/events.

Ryan Road Project Meeting Set

County staff members will hold an online meeting April 18 to provide information on plans to widen Ryan Road to four lanes between Evergreen Mills Road and Beaverdam Drive.

The session will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Members of the public are invited to join the virtual meeting, ask questions and provide input about the project. Login into the meeting at loudoun. gov/ryanroadwidening. Members of the public must sign up by noon April 17 to ask questions during the event by noon April 17. n

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Director of Planning and Zoning Daniel Galindo answers questions by the Board of Supervisors about staff’s proposed project plan to develop criteria and a list of rural historic villages in the county, April 2.

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Historic villages

continued from page 4

larger policy changes proposed by staff. Those would be “core villages,” or ones that would be included in the designation regardless of the criteria ultimately determined by the board after staff ’s completion of the project.

ning, I don’t really have any additional project managers to offer to run numerous other planning projects, so we would have to reprioritize what’s there,” Galindo said.

Supervisor Laura A. TeKrony (D-Little River) said she was concerned that the proposed project plan did not have enough community input.

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“I know out here there’re villages that don’t exist anymore for whatever reason— they’ve been developed, economic reasons—but we need to preserve the ones that we have remaining,” Bill Bogart said.

Lucketts resident Patricia Logue agreed, adding that doing both projects together would allow for a more cohesive story to be told across all the county’s rural villages.

“Without that, [cohesive story] I think future boards are just looking at more zoning exceptions coming before you. That’s not a good thing. A concurrent plan should result in good zoning, strong zoning that does not require exceptions to come before you,” she said.

Supervisor Michael Turner (D-Ashburn) said he was confused by the suggestions and asked what benefit there would be to running two projects at once.

Galindo said he thought residents were concerned about how long it would take for the comprehensive plan amendments to be completed, but he added planning staff already is working on other comprehensive plan amendments creating a heavy workload.

“At the end of this, our intention is that we will know whether we are potentially creating smaller plans for eight geographies, 10, 12, 16, whatever the number ends up being after we complete this process. At that point, it will be up to the board’s direction of whether we do that literally one at a time, or whether we seek funding and the potential to work with a consultant to come and do four or six or some number of them simultaneously,” he said.

Galindo said completing the criteria list first would create a better roadmap for the staff and the board to draft small area plans for individual villages.

Supervisor Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin) said he understood that the staff wanted to take a comprehensive approach to the update, but asked, if they already knew some villages would already meet the criteria, if it would make sense to begin small area plans for those villages.

“The fact of the matter is, at this point with the number of items on the workbench, especially for community plan-

“I think we got to get in the village and start meeting with the community and start coming up with the plan, start mapping them,” she said.

TeKrony unsuccessfully made a motion to send the plan to the board’s Transportation and Land Use Committee to allow supervisors to dive more deeply into the idea of a parallel process.

County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) agreed that talking to community members was important. She said “crossroad communities,” such as Howardsville and Willisville, have been excluded from village designations in the past.

“We are missing, with the exception of St. Louis, historically African American places,” she said.

She said getting the amendments right is more important than getting them done quickly.

“I have not heard the community say to me ‘go faster, go faster, go faster.’ That’s not what I’m hearing. I’m hearing the community say, ‘be dedicated to getting this done,’” she said.

The 2019 General Plan recognizes 12 communities as Rural Historic Villages. They are Aldie, Bluemont, Bowmantown, Lincoln, Loudoun Heights, Lucketts, Neersville, Paeonian Springs, Philomont, St. Louis, Taylorstown and Waterford.

With the board action Tuesday night, the county will begin the 10-step project, including receiving board approval, holding a focus group meeting, a study period, developing RHV designation criteria, drafting the RHV list, hosting a community meeting, incorporating input from the community, holding a second focus group meeting, public hearings and finally, board adoption.

The focus group will consist of residents involved in the Loudoun Historic Village Alliance, Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition and possibly other organizations.

At the end of the project, the county expects to have an updated list of rural historic villages, surveys for all existing villages, an internal classification system based on the criteria for designation, revised maps and text for the 2019 General Plan, revised maps and text for the zoning ordinance, and revised GIS layers. n

NIETC

continued from page 4

The company has pledged to work with the Loudoun community to build the project, according to a Dec. 11 press release. Bingol said there is a possibility that the company will hold community meetings in May or June.

In January, FERC approved a request by PJM Interconnection that NextEra Energy be refunded its costs for the project if it is abandoned or canceled.

Bingol said it was important to remember that that the NIETC designation is only one part of a much larger regulatory puzzle.

“It’s useful for us to be understanding that process and how it fits into the big picture and all of the players involved in everything that’s causing this huge crush of [power] demand,” she said. “Because this isn’t just data centers but all the investors interested in what data centers offer.” n

Aschermann

continued from page 3

2015 to bridge the gap left by the abrupt closure of one of Loudoun’s countywide newspapers. Its content is updated daily at LoudounNow.com and a print edition is mailed to homes in Ashburn, Leesburg and western Loudoun and available for free at more than 100 locations around the county.

With the decline of print advertising revenue that has forced many newspapers

to close, Loudoun Now took the proactive step to switch to a nonprofit model that is spreading across the nation.

The new model reinforces Loudoun Now’s commitment to provide community-supported journalism that is always free to its readers.

Aschermann will be responsible for carrying out the Board’s strategic plan of supplementing paid advertising with voluntary donations from readers and new forms of revenue such a corporate underwriting and event sponsorships. n

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Budget adopted

continued from page 1

puter equipment later this year if allowed by the General Assembly.

Also included in the budget is an increase of $41 million for staff compensation, including a 7% merit increase for general employees, a step increase of 9.4% for fire and rescue personnel and Sheriff ’s Office deputies. The adopted budget will add 256 new positions to the county’s workforce and $7.4 million dedicated to affordable housing. County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) during a budget work session successfully made a motion to have a future discussion on whether to dedicate an additional $7.4 million of the anticipated fiscal year 2024 surplus to housing programs.

Kershner said he opposed the adoption for two reasons. He said more effort should have been taken to provide tax relief and he was concerned about the amount of funding for the school system amid declining enrollment rates.

He said he would rather see the board start with a budget based on the equalized tax rate, the rate at which tax bills will be held level on average, and build from there.

“I think what has happened is, over the last five years we have raised the average tax rate $1,200 on the average house, and that doesn’t even include personal property tax,” he said. “And that kind of builds up after a while. So, I think there’s a better and a more efficient way to do this that will provide more tax relief and more restraint for the way that we do it.”

Kershner said he was concerned about proficiency rates in the school division, citing that 14 of the county’s 17 middle schools scored below proficiency in writing, six of them are below proficiency in all subjects and only three are above proficiency in every subject.

He also said amid enrollment numbers declining, administrative positions have increased. “Teachers have increased by 9%. And administrative positions have increased by 14.3%. So, I think these are things that we really need to seriously look at,” he said.

But Randall said it also was important to know that Loudoun has the highest proficiency numbers in the commonwealth, a 96% graduation rate, and that LCPS ranks among the top five school systems in the country.

“As we talk about things that are an issue, we should also talk about the things that are a huge, huge success,” she said.

Vice Chair Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) disagreed with Kershner’s claim that real estate bills had increased significantly.

“The reason folks may be paying a little bit more out of pocket is because the values of their homes went up. And for most people, I would think that’s a good thing, because for most people who own homes, that’s their generational wealth. I’m an average homeowner and my taxes have not gone up $1,200 or $1,000. They just haven’t since I’ve been in office,” she said.

Briskman said when she was first elected, the tax rate was $1.06 per $100 of assessed value.

Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles), who chairs the board’s finance committee, said the budget had taken a lot of work from both supervisors and the county staff.

“This budget is, as always, a compromise document. I think each of us individually, if we’re writing our own budgets, they all may look a little bit differently, but we kind of do our best to find consensus,” he said.

Letourneau said he also was concerned about the rate of growth in the school system.

Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg) said she was happy that the budget fully funded schools and provided salary increases for first responders.

“If we are to maintain a lower tax rate than our friends in Fairfax and the rest of the region, we need to have the strongest business community in the region,” she said. “And right now, that’s the data center industry. They provide almost our entire operating budget on the county side. Without them, our taxes would go up on our average homeowner somewhere between 65% and 77%. So, that sector is critically important to us being able to lower the tax rate by a full penny this year, as it has been for the last several years. And I just want to say, I very much appreciate what the data center industry has done for the taxpayers of Loudoun County.”

Letourneau agreed that data centers were an important part of the county’s economy.

“We do have the lowest tax rate in Northern Virginia, and we should be mindful of how we got there and then be managing what that transition looks like in the future. Which is why I’m saying I think we will have to have some more difficult conversations as things evolve because we’re just going to have less than new revenue coming in that helps offset our expenditures,” Letourneau said.

Supervisor Sylvia R. Glass (D-Broad Run) said she was also glad that the budget was funding merit increases for county staff and that she was happy it was allocating funding for affordable housing. n

Input Sought on Brandon Park Playground

In response to public concerns about plans to replace the playground equipment at Brandon Park, staff members from Leesburg’s Parks & Recreation Department will host three public input sessions about the project this week.

The meetings are scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. Saturday, all at the park, located at 878 Harrison St.

Also participating in the sessions will be the town’s ADA coordinator and a representative from Playground Specialists, Inc., the contractor hired to oversee the project. The current playground at Brandon Park was installed in 2008 and has reached its lifespan.

An online public survey to gauge feedback on the design of the playground project will be made available beginning at the meetings and will continue through April 30.

The replacement had been slated to begin last week, but was halted after residents raised concerns about the design of the new playground, which some said would not be as useable for toddlers.

Third Roy Rogers Planned

Roy Rogers Restaurants plans to open its third Leesburg location late next year after signing a lease at the Peterson Companies’ The Shops at Russell Branch commercial center.

Planned for the site is a smaller 2,800-square-foot, drive-through prototype store design.

“This is a terrific opportunity to expand our reach to new businesses and homes emerging in a rapidly growing submarket. Russell Branch is convenient to these new customers and compliments our current restaurants serving the downtown historic district” said Co-President of Roy Rogers Restaurants, Jim Plamondon. “The Roys brand has fostered deep community

ties in Leesburg for over 40 years and the town’s support has been truly inspiring.”

Meeting Planned for Downtown Streetlights

The town staff will hold an informational meeting on the next phase of the Downtown Streetlights Project on Thursday, April 11, beginning at 7 p.m.

The town is replacing streetlight poles and fixtures with new streetlights similar to those recently installed as part of the Market and King Street intersection project. The new lights will be installed on Market Street, between King and Liberty streets; Loudoun Street, between King and Liberty streets; and Wirt Street, between Loudoun and Market streets. A new light fixture will also be added to the signal pole at the southeast corner of Loudoun and King streets intersection. Curb ramps for pedestrian crossings within the project area will also be improved to better meet requirements associated with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The meeting will take place in the Lower-Level Conference Room of Leesburg Town Hall. Presentation materials will be posted to the project webpage following the session.

Exhibit: From Gaslights to Running Water

As part of the downtown First Friday activities, Donaldson Log Cabin on Loudoun Street on April 5 will feature a pop-up exhibit exploring the stories connected with the establishment and evolution of utilities in Leesburg.

Visitors will learn what downtown was like by gaslight, when the first electric lights were installed and where, and the work to keep fresh water running.

The exhibit will include historic records related to utilities from different eras.

It will be open from 5 to 7 p.m. at 14 Loudoun St. n

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.

fairhousing@dpor.virginia.gov

www.fairhousing.vipnet.org

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Heritage Students Harvest in Plant the Moon Challenge

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.org

The eight-week Plant the Moon Challenge for seven teams at Heritage High School came to an end March 18-22, as students harvested their plants and collected final data for the competition.

One thousand teams across the globe are participating in the Plant the Moon Challenge; an eight-week competition in conjunction with NASA that gives students around the globe the opportunity to take lunar regolith, or moon dirt without the organisms that sustain life, and grow vegetables with whatever additives they choose. Heritage students are participating under the direction of biology teacher Amy Goodyear.

Team Red Russian Kale harvested their plants March 12 because they had reached maturity a few weeks early. Team Tuscan Raiders harvested their plants March 20. Both teams meticulously collected data as they removed their plants from the mixtures of lunar regolith, potting soil and the additives they chose as a group.

Team Red Russian Kale added bat guano to one of their three groups to see if the additional nitrogen would support the plant growth.

Education Ziegler’s Attorney Objects to New Trial

Team Tuscan Raiders chose to add a fungus to one of their groups to see if it would negatively or positively impact the growth of the Tuscan kale.

Emily Kolas from Team Red Russian

Kale said she was surprised at how purple the plants turned.

HARVEST MOON

Continues on page 12

Claude Moore Community Builders Program Opens Applications

After the conclusion of the 2023-24 Claude Moore Community Builders program in March, applications are now open for the 2024-25 course until April 28.

The program has been connecting Loudoun County teens with volunteer opportunities at local nonprofits since 2007.

The recently completed 10-month program included 40 students from 17 high schools who contributed 3,776 hours of volunteer work to 35 nonprofits in Loudoun. Of the 40 “Builders” in the cohort, 30 earned President’s Volunteer Service Awards— five Gold, three Silver, and 22 Bronze.

CMCB participants are matched with nonprofits where they serve as volunteer interns. The builders also participate in group service activities where they pro-

vide support to organizations holding special events, such as the Ryan Bartel Foundation’s annual 5K Color Run, tournaments sponsored by the Special Olympics, and the Sterling Foundation’s annual SterlingFest.

Participants are also required to attend training sessions where they learn professional skills they will use throughout their lives. Topics covered during these trainings include communication, leadership, collaboration, and mental health. Applicants to this widely recognized, teen volunteer and leadership program must be rising 10th to 12th grade Loudoun County students.

Learn more and apply to be part of the 2024-25 class at loudounyouth.org. n

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.org

Fired Loudoun Superintendent Scott Ziegler is objecting to plans to hold a new trial on allegations that he illegally retaliated against a teacher after a jury’s conviction verdict was overturned.

In a motion filed March 18, Ziegler’s attorney Erin Harrigan stated she agreed with County Circuit Court Judge Douglas L. Fleming Jr.’s March 6 decision to set aside the verdict based on concerns that one of the instructions given to the jury omitted an important element prosecutors must prove for the actions to be a crime.

However, she objected to Fleming’s conclusion that there was sufficient evidence to convict him of the misdemeanor. She wrote that his written opinion was based on an incorrect definition “knowing” the actions were illegal and failed to acknowledge trial testimony concerning the firing of special education teacher Erin Brooks.

As part of a special grand jury investigation into the school division’s 2021 sexual assault scandal, Ziegler was charged by the Attorney General’s Office with three misdemeanors—false publication, prohibited conduct, and penalizing an employee for a court appearance. The latter two charges are related to the firing of Brooks who, after reporting she was repeatedly groped by one of her students, filed two Title IX complaints. She testified before the special grand jury, and spoke out at the School Board meeting on the night her termination was approved by the School Board.

Ziegler was found guilty Sept. 29 of retaliation against Brooks, but was found not guilty for penalizing her for making a court appearance.

Continues on page 12

Claude More Community Foundation

Claude Moore Community Builders Program 202324 participant Anuj Adhikari poses for a photo with County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) and Senior Executive Director William Hazel during his graduation ceremony.

Alexis Gutsin/Loudoun Now

Brayan Rivas Castro of Team Red Russian Kale prepares to harvest one of the teams plants.

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Harvest moon

continued from page 10

“That was interesting. I don’t know what that means but I don’t think it has anything to do with the changes we added [to the soil], I just think it was how they were supposed to grow,” she said.

Her teammate Alex Nika disagreed and thought it was the lunar regolith that made it change colors.

Vivian Nguyen said the stems were supposed to turn purple, but they noticed the leaves changed color as well.

“We either think that is because they are almost overly mature or getting to that point, or maybe it’s because of the lunar regolith because we were doing some research and that is maybe a little uncommon,” Nguyen said.

As the team carefully harvested the plants from all three groups, they noticed a few things about each that they will add to their research paper.

One observation was for their group of plants with 85% lunar regolith and 15% potting soil the roots of several plants had grown outside of the pot.

Nguyen said they aren’t sure exactly what that means, but she said she thinks the plant was adapting to its environment and looking for ways to get more water or more nutrients since there was so much lunar regolith.

The teams other two groups had 50% lunar regolith and 50% potting soil and 85% lunar regolith, 4% potting soil and 11% bat guano.

When team Tuscan Raiders harvested their plants on March 20 they found some had died or were very brittle.

Ziegler trial

continued from page 10

During a sentencing hearing in January, Harrigan sought to set aside the verdict arguing the General Assembly didn’t intend for there to be a crime associated with the offense. She argued an additional element of the retaliation offense—that it was a knowing violation— needed to be introduced by prosecutors during the trial and a more specific additional instruction dealing with that requirement should have been given to the jury.

Special Assistant to the Attorney General Brandon Wrobleski said in January that the defense’s claim that the commonwealth failed to prove an element of the

They think they lost plants as a result of human error because plants that were further from the main watering source weren’t getting enough water.

The team used a water wicking system that watered each plant through a cotton rope emersed in water. The water was absorbed into the rope and released into each plant.

As they harvested they noted the groups with 50% lunar regolith, 25% potting soil and 25% worm castings grew well. They said their group with the added fungus grew slower but did extremely well.

Anna Britt said the plants in the group with the added fungus appeared to be

crime came too late—after the jury issued a verdict and after the defendant agreed to the jury instruction.

Fleming took seven weeks to review the arguments and issued an opinion earlier this month that set aside the verdict and ordered a new trial.

In that opinion, Fleming agreed that jury instruction 12, which was agreed to by both parties during trial, left out an essential element that was required to prove Ziegler’s prohibited conduct was a crime. However, Fleming refused to dismiss the indictment against Ziegler, saying he believed there was sufficient evidence to sustain the conviction and ordered a new trial.

“The record contains ample evidence to support a jury’s conclusion that the defendant knowingly retaliated against

they said overall they felt their experiment had been a success. Some even expressed surprise the plants with lunar regolith grew.

“We thought the plants with mostly lunar regolith would die but they didn’t and we were expecting the ones with all earth soil and no additives to do the best but in the end the plants with lunar regolith and fungus grew better than earth soil alone,” Britt said.

The students said they were happy the experiment was over but said they would miss checking in on their plants every day.

“I’m sad it’s over, it was a nice experience and a really cool experiment. I hope we get best in show,” Simran Kanchi said.

“It was a good experience to learn how to set up an experiment and something that will actually have an impact on the world,” Chloe Abbiss said.

higher quality and looked healthier, with more leaves and ones that were darker in color than other groups in their experiment.

She noted their plants didn’t grow as big as other teams at the school.

The team saw slow growth from the beginning of the project starting with seed germination that was due to the plant needing longer to germinate and needing a thaw and freeze cycle.

At the half way point of the experiment, team member Yaseen Shakeeb pointed out that their plants were growing, just at a slower rate because of the germination time.

As the team harvested on March 20

Erin Brooks for expressing views on matters of public concern or for exercising a right that was otherwise protected by law,” Fleming said in the letter opinion.

Harrigan argued there was not, saying the commonwealth failed to prove a “knowing” violation defined in Virginia code.

“Even assuming the Commonwealth proved Dr. Ziegler engaged in prohibited conduct, it presented no evidence Dr. Ziegler specifically “[knew]” his conduct was “prohibited or required” by the Conflict of Interest Act,” the motion stated.

Harrigan wrote that the jury saw no evidence Ziegler “received training, communication, education or guidance about the Conflict of Interest Act” or knew “recommending a probationary teacher for nonrenewal could have been a violation

“I would have liked to have exposed the plants to things found on the moon, like gamma radiation and other stuff but we didn’t have an x-ray machine to put the seeds in,” Britt said.

The final research paper with the conclusions will include details from the eight-week experiment, including daily soil pH levels, how much water the plants got, the height and width of the plants and the width of the leaves.

This is the second year Heritage High School students have participated in the challenge, which was brought to the school by Goodyear. Goodyear also led it for a year at the Academies of Loudoun before bringing it to Heritage.

In 2022, Goodyear’s students were international winners and in 2023 they were named Best in Show for evaluation of results for the state of Virginia. n

of the Act.”

“Put simply, the evidence about a ‘knowing’ violation was insufficient because it was nonexistent,” she said in the motion.

Harrigan called the ordering of a new trial a mistake, citing a Virginia Supreme Court rule that “no new trial is permitted where the evidence is sufficient only to prove a non-crime.”

Harrigan asked the court to reconsider its decision to order a new trial and again asked the charges be dismissed.

The parties had been set to appear in court March 28 for a hearing to schedule a new trial. That hearing has been moved to April 18.

The Attorney General’s Office did not give comment. n

Alexis Gutsin/Loudoun Now

Vivian Nguyen places a plant on a towel after cleaning off the lunar regolith and potting soil as the team harvested their plants.

Public Safety

Loudoun Couple Charged in Jan. 6 Riot at Capitol

NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

The FBI has charged two Loudoun residents who were photographed among the mob that broke into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, to impede the certification of the presidential election.

Thomas and Daphne Kasperek were arrested at their Lowes Island home March 28 by federal authorities.

They are charged with entering the restricted grounds to disrupt government business and disorderly conduct.

According to the criminal complaint filed by an agent with the FBI Washington Field Offices’ Joint Terrorism Task Force March 21 and unsealed March 28, the couple were identified as suspects through a tip made by phone on Jan. 13, 2021. The tipster, who was interviewed by phone on Jan. 5, 2024, and later provided confirmation matching them to images of suspects captured by camera footage during the riot. Investigators also used cell phone tracking to confirm their location at the Capitol that day, according to the filing.

Evidence showed they entered the cap-

itol at 2:23 p.m. through the Senate Wing door and remained in the Crypt until they were directed by an officer in riot gear to exit the building at 2:35 p.m., according to the filing.

The witness told the FBI investigator that Thomas Kasperek believed the 2020 election was “stolen” and that the couple “shared similar ideologies,” according to the complaint.

Thomas Kasperek in November 2022 filed an injunction against Loudoun County’s Electoral Board and Board of Supervisors challenging the integrity of the November 2020 election based on concerns that the electronic voting machines were made in China. The case was dismissed Jan. 6, 2023.

In December 2022, Daphne Kasperek, a doctor, filed a federal lawsuit against Inova Loudoun Hospital challenging the requirement she be vaccinated for COVID-19. That case ended in a settlement in November.

More than 1,250 people in 50 states have been charged with crimes for their alleged participation in the events at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, according to the Department of Justice. n

SAFETY briefs

Hearing Delayed for Man Accused of Harming Animals

A preliminary hearing for a man charged with three counts of destruction of property was continued until May 21 when he will face additional charges of trespassing and wearing a mask on private property.

The property destruction charges stem from a Nov. 29 incident. Reyan H. Ibrahim, 25, is alleged to have caused $20,000 in damages at a McDonald’s restaurant in Ashburn, a Sheetz store in Sterling, and a Chick Fil A restaurant in Sterling.

The additional charges relate to a Jan. 12 incident when residents encountered a man, suspected to be Ibrahim, who entered their property and attempted to gain access to their animals. They asked him to leave. Later that evening, the owners found two dead ducks on their property. The next day, the owners found the man, this time wearing a mask, entering their property. He again was asked to leave.

Ibrahim was arrested Jan. 15 in Falls Church after he allegedly fatally stabbed a

dog that was being walked by its owner.

Attorneys on Wednesday said Ibrahim is being held at Western State Hospital in Staunton.

Sheriff’s Office Investigating Fatal Motorcycle Crash

The Sheriff ’s Office is investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that happened Sunday night in Ashburn.

Just before 7 p.m. March 31, deputies responded to the area of Moorefield Parkway and Moorefield Boulevard for a report of a crash involving a 2002 Honda motorcycle and a 2015 Honda CRV. The driver of the motorcycle was transported to the hospital and died from the injuries April 1. There were no reported injuries to the occupants in the CRV.

The Sheriff ’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit is investigating the incident. Witnesses to the crash who have not already spoken with law enforcement are asked to contact Investigator Tyler Bradley at 703-777-1021. n

General Assembly Rural Roads Bills Signed Into Law

Youngkin Split on Loudoun Delegation’s Gun Bills

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

Gov. Glenn Youngkin acted on 40 proposed gun laws sent over by the General Assembly, including two introduced by Sen. Russet Perry (D-31) and four patroned by Sen. Suhas Subramanyam (D32) March 26. Of those six, the governor vetoed four, signed one and sent another back with a recommended amendment.

The signed law prohibits the manufacture, sale, possession, transfer and transportation of an auto sear. An auto sear is defined as a device, not a trigger activator, designed to convert a semi-automatic firearm to shoot automatically more than one shot without manual reloading by a single function of the trigger.

That bill was introduced by Perry and co-sponsored by Subramanyam.

“[This] is a bipartisan bill that bans auto sears, small pocketable devices that enable the user to turn a handgun into an automatic weapon,” Perry stated. “I championed this legislation because kids and families in our communities deserve the peace of mind and sense of safety knowing that, amidst quickly changing technology, we can keep rapid-fire weapons off the streets. With the governor signing my bill into law, the commonwealth will

be able to prosecute these crimes at a state level and our communities will be safer.”

Perry said the bill passed the General Assembly with bipartisan support.

Youngkin sent back a recommendation on a bill that would prohibit the manufacturing of undetectable firearms, including those made with a plastic material not detected by security scanners or without serial numbers.

He said he approved of the overall purpose of the bill, but his recommendation included establishing a standard that would make the act a crime only if it was done knowingly. The amendment also would make the crime punishable by mandatory minimum sentences for using a firearm in the commission of a felony.

The three vetoed bills sponsored by Subramanyam would have established a five-day waiting period for firearm purchases after undergoing a background check; prohibited the importation, sale, manufacture or purchase of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and prohibited certain weapons from being carried in public.

In a statement outlining his reasons for vetoing the bills, Youngkin said the proposed five-day waiting period would “impede individuals facing threats of violence from promptly acquiring a firearm

for self-defense” and that Virginia’s existing background check ensures individuals already prohibited by state or federal laws cannot legally purchase firearms.

Subramanyam said he thought a fiveday “cooling off period” would go a long way to reducing suicide and homicide deaths.

“I’ve heard of too many stories of people buying a gun and shooting themselves,” he said. “As a [former] volunteer firefighter and EMT, I responded to attempted suicides.”

He said each gun-related suicide attempt he responded to was successful, but when attempted by other methods the first responders were often able to save the person’s life.

“Guns are very effective way of committing suicides and I think there needs to be a cooling off period between wanting to buy gun and getting it,” he said.

Another bill sponsored by Subramanyam would have prohibited a person from importing, selling, manufacturing or purchasing assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

The bill uses a Virginia Code definition of assault weapon that means any

GUN BILLS

continues on page 15

Daily.

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed bills from the General Assembly that will allow highway construction district grants to be used for gravel road improvements other than paving March 26.

The bills were introduced by Sen. Russet Perry (D-31) and Del. David Reid (D-28) and resulted from collaboration with the Virginia Department of Transportation, county transportation staff members and Loudoun preservation leaders. Del. Geary Higgins (R-30) introduced a similar bill and was added as a patron to Reid’s legislation.

“Today marks a significant milestone as the governor officially signs into law our rural roads legislation,” Reid stated. “Our goal to improve transportation and safety while preserving community heritage and values was a delicate balance. But I am proud to say that through successful collaboration with organizations, groups, and other legislators we were able to make this goal a reality.”

Loudoun County has approximately 250 miles of unpaved roads. Typically, funding from the highway construction grants is routed to the Rural Rustic Roads Program. Reid said that VDOT representatives and county officials interpreted state code to limit the use of that money for paving projects.

The bill clarifies that improvements may include drainage upgrades, new materials and other types of treatment if they will increase safety, reduce maintenance costs, or enhance the historical qualities of the highway without paving them.

“[This] becoming law is a huge victory for western Loudoun and Fauquier Counties, where our rural roads are such an important part of our history and the character of our region,” Perry stated. “The lack of access to resources for proper care of our unique system of rural gravel roads has made many of them difficult to utilize. My bill changes that, and will allow for the proper maintenance of our rural roads,

Gun bills

continued from page 14

semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol that expels projectiles and has a magazine with more than 20 rounds of ammunition or is designed to accommodate a silencer or folding stock.

In response to that bill, Youngkin said the Virginia Constitution prohibits legislators from outlawing a broad category of firearms that are “widely embraced for lawful purposes, such as self-defense.”

A third bill by Subramanyam prohibited carrying a semi-automatic center-fire rifle with a magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds, or a semi-automatic rifle with a detachable magazine that has either a folding, telescoping or collapsible stock, a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the rifle, a second handgrip or protruding grip that can be held by a non-trigger hand, grenade launcher, flare launcher, sound suppressor, flash suppressor, muzzle brake, muzzle compensator or a threaded barrel capable of accepting any of those additions. Semi-automatic shotguns capable of holding more than seven rounds or capable of similar additions would also have been included in the bill.

In his reasoning for vetoing the prohibition of carrying automatic weapons in public, the governor said a law already exists that does not allow brandishing a firearm or holding a firearm in public places that reasonably induce fear of violence.

He said prohibiting carrying a broad category of firearms in public spaces such as sidewalks, roadways, and parks is “unconstitutional.”

Subramanyam said Youngkin’s decision to veto 30 gun-related bills was a “missed opportunity.”

“The community wants to prevent gun violence and not live in fear and people want to feel safe in public spaces,” he said. “We presented common sense solutions to addressing gun violence and this was opportunity to address it and unfortunately the gun lobby won the day.”

A second bill sponsored by Perry and vetoed by the governor and would have added “intimate partner” to the language of current laws prohibiting family members from purchasing and transporting firearms following a misdemeanor conviction of domestic violence assault and battery.

Youngkin stated in his veto explanation that while he condemns domestic abuse, he opposed Perry’s bill. Changing the definition of “family or household”

would have far reaching effects in juvenile and domestic courts and custody cases he said.

“Individuals convicted of felony assault and battery already automatically lose their firearm rights,” he stated. “This proposal, however, aims to extend the prohibition of firearm possession for misdemeanors beyond existing restrictions for family and household members. It would now encompass a vaguely defined category of intimate partners without an objective standard.”

Perry said this bill was an attempt to “close the ‘boyfriend loophole’” in Virginia law calling it an oversight that allows individuals continued access to firearms because they are not married or do not live with their partners.

“As of 2024, 41 states and the District of Columbia have been able to close the ‘boyfriend loophole.’ Many of them used the same definition of ‘intimate partner’ used in my bill, which the governor attempts to hide behind in justifying his veto. The fact that many states have adopted this definition and been able to successfully prosecute abusers is antithetical to the governor’s comments, and highlights at best his ignorance and at worst his acquiescence to the rampant and deadly killing of intimate partners by firearms,” she stated. n

Rural roads

continued from page 14

enabling their use for safe transportation without destroying the character that holds both our history and our legacy.”

The Rural Roads Committee, part of the Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition, has been pushing for legislation to aid in preserving rural roads for years.

“We’re very pleased,” member Emily Houston said. “We’re grateful to Del. Reid and Higgins and Sen. Perry.”

Houston said now the committee will be involved in implementing the program.

“We will be meeting with [the Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure] and VDOT and engaging in discussion with supervisors about how to move this new road improvement program forward,” she said.

Houston said it is important to realize that most of the gravel roads don’t need a complete reworking, rather there are “problem areas” along many of the roads such as inadequate drainage that results in worsening potholes when it rains.

She said they need to pinpoint those problem spots and work to address their problems. n

Local ‘Honor Flights’ Impactful for Area Veterans

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.org

Since 2005, flights filled with veterans have been landing at Dulles Airport as part of the Honor Flight Network, bringing vets from across America to Washington, DC, to tour the war monuments with their brothers in arms.

Many locals have supported the program by volunteering to welcome vets with waving flags and cheers of “thank you” as they deplane and board buses headed into the city.

While many are familiar with this program, not as familiar are Honor Flights for local vets.

“I took my kids and greeted a flight and from then on I was hooked,” said Diane Klopp, founder of the Honor Flight Top of Virginia Hub.

Klopp said after volunteering for a few years she began to wonder what the program did for local vets who didn’t require a flight to DC. She founded the hub in 2016 through the Honor Flight Network and said the following month she had 19 local vets sign up.

The Top of Virginia hub makes trips to see the sites three times a year, once from Loudoun, once from Winchester, and once from Harrisonburg.

“We try to cover as much of the area as we can and get as many veterans as we can,” she said of the area.

The group’s goal is to honor veterans who served in the military in either war or peace time prior to 1976 by taking

them to tour the sites at no cost. Each vet is paired with a guardian, preferably a family member, and provided a seat on the bus, a shirt, three meals, complete access to each of the sites with little walking, including special access to the Tomb

Oldest Military Academy Grads Meet at Falcons Landing

Three of the oldest living graduates of the Navy, Army and Air Force service academies recently met in person at Falcons Landing’s The Compass Club in Sterling.

Col. Herb Stern at age 105 is the oldest graduate of West Point. Capt. Dale Reed, age 104, the second oldest living graduate of the Naval Academy. Both are residents of Falcons Landing. Major Paul Lasen, 90, the oldest graduate of the Air Force Academy, visited the area during an Honor Flight tour from Austin, TX. He made the March 23 visit to meet with other Air Force Academy graduates living in the retirement community.

“They are such a big part of our country and its history, and I am honored to work among such heroes,” Leah Daily, director of Sales & Marketing, said in sharing the story of their meeting. n

of the Unknown Soldier. She said they also take wheelchairs to make moving as easy as possible. Each vet also gets a hard cover photo album of the day’s events and a special greeting when they return.

“We try to give them the welcome home they never got,” she said.

The welcome home consists of volunteers with flags lining the entrance to the parking lot as they return for dinner. She said sometimes the fire department comes with a ladder truck to hoist a big flag.

She said the excursion is more than just seeing the sites.

“It’s the whole day of honor and being with their brothers and sisters experiencing it. When we pull up at the end of the day to cheering crowds so many become emotional because they never had anyone thank them for their service. For Vietnam vets, no one said ‘thank you’ or ‘welcome home,’” she said.

She said it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience and hopes to get the word out to as many area vets and their families so they can take the trip before it’s too late.

She said they have fewer World War II vets and are taking more Vietnam vets.

“It’s a big thing to be able to honor them and to let them know they deserve

HONOR FLIGHTS

continues on page 39

HONOR FLIGHT TOP OF VIRGINIA Veterans, their guardians and the staff of Honor Flight Top of Virginia pose for a picture April 29, 2023.

Courtesy of Falcons Landing

From left, Dale Reed, Herb Stern and Paul Lasen met at Falcons Landing on March 23, 2024.

Vietnam Vet Remembers Service

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.org

Last week, as programs across the country honored the servicemen from the Vietnam War, one local veteran shared some of his memories from America’s most controversial conflict.

Navy Aviator James “Jim” B. Goodwin served in two combat cruises during the Vietnam War, first on the USS Coral Sea and then on the USS Ranger. He flew nearly 200 combat missions during the war with Attack Squadron 155—the Silver Foxes— and earned more than a dozen medals including two Distinguished Flying Crosses.

He was part of what is known as Operation Iron Hand, a joint Air Force and Navy operation conducted between 1965 and 1973 to destroy surface-to-air missile systems in north Vietnam. He said they also destroyed bridges and railroad depots as part of their missions.

“We were in defense mode trying to keep as many of our pilots from being shot down,” Goodman said. “They shot down a lot of Navy and Air Force pilots.”

He said they got to know what type of artillery the enemy was using based on the smoke that went off and the altitude it would get to which was important for their defense.

“Some places we’d see a whole bunch of black clouds, that meant artillery. They didn’t shoot SAMs off like that. They kept those hidden until they actually wanted to fire,” he said.

He said there were attack squadrons with missions to destroy important objects and fighter squadrons which mission was to protect them. Today, he said, the F-18 serves as both an attack and fighter plane.

Goodwin flew an A-4 Skyhawk, a light attack aircraft used heavily during the war.

“I loved to fly that airplane. It was more responsive than any plane I had ever flown,” he said reminiscing about his missions. “It was simple to fly for one and just so maneuverable. It was like having an Italian sports car instead of a Ford model T.”

He said during his first combat cruise he flew the Model E, by his second cruise he was flying a Model F.

“Every time they came out with a new model, it got more powerful and had better equipment that could confuse the enemy,” he said. “We could punch a button and make it seem to the enemy’s radar that were a couple hundred feet away. That

is good ol’ American technology.”

He said they carried ordinance ranging from 500-pound bombs to 2,000-pound bombs, depending on the mission. Some missions had them carrying one 2,000-pound bomb.

“That was a ton of weight hanging on your wing,” he said.

He said his first combat tour lasted approximately nine months and said it could “get long” being away from your family for that long.

Goodwin’s wife and five children lived at Lemoore Naval Air Station in California during the war. He said between combat cruises he was given six to nine months at the base to see family and go through a training cycle. Goodwin said during that time they took advantage of seeing California, traveling four hours one way to visit San Francisco and four hours the other to visit Los Angeles. He said they were able to visit a lot of places, including the ocean and his kids became avid swimmers.

The retired Commander said they didn’t think about dying when they were on the carrier or on missions. He said they had a job to do and they did it.

Goodwin said he experienced many “hairy things” during his cruises, including night missions and night landings on the aircraft carrier.

“You have never focused more on doing something in your life than when you are making a night carrier alignment. You can’t possibly think about anything else; your eyeballs are right on that ship and you are just gripping those controls,” he said, adding with a laugh, “it was great for concentration.”

During night missions you had to rely

on your instruments and your wingman.

“You always had your wingman, it was absolutely necessary,” he said.

The 91-year-old said his “most hairy mission” was a daytime run to the Phuc Yen airbase near the Chinese border, for which he earned a Distinguished Flying Cross.

He said there were about 30 planes on that mission.

“I got a bright idea as we were leaving the target to pull up and lob one over my head and behind us to give us extra time to get the heck out of there and away from them and the SAMs,” he said explaining his maneuver using his hands, showing how his plane went up and then flipped to its side after releasing his weapon.

“I maneuvered in such a way as to be able to launch the weapon and quickly rejoin the rest of the air wing,” he said.

He said he was very lucky—in all his missions he was never hit by a round. But said he lost some great friends, including his mentor, friend and Commanding Officer, William “Bill” Searfus.

“He was the finest commanding officer I ever had. He was a very fine flyer and he was a natural leader, people just flocked to him,” he said, overcome with emotion at the memory.

He said Searfus was warming up an A-4 on the USS Coral Sea when two larger planes blew his plane off the deck.

He also recalled another friend, Fred Fortner, who after a mission flew past the aircraft carrier instead of landing and was never seen again. Goodwin thinks he may have been injured and couldn’t land.

Goodwin served in the Navy for 23 years, from 1956 to 1979. His son followed in his footsteps, graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, and serving for 15 years.

After he retired, Goodwin became a teacher in Fauquier County Public Schools for 20 years, then as a substitute for another 13 years.

He taught Earth Science to eighth and ninth graders and likened the experience to a different form of combat.

He said he hasn’t really flown in a plane as fast and maneuverable as the A-4 since he retired.

“I would love to go supersonic,” he said. “There were guys in my squadron who swore they went supersonic over the pacific in a dive but I didn’t believe a one of them. Pilots are liars,” he said laughing. “They tell good stories sometimes.”

He said if ever given the chance to go back up, he would do it in a heartbeat.

“Oh boy, Let’s go,” he said. n

Vets’ ceremony

continued from page 3

children of military families, and were married Nov. 6, 1966. His father left for the USS Kitty Hawk just two weeks later.

“Even though I never knew him personally, I really feel like I do know him,” Plowman said, recalling that growing up his grandfather would stare at him and say how he had many of the same mannerisms as his father and he looked just like him.

“He was seeing my dad in me,” Plowman said.

It was years after the plane was lost that James Plowman Sr.’s status was changed from missing in action to killed in action. It wasn’t until 2006 that his father’s remains were recovered and returned home, where they now rest at Arlington Cemetery.

Plowman said knowing that people remember the sacrifices his father and his family made are important.

“It’s very encouraging to me because people do remember. They do remember those that are lost. They do remember and now have a great deal of respect for those who didn’t come home,” he said.

County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large), whose father served in Vietnam, also praised the sacrifice of servicemen, acknowledging that their return home to protests had caused deep hurt.

“I know that when they came back, they weren’t always welcomed and all the trauma that came with them coming back, and so I am so grateful for this event for other events that honor our Vietnam veterans in ways that they weren’t honored at that time,” she said.

The ceremony, sponsored by Leesburg VFW Post 1177, the Leonard W. Kidd Memorial American Legion Post 2011 in Ashburn and the Sgt. Maj. John Champe Chapter Virginia SAR Loudoun County, also included a table for the missing man, taps performed by Richard Bruns, and ringing of the bell to honor Vietnam veterans killed while serving. n

Alexis Gutsin/Loudoun Now Ninety-one-year-old Vietnam veteran James “Jim” B. Goodwin. The 23-year Navy veteran shared some of his memories as part of National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

AROUND towns Towns

Town Budgets: A Cost Comparison

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

As the county’s western towns near the end of the year’s budget season, some common challenges facing them have come to the surface, including steep utility rate increases and rising home assessments.

HAMILTON

The Hamilton Town Council has not yet received the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget from the Finance Committee, but Town Treasurer Sherri Jackson said the proposed budget will include a 3% cost of

living increase for staff.

The town has the highest real estate tax rate at 27 cents per $100, which would have the owner of a single-family home assessed at $431,180 paying $1,279 a year.

The council raised utility rates by 10% in November, bringing the water from $5.71 per 1,000 gallons to $6.29 for intown users. Wastewater rates rose $10.88 per 1,000 to $11.97. If the average home uses 4,000 gallons a month, the average bill for in town water users will be $35.81 including a bimonthly $20.90 surcharge. At 4,000 gallons the average in town wastewater customer will see a monthly bill of $55.03 including a $14.30 surcharge. Combined, the average user will pay $90.84 a month.

HILLSBORO

Hillsboro has not yet adopted its FY 2025 budget, but Mayor Roger Vance said he expects to hold a public hearing for it soon.

This fiscal year will be the first that the town offers wastewater service after the recent completion of its treatment plant. Vance said 24 customers are signed up for the service, with the town having to place a temporary halt on new connections because grant funding expected to be used to allow the system to support more customers fell through.

He said the wastewater rate likely would be set higher to support the system temporarily until new grant funding can

TOWN BUDGETS continues on page 20

JK Land Holdings Submits Annexation Application

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

JK Land Holdings has submitted to the Town of Purcellville to annex 117 acres north of the town limits between the Mayfair and Wright Farm neighborhoods.

Last June, owner Chuck Kuhn indicated his interest in a possible annexation when he briefed the Town Council on plans to develop a business park there. The project, known as Valley Commerce Center, envisions 1.3 million square feet of business park/flex industrial space with two entrances into the park. Both would be on Purcellville Road with the northern entrance across from Mayfair Crown Drive.

“The proposed annexation aims to establish a thriving business park on the property, facilitating economic growth and development. By attracting diverse businesses and fostering job creation, the project seeks to invigorate the local economy and contribute to the Town’s prosperity,” according to the statement of justification JK

ANNEXATION APPLICATION continues on page 19

Purcellville Town Council.

PURCELLVILLE

Council Holds Real Estate Tax at 20.5 Cents

The Purcellville Town Council on March 26 adopted a real estate property tax rate of 20.5 cents per $100 of assessed value, keeping it the same as the current fiscal year.

Town Manager Rick Bremseth’s proposed $30.6 million fiscal year 2025 budget is based on the 20.5cent rate.

“In 2024, Purcellville’s real estate assessments increased by 5.82%, primarily driven by a 5.5% increase in existing property valuations and a 0.3% increase due to growth,” Director of Finance Liz Krens told the council.

That increase will result in the average resident’s tax bill going up by $65 a year or $5.46 a month.

The equalized tax rate, which would have kept average bills the same as the previous year, is 19.4 cents.

To reduce the tax rate by 1 cent, the council would have to find $200,000 in cuts or other revenues.

“A decision to reduce the tax rate will require expenditure reductions to avoid drawing on reserves,” Krens said.

The council’s vote to adopt the rate, including maintaining the rate for the Fireman’s Field Special Tax District at 3 cents per $100 of value, for a combined tax rate of 23.5 cents for real estate.

AROUND TOWNS continues on page 19

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Purcellville Town Manager Rick Bremseth, left, and Director of Finance Liz Krens answer questions from the Town Council about the fiscal year 2025 proposed budget March 20.

Annexation application

continued from page 18

submitted by the applicant.

The property is vacant and zoned JLMA3, which allows one house per three acres of land. With the annexation, the company plans to request a rezoning to M-1, limited industrial. That district allows for light manufacturing, processing, wholesale distribution and warehouse uses.

Kuhn told  Loudoun Now in a statement that rezoning the land would allow the project to help meet the needs of local businesses.

“By rezoning these 117 acres that are adjacent to an existing business park in Purcellville, we will be able to serve more small and mid-size businesses that need light industrial and commerce space,” he stated. “The land will not be used for data centers. Keeping business in Loudoun is important to increasing the tax base and employment opportunities.  We will work with the county and community to design an attractive business park with proper buffers.”

AROUND towns

continued from page 18

Recruitment Begins for Police Chief

A month after Police Chief Cynthia McAlister announced her plans to retire May 1, the town has begun recruiting for her replacement.

“Selecting the right candidate to lead Purcellville’s Police Department is an immense responsibility, and one that demands a thoughtful and intentional recruitment,” Mayor Stanley J. Milan stated in an announcement. “Our search must result in a pool of candidates who are both professionally qualified and ready to join our efforts to pursue a community-driven approach to public safety for all.”

The town has enlisted the help of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police to oversee the recruitment process. Prospective candidates will participate in a comprehensive interview process, including one conducted by a distinguished peer panel comprising of both active and retired Virginia Police Chiefs possessing pertinent experience. These esteemed individuals will serve on an interview and assessment panel tasked with evaluating the finalists.

Kuhn said the center could be built without annexation from the town.

A fiscal impact study done by Cavalry Real Estate Advisors estimates that when stabilized and fully leased out the project will result in $2.2 million real property tax revenue for the town.

A traffic impact study done by Gorove/ Slade Associates in June 2023 and revised in February said at full build out, the northern entrance into the park would operate at an acceptable level of service. However, the southern and primary entrance does not maintain an acceptable LOS during the evening peak hour. The study recommends installing a traffic signal and installing turning lanes.

The town staff is in the process of reviewing the application and providing feedback to the company. Director of Engineering, Planning and Development Dale Lehnig said at the current pace, and the application moves forward it will likely come before the Town Council for consideration in June.

The last annexation approved by the town was in 2013 for the property where the Mayfair Neighborhood is now located. n

The Chief of Police will be appointed by Town Manager Rick Bremseth with the consent of the Town Council and shall be subject to the administrative control and supervision of the Town Manager.

ROUND HILL

Surveys Begin for New Cut, Airmont Watermain

Survey and boring crews began work this week to collect data and begin planning to build a 12-inch watermain along New Cut and Airmont roads. They will also collect data to design a future walking trail to connect residents to Loudoun Street.

The town is in the design phase for the projects, which are planned to be constructed at the same time in 2026.

The town is replacing the undersized 6-inch water line with a 12-inch line. The next phase in the development of the Round Hill Trail & Sidewalk Network is to provide pedestrian connectivity along Airmont Road and New Cut Road.

Town staff is compiling contact information for residents along New Cut Road and Airmont Road to include in updates. Residents are asked to send an email to hwest@roundhillva.org with a name, property address, phone number and email address. n

Obituaries

Charles Riley Barger, Jr.

Charles Riley Barger, Jr. - affectionately known as “Skip” to all his family and friends, died on February 17, 2024, in his Hillsboro, VA, home surrounded by his children and fiancé. He was 81 years old. Skip was born on June 14, 1942, in Frederick, MD. He was the oldest of two children born to Charles Barger, Sr, and Lena Jenkins Barger. Skip attended Brunswick High School and graduated in 1960. While there, he played soccer and baseball, and he enjoyed all sports. He joined the United States Air Force (1960-1964) and was stationed in Bermuda at Kindley Air Force Base (1961-1962) and Reno, NV, at Stead Air Force Base (1962-1964). He became an Air Force Reservist from 1964-1966. After his military service, he worked his way up through the ranks of the construction business. He started as a trim carpenter and eventually became a project manager. He was part of the crew that built the Wolf Trap Filene Center in Fairfax, VA. Skip worked for a brief time on the B&O Railroad in Brunswick, MD, as a brakeman. He then went to work for Hechinger’s as a Building Expert, and eventually moved on to become a Loudoun County Building Inspector in 1996. Skip retired from his career as a Loudoun County Building Inspector. He loved sharing the knowledge of his craft and built lifelong friendships with his coworkers. Skip even made time to volunteer as an EMT with the Purcellville Rescue Squad many years ago. Skip loved hunting, fishing, gardening, and music. He played many instruments including guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin and was also a singer in a band. He enjoyed being outdoors and spending time with friends and family. He built lifelong friendships at the Back Creek Hunt Club. One of his favorite activities was fishing on charter

boats with his friends and family. He took pride in his vegetable garden each year and produced and canned food throughout his years. Skip never met a stranger and was loved by many. He loved telling stories of his past, was quick with a joke, and had a lively personality. In 1966 he married Joyce (Wilt) Barger and had 3 children, Kevin (Bootsie) Giroux, Karen Mengel and Christopher Barger. Joyce passed away in 1997. Skip then had a committed relationship with Margie Jensen for over 15 years until his death. He is survived by his children, Bootsie Giroux (Tim), Karen Mengel (David) and Christopher Barger (Jennifer), his grandchildren Kyle Giroux (Carley), Sydney Giroux, Andrew Mengel, Margaret Mengel, and Bradley Barger, his fiancé Margie Jensen, and his brother Martin Barger, and many nieces and nephews. Pallbearers were Bryon Barger, Kyle Giroux, Tim Giroux, Andrew Mengel, David Mengel and Ryan Sapp. In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lovettsville Fire and Rescue in Lovettsville, VA. Visitation was held at Hall Funeral Home, Purcellville, VA - Friday, February 23, 2024, 6pm-8pm. Services were held at Hall Funeral Home, Purcellville, VA - Saturday, February 24, 2024, 11am. Graveside Service followed at Union Cemetery in Lovettsville, VA.

To place an

Town budgets

continued from page 18

be obtained, allowing new customers to hook up.

Currently, the town’s water rate is $38.20 for the first 2,000 gallons, an additional $5.50 for the next 1,000, an additional $8.60 for next and $13 for every additional 1,000 gallons after that. If the average resident uses 4,000 gallons a month, the bill would be $52.30.

To offset some of the cost associated with the new wastewater treatment plant, Vance said the council will likely adopt a real estate tax rate of 22 cents per $100 of assessed value, a five-cent increase.

LOVETTSVILLE

Lovettsville adopted a $6.2 million budget, which includes 2% cost of living increases for staff and 3.5% merit based raises.

The town’s utility rates also increased 3% this year, bringing the average combined water and wastewater bill using approximately 4,000 gallons from $97.60 to $100.52.

The council adopted an equalized real estate tax rate of 14.75 cents per $100 of assessed value, which will result in the average annual tax bill for a single family detached home valued at $566,192 to $835.13. The average tax bill for a townhome assessed at $389,063 will be $560.59. Residential re-evaluation for 2024 increased 4% over 2023, bringing the

average home assessment from $484,851 to $504,358.

Lovettsville does not have a personal property tax, but there is a $25 registration fee for each vehicle.

MIDDLEBURG

Real estate values in Middleburg increased by 10.31% over the past year, fueled by $18 million in new construction— mostly homes in the Salamander Resort neighborhood. Excluding new construction, property values increased 6.35% during the reassessment process.

The council is planning to continue with its approach of setting a real estate tax rate that is calculated at the equalized rate—the rate at which tax bills will be held level on average—plus a 3% inflation escalator. That approach would reduce the real estate tax rate from 12.76 cents to 12.36 cents, resulting in a projected $21 increase in the annual tax bill for the average single family detached home.

Unlike other towns, real estate taxes don’t make up a large part of Middleburg’s revenue. The town projects $603,600 in real estate tax collections next year but has budgeted $1.5 million in meals tax collections and $1.3 million from taxes on overnight hotel stays.

Middleburg has the highest utility rates of the western towns with an average monthly bill of $161.26. The council has not adopted the fiscal year 2025 budget yet but is expected to increase water and wastewater rates by 3%, in line with its long-term rate study.

The proposed budget includes a 4% COLA and 2% increase the town staff and 7% increases for the police department.

PURCELLVILLE

Purcellville is working its way through a $30.6 million proposed budget which includes a recommended 3.2% cost of living increase for town staff and the possibility of merit increases.

The biggest challenge facing the town is the proposal for double-digit utility rate increases for fiscal year 2025, bringing its rates to the second highest of the western towns, and the next several years to begin reversing the system’s operational deficits. The recommended 16% increase in water rates will bring the average monthly bill from $45.54 to $52.81, and the 18% increase in wastewater rates will bring the average bill from $81.59 to $96.30. If adopted, the rates will bring the total average utility bill to $149.11.

The council kept a personal property tax rate of $1.05 cents for vehicles, 55 cents for business personal property and a $25 vehicle fee.

During its March 26 meeting, the Town Council adopted a real estate property tax rate of 20.5 cents per $100 of assessed value with recent assessments increasing 5.82% over 2023. With the average residential assessment at $587,691, the homeowner will pay $1,205, an increase of $65.48 over last year.

ROUND HILL

Round Hill Town Administrator Melissa Hynes presented a draft General Fund budget that totals $1.04 million—a

$35,030, 3.4%, increase over the current budget. She recommended maintaining the current real estate tax rate of 6.9 cents per $100 of value.

Town Council members, however, adopted a 6.6-cent rate that would keep tax bills level on average in light of the 5% increase in the town’s real estate values following the latest round of assessments. The lower rate would generate about $5,000 less in tax revenue.

Among the key drivers this year is an 8% increase in the trash collection contract to a total of $73,000. Also, Hynes proposed a 3% COLA and 3% merit increase pool for employees.

Council members this week are just beginning deliberations on setting utility rates. Last year’s budget talks featured a tumultuous debate when the council considered a single-year increase as high as 30% in anticipation of several large construction projects. Town leaders eventually settled on a plan to adopt a 15% increase in 2023 and another 15% in 2024.

The council was hoping to avoid a major increase in 2024, thanks to the support of the county Board of Supervisors. The county budget, adopted Tuesday, allocates $3.7 million to help the town build a new water tank. That was, in part, a recognition that the vast majority of the town’s utility customers, more than 1,800, live outside the town limits.

A year ago, that infusion would have been expected largely to offset the need for a bigger rate increase, however, the town is facing two troubling trends. In addition to increasing construction costs that are likely to add $2 million to the cost estimates for upcoming utility projects, last year’s drought-fighting conservation measures have resulted in lower water usage—and lower revenues.

The council on April 3 was scheduled to review the updated rate study compiled by Mayor Scott Ramsey. That report includes increase options of 5%, 8% or 15%, each of which would require the use of the town’s reserves to balance the utility budget. n

Lovettsville, Purcellville Awarded Federal Grants for Transportation

Lovettsville and Purcellville were included in federal grant funding approved by the National Capital Region Transportation Board through the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program.

The program funds non-highway transportation projects in Virginia, including pedestrian and bicycle facilities, trails and safe routes to school projects.

Lovettsville was awarded funds for two projects –$2.5 million for a North Berlin Turnpike shared use path and $187,390 for a sidewalk on East Broad Way.

The North Berlin path is part of the National Capital Trail Network and will be a 10-foot-wide shared use path with an eight-foot grass buffer to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety. The project will provide an active transportation facility between housing developments and Lovettsville Town Square. The project will also improve bike access to Brunswick, Maryland, with its MARC station, which is just two and a half miles north of the project’s northern terminus.

Part of a comprehensive package of planned pedestrian and bicycle improvements throughout the town of Lovettsville, the East Broad Way sidewalk project will construct a short gap in sidewalk along East Broad Way and crosswalks to connect across the street to existing sidewalks.

The project will improve connectivity to Lovettsville Town Square.

Purcellville was awarded $1,085487 for G Street sidewalk improvements which will build a missing link of sidewalk on the route to Blue Ridge Middle School, pedestrian facilities along the road and ADA compliant ramps.

Congresswoman

Jennifer Wexton (D10) said in a press release that the funding was owed in part to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“Federal funding from our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering much-needed upgrades that are making Virginia’s transportation infrastructure safer and more convenient for all,” she stated. “These local projects made possible by our federal investments will improve accessible walking paths in our communities that will benefit students, commuters, and those enjoying the many outdoor recreational opportunities across the region. I look forward to seeing these projects get underway as well as the many ways that this once-in-a-generation legislation continues to transform our local infrastructure.” n

Middleburg Council Plans Out-of-Town Strategy Retreat

How can town leaders promote rural preservation? What limits should be placed on homes used for shortterm rentals? How many tourists are too many? Which town infrastructure upgrades should be the top priorities?

Those are among the questions members of the Middleburg Town Council were slated to discuss during a two-day strategic planning session at a Holiday Inn Express hotel in Culpeper.

The April 2-3 retreat was intended to develop consensus on the council’s priorities for the next two years following last year’s election that resulted in the addition of one new member, Pamela Curran.

The sessions were planned to be facilitated by Jack Tuttle, who met with council members to identify potential topics. The program kicked off Tuesday afternoon with a discussion aimed at understanding the “big external challenge” facing Middleburg. Wednesday’s schedule included review and potential revisions to the town’s vision and mission statements as well as its list of core values, following by detailed discussion of specific issues identified as priorities by the group.

Although out of town and informal, the sessions are official meetings open to the public. n

Wexton

GET OUT

LIVE MUSIC

SELA CAMPBELL

5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 4 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

JUSTIN SUEDE

6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 4

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

CONNER HITCHCOCK

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 5

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com

JASON MASI

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 5

Quattro Goombas Winery, 22860 Little River Turnpike, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com

BRITTON JAMES

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 5

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

WILL SHEPARD

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 5

Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

BENJAMIN WEIMER

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 5

Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com

LENNY BURRIDGE

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 5

Dirt Farm Brewing, 18701 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont. dirtfarmbrewing.com

JP JONES

5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 5

Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com

THE BRUNO SOUND

5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 5

Willowcroft Farm Vineyards, 38906 Mount Gilead Road, Leesburg. willowcroftwine.com

CURT & ROB ACOUSTIC

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 5

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

LIVE MUSIC continues on page 24

Tracy Hamlin’s Sweet Jazz Festival is Back and Bigger Than Ever

BY DANA ARMSTRONG

Jazz fans rejoice! Tracy Hamlin’s Sweet Jazz Festival triumphantly returns on April 19 and 20 at The National Conference Center in Lansdowne. Housed indoors and expanded into a two-day extravaganza for the first time, the event is already capturing the attention of music lovers from near and far.

“I went with a younger line-up than I typically go with, but these are some of the most soulful jazz artists of the last decade. All of them have solo projects that are just sitting at No. 1 on the Billboard jazz charts,” Hamlin said.

Friday night’s headliner, Jeff Bradshaw, is a solo trombonist from Philadelphia who time and again proves to get audiences on their feet. Saxophonist Marcus Anderson has worked with Prince and played in the touring bands for Stevie Wonder and Liv Warfield—plus, he danc-

es like James Brown.

Violinist Karen Briggs, who has performed with Yanni and Diana Ross, has been known to receive a standing ovation after every song. And that’s just a taste of the immense jazz talent displayed by all 10 of this year’s festival performers.

“All [of the artists] bring something unique and amazing to the experience. People really get confused about jazz. Some people think it’s boring. … What I love about all of these folks is that they have a level of energy that they completely blow people’s minds.”

One of the featured artists also happens to be Hamlin herself. Hamlin is a force to be reckoned with. Her multi-hyphenate musical résumé includes being a world-touring solo artist who’s performed in over 50 countries, singing as a lead backup vocalist for Gloria Gaynor, creating her own record label and executive producing multiple solo

albums, teaching Music Appreciation to students with Dyslexia, and serving as a National Trustee for The Recording Academy—better known as The Grammys.

Originally from Baltimore, Hamlin moved to Loudoun County in 2010. Once she discovered the wealth of wineries and restaurants the county offered, she would frequently go on “staycations” in the area with her husband.

“When I thought about all the amazing wineries, I’m like wine pairs really well with jazz. So, I connected with Buddy Rizer from Economic Development and he introduced me to Beth Erikson at Visit Loudoun, and that’s how Sweet Jazz was born,” Hamlin said.

The idea for the festival emerged out of her nine years of experience organizing a private annual jazz festival on the

SWEET

continues on page 27

Photo by Hanna Pampaloni

Songstress Tracy Hamlin performs for an audience at the Lodge at Hansen Park during A Night of Jazz and Soul on Oct. 26, 2023.

JAZZ

Peter J. Knop

Founder-owner, National Botanic Garden, South Riding

Peter Knop inherited a farm in South Riding in the 1970s. He has spent the past 50 years turning it into a garden preserve filled with rare plants, trees, forests, and flowers. His wife, Beata, is an artist who landscapes the grounds and creates extraordinary sculptures in the gardens. The National Botanic Garden is open 40 days of the year to the public, starting April 19-21.

FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN LOUDOUN?

Tuscarora Mill and the Lightfoot Restaurant in Leesburg. Everything is always fresh and they support local producers, but equally important is the ambiance. They both repurposed historic buildings, which I visited as a child. The Lightfoot used to be People’s National Bank where my father had an account. My

LO VE Loudoun Why We

family got their gold scales from the bank when it closed.

FAVORITE PLACE FOR A CRAFT BEVERAGE?

Lost Barrel Brewing in Middleburg for the beer although it’s worth it just for the

LOVE LOUDOUN continues on page 25

Courtesy of Visit Loudoun

Peter and Beata Knop stand atop their man-made mountain at the National Botanic Garden in South Riding.

Best Bets

MARCUS JOHNSON OPEN MIC

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 5

Ridgetop Coffee and Tea, 21631 Ridgetop Circle, Sterling. ridgetopcoffeeandtea.com

ROWDY ACE BAND

7 to 10 p.m. Friday, April 5

Social House Kitchen & Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn. socialhouseashburn.com

BELTWAY ROCKERS

8 to 11 p.m. Friday, April 5

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

BELLA MCDONALD

12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Cana Vineyards and Winery, 38600 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. canavineyards.com

NEW DOMINION BAND

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com

LUKE ANDREWS

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Fleetwood Farm Winery, 23075 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg. fleetwoodfarmwinery.com

TOMMY GANN

1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Creek’s Edge Winery, 41255 Annas Lane, Lovettsville. creeksedgewinery.com

JESSICA PAULIN

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Otium Cellars, 18050 Tranquility Road, Purcellville. otiumcellars.com

JUMPTOWN

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com

JET CAPRIEST

1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase

Lane, Bluemont. bearchase.com

TED GARBER

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Sunset Hills Vineyard, 38295 Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville. sunsethillvineyard.com

KEVIN GRIFFITH

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6

50 West Vineyards, 39060 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. 50westvineyards.com

GARRET MABE

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Bleu Frog Vineyards, 16413 Little River Turnpike, Leesburg. bleufrogvineyards.com

TIMMIE METZ

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6

8 Chains North Winery, 38593 Daymont Lane, Waterford. 8chainsnorth.com

RYAN SILL

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 Little River Turnpike, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com

DENNIS WAYLAND

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Old 690 Brewing Company, 15670 Ashbury Church Road, Hillsboro. old690.com

TODD B

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Two Twisted Posts Winery, 12944 Harpers Ferry Road, Neersville. twotwistedposts.com

STEVE GEORGE

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton. thebarnsathamiltonstation.com

ALEX THE RED PAREZ

2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Twin Oaks Tavern Winery, 18035 Raven Rocks Road, Bluemont. twinoakstavern.com

DAVE MININBERG

3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 6 Notaviva Farm Brewery & Winery, 13274 Sagle Road, Hillsboro. notaviva.com

PEYTON TOGHTERMAN & THE RUMINATORS

4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com

MEISHA HERRON

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

MINI MUSIC FEST

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn. oldoxbrewery.com

CHRIS BOWEN

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

GABE MATTHEWS BAND

7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Social House Kitchen & Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn. socialhouseashburn.com

SPECIAL CONSENSUS

7 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road, Lucketts. $22. luckettsbluegrass.org

LOW WATER BRIDGE BAND WITH LILLIAN HACKETT

8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Tally Ho Theater, Leesburg. $15 to $35. tallyhotheater.com

YOUNG RELICS

8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, April 6

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

MELISSA QUINN FOX

8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, April 6

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

LUCAS MASON

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 7

Fleetwood Farm Winery, 23075 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg. fleetwoodfarmwinery.com

KEVIN GRIFFITH

1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 7

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebeer.com

DOIN’ TIME

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 7

Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com

TRAVIS TUCKER

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 7

Bleu Frog Vineyards, 16413 Little River Turnpike, Leesburg. bleufrogvineyards.com

DEANE KERN AND ERIC SELBY

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 7

Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton. thebarnsathamiltonstation.com

RYAN JEWELL

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 7

Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com

NATE CLENDENEN

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 7

Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com

SHORT HILL MOUNTAIN BOYS

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 7

Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery, 38506 John Wolford Road, Waterford. wheatlandspring.com

HUME & FRY

3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 7

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

TYLER BRADEN

8 to 11 p.m. Sunday, April 7

Tally Ho Theater, Leesburg. $10 to $35. tallyhotheater.com

JASON MASI

continued from page 22 LIVE

6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, April 10

The Lost Fox, 20374 Exchange St., Ashburn. lostfoxhideaway.com

V-N-G ACOUSTIC

7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, April 10

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

TOMMY BOUCHE

5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

JUMPTOWN Saturday, April 6, 1-4 p.m. Vanish Farmwoods Brewery vanishbeer.com

Jumptown brings a Motown, Funk, Blues extravaganza to Vanish with special guest Amy Bobchek.

SPECIAL CONSENSUS Saturday, April 6, 7 p.m. Lucketts Community Center luckettsbluegrass.com

Banjo legend Greg Cahill, IBMA’s 2023 Vocalists of the Year, leads one of the hardest working bands in Bluegrass.

THE 69 EYES Thursday, April 11, 8 p.m. Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

The Finnish band fronted by Jyrki 69 brings its “goth and roll” style to Leesburg.

April 13 7:30pm

continued from page 24

ALEX THE RED PAREZ

6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, April 11 Dynasty Brewing, 21140 Ashburn Crossing Drive, Ashburn. dynastybrewing.com

THE 69 EYES

7 to 11 p.m. Thursday, April 11

Tally Ho Theater, Leesburg. $30 to $60. tallyhotheaters.com

HAPPENINGS

FIRST FRIDAY

4 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 4 Downtown Leesburg leesburgfirstfriday.com

LCPS SUPERINTENDENT LISTENING SESSION

7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 4 Briar Woods High School, 22525 Belmont Ridge Road, Ashburn. lcps.org

“CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY”

7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 4

7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 5 2-4:30 p.m. & 7-9;30 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Smart’s Mill Middle School, 850 N. King St., Leesburg. Free to $10. lcps.org/domain/15230

Superstar: The Carpenters Reimagined is an original musical created with Richard Carpenter ’ s

This full stage show features the vocal talents of Helen Welch. A critically acclaimed vocalist and entertainer. In Superstar, Ms. Welch does not offer imitations or impersonations of the originals. She has taken their music and reproduced them in a style all her own. Revisit the 70’s and your own memories of the classic Carpenters song library!

Tickets: $25 for rear section, $30 for side sections, $40 for center section and accessible seating

TALES & ALES

7 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 5 Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn. $20. novatalesandales.com

SPRING WILDFLOWERS AT BALL’S BLUFF

8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 6 Balls Bluff Park, Leesburg. loudounwildlife.org

OATLANDS COMMUNITY DAY

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 6 Oatlands Historic House & Gardens, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg. oatlands.org

READING BETWEEN THE VINES

6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6 Walsh Family Wine, 16031 Hillsboro Road, Purcellville. $25. loudounliteracy.org

PROFS & PINTS: SLAVERY AND AMERICA’S REVOLUTION

3 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, April 7

Crooked Run Fermentation, 22455 Davis Drive, Sterling. $13.50 to $17. profsandpints.com

COMEDY NIGHT BY THE DC IMPROV

6:30 p.m. Friday, April 5

9 p.m. Friday, April 5 Tally Ho Theater, Leesburg. $32. tallyhotheater.com

COLOR RUN 5K

8 to 9 a.m. Saturday, April 6

10 Patrick Henry Circle, Purcellville. $5 to $20. ryanbartelfounation.org

FILM: Matisse: From Tate Modern and MOMA April 11 Tickets $8 plus fee

This captivating film explores the final chapter of Matisse’s career when he began ‘carving into colour,’ creating his signature cutouts. Audiences are invited to enjoy an intimate, behind-the-scenes documentary about this blockbuster exhibition with contributions from curators, historians and those who knew Matisse personally.

Directed by Phil Grabsky, run time is 97 minutes. An Exhibition On Screen production. from

In Our Gallery: The Art of Paper Exhibit

April 11-May 5 Admission is FREE

Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:30pm

Sweet jazz

continued from page 22

Caribbean Island of St. Lucia—a place she calls her second home.

She hosted the first Sweet Jazz Festival outdoors at Tarara Winery in 2018 and did so again in 2019. Calling upon her connections from the St. Lucia jazz festivals, she was able to convince many top jazz artists to come to perform in Loudoun.

The festival halted during COVID in 2020, and since then she has hosted four smaller jazz concerts. But this year, for her seventh event, she is thrilled to bring back the festival experience to full scale—this time, indoors so as not to risk unpredictable weather.

Even more than the music, the festival is about giving back to the community. At all of the past jazz festivals and concerts she’s organized, Hamlin donates a portion of the ticket sales to charities and chooses Loudoun County students from low-income families to receive musical scholarships to Catoctin School of Music.

“Music saved my life. Music changed my life. And had I not pursued a career as a singer, I would have become a product of my environment,” said Hamlin.

“That is why I decided to use this platform to give music scholarships. Because if I can save one life, I’ve done a mighty thing. But we’ve already shaped, changed, and molded the lives of many students from the scholarships.”

Past scholarship recipients include a saxophonist and a drummer, who were both fifteen at the time, and a voice student. Hamlin even provided the voice student with private singing lessons and invited her to accompany Hamlin backstage at concerts as her assistant.

As a result of the scholarships and the quality musical instruction they receive, many of the recipients discover opportunities to do “big people’s gigs,” as Hamlin describes it, such as opening for concerts and being booked for private events. The students are then well on their way to start pursuing music careers.

This year, Hamlin plans to give away four scholarships—the most to date—and the festival will also benefit two causes that are near to Hamlin’s heart. The Tigerlily Foundation is a national organization that provides resources for breast cancer patients, and the Young Kings Movement is a local non-profit that offers mentoring and life skills coaching for young men ages 13 to 18.

Some of the young men will be assisting Hamlin during the event. Plus, Hamlin was able to secure luxury car dealership Lamborghini Washington as a sponsor. In addition to hosting a Lamborghini car rally on April 13 that raises money for

the Young Kings Movement, two of their cars will be on display during the festival for attendees to have Instagrammable moments.

In yet another of Hamlin’s accomplishments, she is also the immediate past board chair for Visit Loudoun. She claims to always be wearing her “tourism hat,” evidenced by how well the festival integrates with the rest of Loudoun’s amenities and activities—including Leesburg’s Flower & Garden Festival on April 20 and 21.

With the Sweet Jazz Festival being in the evening, guests can have all day to experience Loudoun. Hamlin encourages everyone to stay and make a special

weekend out of it. For a sample itinerary, we asked Hamlin to curate her perfect weekend if she was a festival attendee.

“I would arrive on Thursday. I would go to dinner at DC Prime. And I would wake up early on Friday. I would start my day at one of the wineries, then I would go over to Lansdowne for a spa day. … Then Friday night I would go back and rest up for the festivities later that night.”

“Saturday morning, I would wake up and probably go to a farmer’s market, to Leesburg outlets, hit another winery, go to [her favorite boutique] Misguided Angels, and then go back, eat, and rest up for the Saturday night festivities.”

Experiencing the best of jazz, wine,

and the community all in one weekend— what more could you ask for?

“The Sweet Jazz Festival is not just about music, it’s about empowerment,” said Hamlin. “It’s about giving back to the community. It’s about helping small businesses. It’s important to me, and that is why I do this.” n

Tracy Hamlin’s Sweet Jazz Festival is on April 19 and 20 at The National Conference Center. The performances start at 7 p.m. and General Admission tickets are $99. For tickets and more information, go to sweetjazzfestival.us

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 10, 2024, in order to consider:

PROPOSED CONVEYANCE OF COUNTY PROPERTY

Conveyance of Easement near Belmont Ridge Road to Verizon

Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-1800 et seq., the Board of Supervisors shall consider conveying to Verizon a ten-foot-wide easement across County owned property in the Little River Election District, near the intersection of Belmont Ridge Road (Route 659) and Evergreen Mills Road (Route 621) at the Brambleton Public Safety Center, Fire Station No. 9., for the purpose of installing, laying, constructing, operating, repairing, altering, and maintaining underground conduit and communication lines to the telecommunication monopole. The property on which the easement will be located is at 23675 Belmont Ridge Road, Ashburn, Virginia, and is more particularly described as PIN: 202-40-8283-000, Tax Map # 92/D32///B-1/.

Copies of the draft deed of easement and plat showing the location of the above-listed conveyance, and associated documents are available for review and may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center; Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200. Documents may also be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments

PROPOSED CONVEYANCE OF COUNTY PROPERTY

Conveyance of Easement near Route 15 and Lucketts Road to QLoop, LLC

Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-1800 et seq., the Board of Supervisors shall consider conveying to QLoop, LLC a twelve-foot-wide easement across County owned property in the Catoctin Election District, near the intersection of Route 15 and Lucketts Road (Route 662) at the Lucketts Community Center, for the purpose of installing, laying, constructing, operating, repairing, altering, and maintaining underground fiber optic lines. The property on which the easement will be located is 42361 Lucketts Road, Leesburg, VA 20176, PIN: 179-4072-30-000, Tax Map # /20////////39/ and PIN: 179-4053-49-000, Tax Map # /20////////38/.

Copies of the draft deed of easement and plat showing the location of the above-listed conveyance, and associated documents, are available for review and may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center; Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200. Documents may also be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT 2024-2025 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN

The Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development has prepared the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Annual Action Plan for submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by May 15, 2024.

HUD has designated Loudoun County as qualified for Urban County participation in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and entitled to receive CDBG funding and as a Participating Jurisdiction to receive HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds 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 program year.

Components of the FY 2025 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.

Copies of the proposed Annual Action Plan are available and may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, and the Department of Housing and Community Development at 106 Catoctin Circle, SE, 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 proposed Annual Action Plan may be submitted to the attention of the CDBG Program Manager, Johnette Powell, at the Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development, P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, Virginia 20177 or by email: johnette. powell@loudoun.gov. Comments must be received by April 10, 2024.

THE ADOPTION OF A STREAMLINED PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY ANNUAL PLAN AND REVISED ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN (EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2025) FOR THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM

Pursuant to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations at 24 CFR § 903.17, the Board of Supervisors hereby gives notice that it intends to conduct a public hearing for the purpose of considering and adopting the Streamlined PHA Annual Plan and Revised Administrative Plan (effective January 1, 2025) for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program. The Streamlined PHA Annual Plan provides information on current programs and the resident population served. The Administrative Plan establishes policies for Loudoun County to implement the HCV Program in a manner consistent with HUD requirements, local goals, and objectives contained in the Administrative Plan.

Copies of the above-referenced plans are available and may be examined at the Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development, Front Desk, 1st Floor, 106 Catoctin Circle, S.E., Leesburg, VA 20175 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday excluding holidays or call (703) 737-8213 to request hard copies or electronic copies. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments

ESTABLISHMENT OF TEMPORARY POLLING PLACE

(To be Effective for the June 18, 2024, Primary Election)

Pursuant to Virginia Code §§15.2-1427 and 24.2-305 et seq., the Board of Supervisors gives notice of intent to propose for passage an ordinance providing for temporary polling place during the June 18, 2024, primary election. The purpose of the ordinance is to provide for a temporary polling place for use in one precinct during the June 18, 2024, primary election.

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

In the Leesburg District:

1. Due to graduation activities scheduled at Loudoun County High School, the polling place for the Dry Mill precinct will be moved from the Loudoun County High School located at 415 Dry Mill Road, SW, Leesburg, VA 20175 to the Catoctin Elementary School located at 311 Catoctin Circle, SW, Leesburg, VA 20175.

A complete copy of the full text of the above referenced ordinance and a map showing the precinct boundary and polling place are on file and may be examined at the Office of the County Administrator, 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. In addition, this information is available at the Loudoun County’s Office of Elections website at www.loudoun.gov/vote

ZOAM-2020-0002

PRIME AGRICULTURAL SOILS AND CLUSTER SUBDIVISIONS (Zoning Ordinance Amendment)

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 June 21, 2022, the Board of Supervisors hereby give notice of proposed amendments to the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in order to amend the regulations governing the Cluster Subdivision Option in the AR – 1 (Agricultural Rural – 1) and AR – 2 (Agricultural Rural – 2) zoning districts. The proposed amendments will establish new and clarify, revise and/or delete existing regulations and definitions in regard to the preservation of prime farmland soils, rural cluster development design, and uses for the Cluster Subdivision Option. A complete copy of the text of the proposed amendments may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, as described below.

A complete copy of the full text of the above referenced ordinance and a map showing the precinct boundary and polling place are on file and may be examined at the Office of the County Administrator, 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 or call 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments

LAND DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS

LEGI-2023-0044, 3 DOG FARM: SPEX-2022-0039 (Special Exception)

Gina Schaefer has submitted an application for a special exception for approximately 23.02 acres of land located north of Shannondale Road (Route 714), and west of Edgegrove Road (Route 716), in the Catoctin Election District (the “Subject Property”). The Subject Property is more particularly described as: 15268 Shannondale Road, Purcellville, Virginia, PIN 550-46-7353-000, Tax Map # /24///2/////1/. The applicant seeks a special exception to permit a dog kennel use in the AR-1 (Agricultural Rural – 1) zoning district. The proposed use is listed as a Special Exception use under Table 2-102 in Section 2-102 of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance (Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance). The application is being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023.

LEGI-2023-0058, BAYS DULLES INDUSTRIAL PARK: ZRTD-2022-0008

(Zoning Map Amendment)

Superior Investments LLC has submitted an application for a Zoning Map Amendment (ZRTD) for approximately 1.5 acres of land south of Moran Road (Route 635) between Powers Court (Route 875) and Pacific Boulevard (Route 1036), in the Sterling Election District (the “Subject Property”). The Subject Property is more particularly described as: PIN 044-18-1028-000, Tax Map # /94///5/////2/. The applicant seeks to rezone approximately 1.5 acres from the PD-IP (Planned Development – Industrial Park) zoning district under the 1972 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance to the IP (Industrial Park) zoning district under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, in order to permit the development of all principal and accessory uses permitted in the IP zoning district at a maximum Floor Area Ratio of 0.6.

LEGI-2023-0069, PHILOMONT FIRE AND RESCUE: SPEX-2023-0014 (Special Exception)

Philomont Volunteer Fire Department (PVFD) has submitted an application for a special exception for approximately 7.03 acres of land located east of Snickersville Turnpike and south of Philomont Road in the Catoctin Election District (the “Subject Property”). The Subject Property is more particularly described as: 37180 Snickersville Turnpike, PIN 530-17-5737-000, Tax Map # /56////////22/. The application is being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023. For SPEX-2023-0014, the Applicant seeks to allow a fire and rescue station use, pursuant to Section 2-504(H) on property zoned CR-1 (Countryside Residential-1).

LEGI-2023-0017, VILLAGE AT CLEAR SPRINGS: ZMAP-2021-0008, SPEX-2021-0028, SPEX-2021-0029, SPEX-2021-0030, SPEX-2022-0044, ZMOD-2021-0035, ZMOD-2021-0036, ZMOD-2021-0091, ZMOD-2022-0036 & ZMOD-2022-0037

(Zoning Map Amendment, Special Exceptions & Zoning Ordinance Modifications)

Clear Springs Development, LLC, has submitted applications for the following: a zoning map amendment, special exceptions, and zoning modifications for approximately 245.95 acres of land located east of Evergreen Mills Road (Route 621), west of Dulles Greenway (Route 267), and south of the Town of

Leesburg town limits in the Catoctin Election District (the “Subject Property”). The Subject Property is more particularly described as:

234-36-7151-000 41346 Springfield Ln Leesburg, Virginia /60///3/////1B

234-37-0852-000 41352 Springfield Ln Leesburg, Virginia /60///3/////2A

234-37-4941-000 N/A /60///3/////2B

234-37-2906-000 41350 Springfield Ln Leesburg, Virginia /60///3/////3/

234-27-2750-000 N/A /60///3/////4/

234-17-2596-000 41406 Springfield Ln Leesburg, Virginia /60///3/////5/

235-46-5476-000 19736 Evergreen Mills Rd Leesburg, Virginia /60///3/////8B

235-46-0954-000 19724 Evergreen Mills Rd Leesburg,

235-26-2866-000

Leesburg, Virginia /60///1/////4/

235-26-8067-000 19862 Evergreen Mills Rd Leesburg, Virginia /60///1/////5/

235-37-7793-000 19874 Evergreen Mills Rd Leesburg, Virginia /60///1/////8/

235-37-8420-000 19874 Evergreen Mills Rd Leesburg, Virginia /60///1////13/

235-47-5463-000 N/A /60///1/////9/

235-16-4213-000 41335 Shreve Mill Rd

235-36-3533-000

235-46-0891-000

235-16-3062-000

235-46-7000-000

234-16-9543-000

234-36-6701-000

234-17-4554-000

235-46-5737-000

234-36-3057-000

234-15-8988-000

234-17-7032-000

The application is being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023. For ZMAP-2021-0008, the applicant seeks to rezone approximately 245.95 acres from the AR-1 (Agricultural Rural) zoning district to the PD-H6 (Planned Development – Housing), administered as R-1 (Residential), R-8 and R-16)) zoning district in order to de-

Legal Notices

velop 1,180 dwelling units consisting of 242 single-family detached (SFD) dwelling units (including one existing SFD dwelling unit and 131 age-restricted SFD dwelling units), 578 single family attached (SFA) dwelling units (including 157 SFA age-restricted dwelling units), and 360 multi-family attached (MFA) dwelling units (including 180 MFA age-restricted dwelling units). For SPEX-2021-0028, SPEX-20210029, SPEX-2021-0030, and SPEX-2022-0044 the applicant seeks special exceptions to permit playing fields and courts with lights, a private club or lodge, and to modify the required yards within the portion of the property administered as R-8 and R-1. For ZMOD-2021-0035, ZMOD-2021-0036, ZMOD-20210091, ZMOD-2022-0036, and ZMOD-2022-0037, the applicant seeks zoning modifications for various regulations affecting the Subject Property including but not limited to: allow single family detached dwellings to front and access from a private road, reduce lot width from 24 feet to 20 feet for single family attached residential, to reduce lot width from 24 feet to 20 feet for the townhouse/multi-family district, to eliminate the street tree requirement, to permit the calculation of minimum tree canopy to be tabulated overall for the entire development area, and to eliminate buffer yards.

LEGI-2023-0048, BELMONT INNOVATION CAMPUS: ZMAP-2022-0021, SPEX-2022-0042, SPMI-2023-0013 & ZMOD-2022-0077

(Zoning Map Amendment, Special Exception, Minor Special Exception & Zoning Ordinance Modification)

Loudoun GC, LLC, has submitted applications for a zoning map amendment, a special exception, a minor special exception, and a zoning modification for approximately 111.7 acres of land located south of Loudoun County Parkway (Route 7), west of Belmont Ridge Road (Route 659), east of Cochran Mill Road (Route 653), and north of Route 267 in the Ashburn Election District (the “Subject Property”). The Subject Property is more particularly described as:

cludes approximately 41.7 acres of land that is currently zoned PD-IP, for a total application area of 111.7 acres. For SPEX-2022-0042, the applicant seeks to increase the Floor Area Ratio in the PD-IP zoning district to 1.0. For SPMI-2023-0013, the applicant seeks to modify the buffer yard requirements of Table 5-1404 by eliminating required buffer yards between uses and to reduce plantings and buffer yard widths. For ZMOD-2022-0077, the applicant seeks to reduce parking setbacks from 35 feet to 25 feet and building setbacks from 75 feet to 35 feet along Gloucester Parkway (Route 2150) and Russell Branch Parkway (Route 1061). The applications are being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023.

Copies of the proposed plans, ordinances, and amendments for each land use application listed above 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 703-777-0246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies. Additional project files related to land use applications for public hearings may be reviewed electronically at loudoun.gov/landmarc. In addition, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: loudoun.gov/bosdocuments.

Board of Supervisors public hearings are held in the Board Room of the Government Center. Meetings are televised on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40. Meetings also are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings

Members of the public desiring to do so may appear and present their views regarding those matters listed for public hearing. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, are encouraged to sign-up in advance; however, speakers may sign-up during the public hearing. If you wish to sign-up in advance, call the Office of the County Administrator at (703) 777-0200. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on March 29, 2024, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on April 10, 2024. Members of the public 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. Members of the public may also submit comments on land use items electronically at loudoun. gov/landapplications

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/TTY-711. 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.

For ZMAP-2022-0021, the applicant seeks to rezone approximately 70 acres from the PD-GI (Planned Development-General Industry) and A-3 (Agricultural Residential) zoning districts to the PD-IP (Planned Development – Industrial Park) zoning district to develop data center uses. The application area also in-

PUBLIC NOTICE

INVITATION FOR BID (IFB)

MORVEN PARK SIDEWALK ROAD IMPROVEMENTS

The Town of Leesburg will accept sealed bids electronically via the Commonwealth’s e-procurement website (www.eva.virginia. gov), until 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, for the following:

IFB NO. 14301-FY24-32

MORVEN PARK SIDEWALK ROAD IMPROVEMENTS

Work includes all labor and material necessary for construction of improvements to Morven Park Road from West Market Street (Route 7 Business) and Old Waterford Road, including demolition, maintenance of traffic, earthwork, curb and gutter, pavement, sidewalk, storm drainage, sanitary sewer, and other related items.

For additional information, visit: http://www.leesburgva.gov/bidboard 4/4/24

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ048199-02-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Diana Aljanabi

Loudoun County Department of Family Services

v.

Dalya Alkhkree, Mother

The object of this suit is to hold a foster care review hearing and review of foster care plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282 and 16.1-281 for Diana Aljanabi.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Dalya Alkhkree, Mother appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before May 14, 2024 at 3:00pm

4/4, 4/11, 4/18 & 4/25/24

BY ORDER OF: PHYLLIS J. RANDALL, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED VEHICLES

This notice is to inform the owner and any person having a security interest in their right to reclaim the motor vehicle herein described within 15 days after the date of storage charges resulting from placing the vehicle in custody, and the failure of the owner or persons having security interests to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle within the time provided shall be deemed a waiver by the owner, and all persons having security interests of all right, title and interest in the vehicle, and consent to the sale of the abandoned motor vehicle at a public auction. This notice shall also advise the owner of record of his or her right to contest the determination by the Sheriff that the motor vehicle was “abandoned,” as provided in Chapter 630.08 of the Loudoun County Ordinance, by requesting a hearing before the County Administrator in writing. Such written request for a hearing must be made within 15 days of the notice.

LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS FOR:

CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING INSPECTION SERVICES FOR THE ROUTE 9 & ROUTE 287 ROUNDABOUT, RFP No. 642824 until prior to 4:00 p.m., April 25, 2024.

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

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

Legal Notices

TOWN OF LEESBURG

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS MANUAL (DCSM) an incorporated portion of the SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS OF LEESBURG, VIRGINIA

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-2204, 15.2-2240 et seq., 15.2-2251 and 15.2-2253 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the Leesburg Town Council will hold a public hearing on:

Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 7:00 P.M. in the Town Council Chambers 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176

to consider amendments to the following provisions of the Town’s Design and Construction Standards Manual (DCSM):

× Article 4 (Sewage and Solid Waste Disposal), Section 4-130 (Design Criteria)

× Article 2 (Fire and Water Regulation Details), Drawings:

× Article 4 (Sewage and Solid Waste Disposal Details), Drawings SD-5 (Conduit Bedding –Sewer Lines)

× Appendix A (Construction Standards), Article 2 (Water and Fire Regulation (GN-WS Details)), Drawings:

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

Case No. CL 23 5170-00

LOUDOUN COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT

18 EAST MARKET ST., LEESBURG, VA 20176

Creed v.

Auda Alicia Ramirez Aquilar

The object of this suit is obtain a divorce.

It is ORDERED that Auda Alicia Ramirez Aquilar appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before June 7th, 2024 at 2PM.

4/4, 4/11, 4/18 & 4/25/24

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

Case No. 22-1446

LOUDOUN COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT

18 EAST MARKET ST., LEESBURG, VA 20176

Sharron E. Brent Corley v.

DeMarcus D. Corley

The object of this suit is to divorce.

It is ORDERED that DeMarcus D. Corley appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before May 24th, 2024

9:00 AM.

3/28, 4/4, 4/11 & 4/25/24

WS-32

× Appendix A (Construction Standards), Article 4 (Sewage and Solid Waste Disposal (SS Details)), Drawings:

The amendments to Section 4-130 will add a DCSM modification procedure, allowing application for a low-pressure force main for individual residences. The amendments to the water and sanitary sewer details will: ensure quality construction that complies with the latest industry standards; provide clarification; simplify administration & enforcement of field construction; conform the DCSM to current Town and industry standards; and delete detail sheets for facilities no longer needed or required by the Town.

This Design and Construction Standards Manual ordinance amendment application is identified as case number TLENOA-2024-0001. Copies of these proposed amendments to the DCSM are available at the Department of Utilities, 1385 Russell Branch Parkway, Leesburg, VA during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by emailing your inquiry to utilityengineering@leesburgva. gov

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

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ048304-02-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Gustavo Adolfo Constante Anaya

Loudoun County Department of Family Services

v.

Jose Ricardo Portillo Mejia, putative father, and Unknown Father

The object of this suit is to hold a foster care review hearing and review of foster care plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282 and 16.1-281 for Gustavo Adolfo Constante Anaya.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Jose Ricardo Portillo Mejia, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before May 15, 2024 at 3:00pm 4/4, 4/11, 4/18 & 4/25/24

Legal Notices

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION will conduct a public hearing during its work session on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room on the first floor of the County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia. The items proposed for public hearing during this work session are as follows:

LEGI-2023-0078, DULLES NORTH HS & ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: CMPT-2023-0006

(Commission Permit)

The Loudoun County School Board has submitted an application for a Commission Permit to permit construction of a 350,000 square foot high school and 120,000 square foot elementary school on approximately 172.91 acres located on the south side of Red Hill Road (Route 617) and the west side of Evergreen Mills Road (Route 621) in the Little River Election District and more particularly described as: 41480 Steeplechase Loop Dr, Leesburg, Virginia, PIN# 242-18-1260-000, Tax Map No. /91/////////8/. The subject property is zoned Agricultural Residential -3 (A-3) and Transitional Residential – 3 (TR-3) under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance

LEGI-2023-0012, FLEETWOOD NORTH: ZMAP-2020-0008, ZMOD-2023-0009, ZMOD-2023-0010, ZMOD-2023-0048, ZMOD-2023-0049, and ZMOD-2023-0050 (Zoning Map Amendment and Zoning Modifications)

Toll Mid-Atlantic LP Company, Inc., submitted applications for: a zoning map amendment and zoning ordinance modifications for approximately 70.92 acres of land located south of Sleeping Woods Court (Route 616), east of Fleetwood Road (Route 616), and west of Evergreen Mills Road (Route 621) in the Little River Election District (the “Subject Property”). The Subject Property is more particularly described as:

units from nine feet to five feet; to reduce the rear yard for single family detached units from 25 feet to 20 feet; to permit a 50 percent reduction of the parking requirement for public assembly (community/ recreation center) use; reduce the required lot width for single family detached, suburban, from 50 feet to 36 feet minimum; increase maximum lot coverage for single-family detached units from 35 percent to 46 percent maximum; and to permit single family detached units to front on a private road rather than a public road. The application is being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023.

Copies of the proposed plans, ordinances, or amendments for each item listed above may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Office of County Administrator, Information Desk, First Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday or call 703-777-0246 (option 5), to request hard copies or electronic copies. Additional project files related to land use applications and land use ordinances may be reviewed electronically at loudoun.gov/landmarc Additionally, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically the week before the hearing at www. loudoun.gov/pc. For further information, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5).

Planning Commission work sessions and public hearings are held in the Board Room of the Government Center. Public hearings and work sessions are televised on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are also are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings

Members of the public desiring to do so may appear and present their views during the public hearing portion of the work session. Public comment will be received only for those items listed for public hearing. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, are encouraged to sign-up in advance; however, speakers may sign-up during the hearing. If you wish to sign-up in advance, please call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5) prior to 12:00 PM on the day of the work session; however, speakers may also sign-up at the work session. Written comments concerning any item before the Commission are welcomed at any time and may be sent to the Loudoun County Planning Commission, P.O. Box 7000 Leesburg, VA 20177-7000, or by e-mail to loudounpc@loudoun.gov. If written comments are presented at the hearing, please provide ten (10) copies for distribution to the Commission and for the Clerk’s records. Members of the public may also submit comments on land use items electronically at loudoun.gov/landapplications. Any individual representing and/or proposing to be the sole speaker on behalf of a citizen’s organization or civic association is encouraged to contact the Department of Planning and Zoning prior to the date of the work session to request additional time to speak on behalf of such organization.

Regularly scheduled Planning Commission work sessions are held on the second Thursday of each month. In the event the work session cannot be conducted on that date due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the work session, the work session may be continued to the third Tuesday of the month. In the event the work session may not be held on the third Tuesday due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the work session, the work session may be continued to the Thursday following the third Tuesday.

For ZMAP-2020-0008, the applicant seeks to rezone the Subject Property from the Transitional Residential – 3 Upper Broad Run Upper Foley (TR3-UBF) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance to the Single Family Residential – 4 (R-4) zoning district utilizing Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) regulations in order to develop 244 single family detached residential units at a proposed maximum density of 3.44 dwelling units per acre. For ZMOD-2023-0009, ZMOD-2023-0010, ZMOD-2023-0048, ZMOD-2023-0049, and ZMOD-2023-0050, the applicant seeks zoning ordinance modifications for various regulations affecting the Subject Property including but not limited to: to permit single family detached units to front on a private road rather than a public road; to reduce the front yard for single family detached units from 25 feet to 20 feet; to reduce the side yard for single family detached

ABC LICENSE

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for Wholesale Wine (30,000 gallons or less annually) license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Stanley Joynes, Chairman

Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

3/28 & 4/4/24

ABC LICENSE

Dgms LLC, trading as Battlefield Sunoco, 1017 Edwards Ferry RD NE, Leesburg, Virginia 20176.

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Retail Specialty Establishment Application - Convenience Grocery Store, Wine, Beer, Consumed Off Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Dgms LLC

Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

3/28 & 4/4/24

Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory, or mental disability to participate in this meeting, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5). Three business days advance notice is requested.

BY ORDER OF: MICHELLE FRANK, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

ABC LICENSE

May Estella Barraclough (sole proprietor), trading as May’s Spa, 319 Evergreen Mill Road SE, Leesburg, VA 20175.

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

May Estella Barraclough

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.

4/4 & 4/11/24

3/28 & 4/4/24

ABC LICENSE

Stone Gables LLC, trading as Stone Gables Bed and Breakfast, 19077 Loudoun Orchard Rd., Leesburg, Virginia 20175.

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

Stone Gables, LLC

Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200. 3/28 & 4/4/24

Legal Notices Auctions

Town of Middleburg, Virginia

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND INVITATION TO BID ON AN EXCLUSIVE LEASE/ FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, MAINTAIN, EXTEND AND OPERATE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING EQUIPMENT ON PROPERTY OWNED BY THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBURG

Notice is hereby given that the Council of the Town of Middleburg, Virginia, a Municipal Corporation of the Commonwealth of Virginia, pursuant to § 15.2-2102 of the Code of Virginia, as amended, and after advertisement required by § 15.22101 of the Code of Virginia, as amended, and in the mode prescribed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, intends to receive bids and adopt an Ordinance for the lease/ franchise of Town-owned property located at 12 South Liberty Street and along the roadway of 17 West Federal Street for electric vehicle charging equipment and associated facilities for a term of up to 20 years. Bids shall be in writing and delivered to Council Chambers, Town Office, 10 West Marshall Street, Virginia on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., local time, in open session of Council, to the Clerk of Council. All bids shall be opened in public session and marked for identification by the mayor or other presiding officer

Notice is hereby given pursuant to §§ 15.2-1800 that the Town Council will hold a public hearing to receive comment on the proposed lease at the same date, time, and location.

If an acceptable bid is received, the Town Council may adopt an Ordinance to grant exclusive use of the Town’s property to the successful bidder. Such Ordinance shall include required terms, such as, monthly lease amount, length of lease, and tenant’s obligations. A copy of the full Ordinance is available at the Town Office, 10 West Marshall Street, Middleburg, Virginia, from 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

The Town reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

The Public Hearing is being held at a facility believed to be accessible to persons with disabilities. Any person with questions on accessibility should contact the Town Clerk.

Trowbridge M. Littleton, Mayor Town of Middleburg

4/4 & 4/11/24

Public Notice

The Town of Leesburg Tree Commission Vacancy

The Town of Leesburg is soliciting applications for a vacancy on the Tree Commission. Citizens interested in serving on a board or commission can find additional information, membership requirements, or may apply via the Town’s web site at www.leesburgva.gov/government/boards-and-commissions Applications will be kept on file for one year. Any questions can be sent to the Clerk of Council via email at eboeing@leesburgva.gov

4/4/2024 & 4/11/2024

PLAT-2024-0083 Cedar Terrace at South Riding

Ms. Angela Rassas of Toll VA II LP of Reston, VA is requesting preliminary plat of subdivision approval to subdivide approximately twenty-six (26.39) acres into two hundred eleven (211) residential lots, four (4) non-residential lots, four (4) open space lots, nine (9) lots for future development, and accompanying right-of-way dedication and easement creation. The property is bounded by Tall Cedars Parkway (Route 2200) to the west, Riding Center Drive (Route 2671) to the south, and by Little River Turnpike (Route 50) to the north. The property is zoned Commercial Center – Small Regional Center (CC-SC), and Residential – 16 (R-16) under the provisions of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The property is more particularly described as Parcel Identification Number 164-49-0541-000, 164-388966-000, 164-29-4686-000, 164-28-1764-000, 164-39-7141-000, and 164-38-9782-000 in the Dulles Election District.

Additional information regarding this application may be found on the LandMARC System http:// www.loudoun.gov/LandMARC and searching for PLAT-2024-0083. Please forward any comments or questions to the project manager, Hilary Russo at Hilary.Russo@loudoun.gov or you may mail them to the Department of Building and Development 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia by May 9, 2024. The Department of Building and Development will take action on the above application(s) in accordance with the requirements for preliminary subdivisions outlined in Section 1243.08 of the Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO). 4/4/24

VEHICLE AUCTION

MD Repo Vehicles For Public Sale at ADESA Washington, DC. All Makes and Models Running Weekly Details can be found at www.adesawashingtondc.com

Terms: State and local orders will be strictly enforced at the sale, including social distancing and limits on the number of people permitted to gather in certain areas. All attendees must comply with such procedures or will be required to leave the premises. We strongly recommend that all attendees wear face coverings for the protection of themselves and our staff. Bidder agrees to register and pay a refundable $500 cash deposit plus a non-refundable $20 entry fee before the Sale starts. The balance of the purchase is due in full by 5:00pm on sale day. vehicles are AS-IS and are subject to a buy fee based on the sale price of the vehicle. Only cash or certified funds will be accepted. No vehicle will be released until Payment is made in full. Children under the age of 18 are not permitted.

Terms: Cash or Certified Check.

We’re Hiring.

Loudoun Now is growing. Join the team.

Reporters

Full-time and part-time positions available for experienced journalists with a passion for community journalism. Accuracy, integrity, curiosity required. Talent with photography, video, social media preferred.

Sales

Full-time and part-time advertising sales positions are available for candidates who can help businesses meet their marketing goals in print and online. There is an opportunity to specialize in Loudoun’s growing hospitality/entertainment industries.

Production Manager

An experienced and creative graphics designer is needed to lead all aspects of the newspaper’s ad creation and page design. The position will also oversee aspects of the online operations.

The Loudoun Now team is driven by a mission to make our community stronger through committed journalism. Can you help?

Eclipse 2024

continued from page 1

earth at a close enough distance to completely block the sun’s light, creating darkness during the day.

While eclipses happen all over the world about every 18 months, National Air and Space Museum Astronomy Education Specialist Shauna Edson said this eclipse is special for several reasons.

First, she said it’s about once every 375 years for any one spot on Earth to experience a total eclipse, making it incredibly rare.

“The next time a total eclipse will be visible from D.C. will be 2445,” she said.

Second, the duration of totality during this eclipse will be longer than it was in 2017, running about four and a half minutes, versus two and a half. The moon is also slightly closer to the Earth this time around, which means it will look a little bigger in the sky and the path of totality— extending from Mazatlan Mexico through Dallas, Cleveland, Buffalo and into the Canadian Maritimes—is wider than 2017’s eclipse. It also crosses more major cities and more populated areas so more people will get to experience totality.

Edson said in 2017, 20 million people traveled to the path of totality and said she’s very curious to see what the numbers will be for this one.

“I expect double,” she said, adding that once you see your first total eclipse you get hooked and want to share it with your friends and family, “you say, you have to see this, it’s just too beautiful not to see.”

And if you need another reason to look up at the sky (with protective eyewear) on April 8, Edson said the sun is entering the most active part of its 11-year cycle. She said viewers, with the help of a filtered telescope, will see more sunspots and solar flares than ever before.

“I’m excited the eclipse timed itself at this solar max activity,” she said, noting that there will be lots to see before, during and after the eclipse.

Edson said they can predict eclipses for the next thousand years and said hardcore eclipse chasers sometimes book hotels and camp sites five years in advance. She also said there are cruises geared to eclipses since a vast majority of them happen over the ocean.

Alan Goldberg, coordinator for the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club, is an eclipse chaser. He and his wife made reservations at a hotel in Cleveland about a year ago to view their seventh eclipse. But, believe it or not, that is not the record for NOVAC members, many have seen more by going on eclipse cruises and one mem-

ber has traveled to every continent to view an eclipse.

Goldberg, an MIT grad who worked as a principal engineer on government satellites, including with the company that built the Hubble Telescope, said his love for eclipses came when he experienced his first when he was young.

“It’s hard to explain how strange it is for the sun to change. It creates a visceral response to be in a situation that is so different from what you see every day of the year and it’s not just like a cloud passing in front of the sun. It comes down to the fact that we are used to that but to see the sun different to some extent that is different. It totally changes from a bright ball to a fuzzy dot and whether or not you understand the science about what is going on, it’s sort of amazing. And when you experience it with other people you see you aren’t alone.”

Edson said there is something about an eclipse that makes us want to experience them together.

“It’s indescribable. The sun and the moon are familiar. We see them every day. They are ordinary celestial objects in the sky. But when they come together something extraordinary happens and it’s hard to explain why but people who have experienced a total eclipse seem to understand why,” she said.

An interesting fact about this eclipse is its path of totality will intersect with the 2017 path of totality at Carbondale, IL—a small town in southern Illinois with a population of 21,717— which Goldberg said is extremely rare.

To clearly see an eclipse experts recommend protective eyewear marked with

Goldberg said as the suns light gets narrower, the shadows become sharper.

Loudoun County Public Schools will be in session, with individual schools deciding how to address the eclipse, according to spokesperson Dan Adams. Adams said most schools are choosing to incorporate the eclipse into their lesson plans. There is no early dismissal for the event.  Information can be found at lcps.org/eclipse.

The Air and Space Museum has a list of teacher tips for classes and activities including ones kids can do safely at school.

There are also several places holding viewing parties with filtered telescopes, including at Sweet Run State Park in western Loudoun, Sky Meadows State Park in Fauquier County, and several in Fairfax County, all hosted by NOVAC. Pre-registration is required, and some parks charge admission fees.

the ISO 12312-2 international standard. NASA does not approve any specific brand of eyewear, according to the organization. Both Goldberg and Edson said to watch out for counterfeit glasses that could harm your eyes if they don’t have the proper amount of protection. Safe glasses block all but a minuscule amount of the sun’s light.

Several area stores have glasses, including Wegmans and Lowe’s, but supplies are limited. Also check your local library, several branches throughout the county have them in stock, however there may be a limit per household. There are also a limited number of free glasses available at the Air and Space Museum. One pair of glasses per family.

Edson recommends taking time to notice the world around you during the eclipse by using your other senses.

“Around peak eclipse it will be noticeably darker not like nighttime, but it will be dim and birds will make different sounds,” she said.

She recommends getting glasses early to experience the eclipse fully.

“What I learned in 2017 is that it doesn’t feel real until you are looking through glasses or through a telescope,” she said. “Being able to see it feels more real.”

Or course, there are other ways to view the eclipse without using glasses, including using some pretty primitive methods like poking a hole in a piece of paper and holding it up and over another piece of paper. The shadow of the eclipse will appear on the paper and look like a cookie with a bite taken out. Other ways include using a kitchen colander to cast multiple shadows on paper and a saltine cracker.

The National Air & Space Museum is sponsoring an Eclipse Festival on the National Mall from 12-4 with all kinds of activities and filtered telescopes.

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center will also have filtered telescopes on site from 2-4 p.m. Parking is $15 per person.

Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services also has several locations to view the eclipse for free, including Bluemont Community Center, Dulles South Community Center, Senior Center of Leesburg and Hal and Bernie Hanson Regional Park. Go to PRCS Connect for a full list of events and additional information on viewing parties and PRCS Solar Eclipse related programs. All PRCS events will include free glasses while supplies last.

The eclipse will also be live streamed from several cameras in the path of totality. NASA and the Exploratorium will provide streaming from Mexico and Texas starting at 1 p.m.

If you plan to view the eclipse while driving, VDOT is reminding commuters to pull off into safe areas and to safely exit their cars. They are also reminding commuters to not drive while wearing eclipse glasses, to prepare for reduced visibility and to use headlights and to prepare for congestion.

For a map of totality go to planetary.org/eclipse.

For a list of activities, info about glasses and a map of nationwide events, go to airandspace.si.edu.

The next total solar eclipse is Aug. 12, 2026, and spans over Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal, and Northern Spain.

The next total solar eclipse in the contiguous United States will be on Aug. 22, 2044. n

National Air and Space Museum

A young visitor looks at the sun through a safe solar telescope at a National Air and Space Museum event on the National Mall in July 2022.

Oatlands reopens

continued from page 3

greenhouse, and extensive collection of records that help tell the story of the nation’s early agricultural enterprises and enslavement.

The home and gardens will be open for free tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 6 as part of a community celebration that will also include food trucks and live music.

For the past four decades, the property was managed by a locally controlled board. That arrangement ended last year after the local group filed a lawsuit against the Trust seeking more money to support renovations and operations.

In taking over the property in November, the Trust brought in a veteran curator to reenergize its programing and revive the property, including extensive restoration work to seal the mansion’s leaking roof and repair its dilapidated balustrades and Victorian fencing.

Leading the effort is Interim Executive Director Laura VanHuss, who has a background in interpretation of historic houses and landscapes and has worked with the Trust in a number of roles, both in interpretation and managing change.

“My experience with Oatlands is really special. It’s such a gem,” she said, noting the significance of its preservation in an area of rapid development.

She is drawn to the 1810 greenhouse, believed to be the oldest remaining in the South, where enslaved gardeners worked for gentry planters to import and nurture new species of plants.

“It was being built at a time when horticulture collection and cultivation was, if I could be crass about it, very akin to collecting cars today,” she said “You had, through colonialism and through greater connections with the larger global economy, plants that were being brought in—whether it was by Thomas Jefferson, whether it was George Carter, and there are many others. They would get these plants, and then it was handed off to an individual who might have been told where the plant was from, but with the expectation that they didn’t just need to make sure this plant survived. It needed to thrive for the benefit of their enslavers, you know, as social currency. Just to imagine that space as the pressure and the ingenuity, and the creativity that needed to take place, and the skill set that those gardeners had, is really impressive.”

“We live in a world where if you don’t know how to not kill a plant, you Google

how they can address soil health on a much smaller scale in a way that’s directly impactful.”

And tapping into the property’s precolonial heritage, an April 13 program will feature a panel discussing indigenous women’s perspectives for healthy soil and water.

That program is offered in conjunction with Agricair, one of the community partnerships Lori Kimball said will be integral to the property’s educational offerings.

Kimball returns to Oatlands as the senior manager of programs after serving as the program director from 2012 until 2019 when she led efforts to document the stories of those who were enslaved on the property. For the past several years, she worked in the historic records division at the county courthouse.

She is excited to roll out a robust roster of activities, including expanding the school education programs.

“I don’t look at it is going back to what we did. It’s all brand new. It’s all new and new opportunities,” she said. “It will be lots of partnerships.”

it, or you reach out to your Cooperative Extension agent, or the Master Gardeners,” she said. “The whole idea of a master gardener and this concept of sustained learning was taking place and not necessarily by choice, but what was accomplished I think is inspiring.”

And as the Carters were pioneers in propagation, VanHuss noted, the Eustis women were among the vanguard of women exploring landscape architecture.

The history of agriculture and horticulture will be more prominently featured in Oatlands programming, including a new initiative to lease farm plots to community planters, building on a decade-long relationship with Wegmeyer Farms’ strawberry field.

They also are exploring the creation of a composting lab. VanHuss said the goal would be “to allow people who have a passion for gardening to understand

“I’m excited about the garden being a focus of the property because it’s such a beautiful space,” Kimball said. There also will be tours of the property’s notable trees, and tours dedicated to specifically feature the property’s architecture or art works.

“The programming for the year really covers everything from opportunities to really forward scholarships at historic sites—particularly with the architect because Oatlands has the potential to be a fulcrum for those discussions to more traditional and enjoyable scholarships,” VanHuss said. “The wide range of programs speaks to the dynamic nature of Oatlands. It is a site of enslavement. It is a site of women’s horticultural history. It is a site of indigenous presence before there were colonialists. We’ll be bringing all those components together.”

But Saturday is planned as a day of family fun—a chance for area residents to reconnect with the property.

“I see it as a big community day because the National Trust’s vision for Oatlands is that this is a place for the community. And so, we’re trying to make it that on Saturday, and have a little bit of something for everybody,” Kimball said.

The grounds, manor house, gardens and miles of hiking trails will be open to the public for free from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 6. Learn more at oatlands.org. n

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Since taking control of Oatlands last fall, the National Trust has initiated a series of restoration projects, including the repair of rotted balustrades on the mansion’s front lawn.

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

The Oatlands garden will be open for free tours Saturday as part the National Trust’s grand reopening celebration for the historic property.

A New Visit

On Saturday, the National Trust will invite community members to become reacquainted with—or perhaps discover—Oatlands, long a crown jewel of Loudoun’s historic resources.

Amid challenges of fiscal stress complicated by unfortunate management choices, activities at the property declined in recent years. Add in the competition for visitor attention all of our historic and cultural destinations face amid the popularity of wineries and breweries and Oatlands became a somewhat forgotten treasure.

That is quickly changing with the Trust’s commitment both to investing in long-delayed repairs to the house and grounds, and to reinstating a robust calendar of programmatic offerings. It is still early in the turnaround, but renewed energy

Insulting

Editor:

During the March 12 Loudoun County School Board meeting there was a discussion about whether cameras should be turned back onto the public speakers during public comments. Many on this board were not even around to know that the cameras were removed from the speakers in a unilateral decision by a political party surrogate, Brenda Sheridan, because she was in charge and she loathed public criticism as much as the current chair.

June 8, 2021, was the last day that public speakers were seen on camera at LCPS board meetings. After that the cameras were removed from the person

holds promise that even more area residents—and visitors—will find value in the stories to be told there.

The Oatlands experience offers an important reminder, as well. While Loudoun is blessed with many significant historic resources that have been protected through a strong commitment to preservation. Those include other historic homes including Morven Park and Dodona Manor along with our significant museum collections. These assets are not to be taken for granted. Their stories need to be heard and shared, and the assets need continual support through strong board leadership and community stewardship. And that all starts with making time for a visit. See you there. n

LETTERS to the Editor

speaking, they were pointed to the dais, and the public was restricted from being in the room during comments. We had to stand in line in the corridor and wait until Sheridan called us to a podium that was 50-60 feet from the dais in the back of an empty room with only the board and staff. To say the least it was insulting and demeaning.

At the March 12 meeting it was decided along party lines to remove the cameras entirely from the public and put up an LCPS logo on the screen with closed captioning. This “new” School Board seems more of a regurgitation of the same old same old. It seems the only way to get LCPS’ attention is through media and litigation.

Every Loudoun resident should be

concerned regardless of political party. Things like this are great when your party is in power but not so good when you’re not. Remember the rule the board put in place to silence dissenting former member Ms. Polifko. Board members used to be allowed to bring things to the board alone but the majority didn’t like what she was saying so she was prevented from bringing new items without support from other members and the majority knew no one would support up.

I guess we’ll see if the School Board will fix this mistake on its own or if LCPS will once again be famous for another court case regarding public meetings and free speech.

— Michael Rivera, Leesburg

What’s the best thing about spring break?

Eclipse Mania: Are you In? READERS’ poll CHIPshots

Chip Beck

• 49.6% Less Traffic

•

• 19.1% More family time

• 12.2% No classes

• 11.5% Vacation/Trip

• 7.6% Weather

THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:

Share your views at loudounnow.com/polls

Honor Flights

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that honor,” she said, adding that for many Vietnam vets it’s too much for them to visit the Vietnam Wall but when they are walking there with 50 other guys who went through what they went through they are finally able to do it.

“One day last year, at the end of the day, one vet came back into where we had dinner and said, ‘I just want you to know now that I’ve been honored, I can die in peace.’ It’s a tremendous amount of work but if we can do it for one vet it makes it all worthwhile,” she said.

Retired Tech. Sgt. Louis Lawrence served in the Air Force from 1955 to 1976, including a tour in Vietnam.

He toured the sites with the Top of Virginia Hub last year after one of his friends, a resident of Ashby Ponds Senior Living Center in Ashburn, recommended he sign up.

“It was one of the most humbling and amazing experiences of my career,” he said. “I was honored to be selected to escort a 96-year-old Word War II veteran in laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. That was really something for me to be honored.”

He said his wife is buried at Arlington so to visit in a group like this was extra special for him.

Lawrence said, as a resident of the area and former government employee, he has visited the sites many times, but none of those trips were as special as the tour with men who understood what he had gone through.

“Those names have faces behind them. Every Vietnam vet that has gone there has had that emotional attachment to that wall and you can see it. The tears come to their eyes, and they go there and touch that wall,” he said, speaking of his own special connection. Lawrence said he

some of his close friends.

He said the feelings stirred up during the visit to the monuments were indescribable and the welcome home by students and families were unforgettable.

“I thought patriotism had died in this country. It has been damaged but it’s still alive. I saw that with that welcome crew,” he said.

Although there is a waiting list to participate in the national Honor Flights, with tours happening only four times a year, April, May, September, and October, Klopp said Top of Virginia has no wait list.

She hopes to see more veterans on future trips and to see more people coming out to welcome the vets back after each trip.

“Each bus has a nurse and support personnel, and we take wheelchairs. We don’t want anyone who wants to go to not be able to,” she said. “There is no reason to not come. There are no strings attached whatsoever. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and we don’t ask for money. It really is a free trip with breakfast, lunch and dinner, a shirt, and photo book.”

To date they have taken 774 local veterans, including 69 who served during World War II.

The next trip, Mission 19, is April 27 departing from the Ashburn Senior Center. Veterans from Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William and Fauquier are encouraged to register and attend. Seats can be reserved by calling 540692-9197 or going to honorflight-tov.org.

witnessed a friend die in a mortar attack and had to identify his body. He said seeing his name on the wall brings back a lot of memories.

Retired Petty Officer 2nd Class Harold Spencer joined the Navy just as combat ceased in the Korean War.

He said he toured the sites in 2022 with the group and

Mission 20 will depart from Winchester June 1 and Mission 21 will depart from Harrisonburg on Sept. 28.

Honor Flight Network has been offering flights to veterans to Washington DC since 2005. Its initial focus was World War II veterans but has since expanded to include the Korean and Vietnam Wars. It has 128 active hubs and has transported 275,000 veterans to the memorials in its 19 years. n